CN101434148B - Ink storage container - Google Patents

Abstract

An ink storage container having a simply configured ink exchange function is provided, whereby the amount of stored ink is increased. An air flow control unit 20 for controlling the flow of air between the inside and outside is disposed in an ink storage unit for storing ink. The air flow control unit 20 includes: a valve element 22 that is formed of an interconnected porous material and allows air to be exchanged between the inside and outside of the ink storage unit according to positive and negative changes in the internal pressure of the ink storage unit; and a liquid repellent membrane 24 that has air permeability and liquid repellency and is disposed on an ink side of the valve element.

Description

Ink storage container

Technical field

The present invention relates to ink (ink) reservoir vessel.

Background technology

Example as ink storage container has Writing utensil equipped China ink jar (ink tank), the print cartridge (ink (tank) cartridge) of ink-jet printer etc.These ink storage containers are following mechanism: corresponding to the quantity of ink that is consumed in notes that form literal or image or the printing; Extraneous air sucked carry out air exchange in the box; And make jar interior pressure variation bring bad influence can not for the consumption of ink; These mechanisms can enumerate out and be formed with the structure of simple hole as the suction inlet of extraneous air, perhaps are formed with the structure of the ventilation path that has valve system of ventilating as required.

But, in the structure of simple hole as the suction inlet of extraneous air is set, the possibility that exists ink to leak from this hole.In Writing utensil equipped or ink-jet printer; The capital is at nib or print the head pressure that applies on the first-class ink deliverying unit because of ink weight produces (with certain height of level unit are under the liquid level is the bottom surface; With act on from this bottom surface to liquid level till the pressure that equates of power on the bottom surface of upright fluid column); Therefore the suction inlet as extraneous air the hole only is set or only dispose gas can through and under the situation of the film that liquid can't pass through; The internal pressure of China ink jar or print cartridge is identical with atmospheric pressure, therefore maybe be owing to above-mentioned head pressure and from the outlet leak ink.Therefore need at least a portion of the ink reservoir on the ink discharge outlet, dispose ink absorber such as sponge and preserve ink.

In addition, keeping under the situation of ink through ink absorbers such as sponges like this, comparing the ink reserve capacity with the ink reservoir of the sky that does not have ink absorber and reduce, printing number of words and tail off owing to make with the minimizing of the corresponding quantity of ink with volume of absorber.Make the user must change ink storage container more continually.In addition, the quantity of ink of black ink reservoir vessel is bigger than the ink storage container of other color usually in the commercially available prod, and this situation has just increased reservoir vessel, and this also causes the maximization of printer size.Like this, because there is the waste of various ways in existing ink storage container, thereby is directed to this and proposed to use small-sized valve body (man's cap used in ancient times body) to wait a lot of improvement technological.For example a kind of ink storage container of scheme is formed with the ventilation path that has valve system of conducting air as required, and this ventilation path is built in the upper cover part of reservoir vessel substantively.This ink storage container is compared the minimizing that can avoid the ink reserve capacity with the situation that disposes ink absorber at internal tank, and can prevent ink leakage.

In the past, as the technology of the above-mentioned ventilation path that has valve system, for example can enumerate the technology in the patent documentation 1 with conducting air.The technology of record relates to print cartridge in this patent documentation 1; On being formed at the valve installation portion of the concavity that covers in the installation portion, be provided with the valve body of connected porous matter; Ccontaining on it have the lid of passage, and below the portion of hole, be provided with the protuberance with slot-shaped opening.In addition, through ultrasonic bonding lid is weldingly fixed on and covers on the installation portion, thereby valve body is enclosed the valve installation portion.

Pass through said structure; As being formed with a plurality of valve bodies that dispose the through hole of valve gap; Basically it is connected porous to be to use elastomeric material to form; Connected porous and become the structure of closed state in appearance through compressing this, can between the state that is transformed into bigger pressure conversion from small pressure, suitably carry out ink and discharge control.

In addition, in above-mentioned patent documentation 2, disclosed ink tank is arranged on the bottom of check valve with air ventilation membrane, and said air ventilation membrane has aeration, and for stop or prevent ink by and on the face of ink level one side, implemented to scold liquid (dialling liquid) to handle.Through above-mentioned air ventilation membrane, can prevent that ink from upwards permeating and be attached to check valve.

Patent documentation 1:JP spy opens the 2001-277777 communique

Patent documentation 2:JP spy opens flat 8-187874 communique

But the valve body that uses in the ink storage container of above-mentioned patent documentation 1 record is formed with slot-shaped peristome on the sidewall of protuberance.Thereby suppressed ink adhering on valve body.Therefore therefore, valve body presents the state that always is communicated with ink level one side, even exist the attitude of protuberance also can be owing to reciprocating motion in printing or ink storage container carrying the time to cause ink to contact with valve body or adhere to.Then can be used in ventilation connected porous such as coming in contact with ink is stopped up and causes venting capability to reduce by ink.Like this, if ink contacts with valve body, then can be to changing in slight pressure and causing harmful effect than carrying out suitable ink discharge control in the scope between pressure changes greatly.In the time can't suitably controlling ventilation owing to this harmful effect; For example be used as under the situation of ink-jet printer cartridge at ink storage container; Failure causes such as disconnected China ink, ink cartridge low be can become, the ink leakage of printhead, the unfavorable conditions such as excessive discharge of ink also maybe be caused in addition.

In addition, when Jiang Gai was ultrasonically bonded on the installation portion, valve body was heated and hardens, and valve body self receives the stress that produces because of thermal deformation, thus easy deformation.Consequently, the superfine micro-structure of valve body connected porous must be according to the pressure differential of inner air and outer air and strain produces the problem that originally due air flow control function reduces thus.In addition, also have such problem: even valve body self does not see through ink, if but can't suitably keep valve body, then ink still can leak around valve body.

In addition, above-mentioned patent documentation 1 disclosed valve body has good performance basically.Its compact in size and can carry out bidirection press control can not influence the function of valve because of adhering to dust as having the tabular valve or the bell-shaped valve of rubber system.But unique shortcoming is liquid and adheres to the deviation of the effective area that causes (ば ら つ I).To this, some solutions have been proposed also in the patent documentation 1.For example; Valve itself is with scolding the fluidity made; Perhaps valve itself with non-situation of scolding the fluidity made under, make valve body have the fluidity of scolding through after manufacturing, implementing to scold liquid to handle, and prevent the connected porous method that is used to ventilate in the ink closed valve.But these schemes have the difficult point based on reason such as following.That is, when valve itself is scolded the fluidity made with fluorine based material etc., then be difficult to obtain the connected porous body or the compression porous body of excellent spring.In addition; Valve itself with non-situation of scolding the fluidity made under; If after manufacturing, make valve body have the fluidity of scolding through implementing to scold liquid to handle; Then owing to the variation of various environmental factors (for example variations in temperature, pressure change, impact, the variation of vibration, environmental factor such as aging) is difficult to carry out the processing of height degree of connecting airtight, thereby be difficult to obtain to have incrust connected porous body of scolding liquid film or compression porous body.

In addition, though not open when application of the present invention, according to the record of patent documentation 1; When implementing to scold liquid to handle,, can know according to the inventor's result of the test being provided with under the situation of protuberance on the sidewall with slot-shaped peristome to valve body; Shallow portion at valve during beginning is adhered to a little liquid; Along with the switching of valve is carried out repeatedly, this liquid can be invaded valve inside then, finally can hinder the switching of valve and causes aberrations in property or reduction.In addition, on the shallow portion of valve, adhere under the state of small amount of liquid, interior voltage rise is high if the ink storage container temperature inside rises, then because this pressure also can cause liquid to invade valve inside.Even under the intermittence of interval long period user mode, also can finally hinder the switching of valve owing to the influence of invading the inner liquid of valve.Its result is apparent in view: think that in the past the enough entering of scolding liquid processing or protuberance etc. to valve of function suppress mechanism; Invade valve though can suppress liquid; But in the face of the long-term environmental factor of variations in temperature or pressure variation etc. changes; Then can't prevent the intrusion of liquid fully, perhaps in long-term use, be difficult to keep the performance of valve valve.Through this test, the inventor finds that the scheme of patent documentation 1 this " suppressing the intrusion of liquid to valve " is abundant inadequately, also needs further to realize the scheme of " preventing the intrusion of liquid to valve fully ".

Summary of the invention

The present invention is directed to the problems referred to above and make, main purpose is to provide a kind of ink storage container, can greatly improve the service efficiency of the ink storage area in the ink storage container.In addition; Can prevent reliably that ink etc. is attached on the valve body or contact valve body; And in the assembling process of valve body, can valve body be assembled on the ink storage container with the mode that does not make valve body itself receive the influence of heat; Thereby prevent infringement, can keep and improve the controlled of ventilation, change to the scope that bigger pressure changes from small pressure in, carry out suitable ink reliably and discharge control through valve body to the ventilation control function (air flow control function) of valve body.

The present invention addresses the above problem through following means.Promptly; To achieve these goals; The present invention provides a kind of ink storage container, and it has the air flow control portion that is used for control air flow between above-mentioned ink reservoir inside and outside in the ink reservoir of storage ink, it is characterized in that; Above-mentioned air flow control portion has: the valve body of connected porous matter, its positive and negative two-way interior pressure according to above-mentioned ink reservoir change and and carry out air exchange between the outside; Scold the liquid film body, it is arranged on than above-mentioned valve body more near said ink one side, and has aeration and scold fluidity.

According to the present invention, the air exchange function of valve body is separated and independence with the liquid function of scolding of scolding the liquid film body, therefore two kinds of functions is cooperatively interacted and maintenance for a long time.Particularly, avoid ink etc. on valve body, to adhere to through the liquid function of scolding of scolding the liquid film body, thereby make valve body self can continue to bring into play the air exchange function.In addition, the interior pressure that air exchange function and valve body cause changes and adapts, and the acute variation of pressing in can suppressing is scolded the liquid film body deformability or it is caused damage thereby avoid making through the air of scolding the liquid film body, can make and scold the liquid film body to continue to keep scolding the liquid function.On the other hand, if liquor is scolded in valve body self coating, then the air exchange function of valve body become unstable or situation that the valve body function changes in time under, similarly maybe since the strain of valve body cause scolding liquor scold the liquid miopragia.Therefore, as the present invention, make valve body and scold liquid film body independent separate, thereby can make the high-quality level of maintenance of long-term stability separately.

The ink storage container of realizing above-mentioned purpose is characterised in that in foregoing invention, above-mentioned valve body can strain.

Like this, in can detecting, the elastic deformation amount through valve body presses to change, thus control air exchange capacity automatically.

The ink storage container of realizing above-mentioned purpose is characterised in that in foregoing invention, two outsides on the air direction of passage of above-mentioned valve body are formed with the space that above-mentioned valve body strain is used.

Through this space, valve body can not receive the contact from the outside, thereby can strain.Certainly, scold the liquid film body also can to dispose with the mode of leaving valve body.Under the high situation of the inner pressure ratio external pressure of ink reservoir, valve body is to the outer elastic distortion of ink reservoir.Under the low situation of the inner pressure ratio external pressure of ink reservoir, valve body is to the inboard strain of ink reservoir.Consequently, press in valve body can detect exactly to change, suitably control air exchanges.

The ink storage container of realizing above-mentioned purpose is characterised in that in foregoing invention, the periphery of above-mentioned valve body is neighbouring by the retaining member clamping of ring-type.

For example, if the part of clamping valve body locally, then the strain of the nature of valve body is hindered and presses in being difficult to detect exactly and change.In the present invention, the retaining member through ring-type keeps the whole periphery of valve body with proper proportion, changes and suitably distortion thereby can make to press in the valve body reply.

The ink storage container of realizing above-mentioned purpose is characterised in that in foregoing invention, above-mentioned valve body is the above and sheet material below the 5.0mm of thickness 0.5mm.

