Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/EP1687147B1/en
Timestamp: 2020-01-26 05:29:19
Document Index: 419989980

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 2001', 'Application No. 9', 'Application No. 2001', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 72', 'art 72', 'art 46', 'art 46', 'art 46', 'art 35', 'art 46', 'art 46', 'art 35', 'art 46', 'art 46', 'art 46', 'art 46', 'art 46', 'art 33', 'art 33', 'art 33', 'art 33', 'art 33', 'art 33', 'art 46', 'art 35', 'art 35', 'art 35', 'art 46', 'art 46', 'art 46', 'art 36', 'art 46', 'art 37', 'art 36', 'art 46', 'art 37', 'art 46', 'art 36', 'art 37', 'art 46', 'art 36', 'art 37', 'art 46', 'art 36', 'art 46', 'art 46', 'art 46', 'art 46', 'art 70', 'art 46', 'art 71', 'art 70', 'art 72', 'art 70', 'art 72', 'art 71', 'art 70', 'art 46', 'art 46', 'art 71', 'art 71', 'art 37', 'art 46', 'art 46', 'art 46', 'art 72', 'art 70', 'art 70', 'art 70', 'art 72', 'art 37', 'art 70', 'art 70', 'art 46', 'art 46', 'art 46', 'art 3', 'art 46', 'art 46', 'art 72', 'art 46', 'art 72', 'art 46', 'art 46', 'art 46', 'art 46', 'art 72', 'art 72', 'art 72', 'art 72', 'art 72', 'art 72', 'art 46', 'art 72', 'art 70', 'art 71', 'art 35', 'art 33', 'art 46', 'art 33', 'art 59', 'art 59', 'art 70', 'art 71', 'art 70', 'art 46', 'art 70', 'art 46', 'art 60', 'art 60', 'art 60', 'art 60', 'art 60', 'art 60', 'art 60', 'art 60', 'art 3', 'art 37', 'art 46', 'art 36', 'art 46', 'art 72', 'art 46', 'art 37', 'art 3', 'art 37', 'art 46', 'art 3', 'art 37', 'art 3', 'art 46', 'art 37', 'art 46', 'art 37', 'art 46', 'art 46', 'art 46', 'art 46', 'art 46', 'art 63', 'art 46', 'art 70', 'art 66', 'art 3', 'art 46', 'art 66', 'art 46', 'art 70', 'art 3', 'art 63', 'art 46', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 63', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 46', 'art 63', 'art 3', 'arts 33', 'art 1', 'arts 11', 'arts 83', 'art 83', 'art 83', 'art 83', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1']

EP1687147B1 - Valve device, ink cartridge comprising the valve device and method of supplying ink - Google Patents
Valve device, ink cartridge comprising the valve device and method of supplying ink Download PDF
EP1687147B1
EP1687147B1 EP20040799894 EP04799894A EP1687147B1 EP 1687147 B1 EP1687147 B1 EP 1687147B1 EP 20040799894 EP20040799894 EP 20040799894 EP 04799894 A EP04799894 A EP 04799894A EP 1687147 B1 EP1687147 B1 EP 1687147B1
EP20040799894
EP1687147A1 (en
EP1687147A4 (en
T. c/o Brother Kogyo K.K. I.P. Dept. SASAKI
S. c/o Brother Kogyo K.K. I.P. Dept. HATTORI
T. c/o Brother Kogyo K.K. I.P. Dept. KANBE
A. c/o Brother Kogyo K.K. I.P. Dept. TAKAGI
2003-11-25 Priority to JP2003394324A priority Critical patent/JP4423940B2/en
2003-11-25 Priority to JP2003394323 priority
2004-11-25 Priority to PCT/JP2004/017896 priority patent/WO2005051666A1/en
2004-11-25 Application filed by Brother Industries Ltd filed Critical Brother Industries Ltd
2006-08-09 Publication of EP1687147A1 publication Critical patent/EP1687147A1/en
2006-08-09 Publication of EP1687147A4 publication Critical patent/EP1687147A4/en
2008-02-20 Publication of EP1687147B1 publication Critical patent/EP1687147B1/en
239000000976 inks Substances 0 claims description title 751
239000000284 extracts Substances 0 claims description 72
238000005192 partition Methods 0 claims description 50
In Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication H3-197052 corresponding to EP 412 459A , for example, an inkjet recording apparatus is equipped with a protection device that protects the user from the hollow needle when the hollow needle is exposed. The protection device has a protection plate installed between the hollow needle and a side in which the ink cartridge is inserted in order to cover the hollow needle. When the ink cartridge is loaded, a lock of the protection plate when the protection plate is in a shielding position is released and the hollow needle is exposed. Furthermore, the hollow needle penetrates the stopper plug and the ink cartridge is thus loaded in the inkjet recording apparatus. Furthermore, when the ink cartridge is removed, the protection plate is placed in the shielding position by a twisted coil spring and held at that position by a lock component. Thus, the protection plate shields the user from touching the hollow needle.
As disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 2001-113723 corresponding to EP 1.000.753A , there also exist ink cartridges that prevent ink from leaking from the cartridges when the cartridges are removed from inkjet recording devices. Such ink cartridges are provided with an ink chamber that stores ink, an ink supply port that externally supplies ink stored in the ink chamber, and an ink guidance chamber formed between the ink chamber and the ink supply port.
There also exist ink cartridges, for example, in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 9-20018 , in which the color of ink stored in the ink cartridge is easily recognized. Such ink cartridges include container bodies including porous materials into which ink is absorbed, and cover members that cover top openings of the containers. The cover members are formed of materials that are the same color as the ink absorbed by the porous materials. Therefore, even when ink cartridges of multiple colors are installed, because installation can be performed by recognizing the color of cover members of those ink cartridges, misinstallation of ink cartridges of different colors can be prevented. In addition, in order to recognize the color of the ink in the ink cartridge, ink cartridges formed from transparent or semi-transparent materials are also known.
There also exist ink cartridges, for example, in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application 11-58775 corresponding to US 6.241.348A , to which a deaerating processing has been performed in order to store deaerated ink. The ink cartridge is included within a packaging body and the packaging body is held in a pressure-reduced state. The packaging body is held in a pressure-reduced state in order to suppress the deterioration of the deaerated ink while the ink cartridge is transported.
The inside of the ink cartridge is also divided into two spaces by a partition wall. Within the two spaces divided by the partition wall, one space is used as an ink supply chamber that temporarily stores ink that is supplied from an ink supply hole, and another space is used as an ink chamber that is filled by a porous member that can store ink. In order to store a large amount of ink, the ink chamber requires more space than the ink supply chamber. Because of this, the partition wall is arranged at a position that is significantly closer to an opposite end wall of the ink supply chamber. Document EP 1147903A1 discloses an ink container, wherein a valving mechanism is established within a container wall. An ink delivering hole receives a valve seat provided with elastic members. The elastic members urge a valve towards the valve seat.
In the ink cartridge in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 2001-113723 , for example, where the leakage of ink is prevented as described above, there is provided a Switching valve unit which opens and obstructs the ink flow path and a compression spring which urges the valve unit. Thus, an ink guidance chamber is required in order to attach the valve unit. Furthermore, the compression spring must be formed between the ink supply port and the ink chamber. The structure for forming an ink flow path thus becomes complex. Because the valve unit and the compression spring are attached within the ink guidance chamber, the attachment operation becomes difficult, requiring further manufacturing steps. Consequently, high manufacturing costs are required to produce the ink cartridge.
FIG. 7 is a sectional diagram showing the structure of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention before the ink cartridge is loaded-into an inkjet recording apparatus;
The mounting part 3 is composed of a base part 3a that is sandwiched by a guide part 3b which is set on both sides of the base part 3a. A hollow ink extracting tube 12 extracts the ink I stored in the ink cartridge 1 and a hollow outside air intake tube 13 introduces outside air to the ink cartridge 1. The ink extracting tube 12 and the air intake tube 13 are examples of extract components.
