JP4443887B2 - Ink container - Google Patents

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JP4443887B2
JP4443887B2 JP2003351894A JP2003351894A JP4443887B2 JP 4443887 B2 JP4443887 B2 JP 4443887B2 JP 2003351894 A JP2003351894 A JP 2003351894A JP 2003351894 A JP2003351894 A JP 2003351894A JP 4443887 B2 JP4443887 B2 JP 4443887B2
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communication hole
ink container
plug member
hole
ink
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JP2005111922A (en
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貴宏 若山
隆 宮澤
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Olympus Corp
Riso Kagaku Corp
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Olympus Corp
Riso Kagaku Corp
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Description

本発明は、記録装置へ着脱可能なインク容器に関するものである。   The present invention relates to an ink container that can be attached to and detached from a recording apparatus.

従来より、印刷用紙などの記録媒体に文字などの記録を行う記録装置において、交換可能なインク容器が多く利用されており、種々のインク容器が提案されている。   Conventionally, in a recording apparatus that records characters or the like on a recording medium such as printing paper, many replaceable ink containers have been used, and various ink containers have been proposed.

特に、低粘度のインクを収容したインク容器については、記録装置へのインク容器の装着の際、その装着を簡便に行うことができ、かつインク容器に収容したインクが垂れて作業者の手や記録装置のインク容器装着部周辺を汚染しないようなインク容器が提案されている。   In particular, for an ink container containing low-viscosity ink, when the ink container is attached to the recording apparatus, the ink container can be easily attached, and the ink contained in the ink container drips and the operator's hand or There has been proposed an ink container that does not contaminate the vicinity of the ink container mounting portion of the recording apparatus.

上記のようなインク容器は、記録装置に装着されるまではインク容器内の密閉状態が保持され、記録装置に装着された際にはインク容器内部からインクが吐出されて記録装置に供給されるような形態である必要がある。そのようなインク容器としては、たとえば、特許文献１には、インクの取出孔が側面に設けられた円筒形状の取出口部であって、その外側面がインクと接触するようにインク容器の内側に設けられた取出口部と、その取出口部の内側面にそって可動である可動壁とその可動壁を付勢するバネとを備え、可動壁を取出口部の内側面に摺動させることにより取出孔の開閉を行うインク容器が提案されている。   The ink container as described above is kept in a sealed state in the ink container until it is attached to the recording apparatus. When the ink container is attached to the recording apparatus, ink is discharged from the inside of the ink container and supplied to the recording apparatus. It needs to be in such a form. As such an ink container, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a cylindrical outlet portion having an ink outlet hole provided on a side surface, and the inner side of the ink container so that the outer side surface is in contact with ink. And a movable wall movable along the inner surface of the outlet portion, and a spring for biasing the movable wall, and the movable wall is slid on the inner surface of the outlet portion. Thus, an ink container that opens and closes an extraction hole has been proposed.

また、特許文献２においては、インク容器内部を大気開放状態とする大気連通孔に開閉弁を設け、記録装置への装着前は開閉弁を閉じてインク容器内部への大気の導入を遮断することによりインク漏れを防止し、記録装置へ装着された際には上記開閉弁を開くことによりインク容器内部を大気開放状態とし、インクの供給可能とするインク容器が提案されている。   Further, in Patent Document 2, an open / close valve is provided in an air communication hole that opens the inside of the ink container to the atmosphere, and the open / close valve is closed to prevent the introduction of the air into the ink container before mounting in the recording apparatus. Thus, an ink container has been proposed in which ink leakage is prevented and the inside of the ink container is opened to the atmosphere by opening the on-off valve when mounted on a recording apparatus so that ink can be supplied.

また、特許文献３においては、インク吐出口にボール状の樹脂などからなる弁体をバネにより押し当て、この弁体を嵌合方向に摺動させることによりインク吐出口の開閉を行うインク容器が提案されている。   Further, in Patent Document 3, an ink container that opens and closes an ink discharge port by pressing a valve body made of a ball-shaped resin or the like to a ink discharge port with a spring and sliding the valve body in a fitting direction is disclosed. Proposed.

特開平６−２４４７４号公報JP-A-6-24474 特開平６−１４３６００号公報JP-A-6-143600 特開平５−２５４１３８号公報JP-A-5-254138