Under the situation more than the 0.5mm, because the rigidity of the part that the valve body of connected porous matter is kept is higher, the air that therefore can reduce this part moves (leakages) and measures.In addition, be under the situation more than the 0.5mm at valve body, utilizing this thickness to be easy to make can change the valve body of bringing into play the air exchange function by corresponding pressure, the air exchange control in the time of particularly also can carrying out slight pressure.On the other hand, for the situation below the 5.0mm, it is complicated to prevent that the circulation of air path is provided with, and obtains the ventilation path of suitable length, thereby accelerates the response speed of air exchange.Consequently, can promptly carry out the supply of ink, reduce the situation of slur.

The ink storage container of realizing above-mentioned purpose is characterised in that in foregoing invention, the outside dimension of above-mentioned valve body is more than the 4mm and below the 20mm.

Under the situation more than the 4mm, owing to can increase the area of the air exchange portion of valve body central authorities, thus can reduce the limitations affect of the retaining part around the valve body, change according to pressure and carry out suitable strain.Thus, can improve the response of the air exchange that changes corresponding to the slight pressure in the ink storage container.On the other hand, under the situation below the 20mm, then can suppress the excessive situation of air exchange portion area of valve body central authorities.Thus, change, can prevent the crooked or distortion in whole air exchange zone of valve body, carry out suitable strain, improve the response of air exchange thereby valve body is changed corresponding to small pressure corresponding to the slight pressure in the ink storage container.In addition, can in the small space of loam cake, valve body be set in this way.

The ink storage container of realizing above-mentioned purpose is characterised in that, in foregoing invention, above-mentionedly scolds the liquid film body to be made up of fluororesin or fluorubber.

The ink storage container of realizing above-mentioned purpose is characterised in that, in foregoing invention, above-mentionedly scold the liquid film bodily form to become to have below a plurality of aperture 5 μ m and the above minute aperture of 0.01 μ m, and above-mentioned to scold the critical surface tension of liquid film body is below the 25dym/cm.

The aperture then can suppress owing to falling or the impact of vibration etc. makes ink get into the inside in hole, thereby play consistently the air exchange function below 5 μ m.On the other hand, when 0.01 μ m is above, then can improve the response of air exchange, thereby supply with the situation that ink reduces slur swimmingly.

The ink storage container of realizing above-mentioned purpose is characterised in that; In foregoing invention; Above-mentioned air flow control portion have ring-type by trim ring; Said is smooth surface by the trim ring upper and lower surface, and is formed with through hole in central authorities, above-mentionedly scolds the liquid film body, is above-mentionedly kept by cramping by trim ring and above-mentioned valve body.

As the structural element of air flow control portion scold the liquid film body, be three layers range upon range of state by trim ring, valve body.Thus, the smoothness through having regulation by trim ring and scold contact-making surface between the liquid film body to make and scold the planarization of liquid film body, can suppress ink leakage.On the other hand, the circumference of valve body is through keeping with the ring-type mode by trim ring, thereby can play consistently the air exchange function.That is,, thereby can either avoid the concavo-convex of valve body, can keep valve body and guarantee the gap that strain is required with straightforward procedure again scolding the bubble-tight influence of liquid film body only through between valve body with scold between the liquid film body and to be provided with by trim ring.

In addition, through cramping keep scolding the liquid film body, by trim ring and valve body, thereby can to the upper and lower surface of scolding the liquid film body with apply uniform surface pressure on the contact-making surface between the relative member separately.Particularly, can scold liquid film body one side with being pushed on, thereby can absorb the scale error of each member and accommodation space, keep and scold the liquid film body and by the height degree of connecting airtight between the trim ring by trim ring because valve body is an elastomer.

In addition, above-mentionedly be preferably metal material by trim ring.This is because metal material can improve the smoothness by the trim ring upper and lower surface.

The ink storage container of realizing above-mentioned purpose is characterised in that; In foregoing invention; The lower surface one side butt of above-mentioned air flow control portion and above-mentioned valve body; And have the downside bracing ring that is formed with the ring-type of open bore in central authorities, the area of the above-mentioned open bore of above-mentioned downside bracing ring is set at littler than the area of the open area of upper surface one side of above-mentioned valve body.

Like this, compare with the open area in the valve body outside, the open bore of the open area that valve body is inboard is littler.Valve body is difficult to strain in ink side (container inside), and an opposite side (outside of containers) of ink side then is easy to strain.Like this, stipulate the elastic deformation amount, thereby be easy to carry out, and can suppress, further reduce the pressure in the ink reservoir from the ventilation of container lateral container inside from the ventilation of container inside to outside of containers with asymmetric mode.

The ink storage container of realizing above-mentioned purpose is characterised in that; In foregoing invention; Above-mentionedly be configured to the ink side butt with above-mentioned valve body by trim ring, the area of above-mentioned above-mentioned through hole by trim ring is set at littler than the area of the open area of an opposite side of the ink side of above-mentioned valve body.

Effectively utilization can improve scold the liquid film body air-tightness by trim ring, the elastic deformation amount that can likewise stipulate valve body with above-mentioned downside bracing ring with inside and outside asymmetric mode, thus can make the miniaturization of air flow control portion.

The ink storage container of realizing above-mentioned purpose is characterised in that; In foregoing invention; Top surface portion in the ink reservoir of storage ink is provided with the object holding part; In above-mentioned object holding part, form make above-mentioned scold liquid film body drop seat scold liquid film body drop seat portion, on the bottom of above-mentioned object holding part, be formed with blow vent, in above-mentioned object holding part, be filled with above-mentioned air flow control portion.

According to said structure, air flow control portion is contained on the upper surface of ink reservoir compactly, thereby can significantly increase storable quantity of ink in the ink reservoir.

The ink storage container of realizing above-mentioned purpose is characterised in that, in foregoing invention, above-mentioned scold be formed with in the liquid film body drop seat portion and above-mentioned even surface of scolding the ring-type that the liquid film body closely contacts.

According to said structure, owing to scold liquid film body drop seat portion also to be formed with even surface, therefore can significantly improve the upper and lower surfaces of scolding the liquid film body and the tight exposure level of each contact-making surface between the object member.Therefore, scold on the liquid film body even there is ink to be attached to, this ink also is difficult to invade above-mentioned each contact-making surface.Particularly owing to scold the wellability of liquid film body itself lower, thus can with situation that even surface closely contacts under the very high sealing property of acquisition, prevent the ink entering.That is, scold the liquid film body, can guarantee aeration and scold fluidity through middle body, and guarantee sealing through its peripheral part through using this.In addition, this scolds the material of liquid film body to be preferably Teflon (registration mark).Because the Teflon film body has flexibility, therefore can increase the tight exposure level with even surface, and the sealing of taking into account higher level with scold fluidity.

The ink storage container of realizing above-mentioned purpose is characterised in that, above-mentioned depression of scolding liquid film body drop seat portion to form ring-type, and constitute by the olefin-based resin.

According to said structure,, therefore can suppress ink and get into the even surface of scolding liquid film body drop seat portion because the wellability of olefin-based resin self is lower.In addition, scold the liquid film body being blocked, thereby carry out the assembling work of air flow control portion effectively with forming scolding under the situation that liquid film body drop seat portion do not misplace of annular recess.

The ink storage container of realizing above-mentioned purpose is characterised in that in foregoing invention, upper surface one side of above-mentioned object holding part is equipped with cap.

According to said structure, can air flow control portion be packed in the object holding part, cover through cap at last, thereby can prevent coming off of air flow control portion.In addition, the assembling work of air flow control portion is very easy to.

The ink storage container of realizing above-mentioned purpose is characterised in that, in foregoing invention, on the top of above-mentioned cap, is provided with a plurality of blow vents, the valve body that on the face of the downside at above-mentioned top, is provided with the annular recess shape that is used to the to support said valve body portion of taking a seat.

According to said structure,, therefore can between the bottom of cap and object holding part, filling successfully hold air flow control portion, thereby can carry out the assembling work of air flow control portion effectively owing on valve body is taken a seat portion, support valve body.In addition; Owing on the top of cap, be provided with a plurality of blow vents; Therefore go up at the balladeur train (carriage) of the tape deck of printer ink storage container is exchanged when installing; Even because maloperation is attached on the some passages that on the valve body at the top of cap is taken a seat portion, are provided with the ink that is bonded on hand, perhaps there is water droplet etc. to be attached on the part passage, also can guarantee the venting capability of inside and outside gas through remaining passage.Therefore can keep the flow control function of air flow control portion well.In addition,, therefore can avoid the dislocation of valve body and the valve body portion of taking a seat, realize high-precision assembling because the valve body portion of taking a seat forms annular recess.

The ink storage container of realizing above-mentioned purpose is characterised in that; In foregoing invention; Above-mentioned cap has from the periphery at top facial to the week of axially extended tubular; When above-mentioned cap being installed on the above-mentioned object holding part, the lower end that this facial in week and the above-mentioned bottom butt of above-mentioned object holding part and play a role as restrictions.

According to said structure, owing to form facial lower end and the bottom butt of week of cap, so when being pressed into cap and loading air flow control portion, even it is strong excessively to be pressed into power, function also can be brought into play as restrictions in above-mentioned lower end.Therefore, can stop valve body by unnecessarily compression or stretching, avoid valve body is caused the strain of flattening, thereby the air flow control portion of prevention valve body be impaired through cap.

The ink storage container of realizing above-mentioned purpose is characterised in that; In foregoing invention; On the root of facial inner face side of above-mentioned week of above-mentioned cap, be provided with the elastic hinge that the thin-wall construction through ring-type forms; On above-mentioned week of above-mentioned cap facial outer surface, form the holding section, on the internal perisporium of above-mentioned object holding part, be formed with can be chimeric with above-mentioned holding section the portion that is stuck.

According to said structure, the elastic hinge of the inboard through being formed on the top is easy to make week facially to carry out strain with root as base portion.Therefore, cap is being pressed into when being embedded in recess, is not needing via cap active force and can successfully being pressed into when valve body pushes.In addition, owing to also can reduce to keep the take a seat distortion at portion (top) of the valve body of valve body, so the strain that can not flatten of valve body, in other words, can the strain that valve body produces be suppressed be Min..That is, can load, avoid useless ink leakage with the state that the due air flow control function of valve body has no to lose.

In addition and since the internal perisporium of the holding section of cap one side and recess one side to be stuck portion chimeric, so cap can not come off with respect to recess vertically, and can prevent the rotation of cap yet.Consequently; Cap is with chimeric with zero-lash state of recess and recess; Thereby avoid external force to act on, make it keep stable, and can prevent that the air flow control function of valve body is impaired by valve body, by trim ring and the air flow control portion that scolds the liquid film body to constitute.

The ink storage container of realizing above-mentioned purpose is characterised in that; In foregoing invention; The fitting portion that forms by above-mentioned holding section and the above-mentioned portion of being stuck, above-mentioned week facial axially on be formed with multistage, in above-mentioned a plurality of fitting portions; A fitting portion prevents axial coming off, and other fitting portion prevents the rotation of axis.

According to said structure; In the fitting portion that constitutes by a plurality of holding sections and the portion of being stuck; A fitting portion has the function that prevents axially to come off, and other fitting portion has and prevent the function of circumferentially rotating, thereby can make air flow control portion keep stable further.

The ink storage container of realizing above-mentioned purpose is characterised in that, in foregoing invention, on the inner edge of the above-mentioned blow vent that runs through setting on the above-mentioned bottom of above-mentioned object holding part, is formed with the conical surface that is enlarging shape (last Wide Ga り shape) expansion downwards.

According to said structure, scold on the lower surface or the conical surface of liquid film body even there is ink to be attached to, owing to ink is easy to splash into internal tank along the conical surface, thereby can continue to suppress to scold the ink adhesion amount on the liquid film body.

The ink storage container of realizing above-mentioned purpose is characterised in that, in foregoing invention, scolds liquid to handle to implementing on the above-mentioned conical surface at least.

According to said structure, the ink that can further reduce on the conical surface is residual, suppresses to scold the ink on the liquid film body to adhere to.