A purge device 11 is outside the recording area and arranged so as to face the recording head 7. The purge device 11 is provided with a purge cap 11a which covers a nozzle hole formation surface of the recording head 7, a waste ink tube 11b which communicates with the purge cap 11a, and a pump 11c which intakes ink from the nozzle holes via the waste ink tube 11b.
When the purge processing is performed, the carriage 8 is moved to a purge processing executing position, and the nozzle hole formation surface of the recording head 7 is covered by the purge cap 11a. In this state, by driving the pump 11c, poor ink that includes bubbles, dust or the like remaining inside the recording head 7 is vacuumed. The poor ink is then stored in an undepicted waste ink tank via the waste ink tube 11b. The recording operation and the purge process are controlled under a central processing unit (CPU) (not shown) mounted on the inkjet recording apparatus 2.
The ink cartridge 1 includes a container wall 1a in which the upper/lower end surfaces are open, and a lid 1b which is fixed in order to cover and seal the opening on the top surface of the container wall 1a. Furthermore, the container wall 1a and the lid 1b are formed of a resin material. The ink I to be supplied to the recording head 7 is stored in the ink chamber 16 formed inside the ink cartridge 1 (see FIG. 2).
As shown in FIG. 2, a partition wall 1c divides the inside of the ink cartridge 1 into two spaces and is formed integrally with the container wall 1a. Within these two spaces, the space between the partition wall 1c and the top opening covered by the lid 1b (i.e., the top half) is formed as the ink chamber 16 which stores ink, and the space between the partition wall 1c and the lower opening (i.e., the bottom half) is formed as a second chamber 17.
An ink supply port 21 for communicating with the ink chamber 16 and the second chamber 17 is formed in the partition wall 1c. A thin film member 31, which can be broken when the ink supply port 21 is closed, is formed of a resin material integrated with the container wall 1a at the lower end portion of a cylindrical wall 22 which extends from the partition wall 1c and surrounds the ink supply port 21. Furthermore, an air intake opening 26 for communicating with the ink chamber 16 and the second chamber 17 is formed in the partition wall 1c, and a thin film member 51 which can be broken when the air intake opening 26 is closed is formed of a resin material integrated to the container wall 1a at the lower end portion of a cylindrical wall 24 which depends from the partition wall 1c and surrounds the air intake opening 26. Thus, when the ink cartridge 1 is transported, the ink chamber 16 is sealed by the thin film members 31, 51, and it is possible to prevent the ink within the ink chamber 16 from leaking to the second chamber 17 via the ink supply port 21 and the air intake opening 26.
On the partition wall 1c, a barrel-shaped body 30 as an example of a communication chamber, which extends toward the opening of the second chamber 17, is connected and formed so as to protrude into the second chamber 17 from the partition wall 1c and surround the cylindrical wall 22. In addition, on the partition wall 1c, a second barrel-shaped body 50 as an example of a communication chamber, which extends toward the opening of the second chamber 17, is connected and formed so as to protrude into the second chamber 17 from the partition wall 1c and surround the cylindrical wall 24.
To make the space between a later-described pointed part 72 and the film member 51 smaller than the space between the pointed part 72 and the film member 31, the cylindrical walls 22 and 24 are formed such that the amount that the cylindrical wall 24 extends from the partition wall 1c is larger than the amount that the cylindrical wall 22 extends from the partition wall 1c.
The valve device 18 is provided with a support member 46 which is integrally manufactured by a rubber elastic member and the valve member 32 composed of a resin material. The support member 46 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is integrally molded and includes a valve seat part 46a in the intermediate part in the axial direction, an urging part 46b that is closer to the ink chamber 16 than the valve seat part 46a, a cylindrical part 35 which extends from the valve seat part 46a toward a side opposite the urging part 46b, and an outer circumferential wall 33 which extends parallel to, and is spaced from, the outer circumference of the cylindrical part 35. In other words, the valve seat part 46a and the urging part 46b are integrally formed as a one-piece member. The valve member 32 is housed within the urging part 46b, and is urged by the urging part 46b toward the valve seat part 46a.
The valve device 18 has a positioning part 33a which protrudes from the outer circumferential wall 33 to an outer circumferential external direction towards the barrel-shaped body 30. The barrel-shaped body 30 is formed so that a part of the barrel-shaped body 30 has a smaller external diameter than that of the positioning part 33a. A step-shape is thus formed in the barrel-shaped body 30 that contacts the positioning part 33a.
As shown in the enlarged diagram in FIG. 2 in which the fixed parts of the valve device 18 and the barrel-shaped body 30 are enlarged, the barrel-shaped body 30 has a surface 44 with the diameter becoming larger in tiers outwardly in order to contain the positioning part 33a. A projection 43 is formed on the surface 44 and is above the positioning part 33a. A holding wall 42 is also provided and projects inwardly around the opening of the barrel-shaped body 30 of the container wall 1a. When the valve device 18 is inserted into the barrel-shaped body 30, the holding wall 42 holds and presses the positioning part 33a into the projection 43 while being deformed and bent by heat. The combination of the holding wall 42 and the projection 43 thus fixes and seals the valve device 18 relative to the barrel-shaped body 30. By doing so, ink is prevented from flowing out from the space formed between the external wall of the valve device 18 and the inner wall of the barrel-shaped body 30.
The valve seat part 46a has an opening 41 which goes through the center in the axial direction. When the ink cartridge 1 is mounted to the inkjet recording apparatus 2, the cylindrical part 35 seals the ink extracting tube 25 inserted therein. The cylindrical part 35 is provided with an introducing path 40 in which the ink extracting tube 12, which is protruding from the inkjet recording apparatus 2, is inserted. The cylindrical part 35, as an example of an inner peripheral wall, is integrally connected with the valve seat part 46a in a state in which the introducing path 40 is connected to the opening 41. The valve member 32 contacting the valve seat part 46a is exposed to the outside through the opening 41 and the introducing path 40, and faces the ink extracting tube 12 inserted therein. The introducing path 40 is formed smaller than the outer diameter of the ink extracting tube 12 so as to closely fit to the inserted ink extracting tube 12. The opening 41 is formed larger than the outer diameter of the ink extracting tube 12. An end of the introducing path 40, from which the ink extracting tube 12 is inserted, is formed in a tapered shape in which the diameter increases towards the outside.
The urging part 46b is formed by a side wall part 36 which stands out in a cylindrical shape on the ink chamber 16 side from the outer circumference of the valve seat part 46a and a projection part 37 which extends from the side wall part 36 and extends inward so as to contact the ink chamber 16 side of the valve member 32. The urging part 46b is also provided with an opening 37a in the center of the projection part 37. The urging part 46b urges the valve member 32 based on the elasticity of the side wall part 36 and the projection part 37. In a normal state before the ink cartridge 1 is mounted to the inkjet recording apparatus 2, the valve member 32 contacts the valve seat part 46a. When the ink cartridge 1 is mounted to the ink jet recording apparatus 2, the ink extracting tube 12 enters the introducing path 40 and pushes the valve member 32 up toward the ink chamber 16 so that the side wall part 36 is extended, the projection part 37 is inclined, and a gap for an ink flow path is formed between the valve member 32 and the valve seat part 46a.
The radial thickness t1 (see FIG. 5A) of the side wall part 36 (perpendicular to the axial direction mentioned above) is formed thinner than the thickness t2 (see FIG. 5A) of the valve seat part 46a in the intruding direction of the ink extracting tube 12 to the introducing path 40 and the radial thickness of the outer circumferential wall 33. For this reason, if the valve member 32 is pushed up by the ink extracting tube 12, the urging part 46b allows for a larger elastic deformation as compared to the valve seat part 46a and the outer circumferential wall 33, which forms a clearance between the valve member 32 and the valve seat part 46a.
