CN1369372A - Ink case, recorder, supply system, filling appts. and ink additional mehtod - Google Patents

Abstract

The ink box is movably installed on the ink supply needle of the inkjet type recording device, and the ink box includes a first cavity for storing ink and a second cavity for storing porous elements. A bulkhead wall separates the first and second chambers. A cover is installed on the top of the ink tank, and at least one part of the cover corresponding to the at least one cavity can be opened to replenish ink in the ink tank. On the other hand, the cover can be permanently attached to the top of the ink tank box, and an ink hole is formed in the cover for refilling by the ink injection device. The ink cartridge can also be replenished by placing a self-contained ink refill container in the ink cartridge.

Description

Ink cartridge, recording device, supply system, filling device and method for replenishing ink

This application is the original Chinese patent application titled "Printer and ink storage tank for supplying ink", application number 961089629.6, application date on April 20, 1996, and priority date on April 21, 1995 Divisional application.

technical field

The present invention relates generally to an ink-supplied printer that supplies ink from an ink storage tank, and more particularly to an ink storage tank that permits a continuous supply of ink to a printhead while avoiding temperature and atmospheric variations or fluctuations adverse effects. The present invention facilitates the storage of larger quantities of ink in the reservoir and the greater percentage of ink in the reservoir to be delivered to the printhead. In addition, the present invention includes a case with transparent sides, so the user can easily determine the remaining amount of ink, and is also meant to reduce undesired movement of ink in the ink reservoir.

In addition, the invention relates generally to an ink tank for an ink jet printer, and more particularly to a replenishable ink tank for supplying ink to a recording head of an ink jet recording apparatus or the like , and relates to a replenishment container, a replenishment tool, an ink injection device, a replenishment device and a method for replenishing ink to an ink storage tank.

technical background

Various ink storage tanks for inkjet printers are known from the prior art. For example, Japanese patent (kokai) SHO 63-87242 discloses a kind of ink tank, wherein, in a lot of cavities, the ink-absorbing element that is made of porous material is housed respectively. Japanese Patent (kokai) HEI6-40043 discloses an ink tank in which a sealed container is partitioned by a partition so that a chamber containing an ink absorbing member and an ink chamber storing only ink are juxtaposed.

In the ink tank of the aforementioned prior art example, the ink tank can store a large amount of ink so that the ink can be supplied to the recording head, thereby having a long print head life. However, when the previously injected ink is exhausted, the ink tank must be replaced with a new one. The replacement of the cartridge is cumbersome and has the further disadvantage that the replacement process can cause ink to stain the user's hands or the like. Furthermore, discarding the empty ink tanks generates large costs as well as environmental pollution.

Contents of the invention

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an ink tank cartridge for an ink jet printer which reusable, quickly and cleanly fills an empty ink tank which overcomes other limitations of the prior art.

In general, according to the present invention, there are provided ink tanks and methods of refilling the tanks for use in inkjet printers that are quickly and cleanly refilled and then reused by the user. The interior of the ink tank is divided into a plurality of chambers by one or more partitions, at least one of which houses an ink absorbing member. The ink tank also has a cover, a portion of which is open at least over the chamber containing the ink absorbing member.

In another embodiment, an ink supply hole is formed on the cover of the tank to facilitate refilling of the tank by using the ink injection means. In a preferred embodiment the partition is removably secured to the container.

The replenishment ink container contains an ink-absorbing element that absorbs ink and is compressed within the container. The container at least comprises a top wall and a bottom wall, and a first through hole is formed on the top wall, and a second through hole is formed on the bottom wall. Each refill container may contain an element that absorbs ink of a different color than the other refill container removably secured within the cavity. The blotter has a volume greater than the cavity volume.

At least one cavity in the container houses an ink absorbing member. A divisible supplementary hole is formed on the cover corresponding to the cavity. The ink supply orifice element has a through hole, which element is located at the bottom of the cavity and protrudes into the cavity containing the ink absorbing element. The ink supply orifice member is resiliently pressed against the ink absorbing member to partially increase the compressibility of the portion of the absorbing member adjacent the ink supply orifice. A protrusion protrudes from the cover and presses the ink absorbing member toward the ink supply hole. The ink filling means has a container containing ink to be filled into the ink tank. The container facilitates visual inspection of the ink. An indicating scale for the amount of consumed ink is formed on the container portion. A needle is combined with the container. A scale indicating the penetration depth of the needle is formed on the needle. The injector inkjet device when combined with the replenishment container or ink absorbing element forms a replenishment ink means for the recording device.

Refill the ink tank by opening the cap and removing the ink absorber. The container is rotated so that the chamber containing the blotter is over the second chamber. An ink absorbing element is loaded into the first chamber and ink is supplied to the ink absorbing element. The cap is used to fill the ink device and then close the first cavity.

In a preferred embodiment there may be a plurality of chambers with wicking elements and the volume of the wicking elements is greater than the volume of the chambers.

In a preferred embodiment, the supply needle of the supplementary tool passes through a vent hole in the cover of the first chamber of the ink tank, the ink tank has a plurality of chambers separated by partitions, and the chambers are partially communicated with each other through the communication holes. The needle of the ink-injecting unit penetrates the blotter, the adjacent sealing wax and the second ink tank which does not contain the blotter to be removed, thereby opening the supply air hole from which the blotter is replenished with ink. Cavities without ink absorbing elements can also be replenished by the replenishment hole formed in the cover above the cavity through which the injection device passes.

In another embodiment, the spacer forming the cavity is removed and the ink receiving element is added.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an ink cartridge for an ink jet printer.