The ink storage container of realizing above-mentioned purpose is characterised in that; In foregoing invention; At the downside that runs through the above-mentioned blow vent that is arranged at above-mentioned bottom, dispose discoid buffer part, said buffer part is used to stop that ink moves to above-mentioned blow vent; In above-mentioned blow vent one side of above-mentioned buffer part, be formed with the side-prominent taper seat of the above-mentioned blow vent of mediad one.

According to said structure, can suppress ink through buffer part and flow directly into air flow control portion.In addition, be attached to ink on the Teflon film lower surface when buffer part is dripped, to suppress ink residual thereby also be easy to return internal tank along this taper seat.

In addition, the above-mentioned object holding part of ink storage container is preferably the recess in the upper surface formation of above-mentioned ink reservoir.Therefore, can insert each member in order from upper surface one side of ink reservoir and assemble, thereby can carry out the assembling work of air flow control portion efficiently.

The ink storage container of realizing above-mentioned purpose is characterised in that, in foregoing invention, is below the 20mm and more than the 1.5mm from the upper surface of above-mentioned valve body to the distance the above-mentioned lower surface of scolding the liquid film body.

According to said structure, reduced the size of air flow control portion, thereby can enlarge the inner space of ink reservoir.

The ink storage container of realizing above-mentioned purpose is characterised in that, in foregoing invention, above-mentioned valve body is that connected porous elastomeric material is carried out compression molding and the compression body that obtains.

The ink storage container of realizing above-mentioned purpose is characterised in that in foregoing invention, the minimum outer diameter size to the zone that ink one side is opened of above-mentioned valve body is set at more than 2 times of above-mentioned valve body thickness.

Therefore, valve body can along the air direction of passage flexibly carry out strain, carry out air exchange thereby can be delicately change corresponding to less interior pressure.Particularly, valve body makes the porous structure expansion in the valve body thus and gets through the air exchange path and ventilate because less interior pressure changes and stretches slightly.

The ink storage container of realizing above-mentioned purpose is characterised in that, in foregoing invention, the minimum outer diameter size to the zone of the inside of above-mentioned ink reservoir of above-mentioned valve body is set at below 15 times of above-mentioned valve body thickness.

Therefore, valve body can along the air direction of passage more flexibly carry out strain, improve the response that changes corresponding to interior pressure.

The ink storage container of realizing above-mentioned purpose is characterised in that; In foregoing invention; Also have the ink that is communicated with above-mentioned air flow control portion in the inside of above-mentioned ink reservoir and apply flexibly valve, above-mentioned ink is applied flexibly valve and is provided with ink absorber, and this ink absorber is through absorbing above-mentioned ink; Do not pass air under normal conditions; But can change according to the interior pressure of above-mentioned ink reservoir and carry out air exchange,, can make inflow resistance increase through the air of above-mentioned ink absorber through the ink absorption of above-mentioned ink absorber.

Thus; Cooperatively interact through making air flow control function that air flow control portion brought into play and ink apply flexibly the control function that air that valve brings into play flows into resistance; Can further significantly improve the inner negative pressure that produces of ink storage container, and stable this negative pressure state that keeps.Thus, can effectively avoid the unnecessary leakage of ink, improve the service efficiency of ink.Particularly, use ink absorber through inner inks of absorption ink storage container such as capillarities, thereby ink absorber can increase the resistance that in ink storage container, flows into air.For example, negative pressure is increased to-140mmH ₂The degree of O and can reach balance.Consequently, can the discharge rate of ink be controlled to be optimal amount, thereby suppress consumed ink amount, realize printing efficiently.

The ink storage container of realizing above-mentioned purpose is characterised in that; In foregoing invention; Has maintaining part; This maintaining part is provided in above-mentioned ink reservoir or the above-mentioned air flow control portion, and in all or part of above-mentioned ink that impregnated in the above-mentioned ink reservoir of self, above-mentioned ink absorber is seated in this maintaining part.

The ink storage container of realizing above-mentioned purpose is characterised in that, in foregoing invention, above-mentioned ink is applied flexibly valve and had the top that is provided in above-mentioned ink absorber and have aeration and implemented to scold that liquid handles scolds the liquid film body.

According to said structure; When ink absorber absorbs ink fully and becomes saturation state; Can prevent ink that ink absorber is absorbed in to than scolding the liquid film body more to move the position of top owing to scold the existence of liquid film body, can reliably avoid the infringement of the function of air flow control portion or make its performance reduction.In addition, even under the saturated state of ink absorber, the valve body of air flow control portion also can maintain internal tank the negative pressure state of regulation all the time.

The ink storage container of realizing above-mentioned purpose is characterised in that, in foregoing invention, applies flexibly between above-mentioned air flow control portion and above-mentioned ink and to be provided with air layer between the valve.

According to said structure, through applying flexibly air layer is set between the valve, thereby, also can retains ink, thereby prevent that it from arriving air flow control portion through this air layer in case there is ink to apply flexibly from ink under the situation that valve leaks at air flow control portion and ink.

The ink storage container of realizing above-mentioned purpose is characterised in that, in foregoing invention, and the outstanding dyke that is provided with on the bottom surface of above-mentioned ink reservoir, above-mentioned ink is applied flexibly valve and can be absorbed through above-mentioned dyke and remain in the ink on the above-mentioned bottom surface.

The ink storage container of realizing above-mentioned purpose is characterised in that, in foregoing invention, on the bottom surface of above-mentioned ink reservoir, gives prominence to the residual recess of using of ink is set, and above-mentioned ink is applied flexibly valve and can be absorbed through the residual ink residual with recess of above-mentioned ink.

According to said structure, even under the situation that ink reduces, ink is applied flexibly valve and also can the ink absorption state be maintained at last, thus residual energetically ink.

The ink storage container of realizing above-mentioned purpose is characterised in that in foregoing invention, ink storage container is the print cartridge that ink-jet printer uses.

According to said structure, can make the print cartridge that ink-jet printer uses at an easy rate.

The ink storage container of realizing above-mentioned purpose is characterised in that in foregoing invention, the internal pressure when ink-jet printer is discharged above-mentioned ink is set at-20mmH ₂O～-350mmH ₂O.

According to said structure, in the print procedure of ink-jet printer, can in print cartridge, keep suitable negative pressure.

According to the present invention, can effectively apply flexibly the inner space of ink storage container.For example, in ink storage container,, also can the internal capacity of ink storage container all be used for the ink storage applications even without ink absorber or other contents are set.Consequently, compare, can reduce the replacing frequency of print cartridge with commercially available existing product.Likewise, can realize identical number of print pages with littler ink storage container.

And according to the present invention, will have and scold the liquid film and the valve body of fluidity to be provided with respectively, thereby can fully block ink, and make it bring into play the air exchange function steadily in the long term valve body.

In addition; The present invention has following advantage: can prevent that ink etc. from causing damage to the ventilation control of valve body; Guarantee stable air flow control function; In the scope that changes to bigger pressure variation from small pressure, carry out suitable ink and discharge control, and make the cheap for manufacturing cost of ink storage container.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the cross-sectional schematic of the ink storage container of first embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is air flow control portion and the peripheral cross-sectional schematic thereof among Fig. 1.

Fig. 2 A is the sketch map of the structural elements of the air flow control portion among Fig. 1.

Fig. 2 B is the sketch map of the structural elements of the air flow control portion among Fig. 1.

Fig. 2 C is the sketch map of the structural elements of the air flow control portion among Fig. 1.

Fig. 2 D is the sketch map of the structural elements of the air flow control portion among Fig. 1.

Fig. 2 E is the sketch map of the structural elements of the air flow control portion among Fig. 1.

Fig. 2 F is the sketch map of the structural elements of the air flow control portion among Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is ink discharge portion and the peripheral cross-sectional schematic thereof among Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 A is ink discharge portion and the peripheral cross-sectional schematic thereof among Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is the ink discharge portion and the peripheral cross-sectional schematic thereof of the variation of first embodiment.

Fig. 4 A is ink discharge portion and the peripheral cross-sectional schematic thereof among Fig. 4.

Fig. 5 is the longitudinal sectional view of the ink storage container of second embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6 is the amplification view of A portion among Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is the identical amplification view of illustrated and Fig. 5 that has omitted the air flow control portion among Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is cap and the assembling exploded perspective view of air flow control portion among Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 wants portion's amplification view to what D portion among Fig. 7 carried out exploded representation.

Figure 10 be among Fig. 7 D portion want portion's amplification view.

Figure 11 be among Fig. 5 B portion want portion's amplification view.

Figure 12 be among Fig. 5 C portion want portion's amplification view.

Figure 13 is the cutaway view of the variation of second embodiment.

Figure 14 is the cutaway view of another variation of second embodiment.

Figure 15 is the local amplification view of the ink storage container of third embodiment of the invention.

Figure 16 is the figure of the relation of external and internal pressure difference and the air exchange amount of this ink storage container of expression.

Figure 17 is the cutaway view of another variation of the 3rd embodiment.

Figure 18 is the cross-sectional schematic of the ink storage container of four embodiment of the invention.

Figure 19 is air flow control portion and the peripheral cross-sectional schematic thereof among Figure 18.

Figure 20 is the internal negative pressure of the ink reservoir among expression Figure 18 and the figure of the relation of using the elapsed time.

Figure 21 is the local amplification view of the ink storage container of fifth embodiment of the invention.

Figure 22 is the longitudinal sectional view of the ink storage container of sixth embodiment of the invention.

Figure 23 is the longitudinal sectional view of variation of the ink storage container of the 6th embodiment.

Figure 24 is the partial sectional view of the variation of embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 25 is the partial sectional view of another variation of embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 26 is the partial sectional view of another variation of embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 27 is the figure of the internal negative pressure state of the ink storage container of expression the present invention first and the 3rd embodiment.

The specific embodiment

Followingly describe with reference to the ink storage container of accompanying drawing to embodiment of the present invention.In addition, below the ink storage container of each embodiment, the print cartridge that uses with ink-jet printer describes as example.

(ink storage container)

Fig. 1 shows the cross-sectional schematic of the ink storage container 100 that is used as ink-jet printer cartridge of first embodiment.This first embodiment ink storage container 100 has: ink reservoir 10, its storage ink and formed by the housing section that comprises top surface portion 12 and bottom surface 16 in inner 11; Air flow control portion 20, it is arranged on upper surface, can control the air mass flow from the blow vent 14 of outside entering ink reservoir 10 inside; Ink discharge portion 30, it is arranged at bottom surface 16, can be controlled at the discharge of the ink of storage in the inside 11 of ink reservoir 10 from ink discharge outlet 18.

In addition, in this first embodiment, preferred air flow control portion 20 disposes across ink reservoir 10 with ink discharge portion 30 relatively, but the configuration of air flow control portion 20 and ink discharge portion 30 is not limited thereto.In addition, in this first embodiment,, therefore need ink discharge portion 30, but when being used for other purposes, also possibly not need ink discharge portion 30 owing to be the print cartridge that ink-jet printer uses.In addition; In Fig. 1; Air flow control portion 20 is included in the part of giving prominence on the upper surface of ink reservoir 10; But air flow control portion 20 also can bury or bury fully the top surface portion 12 of ink reservoir 10, and part outstanding on the top surface portion 12 of ink reservoir 10 is disappeared, and this is favourable for saving the space.

(ink reservoir)

The inside 11 of ink reservoir 10 is to have blow vent 14 on the top surface portion 12 at housing, on bottom surface 16, has ink discharge outlet 18, except blow vent 14 and part the ink discharge outlet 18 are the containers of the sealing that formed by housing.On blow vent 14, have air flow control portion 20, the throughput in order to control blow vent 14 has ink discharge portion 30 on ink discharge outlet 18, in order to control ink discharge rate.

In this first embodiment; The preferred structure that does not comprise the ink store body that causes the minimizing of ink reserve capacity; Therefore be employed in the structure of storage ink in the empty space, but be not limited thereto, also can be for the part or all of use ink absorber of ink reservoir 10.

(air flow control portion)

Fig. 2 shows the cross-sectional schematic of air flow control portion 20 and periphery thereof.The schematic top plan view of the member of the formation air flow control portion 20 that states after Fig. 2 A～Fig. 2 F shows and the cross-sectional schematic of dissecing along the dotted line in the schematic top plan view.

