HK1117103B

HK1117103B - Ink cartridge

Info

Publication number: HK1117103B
Application number: HK08107094.2A
Authority: HK
Inventors: 服部信吾; 神户智弘; 佐佐木丰纪
Original assignee: 兄弟工业株式会社
Priority date: 2005-09-29
Filing date: 2006-09-29
Publication date: 2011-12-16

Description

Ink box

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an ink cartridge.

Background

An ink cartridge that contains ink for supply to a recording apparatus and is detachably mountable to the recording apparatus is known. For example, in japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2004-66488, there is disclosed an ink cartridge including a main body casing having an ink containing portion therein and a cap body closing an orifice surface of the main body casing.

The ink container portion of the ink cartridge is provided with an orifice, a flexible film covering the orifice, and a concave surface formed in a concave curved shape continuous with the orifice and forming a containing space for containing ink. The ink containing portion further includes an ink supply connection passage that connects the ink supply hole in the wall surface of the main body case with the containing space and supplies the ink contained in the containing space to the recording apparatus. The ink containing portion further includes an ink filling connection passage that connects the ink filling hole in the wall surface of the main body case with the containing space and allows ink to be filled into the containing space from the outside. A check valve is provided for preventing backflow of ink from the ink supply hole to the accommodating space. A rubber plug is arranged in the ink supply connecting channel, and specifically, a rubber plug for closing the ink injection connecting channel is pressed into the ink injection connecting channel.

In this ink cartridge, if the operation of closing the main body casing by the cap body is performed after the operation of introducing the ink into the housing space, the ink leakage may adversely affect the operation of closing the main body casing. Therefore, the ink is injected into the housing space from the ink injection hole and via the ink injection connecting passage after the main body case is closed.

However, in the above ink cartridge, since the ink injection operation is performed after the main body casing is closed, the ink injection hole must be opened on the wall surface of the main body casing. In turn, the rubber stopper is also exposed through an aperture in the body housing. With this structure, the rubber stopper may be removed after the ink cartridge is assembled, thereby possibly causing leakage.

Further, in the disclosed ink cartridge, the ink supply connection passage is provided in the vicinity of the ink supply hole. The assembly of the disclosed ink cartridge is complicated because the ink filling connection channel must also be provided in the vicinity of the ink filling hole.

Disclosure of Invention

Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention address the above-described problems with existing ink cartridges. An object of various exemplary embodiments of the present invention is to provide an ink cartridge that prevents ink leakage and allows relatively simple assembly, and a method of manufacturing the same.

In various exemplary embodiments, an ink cartridge includes: a cartridge housing enclosing the ink chamber; an ink supply passage extending from the ink chamber to an outside of the ink cartridge; an ink filling passage extending from the ink chamber to a region outside the ink chamber; and a plug member provided in the ink filling passage, the plug member sealing the ink filling passage. In various exemplary embodiments, the ink filling channel abuts an area outside the ink chamber at a location surrounded by the cartridge housing.

In various exemplary embodiments, there is provided a method of manufacturing an ink cartridge including an ink chamber, an ink supply passage extending from the ink chamber to an outside of the ink cartridge, an ink filling passage extending from the ink chamber to a region outside the ink chamber, the ink cartridge including a housing main body and an ink storage body, and the ink chamber being provided in the ink storage body, the method including: filling the ink chamber with ink through the ink filling passage; inserting a plug member into the ink filling passage so as to seal the ink filling passage; and the ink cartridge is assembled so that the ink storage body is disposed in the housing main body. In various exemplary embodiments, an end of the ink filling passage farthest from the ink chamber is surrounded by the housing main body when the ink cartridge is assembled.

These and other optional features and possible advantages of various aspects of the present invention are described in, or are apparent from, the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention.

Drawings

Various exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 2(a) is a front view of a housing of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 2(b) is a front view of a frame of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 2(c) is a front view of a cap of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 3(a) is a front/rear view of a housing of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 3(b) is a left/right side view of the housing of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 3(c) is a top view of the housing of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 3(d) is a bottom view of the housing of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the housing shown in FIG. 3 (d);

FIG. 5(a) is a front/rear view of a cap of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 5(b) is a left/right side view of a cap of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 5(c) is a top view showing a cap of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 5(d) is a bottom view of a cap of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 6(a) is a cross-sectional view of the cap shown in FIG. 5 (c);

FIG. 6(b) is a cross-sectional view of the cap shown in FIG. 5 (c);

FIG. 7(a) is a front view of a frame of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 7(b) is a rear view of a frame of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 8(a) is a left side view of a frame of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 8(b) is a right side view of a frame of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 8(c) is a top view of a frame of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 8(d) is a bottom view of the frame of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a front view of a frame of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention highlighting ribs of the frame;

FIG. 10 is a front view of a disassembled frame of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a front view of a disassembled ink supply valve mechanism of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 12(a) is a side view of a joint member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 12(b) is a top view of a joint member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 12(c) is a bottom view of a joint member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

fig. 12(d) is a sectional view of the joint member shown in fig. 12 (b);

FIG. 13(a) is a front/rear view of a valve member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

fig. 13(b) is a left/right side view of a valve member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 13(c) is a top view of a valve member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 13(d) is a bottom view of a valve member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 13(e) is a cross-sectional view of the valve member shown in FIG. 13 (c);

FIG. 14(a) is a side view of a first spring member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 14(b) is a top view of a first spring member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 14(c) is a bottom view of the first spring member of the exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 14(d) is a cross-sectional view of the first spring member shown in FIG. 14 (b);

FIG. 15(a) is a front/rear view of a slider member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 15(b) is a left/right side view of a slider member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 15(c) is a top view of a slider member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 15(d) is a bottom view of a slider member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 15(e) is a cross-sectional view of the slider member shown in FIG. 15 (c);

FIG. 16(a) is a side view of a support member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 16(b) is a top view of a support member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 16(c) is a bottom view of a support member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

Fig. 16(d) is a sectional view of the support member shown in fig. 16 (b);

FIG. 17(a) is a side view of a check valve of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 17(b) is a top/bottom view of a check valve of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

fig. 17(c) is a sectional view of the check valve shown in fig. 17 (b);

FIG. 18(a) is a side view of a lid member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 18(b) is a top view of a lid member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 18(c) is a bottom view of a cover member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 18(d) is a cross-sectional view of the cover member shown in FIG. 18 (b);

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 20(a) -20(b) are sequential cross-sectional views illustrating the manufacture of a frame of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

fig. 21 is an enlarged view of the sectional view shown in fig. 20(C) at a portion highlighted by an arrow C;

FIGS. 22(a) -22(c) are sequential front views illustrating the manufacture of the frame of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIGS. 23(a) -23(c) are sequential front views illustrating the manufacture of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIGS. 24(a) and 24(b) are sequential cross-sectional views showing the welding of the case and the cap of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIGS. 25(a) -25(c) are sequential cross-sectional views showing the installation of an ink fill plug of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIGS. 26(a) and 26(b) are sequential sectional views showing the installation of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention in an ink jet printer;

FIGS. 27(a) -27(c) are sequential sectional views showing the operation of the valve mechanism of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIGS. 28(a) and 28(b) are sequential sectional views showing the operation of the joint member of the exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention when the ink suction tube is inserted;

FIG. 29 is a graph showing the feel of a touch when an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention is installed on an ink jet printer;

fig. 30 is a graph showing a relationship between a structure of a frame inclined surface and a remaining ink amount and a relationship between a structure of a frame inclined surface and a storage capacity in an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIGS. 32(a) and 32(b) are sequential sectional views showing an ink supply tube inserted into a portion of an ink supply portion of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIGS. 33(a) and 33(b) are sequential sectional views showing an ink supply tube inserted into a portion of an ink supply portion of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an ink supply portion of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIGS. 35(a) and 35(b) are sequential sectional views showing an ink supply tube inserted into a portion of an ink supply portion of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIGS. 36(a) and 36(b) are sequential sectional views showing an ink supply tube inserted into a portion of an ink supply portion of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIGS. 37(a) and 37(b) are sequential sectional views showing an ink supply tube inserted into a portion of an ink supply portion of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 38(a) is a side view of a valve member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 38(b) is a top view of a valve member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 38(c) is a bottom view of a valve member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 38(d) is a cross-sectional view of the valve member shown in FIG. 38 (b);

FIGS. 39(a) and 39(b) are sequential sectional views showing an ink supply tube inserted into a portion of an ink supply portion of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIGS. 40(a) and 40(b) are sequential sectional views showing an ink supply tube inserted into a portion of an ink supply portion of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIGS. 41(a) and 41(b) are sequential sectional views showing an ink supply tube inserted into a portion of an ink supply portion of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

42(a) and 42(b) are sequential sectional views showing an ink supply tube inserted into a portion of an ink supply portion of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 43 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 44 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 45 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

46(a) -46(b) are sequential side views showing the mounting of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention on a mounting portion of an ink jet printer;

FIGS. 47(a) and 47(b) are sequential sectional views showing detection of an empty state of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIGS. 48(a) and 48(b) are sequential sectional views showing detection of an empty state of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIGS. 49(a) and 49(b) are sequential cross-sectional views showing detection of an empty state of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIGS. 50(a) and 50(b) are sequential cross-sectional views showing the welding of the case and the cap of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 51 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 52 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an ink supply portion of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 53(a) is a top view of a slider member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 53(b) is a top view of a support member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 53(c) is a top view of a sheet member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 54 is a cross-sectional view of a joint member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 55 is a cross-sectional view of a valve mechanism of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 56 is a perspective view of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 57 is a perspective view of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention in a disassembled state;

FIG. 58(a) is a top view of a cap of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 58(b) is a cross-sectional view of the cap shown in FIG. 58 (a);

FIG. 59 is a front view of a disassembled frame of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

fig. 60(a) is a front/rear view of a disassembled ink supply valve mechanism of an exemplary ink cartridge of the present invention;

fig. 60(b) is a front/rear view of a disassembled ink supply valve mechanism of an exemplary ink cartridge of the present invention;

fig. 61(a) is a front/rear view of an ink supply valve sleeve of an exemplary ink cartridge of the present invention;

fig. 61(b) is a left/right side view of an ink supply valve sleeve of an exemplary ink cartridge of the present invention;

FIG. 61(c) is a top view of an ink supply valve sleeve of an exemplary ink cartridge of the present invention;

FIG. 61(d) is a bottom view of an ink supply valve sleeve of an exemplary ink cartridge of the present invention;

fig. 61(e) is a sectional view of the ink supply valve sleeve shown in fig. 61 (c);

FIG. 62(a) is a side view of a joint member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 62(b) is a top view of a joint member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 62(c) is a bottom view of a joint member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

fig. 62(d) is a sectional view of the joint member shown in fig. 62 (b);

FIG. 63(a) is a front/rear view of a valve member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 63(b) is a left/right side view of a valve member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 63(c) is a top view of a valve member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 63(d) is a bottom view of a valve member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 63(e) is a cross-sectional view of the valve member shown in FIG. 63 (c);

FIG. 64(a) is a side view of a first spring member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 64(b) is a top view of a first spring member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 64(c) is a bottom view of the first spring member of the exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 64(d) is a cross-sectional view of the first spring member shown in FIG. 64 (b);

FIG. 65(a) is a front/rear view of a slider member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 65(b) is a left/right side view of a slider member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 65(c) is a top view of a slider member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 65(d) is a bottom view of a slider member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 65(e) is a cross-sectional view of the slider member shown in FIG. 65 (c);

FIG. 66(a) is a side view of a support member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 66(b) is a top view of a support member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 66(c) is a bottom view of the support member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

fig. 66(d) is a sectional view of the support member shown in fig. 66 (b);

FIG. 67(a) is a side view of a check valve of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 67(b) is a top view of the check valve shown in FIG. 67 (a);

FIG. 67(c) is a bottom view of a check valve of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 67(d) is a cross-sectional view of a check valve of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 68(a) is a side view of a cover member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 68(b) is a top view of a cover member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 68(c) is a bottom view of a cover member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

fig. 68(d) is a cross-sectional view of the cover member shown in fig. 68 (b);

FIG. 69(a) is a front/rear view of an air inlet valve sleeve of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 69(b) is a left/right side view of the air inlet valve sleeve of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 69(c) is a top view of an air inlet valve sleeve of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 69(d) is a bottom view of an air inlet valve sleeve of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 69(e) is a cross-sectional view of the intake valve sleeve shown in FIG. 69 (c);

FIG. 70(a) is a side view of a joint member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 70(b) is a top view of a joint member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 70(c) is a bottom view of a joint member of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 70(d) is a cross-sectional view of the joint member shown in FIG. 70 (b);

FIG. 71(a) is a front/rear view of a valve member/actuator of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 71(b) is a bottom view of the valve member/actuator of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 72 is a partial cross-sectional view of a frame of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 73(a) is a right side view of a frame of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention before application of a film;

FIG. 73(b) is a front view of a frame of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention prior to application of a film;

FIG. 74(a) is a front view of the frame of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention prior to installation of the ink supply and air admission valve mechanisms;

FIG. 74(b) is a front view of a frame of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention prior to the addition of ink to the frame;

FIG. 74(c) is a front view of a frame of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention after ink has been added to the frame;

FIG. 75(a) is a perspective view of a frame and a portion of a housing of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention prior to assembly;

FIG. 75(b) is a front view of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 76(a) is a perspective view of a cap and a housing of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention prior to assembly;

FIG. 76(b) is a perspective view of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention during packaging;

FIG. 77(a) is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary ink cartridge and an exemplary ink jet printer according to the present invention prior to installation of the ink cartridge;

FIG. 77(b) is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary ink cartridge and an exemplary ink jet printer according to the present invention during installation of the ink cartridge;

FIG. 77(c) is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary ink cartridge and an exemplary ink jet printer according to the present invention after the ink cartridge is installed;

FIG. 78(a) is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary ink cartridge and an exemplary ink jet printer according to the present invention prior to removal of the ink cartridge;

FIG. 78(b) is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary ink cartridge and an exemplary ink jet printer according to the present invention during disassembly of the ink cartridge;

FIG. 78(c) is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary ink cartridge and an exemplary ink jet printer according to the present invention after the ink cartridge is removed;

FIG. 79(a) is a front view of a frame of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 79(b) is a rear view of a frame of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 80 is a partial cross-sectional view of a frame of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 81(a) is a rear view of an ink dispensing portion of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 81(b) is a cross-sectional view of the ink dispensing portion shown in FIG. 81 (a);

FIG. 81(c) is a rear view of an ink dispensing portion of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 81(d) is a rear view of an ink dispensing portion of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 82(a) is a perspective view of an air intake portion of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 82(b) is a rear view of the air intake portion of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 82(c) is a front view of the air intake portion of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 83(a) is a rear view of an ink filling portion of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

fig. 83(b) is a sectional view of an ink filled portion shown in fig. 83 (a);

FIG. 84(a) is a front view of a frame of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention filled with ink;

FIG. 84(b) is a front view of the frame of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention with the ink used up;

FIG. 85(a) is a front view of an ink detecting projection of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention;

fig. 85(b) is a sectional view of the ink detecting projection shown in fig. 85 (a);

FIG. 85(c) is a sectional view of the ink detecting projection shown in FIG. 85 (a);

FIG. 86(a) is a side view of a detector of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention; and is

FIG. 86(b) is an end view of a detector of an exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a front view of the ink cartridge 1 divided into a plurality of parts. Fig. 2(a) is a front view of the case 200, fig. 2(b) is a front view of the frame 100, and fig. 2(c) is a front view of the cap 300.

As shown in fig. 1, the ink cartridge 1 is provided with: a housing 200 which is a case body substantially covering the frame 100 (see fig. 2); a frame 100 capable of storing ink; and a cap 300 which is a cover welded to the case 200, and the frame 100 is mounted to the cap 300. The case 200 and the cap 300 form an outer case of the ink cartridge 1.

As shown in fig. 2 a, the housing 200 is formed in a substantially square shape when viewed from the front (in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of fig. 2 a). The housing 200 is opened at a housing aperture portion 210 (see fig. 2(a) lower side, fig. 3 (d)). The surface (upper side of fig. 2 (a)) opposed to the housing aperture portion 210 is a housing top wall 220, and a housing side wall 230 is arranged between the housing top wall 220 and the housing aperture portion 210. The housing side wall 230 includes two pairs of side walls, each pair including two side walls that are substantially the same shape and are opposite to each other. The two pairs of side walls form the four surfaces of the housing side wall 230. In an exemplary embodiment, two of the side walls forming the case side wall 230 have a larger surface area than the other side walls (the side walls opposed to each other in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of fig. 2 (a)). A case bent portion 240 may be formed on one or both of the sidewalls having a large surface area. The case curved portion 240 may be curved toward the outside of the case 200 (in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of fig. 2 (a)). The case bent portion 240 forms a space for storing the frame 100 in a state of being filled with ink, and also serves to improve the strength of the case 200.

As shown in fig. 2(b), the frame 100 is an ink storage body, and is provided with: a frame body portion 110 forming a body of the frame 100; an ink storage portion 120 formed at the center of the frame body portion 110 and including a chamber for storing ink; a substantially cylindrical ink injection portion 130 through which ink is injected (filled) into the ink storage portion; a substantially cylindrical ink supply portion 140 through which the ink in the ink storage portion 120 is supplied to an inkjet printer 1710 (see fig. 26); and a frame restricting portion 150 that protrudes substantially in parallel with the ink supply portion 140 and restricts movement of the frame 100 in the front-rear direction (perpendicular to the paper surface of fig. 2 (b)) when the frame 100 is mounted on the cap 300. Fig. 2(b) shows the frame 100 in a state where a space for storing ink has not been formed yet. As described below, a film 1430 (see fig. 19) may be welded to the frame body portion 110 to form a space that becomes an ink storage chamber between the film 1430 and the ink storage portion 120. A detailed description of various structures of the frame 100 will be given below.

As shown in fig. 2(c), the cap 300 is provided with: a cap bottom wall 310 forming the bottom surface of the ink cartridge 1; a cap sidewall 320 extending from the outer edge of the cap bottom wall 310; and a cap through-hole 330 (see fig. 5(d)) formed at a position corresponding to the ink supply portion 140 of the frame 100. On the cap side wall 320, at a portion corresponding to the case bent portion 240 of the case 200, a cap bent portion 340 bent in an outward direction of the cap 300 is formed. In addition, as shown in fig. 1, the cap 300 is welded to the housing 200 so that the cap side wall 320 surrounds a part of the housing side wall 230 of the housing 200 (the end on the housing orifice portion 210 side).

The housing 200 is explained with reference to fig. 3 and 4. Fig. 3 shows a six-sided view of the housing. Fig. 3(a) is a front/rear view of the housing 200, fig. 3(b) is a left/right side view of the housing 200, fig. 3(c) is a top view of the housing 200, and fig. 3(d) is a bottom view of the housing 200. Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the housing 200 shown in fig. 3 (d). Fig. 3(a) is the same as fig. 2(a), and thus a detailed description of fig. 3(a) will be omitted.

As shown in fig. 3(b), the housing 200 is configured such that the horizontal width of the housing 200 (the width in the horizontal direction of fig. 3 (b)) becomes larger from the housing top wall 220 to the housing aperture portion 210. On the other hand, the horizontal width of the case bent portion 240 is substantially constant. In addition, in the vertical direction of the case sidewall 230 (the vertical direction of fig. 3 (b)), the case bent portion 240 is formed such that the upper end portion of the case sidewall 230 (the end portion of the upper side of fig. 3 (b)) is formed to be spaced apart from the case orifice portion 210 by a predetermined distance. The upper end portion of the case side wall 230 in which the case bending portion 240 is not formed is a case handle portion 250, and can be used as a handle when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the ink jet printer 1710 (see fig. 26).

As shown in fig. 3(c), the housing handle portion 250 is formed to be bent toward the inside of the housing 200 (the vertical direction of fig. 3 (c)). The curvature provides the housing handle portion 250 with a shape that allows the housing 200 to be easily grasped by a user. In addition, when the housing 200 is pressed into the mounting portion of the inkjet printer 1710 (see fig. 26), by gripping the housing grip portion 250, the user's hand will contact the housing curved portion 240, thus preventing the housing 200 from slipping off the user's hand. Therefore, the ease of mounting the ink cartridge 1 on the ink jet printer 1710 is improved as compared with a case having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.

As shown in fig. 3(d), a housing protrusion member 260 is formed in the housing top wall 220 in such a manner as to protrude into the housing 200 toward the housing orifice portion 210. As shown in fig. 4, the housing protrusion member 260 protrudes in the housing 200 by a distance substantially corresponding to the height of the housing handle portion 250. When the frame 100 is stored in the case 200, the case protrusion member 260 presses a portion of the ink injection portion 130 of the frame 100, so that the frame 100 does not slide due to vibration or the like. A detailed description is given below.

As shown in fig. 4, the housing port portion 210 of the housing 200 is provided with a first port end surface 211 disposed along the outer direction of the housing 200 and a second port end surface 212 disposed inside the housing 200 apart from the first port end surface 211. As shown in the enlarged inset of fig. 4, the first and second port end faces 211 and 212 are formed in a stepped structure such that a portion of the end face of the housing port portion 210 is recessed. When the housing 200 is mounted on the cap 300, the cap protrusion member 350 (see fig. 6) of the cap 300 contacts the step between the first and second orifice end faces 211 and 212. Accordingly, the cap protrusion member 350 is disposed inside the case 200, and thus the case 200 and the cap 300 can be prevented from being offset with respect to each other.

The cap 300 is described with reference to fig. 5 and 6. Fig. 5 shows a six-sided view of the cap 300. Fig. 5(a) is a front/rear view of the cap 300, fig. 5(b) is a left/right side view of the cap 300, fig. 5(c) is a top view showing the inner surface of the cap 300, and fig. 5(d) is a bottom view of the cap 300. Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the cap 300. Fig. 6(a) is a sectional view of the cap 300 shown in fig. 5(c), and fig. 6(b) is a sectional view of the cap 300 shown in fig. 5 (c). The dotted lines in fig. 6(a) and 6(b) are imaginary lines showing the positions of the frame 100 and the housing 200 when mounted on the cap 300. Fig. 5(a) is the same as fig. 2(c), and therefore the detailed description of fig. 5(a) is omitted.