The valve member 32 in FIG. 3 is explained next. The valve member 32 is provided with a bottom part 70 which contacts the valve seat part 46a of the support member 46, a valve side wall part 71 which extends in a cylindrical shape toward the ink chamber 16 from the outer circumference of the bottom part 70, and a pointed part 72, which projects toward the ink chamber 16 in the substantially center part of the bottom part 70, and on which the tip end on the ink chamber 16 side is formed in a pointed shape (e.g., an acuminate shape). The pointed part 72 projects closer to the ink chamber 16 than the valve side wall part 71 extends.
The bottom part 70 has a projecting component 39 (see FIG. 2) which projects toward the valve seat part 46a and is formed circularly on a surface edge set up against the valve seat part 46a. The projecting component 39 is also located inside the valve side wall part 71 and outside the introducing path 40. While the valve member 32 is contained in the support member 46, the valve side wall part 71 closely contacts the lower surface of the projection part 37 of the urging part 46b and is pressed. Due to such pressing, the projecting component 39 deforms the valve seat part 46a elastically and closely contacts the upper surface of the valve seat part 46a.
The pointed part 72 consists of four plate components 73a-73d which are positioned in the approximate center of the bottom part 70 and are combined in the form of an approximate cross. The plate components 73a-73d form grooves 77 extending in parallel and along the axial line between the plate components 73a-73d located next to each other. Each of the plate components 73a-73d are, in the direction to the bottom part 70 from the tip 76, equipped with first slope units 74a-74d which slope at a first angle (for example, approximately "45 degrees" in this example) against the central axial line extending in the same direction and second slope units 75a-75d, next to the first slope units 74a-74d, which have a second angle (for example, approximately "10 degrees" in this example), which is more acute compared to the first angle, in the direction to the bottom part 70 from the first slope units 74a-74d.
The pointed part 72 projects through the opening 37a of the projection part 37 and is positioned opposite the film member 31 with the tip 76 spaced at an interval from the film member 31. When the ink cartridge 1 is mounted to the inkjet recording apparatus 2, as the ink extracting tube 12 pushes up the bottom part 70 of the valve member 32, the thin film member 31 breaks, and an ink flow path is formed which goes through the ink supply port 21, the opening 37a, the communication paths 38, and the ink extracting tube 12.
When the ink cartridge 1 is detached from the inkjet recording apparatus 2, the bottom part 70 and the valve seat part 46a are connected by an urging force of the urging part 46b, and the ink flow path is cut off.
Furthermore, when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted to the inkjet recording apparatus 2, an air intake tube 13, which is arranged by being protruded from the inkjet recording apparatus 2, is inserted into the valve device 19. In the same manner as the above-mentioned ink supply, an outside air flow path is formed which goes through the air intake opening 26, the opening 37a, the communication paths 38, and the air intake tube 13. At approximately the same time, when the ink cartridge 1 is detached from the inkjet recording apparatus 2, an outside air flow path is cut off by the urging force of the urging part 46b.
The edge of the tip of the ink extract tube 12 on the side of the valve member 32 is open, and a contact section with the valve member 32 consists of end sections 80a-80d formed on the approximate plane. And the communicating passages 81a-81d are formed in the shape of grooves cut on the external wall of the ink extract tube 12. These communicating passages 81a-81d are formed at approximately even intervals on the external wall of the ink extract tube 12. Note that in this example, four communicating passages 81a-81d are formed however, any number can be formed.
The ink extract tube 12 has the end sections 80a-80d formed on the approximate plane, and can press the contact surface of the valve member 32 approximately evenly when it contacts with the valve member 32. Therefore, tilting of the valve member 32 is avoided and the valve member 32 can constantly maintain the ink passage at a certain level. The communicating passages 81a-81d are cut and are formed such that even if the ink extract tube 12 is in contact with the valve member 32, the passage of the ink through the communicating passages 81a-81d can be reliably obtained.
Here, the motion of the valve device 18, when the ink cartridge 1 is loaded into the inkjet recording apparatus 2, is explained by referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B. When the ink cartridge 1 is loaded into the mounting part 3, the ink extract tube 12 intrudes into the introducing path 40 (FIG. 5A), and closely contacts the inside of the introducing path 40 in a state that blocks the outflow of the ink. When the ink extract tube 12 and the valve member 32 contact each other and the valve member 32 is pushed towards the ink chamber 16 (FIG. 5B), the valve member 32 is separated from the valve seat part 46a by resisting the elasticity of the urging part 46b. In addition, when the valve member 32 is pushed up, the tip 76 of the pointed part 72 contacts the film member 31 and ruptures the film member 31. As a result, the ink in the ink chamber 16 is supplied to the barrel-shaped body 30, when the ink enters into the opening 37a at the top end of the valve device 18, passes through the communication paths 38 of the valve member 32, between the lower surface of the valve member 32 and the upper surface of the valve seat part 46a, into the communicating passages 81a-81d of the ink extract tube 12 (the ink passage B), and is supplied to the recording head 7. As for the motion of the pointed part 72 to rupture the film member 31, further explanations are given below.
When the ink cartridge 1 is pulled up from the installation unit 3 in order to remove the loaded ink cartridge 1 from the inkjet recording apparatus 2, the ink extract tube 12 and the air intake tube 13 are separated from each of the corresponding valve members 32. At the same time, each valve member 32 returns to a state of closely contacting with the valve seat part 46a due to the biasing operation of the urging part 46b. At this point, since the circular projecting component 39 is installed on the surface set up against the valve seat part 46a, the ink chamber 16 is reliably sealed in order to prevent ink from leaking. In addition, the ink I remaining near the opening 41 of the valve seat part 46a on the side of the ink extract tube 12 is maintained at that position forming a meniscus and does not leak outside since the atmospheric pressure does not apply to the ink on the upper side because the upper part is blocked by the valve member 32 and the diameter of the introducing path 40 is small (approximately 2 mm in diameter).
Next, FIGS. 6A - 6F show how the film member 31 is ruptured by the pointed part 72 . The film member 51 is ruptured in the same manner as the film member 31, and therefore, such explanations are omitted.
FIG. 6B shows the state where the pointed part 72 is pushed up further and the film member 31 is ruptured by the first slope units 74a-74d. The film member 31 thus only contacts the first slope units 74a-74d of the pointed part 72. Since the film member 31 contacts the first slope units 74a-74d along the upper surface thereof, the groove 77 is blocked in this state and the passage of the ink is hardly formed (see FIG. 6E).
FIG. 6C shows the ink cartridge 1 completely loaded into the inkjet recording apparatus 2, and the film member 31 is pushed and widened by the second slope units 75a-75d of the pointed part 72. Because of this, as shown in FIG. 6F, the groove 77 between each plate component 73a-73d is released and the ink passage C connecting the ink chamber 16 and the ink extract tube 12 is formed. The ink passage C is also formed at approximately even intervals around the circumference of the pointed part 72. It is thus possible to supply the ink to the ink extract tube 12 almost evenly.
When the film member 31 is pushed and widened by the second slope units 75a-75d instead of the first slope units 74a-74d, the curving angle of the ruptured part of the film member 31 changes and the ruptured part is separated from the groove 77 between the plate components 73a-73d, and the ink passage is formed as mentioned above Furthermore since the amount of contact between the film member 31 and the plate components 73a-73d becomes lower, when the ink cartridge 1 is removed, the pointed part 72 and the film member 31 are reliably separated by the biasing of the urging part 46b.
And also, in the examples mentioned above, the communicating passages 81a-81d are formed by cutting the ink extract tube 12 and the air intake tube 13 including the tip on the side of the ink chamber 16. However, it is acceptable to form the communicating passages 81a-81d communicating with the inside and the outside on the side wall of the ink extract tube 12 and the air intake tube 13.
