CN1968818A - Liquid storage body - Google Patents

Abstract

An ink cartridge (500) mounted on a carriage reciprocating together with a coating head and supplying an ink in an atmosphere side storage part (270) and a supply side storage part (290) to the coating head. The atmosphere side storage part (270) and the first and second ink storage parts (292) and (294) are formed of the liquid storage recessed part (122) of a cartridge body (120) opened on one surface side opposed to the coating head in the reciprocating direction and a film (140) sealing the opened face of the liquid storage recessed part (122). Agitating mobile bodies (711) are stored in the atmosphere side storage part (270) and the second ink storage part (294) in a movable state.

Description

liquid container

technical field

The present invention relates to a liquid container for supplying liquid stored inside to the outside, for example, to a liquid container such as an ink cartridge suitable for being mounted on a carriage of an inkjet recording device and supplying ink stored inside to a print head.

Background technique

An inkjet recording device as an example of a liquid ejecting device mounts an ink cartridge storing ink, receives a supply of ink from the ink cartridge, and ejects the ink onto an object to be recorded for recording.

The types of inks used in inkjet recording devices include dye-based inks and pigment-based inks. Pigment-based inks are obtained by uniformly dispersing dispersed particles such as pigments in a solvent and mixing them. This pigment-based ink has the following characteristics: if it is not printed for a long time and placed in the ink storage chamber without ink circulation, the dispersed particles will settle due to the difference in specific gravity between the solvent and the dispersed particles.

As an ink cartridge for supplying ink to an inkjet recording device, a type has been developed which is divided into an upper ink storage part and a lower ink storage part, which are connected through a communication flow path (communication part).

With such an ink cartridge, a liquid supply unit is provided at the liquid supply port communicating with the upper ink storage portion, and the ink supply unit is based on the pressure difference between the inkjet recording device side and the ink cartridge side when the inkjet recording device consumes ink. , supply the ink in the upper ink storage unit to the inkjet recording device (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

However, with the above-mentioned ink cartridge, the dark ink settled in the lower ink storage part is first supplied to the upper ink storage part through the communication flow path, and then the light ink is supplied after the dark ink is used, so there is a possibility of supplying to the inkjet system. The ink density of the recording device is not uniform.

In addition, although the above-mentioned patent document 1 describes the structure in which the flow path is provided on the vertical portion and the horizontal portion of the L-shaped partition wall surrounding the communication flow path of the ink cartridge, in the above structure, due to the flow in the horizontal portion The communication channel is provided directly below the channel, so although the ink near the horizontal portion will merge in the communication channel, the vertical liquid flow that stirs the thick ink and the light ink cannot be generated in the lower ink storage chamber.

Therefore someone proposes the ink cartridge of following structure, promptly: in each ink storage part, agitating moving body is built into, moves in this ink storing part and stirs the liquid in the storing part by it, by the agitating force of stirring moving body, makes the liquid in the ink storing part The dark ink separated up and down is mixed with the light ink again to make the density of the supplied ink uniform (for example, refer to Patent Documents 2 and 3).

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Document Laid-Open No. 2003-80730;

Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Document Laid-Open No. 2003-266730;

Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-309212.

Contents of the invention

However, for a conventional ink cartridge in which an agitating moving body is built into an ink storage part, the peripheral wall defining the ink storage part is a highly rigid partition wall or a rib formed integrally with a synthetic resin cartridge body and cover, such as , when the agitating moving body moves in the ink storage part with the reciprocating motion of the print head, because the agitating moving body collides with the partition walls that form the ink storage part, etc., impact sounds may be generated and become noises, or the collision may cause Vibration may affect the accuracy of the ink supply action.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and provide a liquid container capable of suppressing noise and vibration caused by a collision of a stirring moving body in a liquid storage unit, and supplying a liquid with a uniform concentration with high precision.

In addition, in the conventional ink cartridge in which the agitating moving body is placed in the ink storage part, the shape of the opening of the communication flow path for supplying ink formed through the partition wall of the ink storage part or the size of the agitating moving body may vary. Part or all of the openings communicating with the flow paths may be blocked by the agitating moving body, resulting in poor supply of ink.

Therefore, another object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and to provide a stirring moving body accommodated in a liquid storage part without blocking the communication flow path formed on the partition wall of the liquid storage part and hindering the flow in the communication flow path. A liquid container that circulates liquids and supplies liquids with uniform concentrations with high precision.

In addition, the shape of the movable body accommodated in the conventional ink cartridge is usually a smooth spherical shape. If the movable body is spherical, it can easily rotate in the ink cartridge, and the ink can be agitated by the drainage effect caused by the movement, but on the other hand, the agitation effect of its own rotation on the ink is small.

Therefore, another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid container having a stirring moving body for stirring stored liquid and further improving the stirring performance of the stirring moving body.

In addition, simply accommodating the agitating movable body in the ink cartridge as in the past does not necessarily achieve a good ink agitating effect.

Therefore, another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid container having an agitating moving body for agitating stored liquid and further improving the agitating effect of the agitating moving body.

The above objects of the present invention are achieved by a liquid container that is mounted on a carriage that reciprocates together with a liquid ejection head and that supplies the liquid in a liquid storage portion to the liquid ejection head, the liquid The container is characterized in that the liquid storage portion is formed of a liquid storage recess of the container main body, at least one surface of the liquid storage recess that is opposite to the reciprocating direction of the liquid ejection head is open, and a thin film that is open to the liquid ejection head. The open surface of the liquid storage recess is sealed, and the stirring moving body is accommodated in a movable state in the liquid storage part.

According to the above configuration, although the agitating mobile body accommodated in the liquid storage part moves in the liquid storage part and collides with the film as the carriage reciprocating together with the liquid ejection head moves, the film is thinner than the wall of the container body. 1. Since the elastic deformation is easy to be performed, the impact energy of the stirring moving body is absorbed by the elastic deformation of the film.

As a result, the impact sound or vibration generated when the stirring mobile body collides can be greatly reduced, so that noise and influence on operation accuracy can be eliminated.

In addition, it is preferable that the film is welded on the surface of the container main body, thereby sealing the open face of the liquid storage recess.

According to the above structure, since the liquid storage recess of the container main body is sealed by welding of the film, manufacturing is easy.

In addition, it is preferable to further include: a lid fixed to the container main body covering the outer side of the film; and a cushioning material interposed between the lid and the film so as to absorb the liquid in the liquid storage part. The impact when the stirring moving body collides with the film.

According to the above structure, it is possible to provide a liquid container in which the impact of the agitating moving body can be more effectively reduced since the cushioning material interposed between the lid and the film absorbs the impact sound and impact when the agitating moving body collides with the film The generated sound and vibration further enhance the quiet performance and movement precision.

In addition, since the outer side of the film defining the liquid storage portion is covered by the cover, the film does not interfere with external devices and be damaged during operation and use, so the operability is excellent.

In addition, it is preferable that the stirring moving body has a freely rotatable shape.

At this time, since the agitating moving body can freely change its position by turning, the movement of the agitating moving body in the liquid is promoted, and good agitation can be performed.

