JP4154751B2 - Ink container and ink jet recording apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ink container in which ink supplied to a recording head is stored in a negative pressure state, and an ink jet recording apparatus using the ink container.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in an ink jet recording apparatus, the ink liquid level of the ink cartridge is arranged at a lower position than the nozzle of the recording head in order to maintain the performance of the recording head and prevent the ink from leaking due to positive pressure acting on the nozzle of the recording head. By doing so, there is a printer that maintains the ink supply pressure acting on the recording head at a predetermined negative pressure.
[0003]
In such an apparatus, for example, there is a restriction on the arrangement position of the ink tank with respect to the recording head. For example, as described in JP-A-6-183023, a flexible bag for containing ink is provided. And having a pair of rigid plate-like members inside the flexible bag and a spring member sandwiched between the pair of plate-like members, thereby generating a negative pressure inside the flexible bag. Ink cartridges have been proposed.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since such an ink cartridge has a structure in which a pair of plate-like members and spring members are provided inside a flexible bag, the overall structure becomes complicated. Therefore, it is not suitable for mass production and is expensive.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and has an ink container that can store ink supplied to a recording head in a negative pressure state with a simple and inexpensive structure, and an ink jet recording apparatus using the same. The purpose is to provide.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 is an ink container in which the ink supplied to the recording head is stored in a negative pressure state, and has two opposing side portions, and the inside of the ink is stored and is deformable. An ink pack having , Along the side Buried Integrated in state And urge the both side portions away from each other. Plate spring member Are provided. here, "Spring member In the ink pack , Along the side Buried Integrated in state Be done " That means Spring member Is integrated into the ink pack, so the ink pack itself Spring member This means that it is sufficient that a part or all of is embedded so as not to be separated from the ink pack.
[0007]
According to the invention of claim 1, Spring member As a result, both side portions of the ink pack are urged away from each other, and the ink inside the pack is brought into a negative pressure state. Therefore, even if the ink container is disposed above the recording head, ink does not leak from the nozzles of the recording head. Also, Spring member Part or all of the ink pack , Along the side Buried Integrated in state And integrated with it, so in the ink pack Spring member There is no need for installation work.
[0008]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the ink container according to the first aspect, the ink pack has a double pack structure including an inner pack and an outer pack and a closed space therebetween. Spring member But Buried Is.
[0009]
According to the invention of claim 2, since the ink pack has a double pack structure composed of an inner pack and an outer pack, the ink pack has a closed space between them. Spring member Easy Bury It becomes possible.
[0010]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the ink container according to the second aspect, the closed space is in a reduced-pressure sealed state.
[0011]
According to the invention of claim 3, since the closed space is in a reduced pressure sealed state, the inner and outer packs are Spring member They are in close contact with each other, Spring member The urging force effectively acts on the outer and inner packs.
[0012]
The invention of claim 4 is the ink container of claim 2 or 3, The spring member However, it has two attachment parts located in the vicinity of both side surface parts of the inner pack, and a U-shaped connection part that connects the two attachment parts beyond the end part of the inner pack.
[0013]
According to the invention of claim 4, Spring member Is formed by connecting two mounting portions located near both side portions of the ink pack with a U-shaped connecting portion that extends beyond the end of the inner pack, Spring member The structure itself is simple, ensuring ink storage in the inner pack, and in the closed space between the inner and outer packs. Spring member Can be easily positioned.
[0014]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the ink container of the fourth aspect, the attachment portion of the spring member is a leaf spring shape that is bent or curved a plurality of times and extends outward from the connection portion with the connection portion located at the center. is there.
[0015]
According to the invention of claim 5, the locked portion of the spring member is in the form of a leaf spring and has a structure that is bent or curved a plurality of times and extends outward from the connecting portion with the connecting portion located in the center. The urging force of each part gradually decreases as the distance from the connecting part increases, and the urging force at each part of the ink pack is adjusted.
