HK1091443B - Protector for ink cartridge - Google Patents

Description

Protection device for ink box

The present application is based on Japanese patent application No. 2004-.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a protection device capable of preventing ink from leaking from an ink cartridge before the ink cartridge is attached to a recording apparatus.

Background

Japanese patent application laid-open No. 2001-113723, or its corresponding U.S. patent No. 6,786,581B1, discloses an ink cartridge having an ink supply hole in which a valve member is provided. In the case before the ink cartridge is attached to the ink jet recording apparatus, the compression spring elastically presses the valve member provided in the ink supply hole against the tubular seal to prevent the ink from leaking from the ink supply hole. Meanwhile, when the ink cartridge is attached to the ink jet recording apparatus, the tubular ink supply needle pushes the valve member against the biasing force of the compression spring to open the ink supply hole, thereby enabling ink to be supplied from the ink cartridge to the recording apparatus.

However, the valve member communicates with the external space through the ink supply hole. Therefore, if the valve member is incorrectly installed in an inclined state when the ink cartridge is manufactured, or the valve member is inclined due to interference of foreign matter or a worker when the ink cartridge is manufactured or transported, ink may leak through the inclined valve member.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to address at least one of the above problems. In another aspect, it is an object of the present invention to provide a protective device capable of protecting a valve member of an ink cartridge to prevent ink from leaking from the ink cartridge.

The above object is achieved according to the present invention. According to the present invention, a protective device for use with an ink cartridge is provided. The ink cartridge includes an ink chamber storing ink; an ink supply hole through which ink is supplied from the ink chamber to the outside of the ink cartridge and opened to an opening portion of an outer surface of the ink cartridge; and a valve member disposed between the ink chamber and the ink supply hole, selectively allowing ink to flow from the ink chamber to the ink supply hole and prohibiting ink from flowing from the ink chamber to the ink supply hole, and communicating with the outside through the ink supply hole. The protective device includes a body portion including an engagement portion adapted to engage the ink cartridge portion so that the protective device is removably attached to the ink cartridge. The body portion is rigid to ensure that the body portion substantially retains its original shape. The main body portion further includes an access preventing portion adapted to be disposed outside the ink supply hole in a state where the protecting means is attached to the ink cartridge so as to at least partially cover an opening portion of an outer surface of the ink cartridge, thereby preventing access (access) of the valve member from outside through the ink supply hole.

In the protection device according to the present invention, the main body portion thereof has rigidity to ensure that the main body portion can substantially retain its original shape, the engagement portion thereof is adapted to engage with the ink cartridge portion so that the protection device is detachably attached to the ink cartridge, and the access prevention portion thereof is adapted to be disposed outside the ink supply hole so as to at least partially cover the opening portion of the outer surface of the ink cartridge, thereby preventing access to the valve member from the outside through the ink supply hole. Since the outer surface of the access preventing portion is farther from the valve member than the opening portion of the outer surface of the ink cartridge, the access preventing portion can more effectively prevent the valve member from being accessed from the outside and then to the opening portion than the opening portion. Therefore, the protection device can prevent foreign matter or an individual from interfering with the valve member when the ink cartridge is manufactured or transported. The valve member can be protected and ink leakage due to, for example, tilting of the valve member caused by interference can be prevented.

Drawings

The foregoing and selected objects, features and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

fig. 1 is a view showing an ink cartridge protected by a protection device as an embodiment of the present invention and an inkjet recording apparatus to which the ink cartridge is detachably attached;

fig. 2 is a sectional view of the ink cartridge and the ink cartridge holder of the ink jet recording apparatus holding the ink cartridge;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

fig. 4 is a sectional view of the ink cartridge in a state where the ink cartridge is protected by a protection device;

FIG. 5A is a top view of the protective device;

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the protective device taken along line 5B-5B of FIG. 5A; and

fig. 6 is a view of the ink cartridge in a packaged state.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The overall structure of the inkjet recording apparatus 2 will be described first with reference to fig. 1, 2, and 3. The ink jet recording apparatus 2 is used with a plurality of ink cartridges 1. Before use with the inkjet recording apparatus 2, each ink cartridge is protected by a protection device 70 (fig. 4) to which the present invention is applied.

The ink jet device 2 includes a plurality of cartridge holders 3 each holding a corresponding one of the plurality of ink cartridges 1 so that the corresponding ink cartridge 1 is detachably attached to and detachable from each of the holding devices 3. The inkjet recording apparatus 2 is used with, for example, four ink cartridges 1 that store four different color inks, such as cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, and black ink, respectively. In this case, the inkjet recording apparatus 2 includes four holding devices 3 that hold four ink cartridges 1, respectively. Since the ink cartridges 1 have the same structure and the holding devices 3 have the same structure, the following description will be made only with respect to a corresponding one of the ink cartridges 1 and a corresponding one of the holding devices 3.

The inkjet recording apparatus 2 additionally includes a tank 5 that stores ink supplied from the ink cartridge 1 through an ink supply tube 4; a recording head 7 that ejects ink droplets stored by the ink tank 5 to a recording sheet 6 as a recording medium; a carriage 8 on which the ink tank 5 and the recording head 7 are mounted and which is capable of linearly reciprocating; two guide shafts 9 which cooperate with each other to guide the reciprocating movement of the carriage 8; a sheet feeding device 10 for feeding the recording sheet 6; and a cleaning device 11.