Air flow control portion 20 comprises the elastomeric material that is communicated with by a plurality of minute apertures; Air capacity through these a plurality of minute apertures can change with the pressure differential of above-mentioned ink reservoir 10 according to the outside; Air flow control portion 20 has and can change the valve 22 of controlling the air mass flow of entering ink reservoir 10 from the outside according to this; Have anti-ink film 24 in addition, this anti-ink film 24 is arranged between valve 22 and the ink reservoir 10, can prevent that ink from arriving valve 22.In addition, in this first embodiment, air flow control portion 20 comprises flat board (pressing trim ring) 26 between anti-ink film 24 and valve 22, and flat board 26 has hollow bulb and is used as air layer formation member, and becomes by the structure of anti-ink film 24 and valve 22 clampings.In addition, air flow control portion 20 also has waterproof membrane 28, and this waterproof membrane 28 is arranged between valve 22 and the outside, is the flat board with hollow bulb, can prevent that moisture from arriving valve 22.In this first embodiment, waterproof membrane 28 is pushed the also fixed component performance function of standing valve 22 with dull and stereotyped 26 conducts, and waterproof membrane 28 becomes the structure of being pushed by loam cake (cap) 21 and base portion 23 (end 25 of blow vent) with dull and stereotyped 26.Through top surface portion 12, the bolt hole 27 fastening loam cakes 21 of bolt via base portion 23, ink reservoir, through this bolted make from the pressing force of loam cake 21 and with this pressing force accompany from the reaction of end 25 via waterproof membrane 28 and dull and stereotyped 26 push valve 22 equably.

Valve 22 is processed by the elastomeric material that a plurality of minute apertures are communicated with; Air capacity through these a plurality of minute apertures changes with the pressure differential of above-mentioned ink reservoir according to the outside; Valve 22 can change according to this controls the air mass flow that gets into above-mentioned ink reservoir from the outside; But the not special restriction of the material of valve 22 and structure as long as have this control function, for example can be disclosed scheme or commercially available prod such as above-mentioned patent documentation 1.Valve 22 be shaped as the roughly flat board of circular plate shape.In addition, the thickness setting of valve 22 is below the above 5.0mm of 0.5mm.Therefore if the thickness of valve 22 is more than the 0.5mm, then the rigidity of the outer peripheral portion of maintaining valve 22 is higher, can reduce to move (leakages) from the air here and measure.And,, utilize this thickness to be easy to make the valve body that changes performance air exchange function according to pressure when valve 22 is 0.5mm when above.Air exchange control in the time of particularly can carrying out slight pressure.On the other hand,, then can avoid circulation of air paths in the valve 22 overcomplicated that becomes if thickness is below the 5.0mm, owing to obtain the ventilation path of suitable length, thus accelerate the response of air exchange.Consequently, can carry out the supply of ink rapidly, reduce the situation of slur.In addition, the outside dimension of valve 22 (diameter of plectane) is set at below the above 20mm of 4mm.If outside dimension is more than the 4mm, then the area of the air exchange portion of valve 22 central authorities is bigger, has therefore reduced can change according to pressure and carry out suitable strain from the limitations affect of retaining part on every side.Thus, can change the response that improves air exchange with respect to the slight pressure in the ink reservoir 10.In addition, when outside dimension is 20mm when following, air exchange area that then can check valve 22 central authorities is excessive.Thus, change corresponding to the slight pressure in the ink reservoir 10, can prevent the integrally bending or the distortion in the air exchange zone of valve 22, valve 22 can suitably produce strain with respect to the slight pressure variation, thereby improves the response of air exchange.In addition, can put valve 22 in the little space content of loam cake in this way.

Valve 22 as compression body, does not have aeration under the situation of compression in this first embodiment.That is, can the connected porous body of being processed by elastomeric material be compressed to and not have aeration, can bring into play the air flow control function through making the compression porous body.In this compression porous body, inside is formed with and a plurality ofly is extruded the overlapping atypic space that forms because of constituting connected porous body elasticity body, under compressed state, will lose aeration.Yet; The a plurality of atypic space that in the compression porous body, forms is communicated with, and therefore under the situation that produces the external and internal pressure difference, can produce pressure above on the authorized pressure through the stretching, extension of valve 22; Thereby be pressed into air from the outside to compression porous body inside; Air extrusion expansion is communicated with in the compression porous body and is the passage of mesh space, makes the valve distortion and to the opposition side of compression porous body, promptly ink reservoir 10 1 side shiftings are with the acquisition aeration.Since this throughput (air mass flow) determine by the difficulty of passing through that forms mesh space in compression in the porous body; Under the bigger situation of pressure differential; Valve 22 significantly stretches, air in the compression porous body, form be easy in the netted space through, throughput is increased.On the other hand, reach more than the authorized pressure difference and situation that pressure differential is less under, valve 22 less degree ground stretch, air forms the amount of passing through in the netted space in the compression porous body less, throughput reduces.Because the ventilation of valve 22 makes under the situation that pressure differential reduces, valve 22 also shrinks, the throughput minimizing.In addition, under the situation of the pressure differential that does not reach regulation,, valve 22 make valve 22 lose aeration owing to continuing compression.Therefore, can adjust throughput according to the pressure extent, thereby can promptly and suitably adjust the pressure in the ink reservoir 10, make its pressure certain.

In addition, in order to give full play to this strain function, the minimum outer diameter size W in the zone of the opening of the ink side of valve 22 is set at more than 2 times of thickness T of valve 22.More specifically, minimum outer diameter size W is set at below 15 times of thickness T.Like this, valve 22 can change less interior pressure and make a response along air direction of passage strain flexibly delicately, carries out air exchange.For example, when interior pressure reduced slightly, valve 22 extended slightly to the inside, thereby made the porous structure expansion of valve 22 and open the air exchange path, ventilation to the inside.

The pressure differential of outside (atmosphere) and ink reservoir 10 sides produces the aeration of valve 22 with which kind of degree, can realize through connected porous and compression degree etc. carried out suitable choice, for example compression property can in pressure differential at 20mmH ₂Do not have aeration when O is following, and pressure differential is at 20mmH ₂Then has aeration when O is above.In addition, about this air exchange function, the internal pressure when ink storage container 100 is discharged ink with respect to ink-jet printer is preferably set to-20mmH ₂O～-350mmH ₂O.This is in the print procedure of ink-jet printer, can make to keep suitable negative pressure in the print cartridge.

It can keep this minute aperture unimpeded under extended configuration as long as the elastomeric material of formation valve 22 has a plurality of minute apertures, for example can be polypropylene, various rubber, various synthetic rubber.For connected porous plastid; Can be to rubber and/or plastic raw materials mixed inert gas, decomposability blowing agent, volatile organic liquid; Thereby through form in inside bubble foam form connected porous; Also can to rubber or plastic raw materials mix inorganic particles such as stirring calcium carbonate and form tabular after, stripping inorganic particle and form connected porous.Above-mentioned rubber and/or plastic raw materials can be natural rubber, butadiene-styrene rubber, acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, neoprene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene, polystyrene, polyamide, polyurethane, silicone resin, epoxy resin, phenolic resins, Lauxite, fluororesin etc.Wherein consider preferred ethers polyurethane resin etc. from formability and productivity ratio equal angles to the durability of liquid, connected porous plastid.

The elastomeric material that constitutes valve 22 is under pressure poor effect and stretches, after ventilating then pressure differential reduce, recover original state gradually and stop ventilation, do not ventilate through so keeping initial compressive state repeatedly.Therefore as the compression set characteristic good of compression body.As other characteristic, further the Young's modulus of preferred valve 22 is below the above 5000MPa of 1MPa.In addition, preferred valve 22 is more than 30 below 100 through the fixed hardness of A Sika (ASKER) F type hardness tester instrumentation.

Hole count on the unit length before valve 22 compression is above 1000 of 4/cm/below the cm, thereby is easy to adjust interior pressure.In addition, compression is carried out through heating or mode such as high frequency heating, and the back that is shaped is with the discoid body of thickness 8mm during as detection bodies, is preferably more than 20 below 100 through the fixed hardness of A Si card C type hardness tester instrumentation.It is 5% or more below 40% of material thickness before the compression that this compression is easy to through making compression ratio, implements reliably to seal during less than setting in pressure differential.

In the method that valve 22 is set on the air control part 20 is arrangement valve 22 on dull and stereotyped 26, and the flat board of settling hollow shape above it is a waterproof membrane 28 and fixing.Like this, can be provided with easily through fixing.In this first embodiment, likewise pass through dull and stereotyped waterproof membrane 28 with bigger area push valve 22 with flat board 26, thereby can push equably, can prevent owing to the excessive throughput that makes of the extension degree of valve 22 is excessive.

What anti-ink film 24 was not limited to use in this first embodiment preferred aeration scolds the fluidity material, so long as waterproof material and can prevent that ink composition contact valve 22 from getting final product also can be the bigger material of critical surface tension.In addition, aeration is not sealed situation that whole blow vent 14 parts connect then not necessarily for film.

That in this first embodiment, uses scolds the fluidity material, gets final product so long as himself have the material of aeration.Preferred especially critical surface tension is to scold the fluidity material below the 25dyn/cm.As this material, can use various resin moldings, inoranic membrane, but preferred fluororesin, the fluorubber etc. of using, the further preferred polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) that uses.

Anti-ink film 24 considers aeration and has a plurality of minute apertures of connection, and the aperture of a plurality of minute apertures is preferably below the 5 μ m more than the 0.01 μ m, further below the preferred 0.1 μ m.If the aperture below 5 μ m, then can suppress to take place owing to falling or impact such as vibration makes ink get into the inner situation in hole, thereby stable performance air exchange function.On the other hand, when 0.01 μ m is above, then can improve the response of air exchange, supply with ink swimmingly and reduce the situation of slur.

In the method that anti-ink film 24 is set in the air flow control portion 20 is on base portion 23, just to settle dull and stereotyped 26 to fix from it with the mode that covers blow vent 14.Through this fixing means, can avoid the influence of environmental changes such as variations in temperature, pressure change, impact, vibrate, wear out, and it is bonding also needn't to use bonding agent to carry out, and only implements to settle to get final product, thus simple and easy to do.

Dull and stereotyped 26 are through hole cylindraceous roughly, promptly so-called ring plate form for roughly circular plate shape and hollow bulb.Dull and stereotyped 26 form air layer 29 between anti-ink film 24 and valve 22.Through this air layer,, also can arrive valve 22 through the ink that air layer 29 further prevents to be stored in the ink reservoir 10 even for example passed through under the situation of anti-ink film 24 at ink.In addition, in this first embodiment, illustration so-called annular form flat board and be not limited to this, also can use the structure that can be formed with air layer 29 to replace.That is, so long as can between anti-ink film 24 and valve 22, can implement to substitute by member shape, the configuration mode of formation air layer.In this first embodiment, therefore preferred push valve 22 equably as stated dull and stereotyped 26 uses hollows and the flat board of disc-shape roughly.

Waterproof membrane 28 gets final product not special restriction so long as can guarantee the waterproof material of aeration.Can certainly be that fluororesin etc. is scolded the fluidity material.In this first embodiment, use hollow and roughly discoid plane (O type circle), improve water proofing property but be not limited thereto through forming air layer.Waterproof membrane 28 is arranged on dull and stereotyped 26 and pushes through loam cake 21.

As stated; In this first embodiment; Air flow control portion 20 sets gradually anti-ink film 24, flat board 26, valve 22, waterproof membrane 28, loam cake 21 on the end 25 of the blow vent 14 of base portion 23; Fastening through 27 pairs of these loam cakes enforcements of bolt hole, thus can implement fixing to the aggregate of anti-ink film 24, flat board 26, valve 22, waterproof membrane 28 with easy method.Like this, through simple structure, in air flow control portion 20, the distance from the upper surface (ink side opposite side surfaces) of valve 22 to the lower surface (ink side surface) of waterproof membrane 28 is set at more than the following 1.5mm of 20mm.Consequently; Reduced the size of air flow control portion 20; Thereby can enlarge the inner space of ink reservoir 10, and ink absorber or other content needn't be set in ink reservoir 10, store thereby can the entire interior volume of ink reservoir 10 be used for ink.