As shown in fig. 5(b), in the cap 300, the cap curved portion 340 is formed to be vertically symmetrical in a side view (in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of fig. 5 (b)). In addition, the cap side wall 320 is formed in a substantially perpendicular direction (vertical direction of fig. 5 (b)) with respect to the cap bottom wall 310.

As shown in fig. 5(c), the cap protrusion member 350 is formed inside the cap 300 at a position a predetermined distance away from the cap sidewall 320 on the inner side of the cap sidewall 320. As shown in fig. 6(a), the cap protrusion member 350 is formed to be very short in the vertical direction of the cap sidewall 320 (vertical direction of fig. 6 (a)). When the housing 200 is mounted on the cap 300, the cap protrusion member 350 contacts the step formed by the respective first and second port end surfaces 211 and 212 of the housing port portion 210.

As shown in fig. 5(c), inside the cap protrusion member 350 in the cap 300, the ink supply portion 140 of the frame 100 contacts the substantially cylindrical cap joint portion 360 (the left side of fig. 5 (c)), and when the cap 300 is assembled with the case 200 and the frame 100, the pair of cap restricting members 370 (the right side of fig. 5 (c)) restricts the movement of the frame 100 by contacting the frame restricting portion 150 of the frame 100.

The cap joint portion 360 is formed in a substantially circular shape as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of fig. 5 (c). As shown in fig. 6(a), the cap joint portion 360 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending to substantially the same height as the cap side wall 320. The cap joint portion 360 includes a pair of cap guide grooves 361 in which a pair of frame loose insertion members 141 of the ink supply portion 140 are loosely inserted (see fig. 7). The cap guide groove 361 is formed from an upper end surface (an end surface on the upper side of fig. 6(a)) of the cap joint portion 360 toward the cap bottom wall 310 (downward direction of fig. 6 (a)). The pair of cap guide grooves 361 are symmetrically arranged with respect to the axis a (see fig. 5(c) and 6(a)) of the cap joint portion 360, and the depth of the pair of cap guide grooves 361 in the direction of the axis a is about half the height of the cap joint portion 360 in the direction of the axis a.

As shown in fig. 6(a), in the cap joint portion 360, a pair of cap joint holes 362 are formed, and the pair of cap joint holes 362 contact the pair of frame joint members 142 of the ink supply portion 140 (see fig. 7) when the cap 300 is assembled with the case 200 and the frame 100. The pair of cap joint holes 362 are symmetrically arranged about the axis a of the cap joint portion 360, and are arranged substantially perpendicular to a line connecting the pair of cap guide grooves 361. The position of the pair of cap joint holes 362 in the direction of the axis a substantially coincides with the position of the lower end portions of the pair of cap guide grooves 361.

The pair of cap restricting members 370 includes a pair of flat plate-like members, and protrudes from the inner side of the cap bottom wall 310. The distance between the pair of cap restraining members 370 is approximately equivalent to the diameter of the cap nipple portion 360. In addition, as shown in fig. 6(b), the height of the pair of cap regulating members 370 in the direction of the axis a is about half the height of the cap side wall 320. If the height of the pair of cap restraining members 370 is too low, movement of the frame 100 cannot be prevented. In contrast, if the height of the pair of cap-limiting members 370 is too high, the cap-limiting members 370 interfere with the mounting of the frame 100 on the cap 300. Forming the pair of cap restraining members 370 to a height of about half the height of the cap side walls 320 in the direction of the axis a restricts the movement of the frame 100 and allows the effective mounting of the frame 100.

In addition, the pair of cap limiting members 370 limits the rotational movement of the frame 100 about the cap joint portion 360 when the frame 100 is mounted on the cap 300. The greater the distance between the cap restraining member 370 and the cap nipple portion 360, the more accurately this rotational movement can be prevented. In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 5(c), the cap joint portion 360 and the pair of cap limiting members 370 are formed on both sides (positions away from the center to the sides) of the cap 300, and thus the movement of the frame 100 can be accurately limited. In addition, by increasing the distance between the cap joint portion 360 and the pair of cap restricting members 370 (in the horizontal direction of fig. 5 (c)), the movement of the frame 100 can be restricted more accurately as well. In this arrangement, the distance between the ink supply portion 140 of the frame 100 and the frame restricting portion 150 is also increased.

As described above, when the cap 300 and the frame 100 are mounted, the ink supply portion 140 is guided by the pair of cap guide grooves 361 of the cap joint portion 360. At the same time, the movement is restricted by the pair of cap restricting members 370, so that the positioning of the cap 300 with respect to the frame 100 is easily performed. In addition, the pair of frame joint members 142 of the ink supply portion 140 contact the pair of cap joint holes 362 of the cap joint portion 360, thus connecting the frame 100 and the cap 300; it is possible to mount the frame 100 and the cap 300 in a simplified process without welding the frame 100 and the cap 300.

As shown in fig. 5(d), in the cap bottom wall 310 of the cap 300, the cap through-holes 330 are formed in positions corresponding to the cap joint portions 360. The center of the cap through hole 330 is disposed on the axis a of the cap joint portion 360. The cap through hole 330 is a hole into which an ink extraction tube 1720 (see fig. 26) arranged on the ink jet printer 1710 side is inserted when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the ink jet printer 1710 (see fig. 26). In addition, as shown in fig. 6(a), the cap through hole 330 is formed in a tapered shape in which the diameter becomes gradually smaller from the outside of the cap bottom wall 310 toward the inside of the cap 300. Therefore, when the ink extraction tube 1720 is inserted into the cap through-hole 330, the ink extraction tube 1720 is guided by the tapered inclined surface of the cap through-hole 330, and therefore the ink cartridge 1 can be smoothly mounted.

The frame 100 is described with reference to fig. 7-9. Fig. 7 shows a view of the frame 100. Fig. 7(a) is a front view of the frame 100, and fig. 7(b) is a rear view of the frame 100. Fig. 8 shows a view of the frame 100. Fig. 8(a) is a left side view of the frame 100, fig. 8(b) is a right side view of the frame 100, fig. 8(c) is a top view of the frame 100, and fig. 8(d) is a bottom view of the frame 100. Fig. 9 is a view in which the ribs of the frame 100 are highlighted. In the following description, the right/left direction of fig. 7(a) is the horizontal direction of the frame 100 (or the frame main body part 110), and the up/down direction of fig. 7(a) is the vertical direction of the frame 100 (or the frame main body part 110).

As shown in fig. 7(a), a through hole is formed in the frame main body portion 110 of the frame 100 forming the ink storage portion 120. As shown in fig. 7(a) and 7(b), the ink storage portion 120 has an orifice 125 on each side of the frame main body portion 110. These apertures 125 are connected to the frame edge portions 112, respectively. On the frame edge portion 112, substantially circular frame projecting members 111 are formed, and these frame projecting members 111 project toward the front side (the front side in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of fig. 7 (a)) at positions slightly apart from but close to the aperture 125 so as to surround the aperture 125. The frame protrusion member 111 is a welding portion (annular belt region) capable of welding a film 1430 (see fig. 19) to the frame main body portion 110.

In addition, as shown in fig. 7(a), an ink supply hole 122 connected to the ink supply portion 140 and an ink supply hole 121 connected to the ink supply portion 130 are formed in the ink storage portion 120. In addition, in the ink storage portion 120, a substantially circular frame through hole 123 connecting the front side and the rear side is formed in a substantially central portion of the ink storage portion 120 in the width direction (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of fig. 7 (a)). In addition, the ink storage portion 120 is provided with a pair of frame inclined surfaces 124 inclined from the orifice 125 toward the frame through-hole 123 on the front side and the rear side of the frame main body portion 110, respectively. The peripheral wall of the ink storage portion 120 is formed by the pair of frame inclined surfaces 124. In addition, the ink injection hole 121 is formed in the frame inclined surface 124, so that the ink injected from the ink injection hole 121 into the ink storage part 120 can be injected along the frame inclined surface 124; the ink injected into the ink storage portion 120 can be prevented from foaming.

The ink supply portion 140 is explained here. As shown in fig. 7(a), in the ink supply portion 140, in positions (right and left sides of fig. 7 (a)) opposed to the outer periphery of the ink supply portion 140, the pair of frame loose insertion members 141 loosely inserted into the pair of cap guide grooves 361 (see fig. 6(a)) of the cap joint portion 360 are formed to protrude outward in the diameter direction from the outer periphery of the ink supply portion 140. In addition, on the outer periphery of the ink supply portion 140, the pair of frame joint members 142 are formed, which contact the pair of cap joint holes 362 of the cap joint portion 360 (see fig. 6 (a)). The pair of frame joint members 142 are disposed on a line substantially perpendicular to a line connecting the pair of frame loose insert members 141. As shown in fig. 8(a) and 8(b), for the pair of frame joint members 142, the top is provided with a horizontal surface protruding in the horizontal direction (right/left direction of fig. 8 (a)) and an inclined surface inclined from the outer edge of the horizontal surface toward the outer peripheral wall of the ink supply portion 140 at the bottom of the frame joint member 142. The insertion of the frame joint member 142 into the cap joint portion 360 is smoothly performed by the inclined surfaces of the pair of frame joint members 142, and the frame 100 and the cap 300 are connected (locked) by the horizontal surface of the top of the pair of frame joint members 142.

As shown in fig. 7(b), for the frame 100 in a rear view (viewed from a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of fig. 7 (b)), the frame protrusion member 111, the frame through hole 123, and the frame inclined surface 124 are formed in the same position and shape as the frame 100 in a front view (viewed from a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of fig. 7 (a)). The ink supply holes 122 are shown in left-right symmetrical positions with respect to fig. 7 (a). In addition, the ink supply hole 122 is formed at the tip end portion on the frame through hole 123 side of the frame inclined surface 124, and therefore the ink stored in the ink storage portion 120 can be effectively consumed. If the ink supply hole is formed in the frame inclined surface 124 away from the tip end portion, the film 1430 will adhere to the frame inclined surface 124 before the ink located in the ink storage portion 120 is consumed, thus closing the ink supply hole. However, since the ink supply hole 122 is formed at the tip end portion of the frame inclined surface 124, the ink supply hole 122 is not closed by the film 1430 until the ink in the ink storage portion 120 is consumed (see fig. 19).

In addition, the front surface view and the rear surface view of the frame 100 are different due to the position of the ink injection hole 121 connected to the ink injection portion 130. As shown in the rear view of the frame 100 in fig. 7(b), the ink supply hole 121 is not present in the ink storage portion 120. That is, the ink injection hole 121 is formed only on one side (the front view side of fig. 7 (a)) of the frame 100, and thus ink is injected from one position.

As shown in fig. 7(a) and 7(b), the frame main body portion 110 is formed in a substantially square shape as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the paper surface, and four frame edge portions 112 are formed at the corners. As shown in fig. 7(a) and 7(b), on the front and rear sides of the frame 100, the frame edge portions 112 contact those two apertures 125 of the ink storage portion 120, and are arranged as a pair of flanges extending to the outside of the frame protrusion member 111 surrounding these apertures 125. Each frame edge portion 112 is formed in a plate shape so as to sandwich the ink injecting portion 130 and the ink supplying portion 140 as shown in fig. 8(c) and (d). In addition, as shown in fig. 8(c) and (d), frame protrusion members 111 are formed on the pair of frame edge portions 112, respectively. When the film 1430 is welded to the frame protrusion member 111, the pair of frame edge portions 112 become receiving surfaces of the film 1430. In addition, a pair of frame limiting portions 150 are arranged in connection with the frame edge portions 112. The frame edge portions 112 are formed in a thin plate shape, and a space is formed between the front and rear frame edge portions 112, so that the frame edge portions 112 are weak. In order to maintain the strength of the frame edge part 112, frame rib members 410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480, and 490 are formed. The frame rib member 410 and 490 will be described below.

As shown in fig. 8(c), frame rib members 410, 420, 430, and 440 (first reinforcing ribs) are formed between a pair of frame edge portions 112 so as to maintain the strength of the frame edge portions 112 by connecting the pair of frame edge portions 112. As shown in fig. 9, the frame rib member 410 is arranged near one end in the horizontal direction of the frame main body portion 110. As shown in fig. 8(c), the frame rib member 410 is formed in a flat plate shape. As shown in fig. 8(a), in the vertical direction of the frame 100 (vertical direction of fig. 8 (a)), the frame rib member 410 is formed to extend from near the upper end of the frame main body portion 110 to an intermediate position on the frame main body portion 110.

The frame rib member 420 includes a rib cylindrical portion 421 formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and a pair of rib protruding portions 422 protruding from the rib cylindrical portion 421 toward the frame edge portion 112. As shown in fig. 9, the frame rib member 420 is formed to extend from the outer edge of the upper end side of the frame main body portion 110 to the vicinity of the ink storage portion 120 in the vertical direction (up/down direction of fig. 9). The frame rib member 420 is formed on the frame main body part 110 toward the center from the frame rib member 410 in the horizontal direction (right/left direction of fig. 9) of the frame main body part 110. Since the height of the frame edge portion 112 is smaller at the portion where the frame rib member 420 is formed, the height of the frame rib member 420 is also smaller.

In the same manner as the frame rib member 410, at the center of the frame main body portion 110 in the horizontal direction, the frame rib member 430 is formed in a flat plate shape extending in the vertical direction from the outer edge of the upper end side of the frame main body portion 110. As shown in fig. 9, the length of the frame rib member 430 is determined in the same manner as the length of the frame rib member 420 is determined.

As shown in fig. 9, the frame rib member 440 is arranged in the vicinity of an end of the frame main body portion 110 opposite to the end provided with the frame rib member 410 in the horizontal direction. In the same manner as the frame rib member 420, the frame rib member 440 includes a substantially cylindrical rib cylindrical portion 441 and a pair of rib protruding portions 442 that protrude from the rib cylindrical portion 441 toward the frame edge portion 112. As shown in fig. 8(b), the frame rib member 440 is formed to extend from near the upper end of the frame main body portion 100 to an intermediate position of the frame 100 in the vertical direction (vertical direction of fig. 8 (b)).

In addition, as shown in fig. 8(c), the ink injecting part 130 vertically extends between the frame rib member 430 and the frame rib member 440 in the horizontal direction of the frame main part 110. The ink injecting portion 130 also serves as a frame rib member because a part of the outer circumferential surface of the ink injecting portion 130 is connected to the pair of frame edge portions 112.

As shown in fig. 8(d), between the frame edge portions 112, frame rib members 450, 460, 470, and 480 (first reinforcing ribs) are formed, which maintain the strength of the frame edge portions 112. The frame rib member 450 includes a rib cylindrical portion 451 formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and a pair of rib protrusion members 452 protruding from the rib cylindrical portion 451 toward the frame rim portion 112. As shown in fig. 9, a frame rib member 450 is formed near one end in the horizontal direction of the frame main body portion 110. As shown in fig. 8(a), the frame rib member 450 is formed to extend from the vicinity of the lower end of the frame main body portion 110 to an intermediate position of the frame 100 in the vertical direction (vertical direction of fig. 8 (a)).

In the same manner as the frame rib member 450, the frame rib member 460 includes a substantially cylindrical rib cylindrical portion 461 and a pair of rib protruding portions 462 protruding from the rib cylindrical portion 461 toward the frame edge portion 112. As shown in fig. 9, the frame rib member 460 is formed to extend from the outer edge of the lower end side of the frame main body portion 110 to the vicinity of the ink storage portion 120 in the vertical direction. The frame rib member 460 is formed at the center of the frame body part 110 in the horizontal direction of the frame body part 110. Since the height of the frame edge portion 112 is smaller at the portion where the frame rib member 460 is formed, the height of the frame rib member 460 is also smaller.

The frame rib member 470 is formed in a flat plate shape extending in the vertical direction. As shown in fig. 9, the length of the frame rib member 470 is shorter than the length of the frame rib member 450 and slightly longer than the length of the frame rib member 460. The frame rib member 480 is formed in a flat plate shape in the same manner as the frame rib member 470. As shown in fig. 9, the frame rib member 480 is arranged in the vicinity of an end of the frame main body portion 110 opposite to the end where the frame rib member 450 is formed, along the horizontal direction of the frame main body portion 110. As shown in fig. 8(b), the frame rib member 480 is formed to extend from the vicinity of the lower end of the frame main body portion 110 to an intermediate position of the frame 100 in the vertical direction (vertical direction of fig. 8 (b)).

In addition, as shown in fig. 8(d) and 9, the cylindrical ink supply part 140 extends vertically between the frame rib members 450 and 460 in the horizontal direction of the frame main body part 110. The ink supply portion 140 functions as a frame rib member because a part of the outer peripheral surface thereof contacts the pair of frame edge portions 112.

In addition, as shown in fig. 8(a) and (b), in the intermediate position of the frame main body portion 110 in the vertical direction, the pair of frame rib members 490 (second reinforcing ribs) are formed such that the frame rib members 410 and 450 and the frame rib members 440 and 480 are connected to each other, respectively. As shown in fig. 9, the pair of frame rib members 490 are formed to extend from the ink storage portion 120 to the side end outer edges of the frame main body portion 110 (the end portions of the frame main body portion 110 in the horizontal direction) in the direction perpendicular to the frame rib members 410 and 480 on the same straight line.

In addition, as shown in fig. 7 and 8(d), the frame restricting portions 150 are formed to protrude from the pair of frame edge portions 112, respectively, and the frame restricting portions 150 are arranged in parallel with each other. The interval between the pair of frame restricting portions 150 coincides with the interval between the pair of cap restricting members 370 that are present in the cap 300.

In an exemplary embodiment, the frame body part 110 is formed of a resin material and is molded using a metal mold. For example, by using the frame rib member 490 as a boundary, two different metal molds corresponding to the frame rib member 410-440 side and the frame rib member 450-480 side are prepared. In a state where the two metal molds are connected to each other, a liquid (or semi-liquid) resin is injected into the metal mold, and the frame main body portion 110 is molded by cooling the resin. Therefore, the resin injected into the gap formed between the two metal molds in a state where the two metal molds are connected to each other forms the pair of frame rib members 490. After hardening the resin material, the molded frame main body portion 110 is removed from the metal mold by moving the metal mold in a direction of separating the two metal molds from each other, i.e., in the vertical direction (vertical direction of fig. 8 (b)), and the frame rib member 410, the ink injection portion 130, and the ink supply portion 140 are formed to extend in the vertical direction. Therefore, the lower frame main body portion 110 can be easily taken out without hindering the movement of the metal mold in the vertical direction.

Therefore, only the pair of frame rib members 490 is formed to extend in the horizontal direction, and the other frame rib members 410 and 480, the ink supply portion 130, and the ink supply portion 140 are arranged to extend in the vertical direction. Therefore, although many members for reinforcing the pair of frame edge portions 112 are provided, the frame main body portion 110 can be molded in a simplified metal mold structure formed by two metal molds. Reinforcement of the frame edge portion 112 and cost reduction of the metal mold can be achieved.

In addition, the rib cylindrical portions 421, 441, 451, and 461 also serve as receiving portions to be pushed by the ejector pins when the frame body portion 110 is removed from the metal mold.

Therefore, as described above, the frame edge portion 112 is formed in a flat plate shape, so that the frame edge portion 112 is structurally weak. However, by providing the frame rib member 410-. Thus, the frame main body portion 110 is reinforced. As described below, the film 1430 (see fig. 19) is welded to the frame body portion 110 by pressing the film 1430 against the frame edge portion 112 of the frame body portion 110. Therefore, if the frame edge portion 112 is bent, the film 1430 cannot be welded accurately. In addition, the frame body part 110 may be damaged. However, as shown in fig. 9, the frame rib member 410 and 490 are formed to extend over substantially the entire frame main body portion 110, so that damage to the frame main body portion 110 can be prevented and the frame edge portion 112 can be prevented from being bent when the film 1430 is welded.

In addition, as shown in fig. 9, the center axis of the ink supply portion 140 and the center axis of the ink filling portion 130 are parallel to the center line of the ink storage portion 120 (frame main portion 110) of the frame main portion 110 (a straight line passing through the frame rib member 430 and the frame rib member 460) in a position deviated from the center line in the horizontal direction (the horizontal direction of fig. 9). When the ink supply portion 140 and the ink filling portion 130 are disposed on the center line of the ink storage portion 120, the ink storage portion 120 must be formed in a substantially circular shape, and therefore the distance by which the ink storage portion 120 protrudes outward from the frame main body portion 110 becomes large. Therefore, the size of the frame main body portion 110 becomes large, and the ink cartridge 1 becomes large. However, when the ink supply portion 140 and the ink filling portion 130 are formed in positions deviated from the center line of the ink storage portion 120, the ink cartridge 1 can be made small.

In addition, when the ink storage portion 120 is formed in a substantially elliptical shape, the ink cartridge 1 can be made smaller in the same manner as described above.

The structure of the components of the frame 100 will be described with reference to fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a front view of the frame 100 divided into its component parts.

As shown in fig. 10, the frame 100 may be divided into four parts. The four parts are: a frame main body portion 110 provided with an ink storage portion 120, an ink filling portion 130, an ink supply portion 140, and a frame restricting portion 150; a film 1430 welded to the frame body portion 110 (see fig. 19); an ink filling plug 520 inserted into the ink filling portion 130; and a valve mechanism 530 inserted into the ink supply portion 140. Among these four portions, the frame body portion 110 and the film 1430 define an ink storage body. In addition, a portion where the ink storage portion 120 is formed at the central portion of the frame main body portion 110 is an ink storage chamber forming portion. The valve mechanism 530 is explained below with reference to fig. 11.