The cartridge holder 3 includes a bottom portion 3a, and two guide portions 3b projecting upward from opposite sides of the bottom portion 3a, respectively. The bottom 3a has an ink outlet tube 12 projecting upward into the inner space of the ink cartridge holder 3 and supplying the ink stored by the ink cartridge 1 to the ink supply tube 4; and an air supply hole 13 that supplies ambient air into the ink cartridge 1.

The ink supply tube 4 is connected at one end thereof to the lower end of the ink output tube 12, and the other end thereof communicates with the ink tank 5. The air supply pipe 13 communicates with the ambient air, i.e., the atmosphere, via a labyrinth passage, not shown.

As shown in fig. 1, one of the two guide walls 3b projecting upward from one of the longitudinally opposite ends of the bottom 3a, more specifically, one of the two guide walls 3b located on the side of the ink outlet tube 12, has, on its inner surface, two first ribs 3b1 (fig. 3) extending parallel to each other in the direction in which the ink cartridge 1 is attached to and detached from the holding device 3 and spaced apart from each other in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the bottom 3 a. Further, the bottom portion 3a has two recessed portions 3a1 on the side of the air supply hole 13 opposite to the longitudinal direction of the ink outlet tube 12, which are spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the bottom portion 3 a.

When the ink cartridge 1 is attached to the cartridge holding device 3, the ink cartridge 1 has the second rib 1c3 inserted into the space between the two first ribs 3b1 on the side surface opposite to the two first ribs 3b 1. Further, this ink cartridge 1 has two second projecting portions 1c2 (first projecting portions 1c1 will be described later) inserted into the two recessed portions 3a1, respectively, on the lower surface opposite to the above-mentioned side surface thereof. Since the second rib 1c3 is inserted into the space between the two first ribs 3b1 and the two second projecting portions 1c2 are inserted into the two recessed portions 3a1, respectively, the ink cartridge 1 is accurately positioned in the cartridge holder 3. The two second projecting portions 1c2 are provided at least one projecting portion of the ink cartridge 1.

As shown in fig. 3, the cartridge holder 3 further includes a third guide wall 3b extending in the longitudinal direction of the bottom 3a and from which an elastically deformable arm 3b2 protrudes upward. The arm 3b2 has an engaging portion 3b3 as an upper end portion thereof. When the ink cartridge 1 is attached to the cartridge holder 3, the arm 3b2 elastically deforms to enable the engaging portion 3b3 to engage the upper end of the ink cartridge 1. Thus, the ink cartridge 1 remains connected to the cartridge holder 3.

The recording head 7 has a plurality of nozzles, not shown, and a piezoelectric actuator, not shown, which is made deformable to eject micro ink droplets supplied from the ink tank 5 from any one of the nozzles toward the recording paper 6.

The cleaning device 11 is disposed at a position beyond a recording area where the recording head can record an image on the recording paper 6, so that the cleaning device 11 can be opposed to the recording head 7 positioned at this position. The cleaning device 11 includes: a cleaning cap 11a that caps a nozzle forming surface of the recording head 7 forming the nozzle; a cleaning pipe 11b communicating with the cleaning cover 11 a; and a suction pump 11c that sucks in ink from the nozzles through the cleaning tube 11 b.

As shown in fig. 4, the ink cartridge 1 includes a main body chamber 1a that holds ink and is open upward; and a cover 1b covering an upper opening of the main body chamber 1 a; and a cover 1c covering the lower end of the main body chamber 1 a. The main body chamber 1a, the cover 1b and the cover 1c are each formed of resin, and integrally fixed to each other by ultrasonic welding, thermal welding or adhesion.

The main body chamber 1a has an ink chamber 20 storing ink; a bottom wall 21 forming the bottom of the ink chamber 20; and a side wall 22 (fig. 4) extending in an upward direction from an outer periphery of the bottom wall 21, the side wall 22 forming the ink chamber 20 together with the bottom wall 21.

The bottom wall 21 has a supply chamber 25 for supplying ink from the ink chamber 20 to the outside of the ink cartridge 1; an air introduction chamber 26 that introduces air into the ink chamber 20; and an ink injection chamber 29 through which ink is injected into the ink chamber 20. The ink supply chamber 25, the air introduction chamber 26, and the ink injection chamber 29 are formed by respective ones of three tubular walls 1d formed integrally with the bottom wall 21 and projecting downward from the lower surface of the bottom wall 21.

The cap 1c has an ink supply hole 23, an air introduction hole 24, and an ink injection hole 37 at corresponding positions, wherein the ink supply hole 23, the air introduction hole 24, and the ink injection hole 37 are opposed to the ink supply chamber 25, the air introduction chamber 26, and the ink injection chamber 29, respectively, thereby enabling the corresponding chambers 25, 26, and 29 to communicate with a space outside the ink cartridge 1. The cover 1c has the above-mentioned second rib 1c3 on its side surface on the side of one of its longitudinally opposite ends, and in addition has the above-mentioned two second protrusions 1c2 on its lower surface on the side of the other longitudinally end. More specifically, the two second projecting portions 1c2 are provided on either side of the air introduction hole 24. The cover 1c also has a tubular first projecting portion 1c1 projecting downward from the lower surface thereof and forming an ink supply hole 23 therein. The first projecting portion 1c1 is provided at least one projecting portion of the ink cartridge 1. The first projecting portion 1c1 and two second projecting portions 1c2 each project from the lower surface of the cover 1c in a direction parallel to the projecting direction of the operable portion 62 of the second valve device 28 (the first valve device 27 will be described later) beyond the lower surface of the cover 1c by an amount substantially equal to, or larger than, the projecting amount of the operable portion 62. Therefore, the ink cartridge 1 can be stably placed on, for example, a desk surface in such a manner that the ink cartridge 1 is in an oriented posture in which the ink cartridge is placed on the three projecting portions 1c1, 1c2, and in such an upward posture, the operable portion 62 is not pushed upward, that is, the second valve device 28 is not opened.