According to this first embodiment, can prevent that through the air layer of preventing ink film 24 and dull and stereotyped 26 ink from arriving valve 22, with degree of precision control air flow.In addition, can prevent that through waterproof membrane 28 moisture in the extraneous gas from arriving valve 22, thereby with degree of precision control air flow.In addition, valve 22 by dull and stereotyped from the two sides pushing equably than large tracts of land, thereby can further control the telescopic variation amount accurately, with degree of precision control air flow.

(ink discharge portion)

Fig. 3 shows the cross-sectional schematic of ink discharge portion 30 and periphery thereof.Ink discharge portion 30 is arranged on the ink discharge outlet 18 of ink reservoir 10, and primary structure is included in the crimp body 32 of when ink-jet printer is supplied with ink, carrying out crimping, and with crimp body 32 incorporate movements of valve 34.In ink discharge outlet 18, have from the bottom surface 16 to the central authorities of ink discharge outlet 18 outstanding protuberance 19a, 19b, 19c; The community of this crimp body 32 and movement of valve 34, the lower end 36 that becomes the end of movement of valve 34 under the situation beyond when ink supply is arranged on the state on the protuberance 19c.

Movement of valve 34 is water proofing property members of being processed by metal etc.; Be used to prevent that ink from leaking via crimp body 32 from ink discharge outlet 18; But between the protuberance 19a and 19b in the time of beyond the ink supply, its with part that incorporate crimp body 32 is connected on be provided with openings 38.Under the situation beyond when ink supply,, prevent that ink reservoir 10 inner inks from leaking from ink discharge outlet 18 through the top surface portion 39 and the protuberance 19a of movement of valve 34.

In addition, shown in Fig. 3 A, the community of crimp body 32 and movement of valve 34 is arranged on the ink-jet printer when supplying with ink, thereby can this community be pushed to ink reservoir 10 inside through the counterpart member 40 of ink-jet printer.Like this; At least a portion of openings 38 moves up with respect to protuberance 19a; Ink on the crimp body 32 is through the part of the openings 38 that moves up with respect to protuberance 19a; Shown in arrow, flow into crimp body 32, likewise supply with ink to the counterpart member of ink-jet printer from crimp body 32.

The community of crimp body 32 and movement of valve 34 reverts to the lower end and placed the state of protuberance 19c in 36 years, thereby continues to prevent ink leakage after taking off from printer.Except protuberance 19a, also receive the two-fold of protuberance 19b, 19c, triple preventing stopping of structure from the leakage of ink discharge outlet 18 ends.In addition, also can constitute protuberance 19b, 19c are not set, and prevent ink leakage with tight contact of sidewall of ink discharge outlet 18 through the side that makes movement of valve 34.

Through this ink discharge portion 30 is set, even do not use ink absorber, can prevent that also ink from leaking from ink discharge outlet 18, in addition, can be when ink supply through openings 38 and crimp body 32 to ink-jet printer ink supply promptly.

Fig. 4 shows the variation of ink discharge portion 30 and periphery thereof.

Ink discharge portion 30 is arranged on the ink discharge outlet 18 of ink reservoir 10, and structure mainly comprises movement of valve 34, and this movement of valve 34 moves to the ink-jet printer ink supply time.On ink discharge outlet 18, have protuberance 19c, this protuberance 19c is 16 outstanding to the central authorities of ink discharge outlet 18 from the bottom surface.

Movement of valve 34 comprises lower valve 33 and upper side 39, and lower valve 33 is that spring 35 is connected with upper side 39 through elastomer.Prevent ink leakage through lower valve 33 under the situation beyond when ink supply.

Movement of valve 34 sides are provided with openings 38.Shown in Fig. 4 A; The lower valve 33 of movement of valve 34 is arranged on the ink-jet printer when ink supply; Thereby spring 35 moves up with respect to protuberance 19c through the counterpart member 40 of ink-jet printer; Ink is discharged shown in arrow through consequent gap, to counterpart member 40 ink supply of ink-jet printer.

Lower valve 33 returns to the position roughly the same with protuberance 19c owing to the stretching, extension of spring 35 take off the back from ink-jet printer, thereby continues to prevent ink leakage.

As above-mentioned variation; Through ink discharge portion 30 is set; Thereby needn't use ink absorber and crimp body can prevent that ink from leaking from ink discharge outlet 18, and can be when ink supply through openings 38 and crimp body 32 promptly to the ink-jet printer ink supply.

With reference to Fig. 5 to Figure 12 second embodiment of the invention is described below.The element numeral identical Reference numeral identical or suitable with first embodiment.

Ink storage container 100 comprises the body 10a that forms with suitable synthetic resin material shown in the longitudinal section of Fig. 5, and is entrenched in the top surface portion 10b on the body 10a as lid, and both interconnect through B portion.Ink storage container 100 is a cube; And the size of its depth width is than size is little longitudinally; Be provided with two chamber 11a, the 11b that divides through next door 10d in its inside 11, this next door 10d has open-work 10c in the bottom, in addition; The air flow control portion 20 that after being provided with in the A portion, states is provided with ink discharge portion 30 in C portion.

The A portion of Fig. 5 representes to be provided with the position of air flow control portion 20, in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, the structure of the recess 10e that is filled with air flow control portion 20 is carried out summary description.That is, the 10b of portion goes up and forms the recess 10e that submerges in the above, and the flat cutting face of this recess 10e is circular, on this recess 10e, passes through the effect of cap 50 performance lids.On the 10f of the bottom of recess 10e, to entreat to run through therein blow vent 14 is set, this blow vent 14 is communicated with internal tank 11, below blow vent 14, via the 10g of slit portion buffer part 10h is set.In addition, the upper surface of buffer part 10h forms the side-prominent taper seat of mediad blow vent 14 1, becomes the structure that is difficult for retaining ink.In addition, on the 10f of bottom, be provided with Teflon film body take a seat 10i of portion and lower end holding part 10j.The Teflon film body 10i of portion that takes a seat is the depression (stage portion of ring-type) of ring-type, is used to block as the Teflon film body 24 of the structural element of air flow control portion 20 and makes its location.Lower end holding part 10j is the endless groove that concentric circles is provided with in the take a seat periphery of the 10i of portion of this Teflon film body, becomes the structure of lower end of all facial 50a of ccontaining above-mentioned cap 50.Therefore, when being installed to cap 50 on the recess 10e, thereby holding part 10j temporary transient lower end butt with all facial 50a in lower end is brought into play function as restrictions.Consequently, when assembling, can suppress to produce the situation that excessive load acts on valve body 22 or Teflon film body 24, and suppress the performance reduction of air flow control portion 20.In addition, after assembling was accomplished, because the restoring force of air flow control portion 20, cap 50 was by upwards pushing, therefore between the lower end of all facial 50a of cap 50 and lower end holding part 10j, formed small gap.Like this, in the inner space that forms through cap 50 covering recess 10e, be filled with air flow control portion 20 with clamp position.Be elaborated in the face of the structure around the air flow control portion 20 down.

To shown in Figure 8, air flow control portion placed the Teflon film body 10i of portion that takes a seat in 20 years like Fig. 6.Air flow control portion 20 possesses and has not only had aeration but also implemented the discoideus Teflon film body (corresponding with the anti-ink film of first embodiment) 24 of scolding liquid to handle.What air flow control portion 20 also had a ring-type (washer-shaped) presses trim ring (with first embodiment dull and stereotyped corresponding) 26; Should place the upper surface of this Teflon film body 24 by trim ring in 26 years; Have smooth surface at upper and lower surface, and the center has the corresponding through hole 26a of internal diameter and blow vent 14.Air flow control portion 20 also has the valve body (corresponding with the valve of first embodiment) 22 of the connected porous matter of elastically deformable; The upper surface that this valve body placed by trim ring 26 in 22 years; Do not ventilate under the normal condition, but can change according to inner 11 interior pressure and carry out air exchange with the outside.Teflon film body 24, by trim ring 26, valve body 22 these three members according to from top to bottom sequential cascade and form air flow control portion 20.

Above-mentioned valve body 22 has and the essentially identical in fact structure of the valve 22 of above-mentioned first embodiment.That is, valve body 22 for example constitutes discoideus compression porous body by materials such as polyurethane, between inside 11 and outside, does not have under the normal condition of pressure differential; Block aeration and do not make the air turnover; But during the pressure differential more than producing setting, valve body 22 can be expanded minute aperture and produce aeration thereby push owing to small strain stretches; Make air flow to the high-pressure side from low-pressure side, thus the function of performance control air flow.

In addition, different and adopt metal material to process by the flat board of trim ring 26 and above-mentioned first embodiment 26.Thus, can improve the smoothness by trim ring 26 upper and lower surfaces, the surface pressure to valve body 22 and Teflon film body 24 even action improves the tight exposure level of mutual contact-making surface, thereby prevents ink leakage.

In addition, Teflon film body 24 is different from the anti-ink film 24 of above-mentioned first embodiment, is to form sheet with the Teflon material, and has the fluidity of scolding and be difficult for adhering to ink.

The Teflon film body is taken a seat the 10i of portion by the olefine kind resin material forming; And form even surface in order to improve smoothness; Thereby when Teflon film body 24 is taken a seat on the Teflon film body is taken a seat the 10i of portion; Can improve the tight exposure level of Teflon film body 24 and the 10i of portion that takes a seat, effectively suppress the generation of ink from situation about immersing between the contact-making surface.And; The Teflon film body take a seat the 10i of portion around; Be formed with the projecting strip part 10k that makes the ring-type that itself and lower end holding part 10j separate, can prevent Teflon film body 24 transversion malpositions, and have the facial function (with reference to Fig. 7) that gets into smoothly of week of the cap of stating after the guiding 50 as guide part.Particularly the wellability of olefine kind resin material is low and scold liquid effective.Therefore, contact, can prevent that ink from getting into its gap through Teflon film body 24 and Teflon film body the tight of the 10i of portion of taking a seat.In addition, olefine kind resin can adopt various materials such as polypropylene or polyethylene, in this embodiment, has used polypropylene.

Structure in the face of cap 50 describes down.To shown in Figure 8, cap 50 is formed by the resin material with suitable stiff like Fig. 6, has the top 50a of circle and all facial 50b of the axially extended tubular of periphery of 50a from the top.On the 50a of top, form the valve body 50c of portion that takes a seat, the valve body 50c of portion that takes a seat forms smooth surface on the relative position of the 10i of portion taking a seat with the Teflon film body, on this valve body is taken a seat the 50c of portion, is provided with 3 passage 50d.In addition, the number of this passage is not limited to 3, also can be other most.

In addition, the bight of the inboard of 50a and all facial 50b at the top, or perhaps the periphery of the following side of top 50a (root of interior all sides of all facial 50b) is provided with elastic hinge (hinge) P of thin wall shape.Like this, hinge P is positioned at and forms valve body and take a seat near the outside of projecting strip part 50e of circle of the 50c of portion, and it is that basic point carries out strain that all facial 50b are easy to this hinge P.In addition; The week facial 50b the lower end form can with lower end holding part 10 butts; The amount of being pressed into that can limit cap 50 through above-mentioned lower end and lower end holding part 10 butts makes the amount of being pressed into keep certain, thereby avoids taking place the situation of air flow control portion 20 excess compression.