An object of the present invention is to provide a high-quality, high-reliability printing head for supplying ink with a simple structure, which can supply a stable and appropriate amount of ink to the printing head from the ink tank, and is less affected by, for example, temperature or atmospheric fluctuations. impact of environmental changes.

Accordingly, another object of the present invention is to provide an improved ink tank for an ink jet printer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system having a refillable ink tank thereby extending the life of the ink tank.

It is also an object of the present invention to prevent environmental pollution by providing a refillable ink tank.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an ink tank in which only the chamber containing the ink absorbing member can be opened and the ink absorbing member and other chambers in the tank can be replenished with ink.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an ink tank in which a plurality of cavities of the ink tank are respectively provided with ink absorbing members, and the ink absorbing members can replenish ink.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an ink tank wherein the partition of the ink tank is detachably and slidably mounted so that the amount of absorbent ink contained therein can be adjusted.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an ink tank containing an ink absorbing member in a compressed state.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an ink tank wherein the ink absorbing member is contained in a compressed state.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a refill container in which an ink-absorbing element is contained in a storage unit and which can be used to replenish an emptied ink-absorbing element in a clean manner.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an ink tank replenishment tool which is capable of independently replenishing a plurality of chambers of the ink tank.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a refill unit comprising an ink injecting device and an ink absorbing element.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method for replenishing a plurality of cavities within an ink tank.

Other objects, properties and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown by way of illustrative example but not limitation.

Accordingly, the present invention includes several steps and the relationship between one or more of the steps and each of the other steps, as well as apparatuses embodying the characteristics of structures, combinations of elements and arrangements of parts for effecting the steps , all of which will be explained in the following detailed disclosure and will point out the scope of the invention in the claims.

Description of drawings

For a complete understanding of the present invention, reference must be made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which,

1 is a schematic diagram showing an ink supply system of an ink jet type recording apparatus according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of an ink tank formed according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a side sectional view of the ink tank in Fig. 2;

4(a), 4(b) and 4(c) are schematic diagrams showing the steps of supplying ink to the ink tank according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a sectional view of an ink tank made according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a schematic view showing the steps of supplying ink to the ink tank in Fig. 5;

Figure 7 is a sectional view of an ink tank made according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 8 (a) and Fig. 8 (b) are the schematic diagrams showing the step of supplying ink to the ink tank in Fig. 7;

Figure 9 is a sectional view of an ink tank constructed according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 10 is a schematic view showing a step of supplying ink to the ink tank in Fig. 9;

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of a refill ink container constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the ink refill container of Figure 11 depicting a virtual representation of an ink hole;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view of an ink tank and a tool for replenishing ink according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of an ink tank constructed and replenished according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 15 is a front side view of an ink injection device formed according to the present invention;

Figure 16 is a partial enlarged front view of the supply needle of the ink injecting device of Figure 15;

Figure 17 is a top view of a replenishing ink unit constructed in accordance with the present invention; and

Fig. 18 is a sectional view taken along line 39-39 in Fig. 17 .

specific embodiment

The print head according to the present invention can be used on a four-color printing plotter or a color image printer, and has a four-color ink system and ink nozzles respectively corresponding to four ink colors. Four-color printing plotters apply black, red, green, and blue inks, move the printhead or the paper, or both, and then print at a predetermined position in the desired color as with conventional inkjet printheads The paper ejects ink to form ink dots. Desired characters and images are recorded by repeating the above cycle. The invention can be applied to all types of inkjet printers, including the use of heat from heating resistors or the like or piezoelectric transducers or transducers to eject ink drops from a chamber according to applied printing signals. The ink storage tank according to the present invention can continuously supply ink to the chamber through the capillary channel.

In a color image printer using four-color (black, red, green, and blue) inks, the print head scans a piece of printing paper along the feeding direction perpendicular to the printing paper to form a dotted line in a scanning stroke, and supplies printing along the line spacing. paper to record images. In a seven-color printer, using four-color inks (black, yellow, magenta, and cyan), red, green, and blue are formed on printing paper by overlapping two inks of three desired colors other than black, thus recording seven colors color image.

The present invention relates primarily to printheads, particularly ink tanks, and is described in detail by way of example only of an integrated printer structure.

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an ink supply system of an ink jet type recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The print head unit 1 of inkjet type is connected to an ink tank 3 through a connection member 2 . Ink is supplied from the ink tank 3 to the print head unit 1 through the hollow needle 2a and the ink supply channel 2b of the connection member 2, so that the print head unit 1 ejects ink droplets according to a printing signal.

The device shown in FIG. 1 also includes a cap member 4 located in the non-printing area, which is supported on the nozzle plate of the print head unit 1 through a driving mechanism (not shown) so as to prevent the nozzle openings from drying out. The cap element 4 is connected to the vacuum pump 5 through the tube 8, and the vacuum pump 5 is driven by the control device 6 to absorb ink from the print head unit through the cap element 4. The apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is also provided with a waste line 7 connected by a line 9 to the outlet of the vacuum pump 5 .

The recording head may be of any construction as described in European Patents 581,531, 609,863, 584,823, etc.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, they illustrate an ink tank 1000 constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, the ink tank 1000 having a partition 610 in the container 601 to form first and second chambers 611 and 612. In this ink tank 1000, two partition walls 613A and 613B are extended and arranged in a direction perpendicular to the partition 610, thereby forming three adjacent equal first cavities 611A, 611B and 611C with reference to 611, one second Cavities 612A, 612B, and 612C are connected to each of the first cavities 611A, 611B, and 611C, respectively, but are not shown in FIG. 3 . The structures and operations of the compartments 611A-611C are consistent, and a representative compartment 611 will be described below for ease of description.