しかしながら、たとえば、特許文献３に記載のインク容器のようにボール状の弁体を利用してインク吐出口の開閉を行うようにしたのでは、たとえば、インク容器の運搬時などに誤ってインク容器を落下させた場合には、図１１に示すように、落下の衝撃により弁体１００が矢印Ｘ方向に動いてしまい、瞬間的に密閉性が失われ、インク容器内部に収容したインクがインク容器外部へ飛び散るといった不具合が生じる。そして、特許文献１に記載のインク容器においても、落下の際に可動壁が動いてしまう場合があり、また、特許文献２に記載のインク容器においても、落下の際に開閉弁が動いてしまう場合があるので、上記と同様の不都合を生じる。   However, for example, when the ink discharge port is opened and closed using a ball-like valve body as in the ink container described in Patent Document 3, for example, the ink container is mistakenly conveyed during transportation of the ink container. 11, the valve body 100 moves in the direction of the arrow X due to the impact of the drop as shown in FIG. 11, and the sealing property is momentarily lost, so that the ink stored in the ink container is transferred to the ink container. Problems such as splashing outside occur. Even in the ink container described in Patent Document 1, the movable wall may move when dropped, and in the ink container described in Patent Document 2, the opening / closing valve moves when dropped. In some cases, the same inconvenience as described above occurs.

本発明は、上記のような事情に鑑み、上記のように記録装置に着脱可能なインク容器において、落下などの衝撃によるインク漏洩を防止することができるインク容器を提供することを目的とするものである。   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the circumstances as described above, an object of the present invention is to provide an ink container that can prevent ink leakage due to an impact such as dropping in an ink container that is detachable from a recording apparatus as described above. It is.

本発明のインク容器は、記録装置に着脱可能な、容器の内外を連通させる連通孔を備えたインク容器であって、連通孔の中心軸方向に往復移動してインク容器の内面に密着、離脱することにより連通孔を開閉する弁部材と、弁部材に設けられてその弁部材とともに往復移動し、弁部材が連通孔を閉じているときにその連通孔内に嵌入して連通孔を塞ぎ、弁部材が連通孔を開けた後さらに所定長開方向に移動した時点でその連通孔から退出して連通孔を開放する栓部材と、弁部材を連通孔の中心軸方向閉方向に付勢してインク容器の内面に押圧する弾性部材とを備えたことを特徴とするものである。   The ink container of the present invention is an ink container having a communication hole that can be attached to and detached from the recording apparatus and communicates between the inside and the outside of the container, and reciprocates in the direction of the central axis of the communication hole so as to be in close contact with the inner surface of the ink container A valve member that opens and closes the communication hole by reciprocating with the valve member, and when the valve member closes the communication hole, the valve member is fitted into the communication hole to close the communication hole; After the valve member has opened the communication hole, when the valve member moves further in the predetermined long opening direction, the plug member that retreats from the communication hole to open the communication hole, and urges the valve member in the direction of closing the central hole direction of the communication hole. And an elastic member that presses against the inner surface of the ink container.

また、上記インク容器においては、連通孔および栓部材を円柱形状で形成するようにすることができる。   In the ink container, the communication hole and the plug member can be formed in a cylindrical shape.

また、連通孔を形成する連通孔形成部に形成された、中心軸が連通孔の中心軸と平行であり、断面積が連通孔の断面積よりも小さい小連通孔であって、連通孔がその小連通孔を介してインク容器の内外を連通させる小連通孔と、栓部材に設けられてその栓部材とともに往復移動し、栓部材が連通孔を塞いでいるときに小連通孔内に嵌入してその小連通孔を塞ぎ、栓部材が連通孔を開放した後さらに所定長開方向に移動した時点で小連通孔から退出して小連通孔を開放する小栓部材とを備えたものとすることができる。   In addition, a small communication hole formed in the communication hole forming portion that forms the communication hole, the central axis is parallel to the central axis of the communication hole, and the cross-sectional area is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the communication hole, A small communication hole that communicates the inside and outside of the ink container through the small communication hole and a reciprocating movement with the plug member provided in the plug member, and when the plug member closes the communication hole, the small communication hole is inserted into the small communication hole. A small plug member that closes the small communication hole and then exits the small communication hole when the plug member moves in a predetermined length opening direction after opening the communication hole and opens the small communication hole. can do.

また、連通孔形成部に連続する部分を、栓部材を連通孔に案内するようテーパ状に形成するようにすることができる。   Moreover, the part continuing to the communication hole forming part can be formed in a tapered shape so as to guide the plug member to the communication hole.

本発明のインク容器によれば、弁部材に設けられた栓部材を弁部材とともに往復移動させ、弁部材が連通孔を閉じているときにその連通孔内に栓部材を嵌入させて連通孔を塞ぐようにし、弁部材が連通孔を開けた後さらに所定長開方向に移動した時点でその連通孔から栓部材を退出させて連通孔を開放させるようにしたので、落下などの衝撃により弁部材が開方向に移動したとしても、その移動距離が所定の範囲内であれば、栓部材により連通孔が塞がれているので、インク漏れを防止することができる。   According to the ink container of the present invention, the plug member provided in the valve member is reciprocated together with the valve member, and when the valve member closes the communication hole, the plug member is fitted into the communication hole to thereby form the communication hole. When the valve member is moved in the predetermined length-opening direction after opening the communication hole, the plug member is withdrawn from the communication hole to open the communication hole. Even if it moves in the opening direction, if the movement distance is within a predetermined range, the communication hole is blocked by the plug member, so that ink leakage can be prevented.

