JP3255659B2 - Recording apparatus and ink jet cartridge used therein - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and an ink jet cartridge used for the recording apparatus .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As described in JP-A-64-26452 and the like, in a certain kind of ink jet recording cartridge, a typical polyether type polyurethane foam is used as an ink reservoir to form a network and felt. It is known that a foam (ink absorber) is used. However, since impurities remain in the foam, there is a possibility that the ink may be contaminated when used as an ink reservoir of an ink jet cartridge or the fluid characteristics of the ink may be adversely affected. No. 26452 describes a method of determining the cleanliness of a foam.
No. 4,824,887) discloses an apparatus for cleaning a foam.

[0003] That is, the former is to control the amount of non-volatile residue remaining on the foam after washing to 0.2% by weight or less based on the foam, and to control the surface of the ink stored in the foam. Tension is 40 dyne /
cm or not more than 7 dyne / cm. Also, the latter discloses a recirculating, closed-loop, automatic contaminant removal system using Freon 113 as a solvent from the viewpoint that simply rinsing the foam with a solvent is not sufficient. However, both are only concerned with the cleaning of non-volatile residues in the foam, which cause clogging of the outlet.

[0004] Conventionally, in order to house the above-mentioned ink absorber in an ink jet cartridge and use it, it has been often the case that an ether-based polyurethane foam is hot-pressed. After cutting the foamed polyurethane into a predetermined thickness, the foamed polyurethane is made into open cells by a known film removing step.
The ink absorber was obtained by hot pressing at a high temperature of about 90 to 210 ° C., and then cutting to a predetermined size. By performing heat pressing, the rigidity of the ink absorber is improved, making the insertion process into the ink tank easier, and the ink absorber does not vibrate in the ink tank, making the ink transport to the ejection ports more stable. It will be.

[0005] In this case, if the ink absorber that has been hot pressed is used, the impurities contained in the ink absorber elute into the ink, and as a result, the print quality deteriorates.
Therefore, conventionally, after performing a hot press, the ink absorber is washed with a halocarbon-based solvent represented by Freon, placed in an ink tank after drying, and impregnated with the ink,
Absorbed.

[0006] Ink cartridges using such an absorber are packaged one by one in an airtight storage container in order to prevent volatilization and evaporation of the ink, and to prevent the ink from leaking. A seal member such as a seal tape is attached so as to cover all of the openings that are open to the device.
In this case, a cap having an elastic member is attached from above the seal member to ensure airtightness. Rubber or the like can be used as such an elastic member.

[0007]

However, in the above prior art, a special cleaning device is required because the cleaning of the foam uses a highly volatile fluorocarbon solvent which is harmful to the environment. In addition, irrespective of the fact that the fluorocarbon solvent is used for the purpose of cleaning, there is a disadvantage that even if a small amount of the fluorocarbon solvent remains in the foam due to poor compatibility with the ink, adverse effects on recording are likely to occur.

In addition, since the nonvolatile impurities are measured based on the change in the weight of the foam as the dry weight of the extract, and the degree of washing is evaluated, the measured values are not accurate due to the strong hygroscopicity of the foam itself and the impurities themselves. It is difficult to obtain a foam having sufficient cleanliness due to lack of reproducibility and reproducibility.
Furthermore, since the non-volatile impurities are simply defined as the dry weight of the extract, its identity is unknown and efficient and effective control of the causative substances is difficult. As described above, even in the prior art, there is a large variation in the evaluation of the cleanliness of the foam, and there has been a problem that a highly reliable product cannot always be supplied.

Further, when the ink is leaked for some reason during handling of the ink jet cartridge, the rubber does not absorb the ink, so that the ink contaminates the ink jet cartridge and further adheres to the electric contacts. May cause poor contact.
Therefore, the present inventors have studied using a material having ink absorbency as the elastic member. As the ink-absorbing material, a foamed polyurethane composed of cells having a fine continuous structure is preferable, and the use of an ester-based foamed polyurethane produced by a known method by polymerization of a polyester polyol and a diisocyanate was studied. . However, when the above-mentioned ester-based foamed polyurethane is used as the elastic member of the cap of the ink-jet cartridge, the foamed polyurethane deteriorates when stored for a long period of time (one month or more), particularly at a high temperature (eg, about 60 ° C.). In addition, it has been found that there is a problem that the seal member is not pressed at all due to the loss of elasticity and the water absorption is reduced, so that ink leakage occurs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and to suppress the elution of impurities that elute from the ink absorber into the ink and degrade the recording quality, and the cartridge. And a recording device using the same. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for obtaining a foam having a constant degree of cleanliness, based on a novel quantitative method that can accurately and reproducibly measure the amount of impurities in the foam, and that an environmental problem also occurs. There is no effective cleaning method.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet cartridge having an ink absorber which does not require a washing step because the elution of impurities into the ink is extremely small and does not deteriorate the recording quality even after long-term storage. And a recording apparatus using the cartridge. Still another object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet cartridge having an ink absorber capable of preventing deterioration of recording quality due to such elution of impurities and maintaining stable recording quality for a long time, and the cartridge. A recording device is provided.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a cap having an elastic member which is not deteriorated by storage or distribution for a long period of time, particularly at high temperature, and which can absorb ink leaks, if any. An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet cartridge and a recording apparatus using the cartridge.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION As described above, the present invention has been completed in the course of pursuing new problems by clarifying the main factors in various examinations on various methods of use and recording methods. It is the invention which was made. The main constituent requirements are the characteristics of the ink absorber itself that can satisfy the proper ink holding force, negative pressure generating force, and long-term use characteristics in any use condition, or the ink absorption to the ink in the ink holding condition in the use condition. It can be roughly classified into the state change characteristics in the use environment of the body. In each of these cases, the elution from the ink absorber that elutes into the ink is a common new technical problem.

Regarding the state change characteristics of the ink absorber in the use environment with respect to the ink, the amount of impurities eluted from the ink absorber per gram of ink, which depends on the amount of ink in the environment where the ink absorber is located, should be examined. Was found to be optimal. Of course, regarding the characteristics of the ink absorber itself, the amount of eluted impurities in the entire ink absorber must be examined, and as a result, it has been found that it is optimal to examine the amount of eluted impurities per gram of the ink absorber. It was. Moreover, the optimal conditions are:
By satisfying the appropriate conditions for both the state change characteristics of the ink absorber in the usage environment of the ink and the characteristics of the ink absorber itself, extremely stable effects are achieved even for a wide variety of manufacturing variations and usage conditions. It was also found out.

Accordingly, the present invention will be described focusing on the amount of impurities eluted from the ink absorber per gram of ink in an ink tank holding ink or an ink absorber positioned in a large amount of ink. Regarding the ink absorber for holding the ink, the description will focus on the amount of eluting impurities per gram of the ink absorber. In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present inventors have determined that the condition value of the amount of impurities eluted from the ink absorber into the ink is such that the weight% of the impurities eluted in the ink is 0.04% by weight or less per gram of the ink. It is important that the condition value of the amount of impurities eluted in the entire ink absorber is set to 0.1 per g of the ink absorber.
It has been found that it is important that the content is 2% by weight or less.
The ink jet cartridge of the present invention is used for recording.
For storing the ink, a storage unit for storing the ink, and the storage
Absorber for impregnating the ink stored in the unit
Energy generating means for discharging the ink
And in the ink jet cartridge having
The ink absorber should be at or below the thermal decomposition acceleration temperature.
Characterized by being heated and compressed at a temperature of
This is an ink jet cartridge. The present invention
Another aspect of a jet cartridge is used for recording.
Ink, a storage unit for storing the ink, and the storage unit
Ink absorber stored in the container for impregnating the ink
Energy generating means for discharging the ink
And in the ink jet cartridge having
The ink absorber should be at or below the thermal decomposition acceleration temperature.
Reacts with the ink absorber after being heated and compressed at a temperature of
Cleaned with detergent containing non-polar organic solvent
Solvent that elutes from the ink absorber to the ink.
The product has a characteristic of not more than 0.04% by weight based on the ink.
An ink jet cartridge characterized in that
You. Other inkjet cartridges according to the present invention
Aspects include ink for use in recording and storage of the ink.
A storage section to be stored and impregnated with the ink stored in the storage section
And an ink absorber for discharging the ink.
Ink jet cart having energy generating means
In the ridge, the ink absorber is an ink absorber.
The ink is heated and compressed at a temperature not higher than the thermal decomposition accelerating temperature,
Impregnated with ink of pH 7 or more and pH 10 or less,
The eluate eluted from the ink absorber into the ink is
Have a characteristic of 0.04% by weight or less with respect to
An ink jet cartridge characterized by the following. Departure
Another aspect of the inkjet cartridge according to the present invention is as follows.
Ink to be used for recording and storage for storing the ink
And a part for impregnating the ink stored in the storage part.
Ink absorber and energy for discharging the ink
An ink jet cartridge having
The ink absorber promotes thermal decomposition of the ink absorber.
Heated and compressed at a temperature equal to or lower than the advanced temperature,
Washed with detergent containing non-reactive polar organic solvent
Eluted from the ink absorber into the ink.
Eluate is less than 0.04% by weight based on the ink
And the ink has a pH of 7 to 10
Characterized by being impregnated with different inks.
Cartridge. Inkjet according to the present invention
Another aspect of the cartridge is an ink jet recording apparatus
Contains ink to be used for recording and the ink
A storage section, and a storage section for impregnating the ink stored in the storage section.
And an energy absorber for discharging the ink.
Energy generating means;
And driving means for driving the discharge energy generating means
And move the ink jet cartridge in a predetermined direction.
Inkjet recording device having a carriage
In the above, the ink absorber is a part of the ink absorber.
Formed at a temperature below the critical temperature during thermal compression,
Wash containing polar organic solvent not reactive with ink absorber
It has been washed with a cleaning agent, and
The eluate eluted into the ink is 0.04 times the ink
% Or less, and the ink has a pH of 7 or less.
Characterized by being impregnated with an ink having an upper pH of 10 or less.
This is an inkjet recording apparatus.

[0016] Other objects and features of the present invention will be understood from the following description. The following embodiments will be described focusing on the optimum embodiment of the present invention, but it goes without saying that the present invention includes all the applications of the inventive concept disclosed in the specification. The present invention provides an ink for recording, a storage unit for storing the ink, an ink absorber stored in the storage unit and impregnated with the ink,
An energy generating means for discharging the ink, wherein the ink absorber is heated and compressed at a temperature not higher than a thermal decomposition promoting temperature of the ink absorber, and reacts with the ink absorber. A cleaning agent containing a polar organic solvent having no neutrality, which has been washed until the eluate eluted from the ink absorber into the ink becomes 0.04% by weight or less of the ink, The ink which is impregnated with the ink held at 10 or more and eluted is 0.04% by weight or less based on the ink, and is made of a polymer elastic porous body having open cells therein. It is characterized by. Each of the above-mentioned items may be a single requirement, or may be combined into one requirement.

Still further, according to the present invention, an ink, an ink storage unit for storing the ink, a discharge unit communicating with the ink storage unit, and an ink discharge unit configured to apply energy to the ink in accordance with a recording signal to cause the ink to be discharged from the ink discharge unit An energy generating means for discharging the ink toward the recording medium, and a storage member that covers the ink discharge portion and prevents the ink from leaking from the ink discharge portion during storage and distribution, and a seal member. In an ink jet cartridge, a cap having an elastic member that presses toward the ink discharge portion is attached, wherein the elastic member is made of open-cell foamed polyurethane, and the foamed polyurethane is manufactured using polyether polyol as a polyol. It is characterized by having been done.

