Patent Description:
As an ink cartridge for a recording apparatus such as an inkjet printer, an ink cartridge configured to be attachable to and detachable from an ink cartridge attachment portion of the recording apparatus is known. In such an ink cartridge, in a case where the ink cartridge is present alone independently of the recording apparatus (i.e., the ink cartridge is not attached to the recording apparatus), an ink supply port needs to be sealed to prevent ink from leaking from the ink supply port. On the other hand, when the ink cartridge is attached to the attachment portion of the recording apparatus, the supply port needs to open and smoothly supply ink.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open <CIT> discusses an ink cartridge in which a valve is biased against a sealing member by a spring, thereby sealing a supply port. This ink cartridge can reduce ink leakage in a case where the ink cartridge is present alone, and can also easily open the supply port by pressing the valve with a supply tube or the like on a recording apparatus side. <CIT> discloses a liquid cartridge comprising two valves, wherein one valve is biased by a spring against a channel member.

In the ink cartridge discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open <CIT>, in a case where the ink cartridge is present alone as illustrated in <FIG>, a valve <NUM> is pressed against a sealing member <NUM> by a spring <NUM>, thereby sealing a supply port.

However, in such a configuration, in a case where a force stronger than the biasing force of the spring <NUM> instantaneously acts on the valve <NUM> by, for example, a dropping of the ink cartridge, the valve <NUM> can be released. As a result, there is a possibility that ink stored in the ink cartridge leaks, scatters outside of the ink cartridge, and adheres to a user or a floor.

An object of sealing an ink cartridge against leakage even if an external force is applied is solved by an ink cartridge according to claim <NUM>. Further advantageous embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims.

The present disclosure is directed to an ink cartridge having a sealing configuration in which the sealing properties of a supply port are high when the ink cartridge is present alone and which is easy to open when the ink cartridge is attached to a recording apparatus, thereby reducing the occurrence of ink leakage when the ink cartridge is impacted by dropping or the like.

Next, an ink cartridge according to the present disclosure will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. The following exemplary embodiments are examples for carrying out the present disclosure, but the present disclosure is not limited to the configurations of these exemplary embodiments. Further, parts of the contents described in the exemplary embodiments can be combined.

First, with reference to <FIG>, a description is given of the overall configuration of an inkjet printer <NUM> (hereinafter, a "recording apparatus <NUM>"), which is an example of a recording apparatus to which the ink cartridge according to the present disclosure is attached. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the recording apparatus <NUM>. In <FIG>, an x-direction represents the horizontal direction, a y-direction (a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper) represents the direction in which discharge ports are arranged in a recording head <NUM>, and a z-direction represents the gravity (vertical) direction. The x-direction, the y-direction, and the z-direction illustrated in <FIG> are used with similar meanings also in the drawings following <FIG>. For example, an x-direction, a y-direction, and a z-direction illustrated in <FIG> coincide with the x-direction, the y-direction, and the z-direction, respectively, illustrated in <FIG>.

The recording apparatus <NUM> is a multifunction peripheral including a printing unit <NUM> and a scanner unit <NUM> above the printing unit <NUM>. The printing unit <NUM> and the scanner unit <NUM> can individually or cooperatively execute various processes regarding a recording operation and a reading operation. The scanner unit <NUM> includes an auto document feeder (ADF) and a flatbed scanner (FBS). The scanner unit <NUM> can read a document that is automatically fed by the ADF and read (scan) a document on a document platen of the FBS placed by a user. In a first exemplary embodiment not falling under the scope of the claims but considered useful for understanding the invention, the multifunction peripheral including both the printing unit <NUM> and the scanner unit <NUM> is employed as an example. Alternatively, a recording apparatus not including the scanner unit <NUM> may be employed. <FIG> illustrates a state where the recording apparatus <NUM> is in a standby state where the recording apparatus <NUM> is not performing neither the recording operation nor the reading operation.

In the printing unit <NUM>, a first cassette 5A and a second cassette 5B for storing recording media (cut sheets) S are detachably installed in a bottom portion of a housing <NUM>, which is on the lower side in the gravity direction. In the first cassette 5A, relatively small recording media up to A4 size are flatly stored. In the second cassette 5B, relatively large recording media up to A3 size are flatly stored. Near the first cassette 5A, a first feeding unit 6A is provided, which separates the recording media stored in the first cassette 5A one by one and feeds each recording medium. Similarly, near the second cassette 5B, a second feeding unit 6B is provided. When the recording operation is performed, the recording medium S is selectively fed from either one of the cassettes.

