The present application claims priority from Japanese patent application 2014-51105 filed on Mar. 14, 2014, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this application.
The present disclosure relates to injection of a liquid.
A known configuration of ink cartridge contains ink in a flexible bag. This bag may be formed, for example, by welding a plurality of films at their respective ends. This type of ink cartridge generally has a liquid lead-out portion. The liquid lead-out portion is a tube that has rigidity and is connected with inside of the bag. A flow path from the ink cartridge to a printer is provided by connecting the liquid lead-out portion with a flow path provided in the printer. In a known arrangement, the liquid lead-out portion is placed between joint surfaces at an end of the bag and is protruded in a direction parallel to the joint surfaces (for example, Patent Literature 1).
PTL 1: JP 2004-306466A
PTL 2: JP 2006-62282A
A problem to be solved by the disclosure is to reduce the possibility that an ink cartridge is stained with ink dripping off during ink injection. The above prior arts have not taken into account this problem. Other demands include downsizing of the apparatus, cost reduction, resource saving, easy manufacture and improvement of the convenience.
In order to solve at least one of the problems described above, the disclosure may be implemented by aspects described below.
(1) According to one aspect, there is provided an injection method of injecting a liquid into a liquid container. This liquid container comprises a liquid container body configured to contain a liquid therein and a liquid supply assembly located on one end portion of the liquid container body. The liquid supply assembly has a liquid supply port provided to supply the liquid to a liquid consuming apparatus. The liquid supply port is formed to face in an intersecting direction that intersects with direction of gravity and to be protruded in the intersecting direction from the one end portion when the liquid supply assembly is supported such as to be located above the liquid container body in the direction of gravity. The injection method comprises: inserting a liquid injection member into the liquid supply port and injecting the liquid into the liquid container body; and arranging the liquid supply port to be protruded in the intersecting direction and detaching the liquid injection member from the liquid supply port. The injection method of this aspect arranges the liquid supply port to be protruded in the intersecting direction and detaches the liquid injection member from the liquid supply port. This reduces the likelihood that the liquid drips off from the liquid supply port. This accordingly reduces the possibility that the liquid container is stained with the dripping liquid.
(2) In the injection method of the above aspect, the injecting may comprise supporting the liquid supply assembly such as to be located above the liquid container body in the direction of gravity and injecting the liquid. The injection method of this aspect supports the liquid supply assembly such as to be located above the liquid container body in the direction of gravity and injects the liquid. This ensures smooth injection.
(3) The injection method of the above aspect may further comprise positioning the liquid injection member prior to the injecting. The injection method of this aspect positions the liquid injection member and the liquid supply port relative to each other. This facilitates injection of the liquid.
(4) In the injection method of the above aspect, the liquid container may further comprise a positioning structure that is configured as a separate member from the liquid supply assembly, and the positioning may comprise positioning the liquid injection member by utilizing the positioning structure. According to this aspect, the positioning structure is provided as the separate member from the liquid supply assembly and can thus be formed from a material having the higher durability than the material of the liquid supply assembly. This reduces a cost increase, while enhancing the durability of the positioning structure.
(5) In the injection method of the above aspect, the liquid container body may have a gusset. The configuration of the liquid container body with the gusset enables a greater amount of the liquid to be injected therein, compared with the configuration without a gusset. Additionally, since the remaining liquid is accumulated on the bottom, the presence of the gusset facilitates the operation of discharging the remaining liquid.
(6) According to another aspect, there is provided an injection method of injecting a liquid into a liquid container. This liquid container comprises a liquid containing bag formed from a flexible material and configured to contain a liquid therein; a liquid supply assembly located on one end portion of the liquid containing bag and configured to have a liquid supply port provided to supply the liquid to a liquid consuming apparatus; and a flow path member connected with the liquid supply assembly and configured to form a flow path that connects with the liquid supply port and with inside of the liquid containing bag. The injection method comprises injecting the liquid from the liquid supply port through the flow path member to inside of the liquid containing bag. In the injection method of this aspect, the flow path member is placed in the liquid containing bag. This configuration suppresses flexible members from sticking to each other. As a result, this facilitates the liquid to be filled into the liquid containing bag.
(7) In the injection method of the above aspect, the flow path member may have a hole provided halfway in the flow path to communicate with inside of the liquid containing bag. According to this aspect, the presence of the hole in the flow path member further facilitates the liquid to be filled into the liquid containing bag.
(8) The injection method of the above aspect may further comprise discharging the liquid remaining inside of the liquid containing bag through the flow path member, prior to the injecting. The injection method of this aspect enables the remaining liquid to be discharged out of the liquid containing bag, prior to injection of new liquid.
(9) According to another aspect, there is provided an injection method of injecting a liquid into a liquid container. The liquid container comprises a liquid container body configured to contain a liquid therein; a liquid supply assembly attached to the liquid container body and configured to have a liquid supply passage provided inside thereof to supply the liquid to a liquid ejection apparatus; and a gas trap portion provided in the liquid container body to separate and trap a gas from the liquid. The injection method comprises injecting the liquid into the liquid container body through the liquid supply passage. According to this aspect, even when the gas is included in the injected liquid, the gas is trapped inside of the liquid container. This accordingly suppresses the gas from flowing out to the liquid ejection apparatus.
(10) In the injection method of the above aspect, the gas trap portion may comprise a first opening configured to be connected with the liquid supply passage; a second opening configured to be connected with inside of the liquid container body; a flow path arranged to connect the first opening with the second opening; and a filter provided halfway in the flow path. In this aspect, the filter may be provided in the gas trap portion.