[0016]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the ink container according to the fifth aspect, the mounting portion of the spring member is formed symmetrically, and each of the left and right portions has a U-shaped shape with one end portion connected to the connecting portion. 1 portion and a U-shaped second portion that is arranged in parallel to the first portion and one end portion of which is connected to the other end portion of the first portion.
[0017]
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the spring member mounting portion extends substantially over the entire outer surface of the both sides of the ink pack with a simple configuration utilizing the first and second portions of the U-shape. And the biasing force of the spring member acts on the entire outer surface. At the same time, the urging force by the second part is smaller than the urging force by the first part, and is adjusted so that the urging force gradually decreases as the distance from the connecting portion increases.
[0018]
The invention of claim 7 is the ink container according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the ink pack is formed in a bag shape by bending a sheet-like material and welding its periphery in a U shape. The end portion of the inner pack beyond the connecting portion is a welded portion opposite to the bent portion.
[0019]
According to the invention of claim 7, an ink pack configured by bending and welding a sheet-like material, Spring member The bent portion is tensioned by the urging force to form a three-dimensional bag.
[0020]
The invention according to claim 8 is an ink container in which the ink supplied to the recording head is stored in a negative pressure state, and has two opposing side portions, and the inside of the ink is stored and is deformable. A bag-shaped ink pack having , Along the side Buried Integrated in state The one side surface portion is biased in the direction away from the other side surface portion with a smaller force at the peripheral portion than at the central portion. Plate spring member With. In this configuration, Spring member Part or all of the ink pack itself , Along the side Buried Integrated in state It is sufficient that one side surface portion of the ink pack is fixed and only the other side surface portion is deformable.
[0021]
According to the invention of claim 8, the ink pack , Along the side Buried Integrated in state Has been Spring member As a result, one of the side surfaces of the ink pack is biased in a direction away from the other side by a smaller force at the peripheral portion than the central portion, and the ink in the ink pack is in a negative pressure state. .
[0022]
The invention of claim 9 is the ink container according to claim 8, wherein Spring member A first portion that urges the central portion of the one side surface portion in a direction away from the other side surface portion, and a second portion that extends from the first portion along the one side surface portion. It is to be prepared.
[0023]
According to the invention of claim 9, Spring member The first portion biases the central portion of one side surface portion away from the other side surface portion, and a second portion extending from the first portion along the one side surface portion is provided. Thus, with a simple structure, one side surface portion is biased in a direction away from the other side surface portion with a force that the peripheral portion is smaller than the central portion.
[0024]
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the ink container according to the ninth aspect, the second portion is bent or curved from the first portion a plurality of times and extends toward the peripheral portion of the side surface portion.
[0025]
According to the invention of claim 10, the second portion is formed by being bent or curved a plurality of times from the first portion so as to extend toward the peripheral portion of the side surface portion. The side surface portion of the side portion is biased in a direction away from the other side surface portion with a smaller force at the peripheral portion than at the central portion.
[0026]
According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording head that performs recording by ejecting ink onto a recording medium, an ink container that stores ink, an ink container mounting portion to which the ink container is detachably mounted, and the ink container mounting. A hollow needle-shaped connecting member that is coupled to the ink container and guides the ink in the ink container to a recording head when the ink container is mounted on the ink container mounting unit. A bag-shaped ink pack having deformable flexibility in which the ink container has two side portions facing each other and ink is stored therein, and the ink pack Along the side surface Buried Integrated in state And urging at least one side surface portion of both side surface portions of the ink pack away from the other side surface portion. Plate spring member And said Spring member The urging force is set so that the part farther from the tip of the connected connecting member becomes smaller than the part closer to it.
[0027]
According to the invention of claim 11, the part farther away from the tip of the joined connecting member is smaller than the closer part. Spring member Therefore, when the ink is consumed, the shape changes so that the distance between the side surfaces is narrowed from the portion farther from the tip of the connected connecting member. Therefore, even when the remaining amount of ink in the ink pack decreases, the ink is collected near the tip of the connection member, and the ink in the ink pack can be effectively consumed.
