JP2012111143A - Method for manufacturing ink tank - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for manufacturing an ink tank of low possibility of ink leakage from an ink absorption member at low cost.SOLUTION: The method is provided for manufacturing the ink tank that includes: a tank case which has an ink supply port; an ink absorption member which comprises a first low absorbing member of relatively low flow resistance and a second absorbing member of relatively high flow resistance and contained in the tank case; and ink held by the ink absorption member. The method for manufacturing the ink tank includes: a step of arranging a tip of an ink injection member for injecting ink, at a space between the tank case and the ink absorption member, and different space from an ink supply port; and a step of injecting the ink into a space so as to satisfy through the ink injection member, a following relation: X1<X2 ( X1: ink filling rate of the first absorbing member, X2: ink filling rate of the second absorbing member, the ink filling rate: a proportion of volume of ink occupies inside the absorbing member to volume of each absorbing member).

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink tank manufacturing method, and more particularly, to an ink injection method for an ink tank provided with an ink absorbing member for holding ink.

  In the ink jet recording field, as a method for improving the ink supply property of an ink tank to a recording head that discharges ink, a method of providing a density gradient of an ink absorbing member in the ink tank is known. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a configuration of an ink tank in which a fiber member having a thin fiber diameter is disposed in the vicinity of an ink supply port that communicates with a recording head, and a fiber member having a thicker fiber diameter is disposed around the ink tank. is doing.

  By the way, as a method of injecting ink into the ink absorbing material in the ink tank, a method of injecting ink by inserting one ink injection needle into the ink absorbing member is conventionally known. Further, Patent Document 2 inserts a plurality of ink injection needles into an ink absorbing member in an ink tank, injects ink while managing the ink injection amount for each ink injection needle, and determines a desired ink injection amount and distribution. Proposes how to achieve.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 08-020115 JP 2006-159656 A

  When such an ink tank is exposed to environmental changes such as physical distribution vibration, drop impact, temperature, and humidity, the ink held in the ink absorbing member generally moves. In such an environment, the ink may leak from the ink absorbing member.

  On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228707 has a problem to be solved that the ink supply performance and the ink retainability in such an environment may be deteriorated. As a means for solving the problem, the density of the ink absorbing member is set in the ink tank. It only discloses the method of applying a gradient. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-228688 describes the leakage of ink due to the movement of ink existing in the gap between the ink tank and the ink absorbing member inside the ink tank, but does not describe the possibility of ink leakage from the ink absorbing member. Absent.

  The present invention relates to an ink tank provided with an ink absorbing member composed of two absorbing members, which is excellent in ink supply to a recording head, and relates to an ink tank having a low possibility of ink leakage from the ink absorbing member at low cost. A method of manufacturing is provided.

  According to the present invention, depending on the ink movement destination, the ink can be held again in the ink absorbing member. However, when the moved ink cannot be held by the ink absorbing member, the ink is We focused on the possibility of leaking from That is, in order to reduce the risk of ink leakage, a region where the moved ink can be held there is a region where the ink does not penetrate into the ink absorbing member after ink injection (ink non-penetrating). It has been found that it is effective to provide a region.

  In order to solve the above problems, an ink tank manufacturing method of the present invention includes a tank case having an ink supply port for supplying ink to a recording head, a first absorbing member having a relatively low flow resistance, and a flow resistance. An ink tank manufacturing method comprising: a relatively high second absorbing member; and an ink absorbing member housed in the tank case; and an ink held by the ink absorbing member. A step of disposing the tip of the ink injecting member for injecting the ink in a space different from the ink supply port between the tank case and the ink absorbing member, and via the ink injecting member, In the ink tank, the following relationship: X1 <X2 (where X1 indicates the ink filling rate of the first absorbing member, and X2 indicates the ink filling rate of the second absorbing member. And the ink filling rate refers to the ratio of the volume occupied by the ink inside the absorbing member to the volume of each absorbing member), and the step of injecting ink into the space. To do.

  According to the present invention, in the manufacture of an ink tank having an ink absorbing member composed of a plurality of absorbing members having different ink flow resistances, ink can be injected by controlling the ink liquid level in each absorbing member. it can. In particular, it is possible to reduce ink leakage from the ink absorbing member by making the layer thickness of the ink non-penetrating region in the absorbing member, which is more easily moved and less retained, thicker than that of the other absorbing member. . Further, since ink can be injected with a single ink injection needle, an ink tank that is resistant to ink leakage can be provided without increasing the cost due to the increase in size and complexity of the ink injection device.

(A)-(e) is a figure explaining the ink injection | pouring process in the manufacturing method of the ink tank of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the ink tank which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (A) And (b) is a graph which shows the time change of the ratio of the area of the ink contact area | region of the absorption member which concerns on 1st Embodiment. (A)-(f) is a figure explaining the ink injection | pouring process in the manufacturing method of the ink tank of 2nd Embodiment. (A) And (b) is a graph which shows the time change of the ratio of the area of the ink contact area | region of the absorption member which concerns on the example of 2nd Embodiment. (A)-(e) is a figure explaining the ink injection | pouring process in the manufacturing method of the ink tank of 3rd Embodiment. (A) And (b) is a graph which shows the time change of the ratio of the area of the ink contact area | region of the absorption member which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. (A)-(c) is a figure explaining the ink injection | pouring process in the manufacturing method of the ink tank of 4th Embodiment.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of an ink tank to which the present invention is applied. The ink tank 11 includes a tank case 12, a tank lid 14 that covers the opening of the tank case 12, for example, is installed by welding, and an ink absorbing member 40 that is accommodated in the tank case 12. The tank case 12 has an ink supply port 15 for supplying ink to the recording head 30, and prevents dust and dust from entering the ink supply port between the ink absorbing member 40 and the recording head 30. A filter 16 is provided for prevention. Here, the ink tank 11 may or may not be integrated with the recording head 30. The tank lid 14 is provided with an atmosphere communication port 13 and forms a space serving as a buffer chamber 17 between the tank lid 14 and the ink absorbing member in the tank case 12. The buffer chamber 17 has a function of storing ink that has temporarily leaked from the ink absorbing member 40 and suppressing ink from leaking outside the ink tank. The ink absorbing member 40 is composed of two members, a first absorbing member 41 and a relatively high second absorbing member 42, which have a relatively low ink flow resistance, holds the ink 20, and holds the ink 20 during ink jet recording. The ink can be supplied to the ink supply port 15. In the figure, reference numeral 21 denotes the ink 20 held by the ink absorbing member, and reference numeral 41a denotes an area where the ink 20 of the ink absorbing member is not held (hereinafter referred to as “ink non-penetrating area”). Here, the ink 20 that can be used in the present invention can be an ink known in the technical field of inkjet recording.