Correlation in the face of structure between D portion upper cover part 50 among Fig. 7 and the recess 10e describes down.Promptly; Like wanting shown in portion's amplification view of Fig. 9 that D is amplified, Figure 10; On the outer surface of all facial 50b of cap 50, form the holding section along circumferencial direction; This holding section comprises in the axial direction the first holding section 50f and the second holding section 50g that is provided with according to from top to bottom order, and this first holding section 50f is outstanding to be shelf-like (cross section wedge shape or zigzag), is mild chevron and the second holding section 50g is outstanding.On the first holding section 50f, form inclined plane 50f1, cap 50 can be pressed into smoothly with the second holding section 50g.On the internal perisporium of recess 10e, form the portion that is stuck that engages with this holding section, promptly first be stuck portion 101 and second and be stuck the 10m of portion along interior Zhou Fangxiang, thus the fitting portion that formation engages with the first holding section 50f and the second holding section 50g respectively.

Like this; In that being pressed into recess 10e, cap 50 forms when covering; Facial 50b of week is that the center curvature distortion gets into recess 10e with elastic hinge P; Shown in the cross hatching portion of Figure 10, it is chimeric that the first holding section 50f and first is stuck portion's 101 incisions (food い reaches む), and it is chimeric that the second holding section 50g and second is stuck the 10m of portion incision.Consequently; Be stuck the chimeric of portion 101 through the first holding section 50f and first; Can prevent that cap 50 from axially coming off through this wedge embedding effect, be stuck the chimeric of the 10m of portion, can prevent that cap from rotating in a circumferential direction through bigger contact area through the second holding section 50g and second.

Therefore, like Fig. 6 and shown in Figure 7,, settles the Teflon film body Teflon film body 24 on taking a seat the 10i of portion; Carry and put by trim ring 26 side from it; The side settles valve body 22 from it again, thereby forms the air flow control portion 20 of three ply structures, and this air flow control portion 20 is loaded in recess 10e.Then, make the take a seat upper surface of 50c of portion and valve body 22 of valve body relative, be pressed into cap 50 and form lid, thereby hold the air flow control portion 20 that keeps in the state of recess 10e with cramping.

In addition; Being stuck the portion and second holding section and second portion of being stuck formation holding section through first holding section and first as stated is fitting portion; But, then be not limited to form the mode of fitting portion by a holding section and portion of being stuck that can engage with it in fact so long as can prevent the fitting portion that cap 50 comes off and rotates.In addition, as stated, set the first holding section 50f and be positioned at the top, and the second holding section 50g is positioned at the below, but also can exchange the upper-lower position relation.Likewise, show here week facial 50b one side form the holding section, and form the situation of the portion that is stuck, but their position relation can change also in recess 10e one side.

The top surface portion 10b of the above-mentioned air flow control portion 20 of packing into is chimeric fixing with body 10a shown in the B portion of Fig. 5.This fixing as to B portion amplify shown in Figure 11, be the protuberance 10b1 that forms through the 10b of portion one side in the above and the protuberance 10a1 that forms in body 10a one side and the subject side member is chimeric fixes.In addition, shown in cross hatching portion among the figure, the jut 10b2 that steps up the complete cycle formation of facial 10b cuts in the rake that on the complete cycle of body 10a, forms, thereby forms sealing, avoids ink leakage to the outside.

With reference to Fig. 5 and Figure 12 ink discharge portion 30 is described below.In addition, not shown crimp body 32 in Figure 12.The structure of this ink discharge portion 30 has the ink discharge portion 30 essentially identical functions with above-mentioned first embodiment.That is, the outstanding cross section that is provided with is circular outlet 18 on bottom surface 16, and its inside accommodates movement of valve 34 moving up and down.The 34b of top valve portion in 34a of below valve portion that movement of valve 34 has a path and big footpath, below valve portion 34a inside integrally ccontaining crimp body 32 shown in shade among Figure 12.Crimp body 32 is formed by the well known materials that allows ink to see through self.The outside of the 34b of valve portion up, the guide part 16a with slit uprightly is arranged on the bottom surface 16.Thus, the movement of valve 34 with crimp body 32 one can move up and down under the guiding of outlet 18 and guide part 16a.

On the interior week of outlet 18, be provided with protuberance 18a, with movement of valve 34 crimping.In addition, on movement of valve 34, the outer surface of partition 34c is the circumferential inclined plane 34d of formation in intersection edge of below valve 34a of portion and the top valve 34b of portion therein, with the sealing 18b butt of outlet 18 sides.In addition, below be provided with on the 34a of valve portion and connect aperture 38, when movement of valve 34 rises, can make inner 11 with crimp body 32 between be communicated with.

In addition, compression is provided with helical spring 60 between the midfeather 34c of movement of valve 34 and top surface portion 10b, continues pushing movement of valve 34 downwards.

Like this; During free state on the balladeur train that ink storage container 100 is not arranged to not shown inkjet printing pusher side; The spring counter-force that movement of valve 34 receives helical spring 60 is pushed to axial (downwards); Inclined plane 34d contacts with sealing 18b, thereby the ink leakage that prevents to enclose in inner 11 is to outside.

When being loaded into ink storage container 100 on the balladeur train, the not shown counterpart on the balladeur train of ink-jet printer makes movement of valve 34 overcome the spring counter-force of helical spring 60 via crimp body 32 and is upwards pushed.Thus, with the movement of valve 34 of crimp body 32 one, under guide part 16a and protuberance 18a guiding, move up, openings 38 is communicated with inner 11.Like this, the ink in the ink storage container 100 is fed into ink-jet printer one side via crimp body 32.

According to this second embodiment; Technology like 1 record of above-mentioned patent documentation is fixed to cap 50 on the recess 10e through ultrasonic bonding, is fixed on technological different on the recess with will the valve suitable with air flow control portion in above-mentioned second embodiment holding; Only cap 50 is used as lid with simple structure; Thereby can air flow control portion 20 be received among the recess 10e, therefore, its result; Can avoid taking place valve body 22 and go bad, make the impaired situation of air flow control portion 20 original due air flow control functions owing to receiving thermic load.

In addition, this second embodiment is provided with Teflon film body 24 in the bottom by trim ring 26, avoids valve body 22 directly to be exposed to the state of ink side via blow vent 14 thus, thereby can effectively prevent ink adhering on valve body 22.

In addition, in second embodiment, all facial 50b can be basic point flexural deformation with elastic hinge P, utilize this structure can be pressed into cap, thereby can avoid valve body 22 is applied useless external force, and cap is located on recess 10e and fixing.In addition, because fixing cap mechanically, so the thermic load that ultrasonic bonding etc. is caused affacts on the valve body 22.Consequently, can implement to fix and avoid the air flow control function of valve body 22 is caused damage to cap, and have the advantage that to make ink storage container 100 at an easy rate.

In addition; In case after passing through cap 50 fixed air flow-control portions 20; Then air flow control portion 20 becomes by the state of cramping between cap 50 and bottom 10f; Even particularly under the situation that the profile of valve body 22 deforms, also can make through being applied to the pressure equalization on the Teflon film body 24, thereby keep the high state of tight exposure level by trim ring 26.Therefore, can suppress ink and be immersed into the contact-making surface between Teflon film body 24 and the bottom 10f, be not to suppress ink to immerse to Teflon film body 24 with by the contact-making surface between the trim ring 26.

In second embodiment; Even do not have ink via Teflon film body 24 and situation about immersing by the contact-making surface between the trim ring 26 under, also can stop the generation ink to be attached to the situation on the lower surface of valve body 22 through the existence of the air layer (void layer) 29 that forms by through hole 26a by trim ring 26.Therefore, valve body 22 can be avoided taking place, the air flow control function of the air flow control portion 20 that carries out through valve body 22 can be kept owing to adhering to the situation that ink causes minute aperture to stop up.

In addition; Owing to be made of metal by trim ring 26; Therefore the smoothness of its upper and lower surface is higher; And owing on the Teflon film body is taken a seat the 10i of portion, also be formed with even surface, so the tight degree that contacts of each contact-making surface between the top and bottom of Teflon film body and the subject side member is higher, thereby can suppress to take place the situation that ink is taken a seat and immersed between the 10i of portion from Teflon film body 24 and Teflon film body.

In addition; In second embodiment; The Teflon film body 10i of portion and the valve body 50c of portion that takes a seat that takes a seat is opposite each other; Therefore and two portions of taking a seat form the depression of ring-type, when packing air flow control portion (Teflon film body, by trim ring and valve body) 20 into recess 10e, can avoid the filling dislocation, thereby have pack into the effect of operation of simplification.

In addition, the bottom of all facial 50b of cap form can with lower end holding part 10j butt, thereby as restrictions (stopper) performance function.Therefore, even under the situation that cap 50 excessively is pressed into, also can prevent compression or stretcher strain that valve body 22 is excessive through the function of restrictions, thereby avoid the air flow control function of valve body is caused damage.

In addition; In this second embodiment; On valve body is taken a seat the 50c of portion, be provided with 3 passage 50d,, also can guarantee the venting capability between the inside and outside gas through remaining other passage even the ink that therefore for example is attached on hand because of maloperation is attached on the 50a of top.

In addition, in this second embodiment, chimericly prevent axially coming off of cap 50, chimericly stop rotating in a circumferential direction of cap through what the second holding section 50g and second was stuck the 10m of portion through what the first holding section 50f and first was stuck portion 101.Therefore, can valve body 22 be contained in through cap 50 and avoid dislocation in the recess 10e, so valve body 22 can stably keep initial by the filling state of cramping, consequently, can prevent that the air flow control function from reducing.

More than through first and second embodiments the present invention is described in detail, but concrete structure is not limited to these embodiments, the design alteration of in the scope that does not break away from main points of the present invention, carrying out is also contained in the scope of the present invention.Variation for example shown in Figure 13 also can form on blow vent 14 and is enlarging shape (conical surface-shaped) downwards and expands the conical surface 14a open.In this case, can be on the conical surface 14a groove of right quantity be set along circumferencial direction or generatrix direction.In addition, also preferably implement to scold liquid to handle processing to this conical surface 14a at least.Can make lower surface or the drippage of the ink on the conical surface 14a that is attached to Teflon film body 24 effectively through this structure.

In addition; In above-mentioned second embodiment and variation thereof; Recess 10e forms and buries in the above among the 10b of portion, but also can replace this mode and like Figure 14 another variation at any time, the protuberance that projects upwards from top surface portion 10b 70, hold air flow control portion 20.In addition, in above-mentioned second embodiment, the situation that buffer part 10h is set has been shown near blow vent 14, but has the invention is not restricted to this, buffer part 10h can certainly be set.

Based on Figure 15 third embodiment of the invention is described below.And the identical Reference numeral of identical with second embodiment or corresponding element numeral only is that the center describes with the difference.

Air flow control portion 20 has discoideus Teflon film body 24, and this Teflon film body 24 has aeration, and has implemented to scold liquid to handle.What air flow control portion 20 had a ring-type (washer-shaped) presses trim ring 26, should place the upper surface of Teflon film body 24 by trim ring in 26 years, and upper and lower surface has smooth surface, and the center has through hole 26a.Air flow control portion 20 also has to carry and places the valve body 22 by the upper surface of trim ring 26.Teflon film body 24, press trim ring 26, valve body 22 these three members and form air flow control portion 20 according to the sequential cascade from little to last.

And in this 3rd embodiment; Be configured to ink side (lower face side) butt with valve body 22 by trim ring 26; Should be set at by area of the through hole 26a of trim ring 26 littler than the open area of the opposition side (upper surface side) of the ink side of valve body 22, promptly less than the gross area of 3 passage 50d that on cap 50, form.

Therefore, the open area of valve body 22 downsides is that through hole 26d is littler than the open area of the upper face side of valve body 22, so valve body 22 is difficult in ink side (container inside) strain, and is easy to opposition side (outside of containers) strain in the ink side.Therefore; Asymmetric through the elastic deformation amount is set at, thus shown in figure 16, gas easily from container inside to outside of containers ventilation (outflow); And can suppress gas container inside ventilation (inflow), thereby further reduce the pressure in the ink reservoir from the container lateral.

