JP4337583B2 - Method for removing liquid cartridge and protective member - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid cartridge including a cartridge body that is detachably attached to a liquid ejection device that ejects liquid and is filled with a liquid to be supplied to the liquid ejection device, and a protective member that protects a supply unit of the liquid cartridge. The present invention relates to a method for removing a protective member when removing from a cartridge body.

  As an apparatus for ejecting liquid, there is an ink jet type printer that records an image or characters by ejecting a recording liquid, so-called ink, from an ink ejection head onto a recording paper as an object. This ink jet printer has advantages such as low running cost, miniaturization of the apparatus, and easy colorization of printed images.

  Ink jet recording methods for ejecting ink from the ink ejection head include, for example, a deflection method, a cavity method, a thermo jet method, a thermal ink jet method, a slit jet method, a spark jet method, and the like. Then, the ink is made into fine droplets and ejected from the ejection port of the ink ejection head, so-called nozzles, and landed on the recording paper to record images, characters and the like.

  In this ink jet type printer apparatus, the ink cartridge 201 shown in FIG. 11 filled with ink is mounted, and ink is ejected from the nozzles by supplying ink to the ink ejection head to perform recording. For this reason, in this ink jet printer apparatus, for example, when the ink in the ink cartridge 201 runs out, the ink can be easily supplied to the ink discharge head by replacing the ink cartridge 201 with a new one (patent) See reference 1.)

  By the way, in such an ink cartridge 201, in order to keep the pressure applied to the ink filled therein substantially constant, an atmosphere communication hole 202 for communicating the atmosphere with the inside of the cartridge is provided. The ink cartridge 201 is attached with a closing film 203 that closes the air communication hole 202 to prevent the ink from leaking out from the air communication hole 202 before being installed in the printer device, that is, when not in use. Yes.

  And when it mounts | wears with a printer apparatus, it will be in a usable state because the obstruction | occlusion film 203 peels by the user.

  In addition, the ink cartridge 201 includes a protective cap 205 that protects the supply unit 204 (which is connected to the printer device and serves as an ink supply port), which serves as an ink supply port, during transportation or when not in use. It is attached.

  When the protective cap 205 is also attached to the printer, it can be used by being removed by the user.

  Since such an ink cartridge 201 is mounted on the mounting portion of the printer device without rattling, the ink cartridge 201 cannot be mounted on the printer device unless the protective cap 205 is removed.

  However, in the ink cartridge 201, since the above-described closing film 203 is a film-like sealing member, the user forgets to remove the closing film 203 when the user removes the protective cap 205, and the air communication hole 202 becomes the closing film. In some cases, the printer is attached to the printer device while being blocked by the printer 203.

  In this case, it becomes difficult to appropriately supply ink from the ink cartridge 201 to the printer device. For example, ink non-ejection occurs in which bubbles are mixed in the ink ejection head and ink is not ejected from the nozzles. There is a risk of image quality degradation.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-341087

  The present invention provides a liquid cartridge and a method for removing a protective member that can prevent forgetting to peel off the closing film that closes the communication hole.

The liquid cartridge according to the present invention that achieves the above-described object is detachably mounted on a mounting portion of a liquid discharge apparatus that discharges liquid, and the cartridge main body filled with the liquid therein, and the mounting portion of the cartridge main body. A supply unit that is connected to the liquid ejection device and serves as the liquid supply port, and a communication hole that is provided on the upper surface of the cartridge body and communicates the inside and the outside of the cartridge body. A handle piece which is attached to the upper surface and side surface of the cartridge body so as to close the communication hole and becomes a handle when peeled off from the upper surface of the cartridge body, and the communication hole is formed at the handle piece portion. A closing film that closes the sealing film, and is attached to the cartridge body so as to overlap with the closing film and the handle piece is led out to the outside. In protecting the supply section, when said cartridge body is mounted on the mounting portion and a protective member is removed from the cartridge body. The protective member includes a base portion mounted so as to partially overlap the closing film from the top surface to the bottom surface of the cartridge body, and an end portion of the base portion on the bottom surface side of the cartridge body in the thickness direction of the cartridge body. A first locking portion that protrudes, and a second locking portion that protrudes in the thickness direction of the cartridge body from the end of the base portion on the upper surface side of the cartridge body. The handle piece of the closing film led out from between the upper surface of the cartridge body and the second locking portion of the protection member is pulled in a direction away from the communication hole, so that the handle piece is The cartridge body is peeled off from the upper surface of the cartridge body, the communication hole is opened, and the second locking portion is elastically deformed so that the base portion warps outward while being separated from the upper surface of the cartridge body. Removed from the body.