  The ink absorbing member 40 that can be used in this embodiment will be described in detail below.

(Ink retention)
First, the absorbing member constituting the two-component ink absorbing member 40 of the present embodiment holds ink that has permeated inside due to the negative pressure due to the capillary force generated inside. If the negative pressure is too low, the ink leaks from the ink tank. On the other hand, if the negative pressure is too high, the ink cannot be supplied to the recording head that ejects ink from the ink tank. Therefore, the absorbing member is required to be able to set an appropriate negative pressure in the ink tank. The negative pressure is determined by the size of the air gap present in the absorbent member.

  A fiber assembly can be used as the absorbent member of the present invention as a device capable of setting such a negative pressure. When a fiber assembly is used as the absorbent member, the average negative pressure is determined by the fiber density and the fiber diameter. Here, “fiber density” in the present specification refers to the ratio (unit:%) of the volume of the fibers constituting the fiber assembly to the ink tank volume. The fiber density can be appropriately selected according to the negative pressure required for each ink tank. In addition, as another material that can set an appropriate negative pressure, a member made of a porous material such as urethane foam can be used in the present invention.

(Ink supply)
The absorbing member constituting the two-component ink absorbing member 40 of the present embodiment is required to be able to stably supply ink to a recording head that ejects ink during ink jet recording.

  When a fiber aggregate is used for the absorbing member, a suitable ink supply property is obtained by making the fiber density of the absorbing member in the vicinity of the ink supply port relatively higher than the fiber density of the absorbing member in other parts. be able to. According to the above configuration, when ink is consumed by ink jet recording, the ink in the absorbing member having the higher fiber density is consumed, and accordingly, the ink in the absorbing member having the lower fiber density has the higher fiber density. This is because it moves to one of the absorbing members. At this time, it is considered that the higher the fiber density in the vicinity of the ink supply port, the better the ink supply property can be obtained. In addition, when a member made of a porous material is used as the absorbing member, a favorable ink supply property can be obtained by changing the size of the internal pores and using a member having a relatively high negative pressure in the vicinity of the ink supply port. Obtainable.

  In this embodiment, as the ink absorbing member 40, an ink absorbing member having a two-member configuration with good ink supply is used. However, as long as the same effect can be given, it will be understood that an ink absorbing member composed of three or more members can be used in the present invention, not limited to the two-member structure.

(Wet ink resistance)
The absorbing member constituting the two-component ink absorbing member 40 of the present embodiment is desirably as low as possible in the possibility of being deteriorated by contact with ink, that is, it is required to have ink contact resistance. Examples of the material that can be used for the absorbent member include polyolefin, polyester, acrylonitrile, and the like, and preferably a chemically highly stable polyolefin.

  When the absorbent member is a fiber assembly, the structure of the fibers constituting the fiber assembly is not particularly limited as long as the fiber assembly satisfies the above-mentioned required properties. In addition to fibers having a single layer structure, fibers having a two layer structure such as a core-sheath structure generally used for an ink absorbing member can be selected. For example, a core-sheath two-layer structure fiber using a different material such as polypropylene (PP) for the core and polyethylene (PE) for the sheath may be selected. You may comprise a fiber assembly using the dissimilar fiber from which fiber properties (a fiber diameter and a fiber material) differ. At that time, the intersections between the fibers may be bonded to each other or may not be bonded to each other.

  Considering the above, in the first embodiment, the first and second absorbing members 41 and 42 constituting the ink supply member 40 are both core-sheath two-layer structure fibers (core PP) having a fiber diameter of 6.7 dtex. -A fiber assembly made of sheath PE), in which the intersections of the fibers are joined together. Regarding the fiber density, as a configuration example with good ink supply, the fiber density of the first absorbent member 41 is 8%, and the fiber density of the second absorbent member 42 is 13%. Referring to FIG. 2, the second absorbent member 42 having a relatively high fiber density is on the ink supply port 15 side, the first absorbent member 41 having a relatively low fiber density is on the other side, and both the absorbent members 41 and Both are arranged in the tank case 12 so as to face the buffer chamber 17.

Here, as can be seen from the fiber diameter and fiber density, the first absorbent member has a larger size of the voids present in the interior than the second absorbent member, and therefore the flow resistance of the ink is small. In the present embodiment, the first and second absorbing members constituting the two-member ink absorbing member satisfy the following relational expression of flow resistance.
Flow resistance relationship:
FR1 <FR2 (Formula I)
(In the formula, FR1 represents the flow resistance of the first absorbent member, and FR2 represents the flow resistance of the second absorbent member.)

  Next, the ink non-penetrating region in the present embodiment will be described. As described above, the ink non-penetrating region indicates a region where the ink 20 of the ink absorbing member 40 is not held. Referring to FIG. 2, an ink non-penetrating region 41 a is formed in a layer that is somewhat thick facing the buffer chamber 17 in the absorbing member 41 having a relatively small flow resistance. This ink non-penetrating region can contribute to prevention of ink leakage from the ink absorbing member. The second absorbing member 42 has a relatively large flow resistance as compared with the first absorbing member 41 and can easily hold ink, and therefore may or may not have an ink non-penetrating region 42a (not shown). However, from the viewpoint of more reliably preventing ink leakage, it is preferable that the second absorbent member having a relatively large flow resistance also has the ink non-penetrating region 42a facing the buffer chamber 17. However, at this time, it is an essential requirement in the present invention that the layer thickness of the ink non-penetrating region 41a is larger than the layer thickness of the ink non-penetrating region 42a. Δh in the figure indicates a difference in the layer thickness of the ink non-penetrating region of the first and second absorbing members.