(11) In the injection method of the above aspect, the gas trap portion may comprise a decompression chamber configured to have a lower pressure than atmospheric pressure and a sealing member configured to seal the decompression chamber such as to allow for transmission of the gas. The gas may be trapped, for example, by this configuration.
(12) According to another aspect, there is provided an injection method of injecting a liquid into a liquid containing bag unit. The liquid containing bag unit is detachably connectable with a liquid ejection apparatus and comprises a liquid containing bag configured to contain a liquid therein and to have a liquid supply port through which the liquid flows out; an operation member detachably attached to one end portion of the liquid containing bag; a first positioning structure provided integrally with the operation member and configured to position the liquid supply port when the liquid containing bag unit is connected with the liquid ejection apparatus; a memory unit configured to be electrically connectable with the liquid ejection apparatus; and a second positioning structure provided integrally with the operation member and configured to hold the memory unit and position the memory unit when the liquid containing bag unit is connected with the liquid ejection apparatus. The injection method comprises: detaching the operation member from the liquid containing bag prior to injection; and attaching the operation member provided with a new memory unit to the liquid containing bag. Since the operation member is detachable, the configuration of this aspect facilitates replacement of the memory unit that is to be replaced for injection of the liquid.
(13) According to another aspect, there is provided an injection method of injecting a liquid into a liquid container. The liquid container comprises a liquid container body configured to contain a liquid therein; a liquid supply assembly located on one end portion of the liquid container body and configured to have a liquid supply port provided to supply the liquid to a liquid consuming apparatus; and a flow path member placed inside of the liquid container body and configured to form a flow path that is connected with the liquid supply assembly. The injection method comprises cutting at least part of the liquid container body and injecting the liquid from the cut part. The injection method of this aspect injects the liquid from the cut part of the liquid container body. This configuration enables the liquid to be readily injected into even the liquid container body equipped with the flow path member.
(14) According to another aspect, there is provide an injection method of injecting a liquid into a liquid container. The liquid container comprises a liquid container body configured to contain a liquid therein; a liquid supply assembly located on one end portion of the liquid container body and configured to have a liquid supply port provided to supply the liquid to a liquid consuming apparatus; and a grip portion linked with the liquid container body and the liquid supply assembly. The injection method comprises cutting at least part of the liquid container body and injecting the liquid from the cut part. According to this aspect, the presence of the grip portion facilitates cutting the liquid container body.
Another aspect may be a liquid-container in which a liquid is injected by the injection method of any of the above aspects.
The liquid supply device 20 is configured to supply ink to the printer 10. Liquid containers 50 (shown in, for example,
The printer 10 is an inkjet printer. The printer 10 includes a recording mechanism 11, a plurality of paper feed trays 16 and a paper eject tray 17. The plurality of paper feed trays 1 are provided at different locations in the Z-axis direction. The paper feed trays 16 are provided on an apparatus first surface 102 of the printer 10. Recording media (for example, sheets of paper) on which images such as letters and characters are printed (recorded) by the printer 10 are placed in the paper feed trays 16.
The recording mechanism 11 includes a record head (not shown) configured to eject ink. The record head is connected with the liquid supply devices 20 through flow pipes such as tubes. The record head uses and ejects ink supplied from the liquid supply device 20 on the recording medium to perform recording (printing). The recording medium after recording is discharged to the paper eject tray 17.
The two liquid supply devices 20 are respectively provided on an apparatus second surface 104 and on an apparatus third surface 106 that are arranged to intersect with the apparatus first surface 102 of the printer 10. The apparatus first surface 102 to the apparatus third surface 106 are surfaces approximately perpendicular to the installation plane of the printer 10 in the use state of the printer 10. The liquid supply device 20 provided on the apparatus second surface 104 is also called “first liquid supply device 20A”, and the liquid supply device 20 provided on the apparatus third surface 106 is also called “second liquid supply device 20B”. When there is no need to distinguish between the first and the second liquid supply devices 20A and 20B, these are simply called “liquid supply devices 20”.
As shown in
The four liquid containers 50 respectively container different colors of inks. In Embodiment 1, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K) inks are respectively contained in the different liquid containers 50. The liquid container 50K contains black ink, the liquid container 50C contains cyan ink, the liquid container 50M contains magenta ink and the liquid container 50Y contains yellow ink.
The liquid container 50 is detachably mounted to the mounting/demounting unit 30 shown in
The cover member 22 is configured to be openable and closable. As shown in
The guide structure 27 serves to guide insertion of the liquid container 50 when the user inserts the liquid container 50 from outside into the housing space 26B. The guide structure 27 guides the liquid container 50 such that a third film 523 (shown in
Configuration of Liquid Container 50:
The liquid containing bag 52 is configured to contain ink therein. The liquid containing bag 52 is attached to the operation member 53 in the state that the bag surface is exposed. In other words, the liquid containing bag 52 is not placed in a case or the like but is configured to be visible from outside.
A side of the liquid containing bag 52 to which the operation member 53 is attached is defined as one end 501-side, and an opposite side to the one end 501 is defined as the other end 502-side. A +K2-axis direction end of the liquid containing bag 52 is defined as first side edge 503, and a −K2-axis direction end is defined as second side edge 504.
As shown in
The liquid containing bag 52 includes a first film 521, a second film 522 (shown in
The one end 501 of the liquid containing bag 52 (more specifically, the one ends of the first and the second films 521 and 522) are welded to joint structures 549 of the operation member 53 (shown in
The third film 523 has a peripheral area 51W that is partly welded to the peripheral areas 51W of the first film 521 and the second film 522. Welded portions of the third film 523 to the first and the second films 521 and 522 are shown by one-dot chain line single-hatching in
The first to the third films 521 to 523 are respectively flexible. The material employed for the first to the third films 521 to 523 may be, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon or polyethylene. The flexibility reduces the internal volume of the liquid containing bag 52 with reduction of ink contained in the liquid containing bag 52.
