JP3192716B2 - Package for ink cartridge - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for supplying printing elements in a printing apparatus of an information processing apparatus such as a word processor, a personal computer, and an electronic typewriter.
Holds a replacement ink cartridge that contains ink
That about the package.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Ink-jet printing devices have advantages such as high printing speed, quiet printing noise, low running cost, and compactness. Therefore, they replace conventional wire dot printing devices and thermal transfer printing devices. As a result, demand has increased significantly.

[0003] Since the printing medium of the ink jet printing apparatus is liquid ink, the ink supply method and cleaning of the head have been said to be weak points. As a countermeasure, the head 52 and the ink cartridge 51 have been integrally disposable as shown in FIG. 7. However, as a measure for improving the durability of the head and further reducing the running cost, as shown in FIG. Attempts have been made to replace only the ink cartridge 61 that supplies ink other than 62.
65 is an ink cartridge side connecting member, and 66 is a head side connecting member.

[0004] The ink cartridge in this method includes:
Two holes are required: an ink supply port 64 for supplying ink to the head portion, and an atmosphere communication port 63 for guiding the atmosphere to the space in the ink cartridge after the ink is supplied to the main body.

[0005] As shown in Fig. 9, the ink cartridge during distribution is wrapped on its outside with packages 71 and 72 so as to protect the ink cartridge from temperature, humidity, and the like. The sponge 73 filled with ink is filled up to just before the supply port in order to prevent air from being mixed into the ink path of the section, and the air communication port 63 is connected to the air communication port 74 from the ink filling section 74 so that no ink leaks therefrom. A long path (air chamber) 75 is formed up to 63 and is filled with gas (air). The two holes are sealed when the ink cartridge is in the package.

When a user of the printing apparatus unpacks the ink cartridge package to replace the ink cartridge, if the location of the ink cartridge is higher than the temperature at the time when the ink cartridge was prepared or the pressure is low, the inside of the air communication port of the ink cartridge may be changed. When the pressure of the air becomes higher than the outside pressure and the sealing member is removed from the ink supply port side, the ink jumps out and stains the surroundings.

Conversely, if the location where the package of the ink cartridge is opened is lower than the air temperature at the time of manufacturing the ink cartridge or the air pressure is higher, the air pressure in the ink cartridge becomes lower than the external air pressure, and the ink cartridge is sealed from the ink supply port side. When the member is removed, there is a drawback that air enters from the ink supply port and printing cannot be performed.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks, and an object of the present invention is to remove ink from a package when there is a pressure difference between an ink cartridge and outside air. When removing the cartridge, set the air pressure inside the ink cartridge to the same as the outside air pressure to prevent the ink from escaping from the ink supply port or to mix in air. The purpose is to prevent becoming.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, when the package for protecting the ink cartridge before use is opened, the air communication port is opened before the ink supply port, so that the pressure inside the ink cartridge is reduced. Is made the same as the outside air, and then the ink supply port is opened to prevent the ink from escaping or from being mixed with air.

That is, the package of the present invention comprises an ink
Equipped with a supply port and air communication port, and can be separated from the head
Package containing stored ink cartridge
With the ink cartridge housed therein,
A second package for closing the package, and the second package
With the first package closed by the
A second package protruding from the first package;
A package having an opened opening knob
Te, when the second package has been opened from the knob portion
The air communication port and the ink supply port are opened in this order.
The air communication port and the ink supply port
It is characterized by having a sealing member for closing.

Further , the package according to the present invention is provided with an ink supply.
It has a mouth and an air communication port, and is configured to be separable from the head.
A first package for storing the ink cartridges
With the ink cartridge stored in the first package,
A second package for closing the page, and the second package
The first package in a state where the first package is closed.
Provided in the second package projecting from the package.
In packages having a knob portion for opening the
The first package communicates with the ink cartridge to the atmosphere.
Provided with a first sealing member for closing the mouth, the second path
The package connects the ink supply port of the ink cartridge.
A second sealing member for closing, and the ink supply port
The force required to separate the second sealing member depends on the air communication.
Than the force required to separate the first sealing member from the mouth
It is characterized by being large .

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment will be described below.

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of an information processing apparatus 604 incorporating a recording apparatus according to this embodiment.

In FIG. 10, reference numeral 601 denotes the above-described printer unit; 602, a keyboard unit having keys for inputting characters, numerals, and other characters, and keys for giving various commands; and 603, a display unit. It is a display unit provided.