  That is, in the present invention, the first and second absorbing members 41 and 42 constituting the ink absorbing member 40 have different thicknesses of the ink non-penetrating regions, so that the flow resistance is relatively small and the ink is easily moved. In one absorbent member, the layer thickness is set to be relatively large. In other words, in the present invention, the ink filling rate of the first absorbing member that makes the ink absorbing member different from each other and the ink filling rate of the first absorbing member and the second absorbing member that make up the ink absorbing member are relatively small and the flow resistance is relatively small. Set the rate relatively small.

Here, the “ink filling rate” in this specification refers to the ratio of the volume occupied by the ink inside the absorbing member to the volume of the absorbing member. The ink filling rate X of the absorbing member is obtained by the following equation.
Ink filling rate:
X = Vi / Vm (Formula II)
(In the formula, X represents the ink filling rate of the absorbing member, Vm represents the volume of the absorbing member, and Vi represents the volume occupied by the ink inside the absorbing member.)

In the present embodiment, the ink filling rates of the first and second absorbing members satisfy the following relationship.
Ink filling rate relationship:
X1 <X2 (Formula III)
(In the formula, X1 represents the ink filling rate of the first absorbing member, and X2 represents the ink filling rate of the second absorbing member.)

  As described above, in this embodiment, the layer thickness of the ink non-penetrating region or the ink filling rate of the absorbing member is controlled according to the difference in flow resistance of the absorbing member. Thus, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the ink moves from the ink absorbing member to the buffer chamber when the ink tank receives vibration.

  Next, a method for manufacturing the ink tank according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIGS. 1A to 1E are diagrams illustrating an ink injection process in the method for manufacturing an ink tank according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2 indicate the same components, and the description thereof is omitted here.

  FIG. 1A is a diagram in which an ink injection needle 50 is arranged to inject ink in an ink tank before ink injection and tank lid installation. In the stage before ink injection, the first and second absorbing members 41 and 42 are spaced inside the tank case 12 so that a space 60 is formed between their lower surface and the bottom surface of the tank case 12. The ink absorbing member 40 having a two-member structure is formed by being stored in a space. This space 60 is a space different from both the buffer chamber 17 and the ink supply port 15 of the ink tank. Here, the bottom surface of the tank case 12 refers to the lower inner surface of the ink tank 11 when the ink tank is mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus so that the surface having the ink supply port faces vertically downward.

  In the present embodiment, the first absorption member 41 has a film 41 b on a part of the surface facing the space 60. The film 41b is an ink impermeable film, and may be a film that does not absorb ink from the outside to the inside of the ink absorbing member through the film. For example, the film 41b may be a plate-shaped thin film layer. The film 41b can be formed by, for example, melting the surface of the ink absorbing member with a pressure heating tool, but the method of forming the film 41b is not limited to melting.

  In FIG. 1A, an ink injection needle 50 as an ink injection member is disposed so as to penetrate the ink absorption member and have its tip positioned in the space 60. In the drawing, the ink injection needle 50 passes through the second absorption member 42, but may pass through the first absorption member 41. As the ink injection needle 50, an injection needle having a size equivalent to 15G was used. The size of the ink injection needle is desirably determined by the ink filling amount per unit time employed for ink injection.

  FIGS. 1B to 1D are schematic views showing ink filling states in the ink injection process, respectively. In the present embodiment, pressure injection with an ink filling rate of 11 g / second is employed for ink injection. As the ink characteristics, conditions of a viscosity of about 2.0 m · Pa · s and a surface tension of about 40 mN / m were used. In the present embodiment, the bottom surface of the tank case 12, that is, the lower inner surface of the ink tank 11 and the lower surface of the ink absorbing member 40 are parallel, and these surfaces are horizontal (perpendicular to the vertical direction). The ink injection process was performed.

  FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating a state at the start of ink injection. The ink 20 is pressurized and injected into the space 60 through the ink injection needle 50.

  FIG. 1C is a diagram illustrating a state in which the space 60 is filled with the ink 20. In the present embodiment, as described above, the tank case 12 has its bottom surface, that is, the surface having the ink supply port 15 kept horizontal during the ink injection process. The pressure-injected ink 20 is first filled into the space 60 and then filled into the space 60 so as to come into contact with the lower surfaces in the vertical direction of the first and second absorbing members 41 and 42. At this time, with respect to the first absorbing member 41, the area of the area A1 excluding the area of the impermeable film 41b on the lower surface thereof is actually in contact with the ink 20 in the space 60 (hereinafter referred to as “ink contact area”). It becomes). On the other hand, for the second absorbing member 42, the area of the area A <b> 2 that is the entire lower surface in the vertical direction is an area that actually contacts the ink 20 in the space 60 and serves as an ink contact area. The ink in the space 60 is absorbed into each absorbing member from the ink contact area. Ink injection is further continued until a predetermined amount of ink arbitrarily set according to the ink tank is injected.

  FIG. 1 (d) is a diagram showing how the first and second absorbing members 41 and 42 absorb ink. The ink 20 injected into the space 60 is absorbed from the contact areas with respect to the inside of the ink absorbing member 40. In the figure, reference numeral 21 indicates the ink 20 absorbed by the ink absorbing member 40 as described above. As the absorption proceeds, the liquid level of the ink 21 inside each absorbing member gradually increases. As described above, the ink contact area of the first absorbing member 41 has a size of the area A1 on the lower surface in the vertical direction of the first absorbing member 41. When the liquid level of the ink 21 absorbed by the first absorbing member 41 from the ink contact area of the area A1 rises in the vertical direction and reaches a height exceeding the thickness of the film 41b, the ink faces the space 60. It spreads over the area B1 which is a cross section of the first absorbing member 41 parallel to the ink contact area. Hereinafter, the cross section of the area B1 is referred to as “ink-absorbable region”.

  In the present embodiment, the first absorbing member 41 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is set so that the pair of surfaces are horizontal during the ink injection process. Therefore, the area B1 of the ink absorbing region of the first absorbing member is constant over the entire height of the first absorbing member 41 excluding the film thickness portion of the film 41b. Since the area A1 of the ink contact area is smaller than the area B1 of the ink absorbable area by the area of the film 41b, the area ratio A1 / B1 is always greater than 100% at a height exceeding the film thickness of the film 41b. small. That is, the presence of the film 41b limits the amount of ink that the first absorbing member 41 can suck from the space 60 per unit time, and the rising speed of the ink level in the first absorbing member is A1 / B1. Is slower than when 100%.

