JPS629104Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] The present invention relates to a replaceable ink cartridge device containing ink, and is particularly useful for use in inkjet printers that eject minute ink droplets to record images such as characters and figures. The present invention relates to an ink cartridge device.

FIG. 1 shows a conventional ink cartridge device, in which numeral 1 is an amorphous storage body made of a film sheet or the like that stores ink 2, 3 is an ink cartridge containing the storage body 1, and 4 is the storage body. 1 and a protruding tube protruding from the ink cartridge 3; 5 has one end connected to the protruding tube 4 and the other end communicating with the ink 2;
The storage body 1, the ink cartridge 3, the protruding tube 4, the connecting pipe 5, and the outflow member 6 are integrally formed into a unit. Reference numeral 7 denotes a connecting member that is connected to the outflow member 6 and supplies the ink 2 to an object to be supplied, such as an ink drop jetting device, via the ink supply pipe 8. By injecting the outflow member 6 into the connecting member 7, the connection between the two is achieved. will be carried out. Reference numeral 9 denotes an inlet for introducing an air flow into the ink cartridge 3, and the ink 2 in the storage body 1 is pressurized by the air flow from an air supply pipe 10 communicating with the inlet port 9. It's summery.

In an ink cartridge device having such a structure,
When the ink 2 in the storage body 1 is consumed, replacement work is performed for each cartridge unit 11. That is, the needle-shaped outflow member 6 is removed from the coupling member 7, and then the air supply pipe 10 is removed from the inlet port 9 of the ink cartridge 3. It was done in two movements. Furthermore, since the cartridge unit 11 also includes the outflow member 6 and the connection pipe 5 that connects the outflow member 6 and the protrusion member 4, the cost of the cartridge unit 11, which is a replacement unit, is high. Was.

The present invention has been devised in view of this point, and one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the device of the present invention viewed from above, and 20 is an amorphous storage body that stores approximately 200 to 300 c.c. of ink 21, and the storage body 20 is, for example, an inkjet printer. For those incorporated into the ink supply system, use low air permeability film sheets such as vinylidene chloride and vinyl chloride copolymer films, nylon films, etc., which have extremely low air permeation in order to suppress air intrusion into the ink supply system. It is formed from. At this time, it is desirable that the ink 21 be subjected to a deaeration process in advance. 22 is a needle-shaped outflow member that communicates with the storage body 20 and allows the ink 21 to flow out; 23 is an ink cartridge that houses the storage body 20 and allows the tip of the outflow member 22 to protrude; the cartridge 23 is filled with air; An inlet 24 opened to introduce the ink flow is formed to protrude in the same direction as the outflow member 22, and the storage body 20, outflow member 22, ink cartridge 23, and ink inlet 24 form a cartridge unit. 25
It consists of Note that a slidable cylindrical member 26 is associated with the outflow hole 22a at the tip of the outflow member 22. Reference numeral 27 denotes a coupling member that is coupled to the outflow member 22 and allows the ink 21 to be drawn out from the storage body 20. The coupling member 27 is a cylindrical member made of silicone rubber or the like that allows the outflow member 22 to be inserted through the housing 28 in a watertight manner. plug body 29 and ink 21
Metal mesh filter 30 that filters dust inside
, a coupling pipe 32 to which an ink supply pipe 31 is coupled, and the like. Reference numeral 33 denotes an air supply body whose one end is connected to an air pump (not shown) and whose other end is open. It is fixed to the main body by an angle 34 so as to face the. 35 is the connecting member 27 together with the angle 34.
and a U-shaped frame surrounding the air supply body 33, and U-shaped notches 36, 3 are provided at the portions of the frame 35 that face the coupling member 27 and the air supply body 33.
6' is provided. And the above notch 3
The width of the notch through which the internal outflow member 22 of 6, 36' is inserted is larger than the outer diameter of the outflow member 22, and smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical member 26 whose tip covers the outflow hole 22a. There is. Reference numeral 37 denotes a U-shaped regulating plate which is provided on the main body and guides the movement of the cartridge unit 25 with opposing sides 37a and 37b and restricts the movement with a bottom side 37c.A cushion body 38 is provided on the bottom side 37c.