Fig. 11 is a front view showing the valve mechanism 530 separated into its component parts. As shown in fig. 11, this valve mechanism 530 is provided with an insertion port for an ink extraction tube 1720 (see fig. 26) of an inkjet printer 1710, and is also provided with: a joint member 610 formed of a resin material having elasticity such as rubber, a part of the joint member 610 being exposed to the outside of the ink supply part 140; a valve member 620 that closes the ink flow passage when the joint member 610 contacts the bottom wall of the valve member 620; a first spring member 630 stored in the valve member 620 and formed of a resin elastic material; a slider member 640 that covers the release surface of the valve member 620 and is movable in a uniaxial direction (the arrow B direction in fig. 11, the axis B direction of the valve mechanism 530) as the moving direction of the valve member 620 pressed by the ink extraction tube 1720; a second spring member 650 which is stored in the slider member 640 and is formed in the same shape and material as the first spring member 630; a base member 660 contacting the second spring member 650 and receiving the check valve 670; a check valve 670; and a cover member 680 covering the check valve 670 between itself and the base member 660. The valve mechanism 530 can be assembled integrally, so that the operation of assembling the valve mechanism 530 with the ink supply part 140 can be easily performed.

The joint member 610, the valve member 620, the respective first and second spring members 630, 650, the slider member 640, the base member 660, the check valve 670, and the cover member 680 are described with reference to fig. 12-18. In addition, in the following description, the axis of the valve mechanism 530 is described as an axis B (see fig. 11).

Fig. 12 shows a joint member 610. Fig. 12(a) is a side view of the joint member 610, fig. 12(b) is a top view of the joint member 610, fig. 12(c) is a bottom view of the joint member 610, and fig. 12(d) is a sectional view of the joint member 610 shown in fig. 12 (b).

As shown in fig. 12(a), the joint member 610 includes three layers in a side view (viewed from a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of fig. 12 (a)). The lowermost portion (lower side of fig. 12 (a)) is a joint outer circumferential portion 710 forming an outer circumferential portion of the joint member 610. The joint outer peripheral portion 710 is exposed to the outside of the ink supply portion 140. The portion above the joint outer peripheral portion 710 is a joint inner peripheral portion 720 that forms an inner peripheral portion of the joint member 610. The joint inner peripheral portion 720 is disposed inside the ink supply portion 140. The portion shown above the joint inner peripheral portion 720 is a joint contact portion 730 that contacts the valve member 620. As shown in fig. 12(B), the axial centers of the joint outer peripheral portion 710, the joint inner peripheral portion 720, and the joint contact portion 730 are disposed on the same axial center as the axis B of the valve mechanism 530. In addition, the joint member 610 is formed of an elastic material such as resin or rubber.

As shown in fig. 12(d), between the joint outer circumferential portion 710 and the joint inner circumferential portion 720, a joint groove portion 740 having a concave shape in cross section is formed. As shown in fig. 12(b), the joint groove portion 740 is formed in a circular shape in a plan view. The joint groove portion is engaged with a lower end portion of the outer peripheral wall of the ink supply portion 140 formed in a cylindrical shape, and the joint member 610 is fixed to the ink supply portion 140. As shown in fig. 12(d), the joint contact portion 730 protrudes from a top surface 731 (a surface on the side contacting the valve member 620) of the joint inner peripheral portion 720. The joint contact portion 730 is formed so as to narrow toward the tip end portion 734 (end to the upper side of fig. 12 (d)). The tip end portion 734 contacts the bottom surface of the valve member 620, and closes the ink flow passage. In addition, in the joint inner peripheral portion 720, a joint protrusion portion 750 protrudes from the inner peripheral surface 733 toward the axis B, an orifice 722 that becomes an insertion port for the ink suction tube 1720 (see fig. 26) is formed on a bottom surface 721 (lower side of fig. 12 (d)) of the joint inner peripheral portion 720, and a tapered surface 723 is formed between the orifice 722 and the joint protrusion portion 750.

In addition, as shown in fig. 12(d), in the joint member 610, an ink flow passage 760 is formed extending from the bottom surface 721 of the joint inner peripheral portion 720 through the tip end portion 734 (upper side of fig. 12 (d)) of the joint contact portion 730. The ink flow channel 760 includes an orifice 722 formed in the bottom surface 721, a tapered portion flow channel 761 formed by a tapered surface 723 connected to the orifice 722, a protrusion portion flow channel 762 formed by an inner circumferential surface 751 of a joint protrusion 750 connected to the tapered surface 723, a contact portion flow channel 763 formed by a stepped surface 732 connected to the inner circumferential surface 751 of the joint protrusion 750, and an inner circumferential surface 733 of the joint contact 730 connected to the stepped surface 732. In addition, the inner peripheral surface 751 of the joint projection 750 is parallel to the axis B, and the stepped surface 732 is perpendicular to the axis B.

The tapered portion flow channel 761 is formed in a substantially hollow conical shape in which the diameter is gradually reduced from the orifice 722 toward the contact point with the inner peripheral surface 751 of the joint protrusion portion 750. The protruding part flow passage 762 is formed in a substantially hollow cylindrical shape having the same inner diameter as the minimum inner diameter of the tapered part flow passage 761. The inner diameter of the protruding portion flow passage 762 is formed slightly smaller than the diameter of the ink suction tube (see fig. 26). The contact portion flow passage 763 is formed in a substantially hollow cylindrical shape, an inner diameter of which is larger than that of the protruding portion flow passage 762, and which is larger than the diameter of the ink suction tube. In addition, a stepped surface 732 is formed in a boundary between the protruding-portion flow passage 762 and the contact-portion flow passage 763. Therefore, the inner diameter is rapidly changed from the projection portion flow passage 762 to the contact portion flow passage 763 in the direction of the axis B. Therefore, as shown in fig. 12(d), the joint contact portion 730 has a pedestal-shaped structure that is notched by the inner peripheral surface 733 and the stepped surface 732, and the tip end portion 734 of the joint contact portion 730 is disposed around the notched portion.

The ink suction tube 1720 is inserted into the orifice 722 guided by the tapered surface 723 of the tapered portion flow channel 761, and is inserted into the protrusion portion flow channel 762. As described above, the inner diameter of the protrusion portion flow passage 762 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the ink suction tube 1720, and therefore the ink suction tube 1720 is elastically attached to the inner circumferential surface 751 of the joint protrusion portion 750 forming the protrusion portion flow passage 762. That is, the joint projection 750 serves to surround the ink extraction tube 1720 inserted into the projection flow passage 762. If the area of the joint member 610 elastically adhering to the outer periphery of the ink extraction tube 1720 is too large, resistance will increase when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the inkjet printer 1710 (see fig. 26), and smooth mounting cannot be achieved. However, in an embodiment such as that shown in fig. 12(d), the joint projection 750 is arranged such that the ink extraction tube 1720 contacts only the inner peripheral surface 751. Therefore, by making the joint member 610 have a small area in contact with the ink extraction tube 1720, the mounting of the ink cartridge 1 on the ink jet printer 1710 can be smoothly performed. As for the ink flow channel 760, a flow channel through which ink actually flows when the ink extraction tube 1720 is inserted is located inside the ink extraction tube 1720. Further, as described below, by forming the contact portion flow passage 763 in a pedestal shape, it is possible to minimize displacement of the joint member 610 in the direction of the axis B when the ink suction tube 1720 is inserted.

Fig. 13 shows a valve member 620. Fig. 13(a) is a front/rear view of the valve member 620, fig. 13(b) is a side view of the valve member 620, fig. 13(c) is a top view of the valve member 620, fig. 13(d) is a bottom view of the valve member 620, and fig. 13(e) is a sectional view of the valve member 620 shown in fig. 13 (c).

As shown in fig. 13(a), the valve member 620 is provided with a valve bottom wall 810 forming a bottom surface (a surface at the lower side in fig. 13 (a)) of the valve member 620 and a valve side wall 820 extending from the valve bottom wall 810 in the direction of the axis B. In the valve side wall 820, a pair of valve guide grooves 830 are formed in which a slider loose insert member 1030 (see fig. 15) of the slider member 640 is loosely inserted. As shown in fig. 13(c), the pair of valve guide grooves 830 are formed symmetrically with respect to the axis B of the valve mechanism 530. In addition, as shown in fig. 13(a), the pair of valve guide grooves 830 are formed along substantially the entire valve side wall 820 in the axis B direction. A pair of valve restricting portions 840, which protrude in a direction away from the valve bottom wall 810 and restrict the movement of the slider 640, are connected to the valve side walls 820. Each valve restricting portion 840 projects toward the axis B at the tip end (upper side in fig. 13 (a)), thereby providing a valve hook portion 850 engaged with the slider member 640.

As shown in fig. 13(B), the pair of valve restricting portions 840 are formed shorter than the valve side walls 820 in the direction of the axis B of the valve mechanism 530. The pair of valve-restraining portions 840 are arranged to restrain the slider member 640 using the valve hook portion 850, while the valve side walls 820 are arranged to prevent the slider member 640 from being displaced in the operating direction using the pair of valve guide grooves 830 and to store the first spring member 630. Therefore, the valve side wall 820 is formed longer and larger than the pair of valve restricting portions 840 in the axis B direction of the valve mechanism 530.

As shown in fig. 13(c), in the direction of the axis B of the valve mechanism 530 (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of fig. 13 (c)), four ink flow passages 860 are formed in the valve bottom wall 810 at positions corresponding to the pair of valve guide grooves 830 and the pair of valve restricting portions 840. These ink flow passages 860 extend through the valve bottom wall 810 in the vertical direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of fig. 13 (c)). In addition, a valve receiving portion 870 is provided on the valve bottom wall 810, protrudes upward (the front side in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of fig. 13 (c)) from the bottom valve bottom wall 810, and forms a seat for receiving the spring top 920 of the first spring member 630. The valve receiving portion 870 includes two plate-like members arranged substantially parallel to each other on the valve bottom wall 810. In addition, as shown in fig. 13(e), the height of the valve receiving portion 870 in the direction of the axis B is sufficiently smaller than the height of the valve side wall 820. The valve receiving portion 870 is arranged to prevent contact between the first spring member 630 and the valve bottom wall 810 when the first spring member 630 is arranged in the space within the valve side wall 820. This arrangement is necessary because if the first spring member 630 contacts the valve bottom wall 810, the ink flow passage is closed and ink does not flow. The valve receiving portion 870 is arranged to ensure ink flow by ensuring that the first spring member 630 does not contact the valve bottom wall 810. Therefore, only a minimum height is required.

Fig. 14 shows the first spring member 630. Fig. 14(a) is a side view of the first spring member 630, fig. 14(b) is a top view of the first spring member 630, fig. 14(c) is a bottom view of the first spring member 630, and fig. 14(d) is a sectional view of the first spring member 630 shown in fig. 14 (b).

The first spring member 630 is formed in a substantially hollow conical shape (or bowl shape), and includes an annular spring bottom portion 910 forming a bottom surface (end having a larger diameter) of the first spring member 630, an annular spring top portion 920 forming a top portion (end having a smaller diameter) located above the first spring member 630, and a hollow conical spring flexible portion 930 provided between the spring top portion 920 and the spring bottom portion 910. When a load of the valve mechanism 530 in the axis B direction is applied (for example, when the ink extraction tube 1720 presses the valve member 620 in the urging direction of the first spring member 630 and the second spring member 650), the spring flexible portion 930 is bent and deformed. The spring top 920 contacts the valve receiving portion 870 of the valve member 620 and serves as a pressing portion that presses the valve member 620. In addition, the diameter of the spring bottom 910 is larger than that of the spring top 920, and thus the spring bottom 910 serves as a base when the spring flexible portion 930 is elastically deformed.

As shown in fig. 14(d), in the first spring member 630, the ink flow channel 940 extends from the bottom surface of the spring bottom 910 (the end surface on the left side of fig. 14 (d)) to the tip end of the spring top 920 (the end surface on the right side of fig. 14 (d)). The ink flow channel 940 includes a top flow channel 941 formed by the inner peripheral surface of the spring top 920, a flexible portion flow channel 942 formed by the inner peripheral surface of the spring flexible portion 930, and a bottom flow channel 943 formed by the inner peripheral surface of the spring bottom 910. As shown in fig. 14(d), the orifice area of the ink flow channel 940 becomes gradually larger from the top end of the spring top 920 to the bottom surface of the spring bottom 910. In addition, as shown in fig. 14(b) and (c), a top flow passage 941 of the spring top 920 is formed in a substantially square shape as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the paper surface.

The orifice surface of the top flow channel 941 is formed in a substantially square shape, so that the influence caused by bubbles in the ink can be reduced. For example, if the top flow path 941 is formed in a substantially circular shape in a direction perpendicular to the paper plane, a spherical bubble having a diameter larger than that of the top flow path 941 may close the flow path. If the flow path is closed, the ink cannot be properly transferred from the ink cartridge 1 to the ink jet printer 1710 (see fig. 26). Therefore, the printing quality of the ink jet printer 1710 deteriorates. However, in an embodiment such as that shown in fig. 14(b), because the orifice surface of the top flow channel 941 has a generally square shape, even if bubbles larger than the orifice surface of the top flow channel 941 occur, these corners are not closed. Therefore, the closing of the ink flow passage is prevented, and the possibility of deterioration of the printing quality is reduced.

It should be understood that the orifice surface of the top flow channel 941 is not limited to a square shape. Other polygonal shapes such as hexagonal or star shapes are also acceptable.

As shown in fig. 14(d), the spring top 920 is formed in a cylindrical shape, which is relatively thick and extends in the direction of the axis B. The spring top 920 is formed so that the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axis B direction (the urging direction of the first spring member 630) is uniform. Also, the spring bottom 910 is formed in a cylindrical shape, which is relatively thick and extends in the direction of the axis B, and has a uniform cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the direction of the axis B.

In addition, as shown in fig. 14(d), the spring flexible portion 930 is formed in a substantially conical shape which is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the axis B direction, and the strength of the spring flexible portion 930 which receives a load in the axis B direction is thereby smaller than the strength of the spring bottom portion 910 and the spring top portion 920. In addition, the thickness of the spring flexible portion 930 is less than the thickness of the spring bottom 910 and the spring top 920, thereby helping to make the spring flexible portion 930 less strong. Therefore, the spring flexible portion 930 is bent and deformed while the first spring member 630 is elastically deformed.

The second spring member 650 is formed in the same shape as the first spring member 630. The structure of the second spring member 650 includes a spring bottom 910, a spring top 920, a spring flexible portion 930, and an ink flow channel 940.

Fig. 15 shows the slider member 640. Fig. 15(a) is a front/rear view of the slider member 640, fig. 15(b) is a left/right side view of the slider member 640, fig. 15(c) is a top view of the slider member 640, fig. 15(d) is a bottom view of the slider member 640, and fig. 15(e) is a sectional view of the slider member 640 shown in fig. 15 (c).

As shown in fig. 15(a) and (b), the slider member 640 is formed of a resin material having a hardness greater than that of the first spring member 630 and the second spring member 650, and includes: a slider peripheral wall 1010 forming an outer periphery of the slider member 640; two slider projections 1020 extending from the slider peripheral wall 1010 in the direction of the axis B of the valve mechanism 530 and formed symmetrically about the axis B; and a pair of slider loose insertion members 1030 which are disposed on the slider peripheral wall 1010 and the slider protrusion 1020 along the slider peripheral wall 1010 and the slider protrusion 1020, are formed symmetrically with respect to the axis B, and are loosely inserted into the pair of valve guide grooves 830 (see fig. 13). The slider peripheral wall 1010 and the slider projection 1020 are formed together in a substantially cylindrical shape.

The height of the slider projection 1020 in the direction of the axis B is substantially the same as the height of the slider peripheral wall 1010. This is because the spring members 630, 650 are respectively arranged in the inner spaces 1060, 1070 of the slider member 640 in the direction of the axis B. In addition, the movement of each spring member 630, 650 in the direction perpendicular to the axis B is restricted by the slider projection 1020 and the slider peripheral wall 1010.

The slider loose insert member 1030 extends along the slider member 640 (formed on the slider peripheral wall 1010 and the slider projection 1020) in the axis B direction. The movement of the slider member 640 in the direction of the axis B is smoothly performed by cooperation between the slider loose insert member 1030 and the pair of valve guide grooves 830 (see fig. 13).

As shown in fig. 15(c) and (d), inside the slider peripheral wall 1010, a slider base portion 1040 is provided, and respective spring members 630, 650 are arranged on the slider base portion 1040. The slider base portion 1040 contacts the spring bottom 910 of each spring member 630, 650. The slider base portion 1040 demarcates two interior spaces 1060, 1070 within the slider member 640 that accommodate the respective spring members 630, 650. In the center of the slider base portion 1040, a slider through-hole 1050 is formed, and this slider through-hole 1050 becomes a flow passage through which ink flows. As shown in fig. 15(e), the slider base portion 1040 is formed at a substantially intermediate position in the axis B direction of the slider member 640.

Fig. 16 shows the base member 660. Fig. 16(a) is a side view of the base member 660, fig. 16(b) is a top view of the base member 660, fig. 16(c) is a bottom view of the base member 660, and fig. 16(d) is a sectional view of the base member 660 shown in fig. 16 (b).

As shown in fig. 16(a), the base member 660 is provided with: a base bottom 1110 forming a bottom surface of the base member 660 and contacting the spring top 920 of the second spring member 650; a base middle portion 1120 formed with an outer diameter smaller than that of the base bottom 1110; and base receiving portions 1130, the base receiving portions 1130 being disposed on the top surface (upper side of fig. 16 (a)) of the base middle portion 1120. The base receiving portion 1130 is provided with base inclined surfaces 1131 inclined downward near the center of the base member 660, and a check valve described later is received by these base inclined surfaces 1131.

As shown in fig. 16(b), six base receiving portions 1130 are arranged at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction of the base member 660. In addition, three of the six base receiving portions 1130 include first base through holes 1140 extending from the front surface to the rear surface of the base member 660. These first base through holes 1140 are formed in a portion of the base receiving portion 1130 (a horizontal portion of the base receiving portion 1130) except for a portion where the base inclined surface 1131 is provided. Accordingly, the first base through hole 1140 is formed in a portion other than a portion receiving the check valve 670. This structure prevents ink flow from being blocked.

In addition, between the base receiving portions 1130 of the base member 660, second base through holes 1150 are formed to extend through the base middle portion 1120 and the base bottom portion 1110. These second base through holes 1150 are formed between the base receiving portions 1130, so that six second base through holes 1150 are formed in a circumferential direction around the base member 660. The second base through hole 1150 forms an ink flow channel through which ink flows.

As shown in fig. 16(c), on the bottom surface of the base bottom 1110, concave base through grooves 1160 are formed, which are connected to the corresponding second base through holes 1150. These base through grooves 1160 connect those second base through holes 1150 in a substantially straight line passing through and symmetrical about the axis B. Thus, in base bottom 1110, three base through slots 1160 are formed that intersect one another at axis B.

As shown in fig. 16(d), a gap is formed along the axis B direction between the base inclined surface 1131 of the base receiving portion 1130 and the second base through hole 1150. Therefore, even when the check valve 670 is supported by the base inclined surface 1131, the ink flow is ensured. In addition, with the base through groove 1160, the end surface of the spring top 920 of the second spring member 650 is disposed inside the second base through hole 1150, and therefore the base through groove 1160 ensures ink flow even when the end surface of the spring top 920 of the second spring member 650 contacts the base member 660.

Fig. 17 shows a check valve 670. Fig. 17(a) is a side view of the check valve 670, fig. 17(b) is a top/bottom view of the check valve 670, and fig. 17(c) is a sectional view of the check valve 670 shown in fig. 17 (b).

The check valve 670 has a substantially plate shape. The check valve flat portion 1210 forming the top surface of the check valve 670 is configured to close the ink flow channel by contacting the cover member 680. In addition, the check valve curved portion 1220 forming the curved surface of the check valve 670 is received by the base receiving portion 1130 of the base member 660. Accordingly, when the check valve curved portion 1220 of the check valve 670 is received by the base receiving portion 1130 of the base member 660, the ink flow channel is opened, and when the check valve flat portion 1210 of the check valve 670 contacts the cover member 680, the ink flow channel is closed.

Fig. 18 shows a cover member 680. Fig. 18(a) is a side view of the cover member 680, fig. 18(b) is a top view of the cover member 680, fig. 18(c) is a bottom view of the cover member 680, and fig. 18(d) is a sectional view of the cover member 680 shown in fig. 18 (b).

The cover member 680 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape in which the lower surface side is open. The lid member 680 is provided with a lid peripheral wall 1310 forming an outer periphery and a lid top 1320 forming a top surface (upper side of fig. 18 (a)) of the lid member 680, and the lower surface is open. The base member 660 is engaged with an opening of the lower surface (lower side of fig. 18 (a)) of the lid member 680, and the check valve 670 is accommodated between the base member 660 and the lid member 680. That is, the cover member 680 and the base member 660 constitute a housing that houses the check valve.

As shown in fig. 18(b) and 18(c), in the cover top 1320, six cover through holes 1330 are formed through the cover top 1320 at a plurality of circumferential positions. The cover through holes 1330 become flow channels through which ink flows, and when the check valve 670 contacts the cover top 1320, the cover through holes 1330 are closed, and the ink flow channels are closed.

Next, the assembled ink cartridge 1 will be described with reference to fig. 19. Fig. 19 is a sectional view of the ink cartridge 1 shown in fig. 2. In the cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge 1 shown in fig. 19, ink I is stored in the frame 100.

Fig. 19 shows a state in which the ink cartridge 1 is assembled by welding the case 200 and the cap 300. In this state, the joint member 610 contacts the cap bottom wall 310 of the cap 300. Meanwhile, the outer peripheral wall of the ink supply portion 140 is engaged in the joint groove portion 740 of the joint member 610. In addition, the outer peripheral surface of the joint member 610 (joint outer peripheral portion 710 (see fig. 12)) contacts the inner peripheral surface of the cap joint portion 360. Accordingly, the inner space 1440 enclosed by the housing 200 and the cap 300 is not connected to the outside of the housing 200 and the cap 300 and is substantially sealed.