  In contrast, the second absorbent member 42 is not provided with an impermeable membrane. Therefore, the area of the ink contact region of the second absorbing member 42 that is a region in contact with the ink 20 filling the space 60 is A2. The second absorbing member 42 also has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is set so that the pair of surfaces are horizontal during the ink injection process. Therefore, the area B2 of the cross section of the second absorbent member 42 (ie, the ink absorbable region) parallel to the ink contact region facing the space 60 is constant over the entire height of the second absorbent member 42, and the ink contact It is equal to the area A2 of the region. Therefore, the liquid level of the ink 21 absorbed by the second absorbing member 42 from the ink contact area of the area A2 rises in the vertical direction while maintaining the area A2, that is, the area B2 of the ink absorbable area. In other words, the area ratio A2 / B2 is always 100%, and the second absorbing member 42 has no restriction on the rising speed of the ink level as in the case of the first absorbing member 41.

When the above is summarized in terms of the area ratio and the thickness of the film 41b is negligible with respect to the height at which the ink should be absorbed, while the ink is absorbed by the absorbing member in the ink injection step of the present embodiment, The following relationship holds.
Area ratio relationship:
A1 / B1 <A2 / B2 (Formula IV)
(Where A1 is the area of the ink contact area of the first absorbent member, B1 is the area of the ink absorbent area of the first absorbent member, A2 is the area of the ink contact area of the second absorbent member, and B2 is the second absorbent member. The area of the ink-absorbable area is shown.)

  In the step shown in FIG. 1D, ink injection is terminated when a predetermined amount of ink arbitrarily set according to the ink tank is injected. Next, the ink injection needle 50 is removed from the tank case 12.

  FIG. 1E is a view showing a state in which the first and second absorbing members 41 and 42 are pushed down to the bottom surface of the tank case 12. The arrow P in the figure indicates the force applied to reach this state. By pushing the first and second absorbing members to the bottom surface, the space 60 is eliminated, and the ink existing in the space 60 is absorbed by each absorbing member. In this way, it is possible to obtain an ink filling state in which the liquid level height difference Δh is formed in the ink absorbing member 40. An ink tank 11 according to this embodiment is obtained by disposing a tank lid 14 to the tank case 12 after ink filling by means such as welding.

  By the way, it is assumed here that the process shown in FIG. 1 is performed using the first absorbent member under the same conditions except that the film 41b is not provided instead of the first absorbent member of the present embodiment. In this case, the area ratios A1 / B1 and A2 / B2 are both 100% and equal. Then, since the first absorbing member having a relatively small flow resistance absorbs ink more easily than the second absorbing member having a relatively large flow resistance, the rising speed of the ink liquid level in each absorbing member is 1 Absorbing member is faster. In this case, the relationship between the ink filling rates of the respective absorbing members is X1> X2, and does not satisfy X1 <X2, which is the relationship between the ink filling rates of the present invention described above.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, by appropriately setting the size of the film 41b or the area A1 of the first absorbing member 41, the rising speed of the ink liquid level in the first absorbing member is reduced, and the second absorption is achieved. The rising speed of the ink level in the member is relatively increased. Thereby, according to this embodiment, the relationship X1 <X2 of the ink filling rate can be satisfied, and the layer thickness (volume) of the ink non-penetrating region can be desirably controlled.

  Next, FIGS. 3A and 3B show changes over time in the area ratio between the area of the ink contact area of the absorbing member and the area capable of absorbing ink in the ink injection process of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3A is a graph for the first absorbent member 41, and FIG. 3B is a graph for the second absorbent member 42. The horizontal axis represents time (unit: second), and the vertical axis represents the area ratio, that is, the ratio (unit:%) of the area An of the ink contact region of the nth absorbent member to the area Bn of the ink absorbable region of the nth absorbent member. Where n is 1 or 2. The symbols in the figure indicate the following contents, respectively. Again, n is 1 or 2.
An: Area of the ink contact region of the nth absorbent member Bn: Area of the ink absorbable region of the nth absorbent member Tn-1: Time when the nth absorbent member starts to contact the ink in the space 60 Tn-2: Time when n-absorbing member has finished contact with ink in space 60 Tn: Time when n-th absorbing member has contact with ink in space 60 Te: Time when ink injection has been finished

  The change with time of the area ratio An / Bn (%) during the ink injection process in FIGS. 3A and 3B will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, FIGS. 1A and 1B show a stage before the ink 20 is filled in the space 60. If this stage is made to correspond to the graphs of FIGS. 3A and 3B, it corresponds to time 0 to time Tn−1 on the time axis. At this stage, since there is no contact between the ink lowering surface of the ink absorbing member 40 and the ink 20, there is no ink contact area. Accordingly, the area An of the ink contact region of the nth absorbing member at this time is 0, and thus the area ratio An / Bn (%) is also 0 (n is 1 or 2).

  Next, FIG. 1C shows a state in which the ink 20 is filled in the space 60. At this stage, the contact between the ink 20 and the vertical lower surface of the ink absorbing member 40 begins. Further, as shown in FIG. 1D, thereafter, the ink 20 is injected into the space 60 from the ink injection needle 50 until the injection of a predetermined amount of ink arbitrarily set according to the ink tank is completed. Will continue. During this time, each of the n-th absorbing members continues to absorb the ink 20 from the ink contact area in contact with the ink 20. The steps from FIG. 1C to FIG. 1D correspond to the time Tn−1 to Te in FIG.

  At this stage, the area ratio An / Bn (%) of the first and second absorbing members is different. First, regarding the first absorbing member, as described above, the area of the ink contact region is A1, and the area of the ink absorbable region is B1. Here, due to the presence of the film 41b, the area relationship is A1 <B1 (the film thickness of the film 41b is assumed to be negligibly small). Moreover, since the area B1 is constant over the entire height of the first absorbing member as described above, the area ratio A1 / B1 is a constant value C of less than 100%.

