Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US7575312?dq=6,907,387
Timestamp: 2017-01-20 17:14:40
Document Index: 669073622

Matched Legal Cases: ['arts 11', 'art 301', 'application No. 2001', 'arts 11', 'art 301', 'art 301', 'art 11', 'arts 11', 'art 301', 'art 301', 'art 301', 'art 301', 'art 301', 'arts 11']

Patent US7575312 - Ink cartridge and method of ink injection thereinto - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inPatentsAn ink cartridge 1 is detachably connected to a head of a record apparatus and has a container main body 2 having an ink tank chamber 11 opened to the atmosphere in a state in which the head and the cartridge are connected and a first opening 85 through which ink can be injected into the ink tank chamber...http://www.google.com/patents/US7575312?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7575312 - Ink cartridge and method of ink injection thereintoAdvanced Patent SearchTry the new Google Patents, with machine-classified Google Scholar results, and Japanese and South Korean patents.Publication numberUS7575312 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 11/610,360Publication dateAug 18, 2009Filing dateDec 13, 2006Priority dateMay 17, 2001Fee statusPaidAlso published asCA2386999A1, CA2386999C, CN1198731C, CN1386642A, CN2611150Y, DE60231449D1, EP1258361A1, EP1258361B1, US7165835, US7699452, US20020171721, US20070132816, US20070132817, US20070132818, US20070195138Publication number11610360, 610360, US 7575312 B2, US 7575312B2, US-B2-7575312, US7575312 B2, US7575312B2InventorsMutsuhiko Ota, Yukiharu Suda, Hisashi Koike, Satoshi Shinada, Michinari Tsukahara, Hisashi Miyazawa, Yasuto SakaiOriginal AssigneeSeiko Epson CorporationExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (33), Referenced by (2), Classifications (15), Legal Events (1) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetInk cartridge and method of ink injection thereinto
US 7575312 B2Abstract
An ink cartridge 1 is detachably connected to a head of a record apparatus and has a container main body 2 having an ink tank chamber 11 opened to the atmosphere in a state in which the head and the cartridge are connected and a first opening 85 through which ink can be injected into the ink tank chamber (second ink storage chamber 16, etc.,). Such an intermediate wall 301 partitioning the ink tank chamber 11 into two space parts 11 a and 11 b placed side by side in an ink injection direction is disposed in the ink tank chamber 11 and is formed with a through part 301 a through which ink can be injected.
1. A method of injecting ink into an ink cartridge, comprising steps of:
providing an ink cartridge including:
an ink supply port adapted to supply ink to a recording head;
a communication flow passage connecting a lower portion of the lower section ink chamber and a lower portion of the upper section ink chamber to each other;
a flow passage connecting the upper section ink chamber and the ink supply port to each other;
an opening communicating with the lower section ink chamber; and
a differential pressure valve disposed in the flow passage,
wherein the ink cartridge is arranged such that the ink in the upper section ink chamber is discharged from the ink supply port through the differential valve, and the ink in the lower section ink chamber is moved to the upper section ink chamber through the communication flow passage in accordance with consumption of the ink in the upper section ink chamber,
reducing pressure in the ink cartridge through the ink supply port;
injecting ink into the upper section ink chamber through the communication flow passage while the reducing pressure is performed; and
injecting the ink into the lower section ink chamber through the opening such that air is present in the lower section ink chamber.
sealing the opening after the injecting ink into the lower section ink chamber is completed.
3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of:
sealing the ink supply port after the injecting ink into the upper section ink chamber is completed.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ink is injected under a condition that the ink cartridge is oriented up side down.