In each first cavity 611 is housed an ink absorbing member 615A, 615B and 615C (collectively 615). In each ink-absorbing element, yellow, magenta or cyan ink is absorbed by the corresponding ink-absorbing element 615 . Each ink-absorbing element 615 is a porous element, such as may be foamed from a polyurethane material. The volume of each ink-absorbing member 615 is larger than that of each first chamber 611 , and therefore, is compressed into each first chamber 611 . At the bottom of the first chamber 611 is provided a corresponding ink supply hole element 620A, 620B or 620C (collectively 620).

The first chamber 611 has an ink supply hole member 620 through which an ink supply needle (shown in FIG. 1) of the recording head passes and is connected. The ink supply hole member 620 is formed in a tubular shape. The top 622 of the ink supply aperture element 620 covered by the filter 621 pushes against the ink absorber element 615, thereby slightly compressing the ink absorber element 615 in the vicinity of the ink supply aperture element 620, thus increasing the capillary force for ink flow. A filling member having an opening 624 is installed in the through hole 623 of the ink supply hole member 620 , through which a needle for supplying ink passes and a liquid seal is formed by the filling member 624 . Excess ink is stored in each of the second chambers 612A, 612B and 612C (612 in general), and the second chamber 612 passes through the connection hole 610' formed in the lower part of the partition 610 and is similar to a long slit. The first cavity 611 is connected. The reinforcing ribs extend around the container 601 .

A lid 630 is located at the top opening of the container 601 , the lid 630 seals the second chamber 612 and can be bent along the hinge portion 631 in order to open the lid 630 . An engaging portion 632 is formed around the cover 630 and directed inwardly. The engaging portion 632 is removably engaged on the reinforcing member at the top of the container 601 and directed outward, selectively closing the top opening of the first cavity 611 .

A vent hole 633 is formed in the cap 630 so that ambient air corresponding to the amount of ink consumed flows into the container 601 .

In FIG. 2, reference numerals 634a and 634b denote pressers extending vertically from the inner surface of the cover 630, which press the ink absorbing member 615 toward the ink supply hole 620. In FIG. (Each cavity 611A, 611B and 611C has corresponding presser 634a and 634b. Generally will describe this structure, but can be applied to every similar container.) When lid 630 closes the top opening of container 601, pushes press The tighteners 634a and 634b thereby partially depress the ink absorbing member 615. The compressor 634a facing the ink supply hole member 620 is longer than the compressor 634b located away from the ink supply hole member 620 . These compactors together with the ink supply hole element 620 further compress the ink absorbing element 615 adjacent to the ink supply hole element 620 .

During printing, the method of applying the ink tank 1000 is similar to prior art ink tanks. However, when the ink in the container 601 is used up for a printing operation, the ink tank of the present invention can be refilled without being discarded. The process of refilling the container 601 will be described below with reference to Figures 4a to 4c.

When the ink cartridge will be filled again, the cover 630 is manually pushed up in the direction of the arrow _a1 and opened around the hinged portion 631 used as a rotating shaft to remove the portion of the cover 630 from the outward reinforcing rib 614 of the container 601 Engagement of the inward engaging portion 632 . Thereafter, the cover 630 is moved as indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 2, thereby opening the gap 611A. Thereafter, the emptied ink absorbing member 615A can be removed from the first chamber 611A if desired.

Next, the container 601 is rotated by 90° along the arrow c ₁ , so that the first chamber 611 is positioned above the second chamber 612 , as shown in FIG. 4( b ). After that, the injecting device 4000 is used to pass through the communication hole 610' of the partition 610 and put into the second chamber 612 in the direction of arrow _d1 .

As shown in FIG. 15 , the injection device 4000 includes a container 4100 which is transparent and has graduations 4200 formed thereon. In this way, the user can see the amount of ink injected into the second chamber 612 . The needle portion 4300 is connected to the capacity portion 4100 and is fluidly connected.

Then, the ink absorbing member 615A is inserted into the first chamber 611A, and, as shown in FIG. 4(C), the injecting means 4000 injects ink into the ink absorbing member 615A. If the ink absorbing member 615A is not initially removed, ink is injected into the first and second chambers while the ink absorbing member 615A remains in the first chamber 611A. This process will be repeated for each chamber 611 that requires replenishment.

Finally, the cover 630 is rotated in the direction of the arrow _f1 , and the inward engaging portion 632 is engaged with the outward reinforcing rib 614, thereby restoring the ink tank to the state shown in FIG. Ink work.

Reference is now made to Figures 5 and 6, which illustrate an ink tank constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. The same reference numerals designate the same elements as those of the first embodiment, and description thereof will not be repeated here. The basic difference is the through hole that supplies ink to the interior of the ink tank.

A through hole 616A is formed in the side wall 616 of the partition 611A of the ink tank 2000, and a sealing wax 617 is applied thereto. During refilling, the lid 630 is opened, the emptied blotter 615A is removed, the tank is replaced with a new blotter 615A, and the lid 630 is closed as before.