A first valve device 27 capable of cutting off communication between the inside and the outside of the ink cartridge 1 is provided in the supply chamber 25; a second valve device 28 is provided in the air introduction chamber 26, which is also capable of cutting off communication between the inside and the outside of the ink cartridge 1. Further, the elastic plug 30 is pressed into the ink injection chamber 29. The elastic plug 30 can also cut off the communication between the inside and the outside of the ink cartridge 1. The first and second valve parts 27, 28 and the resilient plug 30 will be described in detail below.

The bottom wall 21 of the main body chamber 1a has a plurality of communication holes 31 in its portion on the side of the supply chamber 25, through which the ink chamber 20 and the supply chamber 25 communicate with each other. In the vicinity of the communication hole 31, a through hole 32 is formed in the bottom wall 21, and a shaft portion 35 of the check valve 33 is loosely fitted in the through hole 32 so that the check valve 33 can move up and down in the through hole 32. The check valve 33 includes a large diameter portion 36 as an intermediate portion of the shaft portion 35, and an elastic film portion 34 provided at an axial end portion thereof.

The check valve 33 is supported by the bottom wall 21 such that, under normal conditions, the elastic film portion 34 of the check valve 33 is held away from the communication hole 31 by the large diameter portion 36 to enable ink to flow from the ink chamber 20 to the supply chamber 25. However, when it may occur that ink flows from the ink outlet tube 12 (fig. 1) to the ink chamber 20, the elastic film portion 34 of the check valve 33 moves upward to close the communication hole 31, thus preventing such flow.

Further, the bottom wall 21 of the main body chamber 1a has, at a portion thereof on the side of the air introduction chamber 26, a tubular air introduction portion 40 which is formed integrally with the bottom wall 21 such that the air introduction portion 40 projects from the bottom wall 21 toward the upper portion of the ink chamber 20. The upper end of the air introduction portion 40 opens at a position higher than the ink level in the ink chamber 20, and the internal flow path 41 of the air introduction portion 40 communicates at its lower end with the air introduction chamber 26.

The portion of the bottom wall 21 forming the ink injection chamber 29 has a communication hole 45 through which the ink chamber 20 and the ink injection chamber 29 communicate with each other.

Here, the first valve device 27 provided in the supply chamber 25 will be described in detail.

The first valve device 27 includes a support 50 formed of an elastic material such as rubber; and a valve member 51 formed of resin. The support member 50 has a substantially cylindrical shape and includes a valve seat portion 50a located at a middle portion thereof as viewed in an axial direction thereof; and a biasing portion 50b located closer to the ink chamber 20 than the valve seat portion 50 a; and a connecting portion 52 located around the valve seat portion 50a and the biasing portion 50 b. The valve seat portion 50a, the biasing portion 50b and the connecting portion 52 are integrally formed with each other. The valve member 51 is accommodated by the inner space of the biasing portion 50b such that the valve member 51 is biased by the biasing portion 50b in a direction to be positioned on the valve seat portion 50 a.

The connecting portion 52 is of a sandwich structure, and is fixedly held by a stepped surface 1e formed on the inner circumferential surfaces of the supply chamber 25 and the cover 1 c.

The valve seat portion 50a has an opening 54 opened toward the valve member 51 at a central portion thereof; an insertion hole 55 located below the opening 54; and a tapered introduction hole 56 located below the insertion hole 55. The opening 54, the insertion hole 55 and the tapered introduction hole 56 cooperate with each other to form a through hole passing through the valve seat portion 50a in the axial direction of the support 50. The insertion hole has a size (e.g., inner diameter) that ensures that the ink outlet tube 12 of the holder 3 can be inserted liquid-tightly into the insertion hole 55 when the ink cartridge 1 is held by the cartridge holder 3.

The biasing portion 50b has a cylindrical side wall 57 projecting from the outer periphery of the valve seat portion 50a in an upward direction toward the ink chamber 20; an annular portion projecting in an inward direction from an upper end of the side wall so as to contact a portion of the valve member 51 located at a side of the ink chamber 20; and an opening 58a formed in the center 58 of the ring portion.

Due to the elastic force of the side wall 57 and the annular portion 58, the biasing portion 50b biases the valve member in a direction to seat the valve member 51 on the valve seat portion 50a, so that the valve member 51 is seated liquid-tightly on the valve seat portion 50a under normal conditions. Meanwhile, when the ink cartridge 1 is held by the cartridge holder 3, as shown in fig. 2, the ink outlet tube 12 is inserted into the insertion hole 55 so as to push the valve member 51 toward the ink chamber 20 in an upward direction. Accordingly, the side wall 57 is stretched and the annular portion 58 is moved in the upward direction, so that a gap serving as an ink flow passage is formed between the lower portion of the valve member 51 and the valve seat 50 a.