5. An ink cartridge adapted to be attached to a cartridge holder, comprising:
a partition wall partitioning the lower section ink chamber and the upper section ink chamber;
an air flow passage system having an atmosphere communication chamber in which an air permeable film is disposed, and an opening opened to a lower portion of the upper section ink chamber and communicating with the atmosphere communication chamber;
a valve provided in the air flow passage system;
a flow passage connecting the upper section ink chamber and the ink supply port to each other; and
a differential pressure valve disposed in the flow passage, wherein
the ink cartridge is arranged such that the ink in the upper section ink chamber is discharged from the ink supply port through the differential pressure valve, and the ink in the lower section ink chamber is moved to the upper section ink chamber through the communication flow passage in accordance with consumption of the ink in the upper section ink chamber,
the partition wall extends in an inclined manner such that a side closer to the ink supply port is positioned downward and a side closer to the opening of the lower section ink chamber is positioned upward when the ink cartridge is attached to the cartridge holder,
the valve is configured to be opened when the ink cartridge is attached to the cartridge holder,
the upper section ink chamber contains ink filled up to substantially 100% of a volume of the upper section ink chamber, and
the lower section ink chamber contains ink injected under a condition that air is present in the lower section ink chamber.
6. A method of injecting ink into an ink cartridge comprising steps of:
providing an ink cartridge adapted to be attached to a cartridge holder and including;
a differential pressure valve disposed in the flow passage, and
an air flow passage system having an atmosphere communication chamber in which an air permeable film is disposed, an opening opened to a lower portion of the upper section ink chamber, and a valve provided between the atmosphere communication chamber and the opening,
wherein the ink cartridge is arranged such that ink in the upper section ink chamber is discharged from the ink supply port through the differential valve, and the ink in the lower section ink chamber is moved to the upper section ink chamber through the communication flow passage as in accordance with consumption of the ink in the upper section ink chamber, and
wherein the valve is configured to maintain a closed state when the ink cartridge is not attached to the cartridge holder and to open when the ink cartridge is attached to the cartridge holder,
injecting ink into the upper section ink chamber such that the upper section ink chamber is filled with the ink up to substantially 100% of a volume of the upper section ink chamber, and
injecting the ink into the lower section ink chamber such that air is present in the lower section ink chamber.
7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising a step of reducing pressure in the ink cartridge through the ink supply port.
8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the ink is injected while the valve is closed.
9. A method of injecting ink into an ink cartridge, comprising steps of:
wherein the ink cartridge is arranged such that the ink in the upper section ink chamber is discharged from the ink supply port through the differential valve and the ink in the lower section ink chamber is moved to the upper section ink chamber in accordance with consumption of the ink in the upper section ink chamber;
reducing pressure in the ink cartridge through the ink supply port; and
injecting ink into the upper section ink chamber such that the ink cartridge is filled with the ink up to an outlet of the ink supply port while the reducing pressure is performed.
10. An ink cartridge adapted to be attached to a cartridge holder, comprising:
a first seal sealing a first opening communicated with the lower section ink chamber;
a second seal sealing a second opening communicated with the upper section ink chamber; and
a differential pressure valve disposed between the upper section ink chamber and the ink supply port, wherein:
the ink cartridge is arranged such that the ink in the upper section ink chamber is discharged from the ink supply port through the differential pressure valve and the ink in the lower section ink chamber moves to the upper section ink chamber, in accordance with consumption of the ink in the upper section ink chamber;
the partition wall extending in an inclined manner such that a side closer to the ink supply port is positioned downward when the ink cartridge is attached to the cartridge holder;
the lower section ink chamber contains ink under a condition that air is present in the lower section ink chamber.
11. A method of injecting ink into an ink cartridge, comprising steps of:
wherein the ink cartridge is arranged such that the ink in the upper section ink chamber is discharged from the ink supply port through the differential valve and the ink in the lower section ink chamber moves to the upper section ink chamber in accordance with consumption of the ink in the upper section ink chamber;
injecting ink into a portion between the upper section ink chamber and ink supply port while the reducing pressure is performed.
12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising a step of injecting ink into the upper section ink chamber while the reducing pressure is performed.