[0028]
A twelfth aspect of the present invention is the ink jet recording apparatus according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the Spring member However, the first portion that biases the portion where the tip of the connecting member is located in the one side portion in a direction away from the other side portion, and the first portion to the one side portion. And a second portion extending along.
[0029]
According to the invention of claim 12, the portion where the tip of the connecting member is located on one side surface portion is Spring member From the first portion, the second portion extends along the one side portion, and is positively biased in the direction away from the other side portion by the first portion. Spring member The urging force is smaller at a site farther from the tip of the coupled connecting member than at a nearby site.
[0030]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0031]
In FIG. 1 showing a schematic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention, an ink jet recording apparatus 51 includes a recording head 52 that performs recording by discharging ink onto a recording medium (not shown). Ink is supplied from an ink container 24 that stores ink. The recording head 52 is mounted on a carriage 53 that is reciprocally movable in the width direction of the recording medium, and an ink container mounting portion 55 on which the ink container 24 is detachably mounted is provided on the carriage 53. ing.
[0032]
The ink container mounting portion 55 is formed of a synthetic resin material and includes a vertical wall portion 57 having an ink storage chamber 56 therein. The vertical wall portion 57 is formed in a double wall structure having a front wall portion 57a and a rear wall portion 57b, and a space portion between the front wall portion 57a and the rear wall portion 57b is ink before being ejected. Is an ink storage chamber 56 that is temporarily stored.
[0033]
A lower wall portion 58 extending rearward from the lower end of the vertical wall portion 57, and a side wall portion extending rearward from both side edges of the vertical wall portion 57 and having a lower end edge connected to the lower wall portion 58 (only one side wall portion 59) A mounting recess 61 in which the ink container 24 is detachably mounted is formed by these wall portions.
[0034]
Further, when the ink container 24 is detachably mounted in the mounting recess 61 of the ink container mounting portion 55, it is coupled to the vertical wall portion 57 of the ink container mounting portion 55 by being pierced into the ink container 24. A hollow needle-like connection member 62 that guides the ink in the ink container 24 to the recording head 52 through the ink storage chamber 56 is provided via the cylindrical member 63. An ink supply hole 64 is provided below the front wall portion 57 a of the vertical wall portion 57, and the recording head 52 is connected to the ink supply hole 64 via adapters 65 and 66. The upper and lower sides of the recording head 52 are covered with an upper cover 67 and a lower cover 68, respectively.
[0035]
The ink container 24 has two side portions 31a and 31b facing each other, and a bag-shaped ink pack 31 having a deformable flexibility in which ink is stored inside, and embedded in the ink pack 31. A plate-like spring member 32 is provided as urging means for urging the side surface portions 31a and 31b away from each other. Due to the urging force of the spring member 32, both side portions of the ink pack 31 are urged away from each other, and the ink supplied to the recording head 2 is stored in the ink pack 31 in a negative pressure state. Therefore, when the connection member 62 is inserted into the ink pack 31, there is no possibility that ink leaks from the connection portion with the ink pack 31 or the nozzles of the recording head 52.
[0036]
The ink pack 31 has a double pack structure including inner and outer packs 41 and 42 and a closed space 43 between them. The spring member 32 is positioned in the closed space 43. Yes. The closed space 43 is a reduced pressure sealed space, and the inner and outer packs 41 and 42 are brought into close contact with the spring member 32 so that the urging force of the spring member 32 is reliably transmitted to the outer and inner packs 41 and 42. It has come to be.