A conveyance mechanism for guiding the recording medium S in a predetermined direction includes conveyance rollers <NUM>, a discharge roller <NUM>, pinch rollers 7a, spurs 7b, a guide <NUM>, an inner guide <NUM>, and a flapper <NUM>. The conveyance rollers <NUM> are driving rollers that are disposed upstream and downstream of a recording head <NUM> and driven by a conveyance motor (not illustrated). The pinch rollers 7a are driven rollers that rotate while nipping the recording medium S with the conveyance rollers <NUM>. The discharge roller <NUM> is a driving roller that is disposed downstream of the conveyance rollers <NUM> and driven by a conveyance motor (not illustrated). The spurs 7b convey the recording medium S while nipping the recording medium S with the conveyance rollers <NUM> disposed downstream of the recording head <NUM> and with the discharge roller <NUM>.

The guide <NUM> is provided in the conveyance path of the recording medium S and guides the recording medium S in the predetermined direction. The inner guide <NUM> includes a side surface that extends in the y-direction and is curved. The inner guide <NUM> guides the recording medium S along the side surface. The flapper <NUM> is used for switching the direction in which the recording medium S is conveyed when a two-sided recording operation is performed. A discharge tray <NUM> is a tray for stacking and holding the recording medium S on which the recording operation is completed and which is discharged by the discharge roller <NUM>.

The recording head <NUM> according to the present exemplary embodiment is a full-line type color inkjet recording head. In the recording head <NUM>, a plurality of discharge ports for discharging ink according to data for recording are arranged across a width corresponding to the width of the recording medium S along the y-direction in <FIG>. When the recording head <NUM> is at a standby position, a discharge port surface 8a of the recording head <NUM> is capped by a cap unit <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. When the recording operation is performed, the direction of the recording head <NUM> is changed by a print controller so that the discharge port surface 8a is opposed to a platen <NUM>. The platen <NUM> is composed of a flat plate extending in the y-direction and supports, from the back surface of the recording medium S, the recording medium S on which the recording operation is performed by the recording head <NUM>.

The recording head <NUM> may not need to be a full-line type recording head, and may be a serial scanning type recording head that moves the head back and forth in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the recording medium S.

An attachment portion <NUM> is a portion to which ink cartridges are attached. The attachment portion <NUM> may be detachable from the recording apparatus <NUM>. In this case, an example is illustrated where four ink cartridges are attached to the attachment portion <NUM>, and each ink cartridge stores any one of four colors of ink to be supplied to the recording head <NUM>. An ink supply unit <NUM> is provided in the middle of a flow path connecting the attachment portion <NUM> and the recording head <NUM>, and adjusts the pressure and the flow rate of ink in the recording head <NUM> to be in appropriate ranges. In the present exemplary embodiment, a circulating ink supply system is employed, and the ink supply unit <NUM> adjusts the pressure of ink to be supplied to the recording head <NUM> and the flow rate of ink to be collected from the recording head <NUM> to be in appropriate ranges.

A maintenance unit <NUM> includes the cap unit <NUM> and a wiping unit <NUM>. The maintenance unit <NUM> causes the cap unit <NUM> and the wiping unit <NUM> to operate at a predetermined timing, thereby performing a maintenance operation on the recording head <NUM>.

In the specification, "ink" includes any liquid that is applied to a recording medium and thereby can be used for forming an image or processing the recording medium. In other words, "ink" in the specification is a concept including any liquid that can be used for recording. Further, concept of recording is not particularly limited, and is also applicable to industrial use. For example, the concept of recording can also be used for producing a biochip, printing an electronic circuit, and producing a semiconductor substrate. The ink cartridge is a container for storing the ink.

<FIG> are diagrams of the attachment portion <NUM> seen from obliquely above in the gravity direction when the attachment portion <NUM> is taken out of the recording apparatus <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating a state before ink cartridges are attached to the attachment portion <NUM>. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating a state after ink cartridges <NUM> are attached to the attachment portion <NUM>.

The attachment portion <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> includes four cylindrical hole forming members 14a. Each hole forming member 14a forms a hole 14d. The ink cartridge <NUM> is inserted into the hole 14d formed by the hole forming member 14a of the attachment portion <NUM>, thereby being attached to the attachment portion <NUM> of the recording apparatus <NUM>. A plurality of hole forming members 14a do not necessarily need to be provided. For example, a single hole forming member may form a plurality of holes. It is desirable that the diameter of the hole 14d (the diameter in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the hole 14d) should be <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less. In a case where the diameter in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the hole 14d is not based on a true circle, the diameter of the hole 14d is an equivalent circular diameter.

On the back side of the hole forming member 14a, a hole forming member 14b different from the hole forming member 14a is provided. When the ink cartridge <NUM> is attached, the hole forming member 14a is on the front side, and the hole forming member 14b is on the back side. A hole (not illustrated in <FIG>) is formed also in the hole forming member 14b, and the hole 14d of the hole forming member 14a and the hole of the hole forming member 14b communicate with each other inside the attachment portion <NUM>. The ink cartridge <NUM> is inserted into a hole formed with this communication. The hole forming member 14a and the hole forming member 14b may not need to be provided as different members. For example, a member in which two hole forming members are integrated may be used. Examples of a material forming the hole forming member 14a include an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) copolymer resin, polyphenylene oxide (PPO) (Noryl), and a high impact polystyrene (HIPS) resin. Examples of a material forming the hole forming member 14b include polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and PPO.