This is a Continuation Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/147,301 filed May 17, 2002; the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
This invention relates to an ink cartridge for supplying ink to a head of a record apparatus and a method of ink injection thereinto.
By the way, to inject ink into such an ink cartridge, the tip of an ink injector is positioned at an opening that is made in the outer surface of the ink cartridge (case) and that communicates with an ink tank chamber. Thus, in the beginning of injecting ink, the distance between the ink injection position (opening) and the bottom of the ink tank chamber is large, and also, after ink is injected (after the ink liquid level rises), there is a height difference between the ink injection position and the ink liquid level.
Thus, when ink is injected, air is easily mixed into the ink and there is a problem of bubbles occurring in the ink tank chamber.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an ink cartridge and a method of ink injection thereinto for making it possible to avoid air mixing into ink at the ink injection time and therefore prevent bubbles from occurring in an ink tank chamber.
To the end, according to the invention, there is provided an ink cartridge being detachably connected to a head of a record apparatus and comprising a case having an ink tank chamber opened to the atmosphere in a state in which the head and the cartridge are connected, and an opening through which ink can be injected into the ink tank chamber. The ink cartridge further comprises an intermediate wall partitioning the ink tank chamber into two space parts placed side by side in an ink injection direction. The intermediate wall is disposed in the ink tank chamber, and is formed with a through part through which ink can be injected.
Since the ink cartridge is thus configured, ink injection can be conducted at a deeper position than the opening of the case (in the vicinity of the through part). In this case, in the beginning of injecting ink, the distance between the ink injection position and the bottom of the ink tank chamber is small and thus air entraining is small and ink bubbles are less produced. If the ink liquid level rises and is higher than the intermediate wall, air entraining does not occur and ink bubbles are suppressed.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent air from mixing into ink at the ink injection time, and bubbles from occurring in the ink tank chamber.
Here, it is desirable that an atmospheric communication port for discharging air in the ink tank chamber as ink is injected is provided on the same side as the formation position of the opening.
Since the ink cartridge is thus configured, ink is injected into the ink tank chamber while air is discharged from the atmospheric communication port.
It is desirable that the through part is disposed on the axis of the opening.
Since the ink cartridge is thus configured, to inject ink into the ink tank chamber with an ink injection machine (ink injector), the injection part (tip) of the ink injector can be inserted into the opening of the case and positioned at the through part.
Further, it is desirable that the through part is formed so as to permit the tip of the ink injector to be inserted and passed through the through part into the deeper space part.
Since the ink cartridge is thus configured, in the ink tank chamber, the tip of the ink injector can be inserted into the opening of the case and further positioned at the deeper space part for reliably injecting ink.
It is desirable that the through part is a through hole circular in cross section or a through hole U-shaped shaped in cross section.
On the other hand, according to the invention, there is provided a method of injecting ink into an ink cartridge being detachably connected to a head of a record apparatus and comprising: a case having an ink tank chamber opened to atmosphere in a state in which the head and the cartridge are connected, and an opening through which ink can be injected into the ink tank chamber; and an intermediate wall having a through part, being disposed in the case, and partitioning the ink tank chamber into two space parts placed side by side in an ink injection direction. In the ink injection method, ink is injected through the through part into deeper one of the space parts relative to the opening.
According to this method, ink injection can be conducted at a deeper position than the opening of the case (in the vicinity of the through part) in the ink tank chamber.
Therefore, it is possible to obtain an ink cartridge that prevents air from mixing into ink at the ink injection time and bubbles from occurring in the ink tank chamber.
It is desirable that the through part is a through hole circular in cross section or a through hole U-shaped in cross section.
Here, it is desirable that to inject ink, the tip of the ink injector is inserted into the through part and is positioned at the deeper space part of both the space parts.
According to this method, when ink is injected, in the ink tank chamber, the tip of the ink injector can be inserted into the opening of the case and further positioned at the deep space part for reliably injecting ink.