As shown in fig. 2, the valve member 51 has a plurality of communication passages 51a through which the opening 58a of the offset portion 50b communicates with a portion of the inner space of the offset portion 50b, which is located radially outside the surface of the valve member 51 capable of liquid-tightly contacting the valve seat portion 50 a. When the valve member 51 is pushed up as described above, the ink chamber 20 communicates with the upper end of the ink outlet tube 12 via the communication passage 51a, so that ink is supplied to the ink outlet tube 12 via a plurality of notch-shaped communication ports 12a formed at the upper end of the ink outlet tube 12.

The second valve device 28 provided in the air introduction chamber 26 will be described in detail below.

Like the first valve device 27, the second valve device 28 includes a support member 60 formed of an elastic material such as rubber; and a valve member 61 formed of resin. Like the support member 50 of the first valve device 27, the support 60 of the second valve device 28 includes a valve seat portion 60 a; the offset portion 60 b; and connecting portions 60c integrally formed with each other. Since these portions 60a, 60b, 60c of the support 60 have the same respective functions as the corresponding portions 50a, 50b, 52 of the support 50, the description of these portions 60a, 60b, 60c is omitted.

The support member 60 has a through hole 60d through which the operable portion 62 of the valve member 61 extends; and a cylindrical sealing portion 60e integrally protruded downward from a lower surface of the valve seat portion 60a such that the sealing portion 60e surrounds the through hole 60 d.

The valve member 61 includes an upper cylindrical portion 63; a lower operable portion 62; and an intermediate valve portion 64.

The cylindrical portion 63 has a cylindrical shape projecting vertically upward from the valve portion 64 and extending through the central opening of the offset portion 60b such that the cylindrical portion 63 is spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface of the offset portion 60 b. Further, when the ink cartridge 1 is normally held by the cartridge holder 3 and thus the valve member 61 is moved upward, the cylindrical portion 63 is held spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface of the inner flow path 41 of the air introducing portion 40.

The operable portion 62 projects vertically downward from a valve portion 64 (fig. 4) and extends through the through-hole 60d of the valve seat portion 60a such that the operable portion 62 is held apart from the inner circumferential surface of the through-hole 60 d.

The valve portion 64 is disposed between the cylindrical portion 63 and the operable portion 62, and has a disk-like shape. Under normal conditions, the lower surface of the valve portion 64 contacts the valve seat portion 60a to prevent ambient air from flowing through the second valve arrangement 28. As shown in fig. 2, when the ink cartridge 1 is held by the cartridge holder 3, the lower surface of the operable portion 62 is pushed up by the seat portion 3a, so that the valve member 61 is moved upward, and a gap serving as an air flow passage is formed between the valve portion 64 and the valve seat portion 60 a. More specifically, the sealing portion 60e airtightly contacts the upper surface of the base portion 3a such that the sealing portion 60e surrounds the air supply hole 13 of the base portion 3 a. Therefore, the ink chamber 20 and the air supply hole 13 are airtightly communicated with each other. Like the valve member 51, the valve portion 64 has a plurality of communication channels 64a that enable the ink chamber 20 to communicate with the through hole 60d when the valve member 61 is pushed up.

The elastic plug 30 will be described in detail below.

The elastic plug 30 pressed into the ink injection chamber 29 is formed of an elastic material such as rubber, has a cylindrical shape, and is used to inject ink into the ink chamber 20 in such a manner that a later-described protection device is first attached to the ink cartridge 1 that has been assembled, and then air is discharged from the ink chamber 20 so as to reduce the pressure in the ink chamber 20. The air pressure in the ink chamber 20 can be reduced by connecting a vacuum pump, not shown, to the insertion hole 50 or the through hole 60d, pushing up the valve member 51 or the valve member 61, and operating the vacuum pump to discharge air from the ink chamber 20. Alternatively, as shown in fig. 4, the sealing plug 30 may be penetrated by a tubular needle 80 so that a vacuum pump can exhaust air from the ink chamber 20 through the ink injection chamber 29 and the needle 80. Thereafter, another unshown tubular needle for injecting ink is operated to pass through the sealing plug 30 in the same manner as described above, so that an unshown ink source can inject ink into the ink chamber 20 through the needle and the ink injection chamber 29.

Although the through hole is temporarily formed by the needle 80 penetrating the sealing plug 30, the through hole is naturally closed by the elastic restoration deformation of the sealing plug 30 when the needle 80 is pulled out of the sealing plug 30. Further, after the ink is injected into the ink chamber 20, the elastic stopper 30 is pressed into the ink injection chamber 29 to a position where the upper surface of the stopper 30 contacts the lower surface of the bottom wall 21. Therefore, the communication passage between the ink chamber 20 and the ink injection chamber 29 is closed by the sealing plug 30, and the amount of ink held in the ink injection chamber 29 is pushed out into the ink chamber 20.

Hereinafter, the protection device 70 will be described in detail.

As shown in fig. 5A and 5B, the protector 70 has a main body portion including a bottom wall 71 having a shape similar to the lower surface shape of the cover 1c of the ink cartridge 1 in plan view, i.e., the shape of the lower end surface of the ink cartridge 1, and further including a side wall 75 projecting upward from the outer periphery of the bottom wall 71. The protector 70 also has a cantilever 76 as an operable portion which is integral with one end of the main body portions 71, 75. The bottom wall 71, the side wall 75 and the cantilever 76 are formed of resin so that these members 71, 75, 76 are integral with each other. The body portions 71, 75 have rigidity that ensures that the body portions 71, 75 can retain their original shape.