The above object of the present invention is achieved by a liquid container whose interior is divided into a plurality of liquid storage parts by a partition wall, and where the liquid storage part is located near the partition wall extending in an approximately vertical direction. A communication channel for supplying the stored liquid to a downstream liquid storage part is formed through the bottom of the part. The liquid container is characterized in that at least one of the liquid storage parts is housed in a movable state. Stirring moving body, the minimum opening cross-sectional area of the flow path formed between the surrounding partition walls and the stirring moving body when the stirring moving body is closest to the communication flow path is larger than the minimum opening cross-sectional area of the communication flow path big.

According to the above configuration, even when the agitation moving body is moved closest to the communication flow path formed through the partition wall due to the movement of the agitation movement body accommodated in the liquid storage part, the partition wall around the communication flow path and the communication flow path are separated from each other. The minimum opening cross-sectional area of the flow path formed between the stirring moving bodies is also larger than the minimum opening cross-sectional area of the communication flow path, so the stirring moving body will not block the communication flow path and hinder the circulation of the liquid, thereby being able to pass through the stirring The moving body agitates the liquid in the liquid storage part and supplies the liquid with a uniform concentration from the communication channel in a stable manner.

In addition, it is preferable that the agitation moving body is set to a predetermined size with respect to the opening of the communication flow path so that there is a gap between the partition walls around the communication flow path and the agitation moving body. The minimum cross-sectional area of the formed flow path is larger than the minimum opening cross-sectional area of the communicating flow path.

At this time, it is effective when the stirring moving body is spherical, etc., and the minimum cross-sectional area of the flow path can be easily made larger than the minimum opening cross-sectional area of the communicating flow path by appropriately changing the size of the stirring moving body.

In addition, it is preferable that a stopper is provided in the liquid storage part to prevent the movement of the agitation moving body to the side of the communication flow path, and the closest distance between the agitation movement body and the communication flow path is limited. Therefore, the minimum cross-sectional area of the flow path formed between the partition wall around the communication flow path and the stirring moving body is larger than the minimum opening cross-sectional area of the communication flow path.

In addition, the stopper is preferably constituted by a protrusion protruding from the inner wall of the liquid storage part, or a flexible member having a predetermined length that connects the inner wall of the liquid storage part and the agitation moving body.

In this case, it is effective when the outer contour shape of the agitation moving body is other than the above-mentioned spherical shape, or when a stirring movement body having a small outer diameter is used.

The liquid container of the present invention that can solve the above-mentioned problems has a liquid storage part that stores liquid, and a liquid supply part that communicates the liquid storage part with the outside, and a stirring moving body is accommodated in the liquid storage part. It is characterized in that the stirring moving body is formed to rotate irregularly.

According to the liquid container of this structure, since the agitating mobile body rotates and moves irregularly, irregular forces can be applied to the surrounding liquid in various directions, thereby obtaining a good effect compared with a purely spherical agitating mobile body. Stirring action.

In addition, the liquid container of the present invention that can solve the above-mentioned problems has a liquid storage part that stores liquid, and a liquid supply part that communicates the liquid storage part with the outside, and a stirring moving body is housed in the liquid storage part. The liquid container is characterized in that at least one of a concave portion or a convex portion is formed on the surface of the stirring moving body.

According to the liquid container of the above-mentioned structure, even when the agitating mobile body is simply rotated, the stirring action to the surrounding liquid is generated by the concave or convex portions formed on the surface of the agitating mobile body, so it is different from the simple spherical agitating movement. Good stirring effect can be obtained compared with the bulk.

In addition, in the liquid container of the present invention, it is preferable that the position of the shape center and the position of the center of gravity of the stirring mobile body with respect to its own external shape are different. Thereby, regardless of whether the external shape is spherical or other shapes, the stirring moving body can rotate irregularly.

In addition, in the liquid container of the present invention, it is preferable that the agitation moving body has an ellipsoidal shape, and the ratio of the minor axis to the major axis is 0.9 or less. By using the agitating moving body of such a shape, it is possible to realize irregular rotation that can obtain a good agitating effect.

The inventors of the present invention have intensively studied a stirring moving body for obtaining a good stirring action. And, focusing on the relationship between the size of the liquid container containing the stirring mobile body and the size of the stirring mobile body accommodated therein, and the influence of the moving direction of the stirring mobile body on the stirring action of the liquid, it was found that by properly setting The size of the stirring moving body enables good stirring of the liquid.

The liquid container of the present invention that can solve the above-mentioned problems has a liquid storage part that stores liquid, and a liquid supply part that communicates the liquid storage part with the outside, and a stirring moving body is accommodated in the liquid storage part. is mounted on a carriage equipped with a reciprocating liquid ejection head, the liquid in the liquid storage part is supplied to the liquid ejection head through the liquid supply part, and the liquid container is characterized in that the stirring The moving body has a diameter of not less than 0.4 times and not more than 0.8 times the inner width of the liquid storage portion in the reciprocating direction of the carriage.

According to the liquid container of this structure, since the agitating moving body accommodated in the solution storage part is easy to actively move in the reciprocating direction of the liquid jet head, it is possible to reduce the length of the agitating moving body that can move in the moving direction, that is, the liquid. The size of the agitation moving body is appropriately determined using the inner width of the liquid storage portion in the reciprocating direction of the ejection head as a reference. Therefore, the agitation effect of the agitation moving body utilizing the reciprocating movement of the liquid ejection head can be exhibited favorably, and a favorable agitation effect on the liquid can be obtained.

In addition, in the above liquid container of the present invention, even when the liquid in the liquid storage portion is pigment ink, unevenness in the concentration of the liquid supplied to the liquid jet head or the like can be suppressed by agitating the ink that easily settles.

According to the liquid container of the present invention, the agitating mobile body in the liquid storage part does not generate a loud impact sound that becomes noise, and also does not generate vibration that affects the operation accuracy due to the collision of the agitating mobile body, so it can be supplied with high accuracy. A liquid that has a uniform concentration due to the stirring force of the moving body.

In addition, according to the liquid container of the present invention, the agitating mobile body accommodated in the liquid storage part does not block the communication flow path formed on the partition wall of the liquid storage part and hinder the flow of the liquid in the communication flow path, thereby enabling high Accurately supply liquid with uniform concentration.

In addition, according to the liquid container of the present invention, in the liquid container having the agitating mobile body that agitates the stored liquid, the stirring performance of the agitating mobile body can be further improved.

Description of drawings

1 is a front perspective view of an ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the liquid container of the present invention viewed obliquely from above;

Fig. 2 is the back perspective view of the ink cartridge shown in Fig. 1 before pasting the film;

Fig. 3 is the back perspective view of the ink cartridge shown in Fig. 1 after pasting the film;

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the front side of the ink cartridge shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the back side of the ink cartridge shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is the rear view of the ink cartridge shown in Fig. 1 before pasting the film;

Fig. 7 is the front view of the ink cartridge shown in Fig. 1 before pasting the film;

Fig. 8 is the front view of the ink cartridge shown in Fig. 1 after pasting the film;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the main part of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the main part of Fig. 9;

11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship among the cartridge main body, the film, the cover, and the agitating moving body in the liquid storage part constituting the liquid storage part of the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 1;

(a) of FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of main parts for explaining the structure of the stopper that prevents the stirring moving body from moving to the side of the communicating flow path, and (b) of FIG. 12 is a cross-section along line A-A of (a). picture;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of main parts illustrating a modified example of a stopper for preventing the moving agitating body from moving toward the communicating flow path;

Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the stirring moving body shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 15 is a schematic diagram of the rotation of the stirring moving body shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 16 is a front view of another example of the stirring mobile body shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 17 is a front view of another example of the stirring mobile body shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 18 is a sectional view of the ink cartridge shown in Fig. 1 in the direction of reciprocating movement.