  On the other hand, for the second absorbing member, as described above, the area of the ink contact area is A2, the area of the ink absorbable area is B2, and A2 and B2 are equal. Therefore, A2 / B2 is always 100% in the time from time T2-1 to Te.

  Next, although not specifically shown in FIG. 1, when the ink injection is completed by the process of FIG. 1D, each absorbing member continues to absorb ink from the space 60. The stage where the contact between the lower surface and the ink in the space 60 disappears comes. Even before this stage is reached, as shown in FIG. 5E, when each absorbing member is pushed down to the bottom surface in the ink tank, the space 60 is eliminated. Contact with the ink in the space 60 is eliminated. Thus, after time Te, the area An of the ink contact region of the nth absorbing member becomes 0, and therefore the area ratio An / Bn becomes 0 again (n is 1 or 2).

  With reference to FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, the lower vertical surfaces of the first and second absorbing members are positioned at the same height at a distance from the bottom surface of the tank case 12 in the ink injection process. Is arranged. By using such a configuration, first, the contact between the first and second absorbing members 41 and 42 and the ink 20 starts at the same time (time T1-1 = T2-1). Further, since the ink injection is performed through one ink injection needle 50, the ink injection end time Te is common to the first and second absorbing members 41 and 42 and is the same time. Further, the time when the area An of the ink contact region becomes zero after the time Te (that is, the ink contact end time) is also common to the first and second absorbing members 41 and 42.

  Therefore, the contact times T1 and T2 between the first and second absorbing members 41 and 42 and the ink 20 in the space are determined as described above. Specifically, in the present embodiment, for the first and second absorbing members, the ink contact start time is the same time (T1-1 = T2-1), and the ink contact end is also the same time (T1-2 = T2-). 2), the time during which each absorbing member is in contact with the ink in the space is the same (T1 = T2).

  Thus, the contact times T1 and T2 of the first and second absorbing members with the ink are the same. On the other hand, the area ratio An / Bn of the ink contact region of each absorbing member is 100% for the second absorbing member, but is less than 100% for the first absorbing member. In other words, the first embodiment is characterized in that the ink absorption to the first absorbing member is limited by limiting the area of the ink contact region for the first absorbing member having a low ink flow resistance. By limiting the area of the ink contact region, the relationship X1 <X2 of the ink filling rates of the first absorbing member and the second absorbing member can be satisfied as appropriate.

  According to the first embodiment, in the ink injection process for the ink tank including the first and second absorbing members having different flow resistances, the ink liquid is formed so as to form a difference in the ink liquid level in each absorbing member. The ink can be filled while controlling the surface height. Accordingly, since the layer thickness of the ink non-penetrating region in the first absorbing member 41 having low flow resistance and difficult to hold ink can be made thicker than that of the second absorbing member 42, an ink tank that is resistant to ink leakage is provided. Can do. In addition, this filling can be performed with a single ink injection needle, so that the ink injection apparatus does not increase in size or complexity.

(Second Embodiment)
FIGS. 4A to 4F are views for explaining an ink injection process in the method for manufacturing an ink tank according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numerals common to those in FIGS. 1 and 2 indicate the same constituent elements, and thus description thereof is omitted here. Unless otherwise specified, the conditions (ink physical properties, injection conditions, etc.) in the second embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 4A shows an ink injection needle 50 arranged for injecting ink in an ink tank having a first absorption member 41 and a second absorption member 42 having different ink flow resistances and before ink injection and tank cover installation. FIG. In the second embodiment, the first and second absorbing members 41 and 42 are the first in that the ink injection process is performed in a state where the first and second absorbing members 41 and 42 are inserted into the ink tank in a positional relationship with a height difference Δz. Different from the embodiment. In the second embodiment, the film 41b is not an essential component. The height difference Δz between the absorbing members during the ink injection process was injected from the first and second absorbing members 41 and 42 and the ink injection needle 50 as shown in FIGS. 4B to 4E. This is for generating a time difference while the ink 20 is in contact, and can be set as appropriate. However, in order to solve the problem of the present invention, the lower surface of the first absorbent member having a low flow resistance is disposed at a higher position in the vertical positional relationship than the lower surface of the second absorbent member having a high flow resistance. In this example, the height difference Δz is about 4 mm.

  FIGS. 4B to 4F are schematic views showing ink filling states in the ink injection process, respectively. FIG. 4B shows a state in which the ink 20 spreads into the space 60 and comes into contact with the lower surface of the second absorbing member 42 after the start of ink injection. Thereafter, when the ink injection is continued, the ink level in the space 60 below the first absorbing member 41 gradually increases, and at the same time, the ink is absorbed by the second absorbing member 42. FIG. 4C shows a state where the ink injection is further continued and the lower surface of the first absorbing member 41 and the ink 20 existing in the space 60 are in contact with each other. As described above, reference numeral 21 in the drawing indicates ink absorbed in the ink absorbing member. FIG. 4D is a diagram illustrating a state in which the ink 20 is absorbed by the first and second absorbing members 41 and 42 by further continuing the ink injection. In this embodiment, when a predetermined amount of ink corresponding to the ink tank is injected, the ink liquid level height inside the first and second absorbing members from the bottom surface of the tank case 12 is substantially equal at the end of ink injection. became. After the ink injection is completed, there is no pressure injection of new ink, and the ink existing in the space 60 is absorbed into the interior mainly by the capillary force of each absorbing member. Gradually descends. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4E, the first absorbing member 41 finishes contacting the ink 20 before the second absorbing member 42. FIG. 4 (f) is a diagram showing a state where each absorbing member is pushed down to the bottom surface of the tank case 12. The arrow P in the figure indicates the force applied to reach this state. As a result, the space 60 disappears and the ink 20 existing in the space 60 is absorbed by each absorbing member.

  In this way, it is possible to obtain an ink filling state in which a difference Δh in liquid level is formed inside the first and second absorbing members. An ink tank 11 according to this embodiment is obtained by disposing a tank lid 14 to the tank case 12 after ink filling by means such as welding.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, a difference is provided in the time during which the ink 20 existing in the space 60 and each of the first and second absorbing members 41 and 42 come into contact with each other. Accordingly, it is possible to appropriately make a difference between the ink filling rates of the first and second absorbing members 41 and 42, and the relationship X1 <X2 of the ink filling rates can be satisfied.