In an opening on the front side of the hole 14d of the hole forming member 14a, an identification (ID) recessed portion 14c is provided. The ID recessed portion 14c is used to roughly align the ink cartridge <NUM> relative to the attachment portion <NUM> when the ink cartridge <NUM> is attached. In <FIG>, a circular opening of the hole 14d is partially recessed, thereby forming the ID recessed portion 14c having a recessed shape.

Further, in the attachment portion <NUM>, a plurality of electrical connection portions (not illustrated in <FIG>) are provided, which come into contact with a plurality of pad electrodes included in the ink cartridge <NUM> and electrically connect to the pad electrodes by the contact. In <FIG>, the electrical connection portions are provided in the hole forming member 14b of the attachment portion <NUM>.

<FIG> schematically illustrates an enlarged view around the electrical connection portions included in the hole forming member 14b of the attachment portion <NUM>. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating a cross section of the attachment portion <NUM> at a portion A surrounded by dashed-dotted lines in <FIG>. In <FIG>, a part of the attachment portion <NUM> including the hole forming member 14a is omitted. As illustrated in <FIG>, the hole forming member 14b forms a hole 14f. From the surface on the back side of the hole 14f (the bottom surface of the hole 14f formed by the hole forming member 14b), a tubular ink reception tube <NUM> protrudes. The surface on the back side of the hole 14f has a circular shape, and the ink reception tube <NUM> protrudes from the center of the circle in a direction perpendicular to the surface on the back side of the hole 14f (the extending direction). The ink reception tube <NUM> is a tube for receiving ink supplied from the ink cartridge <NUM> attached to the attachment portion <NUM>. The ink reception tube <NUM> is connected to the recording head <NUM> of the recording apparatus <NUM> through an ink flow path and supplies the ink received from the ink cartridge <NUM> to the recording head <NUM>. A single ink reception tube corresponds to an ink of a single color. Thus, it is desirable to provide as many ink reception tubes as ink colors to be used. Examples of a material forming the ink reception tube <NUM> include SUS (stainless steel) and PPO. It is desirable that the diameter of the ink reception tube <NUM> (the diameter at a cross section orthogonal to the extending direction of the ink reception tube <NUM>) should be <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less. It is more desirable that the diameter of the ink reception tube <NUM> should be <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less. It is desirable that the diameter of the hole 14f (the diameter in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the hole 14f) should be <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less. It is desirable that the diameter of the hole 14f should be smaller than the diameter of the hole 14d. It is more desirable that the diameter of the hole 14f should be <NUM>% or more and <NUM>% or less of the diameter of the hole 14d.

<FIG> are diagrams illustrating an external appearance of the ink cartridge <NUM> seen from various angles. The ink cartridge <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is formed based on a housing having a columnar (cylindrical) shape. The shape of the housing is not limited to a columnar shape, and for example, may be a polygonal columnar shape such as a triangular prism shape or a quadrangular prism shape. Alternatively, the shape of the housing may be a circular cone shape or a polygonal pyramid shape such as a triangular pyramid shape or a quadrangular pyramid shape.

The ink cartridge <NUM> includes, as portions of the ink cartridge <NUM> that face outward, at least a first portion 20a, a second portion 20b, and a third portion 20c. A portion on the side where an insertion portion <NUM> is located is the first portion 20a. A portion on the opposite side of the first portion 20a is the second portion 20b. Then, the first portion 20a and the second portion 20b are connected by the third portion 20c. The third portion 20c is located between the first portion 20a and the second portion 20b. In <FIG>, the third portion 20c is orthogonal to the first portion 20a and the second portion 20b. The first portion 20a, the second portion 20b, and the third portion 20c may be surfaces as illustrated in <FIG>. Alternatively, at least one of the first portion 20a, the second portion 20b, and the third portion 20c may not be a surface. For example, in a case where the ink cartridge <NUM> has a triangular pyramid shape, the first portion 20a can be the bottom surface of the triangular pyramid, the second portion 20b can be an apex on (above) the bottom surface of the triangular pyramid, and the third portion 20c can be the side surfaces of the triangular pyramid. In this case, the second portion 20b is an apex, not a surface.

In the first portion 20a, the insertion portion <NUM> is located, into which the ink reception tube <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is inserted. Thus, the first portion 20a can also be said to be a front portion of the housing. In <FIG>, the first portion 20a is a surface. As described below, a sealing member including an opening is provided in the insertion portion <NUM>, and the ink reception tube <NUM> is inserted into the opening included in the sealing member of the insertion portion <NUM>. It is desirable that the diameter of the insertion portion <NUM> (the diameter in a direction orthogonal to the direction from which the ink reception tube <NUM> is inserted) should be <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less.