Since the protector 70 has a different color from each valve member 51, 61, a person such as a worker can easily distinguish the protector 70 and the valve members 51, 61. Therefore, when the worker visually observes the valve members 51, 61, it is easy to recognize the protection means and the valve members 51, 61, which will improve the working efficiency as described later.

As shown in fig. 5A, the bottom wall 71 is flat, has a substantially arc shape at one end (i.e., the left end as viewed in the drawing), and has a first observation hole 72, a second observation hole 73, and a third observation hole 74 formed through the thickness of the bottom wall 71 at respective positions corresponding to the ink supply hole 23, the air introduction hole 24, and the ink injection hole 37 of the ink cartridge 1. The protector 70 further includes a pair of mounting walls 77 each having a circular arc shape in a plan view thereof and which collectively surround the first viewing hole 72; and a cylindrical wall 78 surrounding the third viewing aperture 74. The two mounting walls 77 and the cylindrical wall 78 integrally project upward from the bottom wall 71. Since the pair of mounting walls 77 are formed integrally with the bottom wall 71 from resin. These mounting walls 77 can be elastically deformed to some extent.

The pair of circular arc-shaped mounting walls 77 has an outer diameter slightly larger than the inner diameter of the cylindrical first projecting portion 1c1 of the cover 1 c. The mounting wall 77 is forced into the first projecting portion 1c1, the protector 70 is firmly engaged with the ink cartridge due to elastic deformation of the resin as the material of the mounting wall 77, and is firmly held by the frictional force generated between the outer surface of the corresponding circular arc mounting wall 77 and the inner surface of the first projecting portion 1c 1. This state is shown in fig. 4. In this state, the cantilever 76 projects laterally from a portion of the side wall 75, which is located on the side of the ink supply hole 23 of the ink cartridge 1. In this state, if a person pushes the cantilever 76 in a downward direction, the mounting wall 77 is elastically deformed and disengaged from the first projecting portion 1c1, so that the protection device can be detached from the ink cartridge 1.

However, in a modified embodiment of the present invention, the pair of circular arc-shaped mounting walls 77 of the protector may have an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical first projecting portion 1c1 of the cover 1 c. In this case, the mounting wall 77 can be forcibly pressed into the first projecting portion 1c1 so that the protector 70 is firmly engaged with and firmly held by the ink cartridge 1 due to the frictional force generated between the inner surface of the corresponding circular arc mounting wall 77 and the outer circumferential surface of the first projecting portion 1c 1.

The protector 70 is applied to and attached to the ink cartridge 1 in the above-described manner after the main body chamber 1a, the cover 1b, the cap 1c, the two valve devices 27 and 28, the elastic plug 30, and the check valve 33 are assembled into the ink cartridge 1, and before ink is injected into the ink chamber 20. Thereafter, for example, in a state where the ink cartridge 1 is packaged as shown in fig. 6, the protection device 70 remains connected to the ink cartridge 1 until the ink cartridge 1 is connected to the cartridge holder 3 of the inkjet recording apparatus 2 by the user.

In the case where the protection device 70 is attached to the ink cartridge 1, the bottom wall 71 extends above the ink supply hole 23 and the air introduction hole 24 in parallel with the lower surface of the cover 1c, and the circular arc-shaped end portions of the bottom wall 71 are located inside the two second protruding flat portions 1c2 of the cover 1 c. The protection device 70 additionally comprises two projecting ribs 79 which extend upwards from the end of the bottom wall 71 opposite to its circular arc-shaped end, while extending parallel to each other along the cantilever 76. The second rib 1c3 of the cover 1c can be inserted into the space between the two ribs 79 of the protector 70.

The third aperture 74 of the protector 70 may be used as a path through which a needle 80 is inserted to pass through the elastomeric plug 30 and inject ink into the ink chamber 20.

The height dimensions of the main body portions 71, 75 of the protector 70, i.e., the height dimensions of the bottom wall 71 and the side wall 75, are substantially equal to or larger than the amount by which the operable portion 62 of the second valve device 28 projects downward from the lower surface of the cover 1c, as measured in the direction in which the operable portion 62 projects downward from the lower surface of the cover 1c in the state in which the valve portion 64 of the valve member 61 is seated on the valve seat portion 60 a; and is substantially equal to or larger than the amount by which the two second projecting portions 1c2 project downward from the lower surface of the cover 1 c. Therefore, when the protection device 70 is attached to the ink cartridge 1 as described above and the upper ends of the side walls 75 are held in contact with the lower surface of the cover 1c, the operable portion 62 projects downward not more than the lower surface of the protection device 70, as shown in fig. 4. Thus, the protective device 70 completely covers the operable portion 62.

Furthermore, the valve member 51 of the first valve device 27 is disposed at a position sufficiently distant from the lower surface of the protector 70. Therefore, when the protection device 70 is attached to the ink cartridge 1 and/or when the ink cartridge 1 having the protection device 70 is transported, the valve member 51 or the operable portion 62 is disturbed by foreign matters or workers and the possibility of ink leakage through the valve device 27 is minimized.

The height dimension of the side wall 75, i.e., the height dimension of the bottom wall 71 and the side wall 75, as measured from the bottom wall 71, is substantially equal to or greater than the amount by which the sealing portion 60e of the second valve device 28 projects downwardly from the lower surface of the cover 1 c. Therefore, in the case where the protection device 70 is attached to the ink cartridge 1, the seal portion 60e can be effectively prevented from being permanently deformed by the bottom wall 71.