It is desirable that ink is injected while air in the ink tank chamber is discharged.
According to this method, ink can be smoothly injected into the ink tank chamber.
The present disclosure relates to the subject matter contained in Japanese patent application No. 2001-148296 (filed on May 17, 2001) and 2001-262037 (filed on Aug. 30, 2001, which are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
FIGS. 2( a) and 2(b) are perspective views to show the appearance of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment of the invention;
FIGS. 10( a) and 10(b) are views to describe an ink injection flow passage of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment of the invention, in which FIG. 10( a) is a sectional view to schematically show the internal structure of the ink cartridge, and FIG. 10( b) is a bottom view to show an ink injection hole; and
Referring now to the accompanying drawings, there are shown preferred embodiments of an ink cartridge and an ink injection method thereinto incorporating the invention.
To begin with, the ink cartridge will be discussed with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view to show the whole of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 2( a) and 2(b) are perspective views to show the appearance of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views showing the internal structure of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment of the invention as viewed from upward and downward in a slanting direction. FIGS. 5 and 6 are a front view and a rear view to show the internal structure of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 7 and 8 are enlarged sectional views to show a negative pressure generation system storage chamber and a valve storage chamber of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 9 is a front view to show the connection state of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment of the invention to a cartridge holder. FIGS. 10( a) and 10(b) are views to describe an ink injection flow passage of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment of the invention, in which FIG. 10( a) is a sectional view to schematically show the internal structure of the ink cartridge, and FIG. 10( b) is a bottom view to show an ink injection hole.
An ink cartridge 1 shown in FIGS. 2( a) and 2(b) has a container main body (lower case) 2 almost rectangular in a plane view, and opened to one side, and a lid body (upper case) 3 for sealing the opening of the container main body 2. The interior of the ink cartridge 1 is generally constructed to have an ink flow passage system and an air flow passage system (both described later).
The second opening 86 is made to communicate with the first ink storage chamber 11 through an atmospheric communication port 86 a, and communicate with the ink end chamber (second ink storage chamber 16, third ink storage chamber 17, etc.,) through an ink injection port 86 b, as shown in FIGS. 10( a) and 10(b).
Retention members 5 and 6 that can be attached to and detached from a cartridge holder are provided integrally on the upper sides of the container main body 2. A circuit board (IC board) 7 is disposed below one retention member 5 as shown in FIG. 2( a), and a valve storage chamber 8 is disposed below the other retention member 6 as shown in FIGS. 2( a) and 2(b)
In FIG. 1, numeral 88 denotes an identification label put on an upper face part of the container main body 2 corresponding to the block 87, numeral 89 denotes a film for sealing the ink supply port 4 (through hole 200 a), and numeral 90 denotes a film for sealing the first opening 85 and the second opening 86. Numeral 91 denotes a vacuum pack for wrapping the ink cartridge 1 already filled with ink.
Two intermediate walls 300 and 301 different in height position are disposed in the first ink storage chamber 11. One intermediate wall 300 is placed with a predetermined spacing from one side surface part of the first ink storage chamber 11. The other intermediate wall 301 is opposed to the bottom part of the first ink storage chamber 11 and is placed on the ink supply port side of the intermediate wall 300. The intermediate wall 301 partitions the first ink storage chamber 11 into two space parts 11 a and 11 b placed side by side in the ink injection direction (up and down). The intermediate wall 301 is formed with a through part 301 a having the same axis as the axis of the first opening 85. The through part 301 a is formed as an opening (notch) for allowing the nozzle tip of an ink injection machine (ink injector) described later to be inserted thereinto and positioned at the deep space part 11 a of both the space parts 11 a and 11 b. The through part is not limited to the through hole shaped like a letter U in cross section shown in the figure, and may be a through hole circular in cross section.