The liquid container 50 has a flow path member 70 configured to cause the ink contained in the liquid containing bag 52 to flow into the liquid supply unit 55 (more specifically, a liquid supply assembly 53B described later). The flow path member 70 is placed inside of the liquid containing bag 52.
The relationship of the respective components of the liquid container 50 is described with reference to
The liquid containing bag 52 has a cutout portion 529. The cutout portion 529 is a cutout formed in the one end 501. The cutout portion 529 is provided to avoid interference of a liquid supply tube 57 with the one end 501 in the process of welding the liquid supply assembly 53B to the liquid containing bag 52.
The flow path member 70 is a tubular member provided to allow ink to flow inside thereof. The flow path member 70 has a plurality of holes 71. The holes 71 are through holes penetrating the outer wall and the inner wall of the flow path member 70. Providing the holes 71 allows ink to be flowed in and flowed out through the holes 71, as well as through open ends of the flow path member 70.
As shown in
The linkage member 53A includes the grip portion 54. The grip portion 54 is formed in a frame-like shape. The linkage member 53A is a plate-like member extended along a plane perpendicular to the K1-axis direction (direction of a center axis CT of the liquid supply tube 57). A positioning structure 56 and a circuit board holding structure 59 are integrally formed to be connected with a base portion 548 of the linkage member 53A (more specifically, on the first side 53fa of the base portion 548).
As shown in
The engagement elements 511 are provided on the second side 53fb of the base portion 548. The engagement element 511 is formed in an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape. In other words, the engagement element 511 has an approximately rectangular outer shape to surround a virtual straight line along the K1-axis direction.
As shown in
As shown in
The liquid supply assembly 53B has three engagement elements 513A, 513B and 513C. The engagement elements 513A, 513B and 513C are engaged with the engagement elements 511 so as to attach the linkage member 53A to the liquid supply assembly 53B. When there is no need to distinguish among the three engagement elements 513A, 513B and 513C, these are expressed by a reference sign “513”.
The three engagement elements 513A, 513B and 513C are provided corresponding to the three engagement elements 511A, 511B and 511C of the linkage member 53A. The engagement element 513 is a hole formed to pass through in the K1-axis direction. The engagement element 513 is formed in such an outer shape that allows the engagement element 511 to be fit in. The engagement element 513 has an approximately rectangular outer shape to surround a direction along the K1-axis direction (direction of the center axis CT of the liquid supply tube 57) (K1-axis direction).
Inclusion of Ink in Liquid Container 50:
The liquid containing bag 52 is first produced by welding (process P805). More specifically, the liquid containing bag 52 is produced by welding the peripheral areas 51W of the first to the third films 521 to 523. The flow path member 70 is subsequently attached to the liquid supply assembly 53B (process P810). More specifically, a lead-out portion 550 is inserted into the flow path member 70 (as shown in
The liquid supply assembly 53B is then positioned relative to the liquid containing bag 52 (process P815). More specifically, the attached flow path member 70 is inserted into the liquid containing bag 52, and the joint structures 549 of the liquid supply assembly 53B are positioned relative to the first and the second sheet members 521 and 522. The liquid supply assembly 53B is positioned such that the liquid supply tube 57 comes into contact with the cutout portion 529. This positioning is performed for subsequent welding.
The liquid supply assembly 53B is then welded to the liquid containing bag 52 (process P820). At process P820, however, a second rib 660 (shown in
The joint structure 549b (shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
After the welding as described above, the linkage member 53A, the pressing member 53C, the valve mechanism 551 and a board 582 including a storage device 583 are assembled (process P830). This assembling process is described in detail below.
As shown in
The three engagement elements 511A, 511B and 511C of the linkage member 53A are engaged with the liquid supply assembly 53B to which the liquid containing bag 52 is attached, so as to support the load of the liquid containing bag 52.
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As described above, engagement of the engagement elements 511 of the linkage member 53A with the engagement elements 513 of the liquid supply assembly 53B positions these components 53A and 53B relative to each other. The circuit board holding structure 59 is joined with the linkage member 53A, and the liquid supply tube 57 connected with the printer 10 is joined with the liquid supply assembly 53B. Accordingly engagement of the engagement elements 511 of the linkage member 53A with the engagement elements 513 of the liquid supply assembly 53B positions the liquid supply tube 57 and the circuit board holding structure 59 relative to each other.
As shown in
As shown in
The pressing member 53C is colored in the color of ink contained in the liquid containing bag 52. For example, in the case of the liquid container 50Y containing yellow ink, the pressing member 53C is colored in yellow.
After attachment of the linkage member 53A and the pressing member 53C, the attitude of the liquid container 50 is determined (process P840). A liquid injection member 13 is then inserted into the liquid supply tube 57 (process P850). Processes P840 and P850 are performed for injection of ink (process P850).
The liquid container 50 has the gusset as described above. When the amount of ink contained is over a certain level, the attitude of the liquid container 50 is determinable by simply placing the liquid container 50 on a horizontal plane as shown in
Ink is then injected into the liquid container 50 (process P860). The ink to be injected is reserved in an ink tank 12. The ink is injected via the inserted liquid injection member 13.