[0037]
Here, the closed space 43 is used as the decompression sealed space because the spring member 32 is simply integrated between the inner and outer packs 41 and 42 in an embedded state, and the urging force of the spring member 32 is applied to the side portions 31a and 31b. This is because it is advantageous and desirable in that it can be transmitted efficiently to the network. However, the inner and outer packs 41 and 42 do not necessarily need to be in close contact with the spring member 32, and depending on the setting of the dimensional difference between the inner and outer packs 41 and 42, the biasing force of the spring member 32 is not limited even if a slight gap occurs. Since it is transmitted to the side portions 31a and 31b, there is no practical problem.
[0038]
The inner and outer packs 41 and 42 of the ink pack 31 are formed using a sheet-like material. Each pack 41, 42 is folded and overlapped at one end 31c, and is formed into a bag shape by welding a U-shaped peripheral portion excluding the one end 31c. In the peripheral portion (welded portion), Strength is high and it is harder to deform than other parts. Specifically, the inner and outer packs 41 and 42 are welded together in the peripheral portions 31d and 31f continuous to one end, and the end opposite to the one end 31c is connected to the inner and outer packs 41 and 42, respectively. 42 is welded separately, and the peripheral portion 41a (welded portion) of the inner pack is located in the outer pack 42, and only the peripheral portion 42a (welded portion) of the outer pack 42 is located on the outer side. ing. A connecting portion 34 described later of the spring member 32 is positioned between the peripheral portion 41a of the inner pack 41 and the peripheral portion 42a of the outer pack 42. The one end 31c is held in a tensioned state substantially at right angles to the side surfaces 31a and 31b by urging the side surfaces 31a and 31b of the ink pack 31 away from each other by the action of the spring member 32. It is easy to pierce the connecting member 62.
[0039]
In the ink pack 31, the one end 31c into which the connecting member 62 is pierced also has a double structure of the inner and outer packs 41 and 42, but it is not necessary to have a double structure in all parts. In short, it is only necessary to embed the spring member 32 in the ink pack 31 by using a double structure and integrate them, and for example, only the portion of the one end 31c is made into a sheet-like material so that the connecting member 62 can be easily pierced. It is also possible to have a single structure that does not make the double. Further, the sheet-like material constituting the inner and outer packs 41 and 42 may be the same material or different materials, and the sheet thickness may be both materials such as increasing the inner pack 41, for example. It is also possible to change in Further, as a joining means for both sheet-like materials, it is possible to use adhesion by an adhesive in addition to heat fusion and ultrasonic bonding, and a double structure in which the spring member 32 can be embedded and integrated. It is needless to say that any joining means can be used as long as it can be joined.
[0040]
On the other hand, the spring member 32 includes two attachment portions 33, 33 located in the vicinity of both side surface portions 31a, 31b of the inner pack 41, and the peripheral portions that are the other end portions of the inner pack 41. And a U-shaped connecting portion 34 connected beyond the portion 41a. Since the attachment portions 33, 33 of the spring member 32 are formed into a leaf spring shape that is bent or curved a plurality of times from the connecting portion with the connecting portion 34 located at the center and extends outward, than the central portion. The peripheral portion is biased in a direction in which the distance between the attachment portions 33 and 33 (side portions 31a and 31b) is separated by a small force.
[0041]
Each mounting portion 33 has left and right portions 33A, 33A formed symmetrically, and each of the left and right portions 33A is a first U-shaped portion whose one end portion is connected to the connecting portion 34. 33a, and a U-shaped second portion 33b provided in parallel with the first portion 33a and having one end connected to the other end of the first portion 33a.