Furthermore, in the examples mentioned above, the valve member 32 is formed as a unit with the pointed part 72 with the tip formed in an acuminate shape, the bottom part 70 and the valve side wall part 71. However, it is acceptable to form the breaking unit to rupture the film component and the valve which communicate and block off the ink chamber 16 side and the outer side of the container wall 1a separately.
The ink cartridge 1 of the second embodiment includes the ink chamber 16 with an open top, the container wall 1a, and a cover 1f that covers the floor area 1e. The ink cartridge 1 also includes two walls 1g and 1h that form the barrel-shaped bodies 30 and 50 which are open downward. The valve device 18 is placed in the barrel-shaped body 30 and the valve device 19 is placed in the barrel-shaped body 50. The valve device 18 and the valve device 19 are identical and when they are attached to the inkjet recording device, the ink extracting tube 12 is inserted into the barrel-shaped body 30 and the air intake tube 13 is inserted into the barrel-shaped body 50.
Similar to the first embodiment, the valve device 18 and 19 have the support member 46 made of rubber-like flexible part material and the valve member 32 is made of resin. The support member 46 has basically the same structure as the support member 46 of the first embodiment, but the outer circumferential wall 33 does not extend as far as the cylindrical part 35 in the first embodiment. The outer circumferential wall 33 and positioning part 33a are both formed almost at the same level as the valve seat part 46a. The positioning part 33a is fixed at the lower end of cylinder shape walls 1g and 1h, between the surface 44 that is formed as a part of the barrel-shaped bodies 30 and 50 and cover 1f. With this arrangement, the valve devices 18 and 19 are fixed on the container wall 1a.
Moreover, the rectangular projection part 59 is formed along one of the ridge lines of the communication paths 38, rising vertically out of the opening part of the linked communication paths 38. Therefore the opening part of the communication paths 38 consists of the surface formed of the protruding part 59, the surface formed by the bottom part 70, and the surface formed by the valve side wall part 71. With this structure, the opening part becomes complex and thus prevents the formation of a meniscus. Where the bottom part 70 touches the valve seat part 46a, the projecting component 39 is formed in a ring-shape at an area closer to the center of the bottom part 70 than the communication paths 38 but external to the opening 41. When the valve member 32 is closed, the valve member 32 presses against the valve seat part 46a.
In the second embodiment, the air intake opening 26 includes a tapered portion above the barrel-shaped body 50. A barrel member 25 extends from the tapered portion at the floor 1e toward an upper end of the cartridge 1. The barrel member 25 includes an opening 91 at an upper end. When the cartridge 1 is filled with ink and situated in an upright alignment, the opening 91 is positioned above the ink surface level in the ink chamber 16. In various exemplary embodiments, an upper face 95 of the barrel member 25, including the opening 91, is inclined or slanted with respect to horizontal. In some such embodiments, the upper face 95 has a stepped configuration, such that the upper face 95 includes multiple surfaces, the surfaces defining at least two different planes. As a result of the slant or inclination of the upper face 95 of the barrel member 25, a cross sectional area of the opening 91 of the barrel member 25 taken at the slanted or inclined upper face 95 is greater than a horizontal cross sectional area of an interior portion 93 of the barrel member 25. In addition, a horizontal diameter of the interior portion 93 of the barrel member 25 is preferably at least about 0.8 mm.
The ink supply port 21 at the ink supply side has the anti-counter flow valve 60. The anti-counter flow valve 60 consists of an umbrella shaped flexible membrane part 60b that faces the lower surface of the ink supply port 21 and a spindle part 60c that supports one end of the membrane part 60b. Both the membrane part 60b and the spindle part 60c are formed into one shape using synthesized resin material. The spindle part 60c is inserted through the ink supply port 21 so that the flow valve 60 can slide up and down. Normally, the membrane part 60b is positioned at a distance from the ink supply port 21, and an extended part 60a touches the top surface of the floor wall 1e. Ink is thus allowed to smoothly flow from the ink chamber 16 toward the valve device 18. When ink starts to flow from the ink extraction tube 12 toward the ink chamber 16, the membrane 60b will rise and block the ink supply port 21 and thus stop the flow of ink.
At the time of attachment, when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the mounting part 3, the ink extracting tube 12 is inserted into the introducing path 40 and pushes the valve member 32 upward. The valve member 32 in turn pushes the projection part 37 of the urging part 46b upward, and subsequently the side wall part 36 extends and the valve member 32 detaches from the valve seat part 46a. As a result, the ink in the ink chamber 16 is supplied to the ink extracting tube 12 through the communication paths 38 of the valve member 32 and the communicating passages 81a-81d of the ink extract tube 12. At the same time, the air intake tube 13 is connected with barrel-shaped body 50, letting the outside air flow into the ink chamber.
Unlike the first embodiment, film members 31, 51 are not used and accordingly a pointed part 72 is not used to rupture the film members 31, 51. As such, when the valve member 32 is pushed up, ink exists in the barrel shaped bodies 30, 50. However, since the circular projecting component 39 is urged against the valve seat part 46a by the projection part 37, the ink chamber 16 and the top of the barrel shaped bodies 30, 50 are reliably sealed in order to prevent ink from leaking.
FIGS. 9A and 9B show a variation of the valve member 32 shown in FIG. 8. As noted above, when the ink cartridge 1 is installed on the mounting part 3, the ink extracting tube 12 and air intake tube 13 push the valve member 32 upward, and the valve member 32 in turn pushes the projection part 37 of the urging part 46b installed in the support member 46.
On the other hand, because there are disparities in the length of the ink extracting tube 12 and the air intake tube 13, and there are also disparities in distance from the bottom of the ink cartridge 1 to the valve member 32 depending on many other parts. The overall disparity can thus become relatively large. When the disparity is large, and when the ink cartridge 1 is installed to the mounting part 3, the valve member 32 may be pushed up close to the opening 37a of the projection part 37 and may be caught by the opening 37a. When the ink cartridge 1 is detached from the mounting part 3 at this state, the valve member 32 is not in contact with the valve seat part 46a, thus causing the ink to leak.
In order to prevent this, in this variation, several pointed projections 71a are attached to the valve side wall 71 of the valve member 32 as shown in the FIG. 9, so that the friction between the top of the valve side wall 71 and the projection part 37 is increased and they remain attached even if the urging part 46b is extended.
FIG. 10 shows a ring-shaped projection 37b on the projection part 37 of the support member 46, which is added to achieve the same effect as noted above. This ring-shaped projection 37b is attached to circular valve side wall 71 of the valve member 32.
The valve device 19 is equipped with the support member 46 and the valve member 32. The support member 46 is assembled using a rubber-like elastic material just as the support member 46 in the first and second embodiments, and is equipped with the valve seat part 46a and an urging part 46b on the top part. The structures of these parts are identical with the valve seat part 46a and the urging part 46b of the first and second embodiments.
In the middle of the valve seat part 46a, the opening 41 is formed to expose the center of the valve member 32 to the outside and, in the lower portion, a sealing part 63 which surrounds the opening 41 is projected toward the opposite side of the urging part 46b.
In this example, the bottom part 70 is attached with a cylindrical part 66 which stands vertically from the top surface. When the ink cartridge 1 is installed on the mounting part 3 in a normal manner and the valve member 32 is pushed upward from the valve seat part 46a, the top edge of the cylindrical part 66 is positioned apart from the inside surface of the barrel member 25 and thus the through-pass between the ink chamber 16 and the opening 41 of the valve seat part 46a is secured.