The ink cartridge <NUM> stores ink inside the ink cartridge <NUM>. The stored ink is supplied to the recording apparatus <NUM> through the ink reception tube <NUM> inserted into the insertion portion <NUM> (if the sealing member is present, the opening of the sealing member) and is used for recording.

The ink cartridge <NUM> includes a larger diameter portion having a relatively large diameter and a smaller diameter portion having a relatively smaller diameter than the larger diameter portion. The ink cartridge <NUM> in <FIG> has a columnar shape, and a "diameter" in this case is the diameter of a circle at a cross section along a direction perpendicular to the height direction of the column. A portion of the smaller diameter portion on the side where the insertion portion <NUM> is located is the first portion 20a. The second portion 20b is provided in the larger diameter portion. The third portion 20c, which connects the first portion 20a and the second portion 20b, is a surface spanning the larger diameter portion and the smaller diameter portion and having a difference in level between the larger diameter portion and the smaller diameter portion. The diameter of the ink cartridge <NUM> may be constant along the longitudinal direction of the column, and the ink cartridge <NUM> may have a shape in which the third portion 20c has no difference in level. The ink cartridge <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> has a columnar shape, the first portion 20a and the second portion 20b are the bottom surfaces of the column, and the third portion 20c is the side surface of the column. As described above, the ink cartridge <NUM> is not limited to a columnar shape. The ink cartridge <NUM> may have a shape in which the first portion 20a or the second portion 20b has a difference in level.

It is desirable that the diameter of the larger diameter portion of the ink cartridge <NUM> should be <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less. It is desirable that the diameter of the smaller diameter portion of the ink cartridge <NUM> should be <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less. The diameter of the ink cartridge <NUM> can be varied according to the amount or the type of the ink stored in the ink cartridge <NUM>. For example, in a certain ink cartridge set, the diameter of the larger diameter portion of a large-capacity ink cartridge can be <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less, and the diameter of the larger diameter portion of a small-capacity ink cartridge can be <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less. Even in this case, however, in terms of attachment, it is desirable to make the diameters of the smaller diameter portions of the ink cartridges uniform. That is, in an ink cartridge set in which the amounts and the types of inks stored in ink cartridges are different from each other, it is desirable that the diameters of the smaller diameter portions of the ink cartridges should be the same as each other, and the diameters of the larger diameter portions of the ink cartridges should be different from each other.

It is desirable that the length of the larger diameter portion of the ink cartridge <NUM> should be <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less. It is desirable that the length of the smaller diameter portion of the ink cartridge <NUM> should be <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less. The lengths of the larger diameter portion and the smaller diameter portion are lengths in a direction parallel to the direction from the first portion 20a to the second portion 20b of the ink cartridge <NUM>. In terms of attachment, even in a case where the amounts or the types of inks stored in ink cartridges are different from each other as in the case of above ink cartridge set, it is desirable to make the lengths of the larger diameter portions and the smaller diameter portions of the ink cartridges <NUM> uniform. The direction from the first portion 20a to the second portion 20b of the ink cartridge <NUM> is the direction of the shortest line connecting the first portion 20a and the second portion 20b. In <FIG>, this direction coincides with the longitudinal direction of the ink cartridge <NUM>.

Next, a protruding portion <NUM> and an ID projection portion <NUM> are described. The protruding portion <NUM> and the ID projection portion <NUM> are provided in the third portion 20c. In <FIG>, the protruding portion <NUM> is located on a portion of the smaller diameter portion in the third portion 20c, and protrudes further than a portion around the protruding portion <NUM> that forms the third portion 20c. The portion around the protruding portion <NUM> is the side surface of a column, and the protruding portion <NUM> protrudes from the side surface of the column. The protruding portion <NUM> includes a ceiling surface 25a, which is the ceiling of the protruding portion <NUM>, and protruding portion side surfaces 25b. There are four protruding portion side surfaces 25b, and the ceiling surface 25a connect the protruding portion side surfaces 25b on the upper side. On the ceiling surface 25a, an electrode portion <NUM> is provided. On the electrode portion <NUM>, a plurality of pad electrodes <NUM> are provided, which come into contact with the electrical connection portions of the recording apparatus <NUM> (the attachment portion <NUM>), to electrically connect to the electrical connection portions. The ceiling surface 25a is a portion of the ink cartridge <NUM> that faces outward, and is a part of a portion connecting the first portion 20a and the second portion 20b. Thus, the ceiling surface 25a is a part of the third portion 20c. Thus, the electrode portion <NUM> and the plurality of pad electrodes <NUM> on the ceiling surface 25a are provided in the third portion 20c. The electrode portion <NUM> may be composed only of the pad electrodes <NUM>. In this case, the pad electrodes <NUM> are directly placed on the ceiling surface 25a of the protruding portion <NUM>.