[0018]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an inkjet cartridge 1 used in an inkjet recording apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
1 is a perspective view, and FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the configuration of the ink jet cartridge 11. Hereinafter, description will be made mainly with reference to FIG.
For drawings to be referred to together, the drawing numbers are written in parentheses.

The ink jet cartridge 11 includes an ink jet head 12 corresponding to a recording head integrally formed with a large number of discharge ports 30, and an ink jet unit including the ink jet head 12, in which electric wiring and ink piping are integrated. 13 and an ink tank 14 for storing ink are integrally provided.
In the ink jet cartridge 11 of this example, the ink storage ratio is larger than that of the conventional ink cartridge, and the ink jet unit 1 is slightly smaller than the front surface of the ink tank 14.
3 has a protruding tip. The ink jet cartridge 11 is a disposable type that is fixedly supported by positioning means and electrical contacts of a carriage 16 mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus main body 15 described later, and is detachable from the carriage 16 ( (See FIG. 5).

First, the configuration of the ink jet head 12 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, in order to discharge the recording liquid (ink) from the plurality of discharge ports 30 provided in a row, the inkjet head 12 is supplied with an applied voltage to generate electric energy. A converter 40 is provided for each liquid path. Then, by applying a drive signal, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal converter 40 to cause film boiling, thereby forming bubbles in the ink liquid path. Then, the ink droplet is ejected from the ejection port 30 by the growth of the bubble. Each electrothermal converter 4
Numeral 0 is provided on a heater board 100 made of a silicon substrate, and is integrally formed with a wiring (not shown) of aluminum or the like for supplying electric power to each electrothermal transducer 40 by a film forming technique. A grooved top plate 130 provided with a partition for dividing a plurality of ink flow paths, a common liquid chamber 1301 for temporarily storing ink supplied to each ink flow path, and the like.
0 and the ink from the ink tank 14
1 and an orifice plate 400 having a plurality of discharge ports 30 corresponding to each ink flow path, are integrally formed, and polyether sulfone is preferable as the material thereof. Polyether sulfone, polyphenylene oxide Other molding resin materials such as polypropylene and polypropylene may be used.

Next, the configuration of the ink jet unit 13 will be described. One end of the wiring board 200 is mutually connected to a wiring portion of the heater board 100 of the ink jet head 12, and the other end of the wiring board 200 has each electrothermal converter 4 for receiving an electric signal from the main body device.
0 (FIG. 3) are provided. Thus, the electric signal from the main unit is supplied to each electrothermal converter 40.

A metal support 300 that supports the back surface of the wiring board 200 on a plane serves as a bottom plate of the ink jet unit 13. The holding spring 500 is M-shaped,
At the center of the character, the common liquid chamber 1301 (FIG. 3) is pressed with light pressure, and a part of the liquid path, preferably in the vicinity of the discharge port 30, is concentrated and pressed with linear pressure at the front drooping portion 501. The heater board 100 and the top plate 1300 are engaged in a sandwiched state by the legs of the presser spring 500 being engaged with the back side of the supporter 300 through the holes 3121 of the supporter 300, so that the presser spring 500 is engaged. And are pressed and fixed to each other by the concentrated biasing force of the front drooping portion 501. The support body 300 has holes 312, 1900, and 2000 that engage with the two positioning protrusions 1012 and the positioning and heat-fusion holding protrusions 1800 and 1801, respectively, of the ink tank 14, and the positioning protrusions with respect to the carriage 16. 250
0,2600 on the back side. The support 30
0, the ink supply pipe 2200 from the ink tank 14
A hole 320 is provided to allow the passage of a hole (described later).
The attachment of the wiring board 200 to the support 300 is performed by sticking with an adhesive or the like.

The recesses 2400, 2400 of the support 300
Are provided in the vicinity of the projections 2500 and 2600, respectively.
In FIG. 1, three sides around it are parallel grooves 3000,
Unnecessary substances such as dust and ink are located at the extension point of the tip end region of the head formed in step 3001.
Not to reach. As shown in FIG. 5, the lid member 800 in which the parallel grooves 3000 are formed forms an outer wall of the ink jet cartridge 11 and also forms a space for accommodating the ink jet unit 13 with the ink tank 14. Also, the parallel groove 3001
Is formed as a cantilever with the ink supply pipe 2200 side fixed, and the ink supply pipe 600 connected to the ink supply pipe 2000 is connected to the fixed side of the ink supply pipe 2200. A sealing pin 602 for ensuring a capillary phenomenon between the sealing pin 602 and the base member 2200 is inserted. The packing 6 for sealing the ink tank 14 and the ink supply pipe 2200 is connected.
01 is provided, and a filter 700 is provided at an end of the ink supply pipe 2200 on the ink tank 14 side.

Since the ink supply member 600 is made by molding, it is inexpensive, has high positional accuracy, does not cause a reduction in manufacturing accuracy, and has a cantilevered ink conduit 16.
00, the ink conduit 1600 even during mass production.
Is stable against the ink receiving port 1500. In this example, a more complete communication state can be reliably obtained only by pouring the sealing adhesive from the ink supply member 600 side under this pressure contact state. The fixing of the ink supply member 600 to the support 300 is performed by using two pins (not shown) on the back side of the ink supply member 600.
This can be easily performed by projecting through the holes 01901 and 1902, respectively, and heat-sealing them. The slightly protruding region of the heat-sealed back surface portion is the ink tank 1
4 is accommodated in a recess (not shown) on the side surface on the side to which the inkjet unit 13 is attached, so that the positioning surface of the inkjet unit 13 can be obtained accurately.

Next, the configuration of the ink tank 14 will be described. The ink tank 14 is provided in the cartridge body 100.
0, an ink absorber 900, and a lid member 1100,
The ink absorber 900 is moved to the ink jet unit 13
After being inserted into the cartridge main body 1000 from the opposite side, it is formed by sealing this with the lid member 1100.

The ink absorber 900 is for impregnating and holding ink, and the cartridge body 1000
Is placed within. The details will be described later. The ink supply port 1200 serves to supply ink to the inkjet unit 13 and also serves as a supply port for impregnating the ink absorber 900 with ink in the assembly process of the inkjet cartridge 11. Further, the ink tank 14 is provided with an air communication port 1401 for communicating the atmosphere to the inside. I have.

In this embodiment, in order to supply ink from the ink absorber 900 satisfactorily, the cartridge body 100
0 and the partial rib 231 of the lid member 1100
0, 2320, the air existing area in the ink tank 14 is formed so as to be continuous from the air communication port 1401 side and formed over the area of the corner farthest from the ink supply port 1200. Absorber 90
It is important that relatively good and uniform ink supply to 0 is performed from the ink supply port 1200 side. This method is extremely effective in practice. This rib 2300
Are provided on the rear surface of the cartridge main body 1000 of the ink tank 14 in parallel with the moving direction of the carriage 16 (FIG. 6), to prevent the ink absorber 900 from sticking to the rear surface. Also, the partial ribs 2310, 2
320 are provided on the inner surface of the lid member 1100 corresponding to each of the ribs 2300 and extending therefrom.
Unlike the rib 2300, the rib 2300 is in a divided state, so that the space where air exists is larger than that of the former. Note that the partial ribs 2310 and 2320 are distributed on a surface that is less than half the total area of the lid member 1100. With these ribs, the ink in the corner area farthest from the ink supply port 1200 of the ink absorber 900 could be more stably guided to the ink supply port 1200 side by capillary force.

The above-described arrangement of the ribs is particularly effective because the ink accommodating space of the above-described ink tank 14 has a rectangular shape and has long sides on the side surfaces. In the case where the cover member 1100 has a long side or a cubic shape in the moving direction, the provision of the ribs on the entire cover member 1100 can stabilize the ink supply from the ink absorber 900. A rectangular parallelepiped shape is suitable for storing ink in a limited space as much as possible, but in order to use this stored ink for recording without waste, as described above, It is important to provide ribs capable of performing the above-described operation in two adjacent areas. Further, the inner rib of the ink tank 14 in this embodiment is
The ink absorbers 900 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape are arranged with a substantially uniform distribution in the thickness direction. This configuration allows the ink consumption of the entire ink absorber 900 to be substantially equalized with the atmospheric pressure distribution while the ink usage can be substantially maximized. Further, the technical idea on the arrangement of the ribs will be described in detail. When an arc having a long side as a radius is drawn around the position where the ink supply port 1200 of the ink tank 14 is projected on the upper surface of the rectangular parallelepiped. It is important to arrange the ribs on the surface outside the arc so that the atmospheric pressure state is given to the absorber located outside the arc at an early stage. In this case, the air communication port of the ink tank is not limited to this example as long as the air can be introduced into the rib arrangement area.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the rear surface of the ink-jet cartridge 11 with respect to the ink-jet head 12 is flattened to minimize the required space when the ink-jet cartridge 11 is incorporated in the apparatus, and to maximize the ink storage amount. As a result, the size of the apparatus can be reduced, and the frequency of replacing the cartridge can be reduced. And the inkjet unit 1
Utilizing a rear portion of a space for integrating the air absorbing member 3, a protruding portion for the air communication port 1401 is formed therein, and the inside of the protruding portion is hollowed, and the ink absorber 9 described above is formed here.
An atmospheric pressure supply space 1402 for the entire thickness of 00 is formed. With this configuration, it was possible to provide an excellent ink jet cartridge not seen in the related art. Note that the atmospheric pressure supply space 1402 is a space much larger than the conventional one, and since the air communication port 1401 is located above, even if the ink separates from the ink absorber 900 due to some abnormality. , This atmospheric pressure supply space 1
The ink cartridge 402 can hold the ink temporarily, can be reliably collected by the ink absorber 900, and can provide an excellent cartridge without waste.

FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the mounting surface of the ink tank 14 on which the ink jet unit 13 is mounted. It passes through substantially the center of the discharge port of the orifice plate 400 and passes through the bottom of the ink tank 14 or the carriage 16.
Let L ₁ be a straight line parallel to the mounting reference plane on the surface of the first member.
012 are on the straight line L _1. The height of the protrusion 1012 is slightly lower than the thickness of the support 300, and the height of the support 30
Positioning of 0 is performed. _On the extension of the straight line L1 in this drawing, as shown in FIG. 5, there is a claw 2100 with which a 90 ° angle engaging surface 4002 of the positioning hook 4001 of the carriage 16 is engaged. acting force of the positioning is arranged to act in a plane parallel area to the reference surface including the straight line L ₁ for. As will be described later, these relationships are effective because the positioning accuracy of only the ink tank 14 is equivalent to the positioning accuracy of the ejection port of the inkjet head 12. Further, fixing holes 190 are formed on the side of the ink tank 14 of the support 300.
The protrusions 1800 and 1801 of the ink tank 14 corresponding to 0 and 2000, respectively, are longer than the above-described protrusion 1012, and the portions protruding through the support 300 are heat-sealed to fix the support 300 to the side surfaces. It is for.
Straight line L passing through the projection 1800 is perpendicular to the line L ₁ of the above
_3, when a straight line L ₂ passing through the projection 1801, the straight line L ₃
Since the center of the ink supply port 1200 is located substantially at the top, the connection state between the ink supply port 1200 and the ink supply pipe 2200 is stabilized, and the load on these connection states is reduced even by dropping or impact. In addition, the straight lines L ₂ and L ₃ do not coincide with each other, and the projections 1800 and 1801 exist around the protrusion 1012 on the ejection port side of the inkjet head 12. Therefore, the effect of reinforcing the positioning of the inkjet head 12 with respect to the ink tank 14 is further enhanced. Is born. In addition,
Curve L ₄ represents a outer wall position when mounting of the ink supply member 600. Since the projections 1800 and 1801 are along the curve L ₄ , sufficient strength and positional accuracy are given to the weight of the tip side configuration of the inkjet head 12. The leading edge 2700 of the ink tank 14 is
The ink tank 14 is inserted into a hole of the front plate 4000 (FIG. 5) of FIG. Retainer 210 for carriage 16
1 is provided for a bar (not shown) of the carriage 16, and moves in an upward direction to enter below the bar at a position where the inkjet cartridge 11 is pivotally mounted as described later and to unnecessarily separate from the positioning position. This is a protection member for maintaining the mounted state even when a force is applied.