Label description:

110: film; 111: ink storage part (liquid storage part);

120: box body (container body); 120a: surface; 122: liquid storage recess;

130: film; 132: film; 140: cover body; 150: ink supply control unit;

160: ink supply part (liquid supply part); 162: communication part; 163: communication hole;

214: passageway; 270: atmosphere side storage part (liquid storage part);

270a: liquid storage recess; 272: partition wall; 272a: supply side partition wall;

274: communication flow path; 290: supply side storage part (liquid storage part);

292: first ink storage part (liquid storage part); 292a: liquid storage concave part;

294: second ink storage part (liquid storage part); 294a: liquid storage concave part;

500: ink cartridge (liquid container); 510: first vertical partition wall portion (partition wall);

512: lower communication channel (communication channel); 513: lower wall;

514: upper communication channel; 515: upper wall; 516: second upper communication channel;

530: first vertical partition wall portion (partition wall); 530a: surface;

532: lower communicating flow path (communicating flow path); 533: lower wall portion;

534: upper communication channel; 535: upper wall; 536: second upper communication channel;

550: Inclined wall portion; 624: Atmospheric valve communication portion; 650: Atmospheric valve;

652: pressing part accommodation chamber; 654: atmospheric valve pressing part; 656: coil spring;

669: Atmospheric valve chamber; 711: Stirring mobile body; 715: Stopper;

721: stopper; 750: cushioning material (cushion material).

Detailed ways

The liquid container of the present invention is suitable for supplying liquid to a liquid ejection head of a liquid ejection device. The liquid ejection device mentioned here is equivalent to, for example: the liquid ejection head (print head) of inkjet type recording device; The color material ejection head of the color filter manufacturing apparatus of the color filter of manufacturing liquid crystal display; Form organic EL display Electrode material (conductive paste) injection heads for electrodes such as , FED (surface-emitting display), etc.; bio-organism injection heads for biochip manufacturing devices that manufacture biochips; and sample injection heads for precision pipettes, etc.

Next, preferred embodiments of the liquid container of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, in this embodiment, an ink cartridge that can be attached to and detached from an inkjet recording device and used as an example of a liquid container will be described.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an ink cartridge 500 which is one embodiment of the liquid container of the present invention viewed obliquely from above. The ink cartridge 500 is a liquid container detachably mounted on a carriage that reciprocates together with a print head (liquid ejection head) of an inkjet recording device.

2 and 3 are rear perspective views of the ink cartridge 500 shown in FIG. 1 viewed obliquely from below. FIG. 500 is a state where the film 110 is pasted on the box main body 120 . In addition, FIGS. 4 and 5 are exploded perspective views showing components constituting the ink cartridge 500 disassembled.

Arrow X shown in FIGS. 1 , 3 , 11 , and 18 shows the reciprocating direction of the print head of the inkjet recording device.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the ink cartridge 500 shown in FIG. 1 , showing a state before the film 110 is attached to the ink cartridge 500 of FIG. 1 . FIG. 7 is a front view of the ink cartridge 500 shown in FIG. 1 , showing a state before the film 130 is pasted on the liquid storage recess 122 of the ink cartridge 500 . FIG. 8 is a front view of the ink cartridge 500 shown in FIG. 1 , showing a state after the film 130 is attached to the liquid storage recess 122 of the ink cartridge 500 .

As shown in FIG. 4 , the ink cartridge 500 of this embodiment includes: a cartridge main body (container main body) 120, which is in the shape of a bottomed approximate frame and has a liquid storage recess 122. One surface opposite to the reciprocating direction X of the head is open; the film 130 covers substantially the entire open surface of the liquid storage recess 122 ; and the cover 140 covers the outside of the film 130 .

The case main body 120 is, for example, an integrally molded product made of synthetic resin such as polypropylene (PP). The liquid storage recess 122 of the case main body 120 is divided into a plurality of liquid storage recesses 270a, 292a, 270a, 292a, 294a.

The open surfaces of the respective liquid storage recesses 270a, 292a, 294a are liquid-tightly sealed by the film 130, thereby forming a plurality of ink storage parts for storing ink (liquid).

The film 130 is made of a transparent or translucent resin having a melting point lower than that of the cartridge body 120, and is welded to partition walls or ribs that define the liquid storage recesses 270a, 292a, and 294a.

In addition, prior to the welding process of the film 130, the agitation moving body 711 for agitating the stored ink is incorporated in the liquid storage recesses 270a and 294a.

Then, the cover body 140 is fixed to the box main body 120 so as to cover the outside of the film 130 .

In addition, the cartridge main body 120 includes: an ink storage part 111 (see FIG. 7 ) for storing ink; an ink flow path part from the ink storage part 111 to the ink supply part 160; , an atmospheric valve housing, and an atmospheric communication portion composed of an atmospheric side passage.

The ink cartridge 500 also has: an ink supply control unit 150 , an ink supply part 160 , a storage unit 170 , and a fitting handle 180 .

The ink supply unit 160 is disposed on the lower surface of the cartridge main body 120, and supplies the ink stored in the ink storage unit 111 to the inkjet type recording device when the ink supply needle formed on the carriage for mounting the ink cartridge 500 is inserted. head.

The storage unit 170 is riveted on a mounting portion 190 that is riveted below the side of the case main body 120 .

In addition, the storage unit 170 stores information such as the type information of the ink cartridge 500 , the color information of the ink stored in the ink cartridge 500 , and the existing amount of ink, and exchanges the information with the main body of the device through a plurality of terminals 171 exposed on the surface.

A fitting handle 180 is molded on the upper portion of the side opposite to the mounting portion 190 on the cartridge main body 120, which fits with the carriage of the inkjet type recording device.

The side surface of the mounting portion 190 is restricted by a rib (not shown) formed on the bracket, so that the terminal 171 reliably abuts against the elastic contact on one side of the bracket.

The ink supply control unit 150 is constituted by a differential pressure valve that supplies the ink in the ink storage part 111 to the ink supply part 160 according to the pressure difference between the ink storage part 111 and the ink supply part 160 accompanying the consumption of ink. Supply 160 . The ink supply control unit 150, which is elastically deformable, has a diaphragm valve 900 as an example of a valve member inserted into the recess 495 of the cartridge main body 120, a valve cover 151 covering the recess 495, and a diaphragm valve 900 and the valve cover as an example. An example of a biasing member between 151 is a coil spring 907 .

As shown in FIG. 7, the ink storage part 111 as the liquid storage part of this embodiment is roughly divided into an upper part and a lower part by a partition wall 272 extending in the horizontal direction. An atmosphere side storage part 270 as an ink storage part communicated with the atmosphere, and a supply side as an ink storage part composed of a first ink storage part 292 and a second ink storage part 294 isolated from the atmosphere is formed on the upper part. Side storage part 290.