The first and second viewing apertures 72, 73 of the protection device 70 are not necessary for the purpose of preventing foreign matter from interfering with the valve member 51 or the valve portion 64 of the ink cartridge 1. Accordingly, the protective device 70 may be formed of a transparent material such as a transparent resin. However, in the embodiment of the present invention, the first and second observation holes 72, 73 are provided for the purpose of checking whether the valve member 51 and the valve portion 64 are incorrectly assembled in an inclined state, or whether the valve member 51 and the valve portion 64 are inclined due to foreign matter or interference of a worker, and/or whether ink leaks from the first or second valve device 27, 28 due to other reasons, before the protector 70 is attached to the ink cartridge 1.

Thus, the cross-sectional areas of the first and second observation holes 72, 73 are determined to ensure that a person can observe through each of the observation holes 72, 73 from the outside of the protection device 70 opposite the ink cartridge 1: the outer shape of the corresponding one of the insertion hole 55 and the through hole 60d, and at least a portion of the corresponding one of the valve member 51 and the valve portion 64 are each disposed inside the corresponding one of the insertion hole 55 and the through hole 60 d. Preferably, the cross-sectional area of each of the first and second observation holes is determined to be larger than the cross-sectional area of one of the insertion hole 55 and the through hole 60 d.

The center of the first observation hole 72 is substantially located on a straight extension line extending from a straight line passing through the ink supply hole 23 and the center of the valve member 51 in a state where the protector 70 is attached to the ink cartridge 1; and the second observation hole 73 is located substantially on a straight extension line extending from a straight line passing through the center of the air introduction hole 24 and the valve portion 64. Therefore, the cross-sectional area of each of the first and second observation holes 72, 73 can be minimized while ensuring that a person can check the posture of the corresponding one of the valve member 51 and the valve portion 64, and the leakage of ink from the corresponding one of the first and second valve devices 27, 28 therethrough. Therefore, the cross-sectional area of each of the first and second observation holes 72, 73 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the corresponding one of the ink supply hole 23 and the air introduction hole 24. However, the cross-sectional area of the second sight hole 73 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the operable portion 62 of the valve member 61. Thus, the first and second observation holes 72, 73 each enable a person to check the posture of the corresponding one of the valve member 51 and the valve portion 64, and the leakage of ink from the corresponding one of the first and second valve devices 27, 28, while preventing the interference of foreign matter with each of the valve member 51 and the valve portion 64, and preventing the leakage of ink from each of the first and second valve devices 27, 28.

As shown in fig. 6, when the ink cartridge 1 having the protector 70 is transported, the ink cartridge 1 is packed in a resin-formed air-impermeable bag 90. Air is then sucked out of the bag 90 to reduce the pressure of the bag in 90, thus providing a vacuum package of the ink cartridge 1. In this case, the bag 90 is in close contact with the surface of the ink cartridge 1. However, since the ink cartridge 1 is protected by the protector 70, the operable portion 62 can be prevented from being pushed by the bag 90, and therefore, the ink can be prevented from leaking from the ink cartridge 1.

The bag 90 is formed of a transparent or translucent material, ensuring that a person can observe the posture of each of the valve member 51 and the valve portion 64 and/or the leakage of ink from each of the first and second valve devices 27, 28 therethrough. Therefore, even after the ink cartridge 1 is packed in the bag 90, the worker can perform the operation of the check valve.

While the invention has been described in terms of its preferred embodiments, it can be implemented in various ways.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the first and second observation holes 72, 73 each have a substantially circular cross-sectional shape. The first and second sight holes 72, 73 may each have a different shape, for example a polygonal shape or an elliptical shape, as long as each sight hole 72, 73 ensures that a person can inspect the corresponding one of the valve devices 27, 28 therethrough.

Further, in the above embodiment, the second valve device 28 employs the valve member 61 as shown in fig. 4. However, the second valve device 28 may be replaced with a different valve device which is identical to the first valve device 27 employing the valve member 51. Likewise, the first valve device 27 may be replaced by a different valve device, which is identical to the second valve device 28 using the valve member 61.

In the above-described embodiment, the bottom wall 71, which constitutes the approach preventing portion with the side wall 75, has the first observation hole 72 formed through the thickness of the bottom wall 71 and having such a position and size as to ensure that the person 3 can observe at least a part of the first valve member 51 therethrough via the ink supply hole 23. Therefore, in a state where the protector 70 is attached to the ink cartridge, a person can observe through the ink supply hole 23 through the first observation hole 72 of the protector 70. In this way, even if the first valve member is tilted due to, for example, an assembly error, a person can easily recognize the tilt of the valve member 51, that is, can easily detect a defective ink cartridge 1 that may cause ink leakage, or easily detect leakage of ink from the ink cartridge 1.

In the above embodiment, the center of the first observation hole 72 is substantially located on a straight extension line extending from a straight line passing through the center of the ink supply hole 23 and the valve member 51. Therefore, the cross-sectional area of the first observation hole 72 can be minimized, through which a person can observe the valve member 51 through the ink supply hole 23. Since the sectional area of the first observation hole 72 can be minimized, the approaching prevention portions 71, 75 can isolate the first valve member 51 to the maximum, thereby effectively protecting the valve member 51.

In the above embodiment, the sectional area of the second observation hole 73 may be smaller than the sectional area of the ink supply hole 23. Therefore, the protection device 70 can prevent a worker from erroneously contacting the first valve member 51 when manufacturing the ink cartridge 1; and the protection device 70 can effectively prevent the user from erroneously touching the first valve member 51 when the user connects the ink cartridge 1 to the recording apparatus 2. Therefore, the protection device 70 can reliably protect the first valve member 51 from the time of manufacturing the ink cartridge 1 to the time of connecting the ink cartridge to the recording apparatus 2.