Next, ink is loaded into the ink absorbing member 615A as described below. First, remove the sealing wax. Then, rotate ink tank 2000 90 °, so that first cavity 611 is above the second cavity 612 as shown in Figure 6, thereby can utilize the through-hole 616A that opens. The supply needle 4300 of the injection device 4000 is inserted into the space 611A through the through hole 616A, and then ink is injected into the box. In the best embodiment, firstly, the tip of the supply needle 4300 is located near the communication hole 610', and ink is injected into the second chamber 612. Thereafter, the supply needle is slightly retracted to inject ink into the ink absorbing member 615A, thereby effectively supplying ink to the first chamber 611A and the second chamber 612. However, the through hole 616A is closed by sealing wax. In another embodiment, the sealing wax 617 can be replaced by a rubber layer with a large elastic recovery force. Supply needles 4300 then pass through this layer to supply ink to the ink tank. Therefore, the seal 617 does not need to be removed and restored in the through hole 616A.

If it is not necessary to replace the ink absorbing element 615A with a new ink absorbing element, the ink tank can be replenished by supplying ink through the through hole 616A with the injection device 4000, while the lid 630 on the container 601 remains closed.

Referring now to Figures 7 and 8(a), 8(b), there is illustrated an ink tank 5000 constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. Like elements have like reference numerals and are not described again here.

The partition 6110 partitions the container 6100 into first and second chambers 6120 and 6120A, and the chambers 6120 and 6120A house the ink absorbing members 6200 and 6300, respectively. A cover 6130 is detachably mounted to the top opening of the container 6100 so that the first chamber 6120 and the second chamber 6120A are simultaneously opened. Inwardly directed engaging portions 6132 formed around the cover 6130 are detachably engaged with outwardly directed reinforcing ribs 6140 formed on the container 6100 .

To refill the ink tank, the engagement of the inwardly engaging portion 6132 and outwardly reinforcing rib 6140 is removed, and the cap 6130 is removed from the top of the container 6100 as shown in phantom. The emptied ink absorbing members 6200 and 6300 are taken out from the first and second chambers 6120 and 6120A, and then new ink absorbing members 6200 and 6300 are loaded into the chambers 6120 and 6120A, respectively. If each emptied blotter element 6200 or 6300 is undamaged and reusable, it is not necessary to replace the blotter element.

As in the first embodiment, the emptied ink tank 5000 may have no ink absorbing member in the second chamber 6120A. Additionally, during the refill process, the blotter element of the second chamber 6120A can also be replaced if desired.

Next, the ink refill shown in Figs. 7 and 8 will be described.

After the ink is emptied, in the ink tank 5000, the inward engaging portion 6132 is removed and the engagement of the outward reinforcing rib 6140 pushes up the cover 6130 in the direction of arrow a ₃ (FIG. 8(a)), so that the cover 6130 Remove from container 6100. This movement of the lid 6130 opens the first and second chambers 6120 and 6120A of the container 6100.

Then, if necessary, the ink absorbing members 6200 and 6300 are taken out from the first and second chambers 6120 and 6120A in the direction of arrow _b3 (FIG. 8(a)). Then, forcefully push the new ink absorbing members 6200 and 6300 into the first and second cavities 6120 and 6120A in the directions of arrows _c3 and _d3 , so that the ink absorbing members are packed into the cavities 6120 and 6120A in a compressed state. in (Fig. 8(b)).

Afterwards, a sufficient amount of ink is injected into the ink absorbing members 6200 and 6300 using the injection device 4000 . Finally, the lid 6130 contacts the top opening of the container 6100 downwards along arrow _e3 . The inward engaging portion 6132 engages the outward reinforcing rib 6140, thereby sealing the lid 6130 and completing the refilling process.

Reference is now made to Figures 9 and 10 which illustrate an ink tank constructed in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The same elements as in the previous embodiment have the same reference numerals, the basic difference being the movable partition used to define the single chamber. The ink tank 5000 includes a partition 6110' that separates the first chamber 6120 and the second chamber 6120A. As indicated by dashed line 6110", partition 6110' is removably and slidably mounted to container 6100. Partition 6110' can be removed to form a single chamber that is a combination of chambers 6120 and 6120A.

As shown in FIG. 10, to refill the ink tank, after removing the cap 6130, the emptied ink absorbing member 6400 is removed, and the spacer 6110' is also removed in the direction indicated by arrow _gA . Then, the complete ink absorbing member 6500 is loaded to fill the container 6100. Then, ink is injected into the ink absorbing member 6500 using the injecting device 4000 . Then cover 6130 again.

Reference is now made to Figures 11 and 12, which depict a refill container 7000 for use in conjunction with a fourth embodiment. Refill container 7000 facilitates clean removal of blotter element 6500.

As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the refill container 7000 includes a storage unit 6500 having at least a top wall 6511 and a bottom wall 6514, and contains an ink absorbing member 6500 filled with ink. The blotter member 6500 has previously been compressed and packed into a cuboidal empty storage unit 6510 . The unit 6510 is composed of a material that is impermeable to air, for example, thin layers of plastic or metal. A through hole 6512 is formed in the top wall 6511 . Removing the sealing wax 6513 can open the through hole 6512. Similarly, a through hole 6515 is formed on the bottom wall 6514 , and the through hole 6515 can be opened by removing the sealing wax 6516 .

The supplementary container 7000 is used in the following manner. Remove the partition 6110' of the ink cartridge from the container 6100, and remove the removable sealing wax 6513 and 6516 from the storage unit 6510. Then, the storage unit 6510 is loaded into the container 6100 and the ink supply hole 620 is connected to supply ink to the printer. The storage unit 6510 may be connected to the ink supply hole 620 through a through hole 6515 formed on the bottom wall 6514, and a filter 621 composed of an elastic material such as plastic (see, for example, reference numeral 621 in FIG. 12 ) may be connected to the opening. .