The supply-side reservoir 290 is divided into two, ie, first and second ink reservoirs 292, 294, by a vertical partition wall 271 having a communication flow path ( communication portion) 276 , and a flow path portion 296 surrounded by the second ink storage portion 294 is formed in the supply side storage portion 290 .

The flow path portion 296 is connected to the second ink storage portion 294 through the lower communicating flow path 278 , and is connected to the ink supply control unit 150 through the passage 298 and the through hole 918 .

The partition wall 271 has a lower communication flow path 276 between the partition wall 272 and an upper communication flow path 277 between the upper surface. The flow resistance of the upper communication flow path 277 is smaller than that of the lower communication flow path 276 .

In addition, a short vertical partition wall 288 is provided in the second ink storage portion 294 , and a flow path 279 is formed between the partition wall 288 and the partition wall 272 .

In addition, the downstream side of the ink supply control unit 150 communicates with the ink supply part 160 through the through hole 910, the flow path 321, the through hole 323, and the communication part 304, wherein the through hole 910 communicates with the ink supply control unit 150, The flow path 321 communicates with the through hole 910 , the through hole 323 is formed at one end of the flow path 321 and penetrates toward the surface side, and one end of the communication portion 304 communicates with the through hole 323 .

The atmosphere side storage part 270 and the first ink storage part 292 communicate through the communication part 162 ( FIG. 2 ) that penetrates the communication channel 295 extending in the vertical direction and the bottom surface of the atmosphere side storage part 270 . Therefore, when the ink is consumed from the ink supply part 160, the ink in the atmospheric side storage part 270 is sucked up to the first ink storage part 292 accordingly, and passes through the second ink storage part 294, the flow path part and the like from there. 296 etc. and flow into the ink supply control unit 150.

The ink flows from the atmosphere of the ink storage unit 111 in the order of the communication flow path 274, the communication portion 162, the communication hole 163, the communication flow path 295, the communication flow paths 276, 278, the flow path portion 296, the passage 298, and the through hole 918. The side reservoir 270 flows into the ink supply control unit 150 .

The side that communicates with the atmosphere with the atmosphere valve communication portion 624 as a boundary, that is, the atmosphere side passage is composed of the following parts as shown in FIG. 222 , the through hole 652 b formed on the side surface of the communication portion 222 , and the pressing member accommodation chamber 652 .

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, one end of a path 214 meandering into a labyrinth formed on the surface side of the box main body 120 is opened to the atmosphere as an opening 212, and the other end is connected to the film containing part 216. The film housing portion 216 houses a film 215 ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ), and the film 215 has functions of ink repellency and air permeability.

The film housing portion 216 communicates with a communicating hole 218 penetrating from the surface side of the cartridge main body 120 to the inside. The communication hole 218 is connected to the pressing member housing chamber 652 through the communication portion 222 and the through hole 652 b formed in the side surface of the communication portion 222 inside the cartridge body 120 . A cavity 930 formed of a concave portion is provided in the middle of the passage 214 .

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7 , the ink side passage with the atmospheric valve communication portion 624 as a boundary is formed by the atmospheric valve chamber 669, the communication hole 238, the communication groove 240, and the communication hole 242, and it is connected with the ink storage portion 111. The atmosphere side storage unit 270 communicates.

The communication hole 238 penetrating from the inner side of the box main body 120 to the surface side communicates with the atmosphere side storage part 270 through the communication groove 240 and the communication hole 242. The communication groove 240 communicates with the communication hole 238. The communication hole 242 communicates with the The communication groove 240 communicates with and penetrates from the surface side of the case main body 120 to the inside.

The above-mentioned atmosphere side storage part 270, supply side storage part 290, atmosphere valve chamber 669, atmosphere side passage, and ink side passage are formed by fusing the films 130, 110 on the partition walls dividing them by thermal welding or the like. An area isolated from the atmosphere.

The ink supply part 160 has: a sealing member 12 formed of an elastomer (elastomer) or the like, having an insertion port 26 for inserting an ink supply needle provided on the carriage; and a supply valve 13 for closing the insertion port 26 of the sealing member 12. and the biasing member 14, which is composed of a coil spring or the like, and biases the supply valve 13 toward the sealing member 12. In addition, the film 604 is pasted on the insertion opening 26 of the sealing member 12 when the product is shipped.

After the ink cartridge 500 is installed on the carriage of the inkjet type recording device, the convex portion provided on the carriage pushes the atmospheric valve 650 upward through the film 480 and the atmospheric valve pressing member 654, and the ink supply needle of the carriage The supply valve 13 of the ink supply unit 160 is pushed upward.

As a result, the atmosphere valve communication portion 624 communicates the atmosphere flow path from the atmosphere valve chamber 669 to the communication hole 242 with the atmosphere. In addition, the upstream of the supply valve 13 in the ink supply part 160 communicates with the ink supply needle.

When the inkjet type recording apparatus starts recording in a state where the communication hole 242 is communicated with the atmosphere, ink is supplied to the print head from the ink supply part 160 through the ink supply needle. After the ink is supplied from the ink supply part 160, the ink flowing in the order of the arrow a and the through hole 918 shown in FIG. The sequence flows into the ink supply part 160 to be supplied to the ink supply needle inserted into the ink supply part 160 .

According to the flow of the ink, in the ink storage unit 111 , the ink in the atmosphere side storage unit 270 is supplied to the supply side storage unit 290 . As the ink in the atmosphere side storage portion 270 is consumed, air flows into the atmosphere side storage portion 270 from the communication hole 242 through the paths indicated by arrows f and g in FIG. 7 in sequence. Although the ink is supplied from the ink supply unit 160 to the print head to cause the liquid level in the atmosphere side reservoir 270 to drop, the ink is stored on the atmosphere side due to the flow path connecting the atmosphere side reservoir 270 and the supply side reservoir 290 . Since the lowermost portion of part 270 has a communication port, air does not flow into supply side storage part 290 until all the ink in atmosphere side storage part 270 has moved into supply side storage part 290 .

After the ink in the atmosphere side storage part 270 is completely consumed, the inks in the first ink storage part 292 and the second ink storage part 294 of the supply side storage part 290 are consumed in this order. During this period, the ink in the supply side reservoir 290 can be prevented from being discharged by the surface tension of the ink meniscus formed in the communication portion 162 connecting the supply side reservoir 290 and the atmosphere side reservoir 270 . It flows back into the atmosphere side storage unit 270 .

After the ink in the first ink storage part 292 is consumed, air flows into the first ink storage part 292 . As a result, the liquid level in the first ink storage part 292 drops, but since the first ink storage part 292 and the second ink storage part 294 communicate only through the communication flow path 276 at the lower part, the ink in the first ink storage part 292 be consumed first. When the ink in the first ink storage portion 292 is consumed and the liquid level reaches the communication channel 276 , air also flows into the second ink storage portion 294 corresponding to the ink in the second ink storage portion 294 being consumed. While the ink in the second ink storage portion is consumed, since the surface tension of the ink meniscus is generated in the communication flow path 276, the ink in the second ink storage portion 294 can be prevented from flowing back to the first ink storage portion 292. middle.