The ID projection portion <NUM> protrudes at the larger diameter portion in the third portion 20c. The ID projection portion <NUM> also protrudes further than a portion around the ID projection portion <NUM>. The portion around the ID projection portion <NUM> is the side surface of a column, and the ID projection portion <NUM> protrudes from the side surface of the column.

Examples of a material forming a portion of the housing of the ink cartridge <NUM> particularly on the second portion 20b side include PE and PP. Examples of a material forming the protruding portion <NUM> include PE and PP, similarly to the housing. Examples of a material forming the electrode portion <NUM> include flexible printing plates made of a glass epoxy and a polyimide. Examples of a material forming the pad electrodes <NUM> include Ni and Au. Examples of a material forming the ID projection portion <NUM> include PE and PP, similarly to the housing.

<FIG> illustrate the internal configuration of the ink cartridge <NUM>. <FIG> is an exploded view of the ink cartridge <NUM>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along A-A' in <FIG> in the state where components illustrated in <FIG> are combined. A housing <NUM> has a two-layer structure including an outer layer 70a and an inner layer 70b. The outer layer 70a is an outside layer indicated by a solid line. It is desirable that the outer layer 70a should be formed of a material having high stiffness. On the other hand, the inner layer 70b is an inside layer indicated by a dotted line. It is desirable that the inner layer 70b should be formed of a flexible material. In other words, it is desirable that the outer layer 70a should have higher stiffness than the inner layer 70b. The outer layer 70a and the inner layer 70b can separate from each other, and ink is stored within (inside) the inner layer 70b. The outer layer 70a and the inner layer 70b include openings at the same portions. The opening of the inner layer 70b is joined to a joint member <NUM>, thereby forming a closed space. The ink is stored in the closed space. It is desirable that the outer layer 70a and the inner layer 70b should be molded by injection blow. Examples of a material forming the outer layer 70a include polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). Examples of a material forming the inner layer 70b include PE and PP.

The housing <NUM> is joined to a cover member <NUM>. The housing <NUM> forms a part of the larger diameter portion of the ink cartridge <NUM>. The cover member <NUM> forms a part of the larger diameter portion and the smaller diameter portion of the ink cartridge <NUM>. In the smaller diameter portion of the cover member <NUM>, an insertion portion <NUM> is provided. Examples of a material forming the cover member <NUM> include PE, PP, and ABS. It is desirable that the length of the cover member <NUM> should be <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less. It is more desirable that the length of the cover member <NUM> should be <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less. The length of the cover member <NUM> is the length in a left-right direction in <FIG>. Further, if the ink cartridge <NUM> has a shape as illustrated in <FIG>, the length of the cover member <NUM> is the length in a direction along the longitudinal direction of the ink cartridge <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> includes a screw-shaped groove <NUM> in the outer layer 70a. The screw-shaped groove <NUM> makes the strength of the housing <NUM> higher. The groove <NUM> may be a single groove, or may be a plurality of grooves that are not connected to each other. In terms of the strength of the housing <NUM>, it is desirable that the extending direction of the groove <NUM> should be a direction inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of the ink cartridge <NUM>.

The ink cartridge <NUM> supplies ink to the outside (the recording apparatus <NUM>) of the ink cartridge <NUM>, and if the amount of ink stored in the ink cartridge <NUM> decreases, the inner layer 70b deforms according to the volume of the decrease in the ink. When the ink stored in the ink cartridge <NUM> is eventually used up, the inner layer 70b becomes crushed. On the other hand, in a case where the outer layer 70a is formed of a material having high stiffness, the outer layer 70a is less likely to deform and maintains its shape. In the housing <NUM>, an atmosphere communicating port <NUM> opens in the second portion 20b of the ink cartridge <NUM>. Atmosphere is introduced into a space between the outer layer 70a and the inner layer 70b through the atmosphere communicating port <NUM>. The atmosphere communicating port <NUM> is covered except for its small portion by a label <NUM>, whereby it is possible to excellently reduce the evaporation of ink. Examples of a material forming the label <NUM> include PP film and paper.

The joint member <NUM> includes the insertion portion <NUM>. At the front end of the insertion portion <NUM>, the ink reception tube <NUM> is inserted. Thus, in a case where the joint member <NUM> is provided, the joint member <NUM> forms at least a part of the first portion 20a of the ink cartridge <NUM>. In the joint member <NUM>, the protruding portion <NUM> is provided, and on the protruding portion <NUM>, the electrode portion <NUM> is provided. Further, the joint member <NUM> enters the inside of the cover member <NUM>, the protruding portion <NUM> is exposed to outside through an opening 78a of the cover member <NUM>, and the insertion portion <NUM> is exposed to outside through the opening 78b of the cover member <NUM>. In this case, the joint member <NUM> forms a part of the first portion 20a and a part of the third portion 20c of the ink cartridge <NUM>.