[0042]
More specifically, the first portion 33a includes a first vertical line portion 33a1 having one end connected to the connecting portion 34 and the other end extending linearly to the vicinity of the one end 31c of the ink pack 31; One end is connected to the other end of the vertical line 33a1 and extends outwardly in a direction orthogonal to the first horizontal line 33a2 and one end at the other end of the first horizontal line 33a2. Are connected to each other and have a second vertical line portion 33a3 extending parallel to the first vertical line portion 33a1 and extending to the vicinity of the peripheral portion 41a of the inner pack 41. The second portion 33b has one end connected to the other end of the second vertical linear portion 33a3 in the first portion 33a via the connecting portion 35, and the other end is the second vertical linear portion. A first vertical line portion 33b1 extending to the vicinity of one end portion 31c of the ink pack 31 in parallel with 33a3, and one end portion connected to the other end portion of the vertical line portion 33b1 and extending outwardly in a direction perpendicular thereto. One end is connected to the first horizontal linear portion 33b2 and the other end of the first horizontal linear portion 33b2, and extends to the vicinity of the peripheral portion 41a of the inner pack 41 in parallel with the first vertical linear portion 33b1. 2 vertical line portions 33b3.
[0043]
In this way, the biasing force of the spring member 32 is set so that the peripheral portion away from the central portion where the tip of the connecting member 62 is located is smaller than the closer portion, that is, the central portion. That is, the second portion 33b has a smaller urging force than the first portion 33a, and the first vertical linear portion 33a1, the first horizontal linear portion 33a2, the second vertical linear portion 33a3, the connecting portion 35, the first The urging force gradually decreases in the order of the first vertical linear portion 33b1, the first horizontal linear portion 33b2, and the second vertical linear portion 33b3.
[0044]
Therefore, if configured as described above, the ink pack 31 has a double pack structure including the inner and outer packs 41 and 42, and the spring member 32 is located in the closed space 43 (depressurized sealed space) between them. Since the inner and outer packs 41 and 42 are in close contact with each other on the front and back surfaces of the attachment portions 33 and 33 of the spring member 32, the inner and outer packs 41 and 42 are integrated. Become The both sides 31a and 31b of the ink pack 31 are configured, and the urging force of the spring member 32 is reliably transmitted to the outer and inner packs 41 and 42, and the ink container 24 is in a negative pressure state for the ink in the ink pack 31. It is supposed to be stored at.
[0045]
According to such an ink container 24, when the ink is filled up in the ink pack 31 before the ink is consumed, it is compatible with the outward biasing force of the spring member 32. As shown in FIG. 3A, the entire ink pack 31, that is, the inner and outer packs 41 and 42 are in an expanded state, but when the ink is consumed, the urging force of the spring member 32 is Since the portion is set to be smaller than the near central portion, as shown in FIG. 3B, the shape is such that the distance between the side portions 31a and 31b is narrower from the peripheral portion. The remaining ink is collected near the central portion, that is, near the tip of the connecting member 62. Such a change in shape that the distance between the side portions 31a and 31b becomes narrow is that the peripheral portions 31d and 31f and the peripheral portions 41a and 42a of the ink pack 31 are increased in strength due to welding. Be encouraged.
[0046]
As described above, even when the remaining amount of ink in the ink pack 31 decreases, the ink is collected near the tip of the connection member 62, so that the ink in the ink pack 31 can be reduced regardless of the remaining amount. Can be used to the end.
[0047]
Next, the state when the connecting member 62 pierces the ink container 24 will be described.
[0048]
With the tip of the connecting member 62, the middle position of both free ends of the spring member 32 in the ink container 24, that is, the center of the flat part of the one end 31c, is a direction along the side surfaces 31a and 31b (that is, substantially parallel). 4b), the one end 31c is recessed as shown in FIG. 4 (b), whereby both free ends of the spring member 32 are pulled toward each other, and both sides of the U-shaped spring member 32 are drawn. The center of each is buckled in the direction that opens the gap. As a result, the volume change caused by the outward bending of the side surface portions 31a and 31b becomes larger than the volume change caused by the depression of the one end 31c. This is because the initial shape of the U-shaped spring member 32 is slightly curved in advance so as to open most at the center in the front-rear direction and gradually narrow toward the both ends as shown in FIG. 4 (a). By making the shape, it becomes easy to bend greatly as described above.