The ink tank 14 is covered with a lid member 800 after the ink jet unit 13 is mounted,
Although the ink-jet unit 13 has a shape surrounding the lower opening except for the lower opening, the lower opening for mounting the ink-jet cartridge 11 on the carriage 16 is close to the carriage 16, so that a substantially four-sided surrounding space is formed. Would. Therefore, the heat generated from the inkjet head 12 in the surrounding space is effective as a heat retaining space in this space, but the temperature rises slightly during long-term continuous use. For this reason, in this example, the ink jet cartridge 1
1, a slit 17 having a width smaller than this space is provided.
By providing 00, it was possible to prevent the temperature from rising and to make the temperature distribution of the entire inkjet unit 13 uniform without being affected by the environment.

When assembled as an ink-jet cartridge 11, ink is supplied from the inside of the cartridge body 1000 through an ink supply port 1200, a hole 320 provided in the support 300, and an introduction port provided on the middle and back sides of the ink supply member 600. After being supplied into the supply member 600 and passing through the inside, it flows into the common liquid chamber from an outlet through an appropriate supply pipe and an ink receiving port 1500 of the top plate 1300. In the connection section for ink communication described above,
For example, a backing made of silicon rubber, butyl rubber, or the like is provided, and sealing is performed to secure an ink supply path.

As described above, since the ink supply member 600, the top plate 1300, the orifice plate 400, and the cartridge body 1000 are each integrally formed parts, not only the assembling accuracy becomes high, but also the quality during mass production is improved. It is extremely effective. Further, since the number of parts is smaller than that of a conventional product, desired excellent characteristics can be surely exhibited.

In this embodiment, after assembling the ink jet cartridge 11, as shown in FIG.
The upper end 603 of the ink supply member 600 and the end 40 of the roof with the elongated opening 1700 of the ink tank 14
08, there is a gap 1701. Similarly, the lower surface portion 604 of the ink supply member 600
A gap (not shown) is formed between the thin plate member and the head-side end portion 4011 to which the lid member 800 below the ink tank 14 is bonded. These gaps further promote the heat radiating action of the opening 1700 and also prevent the unnecessary force applied to the ink tank 14 from being directly applied to the ink supply member 600 and the inkjet unit 13. ing.

In any case, the above-described configuration of the present embodiment is not provided in the related art, and each of them has an effective effect independently, and has a special effect when combined. Next, the carriage 16
The attachment of the inkjet cartridge 11 to the printer will be described.

In FIG. 5, a platen roller 5000
Guides a recording medium 5200 (for example, recording paper) from the back of the drawing paper toward the paper surface. The carriage 16 moves along the longitudinal direction of the platen roller 5000, and is in front of the carriage 16, that is, the platen roller 50.
00, a front plate 4000 (2 mm thick) located on the front side of the ink jet cartridge 11, a support plate 4003 for an electric connection portion described later, and a positioning plate for fixing the ink jet cartridge 11 at a predetermined recording position. A hook 4001 is provided. Front plate 4000 is
The inkjet cartridge 11 has two positioning projections 4010 corresponding to the projections 2500 and 2600 of the support 300 of the support 300, and receives a vertical force toward the projection 4010 after the inkjet cartridge 11 is mounted.
For this reason, the reinforcing rib has a plurality of ribs (not shown) on the platen roller 5000 side of the front plate 4000 that are directed in the direction of the vertical force. The ribs are slightly (approximately 0.1 mm) than the front position L ₅ of the ink jet cartridge 11 when mounting also forms a head protective projections projecting to the platen roller 5000 side. The support plate 4003 has a plurality of reinforcing ribs 4004 extending in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing, and the ratio of the protrusions to the sides decreases from the platen roller 5000 side toward the hook 4001 side. The cartridge 11 is mounted obliquely as shown. The support plate 4003 is a flexible sheet 40 having pads 2011 corresponding to the pads 201 of the wiring board 200 of the ink jet cartridge 11.
05 and a rubber pad sheet 4007 with a notch for generating an elastic force to press it against each pad 2011 from the back side. The support plate 4003 is a pad 2
In order to stabilize the electrical contact state between the pad and the pad 2011, the positioning surface 4006 on the hook 4001 side for exerting an operation force on the ink jet cartridge 11 in a direction opposite to the direction of operation of the above-mentioned projection surface 4010 is formed as a projection surface. 40
10 and a pad contact area is formed between them, and the amount of deformation of the notch of the notched rubber sheet 4007 corresponding to the pad 2011 is uniquely defined. When the positioning surface 4006 is fixed to a position where the inkjet cartridge 11 can record, the positioning surface 4006 comes into contact with the surface of the wiring board 200. Since the pads 201 are then distributed to be symmetrical with respect to the line L ₁ described above, the amount of deformation of each Bocci of Bocci with rubber pad sheet 4007 becomes uniform, the contact pressure between the pads 2011 and the pads 201 are more stable Become In this example, the distribution of the pads 201 is upper, lower two rows, and vertical two rows. The hook 4001 is attached to the fixed shaft 40
09, which rotates counterclockwise from the position shown in the figure using the moving space of the elongated hole, and then moves leftward in the longitudinal direction of the platen roller 5000. To position the ink jet cartridge 11 with respect to the carriage 16. The hook 4001 may be moved in any manner, but is preferably configured to be moved by a lever or the like. In any case, when the hook 4001 rotates, the ink jet cartridge 11
00, and the positioning projections 2500, 260
0 moves to a position where it can contact the protruding surface 4010 of the front plate 4000. 9 by moving the hook 4001 to the left side.
While the hook surface 4002 of 0 ° is in close contact with the 90 ° surface of the claw 2100 of the ink jet cartridge 11, the ink jet cartridge 11
And the pad 201 and the pad 2011 finally come into contact with each other. When the hook 4001 is held at a predetermined position, that is, at a fixed position, a complete contact state between the pad 201 and the pad 2011, a complete surface contact between the projections 2500 and 2600 and the protruding surface 4010, and a state where the hook surface 4002 and the claw 2100 The two-sided contact of the 90 ° surface and the surface contact between the wiring board 200 and the positioning surface 4006 are simultaneously formed, and the holding of the ink jet cartridge 11 with respect to the carriage 16 is completed.

Next, the outline of the ink jet recording apparatus main body will be described. An overview of the ink jet recording apparatus 15 to which the present invention is applied is shown in FIG. Helical groove 5
The lead screw 5005 engraved with 004 is linked with the forward / reverse rotation of the drive motor 5013,
It is rotationally driven via 11,5009. Carriage 1
6 is engaged with a wire groove 5004 by a pin (not shown) provided in the mounting portion 5001 (FIG. 5), and furthermore, is slidably guided by a guide rail 5003, so that an arrow a shown in FIG. , B. The paper pressing plate 5002 presses the recording medium 5200 against the platen roller 5000 over the moving direction of the carriage 16. The photocouplers 5007 and 5008 are mounted on the carriage 16.
A home position detecting means for confirming the presence of the lever 5006 in this region and performing reverse rotation of the rotation direction of the drive motor 5013 and the like. Inkjet head 1
The cap member 5022 for capping the front surface of the second unit 2 is supported by a support member 5016, and further, is provided with suction means 501.
5 to perform suction recovery of the ink jet head 12 through the opening 5023 in the cap. Body support plate 501
8 has a support plate 5019 attached thereto.
019 slidably supported cleaning blade 5
017 is moved in the front-rear direction by a driving unit (not shown). The configuration of the cleaning blade 5017 is not limited to the illustrated one, and it is needless to say that a known blade can be applied to this embodiment. The lever 5012 is used to start the suction recovery operation. The lever 5012 moves with the movement of the cam 5020 that comes into contact with the carriage 16, and the drive motor 501 moves.
The driving force from the motor 3 is controlled by a known transmission means such as a gear 5010 or clutch switching.

These capping, cleaning, and suction recovery processes are performed at corresponding positions by the action of the lead screw 5005 when the carriage 16 reaches the home position side area. If a desired operation is performed at a known timing, any of the embodiments can be applied. Each of the above-described configurations is excellent both individually and in combination, and shows preferred configuration examples for the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, FIG. 10, and FIG. 11, the ink jet cartridge 11 is stored and distributed in an airtight storage container (packaging container) 60. The storage container 60 includes a container body 61 and a lid member 63.
And these are joined and integrated to be used as a storage container.

The container body 61 has a wall portion 61c which is maintained in a non-contact state with the ink jet cartridge 11 as the content, and an ink jet cartridge 11 which projects from the wall portion 61c toward the content accommodating region and is accommodated therein.
61a for supporting and fixing the position thereof,
3 and a flange portion 61b for integration with the joint 3 are provided. The recording head portion 101 of the inkjet cartridge 11 is maintained in a non-contact state with the wall 61c in the storage space. As shown, the recording head portion 101 of the four recesses 61a protruding into the storage space is provided.
If the degree of digging of the concave portion on the side where is located is increased so that the recording head portion 101 is located deeper in the storage space, the recording head portion 101 is better protected. At the same time, it is possible to prevent the user from inserting the inkjet cartridge 11 in the opposite direction (so-called erroneous insertion prevention).

The wall portion 61c needs to have particularly sufficient strength, and is formed of such a material and thickness. The thickness of the wall portion 61c may be appropriately selected depending on the type of the constituent material thereof, but is, for example, 0.1 mm or more, and preferably 0.1 mm or more.
The thickness is 3 mm or more, more preferably 0.5 mm or more, and the upper limit is, for example, 1.2 mm or less. On the other hand, the concave portion 61a preferably has a cushioning property of buffering or absorbing an impact for protecting the contents. That is, when the recess 61a is formed to have the same strength and rigidity as the wall 61c, the impact received by the wall 61c is easily transmitted directly to the content, which does not necessarily cause damage to the content. From such a viewpoint, the concave portion 61a
Is desirably formed with a relatively thin thickness and has elasticity. The thickness of the concave portion 61a can also be appropriately selected according to the constituent material thereof, for example, 0.8 mm or less, preferably 0.6 mm or less, more preferably 0.4 mm or less.
mm, and the lower limit is, for example, 0.05 mm or more.

As a constituent material of the container body 61, various resins and the like can be mentioned. The container main body 61 is produced, for example, by integral molding using a resin. The method of integral molding is preferable from the viewpoint of workability, production cost, and the like. In order to produce the container body 61 by integral molding, injection molding, vacuum molding, or the like of various resins can be used. Above all, for example, a method by injection molding using a resin such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer resin (ABS resin), polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, etc.
This is preferable because the thickness of 1a can be easily adjusted, can be performed at relatively low cost, and desired characteristics can be easily imparted to each part.