The bottom part 70 is attached with the operating member 67 which extends vertically from the opening 41 on the side being exposed. Several concave portions 67a and convex portions 67b are formed on the outer circumference of the operating member 67, which extend along the direction of the axis. This configuration, in which the operating member 67 is attached to, or formed integrally with, the valve member 32, provides distinct advantages over arrangements in which the operating member 67 is separate from the valve member 32. For example, in order for an operating member 32 to operate a valve, the operating member must be positioned in cooperation with the valve member 32. In configurations in which the operating member 67 is separate form the valve member 32, the position of the operating member 67 with respect to the valve member 32 must be carefully controlled because misalignment of the operating member 67 with respect to the valve member 32 could result in leakage and/or damage to the valve member 32. Such control is not necessary in configurations in which the operating member 67 is attached to, or formed integrally with, the valve member 32.
Moreover, in an apparatus including two or more valves (e.g., an ink cartridge with an air valve and an ink valve) that is used with a device (e.g., an image forming device) that communicates with the valves, it may be advantageous to provide valves of different types - that is, one or more valves can be provided having a configuration in which an operating member is attached to a valve member and one or more valves can be provided having a configuration in which an operating member is not attached to a valve member. In the instance in which a valve is provided having a configuration in which an operating member is not attached to a valve member, the operating member could be attached to the device at a specified location. As at least one of the valves includes an attached operating member, that valve would not be able to communicate with the device at the specified location because two operating members would be present. Such an arrangement will ensure that when the apparatus is installed in the device, each valve properly communicates with a respective region of the device.
FIG. 11A shows the state prior to the installation of the ink cartridge 1 onto the mounting part 3 of the ink jet recording device 2, and the lower edge of the operating member 67 is made so that it is positioned slightly above the lower edge of the sealing part 63. In this state, both the valve member 32 of valve device 18 and the valve member 32 of the valve device 19 are pressed against the valve seat part 46a of the support member 46 and thus each valve device is not released.
With respect to the mounting part 3 of the ink jet recording device 2, the ink extracting tube 12 is projected in the ink supplier part just as the first and second embodiments, and a porous body 3c such as sponge is attached around the ink extracting tube 12 so that the leakage of ink will be absorbed. In the outside air intake part, the convex part 3d is formed in such a way that it corresponds to the sealing part 63, and the air intake tube 13 is attached to the bottom surface of the concave part 3d.
In the outside air intake part, the tip of the operating member 67 touches the bottom of the concave part 3d, and the valve seat part 46a is moved downward while the valve member 32 is fixed, releasing the valve device. At the same time, the bottom edge of the sealing part 63 is attached to the bottom of the concave part 3d, and a passage is formed between the air intake tube 13 and the ink chamber 16 through the released valve device 19.
FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the ink cartridge 1 of a fourth embodiment. In this embodiment, a cover 1f covers a bottom area of the container wall 1a of the ink cartridge of FIG. 2. The ink cartridge 1 also includes two walls 1g and 1h similar to the ink cartridge 1 of Fig. 7 that form the barrel-shaped bodies 30 and 50 which are open downward. The valve device 18 is placed in the barrel-shaped body 30 and the valve device 19 is placed in the barrel-shaped body 50. The valve device 18 and the valve device 19 are identical to the valve devices of FIG. 2. Located opposite the positioning parts 33a of the valve devices 18 and 19, the cover 1f includes a cover 63 that covers the valve device 18 and a cover 64 that covers the valve device 19.
The ink cartridge 1 also includes an opening 86 that is formed in the partition wall 1c that allows ink I to be supplied to the ink chamber 16 during manufacturing. After the ink has been supplied to the ink chamber 16 and before the cover 1f is placed on the container wall 1a, a stopper 88 is placed against the partition wall 1c in order to cover the opening 86.
An ink detection level device 90 is located within the ink chamber 16. The ink detection level device 90 includes a support 100 that extends from the partition wall 1c, a blocking member 92 attached to an arm 98, a balance member 96 attached to an opposite end of the arm 98 and a pivot 94 attached to the support 100.
When the ink chamber 16 is emptied, the arm 98 rotates via the pivot 94 such that the balance member 96 eventually rotates toward and contacts the partition wall 1c. As such, the blocking member 92 eventually rotates to a position outside the indicated box area. The sensor is thus able to detect the absence of the blocking member 92 and inform the user that the ink chamber 16 is empty.
The ink cartridge 1 includes the container wall 1a in which the upper/lower end surfaces are open, and the lid 1b which is fixed in order to cover the opening on the top surface of the container wall 1a. The lid 1b is provided with a gripping part 1d which is outwardly protruded in order to improve operability when the ink cartridge 1 is detached from/attached to the inkjet recording apparatus 2. Furthermore, the container wall 1a and the lid 1b are formed of a resin material.
As shown in FIG. 15, the partition wall 1c divides the inside of the ink cartridge 1 into two spaces and is formed integrally with the container wall 1a. Within these two spaces, the space between the partition wall 1c and the top opening covered by the lid 1b (i.e., the top portion) is formed as the ink chamber 16 which stores ink, and the space between the partition wall 1c and the lower opening (i.e., the bottom portion) is formed as a second chamber 17. The partition wall 1c extends perpendicular to the center axis direction of the container wall 1a at a substantially intermediate position between the top opening and the bottom opening. Because of this, the ink cartridge 1 is supported from the inside by the partition wall 1c at the substantially intermediate position of the ink cartridge 1. Thus, pressure resistance against a pressure to be added toward the inside from the outside of the ink cartridge 1 improves, and deformation and damage of the ink cartridge 1 can be suppressed.
Additionally, the container wall 1a forms a substantially rectangular shape in horizontal cross-section, but the four corners are formed with substantially cylindrical curved walls 1k, and the side surfaces between the curved walls 1k are formed as concave parts 11 facing outward. By so doing, the rigidity of the ink cartridge 1 with respect to the above-mentioned pressure is improved.
On the partition wall 1c, the barrel-shaped body 30, which extends toward the opening of the second chamber 17, is connected and formed so as to protrude into the second chamber 17 from the partition wall 1c and surround the cylindrical wall 22. In addition, on the partition wall 1c, the second barrel-shaped body 50, which extends toward the opening of the second chamber 17, is connected and formed so as to protrude toward the second chamber 17 from the partition wall 1c and surround the cylindrical wall 24.
The outside surface of the barrel-shaped body 30 and the outside surface of the second barrel-shaped body 50 are connected to a pair of side surfaces of the container wall 1a, respectively. The barrel-shaped body 30 and the second barrel-shaped body 50 are mutually connected to a connecting member 1m. Additionally, the connecting member 1m is connected to a pair of side surfaces different from the above-mentioned pair of side surfaces by a connecting member 1n. Because of this, the second chamber 17 is divided into four spaces 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d (see FIG. 14B) by the interconnected barrel-shaped body 30, second barrel-shaped body 50, and connecting members 1m, 1n. That is, the barrel-shaped body 30, the second body-shaped body 50, and the connecting members 1m, 1n function as a support member which support the container wall 1a from the inside, so that pressure resistance of the container wall 1a improves with respect to a pressure that is added to the inside from the outside of the ink cartridge 1. Damage and deformation of the ink cartridge 1 can thus be suppressed.
The packaging member 82 includes the ink cartridge 1 inside which deaerated ink is stored. The packaging member 82 is composed of a cylindrical seal material, and is provided with a shielding layer which suppresses humidity and air penetration. The shielding layer has a laminated structure in which a plurality of film sheets are laminated. In a state in which the ink cartridge 1 is contained, both end parts (hereafter referred to as "fused parts") 83a, 83b of the packaging member 82 are fused together, forming a bag shape. In order to maintain a sufficient degree of deaeration of the ink cartridge 1, the pressure is reduced between the ink cartridge and the packaging member 82.