In the above-described embodiment, the ink cartridge 1 further includes the air introduction hole 24 that introduces air from the surroundings outside the ink cartridge 1 into the ink chamber 20, and the second valve member 61 disposed between the ink chamber 20 and the air introduction hole 24, while the bottom wall 71 covers the outer surface of the ink cartridge 1 above the ink supply hole 23 and the air introduction hole 24, thus preventing access to the first and second valve members 51, 61 from the outside through the corresponding one of the ink supply hole 23 and the air introduction hole 24. The protection device 70 can prevent foreign objects, such as persons, from interfering with the first and second valve parts 51, 61. It is therefore possible to protect the first and second valve parts 51, 61 and to prevent ink leakage caused by, for example, tilting of the first and second valve parts 51, 61 due to such interference.

In the above-described embodiment, the ink supply hole 23 and the air introduction hole 24 are opened on one end surface of the ink cartridge 1, and the bottom wall 71 covers the end surface of the ink cartridge 1 above the ink supply hole 23 and the air introduction hole 24. The first and second valve parts 51, 61 can thus be protected with the protective device 70 attached to the ink cartridge 1, and can be observed or inspected through the ink supply hole 23 and the air introduction hole 24, respectively. Therefore, the bottom wall 71 may have a simplified shape, for example, a substantially linear shape, which can reduce the manufacturing cost of the protection device 70.

In the above-described embodiment, the bottom wall 71 has the second observation hole 73 formed through the thickness thereof, and the observation hole 73 has a position and a size which ensure that a person can observe at least a part of the second valve part 61 therethrough via the air introduction hole 24, so that, in the case where the protection device 70 is attached to the ink cartridge 1, the person can observe the second valve part 61 through the second observation hole 73 of the protection device, via the air introduction hole 24. Therefore, a person can easily recognize, for example, the inclination of the second valve part 61 and stop transporting the defective ink cartridge 1.

In the above embodiment, the second observation hole 73 is located substantially on a straight extension line extending from a straight line passing through the centers of the valve portion 64 and the air introduction hole 24. Therefore, through the second observation hole 73 whose sectional area is minimized, a person can observe the second valve part 61 through the air introduction hole 24. Since the sectional area of the second sight hole 73 can be minimized, the bottom wall 71 isolates the second valve member 61 to the maximum, thereby effectively protecting the valve member 61.

In the above embodiment, the second observation hole 73 has a sectional area smaller than that of the air introduction hole 24. Therefore, the protection device 70 can prevent a worker from erroneously contacting the second valve part 61 when manufacturing the ink cartridge 1; and the protection means 70 can prevent the user from erroneously touching the second valve part 61 when the user connects the ink cartridge 1 to the recording apparatus 2. Therefore, the protection device 70 can reliably protect the second valve part 61 from the time of manufacturing the ink cartridge 1 to the time of connecting the ink cartridge to the recording apparatus 2.

In the above embodiment, the second valve member 61 includes the operable portion 62 extending through the air introduction hole 24 and projecting from the outer surface of the ink cartridge 1 to the outside of the ink cartridge 1, so that the operable portion 62 is externally operable to operate the second valve member 61, and the dimension of the access preventing portion, i.e., the dimension of the bottom wall 71 and the side wall 75 measured in the direction in which the operable portion 62 projects from the outer surface of the ink cartridge 1 to the outside of the ink cartridge 1, is substantially equal to or larger than the projecting amount of the operable portion 62 from the outer surface of the ink cartridge 1 to the outside. Therefore, in the case where the protective device 70 is attached to the ink cartridge, the access preventing portions 71, 75 can cover the outer surface of the ink cartridge 1 so that the operable portion of the second valve member 61 does not protrude beyond the access preventing portions 71, 75. The protection means can prevent foreign matter from erroneously contacting the operable portion 62 when the ink cartridge 1 is manufactured and transported, thus reliably protecting the second valve member 61.

In the above embodiment, the ink cartridge 1 further includes the first and second projecting portions 1c1, 1c2 as at least one projecting portion projecting or protruding in a downward direction from the outer surface thereof in parallel with the projecting direction of the operable portion 62 of the second valve member, and the dimension of the approach preventing portion 71, 75 is substantially equal to or larger than the projecting amount of the at least one projecting portion 1c2 from the outer surface of the ink cartridge 1. Therefore, in the case where the protective device 70 is attached to the ink cartridge 1, the access preventing portions 71, 75 cover the outer surface of the ink cartridge 1 so that the at least one protruding portion 1c1, 1c2 protrudes beyond the preventing portions 71, 75. Further, since the at least one projecting portion 1c1, 1c2 projects from the outer surface of the ink cartridge 1 by an amount substantially equal to or larger than the projecting amount of the operable portion 62 of the second valve member 61 from the outer surface of the ink cartridge 1. Therefore, even in the case where the protection device is not attached to the ink cartridge 1, the at least one protruding portion 1c1, 1c2 can prevent foreign matter from interfering with the operable portion 62 of the second valve member 61, thus protecting the second valve member 61.

In the above embodiment, the access preventing portions 71, 75 have a different color from at least one of the first and second valve parts 51, 61. Thus, a person can easily distinguish the access preventing portions 71, 75 from the first and/or second valve parts 51, 61. Therefore, the worker can easily recognize the first and/or second valve parts 51, 61, which will improve the working efficiency of the worker.