[0049]
Since the peripheral portions 31d and 31f are joined at both ends, the one end portion 31c has a shape in which the width of the central portion is wide and gradually becomes narrower toward the side edge portion. As described above, since the length between the peripheral portions 31d and 31f at both ends is sufficiently larger than the distance between the central portions of the side surface portions 31a and 31b, as described above, the volume change due to the recess of the one end portion 31c. In addition, it is promoted that the volume change caused by the outward expansion of the side surface portions 31a and 31b becomes sufficiently large.
[0050]
Further, since the ink supply portion, that is, the one end portion 31c is located inside the virtual extension portion obtained by extending the both side surface portions 31a and 31b, when the one end portion 31c as the ink supply portion is pierced by the connecting member, FIG. As shown in (b), due to the external force that the one end 31c receives along the side portions 31a and 31b, the portions on the one end 31c side of the both side portions 31a and 31b are easily displaced inward in the direction of approaching each other. The central portions of the side portions 31a and 31b are curved outward.
[0051]
Therefore, when the connecting member 62 is pierced with respect to the one end portion 31c constituting the ink supply portion, the side portions 31a and 31b bulge rather than the volume change caused by the depression of the one end portion 31c as described above. Causes a larger volume change, so that the internal negative pressure state is increased, and when the connection member 62 is connected to the one end 31c, ink may leak from the connection portion or the nozzle of the recording head 2. Absent.
[0052]
Further, the one end 31c is almost flatly tensioned by the urging force of the spring member 32 (see FIG. 4A), and the connecting member 62 is pierced at almost the center thereof, so that it can be inserted smoothly and smoothly (see FIG. 4). 4 (b)).
[0053]
Ink is introduced into the recording head 2 from the ink container 24 to the recording head 2 by sucking the ink in the ink pack 31 from the nozzle side of the recording head 2 through the connecting member 62 from the nozzle side of the recording head 2 by a suction device (not shown). . Alternatively, the pressure is applied to the ink pack 31 to push out the ink. In a state where ink is filled up to the nozzles of the recording head 2, the negative pressure state in the ink pack 31 acts to the nozzles, so that ink does not leak from the nozzles during the recording operation.
[0054]
In the above description, an example of an embodiment of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made as described below.
[0055]
(1) In the above embodiment, the closed space 43 between the inner and outer packs 41 and 42 is depressurized and the entire spring member 32 is positioned. However, the inner and outer packs 41 and 42 are not depressurized. One end 31c is configured so that the spring member 32 is sandwiched between them, or only the mounting portions 33, 33 of the spring member 32 are embedded in the ink pack, and the connecting member 62 is easily pierced. It is sufficient that a part or all of the spring member is embedded and integrated in the ink pack, for example, only a single layer is used.
[0056]
(2) In the above embodiment, both side portions of the ink pack Plate spring member However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, at least one side surface portion of both side surface portions is substantially covered. Spring member It is also possible to provide a biasing force in a direction away from the other side surface portion.
[0057]
(3) The shape of the spring member may be various shapes other than those of the above-described embodiment, such as a plurality of spring portions projecting from the central portion 33a1 at right angles toward the periphery 31d, 31f.
[0058]
(4) In the above embodiment, the ink container is mounted as it is, but it can also be used as an ink cartridge by being housed in a cartridge case having ink supply holes. That is, for example, the ink supply hole of the cartridge case is hermetically sealed by a sealing member made of, for example, a rubber material, and the hollow needle-like connection member 62 is pierced into the sealing member so that the ink can be penetrated. It is possible.
[0059]
(5) In FIG. 1, the recording head and the ink container are oriented in the horizontal direction, but the present invention can also be implemented in the case where the recording head ejects ink downward and attaches and detaches the ink container in the vertical direction.
[0060]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention is implemented in the form as described above, and has the following effects.