In terms of manufacturing the packaging body of the ink cartridge 1 in which the ink cartridge 1 is contained, within a space in which pressure is reduced by a vacuum pump or the like so as to be a vacuum or an atmosphere close to a vacuum state, the ink cartridge 1 in which deaerated ink is stored is inserted into the packaging member 82. One of the fused parts 83a of the packaging member 82 is thermally fused in advance, and the other fused part 83b is open. Then, the other fused part 83b of the packaging member 82 is thermally fused. When the fused part 83b is formed and sealed, and the packaging is completed (the states of FIGS. 16 and 17). The ink cartridge 1 is thus sealed in the packaging member 82.
Thus, pressure is constantly applied inward from the outside of the ink cartridge 1. However, in the ink cartridge 1, the partition wall 1c is arranged at the substantially intermediate position between the two openings of the container wall 1a, so that the ink cartridge 1 can tolerate the pressure applied to the ink cartridge 1. Damage and deformation of the ink cartridge 1 can thus be prevented. Rigidity of the ink chamber 16 is improved by the partition wall 1c, the lid 1b fixed to the upper end opening, and the curved walls 1k. Furthermore, with respect to the second chamber 17, the barrel-shaped body 30 and the second barrel-shaped body 50 are connected to a pair of side surfaces of the respective container wall 1a and are also connected to another pair of side surfaces by the connecting members 1m, 1n. Thus, the pressure resistance of the second chamber 17 of the ink cartridge 1 can be improved. Deformation and damage of the ink cartridge 1 can thus be reliably suppressed.
As shown in FIG. 18, the ink cartridge 1 includes the substantially cylindrical container wall 1a in which the upper/lower end surfaces are open, and a lid 1b which is fixed in order to cover and seal the opening on the top surface of the container wall 1a. The lid 1b is provided with the gripping part 1d which protrudes outwardly in order to improve operability when the ink cartridge 1 is detached from/attached to the inkjet recording apparatus 2. The inside of the gripping part 1d is formed in a hollow shape, and on the inner wall surface of the lid 1b, mesh shaped dispersing grooves 14 are formed to hold the ink I by capillary action in a state where the ink is dispersed in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction (see FIGS. 19A and 19B). These dispersing grooves 14 will be described later. As shown in FIG. 18, the container wall 1a and the lid 1b are formed of a resin material. The ink I to be supplied to the recording head 7 is stored in the ink chamber 16 formed inside the ink cartridge 1. The container wall 1a and the lid 1b are formed from a transparent or semi-transparent resin material, and structured to allow the color of the ink I stored in the ink chamber 16 to be recognized.
As shown in FIG. 18, the partition wall 1c divides the inside of the ink cartridge 1 into two spaces and is formed integrally with the container wall 1a. Within these two spaces, the space between the partition wall 1c and the top opening covered by the lid 1b (i.e., the top portion) is formed as the ink chamber 16 which stores ink, and the space between the partition wall 1c and the lower opening (i.e., the bottom portion) is formed as a second chamber 17.
The ink I in the ink chamber 16, that is partitioned by the partition wall 1c, is supplied up to a position near the top surface of the container wall 1a. As a result, a space 20 that does not contain the ink I is formed on the top side of the ink chamber 16 when the ink cartridge 1 is installed in the inkjet recording apparatus 2. In this space 20, the hollow part formed by a hollow shape inside the gripping part 1d is also included.
Next, the dispersing grooves 14 formed on the inner surface of the gripping part 1d are described with reference to FIGS. 19A and 19B. FIGS. 19A and 19B are diagrams showing the structure of the dispersing grooves 14. FIG. 19A is an enlarged diagram showing the inner wall surface of the gripping part 1d and FIG. 19B is an enlarged cross-sectional diagram showing part D in FIG. 18.
On the some or all of the inner wall surface of the lid 1b, square-shaped protruding parts are positioned at an equal distance in the first direction and the second direction from each other as shown in FIG. 19A, and grooves are formed between the square-shaped projecting parts. These grooves are laid in the in the first direction and the second direction in a square mesh shape to form the dispersing grooves 14. The ink I that adheres on the inner wall surface of the lid 1b enters into these dispersing grooves 14 and is held within these grooves in a state such that the ink I is dispersed in the vertical and horizontal directions by capillary action. This stage is shown in FIG. 19B.
As shown in FIG. 19B, ink I in the dispersing grooves 14 is held by capillary action. Ink I is held by capillary action even if the space 20, which does not contain the ink, is formed inside the gripping part 1d as a result of the user holding the gripping part 1d to install the ink cartridge 1 into the inkjet recording apparatus 2 and the container wall 1a is on the lower side and the lid 1b is on the upper side. In this case, the ink I does not flow out from the dispersing grooves 14.
The dispersing grooves 14 are formed in a square mesh shape by fine grooves, and ink I is held in these dispersing grooves 14. Therefore, when the user views the ink cartridge 1 from outside, the ink I can be recognized as the ink I forms a thin film that adheres to the inside the lid 1b.
The container wall 1a is formed by the same transparent or semi-transparent material as the lid 1b. However, if the ink I is gathered at a predetermined volume in the ink chamber 16, the color of the ink I darkens and has a blackened color. For instance, when the ink I of cyan or magenta is stored, the color of the ink I becomes almost black. When the ink I in yellow is stored, the ink I becomes almost a red-black. Therefore, it becomes difficult for the user to accurately determine the color of the ink I.
However, because the ink cartridge 1 is formed with the space 20, which does not contain the ink I, and the dispersing grooves 14 on the inner wall surface of the lid 1b form a part of the space 20, and because the ink I is held in the dispersing grooves 14 in a substantially thin film state, the color of the ink I stored in the ink chamber 16 can be accurately recognized.
As explained above, according to the ink cartridge 1 described above, the lid 1b is formed to have some transparency, and the ink I flows into the dispersing grooves 14 formed on the inner wall surface of the gripping part 1d in a state that the ink I is dispersed in the vertical and horizontal directions. The dispersing grooves 14 are formed in a square mesh shape with fine grooves, and the space 20 that does not contain the ink I is formed inside the gripping part 1d. Therefore, the user can accurately recognize the color of the ink I in the ink cartridge 1 without any errors. Therefore, the ink cartridge 1, in which different colors of ink I are respectively stored, can be prevented from being installed in an incorrect position when installed in the inkjet recording apparatus 2.
Moreover, because the ink cartridge 1 is formed from a transparent or semi-transparent resin material, it is not necessary, as done conventionally, to manufacture a different cover member for each color of ink I. Therefore, parts for manufacturing the ink cartridge 1 can be shared. As a result, complicated manufacturing processes for manufacturing the ink cartridge by selecting a lid 1b corresponding to the color of ink I can be omitted, and thus, the manufacturing process for manufacturing the ink cartridge 1 can be simplified, resulting in a reduction in the manufacturing cost of the ink cartridge 1.
The dispersing grooves 14 shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B are formed in the square mesh shape. However, the dispersing grooves 14 could spread in the vertical and horizontal directions in a deformed rectangular mesh shape as shown in FIG. 20A, or in a parallelogram mesh shape as shown in FIG. 20B. In addition, the dispersing groove could spread in the vertical and horizontal directions in a triangular mesh shape as shown in FIG. 20C, or in a substantially circular mesh shape as shown in FIG. 20D in which the dispersing grooves 14 can be formed between many fine protruding parts having a substantially circular shape. The ink I adhered on the inner wall surface can be held also in the dispersing grooves 14 shown in FIG. 20A -20D in a state that the ink I is dispersed in each groove. That is, as long as the dispersing grooves 14 have grooves that can hold the adhered ink I, the shape thereof is not particularly limited.
As should be appreciated, various modifications are available. For example, in the above-described embodiments, the dispersing grooves 14 are formed on the inner wall surface of the lid 1b. However, the dispersing grooves 14 can be formed only on a part of the gripping part 1d. In addition, the dispersing grooves 14 can be formed on only the upper part of the container wall 1a or on the entire inner wall surface of the container wall 1a. Furthermore, the dispersing grooves 14 can be formed on the inner wall surface of the sidewall of the ink cartridge 1 in an area visible by the user.