A pair of membranes 1430 are welded to the frame body portion 110. Ink I is stored in the space (ink storage portion 120) substantially sealed by these films 1430. The process of welding these films 1430 will be described later.

The pair of films 1430 are double-layer type films (hereinafter referred to as "nylon polyethylene"), each of which includes a nylon film and a polyethylene film. The side that contacts the frame body portion 110 is a polyethylene film layer. The nylon polyethylene completely insulates against liquids, but has less complete gas barrier properties. Thus, there may be minimal gas communication between ink storage portion 120, which is substantially sealed by membrane 1430, and interior space 1440. Gas present in ink I within ink storage portion 120 gradually permeates through membrane 1430 and moves to interior space 1440. Therefore, bubbles can be prevented from being generated in the ink I, and deterioration in printing quality due to the bubbles in the ink I can be prevented. The film 1430 may be formed of any material that can maintain strength and that has some breathability. For example, a double-layer film formed of a nylon film and a polypropylene film, and a film formed by mixing and forming nylon and polyethylene or nylon and polypropylene may be used.

In addition, as shown in fig. 19, between the ink supply hole 122 of the frame 100 and the cover member 680, an ink flow channel 1410 is formed which is provided with a hollow conical portion or bowl portion whose opening size decreases from the cover member 680 to the ink supply hole 122. In addition, on the ink supply hole 122 side of the bowl portion of the ink flow channel 1410, a hollow cylindrical portion is formed, which is connected to the small diameter side of the bowl portion. On the lid member 680 side of the bowl portion of the ink flow channel 1410, a hollow cylindrical portion is formed, which is connected to the large diameter side of the bowl portion. In the ink flow channel 1410, in order to remove dust and/or foreign substances in the ink I of the ink storage portion 120, a filter 1420 formed of a foam type material is provided. That is, the ink flow channel 1410 is a filter housing chamber housing the filter 1420. The filter 1420 is formed in a cylindrical shape having the same diameter (the same cross-sectional shape) as the maximum diameter of the ink flow passage 1410 (the diameter of the ink flow passage 1410 in the vicinity of the cover member 680), and the filter 1420 is disposed in a compressed state within the ink flow passage 1410 by inserting the filter 1420 in a direction in which ink is caused to flow into the ink flow passage 1410 from the ink supply portion 140 side (a direction parallel to the direction of the axis B of the valve mechanism 530). Therefore, a filter having fine pores can be obtained as compared with the state before insertion. For example, the characteristics (impurity removal efficiency) of the filter 1420 can be controlled by adjusting the compression percentage by appropriately selecting the reduction percentage of the orifice size of the ink flow channel 1410 (the inner surface shape such as the inclined surface of the ink flow channel 1410). Therefore, desired filter characteristics can be obtained without changing the material of the filter 1420. In the embodiment shown in fig. 19, filter 1420 is formed of a polyurethane material, but use of, for example, CFH40 is also acceptable. If dust and/or foreign matter resides in the ink tubes (not shown) of the inkjet printer 1710 (see fig. 26) and/or the valve mechanism 530, accurate ink supply is not performed and print quality may be deteriorated. However, by providing the filter 1420, dust and/or foreign substances can be removed, so ink supply can be accurately performed, and deterioration of printing quality can be prevented.

Alternatively, if a mounting process is required when the sheet-like screen member is mounted or welded on the ink supply hole 122 for filtering, and/or the frame body portion 110 must be manufactured to have a detachable structure. Therefore, the structure of the frame body portion 110 will become more complicated, and the time required to manufacture the ink cartridge 1 will increase. Conversely, inserting the filter 1420 into the ink flow channel 1410 completes the installation of the filter 1420. Therefore, the structure of the frame body portion 110 is simplified, and the manufacturing process can also be simplified.

Upon insertion into the ink flow channel 1410, the filter 1420 is compressed in the insertion direction (the direction parallel to the direction of the axis B of the valve mechanism 530) since the movement in the insertion direction is restricted by the ink supply hole 122. The filter 1420 is also compressed by the inner surface of the hollow conical shape of the ink flow channel 1410 in a plane direction perpendicular to the insertion direction. Thus, the filter 1420 is uniformly compressed in three dimensions. Accordingly, the filter 1420 is uniformly compressed throughout, thereby providing stable filter characteristics.

The ink supply hole 122 has a diameter smaller than that of the filter 1420, thereby preventing the filter 1420 from entering the ink flow channel 1410 deeper than necessary. Filter 1420 is also prevented from sliding into ink storage portion 120. However, in order to further reliably prevent the filter 1420 from sliding into the ink storage portion 120, a member for preventing the filter 1420 from sliding into the ink supply hole 122 may be provided.

In addition, as shown in fig. 19, on the side (lower side in fig. 19) of the ink flow channel 1410 opposite to the ink storage portion 120, there is provided an engagement portion 1450 that is connected to the ink flow channel 1410 and engages with the housing formed by the base member 660 and the cover member 680. The engagement portion 1450 has an inner diameter larger than that of the ink flow passage 1410 and is formed slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cover member 680. Base member 660 and cap member 680 are engaged and secured to engagement portion 1450. Accordingly, the base member 660 and the cover member 680 are fixed to the joint portion 1450 in such a manner as to contact the filter 1420 when it is compressed in the ink flow channel 1410. The base member 660 and the cover member 680 thus fixed serve as stoppers for preventing the filter 1420 from sliding off the ink flow channel 1410.

On the side (lower side in fig. 19) of the engaging portion 1450 opposite to the ink flow channel 1410, a valve mechanism insertion portion 1460 (in the valve mechanism insertion portion 1460, the engaging portion 1450 is further included) is provided. The valve mechanism insertion portion 1460 is connected to the engagement portion 1450, and the valve mechanism 530 is inserted into the valve mechanism insertion portion 1460. The valve mechanism insertion portion 1460 is also an ink flow channel. The space formed in the ink flow passage 1410, the space formed in the joint portion 1450, and the space formed in the valve mechanism insertion portion 1460 form an ink flow passage chamber of the ink supply portion 140, which becomes an ink supply passage when supplying ink to the outside of the ink cartridge 1. As shown in fig. 19, the ink flow passage chamber is formed inside the ink supply portion 140 formed in a cylindrical shape. In addition, as shown in fig. 19, when the valve mechanism 530 is inserted into the valve mechanism insertion portion 1460, the inclination of the cap through hole 330 and the inclination of the tapered portion flow channel 761 of the joint member 610 are formed to be the same. In addition, the connection plane between the tapered portion flow channel 761 and the cap through-hole 330 does not have any step. Therefore, the ink extraction tube 1720 (see fig. 26) can be smoothly inserted into the ink flow passage 760.

The valve mechanism 530 is arranged such that: the bottom surface of the joint member 610 contacts the cap bottom wall 310, and the joint contact portion 730 of the joint member 610 can contact the valve bottom wall 810 of the valve member 620. Inside the valve member 620, the first spring member 630 is stored such that the valve receiving portion 870 of the valve member 620 contacts the spring top 920 of the first spring member 630. In addition, the first spring member 630 and the second spring member 650 are stored in two inner spaces 1060, 1070 partitioned by the slider base 0 portion 1040 of the slider member 640. A bottom surface 911 (see fig. 14) of the spring bottom 910 contacts a surface 1041 (see fig. 15) of the slider base portion 1040 on the valve member 620 side. Meanwhile, the outer peripheral side surface 912 (see fig. 14) of the spring bottom 910 contacts the inner wall 1042 (see fig. 15) of the slider outer peripheral wall 1010. Likewise, for the second spring member 650, the bottom surface 911 of the spring bottom 910 contacts the surface 1043 (see fig. 15) of the side (check valve 670 side) of the slider base portion 1040 opposite to the valve member 620. Meanwhile, the outer circumferential side surface 912 of the spring bottom 910 contacts the inner wall 1021 of the slider protrusion portion 1020 (see fig. 15). Thus, the slider base portion 1040 is the portion of the first spring member 630 that engages the second spring member 650. As shown in fig. 19, the slider base portion 1040 is sandwiched by the first spring member 630 and the spring bottom portion 910 of the second spring member. In addition, the valve hook portion 850 of the valve member 620 interposed between the two slider protrusion portions 1020 contacts the surface 1043 of the slider base portion 1040. The surface 1043 is the surface that contacts the bottom surface 911 of the spring base 910 of the second spring member 650. Thus, the slider member 640 engages the valve hook portion 850. The spring top 920 of the second spring member 650 can contact the base bottom 1110 of the base member 660. Additionally, a check valve 670 is stored between the base member 660 and the cap member 680. The arrangement and operation of the various components of the valve mechanism 530 will be described in detail later.

The process of manufacturing the frame 100 is explained below with reference to fig. 20 and 21. Fig. 20 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a process of manufacturing the frame 100. The manufacturing process proceeds from fig. 20(a) to fig. 20 (d). Fig. 21 is an enlarged view of a portion C of the schematic cross-sectional view shown in fig. 20 (C).

First, the frame manufacturing apparatus 1510 used in this manufacturing process is described. The frame manufacturing apparatus 1510 is provided with a base portion 1520 for mounting and supporting the frame body portion 110, a vacuum unit 1530 for applying vacuum to the film 1430, a pressing portion 1540 for pressing the film 1430 against the frame body portion 110, and a welding unit 1550 for welding the film 1430 to the frame body portion 110.

In the base portion 1520, a concave base holding portion 1521 is formed, which can mount the frame main body portion 110. The substrate holding portion 1521 is formed in a substantially square shape corresponding to the outer shape of the frame main body portion 110. In addition, although not illustrated, the substrate holding portion 1521 has recesses corresponding to the ink supply portion 140 and the ink supply portion 130, and is positioned when the frame main body portion 110 is mounted. In addition, for positioning, a jig member for fixing the frame main body portion 110 from above (upper side of fig. 20 (a)) or from the side (horizontal direction of fig. 20 (a)) may also be provided.

The vacuum 1530 evacuates and holds the film 1430. In the embodiment shown in fig. 20(a), four vacuum apparatuses 1530 are used (two vacuum apparatuses 1530 at the front side in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of fig. 20 are not shown). These vacuum means 1530 are disposed at positions corresponding to the four corners of the frame main body part 110, and are held so that the film 1430 is not wrinkled.

The pressing portion 1540 is provided with a pressing elastic portion 1541, and a tip end portion (lower side in fig. 20 (a)) of the pressing elastic portion 1541 is formed of an elastic material. The tip of this pressing elastic portion 1541 is formed in a substantially spherical shape corresponding to the shape of the ink storage portion 120 of the frame main body portion 110. In the tip end portion of the pressing elastic portion 1541, when the pressing portion 1540 presses the film 1430 so as to contact the frame inclined surface 124 of the frame main portion 110, the pressing inclined surface 1542 is formed to correspond to the inclination angle α (see fig. 21) of the frame inclined surface 124. Accordingly, when the film 1430 is pressed by the pressing portion 1540, a gap is prevented from being formed between the frame inclined surface 124 of the frame main portion 110 and the film 1430. Further, a float control member 1543 is provided in the pressing portion 1540, and the float control member 1543 controls the float of the film 1430 (described below) when the pressing portion 1540 presses the film 1430. The floating control member 1543 is installed on the outer circumference of the pressure elastic portion 1541, and controls floating of the film 1430 near the frame protrusion member 111.

The welding apparatus 1550 is an apparatus for welding the film 1430 to the frame protrusion member 111 of the frame body portion 110. The welding device 1550 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape so as to cover the entire frame protrusion member 111 of the frame main body portion 110 from above. The welding device 1550 thermally welds the film 1430 to the frame protrusion member 111 using the tip end portion (the lower end portion in fig. 20 a) as a heat generating portion.

The process of welding the film 1430 to the frame body portion 110 is described below.

In this welding process, the frame body part 110 is disposed within the substrate holding part 1521 of the base part 1520, and the film 1430 is evacuated by the vacuum apparatus 1530 (fig. 20 (a)). At this time, by cutting the film 1430 larger than the outer shape of the frame body portion 110, the film 1430 can be reliably welded to the frame body portion 110.

In fig. 20(a), for example, when a start switch (not shown) of the frame manufacturing apparatus 1510 is turned on, the vacuum apparatus 1530 descends (fig. 20 (b)). As shown in fig. 20(b), when the vacuum apparatus 1530 descends, the film 1430 contacts the frame protrusion member 111.

Then, the pressing part 1540 is lowered toward the base part 1520 (lower side in fig. 20 (c)), and the pressing inclined surface 1542 of the pressing part 1540 contacts the frame inclined surface 124 of the frame main part 110 via the film 1430 (state in fig. 20 (c)). When the pressurized portion 1540 contacts the film 1430 (including before and after actual contact), the application of vacuum by the vacuum 1530 is stopped, and the film 1430 can move. Accordingly, the film 1430 is pressed by the pressing portion 1540 and moves toward the center of the frame through-hole 123 of the frame main body portion 110.

In addition, as shown in fig. 20(c), a part of the film 1430 is pressed through the frame through-hole 123 until the part reaches a side where the frame inclined surface 124 (the lower frame inclined surface 124 of fig. 20 (c)) is provided, which is opposite to the frame inclined surface 124 on the side contacting the pressing portion 1540 (the upper frame inclined surface 124 of fig. 20 (c)). By pressing the film 1430 through the central portion of the frame through-hole 123, slack is generated in the central portion of the film 1430. By having such a slack, when ink is used and a small amount of ink is available (a state where the ink storage portion 120 is empty), the pair of upper and lower films 1430 can be attached together, and ink can be efficiently consumed. Optionally, the films 1430 may deform (e.g., shrink) due to the influence of the outer surroundings in which they are disposed. However, providing slack prevents damage to film 1430.

In addition, since the film 1430 is pressed by the pressing portion 1540, the thickness of the film 1430 does not change. For example, if welding is performed while heating and extending the films 1430 as a whole, the films 1430 can be welded in a shape conforming to the frame inclined surface 124, but the films 1430 will have irregularities in thickness, thereby reducing the structural strength of the films 1430. However, when these films 1430 are pressed by the pressing portion 1540, the inclination angle sandwiches the films between the pressing inclined surface 1542 and the frame inclined surface 124, and these inclined surfaces have substantially the same inclination angle. As described later, only the welding region outside the pressing portion 1540 is heated. Therefore, the thickness of the film 1430 does not change, and thickness irregularity is not generated. Accordingly, strength variation of the film 1430 and damage of the film 1430 can be prevented.

Here, the operation of the float control member 1543 will be described with reference to fig. 21. The float control member 1543 is arranged to control the float of the membrane 1430. For example, since the film 1430 is sandwiched between the pressing portion 1540 and the frame inclined surface 124, in the case where the float control member 1543 is not provided, the film 1430 may rise along the inclination angle α of the frame inclined surface 124. This phenomenon is due in part to the cessation of vacuum application by the vacuum 1530. However, if the application of vacuum by the vacuum apparatus 1530 is not stopped, there is also a problem in that the film 1430 cannot be smoothly moved. Thus, in the embodiment shown in fig. 21, the application of vacuum by the vacuum device 1530 is stopped, and a float control member 1543 is provided. If the film 1430 rises between the frame inclined surface 124 and the frame protrusion member 111, slack may be generated in the film 1430 and the film 1430 may not contact the frame protrusion member 111. Therefore, the film 1430 cannot be welded accurately. However, in the embodiment shown in fig. 21, by providing the floating control member 1543, the floating of the film 1430 can be controlled, and thus the film 1430 can be precisely welded.

Referring to fig. 20, when the film 1430 is pressed by the pressing portion 1540, the welding device 1550 descends in the direction of the frame projection member 111 of the frame main body portion 110 (lower side of fig. 20(d)), and the tip of the welding device 1550 contacts the tip (annular belt region) of the frame projection member 111 via the film 1430. Heat is transferred from the welding device 1550 to melt the frame protrusion member 111, and a region (annular welding region) of the film 1430 in contact with the frame protrusion member 111 is melted and heat welding is performed (fig. 20 (d)). As described above, the film 1430 is formed of a double layer of nylon and polyethylene, and the polyethylene film is disposed to contact the frame protrusion member 111. In addition, in order to weld the film 1430 to the frame protrusion member 111, the frame body portion 110 may also be formed of polyethylene resin. By using the same resin material for the film 1430 and the frame main body portion 110, the film 1430 can be reliably welded to the frame protrusion member 111. The nylon film has excellent strength compared to the polyethylene film, but the nylon film has a higher melting point and thus poor welding workability. Therefore, in the embodiment shown in fig. 20, the film 1430 has a double-layer structure of nylon and polyethylene, thus ensuring strength, and welding workability is ensured by using a polyethylene layer as a layer to be welded on the frame main body portion 110 and using a lower welding temperature. In addition, the nylon layer does not melt at the time of the welding operation, so that the variation in film thickness in the vicinity of the welded portion is small, and the film strength in the vicinity of the welded portion can also be maintained.

After completion of the thermal welding, the vacuum device 1530, the pressurizing part 1540, and the welding device 1550 are raised and returned to the positions shown in fig. 20 (a). Then, unnecessary portions of the film 1430 are cut off as necessary. In addition, at this time, a cooling process for cooling a portion where the film 1430 and the frame protrusion member 111 are welded together may be performed.

In addition, during the welding process, after the pressing part 1540 descends and the pressing inclined surface 1542 contacts the frame inclined surface 124, the vacuum apparatus 1530 is stopped. Thereafter, the welding device 1550 descends, and the film 1430 and the frame protrusion member 111 are thermally welded. However, when the film 1430 is inserted into the frame through-hole 123 to a smaller extent by the pressing inclined surface 1542 (when the capacity of the ink storage portion 120 is small), the vacuum 1530 may be stopped from applying vacuum after the welding device 1550 descends and performs thermal welding.

Here, the shape relationship between the film 1430 and the frame body portion 110 is explained. With the frame main body portion 110 of the embodiment shown in fig. 7, the ink storage portion 120 is formed in a substantially circular shape (see fig. 7 (a)). However, if the ink storage part 120 is formed in a square shape, wrinkles of the film 1430 are generated at four apex portions of the square shape. If the wrinkles of the film 1430 are generated and welded, the ink may remain in the wrinkled portion and may not be effectively consumed. However, in the above-described embodiment, the ink storage portion 120 is formed in a substantially circular shape, and therefore, it is difficult to form wrinkles in the film 1430, and even if wrinkles are formed in the film 1430, only small wrinkles are generated. Therefore, the ink cartridge 1 can efficiently consume ink. The ink storage portion 120 may also be formed in an elliptical shape. The ink storing portion 120 may be formed even in a square shape as long as the apex portion is formed in a smooth curve. That is, the shape of the ink storage portion 120 is not limited as long as it takes a shape that prevents wrinkles from being formed in the film 1430.

The film 1430 is welded to the frame body portion 110 on both sides of the frame body portion 110 (the film 1430 is welded to the lower side in fig. 20 (a)). The welding process is the same, and thus, description is omitted.

A method of manufacturing the frame 100 is explained below with reference to fig. 22. Fig. 22 shows a method of manufacturing the frame 100. In addition, the frame body part 110 shown in fig. 22 includes a film 1430 welded by a welding process.

First, as shown in fig. 22(a), the valve mechanism 530 is mounted on the ink supply portion 140 (valve mechanism insertion portion 1460 (see fig. 19)) of the frame main body portion 110. In fig. 22(a), the valve mechanism 530 has been assembled. In the embodiment shown in fig. 22(a), the joint member 610 is a single unit, the valve member 620, the first spring member 630, the slider member 640, and the second spring member 650 are integrated, and the base member 660, the check valve 670, and the cover member 680 are integrated. The process of assembling the valve mechanism 530 is explained below.

First, the filter 1420 is inserted into the ink flow channel 1410 (see fig. 19). In addition, a backflow prevention mechanism integrally equipped with the cover member 680, the check valve 670, and the base member 660 is pressed into the engagement portion 1450 (see fig. 19). As described above, the engagement portion 1450 in the ink supply portion 140 is formed to have an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cap member 680. Thus, cap member 680, check valve 670 and base member 660 are secured to engagement portion 1450. Thereafter, the unit in which the valve member 620, the first spring member 630, the slider member 640, and the second spring member 650 are integrally assembled is inserted into the valve mechanism insertion portion 1460, and finally the joint groove portion 740 of the joint member 610 is engaged with the ink supply portion 140, thereby completing the assembly of the valve mechanism 530. Before being inserted into the valve mechanism insertion portion 1460, the valve member 620, the first spring member 630, the slider member 640, and the second spring member 650 are integrated, and the base member 660, the check valve 670, and the cover member 680 are integrated. This process simplifies the installation process of the valve mechanism 530. In addition, as described above, the width of the joint groove portion 740 of the joint member 610 is formed slightly smaller than the thickness of the outer circumferential wall of the ink supply part 140, and therefore, the valve mechanism 530 cannot be easily removed when the valve mechanism 530 is mounted.

As shown in fig. 22(b), after the valve mechanism 530 is mounted on the ink supply part 140, the ink injection needle 1610 injects ink through the ink injection part 130.

In addition, in fig. 22(b), the joint member 610 is fixed to the ink supply part 140 while the joint groove portion 740 is engaged with the end of the ink supply part 140. Therefore, the ink supply flow passage of the ink supply portion 140 is completely closed together with the valve member 620 of the valve mechanism 530, and thus the injected ink does not leak from the ink supply portion 140. Thereafter, as shown in fig. 22(c), when ink is injected through the ink injection needle 1610, the ink injection plug 520 is pressed into the ink injection portion 130.

As shown in fig. 25(a), the ink filling plug 520 is formed of an elastic material. The insertion tip is formed in a converging conical shape conforming to the shape of the inner surface of the ink injecting section 130. The ink filling plug 520 is not initially inserted into the deepest portion of the ink filling portion 130, and the rear end surface is pressed to a position near the orifice end surface of the ink filling portion 130.

Therefore, in the deepest end of the ink injection portion 130, a space X is formed, which is connected to the ink storage portion 120 through the ink injection hole 121. In this state, the ink filling needle 1610 can pass through the ink filling stopper 520 so that the tip of the ink filling needle 1610 is located in the space X and ink can be introduced.