As mentioned above, the ink in the atmospheric side storage part 270, the first ink storage part 292, and the second ink storage part 294 is consumed in this order, but no matter which storage part the liquid level of the ink is located in, the ink will be removed from the storage part. The communication portion 278 is supplied to the ink supply portion 160 through the through hole 918 through the passage 300 and is disposed near the partition wall 272 that roughly divides the ink storage portion 111 into upper and lower parts.

FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged perspective view of FIG. 7 . In the atmosphere side storage portion 270 , the supply side partition wall 272 a above the communication channel 274 defining the communication hole 163 is located lower than the other partition wall 272 in the atmosphere side storage portion 270 . In addition, in the atmosphere side storage part 270, there are a first vertical partition wall part 510 extending vertically upward from the bottom surface of the atmosphere side storage part 270 in the vicinity of the communication flow path 274, and the first vertical partition wall part 510 is connected to the first vertical partition wall part 510. Parallel second vertical partition walls 530 .

The first vertical partition wall part 510 has a lower communication flow path 512 at the lower end, and the lower communication flow path 512 penetrates the first vertical partition wall part 510 and the liquid flows between it and the bottom surface of the atmosphere side storage part 270 . The lower communication channel 512 is a cutout on the first vertical partition wall portion 510 . The first vertical partition wall portion 510 also has an upper communication flow path 514, which is located above the lower communication flow path 512 and runs through the first vertical partition wall portion 510, and its flow resistance is lower than that of the lower communication flow path 512. Small.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 , the upper communication channel 514 is a larger cutout than the lower communication channel 512 . Therefore, the flow resistance of the upper communication flow path 514 is smaller than that of the lower communication flow path 512 .

In addition, the lower wall portion 513 is sandwiched between the upper communication flow path 514 and the lower communication flow path 512 , and the upper communication flow path 514 is disposed above the supply-side partition wall 272 a.

The first vertical partition wall part 510 also has a second upper communication flow path 516, the upper wall part 515 is sandwiched between the second upper communication flow path 516 and the upper communication flow path 514, and the flow path of the second upper communication flow path 516 The resistance is smaller than that of the lower communication channel 512 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 , the second upper communication channel 516 is a gap created between the partition wall 272 and the upper end of the first vertical partition wall portion 510 .

In addition, since the second vertical partition wall portion 530 has the same structure as that of the first vertical partition wall portion 510 , description thereof is omitted.

In addition, the first vertical partition wall portion 510 and the second vertical partition wall portion 530 are arranged on the rear surface of the via 214 shown in FIG. 2 . Therefore, when the film 110 shown in FIG. 3 is pasted on the passage 214, it is possible to prevent the side of the box body 120 provided with the passage 214 from being recessed so that the film 110 is difficult to stick, that is, "loosen".

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7 , the first ink storage portion 292 of the supply side storage portion 290 has an inclined wall portion 550 inclined in the up-down direction. The inclined wall portion 550 is disposed above the communication channel 295 extending in the vertical direction.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7 , the liquid storage part at the root, that is, the atmospheric side storage part 270, and the liquid storage part before the ink supply control unit 150, that is, the second ink storage part 294 are arranged respectively. The moving body 711 is stirred.

The agitating moving body 711 in this embodiment is a spherical metal ball that can rotate freely, and it rotates in the storage part due to the inertia received when the ink cartridge 500 moves with the carriage, so as to agitate the ink stored in each storage part.

In the atmosphere side storage unit 270 , the section between the first vertical partition wall portion 510 and the second vertical partition wall portion 530 and the area between the first vertical partition wall portion 510 and the second vertical partition wall portion 530 are interposed. Stirring mobile bodies 711 are provided in the sections on the opposite side, respectively. In addition, in the second ink storage portion 294 , an agitating moving body 711 is provided in a section between the partition wall 288 having the flow path 279 and the communicating flow path 278 .

When the agitating mobile body 711 arranged in each storage portion rotates to the side of the partition wall having the communication flow path, it will approach the communication flow path opened on the bottom side of the partition wall (for example, the communication flow paths 278, 279, lower communicate with flow paths 512, 532). In this case, the outer diameter of the agitating moving body 711 is set to be larger than a predetermined size with respect to the opening of the communication flow path, so that even when it is closest to the above-mentioned communication flow path, the opening of the communication flow path can be A flow path having a cross-sectional area (opening area) larger than the cross-sectional area (opening area) of the communication flow path is ensured between the surrounding partition walls and the agitating moving body 711 .

Taking the case where the stirring moving body 711 is closest to the lower communication channel 532 formed on the second vertical partition wall part 530 shown in FIG. Make sure that the flow path is specified.

As shown in FIG. 10 , the agitating moving body 711 approaching the lower communication channel 532 stops in a state of being in contact with the surface 530 a of the second vertical partition wall portion 530 and the surface 120 a of the bottom wall.

At this time, the outer diameter of the stirring moving body 711 is set so that the flow path (space) 713 formed between the surface 530a of the second vertical partition wall portion 530 and the surface 120a of the bottom wall and the stirring moving body 711 has a lower communication ratio. The flow path 532 has a large minimum opening cross-sectional area so that the agitating moving body 711 does not prevent ink from flowing into the lower communication flow path 532 .

In the present embodiment, as described above, the openings of the liquid storage recesses 270a, 292a, and 294a formed in the cartridge main body 120 are closed by the film 130, thereby forming the ink storage portions 270, 292, and 294. 130 outside of the resin cover 140 is installed, and as shown in Figure 11, on the inner surface of the cover 140 paste the shock absorbing material 750 as a buffer material, the shock absorbing material 750 is sandwiched between the cover 140 and the film Between 130, the impact when the agitating mobile body 711 in each storage part collides with the film 130 is absorbed.

In the present embodiment, shock-absorbing materials 750 are attached to two positions corresponding to the positions where the agitation moving body 711 is embedded in the atmosphere side storage unit 270 and the second ink storage unit 294 . The shock absorbing material 750 is formed of a porous material having moderate elasticity.

With regard to the configuration of the ink cartridge 500 described above, the ink supply operation when the pigment ink as ink is stored in the atmosphere side storage unit 270 and the supply side storage unit 290 will be described. 2 and 7, in order to use up the ink in the atmospheric side storage part 270 as much as possible, the communication part 162 is arranged through the bottom surface of the atmospheric side storage part 270, and the ink that has passed through the communication part 162 is supplied to the supply. Storage part 290 on one side.

Usually, since the pigment that is the color material of the pigment ink is dispersed particles dispersed in a solvent, the dispersed particles will settle when left for a long time, and especially tend to stagnate near the communication channel 274 where the communication part 162 is arranged. Dark ink with increased density.

However, for the ink cartridge 500 of this embodiment, the agitation moving body 711 arranged in the atmospheric side storage part 270 and the second ink storage part 294 agitates the ink stored in the storage part, so that the ink in the ink can be suppressed. The sedimentation of the color material can prevent the ink with a high pigment concentration from staying in the vicinity of the communication flow path 274 . In addition, in the ink cartridge 500 of the present embodiment, the communication flow paths distributed up and down on one partition wall (the first vertical partition wall portion 510 and the second vertical partition wall portion 530) can cause agitation to be promoted when ink is supplied. In the flow in the vertical direction, the agitation effects of the two aspects are accumulated to make the agitation very active, so that the ink supplied to the ink supply part 160 is less likely to have uneven density. That is, it is possible to prevent the dark ink near the communication flow path 274 from flowing out from the communication portion 162 as it is, and then the light-density ink above it to flow out again, thereby preventing uneven density of the ink supplied to the outside.