[0061]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the side surface portions of the deformable bag-shaped ink pack having two opposing side surface portions and containing ink therein are separated from each other. Plate spring member The ink supply system can be configured by setting the ink in the ink pack to a negative pressure state so that the ink from the nozzles of the recording head can be arranged even if it is disposed above the recording head. Can be prevented from leaking. In particular, Spring member Into the ink pack itself , Along the side Buried Integrated in state Therefore, no special mounting work is required, a simple and inexpensive structure can be obtained, automation is easy, and mass productivity is excellent.
[0062]
In the invention of claim 2, since the ink pack has a double pack structure composed of the inner and outer packs, the ink pack has a closed space between the two packs. Spring member By positioning A spring member can be easily applied to the ink pack along the side surface. Buried Integrated in state Is possible.
[0063]
In the invention of claim 3, since the closed space of the ink pack is in a vacuum sealed state, the outer and inner packs Spring member And Spring member Can be efficiently applied to the ink pack (outer and inner packs).
[0064]
The invention of claim 4 Spring member Is a plate-shaped spring member having two mounting portions located near both side surface portions of the inner pack and a U-shaped connecting portion that connects both the mounting portions beyond the end portions of the inner pack. With a simple structure, the both sides of the ink pack are urged away from each other. Spring member Can be configured.
[0065]
In the invention of claim 5, since the attachment portion of the spring member is formed in a leaf spring shape that is bent or curved a plurality of times from the connecting portion with the connecting portion located at the center and extends outward, in each part of the ink pack The urging force can be changed and adjusted so that ink is consumed efficiently.
[0066]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the mounting portion of the spring member is formed symmetrically, and each of the left and right portions has a U-shaped first portion with one end connected to the connecting portion, and the first portion A first U-shaped first portion and a second U-shaped second portion connected in parallel to the portion and having one end connected to the other end of the first portion. It is possible to easily apply the biasing force of the spring member over the entire outer surface by effectively using the portion and providing the mounting portion of the spring member over the entire outer surface of the both sides of the ink pack. It becomes. At the same time, the urging force decreases as the distance from the connecting portion decreases, so that the urging force by the second portion becomes smaller than the urging force by the first portion, thereby easily consuming the ink of the ink pack effectively. Can be set.
[0067]
In the invention of claim 7, the ink pack is formed into a bag shape by bending the sheet-like material and welding the periphery thereof. Spring member The bent portion can be tensioned by the urging, so that a three-dimensional bag can be formed.
[0068]
The invention according to claim 8 urges one side surface portion of the both side surface portions of the ink pack in a direction away from the other side surface portion with a smaller force at the peripheral portion than at the central portion. Spring member The , Along the side Buried Integrated in state Therefore, the one side part can be urged away from the other side part with a smaller force than the central part, and when the remaining amount of ink decreases, the ink in the ink pack is discharged. The ink can be efficiently collected by collecting in the central part.
[0069]
The invention of claim 9 Spring member A first portion that urges the central portion of the one side surface portion in a direction away from the other side surface portion, and a second portion that extends from the first portion along the one side surface portion. Because I am preparing to Spring member Without complicating the structure, the peripheral portion of one side portion is biased in a direction away from the other side portion with a smaller force than the central portion, and the ink can be efficiently consumed as described above. it can.
[0070]
In the invention of claim 10, since the second portion is bent or curved a plurality of times from the first portion and extends toward the peripheral portion of the side surface portion, as described above, the second portion is more peripheral than the central portion. Energizing the portion with a small force can be realized with a simple configuration, and ink can be consumed efficiently.
[0071]
The invention of claim 11 Spring member Is set so that the portion away from the tip of the connecting member coupled to the ink container is smaller than the portion closer to it, so that when the remaining amount of ink decreases, the ink Spring member By the urging force, the ink is collected in the vicinity of the tip of the connecting member, and the ink in the ink pack can be consumed efficiently.