Once the ink is introduced and the amount of ink corresponding to the maximum holding capacity of the ink storage portion 120 has been injected, as shown in fig. 19, the pair of films 1430 extend outward from the surface of the frame edge portion 112 of the frame main portion 110. However, as described above, in the case side wall 230 of the case 200, the case curved portion 240 is formed to be outwardly curved. Accordingly, the outwardly extending film 1430 does not contact the inner surface of the case 200.

In addition, one reason for having the ink supply portion 130 and introducing ink through the ink supply portion 130 is that a backflow prevention mechanism having a check valve 670 is installed in the ink supply portion 140. The backflow prevention mechanism is arranged such that: when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the recording apparatus, the ink supplied to the recording apparatus does not flow back into the ink cartridge 1. However, due to the backflow preventing mechanism, ink cannot be introduced through the ink supply portion 140. Therefore, the ink injection portion 130 is exclusively arranged for ink introduction, and ink is injected through the ink injection portion 130.

The process of manufacturing the ink cartridge 1 will be described below with reference to fig. 23. Fig. 23 shows a process of manufacturing the ink cartridge 1.

As shown in fig. 23(a), an operation of mounting the frame 100 on the cap 300 is performed so that the pair of frame loose insertion members 141 of the ink supply portion 140 can be loosely inserted into the pair of cap guide grooves 361. At the same time, mounting is performed so that the pair of frame restricting portions 150 are disposed between the pair of cap restricting members 370 and are in contact with the pair of cap restricting members 370. The installation of the frame 100 is completed when the pair of frame joint members 142 are engaged with the pair of cap joint holes 362. As described with reference to fig. 6, when the pair of frame joint members 142 contact the pair of cap joint holes 362, it is possible to prevent easy removal of the frame 100. Meanwhile, the rotation of the frame 100 is restricted by the pair of frame restricting portions 150 and the pair of cap restricting members 370, and thus the frame 100 and the cap 300 can be mounted without any swing. That is, the frame 100 and the cap 300 are installed without a fixing operation by an adhesive or welding, and the pair of frame joint members 142 and the pair of cap joint holes 362 contact each other by mechanical engagement. Thus, the frame 100 can easily move relative to the cap 300 around the cylindrical cap joint portion 360. However, the rotation of the frame 100 is prevented by the pair of frame restricting portions 150 and the pair of cap restricting members 370. Therefore, the assembling operation can be simplified, and the rotation of the frame 100 can be prevented.

The ink supply portion 140 and the cap 300 are connected by the joint member 610, so that external vibration transmitted to the cap 300 is not directly transmitted to the frame 100 but is attenuated by the joint member 610.

When the frame 100 is mounted on the cap 300 as shown in fig. 23(b), the joint member 610 is located between the top end portion of the ink supply portion 140 and the cap bottom wall 310 of the cap 300. The joint member 610 is sandwiched between these components. That is, the cap 300 functions as a pressing member that fixes and presses the joint member 610 on the ink supply portion 140. The ink may be filled before the above-described mounting process is performed, but in order to reliably avoid leakage of ink from the ink supply portion 140 after insertion, the ink filling operation as shown in fig. 22(b) and (c) may be performed after the frame 100 is mounted on the cap 300 and the joint member 610 is strongly fixed to the ink supply portion 140.

As shown in fig. 23(b), when the frame 100 and the cap 300 are mounted, the housing 200 is mounted so as to cover the frame 100. In this state, the cap protrusion member 350 contacts the step (see fig. 24(a)) formed by the first aperture end surface 211 (see fig. 4) and the second aperture end surface 212 (see fig. 4) of the case 200.

As shown in fig. 23(c), when the cap 300 and the case 200 are mounted, the cap protrusion member 350 and the case 200 (the stepped surface between the first aperture end surface 211 and the second aperture end surface 212) may be welded from the bottom wall side of the cap 300 using an ultrasonic welding apparatus (not shown). The dotted line of fig. 23(c) corresponds to a position where the cap protrusion member 350 is formed, and the dotted line portion may be welded by ultrasonic welding.

Here, a process of welding the case 200 and the cap 300 will be described with reference to fig. 24. Fig. 24 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the ink cartridge 1 where the case 200 and the cap 300 can be welded. Fig. 24(a) shows a state before welding, and fig. 24(b) shows a state after welding.

Fig. 24(a) shows a state in which the cap protrusion member 350 of the cap 300 contacts the step formed by the first aperture end surface 211 and the second aperture end surface 212 of the housing 200, thereby making a part of the end surfaces notched. In fig. 24(a), a slight gap is formed between the cap sidewall 320 and the case sidewall 230 of the cap 300. In this state, ultrasonic waves are locally applied from the cap bottom wall 310 side of the cap 300 at a position corresponding to the cap protrusion member 350. Since ultrasonic welding is a well-known technique, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in fig. 24(b), when the case 200 and the cap 300 are welded by ultrasonic welding, the cap protrusion member 350 and the case aperture portion 210 of the case 200 are melted and welded together. Then, the first aperture end surface 211 and the second aperture end surface 212 are melted and disappear, and a part of the melted portion of the cap protrusion member 350, the first aperture end surface 211, and the second aperture end surface 212 is stored as melted chips X (burrs) in the gap between the case side wall 230 and the cap side wall 320. Therefore, by having a gap for storing the melting debris X between the cap sidewall 320 and the case sidewall 230, the melting debris X is not exposed to the outside, and the aesthetic appearance of the ink cartridge 1 is not impaired.

The housing 200 and the cap 300 are positioned by the step formed by the first and second aperture end faces 211, 212 and the cap projection member 350, so the gap between the cap side wall 320 and the housing side wall 230 can be substantially uniform over the entire circumference of the cap 300, and the molten debris X can be reliably stored in the gap.

As an alternative to the step of the case sidewall 230, an inclined surface may be formed and the corner of the cap protrusion member 350 can contact the inclined surface.

Here, the operation of the ink filling plug 520 when the housing 200 is mounted on the cap 300 is explained with reference to fig. 25. Fig. 25 shows a cross-sectional view of the ink-fill plug 520 during installation.

As shown in fig. 25(a), the inside of the ink injecting portion 130 is an ink injecting passage, and the ink injecting passage is formed by an injection inner peripheral portion 131. The tip (lower side of fig. 25 (a)) of the injection inner peripheral portion 131 extending deeper into the ink cartridge 1 than the ink injection hole 121 is formed in a hollow conical shape. This structure is provided because the ink storage portion 120 is formed by the frame inclined surface 124, and the deepest portion of the injected inner peripheral portion 131 becomes in a shape in conformity with the frame inclined surface 124. In addition, the tip of the ink filling plug 520 is formed in a convergent cone shape in a manner to match the shape of the filling inner peripheral portion 131. When the frame 100 is manufactured and ink filling is completed, the top end face of the ink filling plug 520 (the end face on the upper side of fig. 25 (a)) is arranged in substantially the same position as the outer end face of the ink filling portion 130 (the end face on the top side of fig. 25 (a)), and is not inserted into the deepest portion of the ink filling portion 130. As described above, this is to obtain the space X which communicates with the ink injection hole 121 and allows the ink to be injected into the deepest portion of the ink injection portion 130. (when the ink filling plug 520 is inserted into the deepest portion of the ink filling part 130, the space X allowing the ink filling hole 121 to pass is not provided, and thus the ink cannot be introduced by the ink filling needle 1610). Therefore, when the ink is introduced, there is a case where the ink I remains in the hollow conical space X located in the deepest portion of the injection inner peripheral portion 131.

As shown in fig. 25(b), when the case 200 is mounted on the cap 300, if the case 200 is pressed in the direction of the cap 300 (the state of fig. 23 (b)), the case protrusion member 260 contacts the ink filling plug 520, and the ink filling plug 520 is pushed by the case protrusion member 260. At this time, the ink remaining in the injection inner peripheral portion 131 is pushed by the ink injection plug 520. Accordingly, the ink flows from the ink injection hole 121 into the ink storage portion 120 (see fig. 19).

As shown in fig. 25(c), when the case 200 and the cap 300 are welded, the ink filling plug 520 fills the space X up to the deepest portion within the injection inner peripheral portion 131. Therefore, there is no ink injected into the inner peripheral portion 131, and all the ink I can be injected without waste. As described above, the ink filling plug 520 is pressed by the housing protrusion member 260. By pressing the ink filling plug 520 with the case protrusion member 260, the frame 100 is less likely to swing within the case 200.

In addition, the frame 100 is floatingly supported in a space inside the case 200 when the ink supply portion 140 and the ink injection portion 130 are connected with respect to the case 200. However, the frame 100 is connected on the ink supply portion 140 side by a joint member 610 formed of an elastic material, and is connected on the ink injection portion 130 side by an ink injection plug 520 formed of the same elastic material, so the frame 100 is supported in a space within the housing 200 in a vibration-damped state. Therefore, even in the case where an impact is applied to the housing 200, the vibration is attenuated by the elastic material and transmitted to the frame 100, and thus the influence of the external impact on the frame 100 can be reduced. Therefore, the joint member 610 and the ink filling plug 520 also function as a damper for suppressing the transmission of the vibration applied to the housing 200 to the frame 100. The number of parts is reduced as compared with an ink cartridge in which a dedicated damper member is arranged. In addition, since the case protrusion member 260 presses the ink filling plug 520, the ink filling plug 520 is prevented from slipping. Although the ink filling plug 520 is pressed into the deepest portion of the ink filling portion 130 by the housing protrusion member 260 when the housing 200 and the cap 300 are welded as described above. However, the ink filling plug 520 may be pushed to the deepest portion of the ink filling portion 130 immediately after the ink is filled (i.e., before the assembly of the housing 200 and the cap 300).

As described previously, the ink cartridge 1 is manufactured by introducing the ink I into the ink storage portion 120 of the frame 100, then placing the frame 100 in the case 200, and welding the case 200 and the cap 300. In the conventional ink cartridge, there is a case where ink is introduced from the outside of the case portion after the case is placed on the frame. In such a conventional ink cartridge, it is necessary to separately manufacture the frame and the case for ink cartridges storing different amounts and/or colors of ink. However, in the above embodiment, the upper case is placed after the ink is introduced into the ink storage portion 120 of the frame 100. Therefore, a single frame 100 can be shared. That is, even when a variety of housing shapes are required, a single frame 100 can be used. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the ink cartridge 1 can be reduced.

In addition, the ink cartridge 1 manufactured by the above process includes the ink filling part 130 and the ink filling stopper 520 at positions that cannot be visually detected from the outside. Therefore, the user is prevented from erroneously removing the ink filling plug 520 and the ink is prevented from being splashed.

Next, mounting of the ink cartridge 1 on the ink jet printer 1710 will be described with reference to fig. 26. Fig. 26 is a sectional view showing a process of mounting the ink cartridge 1 on the ink jet printer 1710. Fig. 26(a) shows a state before the ink cartridge 1 is mounted. Fig. 26(b) shows a state after the ink cartridge 1 is mounted. In addition, the ink cartridge 1 of fig. 26 is schematically shown, and thus the case 200 and the cap 300 are shown by solid lines, and the frame 100 is shown by broken lines.

As shown in fig. 26(a), in the mounting portion of the ink cartridge 1 where the ink jet printer 1710 is mounted, there is provided a hollow ink extraction tube 1720 which extends from the cap through hole 330 through the joint member 610 (see fig. 19) of the valve mechanism 530 inside the ink cartridge 1 and extracts the ink I from the ink cartridge 1. The ink suction tube 1720 is connected to a printhead (not shown) of the inkjet printer 1710 through a flow channel (not shown). An ink extraction tube 1720 protrudes (protrudes upward in fig. 26) from a mounting portion of the inkjet printer 1710. At the tip (upper side of fig. 26 (a)) of the ink extraction tube 1720, a concave ink extraction groove 1730 is provided. Due to these ink extraction grooves 1730, an ink flow channel is obtained even in the case where the ink extraction tube 1720 contacts the bottom surface of the valve member 620 (see fig. 19) of the valve mechanism 530.

As shown in fig. 26(a), in the mounting portion of the inkjet printer 1710, a pair of clamp members 1740 that project (project upward in fig. 26 (a)) and sandwich the ink suction tube 1720 are provided. At the top end (upper end in fig. 26 (a)) of the clamp member 1740, there are provided clamp engagement portions 1750, these clamp engagement portions 1750 projecting in directions opposite to each other and engaging the cap side walls 320. In addition, the clamp members 1740 have a flexible property in a direction (arrow D direction of fig. 26) separating from each other. When the ink cartridge 1 is mounted, the clamp member 1740 is pressed and bent in the arrow D direction by the cap bottom wall 310. The direction in which the ink cartridge 1 is mounted to the inkjet printer 1710 is determined by the positional relationship between the ink extraction tube 1720 and the cap through-hole 330.

As shown in fig. 26(b), when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the mounting portion of the ink jet printer 1710, the clip engaging portion 1750 of the clip member 1740 engages with the end portion of the cap side wall 320 of the cap 300, and the ink cartridge 1 is fixed. To remove the ink cartridge 1, the clamp engagement portion 1750 and one of the cap sidewalls 320 may be disengaged by sliding the clamp member 1740 in the direction of arrow D.

As described above, the cap sidewall 320 is arranged such that: the melt debris X (see fig. 24) generated during the welding of the case 200 and the cap 300 cannot be visually seen from the outside. In addition, the cap side wall 320 also serves as an engagement portion for attachably fixing the ink cartridge 1 to the ink jet printer 1710. Therefore, an engaging portion is not required to separately engage the clamp member 1740, so the structural complexity of the ink cartridge 1 can be reduced, and cost reduction can be achieved.

The operation of the valve mechanism 530 when inserting the ink extraction tube 1720 into the valve mechanism 530 is described below with reference to fig. 27. Fig. 27 shows the operation of the valve mechanism 530. Fig. 27(a) shows a state before the ink extraction tube 1720 is inserted. Fig. 27(b) shows a state where the ink suction tube 1720 is being inserted. Fig. 27(c) shows a state where the ink extraction tube 1720 has been completely inserted into the ink cartridge 1 (see fig. 26).

Fig. 27(a) shows a state before the ink cartridge 1 is mounted in the ink jet printer 1710. At this time, the valve member 620 is urged by the first and second spring members 630, 650 in a direction of contact with the joint member 610, i.e., in a direction parallel to the axis B. As shown in fig. 27(a), the first spring member 630 stored in the valve member 620 (and the slider member 640) is slightly bent. However, there is no deflection in the spring flexible portion 930 of the second spring member 650 disposed on the top (upper side of fig. 27(a)) of the slider member 640. This configuration determines the bending order of the spring members 630 and 650. That is, the first spring member 630, which has been slightly bent by the spring flexible portion 930, is more easily bent than the second spring member 650. Therefore, when the ink suction tube 1720 is inserted, the first spring member 630 is first bent, and then the second spring member 650 is bent.

The bending of the spring flexible portion 930 of the first spring member 630 is caused when the valve hook portion 850 of the valve member 620 engages the surface 1041 of the slider base portion 1040 of the slider member 640. The distance between the end surface on the inside of the valve bottom wall 810 of the valve member 620 and the end surface on the side of the valve bottom wall 810 of the valve hook portion 850 (see fig. 27(a)) is formed shorter than the total distance of the thickness of the slider base portion 1040 of the slider member 640, the vertical direction height of the first spring member 630, and the height of the valve protrusion portion 750. Thus, when the valve hook portion 850 of the valve member 620 engages the surface 1043 of the slider member 640, a bend is created in the spring flexible portion 930 of the first spring member 630. The height of the valve mechanism 530 in the direction of the axis B has dimensional errors during manufacturing of the respective components, and thus the larger the number of components, the larger the dimensional error. However, the slider member 640 contacts the valve hook portion 850 of the valve member 620, and thus dimensional errors at least in the first spring member 630 are insignificant. Therefore, a dimensional error in the valve mechanism 530 is reduced, and the telescopic operation of the valve mechanism 530 can be stabilized.

As shown in fig. 27(a), the inner diameter of the valve side wall 820 of the valve member 620 is formed substantially the same as the outer diameter of the slider outer peripheral wall 1010 of the slider member 640. Therefore, when the slider member 640 moves in the direction of the axis B of the valve mechanism 530, the generation of a deviation in the moving direction can be prevented. Further, the inner diameter of the slider outer peripheral wall 1010 is formed to be substantially the same as the outer diameter of the spring bottom 910 of each of the spring members 630 and 650. Therefore, in a state where the respective spring members 630, 650 are arranged on the slider base portion 1040 of the slider member 640, the possibility of the respective spring members 630, 650 being displaced in the direction perpendicular to the axis B (the horizontal direction of fig. 27 (a)) is reduced. The valve side wall 820 of the valve member 620 is formed in a shape substantially the same as the inner diameter shape of the ink supply part 140. Therefore, the valve member 620 can be prevented from being displaced when moving in the axis B direction, thereby making the telescopic operation of the valve mechanism 530 in the axis B direction more stable.

As shown in fig. 27(b), when the ink extraction tube 1720 is inserted into the joint member 610 and into the valve mechanism insertion portion 1460 of the ink supply portion 140, the valve member 620 is moved in the direction of the base member 660 (the upper direction of fig. 27 (b)) by the ink extraction tube 1720 contacting the valve bottom wall 810 of the valve member 620. Along with this movement, the first spring member 630 is compressed. However, when the ink suction tube 1720 is only partially inserted, only the first spring member 630 is bent and deformed due to the movement of the valve member 620, so the slider member 640 does not move, and the valve hook portion 850 of the valve member 620 is separated from the slider base portion 1040 of the slider member 640.

Upon further insertion of the ink extraction tube 1720, the valve member 620 moves further in the direction of the base member 660. Along with this movement, the slider member 640 moves in the direction of the base member 660 (the direction opposite to the urging direction of the first spring member 630 and the second spring member 650), and the flexible deformation of the second spring member 650 starts.

As shown in fig. 27(c), when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the mounting portion of the ink jet printer 1710, the second spring member 650 is elastically deformed, and an ink flow passage indicated by an arrow E is formed. The ink flow passage indicated by an arrow E is a flow passage which sequentially advances through the ink storing portion 120 (see fig. 19), the ink supply hole 122 (see fig. 19), the filter 1420 (see fig. 19) in the ink flow passage 1410, the cover through hole 1330 of the cover member 680, the first and second base through holes 1140 and 1150, the base through groove 1160, the ink flow passage 940 of the second spring member 650, the slider through hole 1050, the ink flow passage 940 of the first spring member 630, the flow passage formed between the first spring member 630 and the valve receiving portion 870, the ink flow passage 860 of the valve member 620, the flow passage through the ink extraction groove 1730 of the ink extraction tube 1720, and the ink extraction tube 1720. The flow channel becomes the main flow channel through which most of the ink flows. In addition, a space between the valve side wall 820 of the valve member 620 and the inner peripheral surface of the valve mechanism insertion portion 1460 also becomes an ink flow passage.

Of the main flow channel, a top flow channel 941 formed in the spring top 920 of the first spring member 630 and a top flow channel 941 formed in the spring top 920 of the second spring member 650 become the smallest cross section of the flow channel, and are portions where the flow channel can be easily closed due to the presence of bubbles included in the ink. However, as described above, the orifice of the top flow passage 941 is formed in a substantially square shape, so this problem can be avoided.

The operation of the joint member 610 when the ink extraction tube 1720 is inserted into the joint member 610 will be described with reference to fig. 28. Fig. 28 illustrates the operation of the joint member 610. Fig. 28(a) shows a state before the insertion of the ink extraction tube 1720, and fig. 28(b) shows a state after the insertion of the ink extraction tube 1720.

As shown in fig. 28(a), in a state before insertion of the ink extraction tube 1720, the joint projection portion 750 projects in a substantially horizontal direction (a direction perpendicular to the axis B), and the stepped surface 732 is substantially horizontal. Additionally, the diameter of tip portion 734 of joint contact portion 730 is shown by b.

As shown in fig. 28(b), when the ink extraction tube 1720 is inserted into the projection portion flow passage 762 from the orifice 722 through the tapered portion flow passage 761, the joint projection portion 750 moves (moves within the projection portion flow passage 762) in the insertion direction (the upward direction of fig. 28 (b)) of the ink extraction tube 1720. The joint protrusion 750 is dragged by the ink extraction tube 1720 due to friction between the inner peripheral surface 751 and the ink extraction tube 1720. At this time, the joint contact portion 730 has a structure of being cut in a base shape due to the inner peripheral surface 733 and the stepped surface 732. Therefore, the movement of the joint protrusion portion 750 in the insertion direction by the ink extraction tube 1720 is not directly transmitted to the tip end portion 734 of the joint contact portion 730. Therefore, as shown in fig. 28(b), the tip end portion 734 of the joint contact portion 730 hardly moves in the insertion direction, and the tip end portion 734 of the joint contact portion 730 slightly moves in the direction (arrow F direction) of separating from the ink suction tube 1720. The diameter of the joint contact portion 730 in this state is shown by b1 and is slightly larger than the diameter b of fig. 28 (a). That is, the shape change accompanying the insertion of the ink suction tube 1720 into the joint member 610 is a shape change in which the joint contact portion 730 moves in the arrow F direction. If there is no stepped surface 732 at the boundary between the joint contact portion 730 and the joint contact portion 750 and the joint contact portion 730 has a shape with a surface gently inclined from the inner peripheral surface 751 of the joint contact portion 750 toward the tip end portion 734 of the joint contact portion 730, when the joint contact portion 750 is deformed to move in the insertion direction of the ink extraction tube 1720 by the ink extraction tube 1720, the deformation of the joint contact portion 750 will be directly transmitted to the joint contact portion 730. The joint contact portion 730 will then move in the insertion direction together with the joint protrusion portion 750. Therefore, the insertion stroke of the ink extraction tube 1720 for forming an ink flow path between the valve member 620 (see fig. 27) and the joint contact portion 730 will be long. In such a configuration, it would be necessary to make the extraction tube 1720 longer. If the extraction tube 1720 is too long, it may contact other components, thereby easily damaging those components. However, in the embodiment shown in fig. 28, the joint contact portion 730 moves in a direction (arrow F direction) substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction of the ink extraction tube 1720, and thus a long stroke is not required to form the ink flow channel. Therefore, the possibility that the ink suction tube 1720 contacts other members and causes the damage can be reduced.