When the ink-receiving element 6500 is compressed, pressure can be transmitted to the entire element, or in other words, pressure can be transmitted in a lateral or vertical direction in a selective manner.

A plurality of storage units 6510 can store a plurality of ink absorbing elements 6500 for respectively absorbing inks of different colors such as yellow, magenta and cyan. As shown in FIG. 3, a storage unit can be selectively attached or removed to each of the first chambers 611A, 611B, 611C.

Referring now to FIG. 13, an ink tank 8000 and ink replenishment tool 9000 constructed in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention are illustrated. Reference numerals indicate the same elements as in the previous embodiments.

The ink tank 8000 has a cap 1300 mounted on the container 1000. The container 1000 is divided into a first chamber 611 and a second chamber, which communicate with each other through a communication hole 610'. An ink absorbing element 615 is placed in the first cavity 611 . A vent hole 1330 is formed on the cover 1300 .

The container 1000 is refilled with a refill tool 9000 as shown in FIG. 13 . Supplemental kit 9000 includes a case 9100 for cooperating with a supply needle 9200 . A supply air hole 9300 is formed at the top of the supplementary box 9100, and a supply needle 9200 protrudes vertically downward from the supplementary box 9100. The supply air hole 9300 is sealed by a removable sealing wax 9400 . To replenish the ink, the supply needle penetrates the ink absorbing element 615 in the first cavity 611 . Then, the removable sealing wax 9400 is removed as indicated by the dotted line in FIG. In this way, air entering the supply needle 9200 causes ink to be released through the supply needle 9200 into the ink absorbing element 615 . In order to allow the air inside the ink absorbing element 615 to escape when refilled with ink, in a preferred embodiment, a small gap is formed between the vent hole 1330 and the supply needle 9200 or other parts of the cover 1300 are provided. a vent.

When using degassed ink, ink can be supplied to container 1000 more efficiently because the ink will absorb any small air bubbles contained in ink absorbing member 615 when dropped by gravity. In this way, ink can be supplied which increases the reliability of the recording head. In a preferred embodiment, an amount of ink less than about half the volume of the first chamber 611 is supplied.

Referring now to Figure 14, an ink tank constructed in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention is depicted. The same reference numerals designate the same elements as in the previous embodiment. The basic difference between this embodiment and the ink tank 8000 is that there is a replenishment hole in the cover above the second chamber.

The ink tank 1000 has a first cavity 611 of the container 1000 containing an ink absorbing member 615 . In order to directly supply ink to the second chamber 612 adjacent to the first chamber 611 and not containing the ink absorbing member 615, a replenishing hole 2410 is formed in the cap 2400 mounted on the container 1000. Referring to FIG. The replenishment hole 2410 can be selectively closed in an openable manner by a removable sealing wax 2420 . When the ink tank 10000 is to be refilled, the removable sealing wax 2420 is removed to open the replenishment hole 2410. Then, the supply needle 4300 of the injection device 4200 passes through the replenishment hole 2410 to supply ink into the second chamber 612 . In a preferred embodiment, a small gap is preferably formed between the replenishment hole 2410 and the supply needle 4300 or a vent hole 101000 is formed in the portion of the cover 2400 of the second chamber 612 to allow air to escape during replenishment.

The removable sealing wax 2420 can be replaced by a rubber layer with a large elastic recovery force. The supply needle 4300 supplies ink through the rubber layer as shown in FIG. 14 .

Reference is now made to Figures 15 and 16, which depict the aforementioned syringe-like injection device 4000. Scales 4200 are formed on the container portion 4100 of the injection device 4000, as shown in FIG. 16, and scales _M1 to _M7 are formed on the supply needle 4300 in the lengthwise direction. When using the injection device 4200, the viewing scale 4200 enables monitoring of the amount of ink supplied. The depth to which the supply needle 4300 has been inserted into the ink-absorbing element can be determined by the scales _M1 to _M7 to inject ink into the ink-absorbing element at a desired depth. Therefore, the entire volume of the ink-absorbing member can effectively absorb ink. Preferably, the pre-degassed ink loaded into the injection unit is packaged and stored in an airtight material such as aluminum or aluminum plate before the ink is used in the replenishment process. Improves print quality by removing air bubbles that may be trapped within the blotter. As required, the degassed ink is stored in a storage container (not shown) composed of an airtight material. A number of storage containers and a corresponding empty filling device 4000 can be supplied as a refilled ink tank.

Reference is now made to Figures 17 and 18, which illustrate a replenishment ink unit 11000 constructed in accordance with the present invention. In the ink replenishment unit 11000, as shown in FIG. 17, inks of different colors are respectively contained in each of the ink injection units 4000A, 4000B, 4000C. The injection device is arranged on the substrate 111000 . The ink absorbing member 12000 is also placed on the substrate 11100 . These components may be covered by a cover plate 11200 which is recessed 113000 to 11600 corresponding to the outer shapes of the injecting means 4000 and the ink absorbing member 12000, thereby constituting the ink replenishing means 11000. When using the device, the cover plate 11200 is removed from the base plate 11100, and one of the injection device 4000 and the ink absorbing member 12000 is taken out from the recess and used for replenishing ink.

In addition, the ink injecting unit 4000 and the ink absorbing member 12000 containing the ink may also be installed in separate ink replenishing units instead of being installed in a single ink replenishing unit. If the black ink tank and the colored ink tank are of different volumes, a plurality of ink absorbing elements may be provided, each corresponding to a corresponding ink tank of a corresponding volume. These different ink absorbing elements are provided in the same or different replenishment ink units. The corresponding ink injection device can also have enough ink to supplement the corresponding ink tank and ink absorbing element.