[0072]
According to the invention of claim 12, in one side surface portion, a portion where the tip end portion of the connection member is located Spring member By virtue of positively biasing away from the other side portion by the first portion, the second portion extends from the first portion along the one side portion. With a simple structure Spring member The urging force can be realized with a simple configuration so that the portion farther from the tip of the connecting member becomes smaller than the closer portion, and ink can be consumed efficiently.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a spring member according to the present invention.
3A and 3B are cross-sectional views in the width direction of an ink container according to the present invention, FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating an initial state of ink use, and FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating a final state of ink use.
4A and 4B are longitudinal sectional views in the longitudinal direction of the ink container according to the present invention, in which FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a state before the connection member is pierced, and FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a state at the moment of piercing the connection member. .
[Explanation of symbols]
24 Ink container
31 Ink pack
31a Side part
31b Side surface
31d peripheral part
31e peripheral part
31f periphery
32 Spring member
33 Mounting part
33a first part
33b second part
34 Connecting part
51 Inkjet recording apparatus
52 Recording head
62 Connection member

Claims (12)

An ink container in which ink supplied to a recording head is stored in a negative pressure state,
An ink pack having two side portions facing each other and having flexibility in which the ink is stored inside and deformable;
An ink container comprising: a plate-like spring member integrated in the ink pack in an embedded state along the side surface portion and biasing the side surface portions away from each other. The ink container according to claim 1, wherein the ink pack has a double pack structure including an inner pack and an outer pack and a closed space therebetween, and the spring member is embedded in the closed space.   The ink container according to claim 2, wherein the closed space is in a vacuum sealed state. 3. The spring member according to claim 2, wherein the spring member has two attachment portions located near both side portions of the inner pack, and a U-shaped connection portion that connects the attachment portions beyond the end portions of the inner pack. 3. The ink container according to 3.   The ink container according to claim 4, wherein the attachment portion of the spring member has a leaf spring shape that is bent or curved a plurality of times and extended outward from a connection portion with a connection portion located at the center.   The attachment portion of the spring member is formed symmetrically, and each of the left and right portions has a U-shaped first portion whose one end is connected to the connecting portion, and one end that is arranged in parallel with the first portion. The ink container according to claim 5, wherein the portion has a U-shaped second portion connected to the other end portion of the first portion. The ink pack is formed in a bag shape by bending a sheet-like material and welding its periphery in a U-shape.
The ink container according to claim 5 or 6, wherein an end of the inner pack beyond the connecting portion is a welded portion opposite to the bent portion. An ink container in which ink supplied to a recording head is stored in a negative pressure state,
A bag-shaped ink pack having two side portions opposed to each other and having flexibility in which ink is stored inside and deformable;
A plate-like spring member that is integrated with the ink pack in the embedded state along the side surface portion and biases the one side surface portion away from the other side surface portion with a smaller force than the center portion. And an ink container. The spring member is
A first portion that urges a central portion of the one side surface portion in a direction away from the other side surface portion, and a second portion that extends from the first portion along the one side surface portion. The ink container according to claim 8, wherein   The ink container according to claim 9, wherein the second portion is bent or curved a plurality of times from the first portion and extends toward a peripheral portion of the side surface portion. A recording head that performs recording by ejecting ink onto a recording medium, an ink container that stores ink, an ink container mounting part to which the ink container is detachably mounted, and the ink container provided in the ink container mounting part In an ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a hollow needle-shaped connecting member that is coupled to the ink container and guides the ink in the ink container to a recording head when the ink container is mounted on the ink container mounting unit.
The ink container comprises a bag-shaped ink pack having a deformable flexible ink therein has two side portions facing is housed in the ink pack in an embedded state along the side surface portion A plate-like spring member that is integrated and biases at least one side surface portion of both side surface portions of the ink pack away from the other side surface portion;
2. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the biasing force of the spring member is set so that a portion farther from the tip of the connected connecting member is smaller than a near portion. The spring member is
A first portion that urges a portion of the one side portion where the tip of the connecting member is positioned away from the other side portion, and the first portion along the one side portion. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a second portion extending.

Images