The feeling accompanying the mounting of the ink cartridge 1 will be described with reference to fig. 29. Fig. 29 is a graph showing the feeling when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted. The horizontal axis of fig. 29 shows the movement distance (stroke) when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted. The vertical axis of fig. 29 is a load generated when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted.

As shown in fig. 29, when the ink cartridge 1 starts to be mounted and the ink suction tube 1720 contacts the valve member 620, the load rapidly increases. Then, as the spring flexible portion 930 of the first spring member 630 starts to be elastically deformed, the load is rapidly reduced. This state change is at point c in fig. 29 (an intermediate state between fig. 27 a and 27 b).

Thereafter, if the ink cartridge 1 continues to be mounted, the elastic deformation of the first spring member 630 is completed, and the elastic deformation of the second spring member 650 is started. At this point, the load again rapidly increases. This state is shown by point d in fig. 29.

Thus, by having respective spring members 630, 650, there is a two-stage load variation. Therefore, the person who mounts the ink cartridge 1 can feel that this mounting of the ink cartridge 1 is accurately performed. This load variation is referred to as "feel". Therefore, the user can confirm whether the ink cartridge 1 is accurately mounted by the tactile sensation without visual inspection.

In addition, also the load varies when the ink cartridge 1 is detached. As shown in fig. 29, this change is shown by a load curve at the time of disassembly of the ink cartridge 1. When the ink cartridge 1 starts to be detached, the load is high because there is an elastic force that returns the respective spring members 630, 650 to their original state, but as the detachment of the ink cartridge continues, the load variation becomes smooth.

The inclination angle α (see fig. 21) of the frame inclined surface 124 of the frame main body portion 110 is explained with reference to fig. 30. Fig. 30 is a graph showing a relationship among the inclination angle α of the frame inclined surface 124, the remaining ink amount, and the storage capacity. The horizontal axis of fig. 30 (the horizontal direction of fig. 30) shows the inclination angle α of the frame inclined surface 124, and the vertical axis of fig. 30 (the vertical direction of fig. 30) shows the remaining ink amount (the vertical axis on the left side of fig. 30) and the storage capacity (the vertical axis on the right side of fig. 30). The black dots of fig. 30 show the remaining ink amount, and the black squares show the storage capacity.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 19, the frame inclined surface 124 is formed in a linear shape in a sectional view. This structure is provided to efficiently consume the ink and reduce the remaining amount of the ink stored in the ink storage portion 120. That is, when the frame inclined surface 124 is formed in a curved shape in a cross-sectional view, the film 1430 may not accurately contact the frame inclined surface 124 when the ink containing amount is small. Therefore, a slight gap is left between the frame inclined surface 124 and the film 1430, and ink is stored in the gap.

In addition, the frame inclination angle α of the frame inclined surface 124 is set at an angle at which a large ink storage amount can be obtained and the remaining ink amount can be reduced. In the above embodiment, the frame inclination angle α is set to 30 °. For the ink cartridge 1, the minimum allowable storage capacity is determined. The storage capacity was 23 ml (hereinafter referred to as "ml"), which is shown as a broken straight line f1 in FIG. 30. As shown in fig. 30, it is preferable that the inclination angle α of the frame inclined surface 124 is formed to be 27 ° or more from the viewpoint of minimum storage capacity.

In addition, a target value of the maximum allowable remaining amount is determined for the remaining ink amount. The target value was 1.5ml or less. This target value is shown as the dashed straight line f2 in fig. 30. From the viewpoint of the remaining ink amount, it is preferable that the inclination angle α of the frame inclined surface 124 is formed to be 34 ° or less.

As shown in fig. 30, the storage capacity becomes large in proportion to the large inclination angle α. However, the remaining ink amount rapidly increases when the value of the inclination angle α is greater than 30 °. According to this analysis, the optimum inclination angle α of the frame inclined surface 124 is 30 °.

In addition, the inclination angle α is preferably 27 ° or more in terms of storage capacity. However, in consideration of the remaining ink amount, it is preferable that the inclination angle α be in the range e of 28 ° to 34 °. Any inclination angle a set within this range will be suitable.

In the above-described embodiment, the frame 100, the case 200, and the cap 300 are formed of a resin material. The valve mechanism 530 is also formed of a resin material. Since a metal material is not used as a structural element of the ink cartridge 1, disposal can be performed by burning the ink cartridge 1. For example, in an ink cartridge in which the urging members (e.g., the respective spring members 630, 650) of the valve mechanism are formed of metal, the ink cartridge needs to be disassembled at the time of disposal, and the urging members need to be disassembled. This additional step increases disposal costs. Since the structural elements of the ink cartridge 1 are combustible, disposal costs can be reduced.

The ink cartridge 2 will be described with reference to fig. 31. In the ink cartridge 1, the ink filling plug 520 is formed in a substantially conical shape at its tip end portion (see fig. 19). Meanwhile, in the ink cartridge 2, the injection inner circumferential portion 1830 of the ink injection portion 1820 of the frame 1810 is formed as a substantially hollow cylindrical groove. Meanwhile, the ink injection plug 1840 to be inserted into the injection inner peripheral portion 1830 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. Portions of the ink cartridge 2 corresponding to the same portions of the ink cartridge 1 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

Fig. 31 is a sectional view of the ink cartridge 2. As shown in fig. 31, with the ink cartridge 2, the injection inner peripheral portion 1830 of the ink injection portion 1820 of the frame 1810 is shaped as a substantially hollow cylindrical groove. The ink injection hole 121 is connected to an end (lower side of fig. 31) of the deepest portion of the injection inner peripheral portion 1830 opposite to the orifice portion (upper side of fig. 31). The ink injection plug 1840 inserted into the injection inner peripheral portion 1830 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. Therefore, when the housing 200 is mounted on the cap 300 and the ink injection plug 1840 is pushed by the housing protrusion member 260, the outer surface of the ink injection plug 1840 contacts the inner surface of the injection inner peripheral portion 1830 without any gap. That is, the connection between the injection inner peripheral portion 1830 and the ink injection hole 121 is blocked by the ink injection plug 1840.

Therefore, in the same manner as in the ink cartridge 1, the ink pouring plug 1840 is pushed by the case protrusion member 260 when the case 200 is mounted on the cap 300. Therefore, the process of manufacturing the ink cartridge 2 can be simplified. In addition, by pressing the ink plug 1840 with the case protrusion member 260, the swing of the frame 1810 can be reduced. In addition, in the same manner as in the ink cartridge 1, even in the case where an impact is applied to the case 200, the impact is mitigated by being transmitted to the frame 1810. Accordingly, the frame 1810 can be protected from external impact. In addition, housing protrusion member 260 also serves to prevent ink plug 1840 from slipping as housing protrusion member 260 presses against ink plug 1840.

As shown in fig. 31, for the ink fill plug 1840, the portion contacting the housing protrusion member 260 includes a plug groove portion 1850. The plug groove portion 1850 is a concave groove, and the diameter of the groove is formed substantially the same as that of the case protrusion member 260. When the ink fill plug 1840 is pressed by the housing protrusion member 260, the tip of the housing protrusion member 260 engages the plug groove portion 1850. Thus, the likelihood that the position of ink plug 1840 contacting housing protrusion member 260 will shift and frame 1810 will tilt is reduced. When the frame 1810 is tilted, the load applied to the joint member 610 varies, and ink may leak. Plug groove portion 1850 prevents such ink leakage.

The ink cartridge 3 will be described with reference to fig. 32. In the ink cartridge 1, the valve member 620 is urged in the joint member 610 direction by the elastic forces of the first spring member 630 and the second spring member 650, thereby closing the ink flow passage (see fig. 27 (a)). In the ink cartridge 3, however, the valve member 1930 is urged in the direction of the joint member 610 by the elastic force of the coil spring member 1940 formed of a metal material or a resin material, and closes the ink flow passage. Portions of the ink cartridge 3 corresponding to the same portions of the ink cartridge 1 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

Fig. 32 shows a cross-sectional view of the ink supply portion 1910 of the ink cartridge 3. Fig. 32(a) shows a state before the insertion of the ink extraction tube 1720 (see fig. 26), and fig. 32(b) shows a state after the insertion of the ink extraction tube 1720.

As shown in fig. 32, with the valve mechanism 1920, between the base bottom 1110 of the base member 660 engaged with the engaging portion 1450 and the valve member 1930 that closes the ink flow passage by contacting the joint contact portion 730 of the joint member 610, there is disposed a coil spring member 1940, which is formed of a substantially conical coil spring.

The valve member 1930 is formed in a substantially circular flat plate shape. Valve through holes 1950 are formed, and these valve through holes 1950 become ink flow channels in the vicinity of the peripheral portion. Although not shown, six valve through holes 1950 are formed substantially uniformly around the circumference of the valve member 1930. The diameter of the valve member 1930 is formed substantially the same as the inner diameter of the valve mechanism insertion portion 1960. Thus, the likelihood of tilting of the valve member 1930 is reduced as the valve member 1930 moves vertically. Specifically, when the ink cartridge 3 is detached from the inkjet printer 1710 (see fig. 26), if the valve member 1930 is inclined, the position at which the joint contact portion 730 contacts the joint member 610 changes, and ink may leak. However, in the ink cartridge 3, the possibility of the valve member 1930 tilting and moving is reduced, and therefore the possibility of ink leakage is reduced.

The coil spring member 1940 is a conical wound coil spring. The large diameter side (upper side in fig. 32) contacts the base bottom 1110 of the base member 660, and the small diameter side (lower side in fig. 32) contacts the valve member 1930. The pitch g is formed substantially the same for this coil spring member 1940 in the extending direction (vertical direction in fig. 32). In addition, the coil spring member 1940 of the ink cartridge 3 is formed of four coil springs. The first to fourth turns show a gradual change from a large diameter to a small diameter. The inner diameter of the first ring is formed larger than the outer diameter of the second ring. The inner diameter of the second ring is formed larger than the outer diameter of the third ring. The inner diameter of the third turn is formed larger than the outer diameter of the fourth turn. That is, the coil spring is used such that the inner diameter of the nth turn is larger than the outer diameter of the (n +1) th turn.

As for the coil spring member 1940, the valve member 1930 can be urged in the direction of the joint member 610 (downward direction in fig. 32), and therefore the coil spring member 1940 may also be arranged such that: the small diameter contacts the base bottom 1110 of the base member 660 and the large diameter contacts the valve member 1930.

As shown in fig. 32(b), when the ink extraction tube 1720 is inserted into the valve mechanism insertion portion 1960, the valve member 1930 is pushed by the ink extraction tube 1720 in the base member 660 direction (upward direction in fig. 32 (b)), and the coil spring member 1940 is compressed. Fig. 32(b) shows a state in which the ink cartridge 3 is mounted on the inkjet printer 1710 (see fig. 26) and the inner diameter of the nth loop is formed larger than the outer diameter of the (n +1) th loop. Thus, the second to fourth turns are accommodated within the first turn. That is, the inclination of the cone when uncompressed is set at such an inclination that the first to fourth coils do not interfere in the compression direction when compressed. Therefore, when the ink extraction tube 1720 is inserted into the valve mechanism insertion portion 1960 and the valve member 1930 is pushed in the base member 660 direction, the coil spring member 1940 is compressed and compacted to such an extent that the thickness in this direction becomes substantially the same as the coil diameter. Therefore, compared with a valve mechanism formed of a plurality of members or a valve mechanism in which a coil spring is formed in a cylindrical shape, the length of the ink supply portion 1910 can be shortened, and the ink cartridge 3 can be made smaller. In addition, since only one coil spring member 1940 needs to be used as the urging member, the structure of the valve mechanism 1920 can be simplified.

The ink flow path in a state where the ink cartridge 3 is mounted on the ink jet printer 1710 is shown by an arrow G. The ink flow channel is formed by a cap through hole 1330 of the cap member 680, a second base through hole 1150 of the base member 660, a valve through hole 1950 of the valve member 1930, and an ink extraction tube 1720, in this order.

The ink cartridge 4 will be described with reference to fig. 33. In the ink cartridge 1, the valve member 620 is urged in the joint member 610 direction by the elastic forces of the first spring member 630 and the second spring member 650, and closes the ink flow passage. In the ink cartridge 4, the valve member 1930 is urged in the direction of the joint member 610 by the elastic force of the coil spring member 2040, and closes the ink flow passage. Portions of the ink cartridge 4 corresponding to the same portions of the ink cartridge 1 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted. The valve member 1930 provided in the ink cartridge 4 is the same as the valve member 1930 of the ink cartridge 3, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

Fig. 33 shows a cross-sectional view of the ink supply portion 2010 of the ink cartridge 4. Fig. 33(a) shows a state before the insertion of the ink extraction tube 1720, and fig. 33(b) shows a state after the insertion of the ink extraction tube 1720.

As shown in fig. 33, with the valve mechanism 2020 of the ink cartridge 4, the coil spring member 2040 includes a coil spring formed of a substantially cylindrical portion and a substantially conical portion, and is arranged between the base bottom 1110 of the base member 660 engaged with the engaging portion 1450 and the valve member 1930 that closes the ink flow passage by contacting the joint contact portion 730 of the joint member 610.

The helical spring member 2040 is a wound coil. Both end portions of the coil spring member 2040 in the extending direction (vertical direction of fig. 33 (a)) are formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and the middle portion is formed in a substantially conical shape. As for the coil spring member 2040, a portion having a larger diameter (upper side of fig. 33 (a)) contacts the base bottom 1110 of the base member 660, and a portion having a smaller diameter (lower side of fig. 33 (a)) contacts the valve member 1930. The pitch g is substantially the same for the coil spring members 2040 in the extending direction (vertical direction in fig. 33). In addition, the helical spring member 2040 includes five helical coils. The first through fifth turns are shown starting with the larger diameter turn and proceeding to the smaller diameter turn. The diameters of the first and second turns are approximately the same size. The inner diameters of the first and second turns are formed larger than the outer diameter of the third turn. The inner diameter of the third turn is formed larger than the outer diameter of the fourth turn. In addition, the diameters of the fourth and fifth turns are formed substantially the same. That is, the second to fourth turns are formed in a substantially conical shape, and the inner diameter of the nth turn is larger than the outer diameter of the (n +1) th turn for the second to fourth turns.

Further, the valve member 1930 is urged toward the joint member 610 (downward direction in fig. 33) with respect to the coil spring member 2040. Thus, the portion having the larger diameter can contact the base bottom 1110 of the base member 660, and the portion having the smaller diameter can contact the valve member 1930.

As shown in fig. 33(b), when the ink extraction tube 1720 is inserted into the valve mechanism insertion portion 2060, the valve member 1930 is pushed in the base member 660 direction (the upper direction in fig. 33 (b)). Fig. 33(b) shows a state where the ink cartridge 4 is mounted on the ink jet printer 1710 (see fig. 26). From the second to fourth turns, the inner diameter of the nth turn is larger than the outer diameter of the (n +1) th turn, so that the third and fourth turns are accommodated within the second turn. Thereby, when the ink extraction tube 1720 is inserted into the valve mechanism insertion portion 2060 and the valve member 1930 is pushed in the base member 660 direction, the coil spring member 2040 is compressed compactly, so that the thickness in this direction becomes approximately three times the diameter of this winding coil. Therefore, compared with a valve mechanism formed of a plurality of members or a valve mechanism in which a coil spring is formed in a cylindrical shape, the length of the ink supply portion 2010 in the extending direction is shortened, and the ink cartridge 4 can be made smaller. In addition, in the ink cartridge 4, since only one coil spring member 2040 is used as the pressing member, the structure of the valve mechanism 2020 can be simplified.

The ink flow path in a state where the ink cartridge 4 is mounted on the ink jet printer 1710 is shown by an arrow H. The ink flow channel is formed by a cap through hole 1330 of the cap member 680, a second base through hole 1150 of the base member 660, a valve through hole 1950 of the valve member 1930, and an ink extraction tube 1720, in this order.

The ink cartridge 5 will be described with reference to fig. 34. In the ink cartridge 3, the base member 660 and the cover member 680 are engaged with the engagement portion 1450. In the ink cartridge 5, one end of the coil spring member 1940 contacts the filter stopper member 2170 for suppressing the sliding of the filter 1420. Portions of the ink cartridge 5 corresponding to the same portions of the ink cartridge 3 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

Fig. 34 is a sectional view of the ink supply portion 2110 of the ink cartridge 5.

As shown in fig. 34, the valve mechanism 2120 of the ink cartridge 5 includes a valve member 1930, a coil spring member 1940, and a filter stopper member 2170, and the filter stopper member 2170 contacts one end side of the coil spring member 1940 and is urged in the direction of the filter 1420 (upward direction in fig. 34).

The filter stopper member 2170 is formed in a substantially circular flat plate shape. Stopper through holes 2180 are formed, and these stopper through holes 2180 become ink flow passages in the vicinity of the outer peripheral portion of the filter stopper member 2170. Although not shown, six stopper through holes 2180 are substantially formed around the circumference of the filter stopper member 2170. The outer diameter of the filter stopper member 2170 is formed substantially the same as the inner diameter of the valve mechanism insertion portion 2160, and therefore, the positional deviation of the filter stopper member 2170 can be prevented. In addition, it is also possible to make the outer diameter of the filter stopper member 2170 have a larger diameter than the inner diameter of the valve mechanism insertion portion 2160. In addition, the filter stopper member 2170 may be fixed.

As shown in fig. 34, the filter stopper member 2170 is constantly urged by the coil spring member 1940, so that the filter 1420 does not slide into the valve mechanism insertion portion 2160. Accordingly, dust and/or foreign substances can be effectively removed by the filter 1420. The valve mechanism 2120 includes the filter stopper member 2170, the coil spring member 1940, and the valve member 1930, and thus the structure of the ink cartridge 5 can be simplified.

The ink cartridge 6 will be described with reference to fig. 35. In the ink cartridge 1, the valve mechanism 530 includes a joint member 610, a valve member 620, a first spring member 630, a slider member 640, a second spring member 650, a base member 660, a check valve 670, and a cover member 680. In the ink cartridge 6, a valve member 1930 is provided, which does not include the slider member 640, and has a different shape. The valve member 1930 of the ink cartridge 6 is the same as the valve member 1930 of the ink cartridge 3, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted. Portions of the ink cartridge 6 corresponding to the same portions of the ink cartridge 1 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

Fig. 35 shows a cross-sectional view of the ink supply portion 140 of the ink cartridge 6. Fig. 35(a) shows a state before the insertion of the ink extraction tube 1720, and fig. 35(b) shows a state after the insertion of the ink extraction tube 1720.

As shown in fig. 35(a), with the valve mechanism 2220 of the ink cartridge 6, between the base bottom 1110 of the base member 660 engaged with the engaging portion 1450 and the valve member 1930 that closes the ink flow passage by contacting the joint contact portion 730 of the joint member 610, there are disposed a first spring member 2240 and a second spring member 2250, which are formed of a resin material having elasticity, such as rubber.

The first spring member 2240 is formed of the same material as the first spring member 630 of the ink cartridge 1, and has the same shape as the first spring member 630. The structure of the first spring member 2240 includes a ring-shaped spring bottom 910 forming a bottom surface (end having a large diameter) of the first spring member 2240, a ring-shaped spring top 920 having a diameter smaller than that of the spring bottom 910 and forming a top surface (end having a smaller diameter) of the first spring member 2240, and a hollow conical spring flexible portion 930 connecting the spring top 920 and the spring bottom 910 and flexibly deforming when a load is applied. The ink flow passage 940 is also provided in the first spring member 2240, and includes a top flow passage 941 which becomes the inner peripheral surface of the spring top 920, a flexible portion flow passage 942 which becomes the inner peripheral surface of the spring flexible portion 930, and a bottom flow passage 943 which becomes the inner peripheral surface of the spring bottom 910.

The second spring member 2250 is formed of the same material as the first spring member 2240, and has the same shape (different outer dimensions) as the first spring member 2240, and includes a spring bottom 910, a spring top 920, a spring flexible portion 930, and ink flow passages 940 (a top flow passage 941, a flexible portion flow passage 942, a bottom flow passage 943). The second spring member 2250 is disposed opposite and symmetrically to the first spring member 2240 in the vertical direction.

As shown in fig. 35, the respective spring tops 920 of the first and second spring members 2240 and 2250 contact each other, and the spring bottom 910 is arranged in such a way as to contact a respective one of the base bottom 1110 of the base member 660 and the valve member 1930. The side of the spring bottom 910 contacts the inner wall of the ink supply part 140 having a hollow cylindrical shape, thereby restricting movement in the diameter direction. The contact surface of each spring top 920 may be fixed (e.g., welded). The outer diameter of the spring bottom 910 is formed to have substantially the same diameter as the inner diameter of the valve mechanism insertion portion 1460, thus reducing the possibility of positional deviation of the respective spring members 2240, 2250.

As shown in fig. 35(b), when the ink extraction tube 1720 is inserted into the valve mechanism insertion portion 1460, the valve member 1930 is pushed in the base member 660 direction (the upper direction of fig. 35 (b)). Fig. 35(b) shows a state where the ink cartridge 6 is mounted on the ink jet printer 1710 (see fig. 26). In fig. 35(b), the spring flexible portions 930 of the first and second spring members 2240 and 2250 are elastically deformed.

At this time, when the first and second spring members 2240 and 2250 are elastically deformed, the side of the spring bottom 910 having the largest diameter contacts the inner wall of the ink supply part 140, and thus movement in the diameter direction is restricted. Therefore, the axis line that would be easily generated by the elastic deformation is prevented from swinging.