In the method for removing a protective member according to the present invention, a cartridge main body that is detachably mounted on a mounting portion of a liquid discharge apparatus that discharges liquid, and that is filled with the liquid therein , and faces the mounting portion of the cartridge main body. A supply portion provided on an outer surface and connected to the liquid ejection device to serve as the liquid supply port; a communication hole provided on an upper surface of the cartridge main body for communicating the inside and the outside of the cartridge main body; and the cartridge The communication hole is attached to the upper surface and the side surface of the main body so as to close the communication hole, and has a handle piece that becomes a handle when peeled off from the upper surface of the cartridge main body. The supply unit is attached to the cartridge body so that the closing film overlaps the closing film and the handle piece is led out to the outside. A method of removing the protective member in the liquid cartridge and a protective member for protecting. The protective member includes a base portion mounted so as to partially overlap the closing film from the top surface to the bottom surface of the cartridge body, and an end portion of the base portion on the bottom surface side of the cartridge body in the thickness direction of the cartridge body. A first locking portion that protrudes, and a second locking portion that protrudes in the thickness direction of the cartridge body from the end of the base portion on the upper surface side of the cartridge body. When the cartridge body is mounted on the mounting portion, the handle piece of the closing film led out from between the upper surface of the cartridge body and the second locking portion of the protection member is separated from the communication hole. The handle piece is peeled off from the upper surface of the cartridge body, the communication hole is opened, and the base portion is moved away from the upper surface of the cartridge body. It is elastically deformed to warp outward and is removed from the cartridge body.

  According to the present invention, when the cartridge main body is mounted on the mounting portion of the liquid ejection device, the closing film is peeled off by pulling the handle piece led out from between the cartridge main body and the protective member in the direction away from the communication hole. And removing the protective member can be performed collectively.

  According to the present invention, when the cartridge body is mounted on the mounting portion of the liquid ejection device, the closing film is peeled off by pulling the handle piece led out from between the cartridge body and the protective member in the direction away from the communication hole. However, since the protective member can be removed from the cartridge main body, the communication holes can be collectively opened when the protective member is removed.

  Therefore, according to this invention, when removing a protection member, it can prevent forgetting to peel off an obstruction | occlusion film.

  As a result, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent problems such as liquid non-ejection that occur when it becomes difficult to properly supply liquid from the liquid cartridge to the liquid ejection device due to forgetting to remove the closing film. That is, according to the present invention, liquid non-ejection in the liquid ejection device can be prevented, and deterioration in image quality can be suppressed.

  Hereinafter, an ink cartridge to which the present invention is applied and a method for removing a protective member will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, an ink cartridge 1 to which the present invention is applied is an ink discharge device that discharges ink onto a recording paper as a target to print an image or characters, a so-called inkjet printer device 21. Ink i is supplied. Here, the ink jet printer device 21 is a so-called line type printer device in which ink discharge holes are provided in accordance with the printing width of the recording paper.

  First, an ink jet printer apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a printer apparatus) 21 to which an ink cartridge 1 to which the present invention is applied is mounted will be described.

  The ink jet printer device 21 includes an ink jet printer head cartridge (hereinafter referred to as a head cartridge) 22 that discharges ink, and a printer main body 23 to which the head cartridge 22 is attached.

  In the ink jet printer device 21, the head cartridge 22 can be attached to and detached from the printer main body 23, and the ink cartridges 1 y, 1 m, 1 c, and 1 k that are ink supply sources can be attached to and detached from the head cartridge 22. In the printer device 21, a yellow ink cartridge 1y, a magenta ink cartridge 1m, a cyan ink cartridge 1c, and a black ink cartridge 1k can be used. The ink cartridges 1y, 1m, 1c, and 1k that can be attached to and detached from the head cartridge 22 and the head cartridge are consumables and can be replaced.

  In such a printer device 21, the recording paper P stored in the tray 24 is loaded by mounting the tray 24 for stacking and storing the recording papers in a tray mounting opening provided on the bottom surface of the front surface of the printer main body 23. Paper can be fed into the printer body 23. When the tray 24 is mounted in the tray mounting port on the front surface of the printer main body 23, the recording paper P is pressed against the paper feed roller by the paper feed / discharge mechanism in the apparatus, and the paper feed roller is driven to rotate. As shown in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1, paper is fed from the paper feed port 25 to the back side of the printer body 23.

  Then, the recording paper P sent to the back side of the printer main body 23 is reversed in the traveling direction by the reverse roller, and is sent on the upper side of the forward path from the back side of the printer main body 23 to the front side. The recording paper P sent from the back side to the front side of the printer main body 23 is a character input from an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer before being discharged from a paper discharge port 26 provided on the front surface of the printer main body 23. Characters and images corresponding to the data and image data are printed.

  The head cartridge 22 for printing on the recording paper P is mounted on the mounting portion 27 from the upper surface side of the printer main body 23 as shown by an arrow B in FIG. 1 and ejects ink i onto the recording paper traveling on the return path. Print. Specifically, the head cartridge 22 discharges ink i, which is a conductive liquid, into fine particles by, for example, an electrothermal conversion method or an electromechanical conversion method, and discharges the ink liquid onto a recording medium such as the recording paper P. Printing is performed by spraying drops.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the head cartridge 22 has a cartridge body 31 to which the ink cartridges 1y, 1m, 1c, and 1k are detachably mounted. A cartridge cartridge mounting portion 32 that is a concave portion in which the ink cartridges 1y, 1m, 1c, and 1k that are filled containers are mounted is provided. In the following description, the ink cartridges 1y, 1m, 1c, and 1k are sometimes simply referred to as the ink cartridge 1 for convenience.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the ink cartridge 1 that can be attached to and detached from the head cartridge 22 has a cartridge body 2 that is molded by injection molding a resin material such as polypropylene having strength and ink resistance. The cartridge body 2 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape having substantially the same dimensions as the width direction of the recording paper that uses the longitudinal direction, and is configured to increase the capacity of ink stored therein to the maximum.