As mentioned above, the ink filling device may already contain ink. However, it is also possible to contain ink in the storage container, and it is also possible to provide an empty ink filling means. These may be provided in the same or different supplementary devices. It is also possible to provide any combination of inks, ink tanks, ink filling means and ink absorbing members without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The above invention produces the following advantages:

(1) The ink tank can be reused.

Since the ink or the ink-absorbing member can be easily supplied to the cavities separated from each other by the partition in the container of the ink tank, the ink tank can be used for a long time. Environmental contamination is prevented because there is no requirement to discard an emptied ink tank. Therefore, the present invention has high efficacy.

(2) Perform the ink replenishment process in a clean manner.

By opening the lid of the container of the ink tank, ink can be replenished to the ink absorbing member in a clean manner without contaminating anything outside the ink tank. In other words, since the ink is supplied by the ink filling device or the ink refilling tool, the user avoids ink contamination.

(3) The process of replenishing ink is efficiently performed.

The use of replenishing containers, filling means or replenishing means is effective in supplying accurate amounts of ink into the chamber containing the ink absorbing element or ink. Therefore, the effectiveness of supplementary work can be improved.

It will thus be seen that the foregoing objects can be effectively achieved because certain variations are possible in the implementation of the structures described above, and the method is illustrated without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All objects represented by the drawings, but not limited thereto.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to capture all of the general and specific nature of the invention described herein which, regardless of language differences or not, are within the scope of the invention described.

Claims (29)

1. printing ink chamber that is used for inkjet type recording apparatus, it comprises:

Casing with a plurality of outer walls;

At least one is used to store the chamber of a blotting element;

At least one outer wall in a plurality of outer walls of described casing is formed with one and injects the printing ink hole; It is characterized in that:

A potted component that is used to seal described injection printing ink hole, when using described printing ink chamber and described injection printing ink hole to be positioned to face described blotting element, described potted component seals described injection printing ink hole.

2. printing ink chamber as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that: described potted component is suitable for allowing to inject printing ink by described injection printing ink hole

3. printing ink chamber as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that:

Described at least one chamber comprises one first chamber and one second chamber, and described a plurality of outer walls of described casing partly limit described first chamber and second chamber respectively:

One with the separated baffle wall in described first chamber and second chamber;

Blotting element is stored in the chamber in described first chamber and second chamber;

Described injection printing ink hole is formed on the described outer wall in a chamber in described first chamber that limits the described blotting element of storage and described second chamber.

4. printing ink chamber as claimed in claim 3 is characterized in that: described injection printing ink hole is formed on described first chamber of the described blotting element of storage.

5. printing ink chamber as claimed in claim 3 is characterized in that: described injection printing ink hole is formed on described second chamber.Described second chamber is suitable for storing printing ink and does not have the blotting element, and described baffle wall allows printing ink to circulate between described first chamber and described second chamber.

6. printing ink chamber as claimed in claim 3, it is characterized in that: it also comprises a supply printing ink hole, described supply printing ink hole extends through the wall that also projection accommodates described first chamber of described blotting element, the printing ink from described blotting element is transmitted in described supply printing ink hole, and institute's blotting element is compressed it partially by near the described supply printing ink hole it.

7. printing ink chamber as claimed in claim 6, it is characterized in that: it also comprises the projection that forms on the inwall of leading in described first chamber, described projection be positioned at one of described first chamber with described supply printing ink hole facing surfaces on, described projection also assists described blotting element is compressed to described supply printing ink hole.

8. printing ink chamber as claimed in claim 6 is characterized in that: described printing ink chamber is configured to removably be installed on the described recording equipment, makes a spicule of described equipment be received in the described supply printing ink hole.

9. output to inkjet type recording apparatus on the recording medium in order to the printing ink that accessory rights is required 1 described printing ink chamber supply, it comprises:

Record head in order to ink jet;

On the record head that removably is installed in described inkjet type recording apparatus, in order to carry the printing ink chamber of printing ink to described record head, described printing ink chamber also comprises:

One first chamber;

Second chamber that is associated with described first chamber;

Blotting element at least one chamber that is stored in described first chamber and described second chamber;

One with described first wall and the separated baffle wall of described second wall; And

A lid that is installed in the top of described printing ink chamber, at least one of described lid partly optionally opened, and the described of described lid opened partly corresponding at least one chamber in described first and second chambeies.

10. output to an inkjet type recording apparatus on the recording medium in order to the printing ink that accessory rights is required 1 described printing ink chamber supply, it comprises:

Record head in order to ink jet;

A printing ink chamber that removably is installed in the record head of described inkjet type recording apparatus, described printing ink chamber also comprises:

Casing with a plurality of outer walls;

First chamber that defines by described outer wall on described casing, partially;

Second chamber that defines by described outer wall on described casing, partially, described second chamber is associated with described first chamber;

Blotting element at least one chamber that is stored in described first chamber and second chamber;

One with described first wall and the separated baffle wall of second wall;

At least one outer wall in a plurality of outer walls of described casing is formed with one and injects the printing ink hole;

A potted component that seals described injection printing ink hole and be suitable for allowing to inject printing ink by described injection printing ink hole.