In addition, effectively utilized by trim ring 26 here, reduced the size of its through hole 26d, it is asymmetric making the air exchange amount with respect to the external and internal pressure difference, but the invention is not restricted to this.For example shown in Figure 17, also can and press the downside bracing ring 90 that inserts ring-type between the trim ring 26 at valve body 22, between valve body 22 and cap 50, insert upside bracing ring 92.The area of open bore 90a through making downside bracing ring 90 is less than the area of the open bore 92a of upside bracing ring 92, thereby makes the area of elastically deformable of valve body 22 asymmetric up and down, therefore likewise can further reduce the pressure in the ink reservoir.

With reference to Figure 18 to Figure 20 four embodiment of the invention is described below.And,, be that the center describes only with member different etc. with first or second embodiment for the identical Reference numeral of identical with first embodiment or corresponding element numeral.

Figure 18 shows the summary structure of ink storage container 100 of the print cartridge of using as ink-jet printer of the 4th embodiment as cross-sectional schematic.On the top surface portion 12 of ink storage container 100, be provided with the 20A of air flow control portion.Air mass flow between inside and outside the 20A of the air flow control portion control ink reservoir 10.In addition, dispose ink at the downside of the 20A of this air flow control portion and apply flexibly valve 20B.Ink is applied flexibly valve 20B and is communicated with the 20A of air flow control portion.

In addition, shown in figure 19, ink is applied flexibly valve 20B and is had ink absorber 20B2, and this ink absorber 20B2 does not under normal circumstances ventilate, and can change externally and carry out between the ink reservoir air exchange according to the interior pressure of ink reservoir 10.Therefore, this ink is applied flexibly valve 20B and is communicated with the 20A of air flow control portion, have according to the ink absorption amount in the ink reservoir 10 to increase the air drag that flows in the ink reservoir, thus the function of control air flow.Particularly; Ink is applied flexibly valve 20B and is communicated with the 20A of air flow control portion, that is, ink is applied flexibly valve 20B and constituted and comprise maintaining part 20B1, ink absorber 20B2 and scold liquid film body 20B3; This maintaining part 20B1 is communicated with under passage 14 and keeps water, hermetic seal state; And from the inboard vertical below of top surface portion 12, this ink absorber 20B2 is seated in the maintaining part 20B1, and this scolds liquid film body 20B3 to be seated at the top of ink absorber 20B2.

Maintaining part 20B1 for example is the cylinder-like body of upper end closed lower ending opening, impregnated in ink M in the specific length of above-below direction.

Ink absorber 20B2 is formed by materials such as the polyurethane with the function that absorbs ink M, felts.In other words, through compressing these materials, be formed on the porous plastid that inside has large quantity micropore, these micro hole communicate with each other, and have the function that the capillarity utilized absorbs ink M.Therefore; The air that flows through ink absorber 20B2 self forms bubble; With the ink exchange that in ink reservoir 10, flows out from maintaining part 20B1 lower end; Ink absorber 20B2 absorbs and infiltration ink M, and along with the increase of ink absorption amount, air is that air flows into the resistance increase from the resistance of the 20A of air flow control portion side inflow.

Scolding liquid film body 20B3 is the sheet material of planar rondure, through with the 20A of air flow control portion in the material of the anti-ink film that uses identical in fact, promptly form by PTFE.In other words, scolding liquid film body 20B3 is the film that prevents to contact ink composition, itself is that the material with aeration gets final product, and considers aeration and has a plurality of minute apertures of connection.Through scolding liquid film body 20B3 can prevent that ink absorber 20B2 ink absorbed from excessively increasing in the back that reaches capacity.

In addition, intervention is provided with air layer S1 between the ink absorber 20B2 that scolds liquid film body 20B3 and the 20A of air flow control portion.

Therefore, apply flexibly valve 20B, ink storage container 100 is being set under the state that uses on the balladeur train of printer, on air layer S1, produce roughly-40mmH through 20A of air flow control portion and ink ₂The negative pressure of O upward produces roughly-140mmH in space S 2 (with reference to Figure 19) ₂The negative pressure of O, thus can the control air flow.

As stated, in the 4th embodiment, when on the outlet 18 of ink storage container 100 is arranged to the supply port of the ink-jet printer of accepting side, bringing into use, through after the stipulated time, press to roughly-40mmH on the air layer S1 ₂The negative pressure of O, the interior pressure on the space S 2 for roughly-140mmH ₂The negative pressure of O reaches balance with external pressure.

According to the 4th embodiment, ink storage container 100 is being installed to when bringing into use on the ink-jet printer, ink M discharges with ormal weight from outlet 18.The liquid level of ink M correspondingly reduces, and air outside is applied flexibly valve 20B through 20A of air flow control portion and ink and flowed in the ink reservoir 10.That is, air flows through the 20A of air flow control portion, and flows in the ink reservoir 10 via ink absorber 20B2.Therefore, shown in figure 20, after through initial time T, the internal negative pressure of the space S 2 of ink reservoir 10 becomes stable state.In other words, the interior pressure of air layer S1 is roughly-40mmH ₂O, the interior pressure of space S 2 is-140mmH ₂O above and with the external pressure balance.

Therefore, in the 4th embodiment, add ink absorber 20B2 that ink applies flexibly valve 20B to be set as negative pressure adjusting device, it has and increases air and flow into the function that resistance comes the control air flow, and can improve the internal negative pressure of ink reservoir 10.Its result can successfully solve the problem that ink is excessively discharged from ink discharge outlet 18, thereby has the effect that suppresses exhausted amount of ink.

In addition,, be provided with on the top of ink absorber 20B2 and scold liquid film body 20B3, therefore when ink absorber 20B2 absorbs ink and reaches capacity, can prevent effectively that ink from excessively rising according to the 4th embodiment.

With reference to Figure 21 fifth embodiment of the invention is described below.In addition, below except the important structure key element of this embodiment, identical with the 4th embodiment or the corresponding member Reference numeral that then mark is identical and detailed.

The ink of this ink storage container 100 is applied flexibly valve 20B, has in fact and the essentially identical structure of above-mentioned the 4th embodiment, and difference is syndeton.That is, shown in figure 21, ink is applied flexibly valve 20B and is communicated with the 20A of air flow control portion, and is positioned at its below.Ink is applied flexibly valve 20B and is had according to the ink absorption amounts in the ink reservoir 10 air drag that flows in the ink reservoir is increased, thus the function of control air flow.

Particularly, at the downside of the 20A of air flow control portion, prolong downwards to be formed with to connect and use the tube 14A of portion, this connection is used to form passage 14 with the 14A of tube portion.This connection is tilted with predetermined angular with respect to horizontal direction with the following ora terminalis of the tube 14A of portion.The maintaining part 20B1 of tubular be connected with the tube 14A of portion coaxial connection.Thus, ink is applied flexibly valve 20B and is communicated with the 20A of air flow control portion, promptly under passage 14, is communicated with the state that keeps water, hermetic seal.The lower end of maintaining part 20B1 impregnated among the ink M.

On the inwall of maintaining part 20B1, be formed with the stage portion 20B4 of ring-type, this stage portion 20B4 can be connected butt with the tube 14A of portion.That is, this stage portion 20B4 also is inclined relative to horizontal.It is in order to pass through air in the inboard that stage portion 20B4 forms ring-type.Between this connects with tube 14A of portion and stage portion 20B4, sandwich and scold liquid film body 20B3.Thereby can suitably fixedly scold liquid film body 20B3.

Ink is applied flexibly valve 20B and constituted and comprise: inside has the maintaining part 20B1 of stage portion 20B4; Fill in the ink absorber 20B2 in this maintaining part; Be seated at this ink absorber top scold liquid film body 20B3.

Ink absorber 20B2 is formed by materials such as the polyurethane with the function that absorbs ink M, felts.In other words, through compressing these materials, be formed on the porous plastid that inside has large quantity micropore, these micro hole communicate with each other, and have the function that the capillarity utilized absorbs ink M.Therefore; Ink absorber 20B2 makes the air that flows through self form bubble; With the ink exchange that in ink reservoir 10, flows out from maintaining part 20B1 lower end; Ink absorber 20B2 absorbs and infiltration ink M, and along with the increase of ink absorption amount, air is that air flows into the resistance increase from the resistance of the 20A of air flow control portion side inflow.In addition; The material of ink absorber 20B2 is not limited to above-mentioned example; For example can be the fiber collection of filaments body of bunchy alongst of polyester, polymethyl methacrylate, nylon, polypropylene etc., the sintered body of polyethylene etc., natural fiber felts such as wool or staple fibre; The perhaps felt materials that constitutes such as chemical fibre such as polyester or polypropylene felt, the connection foaming body of polyurethane is various materials such as polyurethane foam plastics.

Scolding liquid film body 20B3 is the sheet material of planar rondure, through with the 20A of air flow control portion in the anti-ink film 24 that uses in fact identical materials be that PTFE forms, its shape is as shown in Figure 6.In other words, scolding liquid film body 20B3 is the film that prevents to contact ink composition, itself is that the material with aeration gets final product, and considers aeration and has a plurality of minute apertures that interconnect.Through scolding liquid film body 20B3 can prevent that ink absorber 20B2 ink absorbed from excessively rising in the back that reaches capacity, and can prevent that ink from rising to the situation of the 20A of air flow control portion one side.In addition, owing to scold liquid film body 20B3 to tilt,, also can make the ink droplet secund, thereby inhibition causes damage to the aeration of scolding liquid film body 20B3 through its inclined plane even therefore under the situation that temporarily is attached with ink droplet.In addition; Between the ink absorber 20B2 that scolds liquid film body 20B3 and the 20A of air flow control portion; And scold between liquid film body 20B3 and the ink absorber 20B2 air layer S1, S1 are set respectively, thereby can further suppress the infringement that ink composition rises aeration is caused.

With reference to Figure 22 sixth embodiment of the invention is described below.In addition, except the important structure key element of this embodiment, identical with the 5th embodiment or corresponding member is the identical Reference numeral of mark then, and detailed below.

Ink storage container 100 has body 10a and top surface portion 10b.Body 10a and top surface portion 10b are formed by suitable resin material, and top surface portion 10b forms lid and chimeric with body 10a on body 10a.Ink storage container 100 forms cube; And the size of its depth width is than size is little longitudinally; Be provided with two chamber 11a, 11b in its inside 11; These two chamber 11a, 11b are separated by the next door 10d that the bottom is provided with open-work 10c, in addition A portion be provided with through after the 20A of air flow control portion that states and the ink air flow control portion 20 of applying flexibly valve 20B formation.In addition, be provided with ink discharge portion 30 in the bottom of body 10a.

The ink discharge portion 30 of this embodiment outstanding cross section that is provided with on bottom surface sections 16 is circular outlet 18, and the inside of ink discharge portion 30 accommodates movement of valve 34 moving up and down.And accommodate helical spring 60 in outlet 18 inside, to movement of valve 34 downward (discharge direction) application of forces.

And be fixed with sealing 18b in the lower end of outlet 18, the sealing 18b of this ring-type is made up of elastomeric material.The movement of valve 34 and the 18b of sealing portion butt of the application of force are not preventing that inner ink leakage is to outside under the user mode downwards.In the time of on the balladeur train that this ink storage container 100 is installed to not shown inkjet printing pusher side, the elastic force that overcomes helical spring 60 is supplied with ink to ink-jet printer with upwards pushing of movement of valve 34 under the negative pressure state of regulation.

In addition,, on bottom surface sections 16, give prominence to the inside dyke 18a is set in ink discharge portion 30.Even this dyke 18a also can preserve ink under the inkless situation in container in ink discharge portion 30, thereby guarantee the minimum level h in the container.Through guaranteeing this minimum level h, can with after the ink the stated negative pressure function of applying flexibly valve 20B keep to the final.

Ink is applied flexibly valve 20B and is had in fact and the essentially identical structure of above-mentioned the 5th embodiment, and difference is length.Particularly, ink is applied flexibly valve 20B and is positioned at the 20A of air flow control portion below and is communicated with it, and the lower end that ink is applied flexibly valve 20B extends to the below of above-mentioned minimum level h.In other words, the ink lower end of applying flexibly valve 20B is lower than the last ora terminalis of dyke 18a.