また、上記インク容器において、連通孔および栓部材を円柱形状で形成するようにすれば、栓部材がその円周方向に回転したとしても栓部材をスムーズに連通孔に嵌入させることができる。   Further, if the communication hole and the plug member are formed in a cylindrical shape in the ink container, the plug member can be smoothly fitted into the communication hole even if the plug member rotates in the circumferential direction.

また、連通孔を形成する連通孔形成部に小連通孔を形成するとともに、栓部材に小栓部材を設け、栓部材が連通孔を塞いでいるときに小栓部材を小連通孔内に嵌入させて小連通孔を塞ぐようにし、栓部材が連通孔を開放した後さらに所定長開方向に移動した時点で小栓部材を小連通孔から退出させて小連通孔を開放させるようにすれば、落下などの衝撃が連続して生じ、栓部材が連通孔から退出して連通孔が開放して連通孔からインクが漏れ出したとしても、栓部材の移動が所定の範囲内であれば、小栓部材により小連通孔が塞がれているので、インク容器外部へのインク漏れを防止することができる。   In addition, a small communication hole is formed in the communication hole forming portion that forms the communication hole, and a small plug member is provided on the plug member. When the plug member closes the communication hole, the small plug member is inserted into the small communication hole. If the plug member is moved in a predetermined length opening direction after the plug member is opened, the small plug member is withdrawn from the small communication hole to open the small communication hole. Even if impact such as dropping occurs continuously, the plug member is withdrawn from the communication hole, the communication hole is opened, and ink leaks from the communication hole, if the movement of the plug member is within a predetermined range, Since the small communication hole is blocked by the small plug member, ink leakage to the outside of the ink container can be prevented.

また、連通孔形成部に連続する部分を、栓部材を連通孔に案内するようテーパ状に形成するようにした場合には、栓部材が連通孔から完全に退出した後インク容器内面に引っ掛かり、連通孔内に嵌入することができない状態になることを回避することができる。   In addition, when the portion continuous to the communication hole forming portion is formed in a tapered shape so as to guide the plug member to the communication hole, the plug member is completely pulled out of the communication hole and then caught on the inner surface of the ink container, It is possible to avoid a state where it cannot be fitted into the communication hole.

以下、図面を参照しながら本発明のインク容器の一実施形態について説明する。図１に本インク容器の概略構成図を示す。   Hereinafter, an embodiment of an ink container of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration diagram of the ink container.

本インク容器１は、図１に示すように、直方体形状の樹脂からなるインク容器本体１０と、インク容器本体１０内に収容されたインクが吐出される口部１１とを備えている。   As shown in FIG. 1, the present ink container 1 includes an ink container main body 10 made of a rectangular parallelepiped resin, and a mouth portion 11 through which ink stored in the ink container main body 10 is discharged.

インク容器本体１０は、本実施形態においては直方体の形状ものを利用したが、これに限らずその他の形状のものを利用してもよい。   The ink container main body 10 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape in the present embodiment, but is not limited thereto, and may have another shape.

また、図２に、図１に示すインク容器１の口部１１の２−２線断面図を示す。なお、図２に示す断面図は、図１におけるインク容器１の口部１１のインク吐出口が下向きになるように回転させて示したものである。図２に示すように、口部１１には、インク容器内外を連通させる連通孔１２と、連通孔１２の中心軸方向に往復移動してインク容器の内面に密着、離脱することにより連通孔１２を開閉する弁部材１４と、弁部材１４に設けられて弁部材とともに往復移動する栓部材１５と、弁部材１４を連通孔１２の中心軸方向（中心軸方向のうち図中下向きの矢印Ｂ方向、即ち閉方向）に付勢してインク容器の内面に押圧する弾性部材１６と、弁部材１４の一部である軸１４ｃを保持する保持部材１７とを備えている。図３に弁部材１４と栓部材１５とが一体となったものの斜視図を示す。   FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of the mouth portion 11 of the ink container 1 shown in FIG. The cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 2 is shown by rotating so that the ink discharge port of the mouth portion 11 of the ink container 1 in FIG. 1 faces downward. As shown in FIG. 2, the opening 11 has a communication hole 12 that allows the inside and outside of the ink container to communicate with each other, and a communication hole 12 that reciprocates in the direction of the central axis of the communication hole 12 to adhere to and disengage from the inner surface of the ink container. A valve member 14 that opens and closes, a plug member 15 that is provided on the valve member 14 and reciprocates together with the valve member, and the valve member 14 in the direction of the central axis of the communication hole 12 (the direction of the arrow B pointing downward in the figure in the central axis direction) In other words, an elastic member 16 that presses the inner surface of the ink container by urging it in the closing direction and a holding member 17 that holds a shaft 14c that is a part of the valve member 14 are provided. FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the valve member 14 and the plug member 15 integrated.