In addition, according to the ink cartridge 500 of the present embodiment, even when the agitation moving body 711 accommodated in the atmosphere side storage part 270 or the second ink storage part 294 moves, even when the agitation moving body 711 is formed closest to the first and second ink storage parts respectively. When the lower communication flow paths 512, 532 of the second vertical partition wall parts 510, 530, the partition wall 288, etc., and the communication flow paths 278, 279, the respective lower communication flow paths 532, 512 and the surrounding communication flow paths 278, 279 The minimum opening cross-sectional area of the flow path 713 (refer to FIG. 10 ) formed between the partition wall and each stirring moving body 711 is also larger than the minimum opening cross-sectional area of each of the lower communication flow paths 512, 532 and the communication flow paths 278, 279. .

Therefore, for the above-mentioned ink cartridge 500, the agitating moving body 711 will not block the lower communication flow paths 512, 532 and the communication flow paths 278, 279 to hinder the circulation of the ink, and the storage part 270 and the second ink on the side of the atmosphere can be stirred. The ink in the storage part 294 is simultaneously supplied with uniformly concentrated ink from each of the lower communication flow paths 512, 532 and the communication flow paths 278, 279, thereby maintaining high-quality ink supply, so that the printed ink density does not occur. Not evenly shaded.

In addition, according to the ink cartridge 500 of this embodiment, for example, along with the reciprocating movement of the print head, the agitating movable body 711 provided in the ink storage parts 270 and 294 moves in the ink storage parts 270 and 294 and collides with the film 130, but Since the film 130 is thinner than the partition wall of the box body 120 and is easily elastically deformed, the collision energy of the stirring moving body 711 is absorbed by the elastic deformation of the film 130 .

As a result, the impact sound or vibration generated when the stirring mobile body 711 collides is greatly reduced, and noise and influence on operation accuracy can be eliminated.

Therefore, according to the ink cartridge 500 of the present embodiment, the agitating moving body 711 in the ink storage parts 270 and 294 does not generate a loud impact sound that becomes noise, and the impact of the agitating moving body 711 does not affect the print head. Because of the vibration of the operation accuracy, the ink whose density becomes uniform by the stirring force of the moving body 711 can be supplied with high precision.

In addition, in the ink cartridge 500 of this embodiment, since the buffer material 750 between the cover body 140 and the film 130 absorbs the impact sound and the impact when the agitation mobile body 711 collides with the film 130, it can be more effectively reduced. The sound and vibration generated by the collision of the mobile body 711 further improve the quietness performance and operation precision.

In addition, since the outer side of the film 130 defining the ink storage portions 270 and 294 is covered by the cover 140, the film 130 will not interfere with external devices during operation and cause the film 130 to be damaged, so the operability is excellent.

In addition, in the ink cartridge 500 of the present embodiment, since the first vertical partition wall portion 510 having the lower communication flow path 512, the upper communication flow path 514, and the second upper communication flow path 516 is provided, when the ink is communicated from the When the ink flows out from the hole 163 and the ink is further drawn to the communication hole 163 , the flow rate of the light ink flowing through the upper communication channel 514 and the second upper communication channel 516 increases.

Therefore, the flow rate of the light ink (arrows i, j in the figure) is greater than the flow rate of the dark ink (arrow h in the figure), so not only the dark ink but also the light ink can flow into the communicating hole 163 .

In addition, due to the difference in flow rate, in the space divided by the communication flow path 274 and the first vertical partition wall portion 510, the ink can flow up and down, and the dark ink and light ink, especially, are closer to each other than the vicinity of the upper communication flow path 514. The light ink above can also be rolled in for stirring.

In particular, since the upper communication flow path 514 is disposed above the supply-side partition wall 272a facing the communication hole 163, ink can be easily supplied to the upper supply-side storage portion 290 partitioned by the lower part 272a. In addition, the light ink that tends to stay above the dark ink in the vicinity of the communication flow path 274 can be made to flow to the communication flow path 274 . In addition, since the second upper communication flow path 516 is arranged between the partition wall 272 of the atmospheric side storage part 270, even when the amount of ink in the atmospheric side storage part 270 is large and the density difference is large, the upper part can be made The light ink of the ink flows to the communication hole 163, and is supplied to the supply-side storage unit 290 after being reliably mixed with the dark ink below.

In addition, since the lower communication channel 512 is provided at the lower end of the first vertical partition wall portion 510 , the ink is not blocked by the first vertical partition wall portion 510 , and the ink in the atmosphere side storage portion 270 can be almost used up. In addition, since the second vertical partition wall portion 530 having the lower communication flow paths 532 and 534 and the second upper communication flow path 536 is provided in parallel with the first vertical partition wall portion 510 , the concentrated Ink mixes reliably with light ink.

In addition, an inclined wall portion 550 is provided above the communication flow path 295 through which ink flows from the atmosphere side storage portion 270 through the communication portion 162, so that the ink flow from the atmosphere side storage portion 270 to the supply side storage portion 290 is smooth. The direction of the flow is changed upon encountering the inclined wall portion 550 , thereby stirring the ink stored in the first ink storage portion 292 and mixing the dark ink and light ink in the first ink storage portion 292 .

In addition, the lower communication flow path is provided by a plurality of small walls such as the vertical partition wall 271 having the communication flow path 276 and the vertical partition wall 288 having the communication portion 279, whereby it can be reliably mixed with the dark ink further below and It is supplied to the supply side storage unit 290 .

In addition, in the ink cartridge 500 according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. in the same up and down position. However, the arrangement of the vertical positions is not limited to this, and the upper communication channel 514 and the upper communication channel 534 may be provided at different vertical positions.

Likewise, the second upper communication flow path 516 and the second upper communication flow path 536 may also be arranged at different vertical positions. Thereby, the flow of the light ink in the vertical direction can be formed in the region sandwiched by the pair of first vertical partition wall portions 510 and the second vertical partition wall portion 530 , so that the dark ink and the light ink can be reliably agitated.

In addition, in the ink cartridge 500 of the present embodiment, although the pair of first vertical partition wall portions 510 and the second vertical partition wall portion 530 are vertically provided, the present invention is not limited thereto, and both or one of the pair of wall portions may face each other. Tilted vertically.

Therefore, according to the ink cartridge 500 of the present embodiment, by increasing the flow rate of the floating light ink near the communication portion 162 in the atmosphere side storage portion 270, the sinking dark ink is mixed with the floating light ink and supplied from the communication portion 162. To the storage part 290 on the supply side. Therefore, occurrence of density unevenness in ink supplied to the outside can be suppressed.

In addition, in the ink cartridge 500 of the above embodiment, the liquid storage part, that is, the ink storage part 111 is formed by the cartridge main body 120 and the film 130, wherein the cartridge main body 120 has a bottomed approximate frame shape and has a liquid storage recess 122. , the front side of the liquid storage recess 122, that is, the face opposite to the reciprocating direction X of the print head is open, and the film 130 covers the open surface of the liquid storage recess 122; but it is also possible to pass the liquid storage recess and a The liquid storage portion is formed of a thin film, wherein both faces of the liquid storage recess opposite to the reciprocating direction X of the print head are open, and the pair of thin films cover both open faces of the liquid storage recess.