As shown in
The valve seat 552 is an approximately annular member. The valve seat 552 is formed from an elastic body, for example, a rubber or an elastomer. The valve seat 552 is pressed into the liquid supply tube 57. The valve element 554 is an approximately cylindrical member. The valve element 554 is arranged to close a hole formed in the valve seat 552 (valve hole) in the state before mounting of the liquid container 50 to the mounting/demounting unit 30 (state shown in
Ink is injected through the bypass 562, in addition to the flow path connected in
The attitude determined at process P840 is maintained at process P860, so that the liquid supply tube 57 is located above the liquid containing bag 52 in the direction of gravity. This configuration enables ink to be smoothly flowed into the liquid containing bag 52.
After injection of ink, the liquid injection member 13 is pulled out from the liquid supply tube 57 (process P870). The attitude determined at process P840 is maintained at process P870. More specifically, at process P870, the liquid supply tube 57 is protruded in the horizontal direction, and the liquid injection member 13 is pulled out in the horizontal direction. This reduces the likelihood that the liquid container 50 is stained with ink that possibly drips off from the liquid injection member 13 in the process of pulling out the liquid injection member 13 from the liquid supply tube 57.
After the liquid injection member is pulled out, air bubbles are removed from inside of the liquid containing bag 52 (process P880). Air bubbles are removed by discharging a predetermined amount of the ink contained in the liquid containing bag 52 through the liquid supply tube 57 while maintaining the attitude determined at process P840. A syringe (not shown) is used for such removal. The syringe is in a similar shape to that of the liquid injection member 13 and sucks the air bubbles in the state that the syringe is inserted in the liquid supply tube 57. The air bubbles are removed through the second chamber 559 and the bypass 562. The following describes the bypass 562.
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The bypass 562 is used for removal of the gas at process P880. More specifically, the air bubbles accumulated near the upper end of the liquid containing bag 52 flow into the openings 562A and 562B and then sequentially pass through the bypass 562, the second chamber 559, the first chamber 558 and the liquid supply tube 57 to be removed.
After removal of the air bubbles, the end face of the second rib 660 is welded to the liquid containing bag 52 (process P890). The protrusion 665 is melted to disappear in the process of welding the second rib 660.
The liquid supply port 572 is lastly sealed with the sealing film 99 (shown in
Configuration of Operation Member 53:
As shown in
The grip portion 54, the first connecting portion 546, the second connecting portion 547 and the base portion 548 form a frame. This frame defines a receiving space 542. The user's hand is accessible to and insertable in the receiving space 542.
The grip portion 54 is a portion held by the user. The grip portion 54 is extended along the K2-axis direction. As shown in
As shown in
The base portion 548 is a portion opposed to the grip portion 54 across the receiving space 542. The base portion 548 is extended along the K2-axis direction. The positioning structure 56, the circuit board holding structure 59 and the pressed portion 545 (shown in
The joint structures 549 are located on the opposite side of the grip portion 54 across the base portion 548. The joint structures 549 are provided adjacent to the base portion 548. The joint structures 549 are extended along the K2-axis direction. The joint structures 549 are portions that are to be joined with the one end 501 of the liquid containing bag 52 (shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The positioning structure 56 roughly positions the liquid container 50 including the liquid supply port 572 relative to the printer 10 in the process of connecting the liquid container 50 with the printer 10. The positioning structure 56 is integrally provided with the linkage member 53A. In Embodiment 1, the positioning structure 56 is integrally molded with the linkage member 53A so as to be integrally provided with the linkage member 53A.
As shown in
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As shown in
The circuit board holding structure 59 has a recessed shape. This recessed shape means that the rough outline looks like a U shape in the front view as shown in
The circuit board holding structure 59 has a first side wall portion 591 and a second side wall portion 593 extended in the +Z-axis direction from respective sides in the K2-axis direction of the bottom 594. As shown in
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As shown in
While the positioning structure 56 and the circuit board holding structure 59 are provided on the surface of the first side 53fa as shown in
The pressed portion 545 is a portion pressed by the user in the process of connecting the liquid container 50 with the printer 10. The user presses the pressed portion 545 in the −K1-axis direction, so as to move the movable member 40 (shown in
The pressed portion 545 is provided to be protruded outward (in the +K1-axis direction) from the operation member 53. This configuration facilitates discrimination of the pressed portion 545 from the remaining part. As a result, the user is encouraged to press the pressed portion 545 in the process of connecting the liquid container 50 with the printer 10.
As shown in
As shown in
Configuration of Mounting/Demounting Unit 30:
The movable member 40 is colored in the corresponding color of ink. The corresponding color of ink denotes the same type of color as the color of ink contained in a correct liquid container to be connected among the liquid containers 50K, 50C, 50M and 50Y.
The stationary member 35 includes a liquid introduction mechanism 36 and a contact mechanism 38. The liquid introduction mechanism 36 and the contact mechanism 38 are arrayed along the K2-axis direction. The liquid introduction mechanism 36 includes a liquid introduction portion 362.
The movable member 40 is configured to be movable along the K1-axis direction relative to the stationary member 35. The movable member 40 includes a base portion 41, a supply assembly support structure 42 and a board support structure 48. The supply assembly support structure 42 and the board support structure 48 are respectively connected with the base portion 41. The supply assembly support structure 42 and the board support structure 48 are members provided on the +Z-axis direction side of the base portion 41.
As shown in
The board positioning structures 385 are arranged on respective sides in the K2-axis direction (the direction in which the liquid introduction mechanism 36 and the contact mechanism 38 are arrayed) (only one is shown in
The supply assembly support structure 42 is a member configured to roughly position the liquid container 50 relative to the liquid introduction portion 362. When the mounting/demounting unit 30 is viewed along the K1-axis direction, the supply assembly support structure 42 is provided at a position overlapping the liquid introduction portion 362.