By providing the flange portion 61b at the bottom of the container main body 61, the container main body 61 and the lid member 63 are provided.
Can be easily and reliably joined. The flange portion 61b can be molded simultaneously with other portions when the container main body 61 is integrally molded. The thickness of the flange 61b may be approximately the same as the thickness of the wall 61c. This flange portion 61b has a joint area 6 between the container body 61 and the lid member 63.
Preferably, ribs 61e for reinforcement are provided along 2. The rib 61e is provided so as to protrude toward the lid member 63, but this protruding direction may be reversed. This is more preferable because it is more reliably performed using the rib 61e.

By making the corners such as the concave portions 61a and the rising portions of the wall portions 61c curved as shown in the figure, the shock absorbing properties thereof can be further improved. The radius of curvature of the curved portion is preferably relatively large, and the concave portion 61a
Is appropriately selected depending on the size of the film, for example, 2 mm or more, preferably 3 mm or more, more preferably 5 mm or more.

The shape of the concave portion 61 a is appropriately selected so that the protection of the ink jet cartridge 11 and the fixing of the position in the storage container 60 can be performed effectively. In the illustrated example, the ink jet cartridge 11 is supported by four concave portions 61a, and this mode is the most preferable in terms of protection and position fixing of the ink jet cartridge 11, but the number of the concave portions 61a can be appropriately selected.

If the clearance between the support portion of the ink jet cartridge 11 in the recess 61a and the ink jet cartridge 11 is too large, it is not preferable because rattling or displacement occurs in the storage container 60 of the ink jet cartridge 11. It is not preferable because the housing property of the cartridge 11 in the container main body 61 is deteriorated and the impact from the wall 61c is easily transmitted. These clearances correspond to the concave portions 61a.
And the compatibility between the concave portion 61a and the ink jet cartridge 11 may be appropriately selected, and may be, for example, about 0.5 mm to 3 mm, preferably about 0.5 mm to 2 mm.

The material and thickness of the lid member 63 are selected according to the weight and strength of the ink jet cartridge 11. As the lid member 63, for example, a resin or metal film, sheet or plate, or a laminate including at least one of them is used. When this laminated body is used as the lid member 63, if the surface layer of the lid member 63 on the non-adhesive surface side with the container main body 61 is paper, the paper is desorbed and absorbed by the influence of environmental changes, particularly humidity changes. Aluminum, polyvinylidene chloride,
It is preferable to coat a moisture-proof layer such as polypropylene to prevent deformation. In this case, it is also possible to prevent a force in the peeling direction from being applied to the joining region 62 between the container body 61 and the lid member 63 due to the curl deformation.

As the moisture-proof layer, polypropylene with a thickness of 15 to 100 μm is most preferable from the viewpoint of cost and strength. For joining the container body 61 and the lid member 63 after the inkjet cartridge 11 is housed in the container body 61,
Various joining methods are available. For example, the container body 61 and the lid member 63 can be formed of the same type of resin material, and these can be joined by a method such as heat fusion or ultrasonic welding. Further, an easy peel layer can be provided at least in a region necessary for joining of the lid member 63, and these can be bonded by using the easy peel layer. In the method using the easy peel layer, the lid member 63 can be easily removed from the container body 61 when unpacking. In addition, there is an advantage that the possibility of damaging the ink jet cartridge 11 is further reduced. In consideration of keeping the inside humidity by preventing moisture in this way, ease of opening, and the like, easy peel is preferable. As the easy-peel layer, for example, various hot-melt-based, polyethylene-based, and eval-based layers can be used.

It is preferable from the viewpoint of handling that the lid member 63 is provided with a knob 63a used for peeling off the joint with the container body 61. The knob 63a is provided at a position near the recording head portion 101 of the ink jet cartridge 11 in FIGS. 7 and 8, but is more preferably provided at a position as far as possible from the recording head portion 101. The reason is that when the cover member 63 is detached from the container body 61 by holding the knob 63a, the hand of the recording head portion 101 to be particularly protected in the ink jet cartridge 11 is prevented from being touched.

Further, by selecting the constituent material of the storage container 60 of the present invention, it is possible to maintain the humidity environment of the contents, that is, to obtain a moisture-proof function and a function of preventing the moisture contained in the contents from evaporating to the outside. it can. For example, as a constituent material of the container body 61, by using a material in which various resins are coated with a polyvinylidene chloride layer or an aluminum layer, a material having a moisture permeation preventing property, for example, polypropylene or the like,
The above-mentioned humidity environment maintaining function can be obtained. In addition, polypropylene is preferable from the viewpoint of manufacturing cost, moldability, workability, and the like.

Similarly, as a constituent material of the cover member 63, a resin film, sheet or plate material, a material in which a paper sheet or plate material is coated with a polyvinylidene chloride layer or an aluminum layer, a polypropylene having a moisture permeation preventing property is used. By using such a method, a good humidity environment maintaining function can be obtained. In order to improve both the shock absorbing property and the humidity environment maintaining function, for example, a material made of paper provided with an aluminum layer, and a layer (for example, an easy peel layer) for hermetically bonding to the container body is used. It is preferable to have a polypropylene layer on the non-adhesive surface (outer surface) for curling prevention. In particular, a laminate in which an aluminum layer is provided and a polypropylene layer is provided as the outermost layer on the non-adhesive surface side is preferable from the viewpoint of cost, impact buffering property and humidity environment maintaining function.

When a vacuum molding method using polypropylene is used for forming the container body 61, molding the concave portion 61a and the rising portion of the wall portion 61c as a curved portion as described above is not necessary for the container. This is preferable in that the shock absorbing property of the main body 61 is further improved and the container main body 61 has the above-described humidity environment maintaining function. Further, a male mold for extending a portion other than the portion serving as the ceiling portion 61d of the raw material sheet from the ceiling 61d of the container body 61 to the bottom surface (flange 61b) by vacuum to mold the concave portion 61a, the wall portion 61c, the curved portion, and the like. According to this method, the uniformity of the thickness of each part can be made better, and no pinholes are generated, which is preferable in improving the moisture permeation prevention in each part.

When a curved portion is not provided on the container body obtained by vacuum molding, the boundary between the wall portion and the concave portion and the boundary between the wall portion and the flange of the container body are formed as thin corners, and the pin is formed. Holes may be formed, breakage at the time of falling may easily occur, or the moisture permeation prevention of the portion may be reduced. For this reason, by forming these boundary portions as curved portions, the formation of a thin portion is more effectively prevented, and good moisture permeation resistance is obtained more uniformly over the entire container body. And an outer peripheral portion more resistant to a drop impact can be obtained.

FIG. 12 shows the attachment of the seal sheet 3 'according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this way, by completely closing the air communication port 13 with the discharge port 41 with the seal sheet 3 ′, all the openings opened to the outside can be covered with the seal sheet 3 ′, and the evaporation of ink can be prevented. Almost completely prevented. Next, the ink absorber 900 will be described.

First, the ink absorber according to the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as the ink absorber)
It is called "absorber". ) Is built into the ink storage cartridge of the inkjet recording head,
As the polymer elastic porous body having open cells therein, it is usually composed of a polyether-type polyurethane foam. The absorber has, for example, a polyether polyol, dioctyl phthalate, toluene diisocyanate, or the like as a raw material, and further reacts by a conventional method by adding an additive such as a silicon-based activator and foams to have a predetermined porosity. A foam is obtained, and if necessary, a known film removing step utilizing gas explosion is performed. Then, the foam is heated and compressed to a predetermined compression ratio, and then cut into a predetermined size. In such an absorber manufacturing process, since the unreacted raw material becomes an impurity during the foaming process, and the distribution of the impurities becomes uneven by the compression process, a considerable amount of impurities are unevenly formed in the completed absorber. It may be contained, and the absorber needs to be washed.

In the present invention, the term "absorber" refers to both the size itself after heating and compression and the size obtained by cutting the same into a predetermined size. A polar organic solvent that is not reactive with the absorber is a polar solvent having low volatility that does not substantially affect the absorber itself, such as alcohols, ketones,
Ethers, nitrogen-containing solvents and the like can be mentioned, but those which dissolve or corrode the urethane polymer, which is the skeleton structure part of the absorber itself, are inappropriate, and must not dissolve impurities well. No. Considering these, some of alcohols and ethers can be suitably used in the present invention. Among them, particularly effective ones are, for example, monohydric alcohols having 3 or less carbon atoms and alkyl ethers of polyhydric alcohols. Examples of such a monohydric alcohol include methanol, ethanol, and propanol, and examples of the polyhydric alcohol alkyl ether include methyl cellosolve, ethyl cellosolve, methyl carbitol, ethyl carbitol, and triethylene glycol monomethyl ether. Such substances do not significantly affect the physical properties of the ink even if they remain in the foam after cleaning.

These solvents may be used alone or as a mixture of two or more kinds. Further, they may be used as a mixed solvent with water. Particularly, a mixed solvent with water is more preferable from the viewpoint of safety. When a mixed solvent of water and a cleaning agent is used, the weight ratio of water to the organic solvent is 9: 1 to 1: 1.
A ratio of about 9 and preferably about 7: 3 to 1: 1 is suitable, and a sufficient cleaning ability can be maintained.

By using the above-mentioned polar solvent, non-volatile impurities (things other than the urethane polymer constituting the skeleton of the absorber, hereinafter referred to as “impurities”) present in the absorber,
It represents the eluate that elutes into the ink. ) Can be effectively removed because these polar solvents penetrate well into the urethane polymer part forming the skeleton of the absorber, efficiently extract unreacted monomers, etc., and dissolve these impurities well. Is assumed.

Next, the relationship between the solvent and the eluted impurities is described.
And the method for measuring impurities according to the present invention.
The principle of will be described. Absorber obtained by ordinary method
Wash with ethanol and evaporate the ethanol in this wash to dryness
And the infrared absorption (IR) spectrum of the remaining adhesive substance
Measurement (KBr tablet method), while urethane foam is separately
Raw materials and additives of polyether polyol, di
Similarly for octyl phthalate and silicon-based activators
Measuring the infrared absorption spectrum
FIG. 13 shows an example of the result of the component analysis of (1). IRs
The spectra are simple and easily combined with characteristic peaks
An object can be specified. The spectrum of the eluate obtained is
As a result of comparative study, the main eluate was polyether
Polyol and dioctyl phthalate, especially polyether
It was found that polyester polyol was predominant. sand
In other words, in FIG. 13, the infrared spectrum of the eluate from the absorber in FIG.
1730 cm^-1By the carbonyl group of
Of the dioctyl phthalate of (c)
Presence is indicated and 1110 cm^-1To the ether bond of
Due to the presence of the peak due to
And the presence of silicon-based activator (d)
Is 800 cm which is a characteristic absorption peak of a silanol group.^-1
Is not present in (a), which results in (a)
The eluate is polyether polyol and dioctylphthale
It can be concluded that the sheet is the main component. Furthermore, (a) spec
1730 cm in torr ^-1And 1110cm^-1No
By comparing the working depth, it is clear that the difference
As a result, most impurities in the eluate of the absorber are
It turns out that it is a polyether polyol.

The above results were obtained as a foam cleaning agent.
It shows that a material that can dissolve the polyether polyol well is preferable. Therefore, when a good solvent for polyether polyol was examined, it was found that the above-mentioned alkyl ethers of monohydric alcohols and polyhydric alcohols were particularly good. In the above method, ethanol is used for elution, but it has been found that water is slightly soluble and is effective as a water mixed solvent.

From the above results and various other results, the change in the peak depth of 1110 cm ^-1 attributed to the ether bond of the polyether polyol can be used to effectively determine the amount of impurities in the absorber as the amount of eluate. It turned out that it can be quantified. The above method can be applied when setting the type of the cleaning agent and the cleaning conditions in the present invention. Therefore, appropriate conditions may be appropriately set according to the target absorber.