弁部材１４は、図２および図３に示すように、インク容器の内面に密着、離脱するＯリング１４ａと、Ｏリング１４ａが設けられた弁体１４ｂと、弁体１４ｂに設けられて弾性部材１６が巻き付けられた軸１４ｃとから構成されている。そして、弾性部材１６は、保持部材１７と弁体１４ｂとの間に縮められた状態で設置され、その弾性部材１６による閉方向（矢印Ｂ方向）への付勢により弁体１４ｂに設けられたＯリング１４ａがインク容器の内面に押圧される。なお、本実施形態においては、弾性部材１６としてバネを利用するようにしたが、これに限らずゴムなど如何なる弾性部材を利用するようにしてもよい。   As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the valve member 14 includes an O-ring 14a that comes in close contact with and disengages from the inner surface of the ink container, a valve body 14b provided with the O-ring 14a, and an elastic member provided on the valve body 14b. A shaft 14c around which 16 is wound is configured. The elastic member 16 is installed in a contracted state between the holding member 17 and the valve body 14b, and is provided on the valve body 14b by urging the elastic member 16 in the closing direction (arrow B direction). The O-ring 14a is pressed against the inner surface of the ink container. In the present embodiment, a spring is used as the elastic member 16, but not limited to this, any elastic member such as rubber may be used.

栓部材１５は、弁部材１４が連通孔１２を閉じているときには連通孔１２に嵌入して連通孔１２を塞ぎ、弁部材１４が連通孔１２を開けた後さらに図２の距離Ｘだけ開方向（図２の上方向、即ち矢印Ａ方向）に移動した時点で連通孔１２から退出して連通孔１２を開放するものである。   When the valve member 14 closes the communication hole 12, the plug member 15 is fitted into the communication hole 12 to close the communication hole 12, and after the valve member 14 opens the communication hole 12, the plug member 15 is further opened by a distance X in FIG. When moving in the upward direction (ie, in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2), the communication hole 12 is retreated and the communication hole 12 is opened.

連通孔１２を形成する連通孔形成部１３に連続する部分１８は、図２に示すように、栓部材１５を連通孔１２に案内するようテーパ状に形成されている。そして、このテーパ形状の部分１８により栓部材１５が連通孔１２に案内されて嵌入するとともに、このテーパ形状の部分１８の内面にＯリング１４ａが密着するように形成されている。   A portion 18 continuing to the communication hole forming portion 13 that forms the communication hole 12 is formed in a tapered shape so as to guide the plug member 15 to the communication hole 12 as shown in FIG. The plug member 15 is guided and fitted into the communication hole 12 by the tapered portion 18, and the O-ring 14 a is formed in close contact with the inner surface of the tapered portion 18.

また、図１から図３に示すように、連通孔１２と栓部材１５とは円柱形状で形成されている。上記のように連通孔１２と栓部材１５とを円柱形状で形成することにより、たとえば、栓部材１５がその円周方向に回転したとしても栓部材１５をスムーズに連通孔１２に嵌入させることができる。本実施形態では、上記のように連通孔１２と栓部材１５とを円柱形状で形成するようにしたが、これに限らず、その他の形状を採用するようにしてもよい。   As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the communication hole 12 and the plug member 15 are formed in a cylindrical shape. By forming the communication hole 12 and the plug member 15 in a cylindrical shape as described above, for example, the plug member 15 can be smoothly fitted into the communication hole 12 even when the plug member 15 rotates in the circumferential direction. it can. In the present embodiment, the communication hole 12 and the plug member 15 are formed in a cylindrical shape as described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other shapes may be adopted.

また、図２に示す口部１１の矢印Ａ方向から見た図を図４（ａ）に、矢印Ｂ方向から見た図を図４（ｂ）に示す。保持部材１７は、図４（ｂ）に示すように、軸１４ｃが嵌入されて保持される円形部分１７ａと、その円形部分１７ａの中心から口部１１の側壁部に向かって延び、円形部分１７ａと口部１１とを連結する連結部１７ｂとから構成されている。   Moreover, the figure seen from the arrow A direction of the mouth part 11 shown in FIG. 2 is shown in FIG. 4 (a), and the figure seen from the arrow B direction is shown in FIG. 4 (b). As shown in FIG. 4 (b), the holding member 17 has a circular portion 17a in which the shaft 14c is fitted and held, and extends from the center of the circular portion 17a toward the side wall of the mouth portion 11, and the circular portion 17a. And a connecting part 17b that connects the mouth part 11 to each other.