In addition, the outer shape of the stirring moving body accommodated in the liquid storage part is not limited to the spherical shape shown in the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, it may be a freely rotatable shape such as a cylindrical shape or a cylindrical shape, or may be another shape.

When the outer shape of the stirring moving body is spherical, even when the stirring moving body is closest to the communication flow path, as the minimum flow path for making the flow path formed between the partition wall around the communication flow path and the stirring moving body As a specific means for the cross-sectional area to be larger than the minimum opening cross-sectional area of the communication channel, it is effective to set the outer diameter of the agitating moving body 711 to a predetermined value or more as in the above-mentioned embodiment.

In addition, when the agitation moving body is closest to the communication flow path, the minimum cross-sectional area of the flow path formed between the partition wall around the communication flow path and the agitation movement body is smaller than the minimum opening cross-section of the communication flow path. The specific means for increasing the area is not limited to the method of selecting the outer diameter of the stirring moving body 711 shown in the above-mentioned embodiment.

For example, various countermeasures illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 can be taken.

The specific means shown in (a) of Fig. 12 is: a stopper 715 is set on the front inner wall (surface 120a of the bottom wall) of the lower communication flow path 532 approached by the stirring mobile body 711 to stop the stirring mobile body 711 The downward communication flow path 532 is rotated to limit the closest distance.

The stopper 715 is formed by rib protrusions (protrusions) extending along the flow direction of the ink passing through the lower communication flow path 532, as shown in (b) of FIG. The spacing configuration has multiple columns.

Such a stopper formed by a protrusion is effective when the outer contour shape of the stirring moving body 711 is other than the above-mentioned spherical shape, or when using a spherical stirring moving body 711 with a small outer diameter. Needless to say, protrusions of various shapes can be employed.

A specific means shown in FIG. 13 is to provide a stopper 721 that connects the inner wall of the atmosphere side storage unit 270 and the agitation moving body 711 .

The stopper 721 is formed of a flexible member having a predetermined length, and the length of the stopper 721 limits the closest distance between the agitation moving body 711 and the lower communication channel 532 .

Next, the best mode of the stirring mobile body accommodated in the liquid storage part will be described.

In the case of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. The agitation mobile body 711 whose specific gravity is larger than the stored ink is arrange|positioned. In this embodiment, the agitating moving body 711 is spherical in shape, and rotates in the liquid storage part due to the inertia received when the ink cartridge 500 moves along with the carriage, to agitate the ink stored in each liquid storage part.

The stirring moving body 711 can be made of plastics such as nylon, polyacetal (POM), fluororesin, polycarbonate, and polypropylene, glass, ceramics (such as Al ₂ O ₃ , ZrO ₂ ), rubber, and metal.

In addition, although the outer shape of the stirring mobile body 711 is spherical, the center position of the outer shape differs from the position of the center of mass (center of gravity). As a structure in which the center of the shape is different from the center of gravity, for example, when a different material is coated on a spherical surface of a certain material, the thickness of the surface coating is partially changed, so that the center position of the shape is different from the center of mass (center of gravity) ) in different positions. In addition, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 14 , a hollow portion 712 offset from the outer shape may be provided. In addition, instead of providing the hollow portion 712 , a through hole penetrating through the agitation moving body 711 may be formed, or a recessed portion may be provided on the outer surface that is substantially depressed. In addition, it is also possible to provide a protrusion that protrudes largely from the outer surface.

In this way, since the center of gravity of the stirring mobile body 711 is positioned away from the center of the outer shape, the stirring mobile body 711 rotates irregularly in the liquid storage part. For example, in the case of a conventional agitating mobile body whose shape is spherical and whose center of gravity roughly coincides with the center of the shape, it rotates regularly according to the inertia of the center of gravity, and the direction of rotation is an approximate straight line as shown by arrow Y1 in FIG. 15 shape, and in the case of the agitating moving body 711 of this embodiment, due to the force generated by the inertia of the center of gravity and the resistance of the ink acting on the outer surface, it is, for example, swinging irregularly as shown by arrow Y2 Rotate at the same time. Thus, the agitating moving body 711 of this embodiment can apply irregular forces in various directions to the surrounding ink. Furthermore, compared with the case of linear rotation shown in the arrow Y1 direction, a favorable stirring action can be obtained.

In addition, instead of the stirring moving body 711 having a spherical shape as a basic shape, an ellipsoidal stirring moving body 716 as shown in FIG. 16 may be used. Considering that in order to make the ellipsoidal stirring mobile body 716 rotate irregularly to obtain a good stirring effect, it is better to properly set the difference between the short diameter a and the long diameter b, and the ratio a/b of the short diameter a to the long diameter b is Below 0.9 is fine. It is more desirable to set a/b to 0.8 or less. In addition, instead of the ellipsoidal stirring moving body 716, a stirring moving body having a shape such as a polyhedron that rotates irregularly may be used. At this time, the stirring effect can be increased by the corner portion of the polyhedron or the like. In this way, although there is no requirement on the position of the center of gravity of the agitating mobile body having an outer shape that rotates irregularly, it is preferable to deviate the center of gravity from the center of the outer shape.

Furthermore, as a structure of the agitation moving body for obtaining a good agitation effect, it is also possible to provide a concave portion or a convex portion on the surface regardless of the outer shape or the position of the center of gravity. For example, as shown in FIG. 17 , a stirring movable body 717 having a so-called dimple shape provided with a plurality of recesses 718 on the surface can also obtain a good stirring action. In addition, instead of the plurality of concave portions 718, a plurality of convex portions may be provided. When such a concave portion or a convex portion is provided, even when the stirring mobile body 718 simply (regularly) rotates, the rotation of the stirring mobile body 718 also produces a stirring effect on the surrounding liquid. Increased compared to the stirring effect.

Here, as shown in FIG. 18 , the openings of the recesses 270 a , 292 a , 294 a formed in the cartridge main body 120 are closed by the film 130 , whereby the ink storage portions 270 , 292 , 294 are demarcated. The cover body 140 made of resin is mounted in the same manner. In addition, since the ink cartridge 500 moves in the reciprocating direction (arrow X direction) of the liquid jet head, the agitating moving body 711 also actively moves in the reciprocating direction. Therefore, as a preferred embodiment, the diameter D of the agitating moving body 711 is set based on the internal width W of the ink storage part 270, 292, 294 in the reciprocating direction of the liquid jet head. If the diameter D is the internal width W More than 0.4 times and less than 0.8 times of that, that is, "0.4W≤D≤0.8W", then a good stirring effect on the ink can be obtained.

In order to make the agitating mobile body 711 agitate the ink well, it is preferable that when the liquid ejection head reciprocates, the agitating mobile body 711 collides with the recesses 270a, 292a, 294a or the film 130 and returns, so that the ink storage parts 270, 292 , The inside of 294 repeatedly moves back and forth.