  FIGS. 5A and 5B show the change over time in the area ratio between the area of the ink contact area of each absorbing member and the area of the ink absorbable area in the ink injection process of the second embodiment.

FIG. 5A is a graph for the first absorbent member 41, and FIG. 5B is a graph for the second absorbent member 42. The horizontal axis represents time (unit: second), and the vertical axis represents the area ratio, that is, the ratio (unit:%) of the area An of the ink contact region of the nth absorbent member to the area Bn of the ink absorbable region of the nth absorbent member. Where n is 1 or 2. The symbols in the figure indicate the following contents, respectively. Again, n is 1 or 2.
An: Area of the ink contact region of the nth absorbent member Bn: Area of the ink absorbable region of the nth absorbent member Tn-1: Time when the nth absorbent member starts to contact the ink in the space 60 Tn-2: Time when n-absorbing member has finished contact with ink in space 60 Tn: Time when n-th absorbing member has contact with ink in space 60 Te: Time when ink injection has been finished

  The change with time of the area ratio An / Bn (%) during the ink injection process in FIGS. 5A and 5B will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, in the second embodiment, the height of the lower surface of the first absorbent member is set to be relatively high in the vertical positional relationship as compared to the second absorbent member. Thus, ink is injected so that contact with the ink starts relatively late. Also, with this configuration, after the ink injection is completed, the contact of the first absorbent member with the ink is eliminated relatively earlier than the contact of the second absorbent member with the ink. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the relationship of T1-1 ≠ T2-1 is established for the ink contact start time, and the relationship of T1-2 ≠ T2-2 is established for the ink contact end time. To do. Specifically, the relationship of T1-1> T2-1 and T1-2 <T2-2 is established. As a result, the relationship of T1 <T2 is established for the ink contact times T1 and T2 of the first and second absorbing members.

As described above, in the second embodiment, when the first and second absorbing members are stored in the tank case, the difference Δz between the lower surface of the two absorbing members and the bottom surface of the tank case is set to a difference Δz. It is characterized by providing. According to this configuration, the second embodiment controls the contact time between each absorbing member and the ink in the space so that the following time relationship is established.
Ink contact time relationship:
T1 <T2 (Formula V)
(In the formula, T1 represents the contact time between the first absorbent member and the ink in the space, and T2 represents the contact time between the second absorbent member and the ink in the space.)

  Thereby, the ink absorption to the 1st absorption member with small ink flow resistance can be restrict | limited, and the ink filling of the 1st absorption member and the 2nd absorption member can be carried out by adjusting the grade of the ink absorption with respect to each absorption member suitably. The rate relationship X1 <X2 can be satisfied. This adjustment can be performed by appropriately changing the height difference Δz or the setting of the time difference between T1 and T2.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the thickness of the ink non-penetrating layer in the first absorbing member 41 that has low flow resistance and is difficult to retain ink is made thicker than that of the second absorbing member 42. Ink tanks that are resistant to ink leakage can be provided. In addition, this filling can be performed with a single ink injection needle, so that the ink injection apparatus does not increase in size or complexity.

(Third embodiment)
FIGS. 6A to 6E are views for explaining an ink injection process in the method for manufacturing an ink tank according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, as in the second embodiment, a time difference is provided while the first and second absorbing members 41 and 42 and the ink 20 injected from the tip of the ink injection needle 50 are in contact with each other. , T1 <T2, which is an embodiment different from the second embodiment. In the figure, reference numerals common to those in FIGS. 1 to 5 indicate the same components, and thus description thereof is omitted here. Unless otherwise specified, the conditions (ink physical properties, injection conditions, etc.) in the third embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment. In the third embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the film 41b in the first embodiment is not an essential constituent element.

  In FIG. 6A, an ink injection needle 50 for injecting ink is arranged in an ink tank having first and second absorbing members 41 and 42 having different flow resistances and before ink injection and tank lid installation. FIG. The tip of the ink injection needle 50 is disposed so as to protrude into the space 60, and ink injection is started. The difference between the third embodiment and the first embodiment is that, in the first embodiment, the tank case 12 has a bottom surface, that is, a surface having the ink supply port 15 kept horizontal during the ink injection process. On the other hand, in the third embodiment, an angle is provided. That is, the ink is injected with the tank case 12 tilted obliquely so that the second absorbing member 42 having a high ink flow resistance is positioned vertically below the first absorbing member 41 having a low ink flow resistance. To do. The angle at which the tank case 12 is tilted is an angle at which the ink 20 injected into the space 60 starts to contact the second absorbing member 42 before the first absorbing member 41. Further, it is desirable that the angle is such that the first absorbing member finishes contacting before or simultaneously with the second absorbing member. With such an angle, the angle at which the ink tank is inclined may be varied in the ink injection process. In this example, the angle Θ for tilting the ink tank is 45 ° (constant) with respect to the state when the ink tank is mounted.

  6B to 6E are schematic views showing the ink filling state in the ink injection process.

FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a state in which the ink 20 is filled into the space 60 after the start of ink injection. When the ink injection starts, the ink 20 injected from the ink injection needle 50 starts to spread from vertically below in the space 60, and the ink spreads into the space 60 and contacts the second absorbing member 42. Part of the ink is absorbed into the second absorbing member from the ink contact area. This phenomenon occurs due to the pressurization by the ink pressure injection and the capillary force of the ink absorbing member. FIG. 6C shows a state in which the ink injection is continued and the first absorbing member 41 and the second absorbing member 42 absorb the ink 20. When the pressure injection of the ink is continued from the state of FIG. 6B, the ink 20 temporarily fills the space 60. This is the flow resistance in each part:
(Low) Space 60 <First absorbent member 41 <Second absorbent member 42 (High)
This is because the ink 20 tends to flow in a region where the flow resistance is low when pressurized. Thereafter, when the ink injection is further continued, the ink 20 is absorbed by each of the first and second absorbing members 41 and 42 from each ink contact region. FIG. 6D is a diagram illustrating the state of the ink tank when a predetermined time has elapsed after the completion of ink injection. When the ink injection is completed, the ink 20 existing in the space 60 at the end time is absorbed by the first and second absorbing members 41 and 42, and the ink level gradually decreases. Accordingly, the first absorbing member 41 positioned vertically above finishes contacting the ink 20 before the second absorbing member 42 positioned vertically below. FIG. 6E is a diagram showing the state of the ink tank after ink injection when a further time elapses from the time shown in FIG. Most of the ink existing in the space 60 is absorbed by the second absorbing member 42, and the ink 20 in the space 60 is almost lost. The ink injection needle 50 is removed after the ink injection is completed and before the ink absorbing member is pushed into the bottom surface of the tank case.