In addition, there is a power supply unit for supplying power to the above-mentioned electric circuit. The power supply unit includes, for example, a rechargeable battery, a disposable dry cell, or a case where the information processing apparatus main body is fixed and used. There is an AC power supply exchanger and the like.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a sectional view of the entire ink cartridge and package.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view showing a cartridge and an external communication port.

FIG. 2C is a perspective view showing the first package and the cartridge holding member.

(D) is a perspective view of the bonding surface of the second package.

1 is an ink cartridge; 2 is a first package; 3 is a second package;
The second package 3 and the second package 3 are adhered so as to be separable at the joint 4 and are sealed. 5 is a holding member for holding the ink,
A porous sponge or the like is used. Reference numeral 6 denotes a supply port for supplying ink to the head, reference numeral 7 denotes an air communication port for guiding the atmosphere to a space after the ink is supplied, and the air communication port 7 has an air chamber 8.

The second package 3 has pin-shaped sealing members 9 and 10 for sealing the two holes. When the first package 2 is sealed with the second package, each hole is sealed. It has become. There is a notch 14 between the two pin-shaped sealing members 9 and 10, which can be easily broken.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a holding member for holding the ink cartridge, which holds the ink cartridge 1 on the seat 12 so as not to rattle. The holding member 11 and the seat 12 are formed integrally with the first package 2.

The first package 2 and the second package 3 are both made of an elastic material such as plastic.

Numeral 13 denotes a projection integral with the second package 3 and projects only this portion when the first package 2 is sealed with the second package 3.

The physical distribution is performed in this state.

Next, FIG. 2 shows a procedure for opening the package by the user of the printing apparatus.

As shown in (a), when the user opens the package, the projection 13 integrated with the second package 3 is used.
In the direction of the arrow.

There is no place other than the projection 13 for holding the second package by hand, so that no matter who opens the package, the package is opened from this portion.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3B, the first package 2 and the second package 3 are further lifted in the direction of the arrow.
Are separated from each other. At this time, since the second package 3 has the cut 14, it is broken at this portion, and the separation is temporarily stopped.

At this time, the pin-shaped sealing member 10 closing the atmosphere communication port 7 is removed, and the air in the ink cartridge 1 becomes equal to the outside pressure.

Further, as shown in (c), when the joint is lifted in the direction of the arrow, the remaining joints 4 are separated, and the first package 2 and the second package 3 are completely separated. At this time, the pin-shaped sealing member 9 closing the ink supply port 6 also comes off,
Both holes of the ink cartridge 1 are released. At this time, since the pressing member 11 presses the ink cartridge 1 with a force larger than the force when the sealing member comes off from each hole, the ink cartridge 1 does not accidentally come off the first package 2.

With such a structure, the air communication port 7 always filled with air and the ink supply port 6 filled with ink can be opened with a time lag, and the air pressure inside the ink cartridge 1 can be opened. Even if there is a difference between the outside air pressure and the outside air pressure, the air pressure inside the ink cartridge 1 can be made equal to the outside air pressure,
The ink does not jump out or air enters the ink supply port 6.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.

In this case, the sealing member 32 for closing the air communication port is directly connected to the second package 31 as shown in FIG. 7A, but the sealing member 33 for closing the ink supply port is connected via the elastic member 34. Combined with the second package. For this reason, as shown in (b), similarly to the first embodiment, when the protrusion 35 of the second package is lifted in the direction of the arrow and opened, the sealing member on the side of the air communication port directly attached to the second package. 32 departs from the air communication port with the second package, but the sealing member 33 on the ink supply port side does not come off until the elastic force of the elastic member 34 exceeds the sealing force of the sealing member.

With this mechanism, the opening order of the holes is always the order of the air communication port and the ink supply port, and the pressure in the ink cartridge can be made equal to the outside pressure.

[Embodiment 3] FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in (a), the sealing member is not connected to the second package, and the elastic member 36 is connected to the second package. A sealing member for closing each hole in the elastic member 36 is connected to the air communication port sealing member 32 and the ink supply port sealing member 33 in order from the second package side to seal each hole.

As shown in (b), when the protrusion 35 of the second package is lifted in the direction of the arrow and opened as in the first embodiment, the elastic member 36 connected to the second package is opened.
Is pulled by the second package, and the sealing member 32 on the side of the atmosphere communication port is first removed. When the second package is further lifted, the elastic member 36 is further pulled, and the sealing member 33 closing the ink supply port comes off.