Therefore, if the diameter D of the agitating movable body 711 is less than 0.4 times the inner width W, the diameter D of the agitating movable body 711 is too small for the ink storage parts 270, 292, 294, making it difficult to repeatedly reciprocate. In addition, the agitation effect of the agitation mobile body 711 on the ink largely depends on the drainage effect generated by the movement of the agitation mobile body 711, so if the volume of the agitation mobile body 711 is too small, it is difficult to obtain sufficient agitation effect.

In addition, if the diameter D of the stirring mobile body 711 exceeds 0.8 times of the inner width W, the drainage effect will increase, but on the other hand, its reciprocating movement distance in the ink containing parts 270, 292, 294 becomes short, so it is difficult to obtain sufficient water. stirring effect.

In this way, by making the diameter D of the agitating moving body 711 0.4 times to 0.8 times the internal width W, the agitating moving body 711 can be active in the reciprocating direction of the liquid jet head in the ink storage parts 270, 292, and 294. Ground movement, so that a good stirring effect can be obtained.

In addition, the shape of the stirring moving body 711 is not limited to a spherical shape. For example, a cylindrical shape or a cylindrical shape may also be used. Also in this case, as in the case of a spherical shape, it is preferable that the diameter of the circular cross-section is 0.4 times or more and 0.8 times or less the inner width W.

As mentioned above, according to the ink cartridge 500 of this embodiment, not only the agitation performance of the ink is good due to the structure of the liquid storage part, but also the agitation moving body 711 with good agitation effect is provided in the liquid storage part, so that The reciprocating movement of the carriage of the liquid ejection head actively agitates the ink.

In addition, the stirring action can be judged according to the following criteria.

The ink cartridge 500 was put into a centrifuge and rotated at a rotation speed of 1000 rpm for 12 hours to centrifuge the ink. Then, each of the centrifugally separated ink cartridges 500 is mounted again on the liquid ejection head of the inkjet type recording apparatus, and printed according to the color scale of gray gradation. The color difference ΔE of gray printing performed before and after centrifugation was measured. When the color difference ΔE≦4, it was judged as A (very good stirring performance), when 4<ΔE≦8, it was judged as B (good stirring performance), and when 8<ΔE was judged as C (poor stirring performance). In addition, the calculation formula of the color difference ΔE uses the following formula (1) referring to the well-known L*a*b* chromaticity diagram:

ΔE＝{(ΔL*) ² +(Δa*) ² +(Δb*) ² }1/2 …(1)

In addition, in the liquid container of the present invention, the structures of the liquid storage portion, the cartridge body, the liquid storage recess, the partition wall, the communication flow path, the stirring moving body, the flow path, the film, and the stopper are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. Needless to say, various configurations can be adopted according to the spirit of the present invention.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the ink cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the carriage on which the liquid ejection head is mounted has been described as an example. As a result, the device is constructed as follows: the main ink tank is fixed on the main body of the recording device, the main ink tank and the sub-ink tank installed on the bracket are connected by a hose, and the ink in the sub-ink tank is supplied to the record header.

In addition, the basic applications on which this application is based include: Japanese patent application filed on June 16, 2004 (Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-178385), Japanese patent application filed on June 18, 2004 (Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-181061), 2004 Japanese Patent Application (Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-181062) filed on June 18, 2004 and Japanese Patent Application (Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-182461) filed on June 21, 2004, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims (15)

1. a liquid container is installed on the reciprocating carriage of jet head liquid and with the liquid in the fluid storage portion and is supplied to described jet head liquid, and described liquid container is characterised in that,

Described fluid storage portion is formed by the fluid storage recess and the film of container body, at least one described fluid storage recess, relative with the vibration-direction of described jet head liquid face opens wide, described film seals the open surface of described fluid storage recess

In described fluid storage portion, accommodate the stirring moving body with transportable state.

2. liquid container as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described film welding on the container body surface, is sealed the open surface of described fluid storage recess thus.

3. liquid container as claimed in claim 1 or 2 is characterized in that, comprising:

Cover the outside of described film and be fixed on lid on the described container body; And

Padded coaming, between described lid and film, the impact when absorbing described stirring moving body in the described fluid storage portion thus and colliding described film.

4. as each described liquid container in the claim 1 to 3, it is characterized in that described stirring moving body is the shape that can freely rotate.

5. liquid container, its inside is spaced apart wall and divides a plurality of fluid storage portion that forms, and on the position described spaced walls of extending,, run through and be formed with the connection stream that stored liquid is supplied to the fluid storage portion in downstream near the bottom of fluid storage portion along almost vertical direction, described liquid container is characterised in that

Accommodate the stirring moving body with transportable state at least one described fluid storage portion, the minimal openings sectional area ratio of the stream that forms between around spaced walls and the described stirring moving body during the most approaching described connection stream of described stirring moving body is described, and to be communicated with the minimal openings sectional area of stream big.

6. liquid container as claimed in claim 5, it is characterized in that, with respect to the opening of described connection stream described stirring moving body is set at the size of regulation, makes that thus the minimum sectional area of the stream that forms is bigger than the described minimal openings sectional area that is communicated with stream between the spaced walls around the described connection stream and described stirring moving body.

7. liquid container as claimed in claim 5, it is characterized in that, be provided with and stop the retainer of described stirring moving body to described connection stream one side shifting, limit described stirring moving body and the described closest-approach distance that is communicated with stream, make the minimum sectional area of the stream that between spaced walls and described stirring moving body around the described connection stream, forms thus greater than the described minimal openings sectional area that is communicated with stream.

8. liquid container as claimed in claim 7 is characterized in that, described retainer is made of the outstanding projection that is arranged on the described fluid storage portion inwall.

9. liquid container as claimed in claim 7 is characterized in that, described retainer is made of the pliability parts of the specific length that links described fluid storage portion's inwall and described stirring moving body.

10. liquid container has the fluid storage portion of storaging liquid and makes the liquid supply department of described fluid storage portion and external communications, accommodates the stirring moving body in described fluid storage portion, and described liquid container is characterised in that,

Described stirring moving body forms the structure of rotating brokenly.

11. a liquid container has the fluid storage portion of storaging liquid and makes the liquid supply department of described fluid storage portion and external communications, accommodates the stirring moving body in described fluid storage portion, described liquid container is characterised in that,

On the surface of described stirring moving body, be formed with in recess or the protuberance at least one.

12., it is characterized in that the position with respect to from the shape center of body contour of described stirring moving body is different with the position of center of gravity as claim 10 or 11 described liquid containers.

13., it is characterized in that it is oval spherical that described stirring moving body is as each described liquid container in the claim 10 to 12, its minor axis is below 0.9 with the ratio of major diameter.

14. liquid container, have the fluid storage portion of storaging liquid and make the liquid supply department of described fluid storage portion and external communications, in described fluid storage portion, accommodate the stirring moving body, described liquid container is installed on the carriage that the jet head liquid that moves back and forth is housed, liquid in the described fluid storage portion is supplied to described jet head liquid by described liquid supply department, described liquid container is characterised in that

Described stirring moving body has the diameter 0.4 times or more, 0.8 times below that move back and forth inner width direction on of described fluid storage portion at described jet head liquid.

15., it is characterized in that the liquid in the described fluid storage portion is paint ink as each described liquid container in the claim 1 to 14.

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