The supply assembly support structure 42 is provided to form a recessed shape. This recessed shape means that the rough outline looks like a U shape in the front view. The front denotes a surface specified by the +Z-axis direction as upward and the −K1-axis direction as rearward. The supply assembly support structure 42 has grooves 407 formed on respective sides in the K2-axis direction. Downward insertion of the positioning structure 56 (shown in
The positioning structure 56 is located inside of the supply assembly support structure 42 when the liquid container 50 is connected with the printer 10. This configuration causes the positioning structure 56 to abut on the plurality of surfaces defining and forming the supply assembly support structure 42 (the first support surface 402, the second support surface 403 and the third support surface 404 shown in
The board support structure 48 is a member configured to determine the position of the circuit board 582 relative to the contact mechanism 38. When the mounting/demounting unit 30 is viewed along the K1-axis direction, the board support structure 48 is provided at a position overlapping the contact mechanism 38. The board support structure 48 is provided to form a recessed shape like the supply assembly support structure 42. The motion of the circuit board of the liquid container 50 is restricted by a plurality of surfaces defining and forming the board support structure 48 (for example, a first board support surface 482).
When the liquid container 50 is newly mounted to the mounting/demounting unit 30, the circuit board holding structure 59 is supported by the board support structure 48 (shown in
In the mounted state, the liquid supply port 572 is positioned by projections 577 provided on the liquid supply tube 57 (577a, 577b, 577c and 577d shown in
As shown in
During the mounting operation, the engagement projection 74 moves in the sequence of the receiving portion 601, the guiding portion 606, the connecting portion 608 and the engaging portion 612. In the mounted state, the engagement projection 74 is engaged with the engaging portion 612 at a predetermined engagement position St of the engaging portion 612. During the demounting operation, the engagement projection 74 moves in the sequence of the engaging portion 612, the outlet portion 616 and the receiving portion 601.
The receiving portion 601 forms an opening 605 and receives the engagement projection 74 through the opening 605. The receiving portion 601 is made deeper than the other portions 606, 608, 612 and 616 of the heart-shaped cam 420. The term “deeper” means located on the −Z-axis direction side.
The guiding portion 606 is a portion serving to guide the engagement projection 74 to the engagement position St (to the location where the engaging portion 612 is formed). The guiding portion 606 is connected with the receiving portion 601. The guiding portion 606 guides the engagement projection 74 obliquely to the moving direction of the movable member 40 (−K1-axis direction). The guiding portion 606 includes an inclined portion 606a. The groove of the inclined portion 606a becomes shallower with an increase in distance from the receiving portion 601. There is no step at the boundary between the guiding portion 606 and the receiving portion 601.
The connecting portion 608 is arranged to connect the guiding portion 606 with the engaging portion 612. The connecting portion 608 includes a protruded wall 615. The protruded wall 615 is protruded toward the +K1-axis direction from a wall that forms a dead end in the −K1-axis direction.
The engaging portion 612 is opposed to the protruded wall 615. The engaging portion 612 includes an engagement wall 614. The engagement wall 614 is formed by a wall portion 633. The wall portion 633 is one of a plurality of wall portions defining and forming the groove of the heart-shaped cam 420. The outlet portion 616 is arranged to connect the engaging portion 612 with the receiving portion 601. The outlet portion 616 includes an inclined portion 616a. The groove of the inclined portion 616a becomes deeper with a decrease in distance from the receiving portion 601. There is a step 620 at the boundary between the outlet portion 616 and the receiving portion 601.
The motion of the engagement projection 74 in the heart-shaped cam 420 is described with reference to
The movable member 40 constantly receives a force in the +K1-axis direction from the stationary member 35 by means of the elastic force of an elastic body such as a spring (not shown). The connecting structure 76 constantly applies a torque to the follower 75, while connecting the follower 75 to be rotatable. This axis of rotation is the Z axis passing through the connecting structure 76. The direction of the torque generated by the connecting structure 76 is the direction of rotating a right-hand screw when moving in the +Z-axis direction.
The engagement projection 74 moves from the receiving portion 601 along the step 620 to the guiding portion 606 during the mounting operation. The engagement projection 74 then reaches the connecting portion 608 by pressing the movable member 40 in the mounting direction (−K1-axis direction) against the elastic force described above. The engagement projection 74 reaching the connecting portion 608 is subsequently moved in a direction including a −K2-axis direction component by the torque described above. The engagement projection 74 then comes into collision with the protruded wall 615 and stops. This produces a click. The click informs the user of no need for further pressing.
When the user stops pressing in the mounting direction, the movable member 40 is pressed back in the demounting direction (+K1-axis direction) by the elastic force described above. This releases the engagement by the protruded wall 615 and causes the engagement projection 74 to reach the engaging portion 612. The engagement projection 74 then comes into collision with the engagement wall 614 by the torque described above. This collision produces a click. The click informs the user of completion of the mounting operation.
The demounting operation is performed by the following procedure. When the user presses in the movable member 40 in the mounting direction, the engagement projection 74 separates from the engagement wall 614. This causes the movable member 40 to move in the −K2-axis direction by the torque described above and releases the engagement. The engagement projection 74 then comes into collision with the wall. This collision produces a click. The click informs the user of no need for further pressing.
When the user stops pressing in the mounting direction in the disengaged state, the movable member 40 is moved in the demounting direction by the elastic force described above, and the engagement projection 74 passes through the outlet portion 616 and reaches the receiving portion 601. This results in completing the demounting operation.
Mounting of Liquid Container 50 to Mounting/Demounting Unit 30:
The process of mounting the liquid container 50 to the mounting/demounting unit 30 is described.