  Thereafter, although not shown, the first and second absorbing members are pushed into the bottom surface of the tank case 12, thereby eliminating the space 60. In this way, it is possible to obtain an ink filling state in which a difference Δh in liquid level is formed inside the first and second absorbing members. An ink tank 11 according to this embodiment is obtained by disposing a tank lid 14 to the tank case 12 after ink filling by means such as welding.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show a change with time in the area ratio between the area of the ink contact region of each absorbing member and the area of the ink absorbable region in the ink injection process of the third embodiment. FIG. 7A is a graph for the first absorbent member 41, and FIG. 7B is a graph for the second absorbent member 42. The horizontal axis represents time (unit: second), and the vertical axis represents the area ratio, that is, the ratio (unit:%) of the area An of the ink contact region of the nth absorbent member to the area Bn of the ink absorbable region of the nth absorbent member. Where n is 1 or 2. The symbols in the figure indicate the following contents, respectively. Again, n is 1 or 2.
An: Area of the ink contact region of the nth absorbent member Bn: Area of the ink absorbable region of the nth absorbent member Tn-1: Time when the nth absorbent member starts to contact the ink in the space 60 Tn-2: Time when n-absorbing member has finished contact with ink in space 60 Tn: Time when n-th absorbing member has contact with ink in space 60 Te: Time when ink injection has been finished

  The change with time of the area ratio An / Bn (%) during the ink injection process in FIGS. 7A and 7B will be described. Referring to FIG. 6, regarding the first absorbent member, the area of the ink contact region is represented by A1, and the area of the ink absorbable region (that is, the cross section parallel to the surface of the absorbent member facing the space 60) is represented by B1. The For the second absorbing member, the area of the ink contact area is represented by A2, and the area of the ink absorbable area is represented by B2. In the present embodiment, the areas B1 and B2 are constant, but the areas A1 and A2 vary according to the ink injection state.

  With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, in the third embodiment, the tank case is tilted at the time of ink injection so that the first absorbent member is positioned relatively higher in the vertical positional relationship than the second absorbent member. Set to. Thereby, the contact start time T1-1 between the first absorbent member and the ink is set relatively later than the contact start time T2-1 between the second absorbent member and the ink. Similarly, the contact end time T1-2 between the first absorbent member and the ink can be set relatively later than the contact end time T2-2 between the second absorbent member and the ink. Thus, in the present embodiment, the relationship of T1 <T2 can be realized with respect to the ink contact times T1 and T2 of the first and second absorbing members.

  As described above, the third embodiment is characterized in that the ink tank is tilted in the ink injection process, and this configuration controls the contact time between the ink absorbing member and the ink in the space 60. . Thereby, the ink absorption to the 1st absorption member with small ink flow resistance can be restrict | limited, and the relationship X1 <X2 of the ink filling rate of a 1st absorption member and a 2nd absorption member can be satisfied suitably.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, in the ink injection into the ink tank including the first and second absorbing members having different ink flow resistances, the ink is filled while controlling the liquid level, A difference in the liquid level of the ink in each absorbing member can be formed. In addition, it is possible to easily embody the difference in time that each absorbing member contacts with ink. As a result, the thickness of the ink non-penetrating layer in the first absorbing member 41 that has low flow resistance and does not easily retain ink can be made thicker than that of the second absorbing member 42, and an ink tank that is resistant to ink leakage is provided. can do. In addition, this filling can be performed with a single ink injection needle, so that the ink injection apparatus does not increase in size or complexity.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIGS. 8A to 8C are diagrams illustrating an ink injection process in the method for manufacturing an ink tank according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, similarly to the other embodiments, the ink absorption rate of the first and second absorbing members is made different by physically limiting the ink absorption by the first absorbing member 41. It is. Unlike the other embodiments, this embodiment does not require a step of pushing the ink absorbing member into the bottom surface of the tank case after ink injection. In the figure, reference numerals common to those in FIGS. 1 to 7 indicate the same components, and thus description thereof is omitted here. Unless otherwise specified, various conditions (ink physical properties, injection conditions, etc.) in the fourth embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment. Also in the fourth embodiment, the film 41b in the first embodiment is not an essential component.

  In FIG. 8A, the ink injection needle 50 for injecting ink is disposed in the ink tank having the first and second absorbing members 41 and 42 having different flow resistances before the ink injection and the tank lid installation. FIG. The fourth embodiment is characterized by the shape of the tank case 12. In the fourth embodiment, the first and second absorbing members are already pushed into the bottom surface of the tank case 12 at a stage before ink injection. The tank case 12 has a concave portion at a position corresponding to the lower portion of the second absorbing member 42 disposed above the ink supply port 15, and is thereby closed between the second absorbing member and the tank case bottom surface. A space 60 is formed. When ink is injected, the tip of the ink injection needle 50 is disposed so as to protrude into the space 60. In the present embodiment, the space 60 has an opening area that can be closed at the lower part of the second absorbing member 42, and the depth of the space 60 is such that the tip of the ink injection needle 50 can protrude. preferable. Although the space 60 has a donut shape surrounding the ink supply port 15 in this example, the shape is not limited to this.