The ink injection method into the ink cartridge in the embodiment is characterized by the fact that the position of ink injection into the ink tank chamber 11 is set to be deeper than the position of the first opening 85 in the ink tank chamber 11.
To this end, an ink injection machine 100 as shown in FIG. 11 is used. The ink injection machine 100 comprises a nozzle 100 b for injecting ink into the ink tank chamber 11, a nozzle 100 c for injecting ink into the ink end chamber (second ink storage chamber 16, third ink storage chamber 17, etc.,), and a nozzle 100 a for performing vacuum suction to discharge air in the ink end chamber. The nozzle 100 a is connected to the ink supply port 4, the nozzle 100 b to the first opening 85, and the nozzle 100 c to the second opening 86.
The nozzle 100 b is inserted into and placed at a deeper position in the cartridge than the through part 301 a of the intermediate wall 301 shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 and 11.
Thus, the nozzle 100 b is inserted into and passed through the first opening 85 and the through part 301 a so that the ink injection position is located deeper than the through part 301 a (at a deep interior part of the cartridge), whereby when ink is injected, ink bubbles can be prevented from occurring. That is, in the beginning of injecting ink, the height difference between the ink injection port of the nozzle 100 b and the ink liquid level is small and thus bubbles are less produced. When the ink liquid level rises as ink injection proceeds, the ink injection port of the nozzle 100 b goes under the injected ink and air entraining does not occur, so that bubbles do not occur. Even if ink bubbles occur when ink is injected, the intermediate wall 301 prevents the bubbles from rising and ink bubbles do not occur between the intermediate wall 301 and the first opening 85.
Air needs to be prevented from being mixed into the ink end chamber. Thus, vacuum suction is conducted through the nozzle 100 a from the ink supply port 4 side at the same time as ink is supplied through the nozzle 100 c. Further, the communication port 18 a is provided in the proximity of the ink injection port 86 b of the second opening 86, so that ink supplied through the nozzle 100 c is filled through the communication port 18 a, the communication flow passage 18, the second ink storage chamber 16, and the third ink storage chamber 17 up to the ink supply port 4 as ink mixed with no air (atmosphere).
As shown in FIG. 11, after the nozzles 100 a to 100 c of the ink injection machine 100 are connected to the ink supply port 4, the first opening 85, and the second opening 86 (ink injection port 86 b), ink is injected into the first ink storage chamber 11 through the first opening 85 and ink is injected into the ink end chamber (second ink storage chamber 16, third ink storage chamber 17, etc.,) through the ink injection port 86 b. At this time, ink is injected into the first ink storage chamber 11 while atmosphere in the first ink storage chamber 11 is discharged from the atmospheric communication port 86 a (shown in FIG. 10).
Thus, in the embodiment, ink injection is executed in the ink tank chamber at a deeper position than the opening of the case (in the vicinity of the through part 301 a). In this case, in the beginning of injecting ink, the distance between the ink injection position and the bottom of the ink tank chamber is small, and the height difference between the ink injection position and the ink liquid level is small still after ink is injected (after the ink liquid level rises).
Therefore, air mixing into ink at the ink injection time can be prevented and bubbles can be prevented from occurring in the ink tank chamber. In this case, if ink degassed by a degassing module, etc., is injected, bubbles can be more effectively prevented from occurring when ink is injected. Particularly, this point is preferred for ink easily bubbled.
As seen in the description made above, according to the ink cartridge and the ink injection method thereinto according to the invention, it is possible to prevent air from mixing into ink at the ink injection time, and bubbles can be prevented from occurring in the ink tank chamber.
In addition, two or more intermediate walls 301 parallel to each other and each having a through part 301 a may be provided so that the intermediate walls 301 partition the first ink storage chamber 11 into three or more space parts 11 a and 11 b placed side by side in the ink injection direction. In this case, it is preferable that a tip of the ink injector is moved step by step from the deepest space part during ink injection in accordance with ink level in the first ink storage chamber.
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