ここで、上記のように構成されたインク容器１が、たとえば、落下などにより衝撃を受けた際には、図５に示すように弁部材１４が矢印Ｃ方向に微動する。弁部材１４が矢印Ｃ方向に微動することにより口部１１の内面とＯリング１４ａとが離れ、インク容器１内部のインクが連通孔１２に向かって流れ出すが、弁部材１４の移動が距離Ｘの範囲内であれば連通孔１２には未だ栓部材１５が嵌入された状態であるので、インクがインク容器１の外部に漏れるのを防止することができる。そして、弁部材１４および栓部材１５は、弾性部材１６により付勢されて再びもとの位置に戻る。なお、インク容器１が記録装置に装填された際には、記録装置に設けられた所定のピン部材が栓部材１５に当接し、そのピン部材により栓部材１５が距離Ｘ以上開方向に移動させられることにより栓部材１５が連通孔１２から退出して連通孔１２が開放され、インク容器１内のインクがインク容器１外部に吐出されて記録装置に供給される。そして、再びインク容器１を記録装置から取り外した際には、記録装置のピン部材が連通孔１２から退出し、再び連通孔１２に栓部材１５が嵌入し、Ｏリング１４ａが口部１１の内面に密着することによりインクがインク容器１外部に漏れない状態となる。そして、本実施形態は、上記のように記録装置のピン部材が栓部材１５に当接することにより連通孔１２が開放されるので、栓部材１５におけるピン部材と当接する面（インク容器外部側の面）は、図２および図３に示すように、その面の中心方向に凹んだ、すり鉢形状で形成されている。上記のようにすり鉢形状に形成することによりピン部材を栓部材１５の中心軸方向にスムーズに位置決め・案内することができる。   Here, when the ink container 1 configured as described above receives an impact due to, for example, dropping, the valve member 14 slightly moves in the direction of arrow C as shown in FIG. When the valve member 14 is slightly moved in the direction of the arrow C, the inner surface of the mouth portion 11 and the O-ring 14a are separated from each other, and the ink inside the ink container 1 flows toward the communication hole 12. If it is within the range, since the plug member 15 is still fitted in the communication hole 12, it is possible to prevent ink from leaking outside the ink container 1. The valve member 14 and the plug member 15 are urged by the elastic member 16 and return to their original positions again. When the ink container 1 is loaded in the recording apparatus, a predetermined pin member provided in the recording apparatus comes into contact with the plug member 15, and the pin member moves the plug member 15 in the opening direction by a distance X or more. As a result, the plug member 15 is withdrawn from the communication hole 12 and the communication hole 12 is opened, and the ink in the ink container 1 is discharged to the outside of the ink container 1 and supplied to the recording apparatus. When the ink container 1 is removed from the recording apparatus again, the pin member of the recording apparatus is withdrawn from the communication hole 12, the plug member 15 is again fitted into the communication hole 12, and the O-ring 14 a is the inner surface of the mouth portion 11. The ink comes into close contact with the ink container 1 so that the ink does not leak to the outside. In this embodiment, since the communication hole 12 is opened when the pin member of the recording apparatus abuts on the plug member 15 as described above, the surface of the plug member 15 that abuts on the pin member (on the outside of the ink container). 2 and 3, the surface is formed in a mortar shape that is recessed in the center direction of the surface. By forming the mortar shape as described above, the pin member can be smoothly positioned and guided in the central axis direction of the plug member 15.

また、本発明のインク容器の構成は、上記のような構成に限らず、たとえば、弁部材２４を、図６に示すような、球体から構成されるものとするとともに、この球体に円柱形状の栓部材２５を設け、図７に示すように、栓部材２５を口部１１の連通孔１２に嵌入させるとともに、保持部材２７と弁部材２４との間に弾性部材１６を設置し、弾性部材１６の付勢により球体の弁部材２４を口部１１の内面に密着させて連通孔１２を閉口するようにしてもよい。上記のように構成すれば、図８に示すように、落下などにより弁部材２４が矢印Ｄ方向に微動することにより口部１１の内面と弁部材２４の表面とが離れた状態となったとしても、所定の距離Ｘの範囲内であれば未だ栓部材２５が連通孔１２に嵌入された状態であるので、インクがインク容器１の外部に漏れるのを防止することができる。   In addition, the configuration of the ink container of the present invention is not limited to the above configuration, and for example, the valve member 24 is configured by a sphere as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, a stopper member 25 is provided, and the stopper member 25 is fitted into the communication hole 12 of the mouth portion 11, and the elastic member 16 is installed between the holding member 27 and the valve member 24. The spherical valve member 24 may be brought into intimate contact with the inner surface of the mouth portion 11 to bias the communication hole 12. If comprised as mentioned above, as shown in FIG. 8, when the valve member 24 moved slightly in the direction of arrow D due to dropping or the like, the inner surface of the mouth portion 11 and the surface of the valve member 24 were separated. However, if it is within the range of the predetermined distance X, the plug member 25 is still in the state of being inserted into the communication hole 12, so that the ink can be prevented from leaking outside the ink container 1.