The user moves the liquid container 50 along the guide structure 27 (shown in
The abutment structure 80 is arranged not to interfere with a shift from the non-contact state to the set state. Significant displacement of the abutment structure 80 in the +Z-axis direction from the position shown in
During a shift from the set state to the mounted state, the abutment structure 80 also shares part of the load of the liquid container 50. This accordingly reduces the load applied to the movable member 40 during the shift. As a result, this ensures smooth motion of the movable member 40 and enhances the durability of the movable member 40.
The abutment structure 80 abutting near the center of the third film 523 in the mounted state restricts the outward motion (motion in the −Z-axis direction) of the third film 523. Such restriction of the motion facilitates the third film 523 to be moved inward in the course of contraction of the liquid containing bag 52 with reduction of remaining ink. This results in readily reducing the amount of remaining ink.
Ink Refill
The liquid container 50 is first demounted from the housing space 26 (process P905). The remaining ink is then removed (process P910). An injection passage is provided (process P920), and ink is injected (process P930).
Process P910 to process P930 may be performed by any of various methods. According to Embodiment 1, the liquid supply tube 57 is used for all process P910 to process P930. At process P910 in Embodiment 1, the syringe used at process P880 is inserted into the liquid supply tube 57 to suck out the remaining ink. Process P920 and process P930 in Embodiment 1 are performed by the same techniques as those at process P850 and at process P850 in the ink inclusion process.
According to another embodiment, for example, at process P910, part of the liquid containing bag 52 may be cut, and the remaining ink may be discharged from a cut section.
After injection of ink, the injection passage is sealed (process P940). Process P940 is performed according to the technique employed at process P920. When the liquid injection member 13 is used at process P920, the injection passage is sealed by pulling out the liquid injection member 13. Additionally, the liquid supply port 572 may be blocked with the sealing film 99 or the like. When the cutting technique is employed at process P920, process P940 may be achieved by closing the cut section by welding or the like.
Lastly the circuit board 582 with the linkage member 53A is replaced (process P950). The circuit board 582 after replacement stores information regarding the replacement. The information regarding the replacement is, for example, the date of replacement and the number of refills. The linkage member 53A is a separate member from the liquid supply assembly 53B that is involved in inclusion of ink and is thus readily replaceable.
Embodiment 1 provides at least the following advantageous effects.
The third film 523 serving as the gusset enables a large amount of ink to be contained.
The third film 523 having the folding line 90 enables the amount of remaining ink to be reduced.
Providing the flow path member 70 enables ink near the bottom of the liquid containing bag 52 to be sucked and thereby reduces the amount of remaining ink.
The liquid supply tube 57 is provided to partly come into contact with the gouged portion 560. This configuration enables the liquid supply tube 57 to be offset in the −Z-axis direction, compared with the configuration without the gouged portion 560. As a result, this provides the receiving space 542 in the grip portion 54 and thereby suppresses an increase in height (length in the Z-axis direction) of the liquid container 50.
The liquid supply assembly 53B is readily positioned relative to the liquid containing bag 52 as preparatory for welding by placing the liquid supply tube 57 to come into contact with the cutout portion 529.
The presence of the overhang portion 570 in the joint structure 549a increases the area of the joint structure 549a. This results in increasing the joint force.
Providing the first chamber 558, the second chamber 559 and the bypass 562 on the rear side of the overhang portion 570 suppresses expansion of the liquid supply assembly 53B in the Z-axis direction.
The presence of the hole 71 in the flow path member 70 ensures smooth injection of ink.
The lead-out portion 550 and the bypass 562 serve as the injection passage during ink injection. This ensures smooth injection.
Providing the protrusion 665 suppresses the second film 22 from sticking to the end face of the second rib 660. This ensures the smooth flow between the first chamber 558 and the second chamber 559.
The bypass 562 serves as the ink injection passage and is sealed on completion of the ink inclusion process. This configuration does not need any part that is welded twice or more times, while achieving the ink injection process. This accordingly reduces the likelihood that the first film 521 and the second film 522 and damaged or peeled off. The absence of any part that is welded twice or more times is attributed to the configuration that the welded surface of the second rib 660 is not continuous with the welded surface of the first rib 650.
The liquid supply tube 57 faces in the horizontal direction in the process of pulling out the liquid injection member 13. This configuration reduces the likelihood that the liquid container 50 is stained with ink dripping off from the liquid injection member 13 or the liquid supply port 572.
The jig 14 is used to keep the liquid injection member 13 and the liquid supply tube 57 at the determined positions during a time period from insertion to pull-out of the liquid injection member 13. This configuration ensures stable ink injection. Additionally, no large stress is generated in the liquid supply assembly 53B by such positioning. There is accordingly no need that the entire operation member 53 has the strength required for positioning.
The flow path member 70 is inserted into the liquid containing bag 52 during ink injection. This suppresses the first film 521 and the second film 522 from sticking to each other. Sticking the sheets may interfere with ink injection.
The bypass 562 is used to remove the gas included in the ink.
By taking advantage of guiding by the guide structure 27, the user can readily insert the liquid container 50 into the housing space 26.
The abutment structure 80 has the curved convex shape in the part that abuts on the third film 523. This suppresses the third film 523 from being damaged.
The liquid supply tube 57 faces in the horizontal direction and is located at the higher position than the liquid containing bag 52 in the set state. Additionally, the cover member 22 has open top in the set state. This positional relationship causes the liquid supply tube 57 and the liquid introduction portion 362 to be readily visible by the user and thereby facilitates the mounting operation.
In the set state, in the mounted state and during a shift from one of these two states to the other, the abutment structure 80 abuts on the third film 523. This configuration reduces the load applied to the mounting/demounting unit 30. This results in suppressing the mounting/demounting unit 30 from being damaged. Additionally, this configuration facilitates the motion of the movable member 40 during a shift of the state.