  FIG. 8B is a diagram showing an ink filling state in the ink injection process, and shows a state in which the first and second absorbing members 41 and 42 absorb ink. When the ink 20 is injected from the ink injection needle 50, the ink first fills the space 60, and then comes into contact with and absorbed by the second absorbing member. As the injection of the ink 20 continues further, the liquid level of the ink gradually rises. At this time, the ink 20 is absorbed by the second absorbing member and at the same time penetrates so as to fill a slight gap (not shown) existing between the first absorbing member 41 and the bottom surface of the tank case 12. Go. Alternatively, a protrusion (not shown) that does not affect the volumetric efficiency may be provided on the bottom surface of the tank case 12, and the ink may be guided into the gap between the first absorption member 41 and the bottom surface of the tank case. If ink injection is further continued due to the presence of such a gap, the ink 20 is absorbed by the first absorbing member 41 from the side facing the bottom surface of the tank case 12.

  FIG. 8C shows a state immediately after the end of ink injection. As described above, the ink 20 is first preferentially absorbed by the second absorbing member 42 to limit the penetration of the ink into the first absorbing member 41, thereby forming an ink non-penetrating layer in the first absorbing member 41. It can be formed thick. In this way, it is possible to obtain an ink filling state in which a difference Δh in liquid level is formed inside the first and second absorbing members. An ink tank 11 according to this embodiment is obtained by disposing a tank lid 14 to the tank case 12 after ink filling by means such as welding.

  In the above-described third embodiment, the tank case 12 is tilted obliquely to inject ink, thereby providing a time difference while the first and second absorbing members 41 and 42 are in contact with the ink 20. . On the other hand, in 4th Embodiment, the same effect is acquired even if it does not incline by using the tank case 12 which provided the concave space in the bottom face. That is, in the fourth embodiment, by providing a concave portion on the bottom surface of the tank case and providing a closed space 60 between the second absorbing member, the contact between the ink absorbing member and the ink is controlled, and the flow resistance is controlled. The ink absorption to the first absorbing member having a small size is limited.

  According to the fourth embodiment, in the ink injection into the ink tank including the first and second absorbing members having different ink flow resistances, the ink is filled while controlling the liquid level, and the ink in each absorbing member The difference in liquid level can be formed. Thereby, the layer thickness of the ink non-penetrating layer in the first absorbing member 41 having a low flow resistance and difficult to hold the ink can be made thicker than that of the second absorbing member 42, and the relationship X1 <X2 of the filling rate is satisfied. An ink tank that is realized and resistant to ink leakage can be provided. In addition, this filling can be performed with a single ink injection needle, so that the ink injection apparatus does not increase in size or complexity.

(Other embodiments)
Although the present invention has been described above using the first to fourth embodiments, these embodiments can be used in combination. Further, as described above, the number of absorbing members constituting the ink absorbing member is not limited to two, and the present invention can also be applied to an ink absorbing member having three or more multi-member configurations. Furthermore, in the said embodiment, although the shape of the absorption member which comprises an ink absorption member was made into the rectangular parallelepiped shape, the shape of an absorption member is not restricted to this.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Ink tank 12 Tank case 13 Atmospheric communication port 14 Tank cover 15 Ink supply port 16 Filter 17 Buffer chamber 21 Ink absorbed by the ink absorbing member 30 Recording head 40 Ink absorbing member 41 First absorbing member 41a Ink non-penetrating region 41b Film 42 Second absorbing member 50 Ink injection needle 60 Space

Claims (9)

A tank case having an ink supply port for supplying ink to the recording head;
An ink absorbing member configured by a first absorbing member having a relatively low flow resistance and a second absorbing member having a relatively high flow resistance, and housed in the tank case;
Ink retained by the ink absorbing member;
An ink tank manufacturing method comprising:
A step of disposing the tip of an ink injection member for injecting ink in a space between the tank case and the ink absorption member and different from the ink supply port;
Via the ink injection member, the following relationship:
X1 <X2
(Here, X1 indicates the ink filling rate of the first absorbing member, and X2 indicates the ink filling rate of the second absorbing member. The ink filling rate refers to the inside of the absorbing member with respect to the volume of each absorbing member. The volume ratio occupied by the ink.
Injecting ink into the space so that
A method for manufacturing an ink tank, comprising: The first absorbent member includes an ink contact area having an area A1 that can come into contact with ink in the space, and an ink absorbable area having an area B1 that is a cross section parallel to the ink contact area of the first absorbent member. Have
The second absorbent member has an ink contact area with an area A2 that can come into contact with ink in the space, and an ink absorbable area with an area B2 that is a cross section parallel to the ink contact area of the second absorbent member. And
The step of injecting the ink has the following area relationship:
A1 / B1 <A2 / B2
The ink tank manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein ink is injected so that   3. The method of manufacturing an ink tank according to claim 1, wherein the space is provided by storing the ink absorbing member at a distance from a bottom surface of the tank case. The step of injecting the ink has the following time relationship:
T1 <T2
(Here, T1 is the time during which the first absorbing member is in contact with the ink in the space, and T2 is the time during which the second absorbing member is in contact with the ink in the space. Say.)
The ink tank manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein ink is injected into the space so that   The ink absorbing member is positioned so that the ink contact area of the first absorbent member is relatively higher than the ink contact area of the second absorbent member in the vertical relationship during the step of injecting the ink. The ink tank manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the ink tank is stored in the tank case.   The positional relationship is such that the distance from the bottom surface of the tank case to the ink contact area of the first absorbent member is larger than the distance from the bottom surface of the tank case to the ink contact area of the second absorbent member. The ink tank manufacturing method according to claim 5, wherein the ink absorbing member is provided by being housed in the tank case.   6. The positional relationship is provided by tilting an ink tank so that the second absorbing member is positioned vertically below the first absorbing member during the step of injecting the ink. The manufacturing method of the ink tank of description.   3. The ink tank manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the space is a concave space between a bottom surface of the tank case and a second absorbing member. An ink tank manufactured by the method for manufacturing an ink tank according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A tank case having an ink supply port for supplying ink to the recording head;
An ink absorbing member configured by a first absorbing member having a relatively low flow resistance and a second absorbing member having a relatively high flow resistance, and housed in the tank case;
Ink retained by the ink absorbing member;
A tank lid disposed with respect to the tank case so as to form a buffer chamber that faces each of the first absorbing member and the second absorbing member and is a space capable of storing ink;
With
The ink tank, wherein the second absorbing member is disposed in the vicinity of the ink supply port.

Images