また、図９に示すように、連通孔１２を形成する連通孔形成部１３に小連通孔２２を形成し、栓部材１５に小栓部材２５を設けるようにしてもよい。小連通孔２２は、その中心軸２２ａが連通孔１２の中心軸１２ａと平行であり、その断面積が連通孔よりも小さい孔である。そして、この小連通孔２２を介して連通孔１２がインク容器の内外を連通させるよう形成されている。また、小栓部材２５は栓部材１５とともに往復移動するよう栓部材１５に設けられており、栓部材１５が連通孔１２を塞いでいるときには小連通孔２２内に嵌入して小連通孔２２を塞ぎ、栓部材１５が連通孔１２を開放した後さらに所定の距離だけ開方向（図９の上方向）に移動した時点で小栓部材２５が小連通孔２２から退出して小連通孔２２を開放するよう形成されている。   Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the small communication hole 22 may be formed in the communication hole forming portion 13 that forms the communication hole 12, and the small plug member 25 may be provided in the plug member 15. The small communication hole 22 is a hole whose central axis 22a is parallel to the central axis 12a of the communication hole 12 and whose cross-sectional area is smaller than that of the communication hole. The communication hole 12 is formed to communicate between the inside and the outside of the ink container through the small communication hole 22. The small plug member 25 is provided on the plug member 15 so as to reciprocate together with the plug member 15, and when the plug member 15 blocks the communication hole 12, the small plug member 25 is fitted into the small communication hole 22 so that the small communication hole 22 is formed. When the plug member 15 moves in the opening direction (upward in FIG. 9) after the plug member 15 opens the communication hole 12, the small plug member 25 retreats from the small communication hole 22 and opens the small communication hole 22. It is formed to open.

上記のようにインク容器の口部１１を構成すれば、図１０に示すように、落下などの衝撃が連続して加えられることにより、弁部材１４が矢印Ｅ方向に複数回微動し、栓部材１５が連通孔１２から退出して連通孔１２が開放して連通孔１２からインクが漏れ出したとしても、栓部材１５の移動が距離Ｚの範囲内であれば、小栓部材２５により小連通孔２２が塞がれているので、インク容器外部へのインク漏れを防止することができる。   If the mouth portion 11 of the ink container is configured as described above, as shown in FIG. 10, the impact such as dropping is continuously applied, whereby the valve member 14 is slightly moved in the direction of arrow E several times, and the plug member Even if 15 is retreated from the communication hole 12 and the communication hole 12 is opened to leak ink from the communication hole 12, if the movement of the plug member 15 is within the range of the distance Z, the small plug member 25 causes small communication. Since the hole 22 is closed, ink leakage to the outside of the ink container can be prevented.

また、図９および図１０に示すインク容器の口部１１においては、栓部材１５が連通孔１２を開放した後さらに所定の距離だけ開方向に移動した時点で小栓部材２５が小連通孔２２から退出して小連通孔２２を開放する、つまり、図９における距離Ｙよりも距離Ｚの方が長くなるようにしたが、栓部材１５が連通孔１２を開放した時点で小栓部材２５が小連通孔２２から退出して小連通孔２２を開放する、つまり、図９における距離Ｙと距離Ｚとを同じにしてもよいし、栓部材１５が連通孔１２を開放する前に小栓部材２５が小連通孔２２から退出して小連通孔２２を開放する、つまり、図９における距離Ｙよりも距離Ｚの方が短くなるようにしてもよい。図９における距離Ｙと距離Ｚとを同じにした場合や距離Ｙよりも距離Ｚの方が短くなるようにした場合においても、連通孔１２に漏れ出したインクが小連通孔２２までに到達するまでに小栓部材２５が小連通孔２２を塞ぐことができれば、多少なりともインク容器外部へのインク漏れを防止することができるからである。   9 and 10, the small plug member 25 is moved to the small communication hole 22 when the plug member 15 moves further in the opening direction by a predetermined distance after opening the communication hole 12. 9, the small communication hole 22 is opened, that is, the distance Z is longer than the distance Y in FIG. 9, but when the plug member 15 opens the communication hole 12, the small plug member 25 is opened. The small communication hole 22 may be opened by leaving the small communication hole 22, that is, the distance Y and the distance Z in FIG. 9 may be the same, or the plug member 15 may be opened before the communication hole 12 is opened. 25 may retreat from the small communication hole 22 to open the small communication hole 22, that is, the distance Z may be shorter than the distance Y in FIG. Even when the distance Y and the distance Z in FIG. 9 are the same or when the distance Z is shorter than the distance Y, the ink leaked to the communication hole 12 reaches the small communication hole 22. This is because if the small plug member 25 can close the small communication hole 22 by this time, ink leakage to the outside of the ink container can be prevented to some extent.