11. output to an inkjet type recording apparatus on the recording medium in order to the printing ink that accessory rights is required 1 described printing ink chamber supply, it comprises:

Record head in order to ink jet;

Record head that removably is installed in described inkjet type recording apparatus, in order to carry the printing ink chamber of printing ink to described record head, described printing ink chamber also comprises:

The chamber of a blotting element of a storage;

A lid that is installed in the top of described printing ink chamber, at least one of described lid partly optionally opened;

Form a through hole of optionally opening on the wall of described chamber, can inject printing ink by described through hole.

12. output to an inkjet type recording apparatus on the recording medium in order to the printing ink that accessory rights is required 1 described printing ink chamber supply, it comprises:

Record head in order to ink jet;

Record head that removably is installed in described inkjet type recording apparatus, in order to carry the printing ink chamber of printing ink to described record head, described printing ink chamber also comprises:

Casing with a plurality of outer walls;

The chamber of a blotting element of a storage;

At least one wall in a plurality of walls of described casing is formed with one and injects the printing ink hole;

A potted component that seals described injection printing ink hole and be suitable for allowing to inject printing ink by described injection printing ink hole.

13. in order to printing ink is fed to an inkjet type recording apparatus and accessory rights requirement 1 described ink cartridge is outputed to a system on the recording medium, it comprises:

Record head in order to ink jet;

Record head that removably is installed in described inkjet type recording apparatus, in order to carry the printing ink chamber of printing ink to described record head, described printing ink chamber also comprises:

One first chamber;

Second chamber that is associated with described first chamber;

Blotting element at least one chamber that is stored in described first chamber and second chamber;

One with described first wall and the separated baffle wall of second wall; And

A lid that is installed in the top of described box, at least one of described lid partly optionally opened, and the described of described lid opened partly corresponding to a chamber in the described chamber.

14. in order to printing ink is fed to an inkjet type recording apparatus and the printing ink of accessory rights requirement 1 described printing ink chamber supply is outputed to a system on the recording medium, it comprises:

Record head in order to ink jet;

Record head that removably is installed in described inkjet type recording apparatus, in order to carry the printing ink chamber of printing ink to described record head, described printing ink chamber also comprises:

Casing with a plurality of outer walls;

First chamber that defines by described outer wall on described casing, partially;

Second chamber that defines by described outer wall on described casing, partially;

Blotting element at least one chamber that is stored in described first chamber and second chamber;

One with described first wall and the separated baffle wall of second wall;

At least one outer wall in a plurality of outer walls of described casing is formed with one and injects the printing ink hole;

A potted component that seals described injection printing ink hole and be suitable for allowing to inject printing ink by described injection printing ink hole.

15. be used for the injection ink device of the described printing ink chamber of claim 1, it is characterized in that: it comprises:

A supply printing ink pin that is suitable for inserting a chamber in the printing ink chamber;

One with the container of described supply printing ink pin fluid connection partly, described container partly is suitable for preserving printing ink;

One described container portions especially side form, in order to indicate left first scale at the in one's duty quantity of ink of described container portions;

One that on described supply printing ink pin, form, in order to second scale of the insertion distance of indicating described supply printing ink pin.

16. injection ink device as claimed in claim 15 is characterized in that: described container is partly made with transparent material.

17. be used for the injection ink device of the described printing ink chamber of claim 1, it is characterized in that: it comprises:

A supply printing ink pin that is suitable for inserting a chamber in the printing ink chamber;

A scale that on described supply printing ink pin, forms one in order to the insertion distance of indicating described supply printing ink pin.

18. in order to a described method that is used for the printing ink chamber makeup oil China ink of inkjet type recording apparatus of claim 1, it comprises the steps:

At interval the inside of a printing ink chamber is so that form at least one second chamber and at least one first chamber that is associated with described second chamber, makes described first chamber that is associated and second chamber by an intercommunicating pore that is associated fluid connection each other;

A blotting element is packed at least one first chamber;

Removably fix a lid on the top of described printing ink chamber, described lid is opened above described at least one chamber;

Open described lid;

Remove a discarded blotting element and the blotting element of a replacement is packed in described at least one first chamber;

Rotate described printing ink chamber, make described first chamber be positioned at the top in described at least one second chamber, and before settling a discarded blotting element again, before the blotting element of a replacement of packing into or after the blotting element of the replacement of packing into, inject ink device with one printing ink is injected in second chamber;

Printing ink is injected the blotting element of described replacement;

Close the above lid, thereby seal described first chamber.

19. the method for additional printing ink as claimed in claim 18, it is characterized in that: described method also comprises the steps: to replace described discarded blotting element with a new blotting element, before in inserting one first chamber, the volume of described new blotting element is greater than the volume in described first chamber.

20. in order to the method to the described printing ink chamber of claim 1 a makeup oil China ink, it comprises the steps:

At interval the inside of a printing ink chamber is so that form at least one second chamber and at least one first chamber that is associated with described second chamber, makes described first chamber that is associated and second chamber by an intercommunicating pore that is associated fluid connection each other;

The blotting element of packing in one first chamber that is associated at each and second chamber;

Removably fix a lid on the top of described printing ink chamber, described lid is removable;

Remove described lid;

Injecting ink device with one is injected into printing ink in each described blotting element;

Load onto described lid, thereby seal described printing ink chamber.

21. in order to the method to the described printing ink chamber of claim 1 makeup oil China ink, it comprises the steps:

At interval the inside of a printing ink chamber is so that form at least one second chamber and at least one first chamber that is associated with described second chamber, makes described first chamber that is associated and second chamber by an intercommunicating pore that is associated fluid connection each other;

The blotting element of packing at least one chamber in described first chamber and described second chamber;

Fix a lid on the top of described printing ink chamber, described lid is formed with a sealable hole, and described Kong Yuqi contains a chamber alignment of a blotting element;

Make a supply printing ink pin of a makeup oil device for ink pass described sealable hole and enter into described blotting element;

Open relative with described supply printing ink pin in a described makeup oil device for ink seal; And

From an ink box of described makeup oil device for ink, printing ink is fed in the described blotting element.