With this mechanism, the opening order of the holes is always the order of the air communication port and the ink supply port, and the pressure in the ink cartridge can be made equal to the outside pressure.

[Embodiment 4] FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the air communication port of the ink cartridge is located on the first package side opposite to the ink cartridge of the second package as shown in FIG. Member 37 is on the first package side. The ink supply port is on the second package side, and a sealing member 38 for closing the ink supply port is also connected to the second package. The ink cartridge is hermetically sealed in a package, being sandwiched between sealing members in each hole. The force required to separate the member closing each hole from each hole is as follows: air communication port side <ink supply port side.

As in the first embodiment, when the protrusion 35 of the second package is lifted up in the direction of the arrow as shown in FIG. 3B and opened, the sealing member of each hole tries to separate from each hole. Since the force required for separation has a relationship of the air communication port side <the ink supply port side, the sealing member of the air communication port on the first package side is first removed. At this time, since the sealing member of the ink supply port on the second package side is not detached, the ink cartridge is attached to the second package.

Thereafter, the connecting member of the ink cartridge and the second package connected to the ink cartridge is removed.

With this mechanism, the opening order of the holes is always the order of the air communication port and the ink supply port, and the pressure in the ink cartridge can be made equal to the outside pressure.

Embodiment 5 FIG. 6 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

This embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment. Instead of the pin-shaped sealing members 9 and 10 for sealing the ink supply port 6 and the air communication port 7 in the first embodiment, It is closed by tape-like elastic members 39 and 40. The procedure for opening the package by the printing device user is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0048]

As described above, when the package for protecting the ink cartridge before use is opened, the mechanism for opening the air communication port and then opening the ink supply port is incorporated in the package. The pressure in the inner air chamber is made the same as that of the outside air, so that it is possible to prevent the ejection of ink and the incorporation of air.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view illustrating the entire ink cartridge and the package. (B) is a perspective view showing a cartridge and an external communication port. (C) is a perspective view showing a first package and a cartridge holding member. (D) is a perspective view of the joining surface of the second package.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an opening procedure in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. (A) is an explanatory view showing a combined situation of a second package, an elastic member, and a sealing member. (B) is an explanatory view showing the opening status.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention. (A) is an explanatory view showing a combined state of a package, an elastic member, and a sealing member. (B) is an explanatory view showing the opening status.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention. (A) is an explanatory view showing a positional relationship between a package, a sealing member, and an external communication port. (B) is an explanatory view showing the opening status.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a conventional ink cartridge integrated type ink jet head.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an ink cartridge separation type ink jet head.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of connection between the ink cartridge and the package during distribution.

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an information processing device incorporating a recording device according to the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 51, 61 Ink cartridge 2, 71 First package 3, 31, 72 Second package 4 Joining part 5 Holding member 6, 64 Ink supply port 7, 63 Atmospheric communication port 8, 75 Air chamber 9, 10, 32, 33, 37, 38 Sealing member 11 Holding member 12 Seat 13, 35 Projection 14 Notch 34, 36 Elastic member 39, 40 Tape-like elastic material 52, 62 Ink head

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. A first package having an ink supply port and an atmosphere communication port and containing an ink cartridge separable from a head, and a second package for closing the first package with the ink cartridge stored therein. A package comprising: a package; and an opening knob provided on the second package, which protrudes from the first package in a state where the first package is closed by the second package. , When opened from the knob,
A package, comprising: a sealing member that seals the air communication port and the ink supply port so that the air communication port and the ink supply port are opened in this order. 2. The package according to claim 1, wherein the first package includes a pressing member that presses the ink cartridge in the first package. 3. The sealing member is a pin-shaped sealing member.
The package according to claim 1. 4. The package according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member is a tape-shaped sealing member. 5. The package according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member is a combination of a pin-shaped sealing member and a tape-shaped sealing member. 6. The package according to claim 1, wherein the ink cartridge includes a holding member for holding ink inside, and has an air chamber between the air communication port and the holding member. 7. A first package having an ink supply port and an air communication port and containing an ink cartridge configured to be separable from a head, and a second package for closing the first package with the ink cartridge stored therein. A package comprising: a package; and an opening knob provided on the second package, which protrudes from the first package in a state in which the first package is closed by the second package. A first sealing member that closes an air communication port of the ink cartridge, the second package includes a second sealing member that closes an ink supply port of the ink cartridge, and the second sealing member extends from the ink supply port. Is required to separate the first sealing member from the atmosphere communication port. A package characterized by greater than force.