また、上記小栓部材２５についても、上記実施形態の栓部材１５のように、ピン部材と接する面（インク容器外部側の面）をすり鉢形状に形成するようにしてもよい。   Further, the small plug member 25 may be formed in a mortar shape on the surface (surface on the outside of the ink container) in contact with the pin member, like the plug member 15 of the above embodiment.

また、一般的に、インク容器の容器本体が硬質な材料からなるものである場合には、スムーズにインクを容器本体から吐出させるためには、インク供給によるインクの減少分の空気を取り入れる必要がある。そのため、容器本体に設けられる口部としては、インク吐出用のインク口部と、大気取入用の大気取入口部とが設けられる場合がある。上記のようにインク口部と大気取入口部とが両方設けられるインク容器である場合には、少なくとも１つの口部の構成として、上記実施形態のような本発明のインク容器の口部の構成を採用することが望ましい。   In general, when the container body of the ink container is made of a hard material, it is necessary to take in air corresponding to the decrease in ink due to ink supply in order to smoothly eject ink from the container body. is there. Therefore, there are cases where an ink port for ink ejection and an air intake port for air intake are provided as the ports provided in the container body. When the ink container is provided with both the ink port and the air intake port as described above, the configuration of the mouth of the ink container of the present invention as in the above embodiment is used as the configuration of at least one port. It is desirable to adopt.

また、上記実施形態においては、インク容器の口部に連通孔、弁部材、栓部材、および弾性部材を設けるようにしたが、口部に限らず、インク容器本体に、連通孔、弁部材、栓部材および弾性部材を設けるようにしてもよい。   Further, in the above embodiment, the communication hole, the valve member, the plug member, and the elastic member are provided in the mouth portion of the ink container, but the communication hole, the valve member, A plug member and an elastic member may be provided.

また、連通孔、弁部材、栓部材の形状については、上記実施形態の形状に限らず、その他の形状を採用するようにしてもよい。小連通孔および小栓部材についても同様である。   Moreover, about the shape of a communicating hole, a valve member, and a plug member, you may make it employ | adopt not only the shape of the said embodiment but another shape. The same applies to the small communication hole and the small plug member.

また、本発明のインク容器の素材としては、素材そのものあるいは素材に添加されている成分がインクに与える影響が小さいもの、インクにより膨潤しにくいもの、インクの成分が素材から滲みでないもの、大気から容器の素材を透過する酸素量がより少ないもの、といった条件を満たすものを採用することが望ましく、上記のような条件を満たすものとしては、たとえば、ポリエステル、あるいはポリオレフィンをベースとした単層、あるいは多層構成のものがある。多層構成の素材を利用する場合には、ポリオレフィンの内層、あるいはポリオレフィン同士の間の層にバリヤー層としてエチレンビニルアルコール共重合体やナイロンを設けるようにすることが望ましい。特に、最内層をポリオレフィンとすると、ブロー形成時の樹脂の接合性が良好である。ただし、本発明のインク容器は、上記のような素材に限定されるものではない。   In addition, the material of the ink container of the present invention includes a material that has a small influence on the ink itself or a component added to the material, a material that does not swell easily by ink, a material that does not bleed from the material, It is desirable to adopt a material that satisfies the condition that the amount of oxygen permeating through the material of the container is smaller. For example, a material that satisfies the above condition may be, for example, a single layer based on polyester or polyolefin, or Some have a multi-layer configuration. When using a multi-layer material, it is desirable to provide an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer or nylon as a barrier layer in the polyolefin inner layer or a layer between the polyolefins. In particular, when the innermost layer is made of polyolefin, the bondability of the resin during blow formation is good. However, the ink container of the present invention is not limited to the above materials.

また、本発明のインク容器は、低粘度のインクを使用するインクジェットプリンタに用いられるインク容器に適用することが望ましい。   The ink container of the present invention is preferably applied to an ink container used for an ink jet printer using low viscosity ink.

本発明のインク容器の一実施形態の斜視図The perspective view of one Embodiment of the ink container of this invention 図１に示すインク容器の口部の２−２線断面図2-2 sectional view of the mouth of the ink container shown in FIG. 弁部材および栓部材の斜視図Perspective view of valve member and plug member 図２に示す口部を矢印Ａ方向から見た図（ａ）、矢印Ｂ方向から見た図（ｂ）The figure which looked at the mouth part shown in FIG. 2 from the arrow A direction (a), the figure which looked from the arrow B direction (b) 本発明のインク容器の口部の作用を説明するための図The figure for demonstrating the effect | action of the opening part of the ink container of this invention 本発明のインク容器のその他の実施形態の口部の弁部材の斜視図The perspective view of the valve member of the opening part of other embodiment of the ink container of this invention 本発明のインク容器のその他の実施形態の口部を示す図The figure which shows the opening part of other embodiment of the ink container of this invention. 図７に示すインク容器の口部の作用を説明するための図The figure for demonstrating the effect | action of the opening part of the ink container shown in FIG. 本発明のインク容器のその他の実施形態の口部を示す図The figure which shows the opening part of other embodiment of the ink container of this invention. 図９に示すインク容器の口部の作用を説明するための図The figure for demonstrating the effect | action of the opening part of the ink container shown in FIG. 従来のインク容器の作用を説明するための図The figure for demonstrating the effect | action of the conventional ink container