It should be noted, may optionally also carried out at the peak of 1730 cm ^-1 is not limited to measurement by the IR spectrum peak of 1110 cm ^-1. Next, a method for quantifying the amount of eluate will be described in detail. For example, one absorber is washed with a certain amount of a detergent under a certain condition, and a certain amount of the washing liquid is taken.
Evaporate to dryness and then shape the residue into KBr tablets for infrared spectroscopy. This is applied to an infrared spectrometer to obtain a spectrum, and the peak depth at 1110 cm ^-1 is read. On the other hand, a predetermined amount of the polyether polyol is fractionated in advance, molded into a KBr tablet, and the infrared absorption spectrum is measured. If the peak depth of 1110 cm ^-1 is determined in advance and a calibration curve is prepared between the amount of polyether polyol and the peak depth, the amount of eluted material due to the difference in the washing conditions can be determined.

FIG. 14 shows an example of a calibration curve. The impurities were polyether polyols and the IR spectrum was 1110.
The relationship between the value measured by the above-described method, which is quantified at the cm ^-1 peak, and the physical properties of the ink is described below. Inconveniences that occur when an unwashed absorber is used include a decrease in surface tension, which is one of the physical properties of the ink (below 40 dyne / cm), and a deterioration in recording quality. In particular, there is a problem in that the OD in recording quality is reduced, the ink is drained on the back of the paper, and the ink runs around the recording dots in a whisker-like manner, thereby deteriorating the sharpness of recording (irregular blurring). In order to suppress the deterioration of the recording quality and the decrease in the surface tension of the ink, the amount of impurities (eluates) per gram of the ink needs to be 0.04 wt% or less as described later.

Here, the term "per ink weight" refers to the weight of the ink in the ink tank, in other words, the amount of impurities eluted in the ink per 1 g of the weight of the ink impregnated in the ink absorber. As described later, the elution amount is 0.04 wt%.
If it exceeds, the recording quality gradually deteriorates if it is immersed in the ink for a long period of time, and even if it is relatively good at the beginning, it will be bad after a few years. When the content is 0.04 wt% or less, no deterioration in recording quality is observed even when the recording medium is immersed in the ink for two to three years, and a decrease in the surface tension of the ink is minimized. That is, it does not fall below 40 dyne / cm.

The relationship between the amount of eluted substances from the absorber and the recording quality can be determined by preparing various types of absorbers having different amounts of elution and measuring the amounts of elution by the above-described quantitative method using the infrared absorption spectrum. You can know. Here, when the impurity concentration is 0.04 wt% or less with respect to 1 g of the ink, which is a criterion for the cleanliness of the absorber, the quantitative value as a polyether polyol is more preferable than the simplicity and reliability of the measuring means. In the present invention, as long as the above-mentioned polar solvent is used as a detergent, washing can be carried out based on the same standard by simply evaporating and drying the eluate fraction (at 50 to 90 ° C.) and determining the change in weight. In addition to the method of obtaining polyether polyol at a peak of 1110 cm ⁻¹ , other peaks, for example, 17
The peak at 30 cm ^-1 can also be determined and quantified as the sum of the polyether polyol and dioctyl phthalate. In this case, it can be easily carried out if a necessary calibration curve is prepared in advance.

Next, the washing step of the present invention in the step of producing the absorber will be described. The cleaning step in the present invention can be performed after cutting after heating and compression and after cutting. In the case of cleaning after cutting, the thickness of the absorber is usually 2
A size of about 0 to 35 mm is standard, and the size of the absorber in the case of cleaning after cutting is determined by the size of the ink storage cartridge of the main body.
4. Not too large in terms of cleaning efficiency, usually 5.
The standard is 5 to 6.5 g / 1.

As a method for cleaning the absorber, a certain amount of the absorber is washed several times to several tens times with a certain amount of the cleaning agent by a method such as fir washing, push washing or ultrasonic washing. Usually, one operation is sufficient, but more preferably, after washing with a certain amount of solvent, washing is repeated once again with a new washing solution. After washing with a detergent, squeeze out the detergent contained in the absorber, immediately heat dry or rinse with pure water, and finally squeeze out the water in the absorber and then heat It suffices if it is dried and the amount of impurities is not more than a predetermined amount.

The amount of the detergent used for washing is preferably in the range of 4 ml / absorber 1 g to 10 ml / absorber 1 g with respect to the absorber. It has to be increased and it takes a long time, resulting in poor efficiency. If it is 10 ml / g or more of the absorber, the amount of the solvent is too large, and the washing effect is small.

A washing time of several tens seconds to several minutes is usually sufficient. In the case of rubbing and pressing washing, several tens seconds is sufficient, and in ultrasonic cleaning, several minutes is sufficient. In addition, drying of the absorber after washing is preferably performed with a warm air dryer at a temperature of 40 to 100 ° C. A more preferred temperature is 50 to 70 ° C. This is because drying at a high temperature may cause deterioration of the material of the absorber. An appropriate drying time is 3 to 6 hours. In any case, appropriate cleaning conditions are determined in advance by the method of the IR spectrum described above, and conditions are appropriately set so that the amount of impurities becomes 0.2 wt% or less per gram of the ink absorber by the cleaning. After that, the cleaning process can be systematized.

The absorbent used in the present invention is a foam obtained by foaming by a predetermined method and having a predetermined porosity, which is heated and compressed to a predetermined compression ratio and cut into a predetermined size. However, the heating and compression step is usually performed at 190
It is compressed by a factor of two to one-fifth at a temperature of from ℃ to 210 ° C. The absorbent body obtained in this way is different from the cutout position from the foam block before the heat compression,
It has been clarified that the amounts of impurities (eluates) differ from each other by the infrared absorption spectrum measuring method. This is a finding that has not been known in the past, and is a very important finding for stably producing an absorber of constant quality. According to the present invention, it is possible to cope with such an uneven distribution of impurities.

The temporal change in the recording quality can be evaluated by an accelerated test by storing at 60 ° C. for one to three months, which is equivalent to storage at room temperature for one to three years. That is,
Absorber is assembled in inkjet, and this is 6
What is necessary is just to preserve | save in a 0 degreeC oven, and to evaluate by a record every 1 month. Therefore, experiments were conducted under various cleaning conditions, and the relationship between the amount of impurities remaining after cleaning and the change over time in recording quality was examined. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail. (1) Experiment 1-Example 1 A polyurethane foam block obtained by a conventional method was taken out from the central part, hot-pressed at 200 ° C and reduced to one third, and then cut into rectangular chips weighing 6 g. Two absorbers were prepared. The two absorbents were washed 10 times in 80 cc of ethanol (0.5 to 1 in total).
For about minutes) and then the ethanol soaked into the absorber was squeezed out to obtain a washed absorber and an ethanol washing solution. From the obtained ethanol washing solution, 0.2 ml was fractionated, the solvent was evaporated to dryness, and the residue was sufficiently pulverized and mixed with 200 mg of KBr powder for infrared absorption spectrum in an agate mortar. The obtained KBr powder is subjected to a Kr for infrared absorption spectrum using a KBr tablet molding machine according to a conventional method.
A Br tablet was prepared. This was measured for infrared absorption spectrum with a Hitachi 270-30 IR spectrometer, and
The peak depth of 110 cm ^-1 was read by a conventional method. Using this value, the amount of eluate was calculated based on the calibration curve of FIG. Next, 200 cc of pure water was added to the two washed absorbers.
Put in, wash 10 times, squeeze the absorber,
This was air-dried in a 60 ° C. oven for 5 hours. One of the two washed absorbers thus obtained was further placed in 40 cc of ethanol, and the same operation as at the beginning was performed to measure the amount of eluate in the ethanol washing solution with an infrared absorption spectrum. And the sum of the initial eluate content (total eluate)
And The remaining one absorber was inserted into an ink cartridge, an ink jet head was assembled, and a recording test was performed. The recording test was carried out at the initial stage and after storage at 60 ° C. for 1 month, after storage for 2 months and 3 months, and taken out and recorded in a normal temperature and normal humidity state. Was evaluated in comparison with the initial state. The storage at 60 ° C. for 3 months corresponds to 3 years at room temperature.

Evaluation criteria are: ：: no change ○: small change (within allowable limit) △: changing (outside 〃) ×: large change Table 1 summarizes the above results.

As a result, impurities remaining after the washing were 0.07 wt% per 1 g of the ink absorber, and there was no influence on the quality of the ink even after storage for 3 months. -Example 2 Three absorbers similar to those in Example 1 were used. One of them was washed with ethanol in the same manner as in Example 1, and the total amount of eluate was measured from the washing solution. The remaining two were cleaned with a cleaning solution having a weight ratio of isopropyl alcohol / water of 1/1 in the same manner as in Example 1. 1 of the washed absorber obtained
The individual pieces were further washed with 40 cc of ethanol in the same manner as in Example 1, and the amount of eluate was measured from the washing solution. The remaining one washed absorber was incorporated in an ink jet head in the same manner as in Example 1 to perform a recording test. Table 1 shows these results.
Are shown together.

As a result, impurities remaining after the washing were 0.1 wt% per 1 g of the ink absorber, and there was no influence on the quality of the ink even after storage for 3 months. Example 3 A cleaning test was performed in the same manner as in Example 2, except that a mixed solvent of methyl cellosolve and water at a weight ratio of 1/1 was used as the cleaning liquid instead of the mixed solvent of isopropyl alcohol and water of Example 2, and a recording test was performed. Was done. The results are summarized in Table 1.

As a result, impurities remaining after the washing were 0.09 wt% per 1 g of the ink absorber, and there was no influence on the quality of the ink even after storage for 3 months. Example 4 Removed from the lower part of the polyurethane foam block,
After performing hot pressing at 0 ° C. to compress to one third, weight 6
Using the absorbent obtained by cutting out into a rectangular chip shape of g, washing was performed in exactly the same manner as in Example 1, the amount of eluted material was measured, and a recording test was performed. The results are summarized in Table 1.

As a result, the impurities remaining after the washing were 0.15 wt% per 1 g of the ink absorber, and a slight change in the quality of the ink was observed after storage for 3 months.
There was no problem within acceptable limits. Example 5 One absorber similar to that in Example 2 was washed with ethanol, and the total amount of eluted substances was measured from the washing solution. The remaining two are washed with the washing solution used in Example 2, and the washing method is as follows.
Ultrasonic cleaning was used. 100W ultrasonic cleaner (RU-
(Type 30C) for 2 minutes. Thereafter, the elution amount was quantitatively determined and a recording test was performed in exactly the same manner as in Example 2. The results are summarized in Table 1.

As a result, the impurities remaining after the washing were 0.12 wt% per 1 g of the ink absorber, and the quality of the ink was not affected even after storage for 3 months. Example 6 In Example 5, one washing treatment was performed twice by the same washing operation, and two washed absorbers were obtained. One of them was press-washed 10 times with 40 cc of ethanol to obtain an ethanol washing solution. 0.2ml from now
And the amount of eluate was quantified by infrared absorption spectrum in the same manner as in Example 1. The remaining one was assembled into an ink jet head and a recording test was performed in the same manner as in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 1.

As a result, impurities remaining after the washing were 0.03% by weight per 1 g of the ink absorber, and no problem was recognized in long-term storage. Example 7 Take out from the lower part of the polyurethane foam block, 2
After performing a hot press to compress to 1/3 at 00 ° C., using the absorbent obtained by cutting into a rectangular chip having a weight of 6 g, washing was performed in the same manner as in Example 2, and the amount of eluted material was reduced. Measurements and recording tests were performed. The results are summarized in Table 1.