The ink flow path in a state where the ink cartridge 6 is mounted on the ink jet printer 1710 is shown by an arrow J. The ink flow channel is formed by the cap through hole 1330 of the cap member 680, the second base through hole 1150 of the base member 660, the ink flow channel 940 of each spring member 2240, 2250, the ink flow channel of the valve through hole 1950 of the valve member 1930, and the ink sucking tube 1720, in this order.

The ink cartridge 7 will be described with reference to fig. 36. In the ink cartridge 1, the valve member 620 is urged in the joint member 610 direction by the elastic forces of the first spring member 630 and the second spring member 650, and closes the ink flow passage (see fig. 27 (a)). In the ink cartridge 7, the valve member 1930 is urged in the direction of the joint member 610 by the elastic force of the spring member 2340 formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and closes the ink flow passage. Portions of the ink cartridge 7 corresponding to the same portions of the ink cartridge 1 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted. Since the valve member 1930 of the ink cartridge 7 is the same as the valve member 1930 of the ink cartridge 3, the description thereof is omitted.

Fig. 36 is a sectional view of the ink supply portion 140 of the ink cartridge 7. Fig. 36(a) shows a state before the ink extraction tube 1720 is inserted. Fig. 36(b) shows a state after the ink suction tube 1720 is inserted.

As shown in fig. 36, with the valve mechanism 2320 of the ink cartridge 7, between the base bottom 1110 of the base member 660 engaged with the engaging portion 1450 and the valve member 1930 that closes the ink flow passage by contacting the joint contact portion 730 of the joint member 610, a spring member 2340 is arranged, which is formed of a resin material having elasticity, such as rubber, and has a substantially hollow cylindrical shape.

For the spring member 2340, two spring ends 2350 are formed on respective ends (upper and lower sides of fig. 36) of the spring member 2340, which include a spring end contacting the base bottom 1110 of the base member 660 and a spring end contacting the valve member 1930. Between the two spring ends 2350, a spring flexible portion 2360 is formed, which is bent to deform when a load is applied. The spring flexible portion 2360 is formed to be thinner than the spring end 2350, and thus the spring flexible portion 2360 is weaker in strength. The spring flexible portion 2360 is bent and deformed while the spring member 2340 is elastically deformed. In addition, the outer diameter of each spring end 2350 is formed to be substantially the same as the inner diameter of the valve mechanism insertion portion 1460, thus reducing the likelihood of positional deviation of the spring member 2340.

As shown in fig. 36(b), when the ink extraction tube 1720 is inserted into the valve mechanism insertion portion 1460, the valve member 1930 is pushed in the base member 660 direction (the upper direction of fig. 36 (b)). Fig. 36(b) shows a state where the ink cartridge 7 is mounted on the ink jet printer 1710 (see fig. 26), and shows a state where the spring flexible portion 2360 is elastically deformed. The spring flexible portions 2360 are alternately elastically deformed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the extending direction (vertical direction of fig. 36).

In addition, the ink flow path in a state where the ink cartridge 7 is mounted on the ink jet printer 1710 is shown by an arrow K. The ink flow channel is formed by the cap through hole 1330 of the cap member 680, the second base through hole 1150 of the base member 660, the hollow interior of the spring member 2340, the valve through hole 1950 of the valve member 1930, and the ink sucking tube 1720, in this order.

The ink cartridge 8 will be described with reference to fig. 37. In the ink cartridge 1, the valve mechanism 530 includes a joint member 610, a valve member 620, a first spring member 630, a slider member 640, a second spring member 650, a base member 660, a check valve 670, and a cover member 680. In the ink cartridge 8, a valve member 2430 is provided, which does not include the slider member 640, and has a different shape. Portions of the ink cartridge 8 corresponding to the same portions of the ink cartridge 1 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

Fig. 37 shows a cross-sectional view of the ink supply portion 140 of the ink cartridge 8. Fig. 37(a) shows a state before the insertion of the ink extraction tube 1720, and fig. 37(b) shows a state after the insertion of the ink extraction tube 1720.

As shown in fig. 37(a), with the valve mechanism 2420 of the ink cartridge 8, between the base bottom 1110 of the base member 660 engaged with the engaging portion 1450 and the valve member 2430 that closes the ink flow passage by contacting the joint member 2470, there are disposed the first spring member 2440 and the second spring member 2450, which are formed of a resin material having elasticity such as rubber.

Valve member 2430 is described with reference to fig. 38. Fig. 38 shows valve member 2430. Fig. 38(a) is a side view of valve member 2430. Fig. 38(b) is a top view of valve member 2430. Fig. 38(c) is a bottom view of the valve member 2430. Fig. 38(d) is a sectional view of the valve member 2430 shown in fig. 38 (b).

As shown in fig. 38(a), the valve member 2430 includes a valve bottom 2431 forming a bottom wall of the valve member 2430 (lower side of fig. 38 (a)), a valve outer peripheral portion 2432 forming an outer peripheral wall of the valve member 2430, a valve groove portion 2433 extending from a tip end surface of the valve outer peripheral portion 2432 (end surface of top side of fig. 38 (a)) toward the valve bottom 2431, and a valve protrusion portion 2434 protruding from the valve bottom 2431 to a side opposite to the valve outer peripheral portion 2432 (lower direction of fig. 38 (a)).

As shown in fig. 38(b), the valve groove portions 2433 are formed at four locations of the valve outer peripheral portion 2432, and are formed at substantially the same intervals around the circumference of the valve outer peripheral portion 2432. As shown in fig. 38(c), a valve protrusion portion 2434 is formed on an outer edge portion of the valve bottom 2431. When the valve protrusion portion 2434 contacts the joint member 2470 (see fig. 37), the ink flow passage is closed.

As shown in fig. 38(b), valve receiving portions 2435 are formed in the valve member 2430, and these valve receiving portions 2435 protrude from the valve outer peripheral portion 2432 toward the center of the valve member 2430. The valve receiving portion 2435 is formed around the circumference of the valve member 2430 in an intermediate position between the valve groove portions 2433 and receives the first spring member 2440. The valve receiving portion 2435 receives the first spring member 2440 by contacting the spring top 920 of the first spring member 2440. The valve receiving portion 2435 includes valve control surfaces 2436 and valve receiving surfaces 2437, the valve control surfaces 2436 controlling the deflection of the first spring member 2440 by contacting the sides of the spring top 920, the valve receiving surfaces 2437 receiving the spring top 920 by contacting the orifice surface of the top flow passage 941 of the spring top 920.

As shown in fig. 38(d), for the valve receiving portion 2435, the valve control surface 2436 is formed in a substantially middle position in the height direction (vertical direction of fig. 38 (d)) of the valve receiving portion 2435. Valve receiving surface 2437 is formed substantially parallel to valve bottom 2431. Therefore, the first spring member 2440 can be received without being swung.

Returning to fig. 37(a), the joint member 2470 includes a joint outer circumferential portion 2471 that forms an outer circumferential wall of the joint member 2470 and is exposed to the outside of the ink supply portion 140, a joint inner circumferential portion 2472 that is accommodated within the ink supply portion 140, a joint engaging portion 2473 that is formed between the joint inner circumferential portion 2472 and the joint outer circumferential portion 2471 and engages with the outer circumferential wall of the ink supply portion 140, and a joint insertion portion 2474 that is formed in the joint inner circumferential portion 2472 and into which the ink extraction tube 1720 is inserted. The joint member 2470 is formed of an elastic material such as rubber, and closes the ink flow passage when the joint inner peripheral portion 2472 contacts the valve protrusion portion 2434 of the valve member 2430.

In addition, the top surface of the joint inner peripheral portion 2472, which contacts the valve protrusion portion 2434, is a flat surface.

As shown in fig. 37(a), with the valve mechanism 2420 of the ink cartridge 8, between the base bottom 1110 of the base member 660 engaged with the engaging portion 1450 and the valve member 2430 that closes the ink flow passage by contacting the joint member 2470, the first spring member 2440 and the second spring member 2450 are arranged.

The first spring member 2440 of the ink cartridge 8 has the same shape (different outer dimensions) as the first spring member 630 of the ink cartridge 1. The first spring member 2440 is mainly structured with an annular spring bottom 910 forming a bottom surface (end having a larger diameter) of the first spring member 2440, an annular spring top 920 forming a top surface (end having a smaller diameter) of the first spring member 2440, and a hollow conical spring flexible portion 930 connecting the spring top 920 and the spring bottom 910. The hollow conical spring flexible portion 930 is flexibly deformed when a load is applied. An ink flow channel 940 is further included, which includes a top flow channel 941 which becomes the inner peripheral surface of the spring top 920, a flexible portion flow channel 942 which becomes the inner peripheral surface of the spring flexible portion 930, and a bottom flow channel 943 which becomes the inner peripheral surface of the spring bottom 910.

The second spring member 2450 has the same shape as the first spring member 2440, and includes a spring bottom 910, a spring top 920, a spring flexible portion 930, and an ink flow passage 940 (a top flow passage 941, a flexible portion flow passage 942, and a bottom flow passage 943). The second spring member 2450 is arranged in a reversed structure with respect to the first spring member 2440 along the vertical direction. As shown in fig. 37(a), the respective spring bottoms 910 of the first and second spring members 2440 and 2450 contact each other, and the spring top 920 contacts the respective one of the base bottom 1110 of the base member 660 and the valve receiving portion 2435 of the valve member 2430. The contact surfaces of the respective spring bases 910 may also be connected to each other (e.g., welded). In addition, the outer diameter of each spring bottom 910 of the respective spring members 2440, 2450 is formed to be substantially the same as the inner diameter of the valve mechanism insertion portion 1460, and therefore, even in the case where each spring member 2440, 2450 is deformed, the possibility of the position being displaced in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction is reduced.

As shown in fig. 37(b), when the ink extraction tube 1720 is inserted into the valve mechanism insertion portion 1460, the valve member 2430 is pushed in the base member 660 direction (the upper direction of fig. 37 (b)). Fig. 37(b) shows a state in which the ink cartridge 8 is mounted on the ink jet printer 1710 (see fig. 26), and the spring flexible portions 930 of the first spring member 2440 and the second spring member 2450 are elastically deformed.

The ink flow path in a state where the ink cartridge 8 is mounted on the ink jet printer 1710 is shown by an arrow L. The ink flow path is formed by the cap through hole 1330 of the cap member 680, the second base through hole 1150 of the base member 660, the ink flow path 940 of the spring member 2440, 2450, the ink flow path of the valve groove portion 2433 of the valve member 2430, and the ink suction tube, in that order.

The ink cartridge 9 will be described with reference to fig. 39. In the ink cartridge 8, between the base member 660 receiving the check valve 670 and the valve member 2430 closing the ink flow passage by contacting the joint member 2470, a first spring member 2440 and a second spring member 2450 are provided. In the ink cartridge 9, a spring member 2540 is provided between the base member 660 and the valve member 2430. Portions of the ink cartridge 9 corresponding to the same portions of the ink cartridge 8 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

Fig. 39 shows a cross-sectional view of the ink supply portion 140 of the ink cartridge 9. Fig. 39(a) shows a state before the insertion of the ink extraction tube 1720, and fig. 39(b) shows a state after the insertion of the ink extraction tube 1720.

As shown in fig. 39(a), with the valve mechanism 2520 of the ink cartridge 9, between the base bottom 1110 of the base member 660 engaged with the engaging portion 1450 and the valve member 2430 that closes the ink flow passage by contacting the joint member 2470, a spring member 2540 is disposed. The spring member 2540 is formed of a resin material having elasticity, such as rubber.

The spring member 2540 is provided with a spring cylindrical portion 2550 formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, a spring end portion 2560 having a diameter smaller than that of the spring cylindrical portion 2550 in contact with the valve receiving portion 2435 of the valve member 2430, and a hollow conical spring flexible portion 2570 connecting the spring end portion 2560 and the spring cylindrical portion 2550 and being flexibly deformed when a load is applied. The spring cylindrical portion 2550 contacts the inner peripheral surface of the valve mechanism insertion portion 1460, and thus is restricted from being elastically deformed in the outer diameter direction. Thus, the spring flexible portion 2570 is elastically deformed.

As shown in fig. 39(b), when the ink extraction tube 1720 is inserted into the valve mechanism insertion portion 1460, the valve member 2430 is pushed in the base member 660 direction (the upper direction of fig. 39 (b)). Fig. 39(b) shows a state in which the ink cartridge 9 is mounted on the ink jet printer 1710 (see fig. 26), and the spring flexible portion 2570 is elastically deformed.

In addition, the ink flow path in a state where the ink cartridge 9 is mounted on the ink jet printer 1710 is shown by an arrow M. The ink flow passage is formed by the cap through hole 1330 of the cap member 680, the second base through hole 1150 of the base member 660, the hollow interior of the spring member 2540, the valve groove portion 2433 of the valve member 2430, and the ink flow passage of the ink extraction tube 1720, in that order.

The ink cartridge 10 will be described with reference to fig. 40. In the ink cartridge 8, between the base member 660 supporting the check valve 670 and the valve member 2430 closing the ink flow passage by contacting the joint member 2470, a first spring member 2440 and a second spring member 2450 are provided. In contrast, in the ink cartridge 10, between the base member 660 and the valve member 2430, there are provided a first spring member 2640 and a second spring member 2650 which are formed of a resin material having elasticity, such as rubber, and are formed in a substantially hollow hemispherical shape. Portions of the ink cartridge 10 corresponding to the same portions of the ink cartridge 8 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

Fig. 40 shows a cross-sectional view of the ink supply portion 140 of the ink cartridge 10. Fig. 40(a) shows a state before the insertion of the ink extraction tube 1720, and fig. 40(b) shows a state after the insertion of the ink extraction tube 1720.

As shown in fig. 40(a), with the valve mechanism 2620 of the ink cartridge 10, between the base bottom 1110 of the base member 660 engaged with the engaging portion 1450 and the valve member 2430 that closes the ink flow passage by contacting the joint member 2470, there are disposed a first spring member 2640 and a second spring member 2650, which are formed in a substantially hollow hemispherical shape.

The first spring member 2640 is provided with a spring end 2660 contacting the valve receiving portion 2435 of the valve member 2430, and a spring flexible portion 2670 having a substantially hollow hemispherical shape extending in a diameter direction from the spring end 2660. The second spring member 2650 is formed with the same shape as the first spring member 2640, and is provided with a spring end 2660 and a spring flexible portion 2670. The orifice portions of the spring flexible portions 2670 of the first and second spring members 2640, 2650 contact each other without any gap. The aperture portions of the spring flexible portions 2670 of the first and second spring members 2640, 2650 may also be attached to each other by an adhesive (or by welding).

As shown in fig. 40(b), when the ink extraction tube 1720 is inserted into the valve mechanism insertion portion 1460, the valve member 2430 is pressed in the base member 660 direction (upward direction of fig. 40 (b)). Fig. 40(b) shows a state in which the ink cartridge 10 is mounted on the inkjet printer 1710 (see fig. 26), and the respective spring flexible portions 2670 of the respective spring members 2640, 2650 are elastically deformed.

The ink flow path in a state where the ink cartridge 10 is mounted on the ink jet printer 1710 is shown by an arrow N. The ink flow path is formed by cap through hole 1330 of cap member 680, second base through hole 1150 of base member 660, respective spring members 2640, 2650, valve groove portion 2433 of valve member 2430, and ink extraction tube 1720, in that order.

The ink cartridge 11 will be described with reference to fig. 41. In the ink cartridge 8, between the base member 660 receiving the check valve 670 and the valve member 2430 closing the ink flow passage by contacting the joint member 2470, a first spring member 2440 and a second spring member 2450 are provided. In contrast, in the ink cartridge 11, a spring member 2740 and a slider member 2780 operating in conjunction with the spring member 2740 are provided between the base member 660 and the valve member 2430. Portions of the ink cartridge 11 corresponding to the same portions of the ink cartridge 8 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

Fig. 41 shows a cross-sectional view of the ink supply portion 140 of the ink cartridge 11. Fig. 41(a) shows a state before the insertion of the ink extraction tube 1720, and fig. 41(b) shows a state after the insertion of the ink extraction tube 1720.

As shown in fig. 41(a), with the valve mechanism 2720 of the ink cartridge 11, between the base bottom 1110 of the base member 660 engaged with the engaging portion 1450 and the valve member 2430 that closes the ink flow passage by contacting the joint member 2470, there are disposed a spring member 2740 formed of a resin material having elasticity, such as rubber, and a slider member 2780 that is connected to the spring member 2740 and restricts the movement of the spring member 2740 in the extending direction (the vertical direction of fig. 41 (a)).

The spring member 2740 is provided with a spring cylindrical portion 2750 formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, a spring end 2751 contacting the valve receiving portion 2435 of the valve member 2430, a spring flexible portion 2752 connecting the spring end 2751 and the spring cylindrical portion 2750 and being flexibly deformed when a load is applied, and a spring groove portion 2753 formed in a concave shape so as to be engagingly fixed on the slider member 2780. Although not shown, a spring groove portion 2753 is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the spring cylindrical portion 2750. In addition, the spring cylindrical portion 2750 is formed thicker than the spring flexible portion 2752, so that the strength of the cylindrical portion 2750 is increased and the spring flexible portion 2752 is flexibly deformed.

The slider member 2780 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and is provided at an inner circumferential surface thereof with a slider mounting portion 2781 to which the spring member 2740 is mounted. The slider convex portion 2782 is formed in the slider mounting portion 2781 in a convex shape and engages with the spring groove portion 2753. Although not shown, a slider mounting portion 2781 and a slider convex portion 2782 are formed on an inner peripheral surface of the slider member 2780. Thus, the slider convex portions 2782 engage the spring groove portions 2753 and secure the slider member 2780 to the spring member 2740. The slider member 2780 is formed of a resin material harder than that of the spring member 2740. Therefore, when the ink suction tube 1720 is inserted, the spring member 2740 is flexibly deformed, and the slider member 2780 is not deformed. In addition, the outer diameter of the slider member 2780 is formed to be substantially the same as the inner diameter of the valve mechanism insertion portion 1460, so that the slider member 2780 can be prevented from being displaced from the moving direction.

As shown in fig. 41(b), when the ink extraction tube 1720 is inserted into the valve mechanism insertion portion 1460, the valve member 2430 is pushed in the base member 660 direction (the upper direction in fig. 41 (b)). Fig. 41(b) shows a state in which the ink cartridge 11 is mounted on the ink jet printer 1710 (see fig. 26), and in which the spring flexible portion 2752 is elastically deformed. As for the operation of the valve mechanism 2720, when the ink suction tube 1720 is inserted, the slider member 2780 moves in the direction of the base member 660 (upward direction in fig. 41 (b)). When the slider member 2780 and the base member 660 are in contact, the movement of the slider member 2780 (spring member 2740) is restricted. Upon further insertion of the ink extraction tube 1720, the spring flexible portion 2752 elastically deforms. Therefore, the slider member 2780 allows the ink suction tube 1720 to be smoothly inserted.

The ink flow path in a state where the ink cartridge 11 is mounted on the ink jet printer 1710 is shown by an arrow O. The ink flow passage is formed by the cover through hole 1330 of the cover member 680, the second base through hole 1150 of the base member 660, the inside of the spring member 2740, the valve groove portion 2433 of the valve member 2430, and the ink flow passage of the ink extraction tube 1720, in this order.

The ink cartridge 12 will be described with reference to fig. 42. In the ink cartridge 8, between the base member 660 receiving the check valve 670 and the valve member 2430 sealing the ink flow passage by contacting the joint member 2470, there are provided a first spring member 2440 and a second spring member 2450, which are formed of a resin material having elasticity such as rubber. In contrast, in the ink cartridge 12, the first spring member 2840, the second spring member 2850, and the slider member 2880 sandwiched between the first and second spring members 2840 and 2850 are provided between the base member 660 and the valve member 2430. Portions of the ink cartridge 12 corresponding to the same portions of the ink cartridge 8 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and therefore, description thereof is omitted.

Fig. 42 shows a cross-sectional view of the ink supply portion 140 of the ink cartridge 12. Fig. 42(a) shows a state before the insertion of the ink extraction tube 1720, and fig. 42(b) shows a state after the insertion of the ink extraction tube 1720.

As shown in fig. 42(a), between a base bottom 1110 of the base member 660 engaged with the engaging portion 1450 and a valve member 2430 that closes an ink flow passage by contacting a joint member 2470, a valve mechanism 2820 of the ink cartridge 12 is provided. The valve mechanism 2820 includes a first spring member 2840, a second spring member 2850, and a slider member 2880 disposed between the second spring member 2850 and the first spring member 2840, housing a portion of each spring member 2840, 2850, and moving in conjunction with the respective spring member 2840, 2850.

The first spring member 2840 is formed in the same shape (different in outer dimension) as the first spring member 630 of the ink cartridge 1. Accordingly, the structure of the first spring member 2840 is mainly provided with an annular spring bottom 910 formed at the bottom surface (end having a larger diameter) of the first spring member 2840, an annular spring top 920 formed at the top surface (end having a smaller diameter) of the first spring member 2840 and having a smaller diameter than the spring bottom 910, and a hollow conical spring flexible portion 930 connecting the spring top 920 and the spring bottom 910 and flexibly deformed when a load is applied. In addition, there is provided an ink flow passage 940 including a top flow passage 941 formed by the inner peripheral surface of the spring top 920, a flexible portion flow passage 942 formed by the inner peripheral surface of the spring flexible portion 930, and a bottom flow passage 943 formed by the inner peripheral surface of the spring bottom 910.

The second spring member 2850 is formed in the same shape as the first spring member 2840, and includes a spring bottom 910, a spring top 920, a spring flexible portion 930, and an ink flow channel 940 (a top flow channel 941, a flexible portion flow channel 942, and a bottom flow channel 943). The second spring member 2850 is arranged in a reversed structure with respect to the first spring member 2840 along the vertical direction.