The installation work of the cartridge unit 25 will now be explained.

First, a cartridge unit 25 filled with ink 21 is prepared as shown in FIG.
5 is arranged along the inner wall of the U-shaped regulating plate 37 such that the tips of the outflow member 22 and the inlet 24 protrude from the notches 36, 36' of the frame 35. With this arrangement, the outflow member 22, the coupling member 27, and the inlet 24 and the air supply body 33 face each other with a small distance between them. Next, cartridge unit 25
is slid along the opposite side of the regulating plate 37, the tip of the outflow member 22 touches the stopper 2 of the coupling member 27.
9, and finally the outflow hole 22a at the tip thereof faces the inner chamber. At this time, the cylindrical member 26 covering the outflow hole 22a has moved to the rear of the outflow member 22.

On the other hand, the introduction port 24 is also inserted into the opposing air supply body 33, and the two communicate with each other. That is, the cartridge unit 25 is placed on opposite sides 37a and 37b of the regulating plate 37.
By simply pushing the outlet member 22 and the connecting member 27 together, the inlet 2
4 and the air supply body 33 can be simultaneously established in one operation.

To remove the cartridge unit 25, it is only necessary to slide the unit 25 in the opposite direction to the installation until it comes into contact with the regulating plate 37. At this time, the movement of the outflow member 22 causes the cylindrical member 26 to move from the frame. 35 and its movement is restricted.
Therefore, the outflow hole 22a coming out from the coupling member 27
will be covered by the cylindrical member 26,
This prevents the ink 21 from leaking from the outflow hole 22a.

As is clear from the above description, the ink cartridge device of the present invention has an outflow member protruding from the storage body containing ink and an inlet for introducing air flow, which are formed in the same direction of the ink cartridge.
Since the connecting member and the air supply body, which are connected and communicated with these, are fixed at predetermined positions, the ink cartridge can be moved in one direction toward the connecting member and the air supply body, and the outflow member The connecting member, the inlet, and the air supply body can be connected or communicated at the same time, and the replacement work can be simplified. Furthermore, since the ink cartridge is simplified in unitization compared to conventional ink cartridges, the cost of the unit itself, which is a consumable item, can be kept low.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a sectional view of a conventional device seen from the side.
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the device of the present invention seen from above;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the ink, in which 20 is a storage body, 22 is an outflow member, 23 is an ink cartridge, 24 is an inlet, 25 is a cartridge unit, 27 is a coupling member, 33 is an air supply body, and 35 is a frame. 37 indicates a regulation plate.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] In an ink cartridge device that pressurizes ink within the storage body by introducing air flow into an ink cartridge incorporating an amorphous storage body containing ink, an outflow member that communicates with the storage body and projects from the cartridge. a cylindrical member slidably provided at an outlet formed at the tip of the outlet member; an inlet opening in the same direction as the protruding direction of the outlet member and introducing an air flow into the ink cartridge; an air supply body that communicates with the inlet and adds airflow; a coupling member that couples with the outflow member to draw out ink from the storage body; a frame that surrounds the air supply body and the coupling member; and the frame. A notch is formed at opposing locations of the air supply body and the coupling member, respectively, and the width of the notch is larger than the outer diameter of the outlet member and smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical member through which the outlet member is inserted. , a regulating plate that guides the movement of the ink cartridge on the opposite side and regulates the movement on the bottom side;
When the ink cartridge is installed, the ink cartridge is moved in one direction toward the air supply body and the coupling member while being guided by a regulating plate, thereby coupling the ink outflow member and the coupling member. , the air inlet and the air supply body are communicated with each other, and when the ink cartridge is removed, the cylindrical member comes into contact with the frame by moving in the opposite direction, and by moving the cylindrical member, the air outlet is opened. An ink cartridge device characterized by being coated.