Consequently; Even under the situation that the ink remaining amount in ink discharge outlet 18 reduces; The lower end of maintaining part 20B1 and ink absorber 20B2 also can impregnated in ink all the time, thereby till before ink is discharged fully, the negative pressure in the container is remained on higher state.

In addition, in the 6th embodiment, be formed with respect to bottom surface sections 16 to the side-prominent dyke 18a in inside, thereby can guarantee minimum level h, but the invention is not restricted to this.For example shown in Figure 23, also can form the ink preservation with the mode that is depressed in the outside and use recess 16a with respect to bottom surface sections 16.This ink is preserved and is formed at the below that ink is applied flexibly valve 20B with recess 16a, has the size of can ccontaining ink applying flexibly the lower end of valve 20B and gets final product.Set the length that ink applies flexibly valve 20B this moment and can be placed in the ink preservation with in the recess 16a for its lower end.Therefore,, also can in ink is preserved with recess 16a, preserve ink, partly guarantee minimum level h even under the situation that the ink in ink discharge portion 30 reduces.In addition, to the last ink absorber 20B2 is immersed in the ink preservation all the time with in the ink in the recess 16a, thereby can the negative pressure in the container be maintained at higher state.In addition, compare, can reduce the China ink amount of final residual, thereby effectively utilize ink with the mode of Figure 22.

More than through first to the 6th embodiment the present invention is specified, but concrete structure is not limited to these embodiments, the design alteration of in the scope that does not break away from main points of the present invention, carrying out etc. is also contained in the scope of the present invention.

For example, in second to the 6th embodiment, recess 10e forms with the mode that buries among the 10b of portion in the above; But in addition; Also can be shown in the variation of Figure 24, the integrally formed protuberance 70 that projects upwards from top surface portion 10b holds the 20A of air flow control portion in this protuberance 70.In addition, also can be like Figure 25 and shown in Figure 26, the 10b of portion fixes the protuberances 70 that form respectively with top surface portion 10b through bolt 72 in the above, and the 20A of air flow control portion is set on this protuberance 70.At this moment, through getting involved on 10b of portion and protuberance 70 both sides' in the above the abutting part containment member 71 is set, thereby can keeps water, the hermetic seal of ink reservoir 10.

In addition; In each embodiment; It is last that the maintaining part 20B1 that ink is applied flexibly valve 20B is installed to top surface portion 12, the 10b of ink reservoir 10, but also can as Figure 24 to the structural element that is arranged on the 20A of air flow control portion side shown in Figure 26 be on base portion 23 or the protuberance 70.

In addition, in above-mentioned each embodiment, air flow control portion 20 and ink discharge portion 30 are configured on the diagonal of ink storage container 100, but are not limited thereto, and can suitably confirm the configuration mode of air flow control portion 20 and ink discharge portion 30.

In addition, in above-mentioned each embodiment, show the print cartridge that ink-jet printer uses, therefore need ink discharge portion 30, but also possibly not need ink discharge portion 30 in other use occasion.

In addition; In the first embodiment; The 20A of air flow control portion is outstanding the setting on the upper surface of ink reservoir 10; But the 20A of air flow control portion also can partly bury in the top surface portion 12 of ink reservoir 10, perhaps buries fully and wherein becomes the plane that on the top surface portion 12 of ink reservoir 10, does not have outstanding part.

(Test Example)

Prepared the ink storage container shown in ink storage container shown in first embodiment and the 3rd embodiment.In addition, in the 3rd embodiment, the diameter of ink absorber 20B2 is set at 5mm, and the length setting of above-below direction is 30mm.Use ink-jet printer shown in figure 24 to the result that these ink storage containers experimentize.In addition, line A representes the ink storage container of first embodiment, and line B representes the ink storage container of the 3rd embodiment.In addition, the longitudinal axis of chart is represented the negative pressure value (mmH in the container ₂O), transverse axis represent ink discharge the time of Therapy lasted (minute).

Shown in line A, under the situation of the ink storage container that only uses the air flow control portion suitable with first embodiment, negative pressure value is-20～-40mmH ₂O.In addition, negative pressure value is also more stable.Under this state, can stably use ink-jet printer.

In addition, shown in line B, the ink storage container of this 3rd embodiment can promptly become the high negative state from beginning to discharge ink, and the negative pressure grade can be brought up to-280mmH ₂O.In addition, this negative pressure grade can be used up the basicly stable state of keeping from beginning to discharge until ink.

The present invention can be used in ink storage container, particularly the print cartridge used of ink-jet printer.

Claims (35)

1. ink storage container, it has air flow control portion in the ink reservoir of storage ink, and this air flow control portion is used for control air flow between said ink reservoir inside and outside, it is characterized in that,

Said air flow control portion has:

The valve body of connected porous matter, its interior pressure according to said ink reservoir change and and carry out positive and negative two-way air exchange between the outside;

Scold the liquid film body, it is arranged on than said valve body more near said ink one side, has aeration and scolds fluidity, and this scolds the liquid film body can be avoided ink on valve body, to adhere to;

Said valve body can strain,

Two outsides on the air direction of passage of said valve body are formed with the space that said valve body strain is used.

2. ink storage container as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, the periphery of said valve body is neighbouring by the retaining member clamping of ring-type.

3. ink storage container as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, said valve body is that thickness is the above and sheet material below the 5.0mm of 0.5mm.

4. ink storage container as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, the outside dimension of said valve body is more than the 4mm and below the 20mm.

5. ink storage container as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, saidly scolds the liquid film body to be made up of fluororesin or fluorubber.

6. ink storage container as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, said to scold the liquid film bodily form to become to have a plurality of apertures be below the 5 μ m and the above minute apertures of 0.01 μ m, and said to scold the critical surface tension of liquid film body be below the 25dym/cm.

7. ink storage container as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that,

The downside bracing ring that said air flow control portion has ring-type, the ink one side butt of said downside bracing ring and said valve body, and be formed with open bore in central authorities,

The area of the said open bore of said downside bracing ring is set at littler than the area of the open area of an opposite side with the ink side of said valve body.

8. ink storage container as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that,

Said air flow control portion have ring-type by trim ring, said upper and lower surface by trim ring is smooth face, and is formed with through hole in central authorities,

Saidly scold the liquid film body, saidly kept by cramping by trim ring and said valve body.

9. ink storage container as claimed in claim 8 is characterized in that,

Saidly be configured to the ink one side butt with said valve body by trim ring,

The area of said said through hole by trim ring is set at littler than the area of the open area of an opposite side with the ink side of said valve body.

10. ink storage container as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that,

Top surface portion in the ink reservoir of storage ink is provided with the object holding part,

In said object holding part, be formed with make said scold liquid film body drop seat scold liquid film body drop seat portion,

Bottom at said object holding part is formed with blow vent,

In said object holding part, be filled with said air flow control portion.

11. ink storage container as claimed in claim 10 is characterized in that, said scold be formed with in the liquid film body drop seat portion and said even surface of scolding the ring-type that the liquid film body closely contacts.

12. like claim 10 or 11 described ink storage containers, it is characterized in that, said depression of scolding liquid film body drop seat portion to form ring-type, and this scolds liquid film body drop seat portion to be made up of the olefin-based resin.

13. like claim 10 or 11 described ink storage containers, it is characterized in that, cap be installed at the upper face side of said object holding part.

14. ink storage container as claimed in claim 13 is characterized in that,

Be provided with a plurality of blow vents at the top of said cap,

The valve body that on the face of the downside at said top, is provided with the annular recess shape that is used to the to support said valve body portion of taking a seat.

15. ink storage container as claimed in claim 13 is characterized in that,

Said cap has from the periphery at top facial to the week of axially extended tubular,

When said cap being installed on said object holding part, this week, facial lower end was brought into play function with the said bottom butt of said object holding part as restrictions.

16. ink storage container as claimed in claim 15 is characterized in that,

The root of facial inner face side is provided with the elastic hinge that the thin-wall construction through ring-type forms in said week of said cap,

On said all facial outer surfaces of said cap, form the holding section,

On the internal perisporium of said object holding part, be formed with can be chimeric with said holding section the portion that is stuck.

17. ink storage container as claimed in claim 16 is characterized in that,

The fitting portion that forms by said holding section and the said portion of being stuck said week facial axially on form multistage,

In said a plurality of fitting portions, a fitting portion stops axial the coming off of said cap, and other fitting portion stops the circumferential rotation of said cap.

18., it is characterized in that like each described ink storage container in the claim 10,11,14 to 17, on the said bottom of said object holding part, run through the inner edge of the said blow vent of setting, be formed with and be the enlarging shape downwards and expand the conical surface open.

19. ink storage container as claimed in claim 12 is characterized in that, on the said bottom of said object holding part, runs through the inner edge of the said blow vent of setting, is formed with to be the conical surface that the expansion of enlarging shape is opened downwards.

20. ink storage container as claimed in claim 13 is characterized in that, on the said bottom of said object holding part, runs through the inner edge of the said blow vent of setting, is formed with to be the conical surface that the expansion of enlarging shape is opened downwards.

21. ink storage container as claimed in claim 18 is characterized in that, implements to scold liquid to handle to the said conical surface at least.

22. like claim 19 or 20 described ink storage containers, it is characterized in that, implement to scold liquid to handle to the said conical surface at least.

23. like claim 10 or 11 described ink storage containers, it is characterized in that,

Dispose discoid buffer part at the downside that runs through the said blow vent that is arranged at said bottom, said discoid buffer part is used to stop that ink moves to said blow vent,

In said blow vent one side of said buffer part, be formed with the side-prominent taper seat of the said blow vent of mediad one.

24., it is characterized in that to scold the distance of the lower surface of liquid film body be below the 20mm and more than the 1.5mm to said from the upper surface of said valve body like each described ink storage container in the claim 1 to 11.

25., it is characterized in that said valve body is that connected porous elastomeric material is carried out compression molding and the compression body that obtains like each described ink storage container in the claim 1 to 11.

26., it is characterized in that the minimum outer diameter size to the zone of the inside of said ink reservoir of said valve body is set at more than 2 times of thickness of said valve body like each described ink storage container in the claim 1 to 11.

27. ink storage container as claimed in claim 26 is characterized in that, the minimum outer diameter size to the zone of the inside of said ink reservoir of said valve body is set at below 15 times of thickness of said valve body.

28. like each described ink storage container in the claim 1 to 11, it is characterized in that,

In the inside of said ink reservoir, also have the ink that is communicated with said air flow control portion and apply flexibly valve,

Said ink is applied flexibly valve and is provided with ink absorber, and said ink absorber does not pass air into through absorbing said ink under normal conditions, but carries out air exchange according to the interior pressure variation of said ink reservoir,

Through the ink absorption of said ink absorber, can make inflow resistance increase through the air of said ink absorber.

29. ink storage container as claimed in claim 28 is characterized in that,

This ink storage container has maintaining part, and said maintaining part is provided in said ink reservoir or the said air flow control portion, in all or part of said ink that is immersed in the said ink reservoir of self,

Said ink absorber is loaded in this maintaining part.

30. ink storage container as claimed in claim 28 is characterized in that,

Said ink is applied flexibly valve and is had the top that is provided in said ink absorber and possess aeration and implemented to scold that liquid handles scolds the liquid film body.

31. ink storage container as claimed in claim 28 is characterized in that, applies flexibly between said air flow control portion and said ink and is provided with air layer between the valve.

32. ink storage container as claimed in claim 28 is characterized in that, gives prominence to that on the bottom surface of said ink reservoir dyke being set, said ink is applied flexibly valve can absorb the ink that remains in said bottom surface through said dyke.

33. ink storage container as claimed in claim 28 is characterized in that, on the bottom surface of said ink reservoir, gives prominence to being provided with the residual recess of using of ink, said ink is applied flexibly valve can absorb the residual ink through the residual recess of said ink.

34. an ink storage container is characterized in that, this ink storage container is each described ink storage container in the claim 1 to 33, as cartridge of ink-jet printer.

35. ink storage container as claimed in claim 34 is characterized in that, the internal pressure when ink-jet printer is discharged said ink is set at-20mmH ₂O～-350mmH ₂O.

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