As a result, impurities remaining after washing were 0.19 wt% per 1 g of the ink absorber, and the quality change of the ink during storage for 2 months was within an allowable range. Example 8 Remove from the lower part of polyurethane foam block, 2
After performing a heat press of compressing to one third at 10 ° C., washing was performed in exactly the same manner as in Example 7, the amount of eluted substances was measured, and a recording test was performed. The results are summarized in Table 1.

As a result, impurities remaining after washing were 0.20 wt% per 1 g of the ink absorber, and the quality change of the ink during storage for 2 months was within an allowable range. Comparative Example 1 The absorber used in Example 1 was assembled into an inkjet head without washing, and a recording test was performed. The results are summarized in Table 1.

As a result, even after storage for one month, the change in the ink was large and unacceptable. Comparative Example 2 The absorber used in Example 4 was assembled into an inkjet head without washing, and a recording test was performed. The results are summarized in Table 1.

As a result, even in the initial evaluation, a change in the ink had already become apparent. Reference Example The absorbent used in Example 1 was washed three times with ethanol in the same manner as in Example 1. Five obtained sufficiently washed absorbers (Nos. 1 to 5) were prepared, and each was incorporated into an ink jet head. Among them, No. 1 to No. 4 contained 0.1 wt% of polyether polyol (propylene oxide adduct of glycerin having a molecular weight of about 6000) with respect to 1 g of the absorber.
It was added to the ink so as to be 0.15 wt%, 0.2 wt%, and 0.25 wt%.

No. 5 was subjected to a recording test with no added ink. The results are summarized in Table 1. As a result, the results showed the same tendency as the result of the example of the present invention. When the addition of impurities exceeded 0.2 wt% per 1 g of the absorber, the influence on the ink became unacceptable.

Therefore, from the above experimental results, the eluting fraction can be reduced to 0.20% by weight or less, more preferably 0.12% by weight or less per gram of the ink absorbing material, with the cleaning agent containing the polar organic solvent not reactive with the ink absorbing material. By performing such cleaning, an ink absorber that does not cause environmental problems and does not degrade the recording quality was obtained because no cleaning agent such as Freon was used.

[Table 1] (2) Experiment 2 Next, the correlation between the amount of polyether polyol eluted into the ink from the ink absorber and the recording quality was examined.

First, ink absorbers (ether-based foamed polyurethane) having different amounts of organic substances (polyether polyol) in the ink were prepared as shown in FIG. This ink absorber was prepared by hot pressing the ether-based foamed polyurethane to one third under various conditions and cutting the same. These ink absorbers were mounted on ink tanks of ink jet cartridges to absorb and hold ink held at 30 cm ^{3 at} a pH of 7 to 10, and allowed to stand for a while, after which recording was performed using these ink jet cartridges. The recording quality at this time was evaluated, and the amount of the organic substance (polyether polyol) eluted in the ink at that time was quantified. The weight of each of the ink absorbers was 6 g.

The elution amount of the polyether polyol was determined by infrared absorption spectrum measurement as described above, and quantified by high performance liquid chromatography described below. As the liquid chromatography apparatus used here, ds-3 type manufactured by Shodex was used, an ion-exchange type column was used and B-806 type manufactured by Sodex was used as a column, and a refractive index type was used as a detector. RISE-51 from Sodex was used. The solvent used was methanol: water = 6: 4, and the flow rate was 1 ml / min. The elution amount shown in FIG.
This is a value calculated based on the weight of the ink absorber (6 g).

The recording quality is determined by the decrease in optical density of ink recorded on recording paper due to ink bleeding (feathering) or bleeding (ink penetration to the back side of paper when black is recorded on the entire surface). Evaluation was made comprehensively from the viewpoints such as This evaluation was performed by dividing into four stages A to D according to the method of the sensory test. A is good, B is slightly good and within the permissible recording quality, C is slightly poor and out of the permissible recording quality,
D corresponds to each of the considerably poorer levels (FIG. 15).

As shown in FIG. 15, when the amount of the polyether polyol eluted in the ink is 0.2 wt% or less per 1 g of the ink absorber, the recording quality is not deteriorated, and the satisfactory recording quality is maintained. It is. On the other hand, if the elution amount exceeds 0.2 wt% per 1 g of the ink absorber, the recording quality will be rapidly deteriorated. From Experiments 1 and 2 above, it was found that if the amount of the polyether polyol eluted into the ink was 0.2 wt% or less per gram of the ink absorber, no deterioration in recording quality occurred. (3) Experiment 3 In the same manner as in Experiment 2, an ink absorber having an elution amount of 0.2 wt% per 1 g of the ink absorber was mounted on an ink tank, and the ink kept at pH 7 to 10 was impregnated and absorbed. For this inkjet cartridge, a temperature of 6
The relationship between the storage time at 0 ° C. and the amount of polyether polyol eluted into the ink was examined. The method of measuring the amount of elution is the same as in Experimental Example 1. The results are shown in the graph of FIG. One month storage at 60 ° C. corresponds to one year storage at room temperature.

As is clear from these results, the amount of polyether polyol eluted gradually increases when stored for a long period of time. Never exceed. Next, based on the results of experiments conducted by the inventor, the relationship between the heat compression (also referred to as hot pressing) temperature of the ink absorber using the ether-based foamed polyurethane of the present invention and the elution amount of the polyether polyol will be described. . In the following Experimental Examples 4 to 7 and Comparative Example 3, the ether-based foamed polyurethane is a polyether polyol using a propylene oxide adduct of glycerin having a molecular weight of about 6000, and toluene diisocyanate as a diisocyanate. Polymerized and foamed by the method, and made into open cells by a known film removing process,
It is cut into a predetermined thickness. (4) Experiment 4 The correlation between the amount of polyether polyol eluted into the ink and the recording quality when using the ink absorbers produced at different hot press temperatures was also examined.

First, at 210, 200, 190 and 180 ° C.
The ether-based foamed polyurethane was hot-pressed so as to be compressed to one-third at each of the above temperatures, and cut to obtain an ink absorber. Then, each of the ink absorbers is attached to the ink tank of the ink-jet cartridge, and 30 cm ³
(Approximately 30 g) of the ink was absorbed and held, and was allowed to stand for a while, after which recording was performed using these ink jet cartridges. The recording quality at this time was evaluated, and the amount of polyether polyol eluted in the ink at that time was quantified. The weight of each of the ink absorbers was 6 g. The recording quality is based on factors such as the reduction of optical density due to ink bleeding (feathering) or bleeding through the recording paper (permeation of ink to the back side of paper when black is recorded on the entire surface). Was evaluated. This evaluation was carried out by dividing it into four stages of A to D by a sensory test method. A corresponds to each level of good, B is somewhat good and within the permissible recording quality, C is slightly inferior to the permissible recording quality, and D corresponds to each level of considerably poor.

The elution amount of the polyether polyol was determined by high performance liquid chromatography, and expressed as a weight concentration per weight of the ink absorber. As a liquid chromatography apparatus, DS-3 manufactured by Shodex is used.
A mold was used, and an ion-exchange type column was used as a column, model S-dex B-806, and a refractive index type was used as a detector, type RISE-51 from Sodex.
The solvent used was methanol: water = 6: 4, and the flow rate was 1 ml / min.

The results are shown in the graph of FIG. As is clear from this graph, the amount of polyether polyol eluted into the ink was 0.0 g / g of ink.
If it is 4 wt% or less (equivalent to 0.20 wt% or less per gram of ink absorber when the used amount of ink is 5 times the weight of the ink absorber), no deterioration in recording quality occurs and satisfactory recording quality is maintained. This was also found from Experiment 4.
On the other hand, it was found again that if the elution amount exceeds 0.04 wt% per 1 g of ink, the recording quality deteriorates sharply.
Therefore, regarding the amount of polyether polyol eluted into the ink, 0.04 wt% per 1 g of the ink (0.20 wt% per 1 g of the ink absorber) was determined as the upper limit of the deterioration of the recording quality. (5) Experiment 5 Next, the correlation between the hot press temperature and the amount of polyether polyol eluted into the ink was examined.

An ink absorber was prepared by hot-pressing ether-based foamed polyurethane at various temperatures.
In the same manner as in the above, the ink was absorbed, and the elution amount of the polyether polyol was measured. In order to promote the elution of the polyether polyol, the ink absorber was repeatedly compressed and washed. This makes it possible to reproduce the state of elution of the polyether polyol when the time has elapsed since the impregnation and absorption of the ink. The results of measurements performed on a number of ink absorber samples are shown in the shaded areas in FIG.

As is evident from the results, the amount of polyether polyol eluted increases with an increase in the hot pressing temperature, and when the hot pressing temperature exceeds 185 ° C., manufacturing variations increase. In consideration of manufacturing variations, the hot press temperature must be 185 ° C. or lower in order for the amount of polyether polyol to elute to fall below the above-described upper limit of recording quality deterioration (0.04 wt% per 1 g of ink). I understand. This temperature is called a thermal decomposition accelerating temperature and is a critical condition temperature. (6) Experiment 6 Next, the correlation between the hot press temperature and the hot press time was examined.

Each of the ether-based polyurethane foams was
At each of the temperatures of 40, 150, 160, 170 and 180 ° C., hot pressing was performed to reduce the pressure by one third, and the minimum hot pressing time required for deformation by the hot pressing to remain after the hot pressing was measured. As a result, when hot pressing was performed at 140 ° C., even if the hot pressing was performed for a considerably long time, deformation due to the hot pressing did not remain, and the effect of the hot pressing was not observed.
When the hot pressing temperature is 150 ° C., the hot pressing time is 2 hours, and when the hot pressing temperature is 160 ° C., 90 minutes, and 170 ° C.
The time was 1 hour, and the temperature at 180 ° C. was 30 minutes. As can be seen, the hot pressing temperature must be 150 ° C. or higher.

When hot-pressed at 150 ° C., springback was remarkably observed, while when hot-pressed at 160 ° C., springback was slight. As apparent from the above Experiments 4 to 6, when the ether-based polyurethane foam is used as the ink absorber,
When the hot pressing temperature is 150 ° C. or higher and 185 ° C. or lower, the hot pressing time does not become too long, and the amount of polyether polyol eluted into the ink is low, and the recording quality is good without going through a washing step. Can be kept. Taking the hot pressing time and the springback during the hot pressing into consideration, it can be seen that the hot pressing temperature is desirably 160 ° C. to 185 ° C., and more desirably 170 ° C. to 180 ° C. (7) Experiment 7 Next, the ink absorber manufactured by hot-pressing the ether-based foamed polyurethane at a temperature of 180 ° C. for about 30 to 40 minutes while compressing it to one third was attached to an ink tank, and the ink was discharged. Impregnated and absorbed at a temperature of 60
C., and the relationship between the storage time and the amount of polyether polyol eluted into the ink in this state was examined. The method for measuring the elution amount is the same as in Experiment 4. The results are shown in the graph of FIG. One month storage at 60 ° C. corresponds to one year storage at room temperature.

As is clear from the results, the amount of polyether polyol eluted gradually increases when stored for a long period of time. (0.04 wt% / g of ink). Comparative Example 3 The same measurement as in Experiment 7 was performed on an ink absorber manufactured by hot-pressing at a temperature of 190 ° C. for 30 to 40 minutes while compressing the ether-based foamed polyurethane to one third. The results are shown in FIG. From a very early stage, the amount of polyether polyol eluted into the ink exceeded the upper limit of the deterioration of recording quality.