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

１ インク容器
１０ インク容器本体
１１ 口部
１２ 連通孔
１３ 連通孔形成部
１４，２４ 弁部材
１５，２５ 栓部材
１６ バネ
１７，２７ 保持部材
２２ 小連通孔
２５ 小栓部材 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink container 10 Ink container main body 11 Mouth part 12 Communication hole 13 Communication hole formation part 14, 24 Valve member 15, 25 Plug member 16 Spring 17, 27 Holding member 22 Small communication hole 25 Small plug member

Claims (4)

記録装置に着脱可能な、容器の内外を連通させる連通孔を備えたインク容器であって、
前記連通孔の中心軸方向に往復移動して前記インク容器の内面に密着、離脱することにより前記連通孔を開閉する弁部材と、
該弁部材に対し、該弁部材よりも前記容器の外側に設けられ、該弁部材とともに往復移動し、該弁部材が前記連通孔を閉じているときに該連通孔内に嵌入して該連通孔を塞ぎ、前記弁部材が前記連通孔を開けた後さらに所定長開方向に移動した時点で該連通孔から退出して該連通孔を開放する栓部材と、
前記弁部材を前記連通孔の中心軸方向閉方向に付勢して前記インク容器の内面に押圧する弾性部材とを備えたことを特徴とするインク容器。 An ink container having a communication hole that can be attached to and detached from the recording apparatus and communicates between the inside and the outside of the container,
A valve member that opens and closes the communication hole by reciprocating in the direction of the central axis of the communication hole and closely contacting and releasing from the inner surface of the ink container;
The valve member is provided outside the container with respect to the valve member, reciprocates together with the valve member, and is fitted into the communication hole when the valve member closes the communication hole, and the communication A plug member that closes a hole and exits the communication hole when the valve member moves in a predetermined length opening direction after opening the communication hole and opens the communication hole;
An ink container comprising: an elastic member that urges the valve member in a closing direction in the central axis direction of the communication hole and presses the valve member against an inner surface of the ink container. 前記連通孔および前記栓部材が円柱形状であることを特徴とする請求項１記載のインク容器。   The ink container according to claim 1, wherein the communication hole and the plug member are cylindrical. 前記連通孔を形成する連通孔形成部よりもさらに前記容器の外側に、中心軸が前記連通孔の中心軸と平行であり、前記中心軸に直交する面の断面積が前記連通孔の前記面の断面積よりも小さい小連通孔が設けられ、
前記栓部材に設けられて該栓部材とともに往復移動し、該栓部材が前記連通孔を塞いでいるときに前記小連通孔内に嵌入して該小連通孔を塞ぎ、前記栓部材が前記連通孔を開放した後さらに所定長開方向に移動した時点で前記小連通孔から退出して該小連通孔を開放する小栓部材を備えたことを特徴とする請求項１または２記載のインク容器。 Outside communication hole forming portion by remote Moreover the container for forming the communication hole, the central axis is parallel to the central axis of the communication hole, the cross-sectional area of the plane perpendicular to the central axis of the communication hole Small communication holes smaller than the cross-sectional area of the surface are provided ,
The plug member is reciprocally moved together with the plug member, and when the plug member closes the communication hole, the plug member is fitted into the small communication hole to close the small communication hole, and the plug member is connected to the communication hole. 3. The ink container according to claim 1, further comprising a stopper member that opens from the small communication hole and opens the small communication hole when the hole is further moved in a predetermined long opening direction after the hole is opened. . 前記連通孔を形成する連通孔形成部に連続する部分が、前記栓部材を前記連通孔に案内するようテーパ状に形成されていることを特徴とする請求項１から３いずれか１項記載のインク容器。   The part which continues to the communicating hole formation part which forms the said communicating hole is formed in the taper shape so that the said plug member may be guided to the said communicating hole, The any one of Claim 1 to 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Ink container.
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EP2783862B1 (en) 2013-03-28 2019-05-08 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Liquid cartridge
JP6136453B2 (en) 2013-03-28 2017-05-31 ブラザー工業株式会社 Ink cartridge and method of manufacturing ink cartridge
JP2020066140A (en) * 2018-10-22 2020-04-30 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 Cap, ink container, and image formation device

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