22. in order to the method to the described printing ink chamber of claim 1 makeup oil China ink, it comprises the steps:

At interval the inside of a printing ink chamber is so that form at least one second chamber and at least one first chamber that is associated with described second chamber, makes described first chamber that is associated and second chamber by an intercommunicating pore that is associated fluid connection each other;

The blotting element of packing in one first chamber that is associated at each and second chamber;

Removably fix a lid on the top of described printing ink chamber, described lid is formed with a sealable hole, aligns in described second chamber of at least one of described hole and described second chamber;

Make a supply printing ink pin of a makeup oil device for ink pass described sealable hole and enter into described second chamber;

Printing ink is injected in described at least one second chamber, thereby printing ink is added in described first chamber and second chamber that is associated.

23. in order to the method to the described printing ink chamber of claim 1 makeup oil China ink, it comprises the steps:

At interval the inside of a printing ink chamber is so that form at least one second chamber and at least one first chamber that is associated with described second chamber, makes described first chamber that is associated and second chamber by an intercommunicating pore that is associated fluid connection each other;

The blotting element of packing at least one chamber in described first chamber and described second chamber;

Fixing a lid on the top of described printing ink chamber, be formed with a sealable hole in described lid, aligns with a chamber in described first chamber that is associated and described second chamber in described hole;

Make one of makeup oil device for ink supply printing ink pin enter into described first chamber that is associated and a chamber that does not have the blotting element in described second chamber by described additional printing ink hole;

Printing ink is injected a described chamber that does not have the blotting element in described first chamber and described second chamber, thereby in described first chamber that is associated and described second chamber, replenish printing ink.

24. in order to the method to the described printing ink chamber of claim 1 makeup oil China ink, it comprises the steps:

At interval the inside of a printing ink chamber is so that form at least one second chamber and at least one first chamber that is associated with described second chamber, makes described first chamber that is associated and second chamber by an intercommunicating pore that is associated fluid connection each other;

The blotting element of packing at least one chamber in a described chamber that is associated and described second chamber;

On the described printing ink chamber sidewall in the described chamber that described blotting element is housed, form a sealable hole;

On the top of described printing ink chamber, fix a lid;

One of makeup oil device for ink supply printing ink pin is entered in the described chamber of containing described blotting element by described sealable hole;

Printing ink is injected described chamber, thereby in described printing ink chamber, replenish printing ink.

25. in order to the method to the described printing ink chamber of claim 1 makeup oil China ink, it comprises the steps:

Inside with the printing ink chamber in a central partition plate wall interval, described central partition plate wall removably is fixed in the described printing ink chamber, so that form at least one second chamber and at least one first chamber that is associated with described second chamber, make described first chamber that is associated and second chamber by an intercommunicating pore that is associated fluid connection each other;

The blotting element of packing at least one chamber among described first chamber and described second chamber;

Removably fix a lid on the top of described printing ink chamber, described lid is removable;

Remove described lid;

Remove described blotting element from described first chamber;

Remove described central partition plate wall from the inside of the described printing ink chamber that limits by described first chamber that is associated and second chamber;

With pack into the described inside of described printing ink chamber of one second blotting element, the described second blotting element is made the institute that its size takes basically by the described inside of the described printing ink chamber of described first chamber that is associated and the definition of second chamber and is had living space;

Inject ink device with one printing ink is injected into the described second blotting element;

Replace described lid, thereby seal described printing ink chamber.

26, in order to the method to the described printing ink chamber of claim 1 makeup oil China ink, it comprises the steps:

In described printing ink chamber, form a chamber;

The blotting element of in described chamber, packing into;

Fix a lid on the top of described printing ink chamber, described covering is formed with a salable hole;

Make one of makeup oil device for ink supply printing ink pin by described salable hole and enter described blotting element;

Open and be positioned at a described makeup oil device for ink seal relative with described supply printing ink pin;

To be fed in the described blotting element from the printing ink of an ink box of described makeup oil device for ink.

27. in order to the method to the described printing ink chamber of claim 1 makeup oil China ink, it comprises the steps:

In described printing ink chamber, form a chamber;

The blotting element of in described chamber, packing into;

Fix a lid on the top of described printing ink chamber, at least one of described lid partly is openable;

Inject ink device with one and printing ink is injected into described chamber by described opening partly.

28. in order to the method to the described printing ink chamber of claim 1 makeup oil China ink, it comprises the steps:

The blotting element of in described chamber, packing into;

Its described chamber contain described blotting element a sidewall of described printing ink chamber on form a salable hole;

Inject ink device with one and printing ink is injected into described chamber by described salable hole.

29. be used for the method to the described printing ink chamber of claim 1 makeup oil China ink, its described method comprises the steps:

In the printing ink chamber, form a chamber that has an openable lid;

Open described lid;

Load onto a makeup oil ink container, described makeup oil ink container comprises:

Chest with a first wall and one second wall, at least one part of described first wall and at least one of described second wall partly all can be opened;

Make a blotting element contain printing ink, described blotting element is retained in the described chest with compressive state, and described makeup oil ink container is made its shape and size and can be packed in the printing ink chamber;

Close the above lid.

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