When the results of Experiment 7 and Comparative Example 3 are compared, when the ether-based foamed polyurethane is used as the ink absorber, the hot pressing temperature is 180 ° C., that is, 150 ° C. or higher.
When the temperature is within the range of 0 ° C. or lower, the amount of polyether polyol eluted does not exceed the upper limit of the deterioration of recording quality even after long-term storage, and it can be seen that good recording quality can be stably maintained. On the other hand, when hot pressing was performed at a temperature higher than the temperature range of 150 ° C. or more and 180 ° C. or less (Comparative Example 3), the amount of polyether polyol eluted exceeded the upper limit of recording quality deterioration during the long-term storage, and good recording quality was maintained. become unable.

Although the above embodiment has been described with reference to an ink jet cartridge in which an ink tank and a recording head are integrated, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be applied to an ink jet recording apparatus in which an ink tank and a recording head are separated from each other, in which a porous ink absorber is provided in the ink tank.

Further, as described above, a method of cleaning the absorber as a method of reducing the elution of impurities into the ink, a method of selecting a heating temperature in the heating and compressing step of the absorber, The method of defining the pH of the ink to be impregnated into the ink can exert the effects of the present invention even when used alone, but the effects of the present invention can also be obtained by using any combination of these methods. Of course it is.

Further, considering the actual usage of the ink-jet cartridge containing the absorber, for example, when the ink-jet cartridge is frequently used and the ink is used up within a relatively short period of time, the above-mentioned or or The combination with is preferable, and the combination with is more preferable. Further, as still another use form, when the ink jet cartridge is used after long-term storage, the above is preferable, but a combination with and is more preferable, and a combination with or is more preferable. Is most preferred.

Next, the material of the elastic member of the cap was examined. Here, the present inventors have focused on the foamed polyurethane used for the ink absorber and studied. Foamed polyurethane is generally manufactured by polymerization of a polyol and a diisocyanate. As the polyol, usually, either a polyester polyol or a polyether polyol is used. The one using the former is an ester-based foamed polyurethane, and the one using the latter is an ether-based foamed polyurethane.

The ink of the ink jet recording apparatus contains a large amount of water and alcohol as a solvent, and often contains urea [CO (NH ₂ ) ₂ ]. As described above, the ink jet cartridge, which is a recording head in which the ink tank is integrated, is packed and stored in an airtight storage container one by one in a state of being filled with ink. Therefore, the storage container is filled with water vapor and alcohol vapor, and furthermore, ammonia derived from urea is present, so that the inside of the container has an alkaline atmosphere.

In the case of the ester-based foamed polyurethane, a large number of ester bonds other than urethane bonds (—NHCOO—) exist in the skeleton of the polyurethane molecule. These ester bonds other than the urethane bond are easily hydrolyzed under an alkaline atmosphere and deteriorate over a long period of time. This tendency is remarkable at high temperatures. The elastic member using the ester-based foamed polyurethane deteriorates for such a reason. It is well known that urethane bonds are not easily hydrolyzed in an alkaline atmosphere.

On the other hand, in the case of the ether-based foamed polyurethane, since the molecular skeleton does not contain an ester bond other than a urethane bond, hydrolysis of the ester bond does not occur and deterioration does not occur. Next, based on the above study, the results of an experiment performed by changing the material of the elastic member 6 of the cap 4 will be described. (8) Experiment 8 Using a propylene oxide adduct of glycerin having a molecular weight of about 6000 as a polyether polyol and toluene diisocyanate as a diisocyanate, an open-cell foamed polyurethane was produced according to a standard method and cut into a predetermined size. The elastic member 6 was fixed to the cap 4 body. The cap 4 is mounted on the ink-jet cartridge 11 filled with ink with the seal sheet 3 interposed therebetween, sealed in an airtight storage container 60 (FIGS. 7 and 8), and kept at a temperature of 60 ° C. Saved for a period. When the predetermined storage period expired, the inkjet cartridge 11 with the cap 4 attached was taken out of the airtight storage container 60, and the degree of deterioration of the elastic member 6 was examined. Table 2 shows the results.

Comparative Example 4 Using a caprolactone polyester polyol as the polyester polyol and toluene diisocyanate as the diisocyanate, an open-cell type ester foamed polyurethane was produced according to a standard method, and cut into a predetermined size to form an elastic member. And attached to the cap 4 body. Thereafter, the degree of deterioration of the elastic member 6 was examined in the same manner as in Example 1. Table 2 shows the results.

[Table 2]

As is clear from the above experimental results, when the ether-based foamed polyurethane is used for the elastic member according to the present invention, the elastic member can be stored in an airtight storage container at a temperature of 60 ° C. for 3 months. No deterioration was observed in the members. On the other hand, when the ester-based foamed polyurethane is used for the elastic member, the deterioration is recognized as soon as possible when stored in an airtight storage container at 60 ° C. for one month, and completely deteriorates when stored for two months or more. The deteriorated portion came to adhere to the ink jet cartridge. This is because the inside of the storage container is filled with the vapor of the ink to form an alkaline atmosphere, and the ether-based foamed polyurethane (Experiment 8) can withstand this, whereas the ester-based foamed polyurethane (Comparative Example 4) has water. This is because they are decomposed and do not have durability in this atmosphere.

In Experiment 8 described above, the cap is described as being mounted on the ink jet cartridge which is a recording head in which the ink tank is integrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is also applicable to a case where a recording head is not integrated with an ink tank and the recording head is removed from the recording apparatus main body in a state where the ink remains, and the recording head is separately stored.

Further, as a method of using the ink cartridge 11 shown in this embodiment, there is a case where the ink container is used while being refilled with the ink using the ink filling device 6000 as shown in FIG. This refilling may be performed by a method of injecting ink from the air communication port 1401 of the ink cartridge, or by injecting ink from a head-side ink supply port or a hole provided in the ink cartridge 11.

Here, if one of the above-mentioned effects obtained from the present invention that the recording quality is not degraded if the amount of the polyether polyol dissolved in the ink per 1 g of the ink is 0.04% by weight or less is applied, In a method of using the ink cartridge 11 as shown in FIG. 20, a further invention is established. FIG. 20 shows how the concentration of the polyether polyol in the ink in the ink storage section changes when such a method of use is used over time.

[0111] Now, as shown in I _a in FIG. 20, the amount of elution of the ink of the polyether polyol is a recording quality deterioration limit over use is described as an example of the ink in excess of 0.04 wt%. In the time of T _a in FIG. 20, since there are many ink consumption, almost run out of ink before exceeding 0.04 wt% above elution is recording quality deterioration limit, as shown in FIG. 19 To refill ink. Furthermore, performing the refilling of following the ink run out of ink at the time of T _b in FIG. 20. Similarly, T
Refilling of the used ink at _c and _Td is performed. In this case, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 20, the elution amount of polyether polyol, which is the upper limit of the deterioration of the recording quality, does not exceed 0.04 wt%. Therefore, even if the ink exceeds the upper limit of the deterioration of the recording quality with the lapse of use, good recording quality can be recorded when the above-described method is used.

It is needless to say that I _b in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the amount of polyether polyol, which is the upper limit of the recording quality deterioration with the lapse of use, was released to the ink by 0.0
When an ink that does not exceed 4 wt% is used, the recording deterioration upper limit of 0.04 is used according to the above-described method of use.
wt% cannot be exceeded, and recording of good recording quality can always be performed.

Therefore, the absorber alone and the ink-containing absorber of the present invention are particularly effective in a mode of selling a unit having an ink filling device as shown in FIG. Needless to say, the method of use and the method of recording are included as another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0114] Further technical description of the above-described embodiment will be summarized below. It has been found that there is a certain quantitative relationship between the urethane absorber used in the present invention and the ink impregnated therein. Hereinafter, this will be described in detail. Here, the apparent volume when the absorber is inserted into the ink storage unit is Vf, the weight when dried is Wf, and the weight of the ink impregnated in the absorber is Wi, which will be described below. (1) The ink-jet cartridge 11 or the ink tank alone according to the embodiment of the present invention is a so-called on-carriage type in which an ink storage section is directly connected to the ink-jet head 12. One of the features of this type of ink cartridge 11 or ink tank alone is that the head difference from the ink jet head 12 is small.

In this case, the supply and holding of the ink are determined by the balance between the surface tension shared by the meniscus at the nozzle end of the inkjet head 12 and the negative pressure shared by the ink absorber in the ink storage section. Since the surface tension due to the meniscus is considered to be substantially constant depending on the nozzle structure, application of a negative pressure corresponding thereto is imposed on the ink absorber. The negative pressure of the ink absorber changes according to the amount of ink impregnated therein, the smaller the amount of ink, the smaller the pressure, and the larger the amount of ink, the larger the amount of ink. Therefore, there is an upper limit and a lower limit to the amount of ink to be contained in order to smoothly supply the ink and hold the ink so that the ink does not leak due to an environmental change or the like.

Based on this concept, the limit absorber example presented in the experimental example of the present invention, that is, the volume was reduced to one third.
When the ink was injected into the ink absorber having a dry weight of Wf by Wi using the compressed ink absorber, an appropriate negative pressure was applied. At this time, Wi / Wf was almost equal to 5. Therefore, in this case, if the eluate in the ink absorber is 0.2 wt% or less per 1 g of the absorber, the amount of elution into the ink will not exceed 0.04 wt%.
it is obvious. (2) It was also found that the upper limit of the elution amount was satisfied even in consideration of the process of injecting the ink into the ink absorber. That is, when the ink is injected into the ink absorber having the weight Wf from the air communication port or another place, the ink supply path is established by once performing vacuum suction and then overflowing the ink to the tip of the nozzle. Although it is necessary to form the ink, in this operation, ink is injected in an amount equal to or more than the amount Wi to be finally held (that is, 5 Wf).
The above ink came into contact with the ink absorber), and the amount of impurities eluted into the ink was less than 0.04 wt%. (3) On the other hand, when ink is injected from the ink supply port 1200 side before the ink-jet unit 13 is attached, a method of injecting a certain amount of ink Wi ′ after vacuum suction in the same manner is considered as a suitable process. Can be In this case, since the ink supply path is always formed in the vicinity of the supply pipe, the process of once overflowing is not required. From this, although Wi ′ <Wi, when the injection amount is less than Wi, a portion that does not impregnate the ink occurs in the ink absorber, and the weight of the ink absorber that actually impregnates the ink = the weight of the ink absorber. The effective weight Wf 'is lower than Wf.

Note that Wf 'was roughly calculated as follows. A container having the same shape and size as the ink tank 14 presented in the experimental example was made of a transparent plastic body, and a fixed amount of Wi 'black ink was injected according to the above method. After the ink impregnation has progressed, observe each side of the tank,
Measure the state of immersion for each surface. By combining these, the volume Vi of the immersed part is calculated. From this, the apparent volume Vf of the ink absorber, and the dry weight Wf of the absorber, Wf ′ was calculated according to the following equation.

Wf ′ = (Vi / Vf) Wf (A) When Wf ′ was measured while changing Wi ′ little by little,
Wi ′ / Wf ′ was approximately 5. Also in this case, the elution amount of impurities into the ink did not exceed 0.04 wt%. Next, the ink absorber inserted into the ink storage unit at a compression ratio other than the case where the volume of the ink absorber is reduced to one third will be described. (4) The apparent volume of the ink absorber compressed to one third is Vf, and the weight when dried is Wf. When the ink absorber compressed n times was cut into an apparent volume Vf, the weight Wfp when dried was Wfp = (n / 3) Wf (B). At this time, when the ink was injected so as to generate an appropriate negative pressure, the injection amount Wip reached an appropriate negative pressure.