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, the ink cartridge 1 having a structure in that the lid 1b becomes the upper part in a state that the ink cartridge 1 is installed in the inkjet recording apparatus 2 is employed. However, an ink cartridge having the lid on the sidewall or an ink cartridge formed in a substantially box shape that does not have the lid in a state that the ink cartridge is installed in the inkjet recording apparatus, may be used. Therefore, the structure of the ink cartridge is not limited. In this case, the dispersing grooves 14 are formed on the inner wall surface of the sidewall of the ink cartridge that becomes at least the upper part in a state that the ink cartridge 1 is installed in the inkjet recording apparatus 2.
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, the container wall 1a and the lid 1b are both formed from a transparent or semi-transparent resin material. However, only the lid 1b may be formed by the transparent or semi-transparent resin material, or only the gripping part 1d may be formed by the transparent or semi-transparent resin material. In addition, materials through which the ink color can be transparently visible, such as materials having a milk-white color, are included in the "transparent or semi-transparent" materials described in this invention.
As mentioned above, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication H3-197052 , for example, the protection device requires a protection plate, a lock component, and twisted coil spring. As such, it is necessary to secure space in the inkjet recording apparatus in order to install each component. The inkjet recording apparatus is thus bigger and manufacturing costs increase due to the increased number of components.
As discussed above, in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application 11-58775 for example, in order to suppress the deterioration of deaerated ink, a cartridge is held in a pressure-reduced state within a packaging body. Pressure is applied to the ink cartridge from the outside toward the inside of the ink cartridge. In order to suppression deterioration of deaerated ink, it is necessary to maintain the inside of the packaging body in a vacuum or in a state which is close to a vacuum. A large pressure in thus applied to the ink cartridge from the outside toward the inside.
While this invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments and examples outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents, whether known or that are or may be presently unforeseen, may become apparent to those having at least ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from scope of the invention. Industrial Applicability
The ink cartridge of the present invention are widely used for home and office uses.
A valve device (18) for an ink cartridge, comprising:
a valve (32)that is movable; and
a support (46) that includes:
a valve seat (46a) with an opening (41) exposing a bottom of the valve (32) at an approximately central portion, wherein the valve seat is adjacent to the valve at an outer periphery of the opening (41), and
an urging device (46b) that extends from the valve seat (46a), the urging device directly contacting the valve (32) and urging the valve (32) toward the valve seat (46a),
wherein the valve (32) separates from the valve seat (46a) when a predetermined force is applied to the valve (32),
characterized in that the support (46) and the urging device (46b) are formed as a one-piece member.
The valve device (18, 19) according to claim 1, wherein the valve (32) includes a sealing member that projects from the valve seat (46a) to a side opposite the urging device (46b) and/or
wherein when an extract component (12) projects from an inkjet recording device (2) and contacts the valve, a path is formed so that ink can flow from an ink chamber (16) into the extract component and/or
wherein the valve (32) includes an opening (38) between a portion of the valve (32) that contacts the valve seat (46a) and a portion of the valve (32) that contacts the urging device (46b).
The valve device (18, 19) according to claim 2,
wherein the opening (38) of the valve is non-circular and/or
wherein: the valve (32) includes a base (70) adjacent the valve seat (46a) and a valve sidewall (71) that extends from an outer periphery of the base (70) toward the ink chamber (16), and an opening (38) of the valve (32) is formed at the base (70) and the valve sidewall (71) and/or
wherein individual edge lines define the opening of the valve and are on two or more planes inclined with respect to each other.
The valve device (18, 19) according to claim 3, wherein the valve (32) includes a projection (72) protruding from one side of the opening of the valve adjacent the ink chamber side, and edge lines of the projection and the edge lines of the opening are on the two or more planes.
The valve device (18, 19) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein:
the valve includes a base (70) adjacent the valve seat, and a valve sidewall (71) extends from an outer periphery of the base toward an ink chamber, and the urging device (46b) extends along an outer periphery of the valve sidewall and/or
wherein a width of the urging device (46b) at an outer periphery of the valve is smaller than a length of the valve seat (46a).
The valve device (18, 19) according to one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the support (46) includes:
the outer peripheral wall (33) is secured to an inner peripheral wall (35) of the communication chamber,
the inner peripheral wall seals an outer surface of an extract component (12) when the extract component is located at the support (46),
a part of the inner peripheral wall (35) is located a predetermined distance away from the outer peripheral wall (33), and the inner peripheral wall is elastically deformable with respect to the outer peripheral wall.
The valve device (18, 19) according to claim 6, wherein the inner peripheral wall defines the opening of the support (46) and a size of a part of the opening decreases toward an end adjacent the valve and/or
wherein the inner peripheral wall defines the opening of the support and a size of a part of the opening increases toward an end adjacent the valve.
The valve device (18, 19) according to one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the valve (32) includes an annular projection (39) that is adjacent the valve seat (46a).
The valve device according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the urging device includes a projection (37) that engages the valve (32) and obstructs relative motion of the valve in a radial direction and/or
wherein the one-piece support (46) is formed from a rubber-like elastic material.
An ink cartridge (1), comprising:
a container wall (1a);
an ink chamber (16); and
a communication chamber (30), both chambers (16, 30) contained inside the container wall (1a) and divided from each other by a partition wall (1c), the communication chamber (30) being capable of communicating with the ink chamber (16);
the valve device (18) according to one of claims 1-9, wherein the support (46) and the valve (32) are disposed within the communication chamber (30)).
The ink cartridge (1) according to claim 10, wherein the valve (32) is movable in conjunction with a movement of an extract component (12) that is disposed within the communication chamber (30) and that contacts the valve when the predetermined force is applied to the valve.
The ink cartridge (1) according to claim 11, wherein the valve separates from the valve seat (46a) when the ink cartridge is attached to an inkjet recording device and the extract component projects from either the inkjet recording device (2) or the valve (32).
The ink cartridge (1) according to claim 12, wherein the extract component (12) is a hollow member that projects from the inkjet recording device and a path is formed so that ink can flow from the ink chamber (16) and into the hollow member when the valve (32) separates from the valve seat (46a).
The ink cartridge (1) according to one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the support includes a sealing device that seals an outer circumference of the extract component when the extract component is in contact with the valve (32).
The ink cartridge (1) according to claim 11, wherein the support (46) includes a sealing device that guides the extract component so that the extract component contacts the valve and forms a path so that ink can flow from the ink chamber and into the extract component and/or
wherein the valve (32) includes at least one opening (38) so that ink can flow from a top of the valve to a bottom of the valve when the predetermined force is applied to the valve.
The ink cartridge (1) according to claim 15, wherein the opening of the valve is non-circular and/or
wherein: the valve (32) includes a base (70) adjacent the valve seat (46a) and a valve sidewall (71) that extends from an outer periphery of the base (70) toward the ink chamber (16), and
the opening (38) of the valve (32) is formed at the base (70) and the valve sidewall (71) and/or
The ink cartridge (1) according to claim 16, wherein the valve includes a projection (72) protruding from one side of the opening of the valve adjacent the ink chamber side, and edge lines of the projection and the edge lines of the opening are on the two or more planes.
The ink cartridge (1) according to one of claims 10 to 17, wherein:
the valve (32) includes a base (70) adjacent the valve seat (46a), and a valve sidewall (71) extends from an outer periphery of the base toward the ink chamber, and the urging device extends along an outer periphery of the valve sidewall and/or
wherein when a predetermined force is applied to the valve, a path is created between the ink chamber and an area outside the ink cartridge and/or
The ink cartridge (1) according to one of claims 11 to 18, wherein the support includes:
an inner peripheral wall (35) and an outer peripheral wall (33) located outside the inner peripheral wall (35), the outer peripheral wall is secured to an inner peripheral wall of the communication chamber, the inner peripheral wall seals an outer surface of the extract component (12) when the extract component is located at the support, a part of the inner peripheral wall is located a predetermined distance away from the outer peripheral wall, and the inner peripheral wall (35) is elastically deformable with respect to the outer peripheral wall (33).