  Specifically, the cartridge main body 2 constituting the ink cartridge 1 includes an ink storage unit 3 that stores the ink i, and an ink supply unit 4 that supplies the ink i from the ink storage unit 3 to the cartridge main body 31 of the head cartridge 22. The external communication hole 5 for taking air into the ink storage unit 3 from the outside, the air introduction path 6 for introducing the air taken in from the external communication hole 5 into the ink storage unit 3, the external communication hole 5 and the air introduction path In order to detect the remaining amount of ink i in the ink storage portion 7, the ink storage portion 7 that temporarily stores the ink i between the external communication holes 5, the closing film 8 that leaks ink from the external communication hole 5 to the outside, and so on. A remaining amount detecting portion 9, an engaging convex portion 11 having a plurality of protrusions 10 for identifying the ink cartridge 1, and a protective cap 12 that protects the ink supply portion 4 are provided.

  The ink storage unit 3 forms a space for storing the ink i with a highly airtight material. The ink containing portion 3 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape, and is formed so that the longitudinal dimension thereof is substantially the same as the dimension in the width direction of the recording paper to be used, that is, the direction orthogonal to the feeding direction of the recording paper. Yes. The ink container 3 is formed so that the inner surface in contact with the ink has a smaller surface roughness than the outer surface, and fine foreign matters such as dust do not remain on the inner surface when cleaning the inside. .

  The ink supply unit 4 is provided in a substantially lower central portion of the ink storage unit 3 and serves as a connection unit for the head cartridge 22. The ink supply unit 4 is a substantially convex nozzle that communicates with the ink storage unit 3, and the tip of the nozzle is fitted into a connection unit 35 of the head cartridge 22 described later, whereby the cartridge main body of the ink cartridge 1. 2 and the cartridge main body 31 of the head cartridge 22 are connected.

  The bottom surface of the ink storage unit 3 is formed so that the central portion where the ink supply unit 4 is provided is deepest, and the ink is concentrated on the ink supply unit 4 even when the amount of stored ink is low. Like to do.

  The ink supply port 4 a provided at the tip of the ink supply unit 4 is connected to the connection unit 35 provided in the cartridge mounting unit 32 when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 32 of the head cartridge 22. In order to fit smoothly, it is formed so as to increase in diameter while being linear or curved toward the tip.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the ink supply unit 4 is provided with a supply port 4a for supplying ink i to the bottom surface 2a of the cartridge body 2, and the bottom surface 2a has a supply port 4a. A valve 4b that opens and closes the supply port 4a, a coil spring 4c that urges the valve 4b in a direction in which the supply port 4a closes, and an opening and closing pin 4d that opens and closes the valve 4b are provided. The ink supply unit 4 is a check valve that prevents the ink i from leaking from the supply unit 4 a when the ink cartridge 1 is not mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 32 of the head cartridge 22.

  The supply port 4a for supplying the ink i connected to the connection portion 35 of the head cartridge 22 is connected to the valve 4b before the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the cartridge main body 31 of the head cartridge 22, as shown in FIG. Is biased and closed in the direction of closing the supply port 4a by the biasing force of the coil spring 4c, which is a biasing member.

  When the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the cartridge main body 31, as shown in FIG. 5B, the open / close pin 4d is pushed up by the upper part of the connecting portion 35 of the cartridge main body 31 constituting the head cartridge 22, and pushed up. The open / close pin 4d pushes up the valve 4b against the biasing force of the coil spring 4c to open the supply port 4a.

  As a result, the ink supply unit 4 of the ink cartridge 1 is connected to the connection unit 35 of the head cartridge 22, and the ink storage unit 3 and the head cartridge 22 communicate with each other so that ink i can be supplied to the head cartridge 22. It becomes.

  When the ink cartridge 1 is pulled out from the connecting portion 35 on the head cartridge 22 side, that is, when the ink cartridge 1 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 32 of the head cartridge 22, the push-up state by the opening / closing pin 4d of the valve 4b is released, and the valve 4b Moves in the biasing direction of the coil spring 4c and closes the supply port 4a. This prevents the ink i in the ink storage unit 3 from leaking even if the tip of the ink supply unit 4 faces downward immediately before the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the cartridge body 31. .

  Further, when the ink cartridge 1 is pulled out from the cartridge main body 31, the valve 4 b immediately closes the supply port 4 a, so that the ink i can be prevented from leaking from the tip of the ink supply unit 4. The ink supply unit 4 may be provided with a conventionally known check valve in addition to the check valve structure described above.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the external communication hole 5 is a vent for taking air from the outside of the ink cartridge 1 into the ink storage portion 3, and when it is attached to the cartridge attachment portion 32 of the head cartridge 22, the external communication hole 5 is exposed to the outside. Is provided at the upper surface of the cartridge main body 2, which is the position facing the outside when mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 32, in this case, substantially at the center of the upper surface.