During the mounting operation, the user can move the movable member 40 and the liquid container 50 by simply pressing the pressing member 53C. This facilitates the mounting operation.
In the mounted state, the abutment structure 80 abuts on the third film 523. This configuration reduces the amount of remaining ink.
Positioning the liquid supply tube 57 in the mounted state ensures stable ink supply.
Providing the flow path member 70 enables the remaining ink to be readily discharged.
Replacement of the linkage member 53A leads to replacement of the substrate unit 58. There is accordingly no need to detach the substrate unit 58 from the linkage member 53A.
Embodiment 2 differs from Embodiment 1 by providing a filter unit 700 inside of the liquid containing bag 52.
The frame 710 may be formed by, for example, resin molding. The filter 725 is configured to allow for transmission of ink but not to allow for transmission of impurities over a predetermined size. The filter chamber film 720 and the deaeration chamber film 730 are configured to allow for transmission of gas but not to allow for transmission of ink. The filter chamber film 720 and the deaeration chamber film 730 are made of an identical material.
The deaeration chamber film 730 seals the deaeration chamber 735 under the reduced pressure. The reduced pressure means the pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure. When the atmosphere of the deaeration chamber film 730 is at atmospheric pressure, the gas that externally comes into contact with the deaeration chamber film 730 passes through the deaeration chamber film 730 and is trapped in the deaeration chamber 735. This configuration causes the gas included in the liquid containing bag 52 during ink injection to be trapped at least partly in the deaeration chamber 735.
As shown in
The configuration of Embodiment 2 enables the gas and impurities to be removed from the ink that is to be supplied to the printer 10. Even in the configuration including the filter 725, the bypass 562 serving as the injection passage during ink injection avoids a significant increase in flow resistance of the entire injection passage.
The liquid container 50a includes a liquid containing bag 52a. The liquid containing bag 52a is formed by joining two films with each other and does not have a gusset unlike the liquid container 50. A welded portion 50aY in which the two films are welded to each other is shown by hatching in
The liquid containing bag 52a is joined with an operation member 53. This operation member 53 is identical with the operation member 53 included in the liquid container 50 and is connected with a flow path member inside of the liquid containing bag 52a.
As shown in
As illustrated in Embodiments 3 and 4, the common operation member 53 may be used for various different liquid containing bags.
The horizontal direction is one example of the intersecting direction. Ink is one example of the liquid. The printer 10 is one example of the liquid consuming apparatus. The liquid container 50, 50a or 50b is one example of the liquid container or the liquid containing bag unit. The liquid containing bag 52 is one example of the liquid container body. The positioning structure 56 is one example of the first positioning structure. The liquid supply tube 57 is one example of the liquid supply passage. The substrate unit 58 is one example of the memory unit. The circuit board holding structure 59 is one example of the second positioning structure. The third sheet 523 is one example of the gusset. The filter unit 700 is one example of the gas trap portion. The upper connecting structure 711 is one example of the first opening. The lower connecting structure 712 is one example of the second opening. The flow path chamber 715 is one example of the flow path. The deaeration chamber film 730 is one example of the sealing member. The deaeration chamber 735 is one example of the decompression chamber.
The disclosure is not limited to any of the embodiments, the examples and the modifications described above but may be implemented by a diversity of other configurations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the technical features of any of the embodiments, the examples and the modifications corresponding to the technical features of each of the aspects described in Summary may be replaced or combined appropriately, in order to solve part or all of the problems described above or in order to achieve part or all of the advantageous effects described above. Any of the technical features may be omitted appropriately unless the technical feature is described as essential herein. Some examples of modifications are given below.
A cut 529a may be provided as shown in
The abutment structure 80 may not be provided integrally with the housing space 26 but may be provided separately. For example, a soft member such as sponge may be fixed by means of an adhesive to serve as an abutment structure. In another example, a spring may be placed in the housing space 26, and the abutment structure 80 may be provided on the spring. This configuration further suppresses the liquid containing bag 52 from being damaged.
The liquid container 50 may have any attitude during ink injection. The liquid container 50 may be arranged in the reverse attitude to that of the embodiment or more specifically may be arranged such that the liquid containing bag 52 is located on the +Z-axis direction side of the operation member 53. The liquid container 50 may be laid such that the center axis CT of the liquid supply tube 57 faces in the +Z-axis direction or in the −Z-axis direction.
The liquid container 50 may be arranged in the attitude that causes the liquid containing bag 52 to be bent.
The attitude of the liquid container 50 at the time of pulling out the liquid injection member 13 may be changed from the attitude at the time of insertion of the liquid injection member 13.
All the three components or any two components among the linkage member 53A, the liquid supply assembly 53B and the pressing member 53C may be molded from the same material.
In the above embodiments, the liquid containing bag 52 is formed from the flexible material. This is, however, not restrictive but any material may be used as long as the liquid containing bag 52 can serve as a liquid container body configured to contain a liquid inside thereof. For example, the liquid containing bag 52 may be formed partly from a flexible material or may be formed from a hard material that does not change the volume irrespective of consumption of the liquid. Forming at least part of the liquid containing bag 52 from the flexible material causes the volume of the liquid containing bag 52 to be changed with a change in amount of ink contained in the liquid containing bag 52.
In the embodiments described above, the operation member 53 is formed in the frame-like shape. The shape is, however, not limited to this shape but may be any shape that can be held by the user. For example, the operation member 53 may be formed in a rod-like (plate-like) shape extended along the Z-axis direction.