When n <3, Wip = (n / 3) Wi (C) When n> 3, Wip> (n / 3) Wi (D). The result of (D) shows that when the compression ratio increases,
Since the pores are rapidly reduced and the negative pressure of the ink is rapidly increased, it is necessary to use a relatively large amount of ink relative to the ink absorber in order to obtain a proper negative pressure as compared with the case where the ink is compressed to one third. It can be interpreted that ink needs to be injected. Therefore, Wip / Wfp ≧ Wi / Wf = 5 (E), and as a result, the amount of impurities eluted into the ink is 0.1.
It was suppressed to 04 wt% or less. (5) Further, when a similar experiment was performed using an ink absorber having a pore size different from that of the experimental example, the main controlling factor was the same as in the above (4). In addition,
The ink absorber described above may be formed of cellulose or a cellulose derivative.

Further, the ink absorber described above is formed from a foamed polyurethane using a polyether polyol as a polyol as the porous material, and the polyether polyol may be a propylene oxide adduct of sucrose. . Further, the ink absorber described above is formed of a foamed polyurethane using a polyether polyol as a polyol as the porous body, and the polyether polyol may be an adduct of sucrose with ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. .

Further, the ink absorber described above is formed of a foamed polyurethane using a polyether polyol as a polyol for the porous body, and the polyether polyol is a propylene oxide adduct of an aromatic amine. good. Further, the ink absorber described above is formed of a foamed polyurethane using a polyether polyol as a polyol as a polyol, and the polyether polyol is an ethylene oxide and propylene oxide adduct of an aromatic amine. good.

Further, the ink absorber described above is formed of a foamed polyurethane using a polyether polyol as a polyol as the polyol, and the polyether polyol is a propylene oxide adduct of an aliphatic amine. good. Further, the ink absorber described above is formed of a foamed polyurethane using a polyether polyol as a polyol as a polyol, and the polyether polyol is an ethylene oxide and propylene oxide adduct of an aliphatic amine. good.

As the ink suitably used in the present invention, either a non-aqueous ink or an aqueous ink can be used, but an aqueous ink is particularly preferably used. The water-based ink is basically composed of water and a water-soluble organic solvent, an additive, and a coloring material. Examples of the water-soluble organic solvent include polyhydric alcohols, glycol ethers, nitrogen-containing solvents, lactones, and Among these are aliphatic monohydric alcohols and the like, and among them, glycerin, diethylene glycol, ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, thiodiglycol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol and the like are particularly preferable as polyhydric alcohols. As ethers, triethylene glycol monomethyl ether, as nitrogen-containing solvents, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, 2-pyrrolidone,
As 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone and lactones, γ-butyrolactone is used, and as aliphatic monohydric alcohols, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol and the like are particularly suitable, and these are generally used in combination. . As the additive, a surfactant, a pH adjuster, and a fungicide are used. As the coloring material, water-soluble dyes and pigments can be used, but water-soluble dyes are particularly preferable, and among them, acid dyes, direct dyes, and basic dyes are effective. The preferred content of these components is as follows: 70-95 wt% of water, more preferably 75-90 wt%, and 3-4 wt% of water-soluble organic solvent.
0 wt%, more preferably 3 to 20 wt%, still more preferably 5 to 15 wt%, the coloring material is 0.5 to 10 wt%, more preferably 1 to 6 wt%, and the additive is 0.01 to 1.0 wt%. . Further, as preferable physical properties of the ink, the viscosity is from 1 to 4
cp, more preferably 1-3cp, surface tension is 35-65dy
The n / cm and the pH are 3 to 10, but when an acid dye or a direct dye is used, the pH is more preferably 7 to 10.

The present invention provides an excellent effect particularly in an ink jet recording head and a recording apparatus in which a flying droplet is formed by utilizing thermal energy among the ink jet recording methods and recording is performed. For the representative configuration and principle, see, for example, US Pat.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 29,4740796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it is arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path holding the liquid (ink). By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to recording information and giving a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling to the electrothermal transducer, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and a recording head is generated. This is effective because a film in the liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal can be formed one-to-one by causing film boiling on the heat acting surface. By discharging the liquid (ink) through the discharge opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble, at least one droplet is formed. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of a liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable.

As the pulse-shaped driving signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed. As a configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination configuration (a linear liquid flow path or a rectangular liquid flow path) of a discharge port, a liquid path, and an electrothermal converter as disclosed in each of the above-mentioned specifications, A configuration using U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600, which disclose a configuration in which is disposed in a bending region, is also included in the present invention.

In addition, JP-A-59-123670 which discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters or absorbs pressure waves of thermal energy. The present invention is also effective as a configuration based on JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration in which the apertures correspond to the discharge portions. Further, as a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium that can be recorded by the recording apparatus, the length is satisfied by a combination of a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above specification. The present invention can exhibit the above-mentioned effects more effectively, although it may have any of a configuration and a configuration as a single recording head formed integrally.

In addition, the print head is replaceable with a print head of a replaceable chip type, which can be electrically connected to the main body of the apparatus or supplied with ink from the main body of the apparatus, or is integrated with the print head itself. The present invention is also effective when a cartridge type recording head provided with an ink tank is used. It is preferable to add recovery means for the printhead, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like provided as components of the printing apparatus of the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. If these are specifically mentioned, capping means for the recording head, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, preheating means using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof, and printing Performing a preliminary ejection mode for performing another ejection is also effective for performing stable printing.

Further, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to a recording mode of only a mainstream color such as black, but may be an integral recording head or a combination of a plurality of recording heads. The present invention is also extremely effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of full colors by color mixture. In addition, as a form of the recording apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to those provided integrally or separately as an image output terminal of an information processing device such as a word processor or a computer, a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like,
Further, a facsimile apparatus having a transmission / reception function may be employed.

[0129]

As described above, according to the present invention, it has no pollution and has a sufficient cleanliness by a simple method.
In addition, a stable and clean absorber having a small variation can be obtained. In addition, the amount of the impurities contained in the absorber can be accurately determined to obtain an absorber having a constant cleanliness.

Further, since the absorber subjected to the method of the present invention has little effect on ink even when stored for a long period of time, an excellent ink jet recording head can be provided. In addition, since there is no or little organic substance eluted from the ink absorber, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the recording quality due to the organic substance,
Further, stable recording quality can be maintained for a long period of time.

Further, according to the present invention, by forming an ink absorber made of a polymer elastic porous body having continuous pores therein at a temperature lower than the critical temperature at the time of heating and compressing the porous body, the ink absorber is formed. Since the amount of eluate, which is an impurity eluted from the absorber, is reduced, the manufacturing process is simplified without the need for a washing step, and no harmful solvent is used.
In addition, there is an effect that stable recording quality can be maintained for a long time.

In particular, when an ether foam polyurethane is used for the ink absorber, the hot pressing temperature is set to 150 ° C.
By setting the temperature to 185 ° C. or lower, the amount of the polyether polyol eluted in the ink can be reduced to a value at which the recording quality is degraded, the recording quality is stabilized for a long time, and the hot press time is not too long. This has the effect of ending.

Further, according to the present invention, by using an ether-based foamed polyurethane as the elastic member of the cap, the elastic member does not deteriorate even when the ink jet cartridge is stored and distributed in an airtight storage container for a long time. In addition, ink leakage can be prevented, and even if ink leakage occurs, it is absorbed by the elastic member, so that there is an effect that the expansion of contamination by ink can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ink jet cartridge 11 used in an ink jet recording apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing a configuration of the ink jet cartridge 11.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the inkjet head 12.

FIG. 4 is an inkjet unit 1 of the ink tank 14.
It is explanatory drawing of the part to which 3 is attached.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of attachment of the inkjet cartridge 11 to the inkjet recording device 15 main body.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing an overview of the ink jet recording apparatus 15;

7 is a top view of the storage container 60. FIG.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the storage container 60.

9 is a right side view of the storage container 60. FIG.

FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged view showing a stored state of a recording head portion 101.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a portion B in FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing attachment of a seal sheet 3 ′ according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an IR spectrum of each eluate.

FIG. 14 is a calibration curve of a polyether polyol.

FIG. 15 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the amount of polyether polyol eluted and recording quality.

FIG. 16 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the amount of polyether polyol eluted and the storage time.

FIG. 17 is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship between a hot pressing temperature and an elution amount of polyether polyol.

FIG. 18 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the amount of polyether polyol eluted from an ink absorber manufactured by hot pressing and the storage time.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustrating refilling of the ink storage unit with ink.

FIG. 20 is a characteristic diagram showing how the concentration of polyether polyol in the ink in the ink storage unit changes over time.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Discharge part surface 2 Groove part 3 Seal sheet 3 'seal sheet 4 Cap 5 Arm part 6 Elastic member 7 Part 8 Positioning part 9 Collar 10 Base plate 11 Inkjet cartridge 12 Inkjet head 13 Inkjet unit 14 Ink tank 15 Inkjet recording device 16 Carriage 30 Discharge port 40 Electrothermal transducer 41 Discharge part 51 Groove part 60 Storage container 61 Container main body 63 Cover member 100 Heater board 101 Recording head part 101a Recording head 104 Carriage 200 Wiring board 300 Support 400 Orifice plate 900 Ink absorber 1000 Cartridge main body 1200 Ink supply port 1401 Air communication port 1402 Atmospheric pressure supply space 4001 Hook 5000 Platen roller

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (31) Priority claim number Japanese Patent Application No. 2-180437 (32) Priority date July 10, 1990 (July 7, 1990) (33) Priority claim country Japan (JP) Preliminary examination (72) Inventor Nobuyuki Kuwahara 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (56) References JP-A-64-26453 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int .Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 2/175

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] An ink for use in recording, and the ink
And a storage unit for storing the ink stored in the storage unit.
An ink absorber for impregnating and discharging the ink
Having energy generating means for
In the cartridge, the ink absorber may be used to heat the ink absorber to a temperature equal to or lower than a thermal decomposition promoting temperature.
Characterized by being heated and compressed at the following temperature
Ink jet cartridge. 2. The ink absorber according to claim 1, wherein the ink absorber heats the ink absorber.
After being heated and compressed at a temperature lower than the decomposition promoting temperature,
Cleaning containing polar organic solvent not reactive with ink absorber
The ink has been washed with an
The eluate eluted into the ink is 0.04 weight based on the ink.
%.
Jet cartridge. 3. The ink absorber as the ink
Impregnated with ink of pH 7 or more and pH 10 or less
3. The ink jet cartridge according to claim 1 or 2.
Judge. 4. An ink for use in recording, and said ink
And a storage unit for storing the ink stored in the storage unit.
An ink absorber for impregnating and discharging the ink
Having energy generating means for
Driving the cartridge and the ejection energy generating means;
Drive means, and the inkjet cartridge
And a carriage movable in the direction.
In the recording apparatus, the ink absorber is heated and compressed by the ink absorber.
Formed at a temperature below the critical temperature at which the ink absorbs
With a cleaning agent containing a polar organic solvent that is not reactive with the body
The ink has been washed and dissolved into the ink from the ink absorber.
The amount of eluted substances is 0.04% by weight or less based on the ink.
It has characteristics and the ink has a pH of 7 or more and a pH of 10
An ink cartridge characterized by being impregnated with the following ink:
Jet recorder. 5. An energy generating means according to a recording signal.
To generate thermal energy by supplying electrical signals
The ink is ejected by creating bubbles in the ink.
5. The ink jet printer according to claim 4, wherein the ink jet generator is an energy generating means.
Jet recorder.