  The external communication hole 5 corresponds to a decrease in the ink i in the ink container 3 when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the cartridge body 31 and the ink i flows from the ink container 3 to the cartridge body 31 side. Minute air is taken into the ink cartridge 1 from the outside.

  The air introduction path 6 communicates the ink storage portion 3 and the external communication hole 5, and introduces air taken in from the external communication hole 5 into the ink storage portion 3. Thereby, when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the cartridge main body 31, the ink i is supplied to the cartridge main body 31, the ink i in the ink containing portion 3 is reduced, and the inside of the cartridge main body 2 is in a decompressed state. In addition, since air is introduced into the ink containing portion 3 through the air introduction path 6 to the ink containing portion 3, the internal pressure is maintained in an equilibrium state, and the ink i can be appropriately supplied to the cartridge body 31. it can.

  The ink storage part 7 is provided between the external communication hole 5 and the air introduction path 6, and when the ink i leaks from the air introduction path 6 communicating with the ink storage part 3, the ink storage part 7 suddenly flows out to the outside. Ink i is temporarily stored so as not to occur.

  Specifically, the ink cartridge 1 is in a state where there is no ink i in the ink reservoir 7 at normal temperature and normal pressure. However, in the ink cartridge 1, when the external pressure decreases or the external temperature increases, the air in the ink storage unit 3 expands, and the expanded air causes the ink i to pass from the ink storage unit 3 through the air introduction path 6. As a result, the ink is pushed out to the ink reservoir 7. At this time, since the ink reservoir 7 temporarily stores the ink i pushed out from the ink container 3, the ink i can be prevented from leaking from the external communication hole 5.

  The ink storage portion 7 is formed in a substantially rhombus with the longer diagonal line in the longitudinal direction of the ink storage portion 3, and at the top located at the lowest side of the ink storage portion 3, that is, the lower side on the shorter diagonal line The air introduction path 6 is provided in the ink storage section 3 so that ink that has entered from the ink storage section 3 can be returned to the ink storage section 3 again. Further, the ink reservoir 7 is provided with an external communication hole 5 at the lowest top on the shorter diagonal line so that the ink that has entered from the ink storage unit 3 is less likely to leak to the outside through the external communication hole 5. .

  The closing film 8 is a flexible film-like or sheet-like member that is releasably attached to the upper surface of the cartridge body 2 so as to close the external communication hole 5. When the cartridge is not used, the external communication hole The ink i that has flowed back up to 5 is prevented from leaking outside the ink cartridge 1. For this reason, the closing film 8 is formed of a material having water repellency that does not transmit at least ink.

  The blocking film 8 is peeled off at a portion facing the external communication hole 5 in use, so that the external air can be replenished from the external communication hole 5 to the ink storage unit 3 as needed according to the amount of ink used. To.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the closing film 8 includes an adhesive portion 8a attached to the lateral surface of the cartridge body 2 with, for example, an adhesive resin or an adhesive resin, and an external communication between the adhesive portion 8a. A handle piece 8b that protrudes from the vicinity of the substantially central portion of the edge facing the hole 5 to the external communication hole 5 side and peels off the portion facing the external communication hole 5 is made of, for example, a resin film made of polyethylene terephthalate or the like. It is integrally formed.

  In the closing film 8, a welding layer made of, for example, polyethylene is provided on the surface of the handle piece 8 b facing the upper surface of the cartridge body 2, and the welding layer is formed around the external communication hole 5 on the upper surface of the cartridge body 2. The external communication holes 5 are appropriately closed by heat welding without any problems. In the closing film 8, the handle piece 8 b that closes the external communication hole 5 is pulled toward the adhesive portion 8 a, whereby the welding layer is peeled off from the upper surface of the cartridge body 2 to open the external communication hole 5.

  In the closing film 8, the handle piece 8 b also functions as a handle when a protective cap 12 described later is removed from the cartridge body 2 or when the cartridge body 2 is pulled out from the cartridge mounting portion 32 of the head cartridge 22.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the remaining amount detection unit 9 is provided on one side surface in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge body 2. The remaining amount detection unit 9 includes a pair of detection pins facing the ink storage unit 3 and an ink remaining amount detection unit 34 of the head cartridge 22 when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 32 of the head cartridge 22. The contact member includes a contact member that is electrically connected, and a plurality of contact members are arranged in parallel in the height direction of the side surface of the cartridge body 2, in this case, in three stages.

  Since the ink i has conductivity, the electrical resistance value of the detection pin is reduced when the pair of detection pins facing the ink containing portion 3 is immersed, and the detection pin is not immersed. Increase the electrical resistance value.

  That is, when the ink i is full in the ink container 3, all the detection pins are immersed in the ink and all have a low electrical resistance value. As the ink is used, the electrical resistance value of the detection pin increases in order from the top.

  Thereby, the remaining amount detecting unit 9 can detect the remaining amount of ink in the ink containing unit 3. Note that the number of terminal boards provided in the height direction of the ink containing unit 3 is not limited to three, but may be two, and when more accurate remaining amount detection is to be performed, this number is used. What is necessary is just to make it increase further.

  Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 2, the cartridge main body 2 constituting the ink cartridge 1 has an engagement region in which the bottom surface 2 a side provided with the ink supply unit 4 engages with the cartridge mounting unit 32 provided on the head cartridge 22. Become.

  By the way, the ink cartridge 1 normally has the largest amount of black ink consumed during printing, so that the ink cartridge 1k has a larger capacity of the ink container 3 than the other ink cartridges 1y, 1m, and 1c. Yes. Specifically, only the ink cartridge 1k is formed thicker than the other ink cartridges 1y, 1m, and 1c.

  In the ink cartridge 1, when the cartridge main body 2 is mounted on the cartridge main body 31, there is a possibility that the mounting positions of the ink cartridges 1 y, 1 m, 1 c having substantially the same size are wrong.

  For this reason, an engagement convex portion 11 having a plurality of protrusions for identifying the type of the ink cartridge 1 is formed on a part of the engagement region, that is, the bottom surface 2a of the cartridge main body 2, and the ink cartridges 1y, 1m, 1c, Different arrangement patterns are provided for every 1k.

  The engaging convex portions 11 provided in different arrangement patterns for each of the ink cartridges 1y, 1m, 1c, and 1k can identify the type of the ink cartridge 1 by the arrangement pattern of the plurality of protrusions. Only when the cartridges 1y, 1m, 1c, and 1k are mounted on the proper cartridge mounting portions 32y, 32m, 32c, and 32k of the head cartridge 22, the engagement provided in the cartridge mounting portions 32y, 32m, 32c, and 32k is provided. The mating recesses 33 are engaged with each other.

  The engagement protrusion 11 is configured such that the height relative to the bottom surface 2 a of the cartridge body 2 is higher than that of the ink supply unit 4. Thus, in the ink cartridge 1, when the cartridge mounting portion 32 is mounted, even if the mounting position is wrong, the engaging convex portion 11 first hits the bottom surface of the cartridge mounting portion 32 and is mounted at the wrong mounting position. It is possible to prevent the ink supply unit 4 that supplies ink i of the wrong color from being connected to the connection unit 35 of the head cartridge 22.

  In the cartridge body 2 after the injection molding, all six protrusions 10 are provided on the engaging protrusion 11. And when forming the ink cartridge 1 of each color, the ink cartridge 1 corresponding to each color can be obtained by removing the unnecessary protrusion 10 according to the arrangement pattern of the protrusion 10 of each color. In such a manufacturing method of the ink cartridge 1, the ink cartridge 1 corresponding to yellow, magenta, cyan, and black inks can be manufactured only by removing the protrusions 10, and the manufacturing efficiency can be improved. it can. In addition, the molding dies of the ink cartridges 1y, 1m, and 1c having substantially the same size can be shared.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the protective cap 12 is attached in a band shape so as to partially overlap the closing film 8 from the top surface to the bottom surface 2 a in the vicinity of the substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge body 2. The base 13 facing the side surface in the short direction, the first locking part 14 projecting in the thickness direction of the cartridge body 2 from the end of the base 13 on the bottom surface 2a side, and the cartridge body 2 of the base 13 And a second locking portion 15 protruding in the thickness direction of the cartridge main body 2 from the upper end portion. The protective cap 12 is formed by integrally forming the base portion 13 and the locking portions 14 and 15 by, for example, injection molding of a resin material such as polystyrene.

  The base portion 13 is elastically deformed in the thickness direction so that the locking portions 14 and 15 are separated from each other when the protective cap 12 is attached to or removed from the cartridge body 2. Thereby, in the protective cap 12, the cartridge main body 2 can be inserted between the locking portions 14 and 15.

  The first locking portion 14 has a pair of arms 14 a provided by cutting out so that the ink supply portion 4 does not hit, and the pair of arms 14 a is the ink supply portion 4 in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge body 2. Is to be sandwiched. And in the 1st latching | locking part 14, it latches by the bottom face 2a side of the cartridge main body 2 by clamping the cartridge main body 2 with the latching claw 14b and base part 13 which were provided in the front-end | tip of a pair of arm 14a. Is done.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the first locking portion 14 is configured such that the pair of arms 14 a protrudes outward larger than the ink supply portion 4 and the protruding portion 10. As a result, in the first locking portion 14, for example, when the ink cartridge 1 is accidentally dropped on the floor or when an impact is applied during transportation, the pair of arms 14a protects the ink supply portion 4 from the impact. Since it becomes a protection part and prevents an external impact from being directly applied to the ink supply section 4, it is possible to prevent the ink supply section 4 from being damaged by an external impact. Further, when the ink cartridge 1 is dropped on the floor from the bottom surface 2a side, the pair of arms 14a first hits the floor, so that the protrusion 10 can be prevented from being damaged.

  The 2nd latching | locking part 15 has the notch part 15a for taking out the handle piece 8b of the closure film 8 from an upper surface, and the latching claw 15b located in the both ends of this notch part 15a.