The configurations of the joint member <NUM> and the periphery of the joint member <NUM> are described in detail. <FIG> illustrates an enlarged view of a portion indicated by B in <FIG>. To the housing <NUM> side of the joint member <NUM>, a flow path member <NUM> is joined, which supplies ink from the housing <NUM> to the joint member <NUM> side. The joint member <NUM> and the flow path member <NUM> are joined together by, for example, press fit or welding. A space within the joint member <NUM> formed by the joint member <NUM> and the flow path member <NUM> is an ink flow path (an ink supply portion 73a). Between the joint member <NUM> and the flow path member <NUM>, a flow path opening 79a opens, which supplies ink stored in the housing <NUM> to the inside of the ink supply portion 73a. As described below, in a case where the ink cartridge <NUM> is not attached to the recording apparatus <NUM>, the flow path opening 79a is sealed from the ink supply portion 73a side by being biased by a second valve <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, in the flow path member <NUM>, an upper flow path 79b and a lower flow path 79c are provided, each of which communicates with the flow path opening 79a. The upper flow path 79b and the lower flow path 79c are provided, whereby it is possible to supply ink in an upper portion of the housing <NUM>, which is on the upper side in the vertical direction, and ink in a lower portion (a bottom portion) of the housing <NUM>, which is on the lower side in the vertical direction, as uniformly as possible. Thus, for example, in a case where a pigment ink is used, it is possible to supply the ink by evening out the pigment concentration distribution in the up-down direction due to pigment precipitation in the housing <NUM>.

The insertion portion <NUM> is an opening (a first opening). This opening is formed by a sealing portion <NUM>. The sealing portion <NUM> may be molded integrally with the joint member <NUM>, or may be separated from the joint member <NUM>. In a case where the ink cartridge <NUM> is not attached to the recording apparatus <NUM>, a first valve <NUM> is biased against the sealing portion <NUM> by a spring <NUM>, which is a biasing member, and caused to abut the sealing portion <NUM>, thereby sealing the opening of the insertion portion <NUM>. Examples of a material forming the sealing portion <NUM> include a rubber and an elastomer. In terms of stability, it is desirable to use a spring as the biasing member as illustrated in the present exemplary embodiment. It is more desirable to use a spring formed of SUS (stainless steel). Alternatively, an elastic body such as a rubber may be used as the biasing member.

At the end of the spring <NUM> on the opposite side of the side where the opening of the insertion portion <NUM> of the spring <NUM> is sealed, i.e., the end of the spring <NUM> on the housing <NUM> side, the second valve <NUM> is placed. Similarly to the first valve <NUM>, the second valve <NUM> is connected to the spring <NUM> and biased by the spring <NUM>. The second valve <NUM> includes a lip 76b in an outer peripheral portion on the surface of the second valve <NUM> on the opposite side of the surface on the side where the second valve <NUM> is connected to the spring <NUM>. Except when ink is supplied to the recording apparatus <NUM>, the second valve <NUM> is biased to the flow path member <NUM> side by the spring <NUM>. Consequently, the lip 76b abuts a surface 79d of the flow path member <NUM> on the ink supply portion 73a side, the flow path opening 79a of the flow path member <NUM> is sealed from the ink supply portion 73a side, and a portion between the ink supply portion 73a and the housing <NUM> is closed.

<FIG> are a perspective view of the second valve <NUM> seen from the insertion portion <NUM> side of the joint member <NUM> (<FIG>), and a perspective view of the second valve <NUM> seen from the housing <NUM> side (<FIG>). As illustrated in <FIG>, if the surface of the second valve <NUM> on the side where the second valve <NUM> is connected to the spring <NUM> is a spring connection surface 76a, a spring supporting portion 76d for supporting the spring <NUM> is located at the center of the spring connection surface 76a. On the opposite side of the spring connection surface 76a, the lip 76b is provided.

<FIG> illustrate another example of the second valve <NUM>. A second valve <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> has higher sealing properties than the second valve <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. In the second valve <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, a rib 86c is provided from a spring supporting portion 76d to the outer periphery of the second valve <NUM> on a spring connection surface 86a. With the rib 86c, the deformation of the spring connection surface 86a is reduced, and the load of the spring <NUM> is efficiently transmitted to a lip 86b, whereby it is possible to further improve the sealing properties. It is desirable to provide a plurality of ribs 86c. In this case, it is desirable to provide the ribs 86c, radiating from the spring supporting portion 86d provided at the center.

Alternatively, in the second valve, for example, only the lip can be formed of a flexible material such as an elastomer or a rubber, and the other portion can be formed of PP or PE. Also by forming the second valve by such two-color molding method, it is possible to improve the sealing properties.