In the embodiments described above, the linkage member 53A, the liquid supply unit 55, the circuit board holding structure 59 and the like are formed by combining the three components 53A, 53B and 53C. This configuration is, however, not restrictive. For example, an assembly may be integrally formed by assembling the three components 53A, 53B and 53C. The method employed for integral formation may be integral molding or may be a method of attaching the respective components 53A, 53B and 53C by means of an adhesive or the like. This facilitates manufacture of the liquid container 50. This enables the liquid supply unit 55 and the substrate unit 58 to be formed integrally and thereby ensures accurate positioning of the respective units 55 and 58 relative to each other. This also enables the linkage member 53A and the joint structure 549 to be formed integrally. This reduces the likelihood that the joint structure 549 is separated from the linkage member 53A by the weight of the liquid containing bag 52 when the user holds the linkage member 53A. The load generated by the dead weight of the liquid containing bag 52 when the user holds the linkage member 53A is applied to the linkage member 53A via the joint structure 549. This reduces an external force applied to the liquid containing bag 52 and thereby reduces the possibility that the liquid containing bag 52 is damaged. The liquid supply assembly 53B and the liquid containing bag 52 may also be molded integrally.
The disclosure is not limited to the inkjet printer or its liquid container 50 but is also applicable to any printing apparatus (liquid ejection apparatus) configured to eject any liquid other than ink and a liquid container configured to contain the liquid. For example, the disclosure may be applied to any of various liquid ejection apparatuses and their liquid containers given below:
(1) image recording apparatus such as a facsimile machine;
(2) color material ejection apparatus configured to eject a color material used for manufacturing color filters for an image display apparatus such as a liquid crystal display;
(3) electrode material ejection apparatus configured to eject an electrode material used for forming electrodes of, for example, an organic EL (electroluminescence) display and a field emission display (FED);
(4) liquid ejection apparatus configured to eject a bioorganic material-containing liquid used for manufacturing biochips;
(5) sample ejection apparatus used as a precision pipette;
(6) ejection apparatus of lubricating oil;
(7) ejection apparatus of a resin solution;
(8) liquid ejection apparatus for pinpoint ejection of lubricating oil on precision machines such as watches and cameras;
(9) liquid ejection apparatus configured to eject a transparent resin solution, such as an ultraviolet curable resin solution, onto a substrate in order to manufacture a hemispherical microlens (optical lens) used for, for example, optical communication elements;
(10) liquid ejection apparatus configured to eject an acidic or alkaline etching solution in order to etch a substrate or the like; and
(11) liquid ejection apparatus equipped with a liquid ejection head configured to eject a very small volume of droplets of any other liquid.
The “droplet” herein means the state of liquid ejected from the liquid ejection apparatus and may be in a granular shape, a teardrop shape or a tapered threadlike shape. The “liquid” herein may be any material ejectable from the liquid ejection apparatus. The “liquid” may be any material in the liquid phase. For example, liquid-state materials of high viscosity or low viscosity, sols, aqueous gels and other liquid-state materials including inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins and liquid metals (metal melts) are included in the “liquid”. The “liquid” is not limited to the liquid state as one of the three states of matter but includes solutions, dispersions and mixtures of the functional solid material particles, such as pigment particles or metal particles, solved in, dispersed in or mixed with a solvent. Typical examples of the liquid include ink described in the above embodiments and liquid crystal. The ink herein includes general water-based inks and oil-based inks, as well as various liquid compositions, such as gel inks and hot-melt inks.
A laminated structure by stacking a plurality of films may be employed to form the first to the third films 521 to 523. In this laminated structure, for example, an outer layer may be formed from PET or nylon having excellent impact resistance and an inner layer may be formed from polyethylene having excellent ink resistance. Additionally, a film including a deposition layer of aluminum or the like may be used as one component of the laminated structure. This enhances the gas barrier property and thereby suppresses, for example, a change in concentration of ink contained in the liquid containing bag 52. The material of the liquid containing bag 52 may be determined arbitrarily as described above. One film may be folded and welded to the joint structures 549a and 549b. In this modification, one end portion may be regarded as being formed on a plurality of film members.
The shape and the size of the liquid containing bag 52 may be set arbitrarily. For example, the liquid containing bag 52K provided to contain black ink may have the larger volume (larger size) than another liquid containing bag, for example, the liquid containing bag 52C provided to contain another color ink (for example, cyan).
The positioning structure 56 may be attached to the operation member 53 by welding or the like, so that the operation member 53 may be provided integrally with the positioning structure 56. The positioning structure 56 is provided near the liquid supply port 572 to surround the circumference of the liquid supply port 572 except the upper portion. When the operation member 53 is formed from a material that is not readily deformable, the positioning structure 56 may be provided in the operation member 53 at a position some distance away from the liquid supply port 572.
The numbers of the cover members 22, the liquid containers 50 and the mounting/demounting units 30 are not limited to those described above. For example, the number of the liquid containers 50 may be three or less or may be five or more. The number of the mounting/demounting units 30 may be determined corresponding to the number of the liquid containers 50. The number of the cover members 22 may be one or may be three or more.
The number of the engagement elements 511A, 511B and 511C may be two or less or may be four or more.
The number of the engagement elements 513 may be four or more or may be two or less.
On the occasion of replacement of the substrate unit 58, the linkage member 53A may not be replaced. More specifically, the substrate unit 58 may be detached from the linkage member 53A and a new substrate unit 58 may be attached to the linkage member 53A. In this case, detachment of the linkage member 53A facilitates replacement of the substrate unit 58.
The flow path member may be omitted. Even in the configuration without the flow path member, the flexibility of the first to the third films achieves reduction of the remaining ink to some extent.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2014-051105 | Mar 2014 | JP | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/JP2015/001347 | 3/11/2015 | WO | 00 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2015/136933 | 9/17/2015 | WO | A |
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