It is to be understood that the present invention may be embodied with other changes and modifications by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (19)

1. A protective device for use with an ink cartridge, the ink cartridge comprising: an ink chamber storing ink; an ink supply hole through which ink is supplied from the ink chamber to the outside of the ink cartridge, the ink supply hole being open at an opening portion of an outer surface of the ink cartridge; and a valve member provided between the ink chamber and the ink supply hole, the valve member selectively allowing ink to flow from the ink chamber to the ink supply hole and prohibiting ink from flowing from the ink chamber to the ink supply hole, and the valve member communicating with the outside through the ink supply hole, the protection device comprising:

a main body portion including an engagement portion adapted to engage with a portion of the ink cartridge so that the protection device is detachably attached to the ink cartridge,

wherein the body portion has a rigidity that ensures that the body portion can substantially retain its original shape, an

Wherein the main body portion further includes an access preventing portion adapted to be disposed outside the ink supply hole in a state where the protecting means is attached to the ink cartridge so as to at least partially cover the opening portion of the outer surface of the ink cartridge, thereby preventing access to the valve member from the outside through the ink supply hole.

2. The protective device according to claim 1, wherein the body is formed of resin.

3. The protective device according to claim 1, wherein the engagement portion is elastically deformable when the protective device is attached to and detached from the ink cartridge.

4. The protective device according to claim 1, further comprising an operable portion which is integral with the main body portion and is manually operable to detach the protective device from the ink cartridge.

5. The protective device according to claim 1, wherein the access preventing portion has a first observation hole formed through a thickness portion thereof, and the first observation hole is positioned and sized to ensure that a person can observe at least a part of the valve member through the first observation hole via the ink supply hole.

6. A protective device according to claim 5 wherein the centre of the first viewing aperture lies substantially on a straight extension from a straight line passing through the centre of the first valve member and the centre of the ink supply aperture.

7. The protective device according to claim 5, wherein the cross-sectional area of the first sight hole is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the ink supply hole.

8. A protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the ink cartridge includes an air introduction hole that introduces air into the ink chamber from the outside, and further includes, in addition to the above-mentioned valve member as the first valve member, a second valve member that is provided between the ink chamber and the air introduction hole, the second valve member selectively allowing air to flow from the outside into the ink chamber and prohibiting air from flowing from the outside into the ink chamber, and the second valve member communicates with the outside through the air introduction hole; and wherein the access preventing portion is adapted to cover an outer surface of the ink cartridge above the ink supply hole and the air introduction hole, thereby preventing access to each of the first and second valve members from outside through the corresponding one of the ink supply hole and the air introduction hole.

9. The protective device according to claim 8, wherein the ink supply hole and the air introduction hole are opened to an end surface of the ink cartridge as an outer surface thereof, and wherein the access preventing portion covers the end surface of the ink cartridge above the ink supply hole and the air introduction hole.

10. The protective device according to claim 8, wherein the access preventing portion has a second observation hole formed through a thickness portion thereof, and the second observation hole is positioned and sized to ensure that a person can observe at least a part of the second valve member through the air introducing hole through the second observation hole.

11. The protective device according to claim 10, wherein a center of the second viewing aperture is located substantially on a straight extension line extending from a straight line passing through a center of the second valve part and a center of the air introduction aperture.

12. The protective apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the cross-sectional area of the second sight hole is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the air introduction hole.

13. The protection device according to claim 8, wherein the second valve member includes an operable portion that extends through the air introduction hole and protrudes from an outer surface of the ink tank to the outside, so that the operable portion can be operated from the outside to operate the second valve member; and wherein the dimension of the approach prevention portion is larger than an amount of protrusion of the operable portion from the outer surface of the ink cartridge to the outside as measured in a direction in which the operable portion protrudes from the outer surface of the ink cartridge to the outside, so that the approach prevention portion covers the outer surface of the ink cartridge such that the protrusion of the operable portion of the second valve member does not exceed the approach prevention portion in a state in which the protection device is attached to the ink cartridge.

14. A protective device according to claim 13, wherein the ink cartridge further includes at least one protruding portion that protrudes from an outer surface of the ink cartridge in an outward direction parallel to a protruding direction of the operable portion of the second valve member, and wherein said dimension of the access preventing portion is larger than an amount by which said at least one protruding portion protrudes from the outer surface of the ink cartridge, so that the access preventing portion covers the outer surface of the ink cartridge so that the at least one protruding portion does not protrude beyond the access preventing portion in a state where the protective device is attached to the ink cartridge.

15. A protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the body portion is of a different colour to the valve member.

16. The protective device of claim 8 wherein the body portion has a different color than the second valve component.

17. A protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the engagement portion comprises one of a first mounting portion and a second mounting portion, the first mounting portion being pressed into the second mounting portion; and the ink cartridge includes the other of the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion.

18. A protective device according to claim 17, wherein the approach preventing portion has a first observation hole formed through a thickness portion thereof, and one of the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion at least partially surrounds the first observation hole, and the other of the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion at least partially surrounds an ink supply hole opened on an outer surface of the ink cartridge.

19. A protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the ink cartridge further comprises an ink injection hole through which ink is injected into the ink chamber, and wherein the approach preventing portion has a through-hole through which ink is injected into the ink chamber via the ink injection hole.