The sealing configuration according to the present disclosure is further described. The ink cartridge according to the present exemplary embodiment stores ink inside the ink cartridge. The ink cartridge includes an ink flow path (the ink supply portion 73a) extending from the inside to the outside of the ink cartridge. The ink flow path includes a first opening (the opening of the insertion portion <NUM>) that opens toward the outside of the ink cartridge, and a first valve <NUM> that seals the first opening. Further, the ink cartridge includes a second opening (the flow path opening 79a) that opens to the opposite side of the first opening, and a second valve <NUM> that seals the second opening. Further, the ink cartridge includes a biasing member (spring) <NUM> that is connected to the first valve <NUM> and the second valve <NUM> and biases the first valve <NUM> and the second valve <NUM>. Since the ink cartridge according to the present exemplary embodiment has such a configuration, then in a case where either one of the first valve <NUM> and the second valve <NUM> moves to a direction to release the opening sealed by the valve, the spring <NUM> is compressed. Thus, the load of the spring <NUM> applied to the other valve further increases, whereby it is possible to increase the sealing properties on the other valve side. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, suppose that due to the impact of the dropping of the ink cartridge <NUM> or the collision of a projection, the first valve <NUM> moves to the housing <NUM> side (in the direction of a white arrow) and releases the insertion portion <NUM> of the joint member <NUM>. Even in this case, the sealing properties of the second valve <NUM> further increase. Thus, the flow of ink into the ink supply portion 73a from the housing <NUM> side is reduced, whereby it is possible to reduce the leakage of ink inside the ink cartridge <NUM> to outside the ink cartridge <NUM>.

Conversely, as illustrated in <FIG>, even if the inside of the housing <NUM> is pressurized by the dropping of the ink cartridge <NUM> or other causes and the second valve <NUM> moves to the insertion portion <NUM> side and releases the flow path opening 79a, the sealing properties of the first valve <NUM> further increase. Thus, it is possible to reduce ink leakage to outside. In this sealing configuration, ink leakage to outside is reduced even when the ink cartridge <NUM> is impacted.

To simultaneously obtain sufficient sealing effects in the first valve <NUM> and the second valve <NUM>, it is desirable that the load applied to the spring <NUM> in the state where the ink cartridge <NUM> is present alone (the state where the ink cartridge <NUM> is not attached to the recording apparatus <NUM>) should be <NUM> newtons (N) or more and <NUM> N or less. Further, to reduce the burden on the user, it is desirable that the load applied to the spring <NUM> when the ink cartridge <NUM> is attached to the recording apparatus <NUM> should be <NUM> N or more and <NUM> N or less.

<FIG> illustrates the state where ink in the housing <NUM> is supplied from the ink cartridge <NUM> to the recording apparatus <NUM>. If the ink cartridge <NUM> is attached to the recording apparatus <NUM>, the ink reception tube <NUM> is inserted into the ink supply portion 73a through the insertion portion <NUM> of the joint member <NUM>, and the first valve <NUM> moves to the housing <NUM> side by the ink reception tube <NUM> and separates from the sealing portion <NUM>. Then, an opening 21a of the ink reception tube <NUM> communicates with the ink supply portion 73a. Then, the inside of the ink supply portion 73a is depressurized by the ink reception tube <NUM>, and the second valve <NUM> moves to the insertion portion <NUM> side. In this manner, the ink in the housing <NUM> becomes able to flow into the ink supply portion 73a through the flow path opening 79a, and the ink in the housing <NUM> is supplied to the recording apparatus <NUM> via the ink reception tube <NUM>. The ink flows in directions indicated by solid arrows in <FIG>. That is, in this sealing configuration, when the ink cartridge <NUM> is present alone, the sealing properties at a supply port (the first opening) are high, and when the ink cartridge <NUM> is attached to the recording apparatus <NUM>, the supply port is easy to open.

<FIG> illustrates a diagram of the second valve <NUM> viewed from the direction of an arrow in <FIG> (a -y-direction in <FIG>). It is desirable that the area of a circle calculated with an outermost diameter D of the second valve <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> should be <NUM><NUM> or more and <NUM><NUM> or less. Based on this range, if the load applied to the spring <NUM> when the ink cartridge <NUM> is attached to the recording apparatus <NUM> is <NUM> N or more and <NUM> N or less, and in a case where the ink supply portion 73a is depressurized when ink is supplied to the recording apparatus <NUM>, it is possible to easily release the second valve <NUM>.

A second exemplary embodiment according to the invention is described with a focus on the differences from the first exemplary embodiment. <FIG> illustrates a cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge according to the second exemplary embodiment. The ink cartridge is in the state where the cover member is not attached to the ink cartridge. <FIG> illustrates an enlarged view of a portion indicated by C in <FIG>. To represent the orientation of the ink cartridge when subjected to an air removal process described below, <FIG> illustrates the insertion portion <NUM> of the joint member <NUM> to be on the upper side.