The ink cartridge (1) according to claim 19, wherein the inner peripheral wall (35) defines the opening (41) of the support (46) and a size of a part of the opening (41) decreases toward an end adjacent the valve (32), or
wherein the inner peripheral wall (35) defines the opening (41) of the support and a size of a part of the opening increases toward an end adjacent the valve (32).
The ink cartridge (1) according to one of claims 10 to 20, wherein the valve (32) includes an annular projection that is adjacent the valve seat (46a) and/or
wherein the urging device (46b) includes a projection (37) that engages the valve and obstructs relative motion of the valve in a radial direction and/or
wherein: the support (46) includes an attachment part that projects outward in a radial direction, the communication chamber includes a housing with a stepped surface, and the stepped surface maintains a position of support relative to the communication chamber when the attachment part is inserted in the housing.
The ink cartridge (1) according to one of claims 10 to 21, further comprising:
an air communication chamber (50) that is capable of communicating with the ink chamber (16);
a second valve (19) that is movable;
a second support (46) disposed within the air communication chamber (50), the second support including a second valve seat (46a) and a second opening exposing a bottom of the second valve at an approximately central portion, wherein the second valve seat is adjacent to the second valve at an outer periphery of the second opening; and
a second urging device (46b) that extends from the second valve seat, the second urging device directly contacting the second valve and urging the second valve toward the second valve seat;
wherein the second valve (32) separates from the second valve seat when a predetermined force is applied to the second valve and the second support (46) and the second urging device (46b) are formed as a one-piece member.
The ink cartridge (1) according to one of claims 10 to 22, wherein the support (46) and the urging device (46b) are formed from a rubberlike elastic material.
An inkjet recording apparatus (2), comprising:
an ink cartridge (1) according to claim 10;
a mounting part (3) that is arranged to mount the ink cartridge (1); and
a recording device (7) that receives ink from the ink cartridge (1) and records an image on a recording medium (6).
A method of supplying ink from an ink cartridge (1) according to one of claims 10-23, the method comprising:
moving an extract component (12) into contact with the bottom of the valve (32); and
applying a predetermined force to the valve such that the valve moves away from the valve seat (46a) and a top of the urging member (46b) flexes outwardly relative to a bottom of the urging member (46b).
EP20040799894 2003-11-25 2004-11-25 Valve device, ink cartridge comprising the valve device and method of supplying ink Active EP1687147B1 (en)
JP2004053164A JP4479280B2 (en) 2004-02-27 2004-02-27 Inkjet recording device
EP1687147A1 EP1687147A1 (en) 2006-08-09
EP1687147A4 EP1687147A4 (en) 2006-08-09
EP1687147B1 true EP1687147B1 (en) 2008-02-20
EP20040799894 Active EP1687147B1 (en) 2003-11-25 2004-11-25 Valve device, ink cartridge comprising the valve device and method of supplying ink
AT (1) AT386641T (en)
AU (1) AU2004281066B8 (en)
BR (1) BRPI0407975B1 (en)
MX (1) MXPA05013041A (en)
TW (1) TWI266701B (en)
JP4466598B2 (en) * 2006-03-31 2010-05-26 ブラザー工業株式会社 Increfill unit
JP4380712B2 (en) * 2007-02-28 2009-12-09 ブラザー工業株式会社 Droplet discharge device
JP4849060B2 (en) * 2007-11-30 2011-12-28 ブラザー工業株式会社 Image recording apparatus and information output method
EP2367689B1 (en) * 2008-12-19 2015-09-16 Memjet Technology Limited Ink manifold with multiple conduit shut off valve
EP2528741B1 (en) * 2010-01-29 2014-12-10 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Ink cartridge, recording device, and method for controlling recording device
ES2397652T3 (en) * 2010-06-17 2013-03-08 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Registration device and ink cartridge
US9090082B2 (en) * 2011-01-07 2015-07-28 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Fluid container having plurality of chambers
EP2708362A4 (en) 2011-05-09 2015-04-29 Brother Ind Ltd Ink cartridge and recording device
WO2015079547A1 (en) * 2013-11-29 2015-06-04 株式会社日立産機システム Replenishment container and inkjet recording device comprising same
CA2289244C (en) * 1998-11-11 2005-01-11 Seiko Epson Corporation Ink-jet printing apparatus and ink cartridge
JP3804340B2 (en) 1999-06-17 2006-08-02 セイコーエプソン株式会社 Inkjet recording device
JP3873675B2 (en) * 2001-06-28 2007-01-24 ブラザー工業株式会社 Ink cartridge
2004-11-19 US US10/991,852 patent/US7334888B2/en active Active
2004-11-24 TW TW93136185A patent/TWI266701B/en active
2004-11-25 AU AU2004281066A patent/AU2004281066B8/en active Active
2004-11-25 MX MXPA05013041A patent/MXPA05013041A/en active IP Right Grant
2004-11-25 BR BRPI0407975-2A patent/BRPI0407975B1/en active IP Right Grant
2004-11-25 EP EP20040799894 patent/EP1687147B1/en active Active
2004-11-25 CA CA 2509792 patent/CA2509792C/en active Active
2004-11-25 AT AT04799894T patent/AT386641T/en not_active IP Right Cessation
2004-11-25 WO PCT/JP2004/017896 patent/WO2005051666A1/en active IP Right Grant
2004-11-25 DE DE200460011978 patent/DE602004011978T2/en active Active
2004-11-25 KR KR20057012241A patent/KR100714939B1/en active IP Right Grant
2004-11-25 CN CN 200410096241 patent/CN100581826C/en active IP Right Grant
2007-07-05 US US11/822,375 patent/US7753506B2/en active Active
AT386641T (en) 2008-03-15
TWI266701B (en) 2006-11-21
BRPI0407975A (en) 2006-03-07
US20050134663A1 (en) 2005-06-23
US7334888B2 (en) 2008-02-26
CA2509792A1 (en) 2005-06-09
MXPA05013041A (en) 2006-03-02
CN100581826C (en) 2010-01-20
AU2004281066B2 (en) 2009-09-03
KR100714939B1 (en) 2007-05-07
BRPI0407975B1 (en) 2017-12-19
DE602004011978T2 (en) 2009-03-26
EP1687147A1 (en) 2006-08-09
CA2509792C (en) 2011-10-18
US20070273736A1 (en) 2007-11-29
AU2004281066A1 (en) 2005-06-23
CN1621237A (en) 2005-06-01
WO2005051666A1 (en) 2005-06-09
AU2004281066B8 (en) 2009-12-24
US7753506B2 (en) 2010-07-13
TW200528296A (en) 2005-09-01
AU2004281066A8 (en) 2009-01-08
KR20060024329A (en) 2006-03-16
EP1687147A4 (en) 2006-08-09
DE602004011978D1 (en) 2008-04-03
EP1013443B1 (en) 2003-08-27 Ink cartridge for ink jet printer
EP1527884A2 (en) 2005-05-04 Ink cartridge for ink-jet printing apparatus
JP2006103345A (en) 2006-04-20 Ink cartridge, inkjet recording apparatus and ink supply system
JP3222394B2 (en) 2001-10-29 Self-sealing fluid connection with a dual seal septum
EP1967367A2 (en) 2008-09-10 Ink cartridge for ink jet recording device
JP4193435B2 (en) 2008-12-10 Ink cartridge and ink filling method thereof
Free format text: VALVE DEVICE, INK CARTRIDGE COMPRISING THE VALVE DEVICE AND METHOD OF SUPPLYING INK
Ref document number: 602004011978