  The notch 15 a is a recess for allowing the handle piece 8 b of the closing film 8 that closes the external communication hole 5 to be led out from the protective cap 12. The protective cap 12 can be mounted at an appropriate position by mounting it on the cartridge body 2 so that the handle piece 8b is engaged with the notch 15a. The locking claw 15 b holds the cartridge body 2 with the base portion 13 and locks the second locking portion 15 on the upper surface side of the cartridge body 2.

  The protective cap 12 having such a configuration is obtained by elastically deforming the base portion 13 in the thickness direction in a state where the first locking portion 14 is locked by the bottom surface 2a of the cartridge body 2, and the locking portions 14, 15 are connected to each other. Is fitted into the upper surface of the cartridge main body 2 inside the second locking portion 15, and the second locking portion 15 is locked to the upper surface of the cartridge main body 2 to be mounted on the cartridge main body 2. At this time, from the space between the upper surface of the cartridge body 2 and the second locking portion 15 of the protective cap 12, as shown in FIG. 4, the handle piece 8 b of the closing film 8 closing the external communication hole 5 is formed. Derived.

  In the protective cap 12 having such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 8, the handle piece 8 b of the closing film 8 led out from between the upper surface of the cartridge body 2 and the second locking portion 15 of the protective cap 12. Is pulled away from the external communication hole 5 in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 8, specifically, the handle piece 8 b is pulled upward or the adhesive portion 8 a side, whereby the second locking portion 15 is attached to the cartridge body 2. The base body 13 is elastically deformed so as to bend outward while being separated from the upper surface, that is, elastically deformed in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 8, and the cartridge body 2 is sandwiched between the locking claw 14 b and the base part 13. Is loosened, and the first locking portion 14 is disengaged from the bottom surface 2a.

  As described above, the protective cap 12 can be easily detached from the cartridge main body 2 by pulling the handle piece 8b led out between the cartridge main body 2 and the protective cap 12 in the direction of arrow C in FIG.

  At this time, in the ink cartridge 1, the handle piece 8 b closing the external communication hole 5 is peeled off from the upper surface of the cartridge body 2 and the external communication hole 5 is opened.

  That is, in the ink cartridge 1, when the protective cap 12 is removed from the cartridge body 2, the handle piece 8 b of the closing film 8 can be peeled off from the upper surface of the cartridge body 2, and the removal of the protective cap 12 and the external communication hole 5 can be removed. Opening can be performed collectively.

  In addition to the configuration described above, the protective cap 12 is provided with a buffer member 16 made of an elastically deformable resin, such as a sponge, between the upper surface of the cartridge body 2 and the second locking portion 15. ing. Thereby, in the ink cartridge 1, for example, when a stress is applied to the protective cap 12 from the outside during dropping or transportation, the impact applied to the cartridge body 2 via the protective cap 12 can be reduced.

  In the ink cartridge 1 described above, since it is difficult to mount the protective cap 12 on the cartridge mounting portion 32 unless the protective cap 12 is removed, it is difficult to mount the protective cap 12 on the cartridge mounting portion 32 of the head cartridge 22. When doing so, it is necessary to remove the protective cap 12 from the cartridge body 2.

  At this time, in the ink cartridge 1, the protective cap 12 is removed by pulling the handle piece 8 b of the closing film 8 led out from between the upper surface of the cartridge body 2 and the second locking portion 15 of the protective cap 12. The removal of the protective cap 12 and the opening of the external communication hole 5 can be performed collectively.

  Therefore, when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 32 of the head cartridge 22, it is prevented from forgetting to remove the closing film 8 and mounting on the cartridge mounting portion 32 with the external communication hole 5 being closed. be able to.

  In addition, in the ink cartridge 1, in addition to the above-described configuration, a nozzle serving as an introduction port when returning the excess ink i supplied to the head cartridge 22 to the ink container 3 again on the bottom surface 2 a of the cartridge body 2. 17 etc. are also provided. This nozzle 17 is a check valve so that excess ink i does not flow back to the head cartridge 22 side.

  Next, the head cartridge 22 to which the ink cartridge 1 described above is mounted will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the head cartridge 22 has a cartridge main body 31. The cartridge main body 31 is engaged with the cartridge mounting portion 32 to which the ink cartridge 1 is mounted and the engaging convex portion 11. Engaging recess 33, ink remaining amount detecting portion 34 for detecting the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 1, connection portion 35 connected to the ink supplying portion 4 and supplied with ink i, and ejecting ink. An ink discharge head 36 and a head cover 37 that protects the ink discharge head 36 are provided.

  The cartridge mounting portion 32 to which the ink cartridge 1 is mounted is formed in a substantially concave shape with the upper surface as an insertion / removal opening of the ink cartridge 1 so that the ink cartridge 1 is mounted. Here, the four ink cartridges 1 are made of recording paper. Stored side by side in the direction of travel.

  Since the ink cartridge 1 is accommodated in the cartridge mounting portion 32, the cartridge mounting portion 32 is long in the direction of the printing width as in the ink cartridge 1. The ink cartridge 1 is housed and mounted in the cartridge body 31.