In a case where the initial filling amount of ink in the same container is changed according to the usage pattern of the user, if a filling amount is small, the proportion of air in the housing <NUM> becomes high. Thus, there is a possibility that when the ink cartridge is left under high temperature, the inner pressure of the housing <NUM> increases, and the housing <NUM> deforms. However, as described in the first exemplary embodiment, the housing <NUM> has a two-layer structure and the inner layer 70b is formed of a flexible material, whereby it is possible to remove air to the extent that the inside of the housing <NUM> is not pressurized even under high temperature.

<FIG> schematically illustrate the state where an air removal process is performed on the ink cartridge illustrated in <FIG>. In the air removal process, to remove only air in the housing <NUM>, it is desirable that the ink cartridge should be oriented vertically along the vertical direction. As described in the first exemplary embodiment, a space formed by a joint member <NUM> and the flow path member <NUM> is an ink supply portion 83a. In the joint member <NUM>, an air vent port 83b is provided, which can cause the ink supply portion 83a as the inside, to communicate with the outside. The air vent port 83b is an opening different from the first and second openings. In the process of manufacturing the ink cartridge, the housing <NUM> is filled with ink, then, the joint member <NUM> joined to the flow path member <NUM> is joined to the housing <NUM>, and then, air in the inner layer 70b, which is an ink storage portion of the housing <NUM>, is removed.

In the air removal process, first, air is suctioned through the air vent port 83b, thereby depressurizing the inside of the ink supply portion 83a. Consequently, the second valve <NUM>, which functions as an air backflow check valve, moves to the insertion portion <NUM> side (in the direction of a white arrow in <FIG>) and releases the flow path opening 79a, and the inside of the housing <NUM> and the ink supply portion 83a communicate with each other. Then, air is further suctioned, whereby it is possible to remove air in the inner layer 70b through the air vent port 83b (indicated by a dashed arrow in <FIG>). At this time, the inner layer 70b deforms in the directions of contraction as indicated by solid arrows in <FIG> according to the amount of the removed air.

In this case, the surface of the first valve <NUM> on the side where the first valve <NUM> is connected to the spring <NUM> (the surface on a supporting portion 74d side) is a spring connection surface 74e of the first valve <NUM>. In the air removal process, it is necessary to move only the second valve <NUM>. Thus, it is desirable that the area of the surface (spring connection surface) 76a of the second valve <NUM> on the side where the second valve <NUM> is connected to the spring <NUM> should be larger than the area of the spring connection surface 74a of the first valve <NUM>. Specifically, it is desirable that the area of the spring connection surface 76a of the second valve <NUM> should be greater than or equal to <NUM> times and less than or equal to <NUM> times the area of the spring connection surface 74a of the first valve <NUM>. In a case where each valve includes a spring supporting portion, the upper surface of the spring supporting portion may be considered as included in the spring connection surface.

Further, at this time, the second valve <NUM> moves to the insertion portion <NUM> side. Thus, the spring <NUM> is compressed, and the sealing properties of the insertion portion <NUM> by the first valve <NUM> further increase. This reduces the entry of air into the ink supply portion 83a through the insertion portion <NUM> (the first opening), whereby it is possible to efficiently suction only air in the housing <NUM>. Further, as illustrated in <FIG>, after the air removal process, the air vent port 83b is sealed by welding a film <NUM>. At this time, during the air removal process and the film welding process, the depressurization in the ink supply portion 83a is terminated, and the second valve <NUM> is biased again to the flow path member <NUM> side as illustrated in <FIG>. Consequently, the flow path opening 79a is closed against the ink supply portion 83a, whereby the backflow of air to the housing <NUM> side is reduced.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments.

Claim 1:
An ink cartridge (<NUM>) storing ink, comprising:
an ink housing inner layer (70b); and
an ink flow path extending from the ink housing inner layer (70b) to outside of the ink cartridge (<NUM>),
wherein the ink flow path includes:
a first opening (<NUM>) that opens toward the outside;
a second opening (79a) that opens to an opposite side of the first opening (<NUM>) and opens toward the ink housing (70b);
a first valve (<NUM>) configured to seal the first opening (<NUM>) from inside of the ink flow path toward the outside;
a second valve (<NUM>) configured to seal the second opening (79a) from the inside of the ink flow path toward the ink housing inner layer (70b); and
a biasing member (<NUM>) disposed between the first valve (<NUM>) and the second valve (<NUM>),
wherein the biasing member (<NUM>) is configured to come into contact with the first valve (<NUM>) and the second valve (<NUM>), bias the first valve (<NUM>) in a direction to seal the first opening (<NUM>), and bias the second valve (<NUM>) in a direction to seal the second opening (79a), characterized in that
the ink flow path includes a third opening (83b) different from the first valve (<NUM>) and the second valve (<NUM>) and capable of communicating the inside of the ink cartridge and the outside of the ink cartridge.