  The cartridge mounting portion 32 is a portion where the ink cartridge 1 is mounted. The portion where the yellow ink cartridge 1y is mounted is the cartridge mounting portion 32y, and the portion where the magenta ink cartridge 1m is mounted is the cartridge mounting portion. 32m, the portion where the cyan ink cartridge 1c is mounted is the cartridge mounting portion 32c, the portion where the black ink cartridge 1k is mounted is the cartridge mounting portion 32k, and each cartridge mounting portion 32y, 32m, 32c, 32k. Are partitioned by a partition wall 32a so as to be adjacent to each other.

  As described above, the black ink cartridge 1k is formed to be thicker than the other ink cartridges 1y, 1m, and 1c because the inner volume of the ink i is increased. Accordingly, the cartridge mounting portion 32k is wider than the other cartridge mounting portions 32y, 32m, and 32c.

  The ink remaining amount detection unit 34 detects the remaining amount of the ink i in the ink cartridge 1 in a stepwise manner, and the cartridge mounting portions 32y, 32m, 32c, and 32k for the ink cartridges 1y, 1m, 1c, and 1k of the respective colors. Is provided.

  The engagement recess 33 is provided in each cartridge mounting portion 32y, 32m, 32c, 32k, and is engaged with the engagement protrusion 11 provided in a different arrangement pattern for each ink cartridge 1y, 1m, 1c, 1k. Have been to.

  When the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the head cartridge 22, the ink remaining amount detection unit 34 contacts and is electrically connected to the remaining amount detection unit 9 arranged in parallel in the height direction of the side surface in the ink cartridge 1. . In the ink remaining amount detection unit 34, the current applied to the remaining amount detection unit 9 of the ink cartridge 1 is AC. This is because when a direct current is applied, the remaining amount detection unit 9 in the ink cartridge 1 is electrolyzed and metal ions are eluted in the ink i, which may change the characteristics of the ink i.

  A connection portion 35 to which the ink supply portion 4 is connected when the ink cartridge 1 is attached to the cartridge attachment portion 32 is provided at the approximate center in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge attachment portion 32. The connecting portion 35 serves as an ink supply path for supplying ink from the ink supply portion 4 of the ink cartridge 1 mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 32 to the ink discharge head 36 that discharges ink provided on the bottom surface of the cartridge main body 31. .

  The ink discharge head 36 is disposed along the bottom surface of the cartridge main body 31, and the nozzles serving as the ink discharge ports for discharging the ink i supplied from the connection portion 35 have a substantially line shape for each color on the discharge surface 36 a. It is provided to make.

  The head cover 37 is a cover provided to protect the ink discharge head 36, and is opened / closed by a cover opening / closing mechanism provided in the printer main body 23 when discharging the ink i. The head cover 37 has a cleaning roller 37 a that is provided in the longitudinal direction and sucks off excess ink adhering to the ejection surface 36 a of the ink ejection head 36. The head cover 37 absorbs excess ink i and cleans the ejection surface 36 a of the ink ejection head 36 by rotating while the cleaning roller 37 a contacts the ejection surface 36 a of the ink ejection head 36 during the opening and closing operation. For example, a member having high water absorption is used as the cleaning roller 37a. The head cover 37 prevents the ink i exposed from the nozzles of the ink discharge head 36 from drying.

  When the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the head cartridge 22 having such a configuration, first, as shown in FIG. 8, the handle piece 8b led out between the cartridge body 2 and the protective cap 12 is moved in the direction of arrow C in FIG. To remove the protective cap 12 from the cartridge body 1 and open the external communication hole 5.

  Then, the cartridge main body 2 with the protective cap 12 removed is substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface of the cartridge mounting portion 32 with the ink supply portion 4 and the connection portion 35 facing each other, as shown in FIG. 9, the ink supply unit 4 is inserted in the direction of arrow E until it is connected to the connection unit 35. In this way, the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 32 of the head cartridge 22. At this time, even if the mounting position of the cartridge main body 2 is wrong, that is, even if an attempt is made to mount the wrong color cartridge main body 2, the engaging convex portion 11 is not engaged with the engaging concave portion 33, and the wrong color cartridge It is possible to prevent the main body 2 from being attached.

  On the other hand, when removing the empty ink cartridge 1 from the head cartridge 22, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the handle piece 8b led out from the upper surface side of the cartridge body 2 is pulled in the direction of arrow F in FIG. The cartridge main body 2 mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 32 can be easily removed.

  In the above description, the line type printer device 21 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a serial in which the ink discharge head moves in a direction substantially orthogonal to the traveling direction of the recording paper P. The present invention can also be applied to a liquid discharge device of a type.

  Further, the case where the ink cartridge 1 to which the present invention is applied is mounted on the printer apparatus 1 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above example, and can be widely applied to other liquid ejecting apparatuses that eject liquid. It is possible to install. For example, a liquid is supplied to a facsimile, a copier, a discharge device for a DNA chip in liquid (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-253200), a liquid discharge device that discharges liquid containing conductive particles for forming a wiring pattern of a printer wiring board, and the like. The present invention can also be applied to a liquid cartridge for supplying the liquid.

1 is an exploded perspective view showing a printer apparatus to which an ink cartridge to which the present invention is applied is mounted. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a head cartridge provided in the printer apparatus. It is sectional drawing which shows the head cartridge. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the ink cartridge. The ink supply unit when the ink cartridge is mounted on the head cartridge is shown. FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram showing a state where the supply port is closed, and FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the ink cartridge. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the same ink cartridge. It is a perspective view explaining when removing the protective cap of the ink cartridge. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating when the ink cartridge is mounted on a cartridge mounting portion. FIG. 6 is a perspective view for explaining a case where the ink cartridge is removed from the cartridge mounting portion. It is a perspective view of the conventional ink cartridge.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink cartridge, 2 Cartridge main body, 2a Bottom surface, 3 Ink storage part, 4 Ink supply part, 5 External communication hole, 6 Air introduction path, 7 Ink storage part, 8 Closure film, 8a Adhesion part, 8b Handle piece, 9 Remaining Quantity detection part, 10 protrusion part, 11 engagement convex part, 12 protective cap, 13 base part, 14 first locking part, 14a arm, 14b, 15b locking claw, 15 second locking part, 15a notch , 21 Inkjet printer device, 22 Inkjet printer head cartridge, 23 Printer body, 32 Cartridge mounting portion, 33 Engaging recess, 35 Connection portion

Claims (5)

A cartridge main body that is detachably attached to a mounting portion of a liquid discharge device that discharges the liquid, and is filled with the liquid;
A supply unit provided on an outer surface of the cartridge body facing the mounting unit, connected to the liquid ejection device and serving as a liquid supply port;
A communication hole provided on the upper surface of the cartridge body, and for communicating the inside and the outside of the cartridge body;
Attached so as to close the said communication hole on the upper and side surfaces of the cartridge body, have a handle piece formed a handle when it is peeled from the upper surface of the cartridge body, the communicating hole in the part of the handle piece a closing film for closing,
The supply unit is protected by being attached to the cartridge body so that it overlaps with the closing film and the handle piece is led out to the outside, and when the cartridge body is attached to the attachment part, it is removed from the cartridge body. and a protective member,
The protective member includes a base portion mounted so as to partially overlap the closing film from the top surface to the bottom surface of the cartridge body, and an end portion of the base portion on the bottom surface side of the cartridge body in the thickness direction of the cartridge body. A first locking portion that protrudes, and a second locking portion that protrudes in the thickness direction of the cartridge body from an end of the base portion on the upper surface side of the cartridge body,
The handle piece of the closing film led out from between the upper surface of the cartridge body and the second locking portion of the protection member is pulled in a direction away from the communication hole, so that the handle piece is The cartridge body is peeled off from the upper surface of the cartridge body, the communication hole is opened, and the second locking portion is elastically deformed so that the base portion warps outward while being separated from the upper surface of the cartridge body. Liquid cartridge removed from the main body . The outer surface of the cartridge body has one or a plurality of protrusions provided in a unique arrangement pattern according to the type of liquid filled in the cartridge,
The protruding portion protrudes from the outer surface of the cartridge body toward the mounting portion rather than the supply portion,
The protective member, the liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein you are further protruded than the projections. The cartridge body is made of a resin material containing polypropylene,
It said closure film, a resin layer containing polyethylene on the cartridge body and a surface facing is provided that the resin layer has closed the communication holes by heat sealing the periphery of the communication hole of the cartridge body The liquid cartridge according to claim 1 or 2 . A cartridge main body that is detachably mounted in a mounting portion of a liquid discharging device that discharges liquid, and is provided on the outer surface of the cartridge main body facing the mounting portion, and is connected to the liquid discharging device. The liquid supply port, a communication hole provided on the upper surface of the cartridge main body for communicating the inside and the outside of the cartridge main body, and the communication hole closed on the upper surface and the side surface of the cartridge main body. attached so as to, have a handle piece formed a handle when it is peeled from the upper surface of the cartridge body, a closing film for closing the communicating hole in the part of the handle strip and overlaps with the closed film above A liquid cartridge including a protection member that protects the supply unit by being attached to the cartridge body so that the handle piece is led out to the outside. A method of removing the protective member in the di,
The protective member includes a base portion mounted so as to partially overlap the closing film from the top surface to the bottom surface of the cartridge body, and an end portion of the base portion on the bottom surface side of the cartridge body in the thickness direction of the cartridge body. A first locking portion that protrudes, and a second locking portion that protrudes in the thickness direction of the cartridge body from the end of the base portion on the upper surface side of the cartridge body,
When the cartridge body is mounted on the mounting portion, the handle piece of the closing film led out from between the upper surface of the cartridge body and the second locking portion of the protection member is separated from the communication hole. The handle piece is peeled off from the upper surface of the cartridge body, the communication hole is opened, and the base portion is moved away from the upper surface of the cartridge body. A method of removing a protective member that is elastically deformed so as to warp outward and is removed from the cartridge body . A resin layer containing polyethylene provided on the surface of the closing film facing the cartridge body is thermally welded around the communication holes of the cartridge body made of a resin material containing polypropylene, thereby forming the communication holes. Removing of the protective member according to claim 4, wherein you closed.

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