The slider member 2880 is provided with a cylindrical slider outer peripheral portion 2890 forming an outer wall of the slider member 2880, a slider intermediate wall 2891 contacting the spring base 910 of the first and second spring members 2840 and 2850, and a slider through-hole 2892 formed through the slider intermediate wall 2891 and becoming an ink flow passage. In addition, the inner diameter of the slider outer circumferential portion 2890 is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the spring bottom 910 of each spring member 2840, 2850, so that the deviation of the arrangement of each spring member 2840, 2850 can be prevented. The outer diameter of the slider member 2880 is formed substantially the same as the inner diameter of the valve mechanism insertion portion 1460, and therefore, the slider member 2880 can be prevented from being displaced from the moving direction. The slider member 2880 is formed of a resin material that is harder than the resin material of the respective spring members 2840, 2850. Thus, upon insertion of the ink extraction tube 1720, each spring member 2840, 2850 flexibly deforms without deforming the slider member 2880.

As shown in fig. 42(a), the respective spring bases 910 of the first and second spring members 2840 and 2850 contact the slider intermediate wall 2891. At the same time, the respective spring tops 920 are arranged to contact the base bottom 1110 of the base member 660 and the valve receiving portion 2435 of the valve member 2430.

As shown in fig. 42(b), if the ink extraction tube 1720 is inserted into the valve mechanism insertion portion 1460, the valve member 2430 is pressed in the base member 660 direction (upward direction in fig. 42 (b)). Fig. 42(b) shows a state in which the ink cartridge 12 is mounted on the ink jet printer 1710 (see fig. 26), and the spring flexible portion 930 is elastically deformed.

As for the operation of the valve mechanism 2820, when the ink suction tube 1720 is inserted, the slider member 2880 moves in the direction of the base member 660 (upward direction in fig. 42 (b)), the slider member 2880 contacts the base member 660, and the movement of the slider member 2880 is restricted. Instead of contacting base member 660, the movement of slider member 2880 may be restricted by contacting the inner wall end surface of ink supply portion 140. Then, upon further insertion of the ink extraction tube 1720, the spring flexible portion 930 of the spring members 2840, 2850 elastically deforms. Slider member 2880 allows ink extraction tube 1720 to be inserted smoothly. Further, the movement is restricted by the slider member 2880, so that it is possible to prevent the second spring member 2850 from being excessively deformed. Since the second spring member 2850 can be prevented from being excessively deformed, which would prevent it from returning to its original state, ink leakage can be prevented.

The ink flow path in a state where the ink cartridge 12 is mounted on the ink jet printer 1710 is indicated by an arrow P. The ink flow path is formed by the cap through hole 1330 of the cap member 680, the second base through hole 1150 of the base member 660, the ink flow path 940 of the second spring member 2850, the slider through hole 2892 of the slider member 2880, the ink flow path 940 of the first spring member 2840, the valve groove portion 2433 of the valve member 2430, and the ink suction tube 1720, in this order.

The ink cartridge 13 will be described with reference to fig. 43. In the ink cartridge 1, the ink filling plug 520 is pressed by the case protrusion member 260, the frame 100 is supported by the ink supply portion 140 and the ink filling portion 130 with respect to the case 200, and external vibration transmitted to the frame 100 is reduced. And in the ink cartridge 13, the portions other than the ink injecting portion 130 of the frame 100 are pressed by the case protrusion member 3220 to control the external vibration. Portions of the ink cartridge 13 corresponding to the same portions of the ink cartridge 1 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

Fig. 43 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge 13. In fig. 43, the frame 100 is shown by dotted lines, and the case 3210 and the cap 300 are shown by solid lines.

As shown in fig. 43, the case 3210 of the ink cartridge 13 is provided with a case protrusion member 3220 protruding from the top wall of the case 3210 toward the cap 300 side (lower side in fig. 43). A case protrusion member 3220 is formed in a substantially central portion of the top wall of the case 3210.

The case protrusion member 3220 presses the frame 100 toward the cap 300 side by contacting a portion of the frame 100 other than the ink injecting portion 130 in a state where the case 3210 and the cap 300 are welded together. Therefore, the possibility of the frame 100 moving due to vibration or the like can be reduced. In addition, a case protrusion member 3220 is formed in a substantially central portion of the top wall of the case 3210, and thus a central position in the horizontal direction (horizontal direction of fig. 43) of the frame 100 is pressed. Therefore, the frame 100 is stable in a compressed state, and the movement of the frame 100 can be further reduced.

In addition, with the ink cartridge 13, at the time of manufacturing the frame 100 (see fig. 22(c)), after the ink is introduced, the ink filling plug 520 to be pressed into the ink filling portion 130 is pressed in such a manner as to contact the end surface of the deepest portion of the injection inner peripheral portion 131 opposite to the orifice of the ink filling portion 130.

The ink cartridge 14 will be described with reference to fig. 44. In the ink cartridge 1, the ink filling plug 520 is pressed by the case protrusion member 260, the frame 100 is supported by the ink supply portion 140 and the ink filling portion 130 with respect to the case 200, and external vibration transmitted to the frame 100 can be reduced. In contrast, in the ink cartridge 14, the case protrusion member 3320 formed in the case 3310 presses the frame receiving portion 3340 formed in the frame 3330 instead of the ink filling portion 130, and thus external vibration transmitted to the frame 3330 can be reduced. Portions of the ink cartridge 14 corresponding to the same portions of the ink cartridge 1 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and therefore, description thereof is omitted.

Fig. 44 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge 14. In fig. 44, the frame 3330 is shown by dotted lines, and the housing 3310 and cap 300 are shown by solid lines.

As shown in fig. 44, the case 3310 of the ink cartridge 14 protrudes from the top wall of the case 3310 toward the cap 300 side (lower side in fig. 44), and a case protrusion member 3320 is provided, which is formed in a substantially central portion of the top wall of the case 3310. With the housing protrusion member 3320, the tip is formed to be sharpened. The frame 3330 is provided with a frame receiving portion 3340 formed of an elastic material in a position corresponding to the housing protrusion member 3320 and different from the position where the ink injection portion 130 is formed. When the housing 3310 and the cap 300 are welded together, the housing protrusion member 3320 penetrates into the frame receiving portion 3340 and presses the frame 3330 toward the cap 300 side.

Therefore, in the same manner as in the ink cartridge 1, even in the case where an impact is applied to the housing 3310, the impact is relieved when transmitted to the frame 3330, and thus the frame 3330 can be protected from external impact. In addition, a housing protrusion member 3320 is formed in a substantially central portion of the top wall of the housing 3310. Therefore, it penetrates to the center position in the horizontal direction (horizontal direction in fig. 44) of the frame 3330, thereby stabilizing the frame 3330 in a pressed state.

In addition, in the ink cartridge 14, at the time of manufacturing the frame 3330 (see fig. 22(c)), after the ink is introduced, the ink pouring stopper 520 to be pressed into the ink pouring portion 130 is pressed in such a manner as to contact the end surface of the deepest portion of the injection inner peripheral portion 131 opposite to the orifice of the ink pouring portion 130.

The ink cartridge 15 will be described with reference to fig. 45. In the ink cartridge 1, the check valve 670 is formed in a substantially plate shape. In contrast, in the ink cartridge 15, the check valve 3430 is provided with a plate-like portion and a shaft portion. Portions of the ink cartridge 15 corresponding to the same portions of the ink cartridge 1 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

Fig. 45 is a sectional view of the ink cartridge 15.

The valve mechanism 3420 of the ink cartridge 15 is provided with a joint member 610, a valve member 620, a first spring member 630, a slider member 640, a second spring member 650, and a base member 660, which are the same in shape as in the ink cartridge 1. The valve mechanism 3420 is also provided with a check valve 3430 and a cap member 3450.

The check valve 3430 is provided with a check valve plate portion 3431 formed in a substantially plate shape, a check valve shaft portion 3432 formed in a substantially rod shape, and a check valve ball portion 3433 located near the cap member 3450 of the check valve shaft portion 3432 and formed in a substantially spherical shape.

The cover member 3450 is provided with a cover peripheral wall 3451 forming a peripheral wall of the cover member 3450, a cover top 3452 forming a top of the cover member 3450, a first cover through-hole 3453 formed near an outer edge of the cover top 3452 and forming an ink flow passage, and a second cover through-hole 3454 formed at an axial position of the cover top 3452 and into which the check valve shaft portion 3432 is inserted. In addition, the second cap through hole 3454 has a diameter larger than that of the check valve shaft portion 3432 and is formed smaller than that of the check valve ball portion 3433. Therefore, after the check valve shaft portion 3432 passes through the second cap through hole 3454, the check valve 3430 does not slip out from the cap member 3450, and therefore the possibility of losing the check valve 3430 can be reduced when manufacturing the valve mechanism 3420.

In addition, in the ink cartridge 15, the check valve shaft portion 3432 of the check valve 3430 is disposed in the ink flow passage 1410. Both the check valve shaft portion 3432 of the check valve 3430 and the filter 1420 may be disposed in the ink flow passage 1410.

The ink cartridge 16 will be described with reference to fig. 46. The ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the ink jet printer 1710 (see fig. 26) by a pair of clamp members 1740. In contrast, the ink cartridge 16 is mounted using one clamp member 3543, and the ink cartridge 16 is detached by the clamp release member 3544.

Fig. 46 is a side view showing a process of mounting the ink cartridge 16 on the mounting portion 3530.

As shown in fig. 46(a), with the ink cartridge 16, on a pair of side surfaces opposed to the case 3510, case protrusion portions 3520, 3521 are formed, respectively. These case protrusion portions 3520, 3521 differ in length in the direction in which the ink cartridge 16 is mounted (arrow R in fig. 46). These case protrusion portions 3520, 3521 protrude to the same position as the cap side wall 320 of the cap 300 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the mounting direction. The length of the case protrusion portion 3520 in the mounting direction of the ink cartridge 16 (the upper side of fig. 46 (a)) is smaller than the length of the case protrusion portion 3521 in the mounting direction, and the length of the case protrusion portion 3521 in the mounting direction of the ink cartridge 16 (the lower side of fig. 46 (a)) is larger than the length of the case protrusion portion 3520 in the mounting direction. In addition, the cap 300 is formed in the same shape as in the ink cartridge 1, and a part of the case 3510 is surrounded by the cap sidewall 320.

The mounting portion 3530 is provided with a side wall support plate 3540 that supports the side surface of the ink cartridge 16 (a part of the side surface of the case 3510 and a part of the cap side wall 320 of the cap 300) from below, a bottom wall support plate 3541 that receives the cap bottom wall 310 of the cap 300, a pressing member 3542 that presses the bottom wall support plate 3541 in the direction opposite to the mounting direction (opposite to the arrow R direction), a clamp member 3543 that locks the ink cartridge 16 and the mounting portion 3530 together by engaging with the cap side wall 320 of the cap 300, and a clamp releasing member 3544 that releases the clamp member 3543 from the engaged state.

In addition, the inner side of the side wall support plate 3540 (the surface side contacting the side surface of the ink cartridge 16) is formed in a shape corresponding to the shape (curve) of the cap side wall 320. When the ink cartridge 16 is mounted, the ink cartridge 16 is guided by the inside of the side wall support plate 3540 along the bottom wall support plate 3541 direction (the right direction in fig. 46 (a)). In the clamp releasing member 3544, a slide groove (not shown) having a shape corresponding to the shape of the housing protrusion portion 3520 is formed. In the same manner as the side wall support plate 3540, the ink cartridge 16 is guided by the slide groove of the clamp releasing member 3544 in the direction of the bottom wall support plate 3541 (right direction in fig. 46 (a)). Therefore, the ink cartridge 16 can be smoothly mounted, and the ink cartridge 16 can be prevented from being mounted in a direction inclined with respect to the bottom wall support plate 3541.

In the bottom wall support plate 3541, a through hole 3545 is formed through which the ink suction tube 3550 can be inserted. When the bottom wall support plate 3541 is moved in the mounting direction (arrow R direction), the ink extraction tube 3550 inserted through the through hole 3545 is projected to the ink cartridge 16 side.

In the clamp member 3543, an inclined surface 3546 is formed, which is inclined with respect to the mounting direction (arrow R direction). In the clamp release member 3544, an inclined surface 3547 is formed, which corresponds to the inclined surface 3546 of the clamp member 3543. The clamp member 3543 and the clamp release member 3544 are arranged such that these inclined surfaces (the inclined surface 3546 and the inclined surface 3547) are substantially parallel to each other.

Fig. 46(b) shows a state where the ink cartridge 16 is mounted on the mounting portion 3530. When the ink cartridge 16 is mounted on the mounting portion 3530, the case 3510 and the cap side wall 320 contact the side wall support plate 3540, the case protrusion portion 3520 contacts a not-shown slide groove of the jig releasing member 3544, and the ink cartridge 16 is guided to the side wall support plate 3540. While the mounting operation of the ink cartridge 16 is continued, the cap bottom wall 310 of the cap 300 contacts the bottom wall support plate 3541, and the bottom wall support plate 3541 is pressed in the direction (mounting direction R) opposite to the urging force of the urging member 3542. At this time, the cap bottom wall 310 contacts the inclined surface 3546 of the clamp member 3543, and the clamp member 3543 is bent in a direction (upper direction of fig. 46 (b)) separating from the cap side wall 320. In addition, when the ink cartridge 16 is inserted, the contact between the cap side wall 320 and the inclined surface 3546 of the clamp member 3543 is interrupted, and the clamp member 3543 returns to its original state. The ink bottle 16 is locked by engaging the cap sidewall 320.

As shown in fig. 46(c), the ink cartridge 16 is detached by pressing the clamp release member 3544 in the mounting direction (arrow R direction). Then, by contacting the inclined surface 3547 of the clamp releasing member 3544, the inclined surface 3546 of the clamp member 3543 is bent in a direction separating from the cap side wall 320, and the engagement of the clamp member 3543 and the cap side wall 320 is released. At this time, the bottom wall support plate 3541 is pressed against the mounting direction by the urging force of the urging member 3542, and moves to a position where the cap bottom wall 310 does not contact the inclined surface 3546 of the clamp member 3543.

Thus, during mounting, the ink cartridge 16 is inserted into the mounting portion 3530. During the disassembly of the ink cartridge 16, the clamp release member 3544 is pressed. Therefore, the ink cartridge 16 can be easily attached and detached.

The ink cartridge 17 will be described with reference to fig. 47. Fig. 47 includes a schematic cross-sectional view of a structure for detecting the empty state of the ink cartridge 17.

As shown in fig. 47(a), the frame 3610 of the ink cartridge 17 has different inclination angles of the frame inclined surfaces 3620, 3621. The frame inclined surface 3620 side and the frame inclined surface 3621 side are connected to the frame through hole 3624. When the inclination angles of the frame inclined surfaces 3620, 3621 are different, a distance between the frame pocket portion 3622 and the frame through hole 3624 positioned on the side of the frame inclined surface 3620 is different from a distance between the frame pocket portion 3623 and the frame through hole 3624 positioned on the frame inclined surface 3621. Therefore, the size of the film 3630 on the frame inclined surface 3620 side is different from the size of the film 3631 on the frame inclined surface 3621 side. Therefore, the ink storage capacity on the frame inclined surface 3620 side is different from the ink storage capacity on the frame inclined surface 3621 side.

As shown in fig. 47(a), a shielding plate 3640 is attached to the film 3630. In addition, a connector 3650 is disposed on a portion of the case 200, which allows electrical contact with the outside when the ink cartridge 17 is mounted on an inkjet printer (not shown). Detection sensor 3660 is connected to connector 3650 via a signal line. The detection sensor 3660 is a sensor that detects the empty state of the ink cartridge 17, and is a transmissive optical sensor having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion. Therefore, when the shielding plate 3640 shields the light path between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the detection sensor 3660, the detection sensor 3660 is turned on, and the ink empty state is detected.

Fig. 47(a) shows a state where a sufficient amount of ink I is present in the frame 3610. As shown in fig. 47(a), the shielding plate 3640 is substantially parallel to the frame 3610, and does not shield the optical path of the detection sensor 3660.

In the inkjet printer, when printing is repeated, the amount of ink I is reduced, and the films 3630, 3631 are bent in the direction of the respective frame inclined surfaces 3620, 3621. At this time, the ink storage capacity on the frame inclined surface 3621 side is small, so the ink I on the frame inclined surface 3621 side is exhausted first, and the film 3631 contacts the frame inclined surface 3621.

In addition, in the inkjet printer, ink on the frame inclined surface 3620 side is also depleted and the film 3630 contacts the frame inclined surface 3620 when printing is repeated. At this time, the shielding plate 3640 also contacts the frame inclined surface 3620 through the film 3630. This state is shown in fig. 47 (b). When the shielding plate 3640 also contacts the frame inclined surface 3620, the shielding plate 3640 blocks the optical path of the detection sensor 3660, and thus the detection sensor 3660 detects the ink empty state.

Therefore, as described above, by setting the difference in inclination angles of the frame inclined surfaces 3620, 3621, the order of bending of the films 3630, 3631 can be determined when the ink I is exhausted. By mounting the shielding plate 3640 on the film 3630 having a large capacity for storing the ink I, the empty state can be accurately detected.

The ink cartridge 18 will be described with reference to fig. 48. In the ink cartridge 17, the empty state is accurately detected by making the frame inclined surfaces 3620, 3621 have different inclination angles. In contrast, in the ink cartridge 18, the empty state is accurately detected by making the frame orifice portions 3770, 3771 have different orifice sizes. Portions of the ink cartridge 18 corresponding to the same portions of the ink cartridge 17 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and therefore, description thereof is omitted.

Fig. 48 includes schematic diagrams showing a structure for detecting the empty state of the ink cartridge 18.

As shown in fig. 48(a), with respect to the frame 3710 of the ink cartridge 18, the inclination angles of the frame inclined surfaces 3720, 3721 with respect to the horizontal plane (the aperture surface of the frame aperture portion 3770) are made the same, but the sizes of the frame aperture portions 3770, 3771 constituted by the respective frame inclined surfaces 3720, 3721 are made different. That is, the aperture diameter of the frame aperture portion 3770 is different from the aperture diameter of the frame aperture portion 3771. Thus, the size of the film 3730 on the frame inclined face 3720 (frame aperture portion 3770) side is different from the size of the film 3731 on the frame inclined face 3721 (frame aperture portion 3771) side. Therefore, the ink storage capacity on the frame inclined surface 3720 (frame aperture portion 3770) side is different from the ink storage capacity on the frame inclined surface 3721 (frame aperture portion 3771) side.

Due to this structure, in the inkjet printer, the amount of ink I inside the frame 3710 decreases at the time of repeated printing, and the ink I stored on the frame inclined surface 3721 side is exhausted first. Then, the ink I on the frame inclined surface 3720 side is exhausted (state of fig. 48 (b)). The shielding plate 3640 is mounted on the film 3730 on the frame inclined surface 3720 side having a large ink capacity, so that in a state where the ink I is exhausted, the optical path of the detection sensor 3660 is shielded, and an exhausted state is detected.

Thus, by taking advantage of the difference in size in the apertures of the frame aperture portions 3770, 3771, as described, the order of bending of the membranes 3730, 3731 can be determined and the state of evacuation can be accurately detected.

The ink cartridge 19 will be described with reference to fig. 49. In the ink cartridge 17, the frame inclined surfaces 3620, 3621 have different inclination angles, so that the empty state can be accurately detected. In contrast, in the ink cartridge 19, the empty state can be accurately detected by making the films 3830, 3831 have different thicknesses. Portions of the ink cartridge 19 corresponding to the same portions of the ink cartridge 17 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and therefore, description thereof is omitted.

Fig. 49 includes schematic diagrams showing a structure for detecting the empty state of the ink cartridge 19.

The inclination angles of the frame inclined surfaces 3820, 3821 are formed to be the same for the frame 3810 of the ink cartridge 19, and the orifice diameter sizes of the frame orifice portions 3870, 3871 are also formed to be the same. In addition, the ink storage capacity on the frame inclined surface 3820 (frame opening portion 3870) side is substantially the same as the ink storage capacity on the frame inclined surface 3821 (frame opening portion 3871) side. However, the films 3830, 3831 of the ink cartridge 19 have different thicknesses, and the film 3830 is formed thicker than the film 3831. Therefore, the film 3830 is more stable than the film 3831, and therefore the film 3831 first contacts the frame inclined surface 3821 when the amount of the ink I is reduced. The membrane 3830 then contacts the frame inclined face 3820. The shielding plate 3640 is mounted on the thick film 3830, so that in a state where the ink I is exhausted, the optical path of the detection sensor 3660 is shielded, and the exhausted state is detected.

Therefore, as described, by adopting different strengths for the films 3830, 3831, the order in which the films 3830, 3831 are bent when ink is used is determined, and thus the empty state can be accurately detected.

In addition, in the ink cartridges 17, 18, and 19, the shielding plates 3640 are mounted on the respective films 3630, 3730, and 3830 that are flexibly deformed. The moving direction of the shielding plate 3640 may be shifted and moved away from the optical path of the detecting sensor 3660 when the corresponding film contacts the frame inclined surface 3620, 3720, 3820. Therefore, a guide member (not shown) for guiding the shielding plate 3640 to the optical path of the detection sensor 3660 may also be provided. For example, the guide members may be arranged on both sides sandwiching the shielding plate 3640, and may form a path leading to the detection sensor 3660, or may limit the moving direction of the shielding plate 3640 by having a supporting portion for supporting a part of the shielding plate 3640 with respect to the frame.

In the ink cartridges 17, 18, and 19, the empty state can also be detected by using the above-described configuration together with a method of calculating the empty state from the amount of ejected ink using a control device, not shown. Employing this structure allows the empty state to be detected even more accurately.

The ink jet printer may be provided with a detection sensor. In this structure, a part of the case blocks the optical path of the detection sensor when the ink cartridge is mounted. A portion of the housing is formed to be transparent or translucent so as to transmit light emitted from the light emitting portion of the detection sensor. The shield plate 3640 is installed such that: in the absence of any ink I, the shielding plate 3640 enters a part of the housing and shields the optical path of the detection sensor. Therefore, even when the detection sensor is provided on the ink jet printer, the empty state can be accurately detected. In addition, if the detection sensor is not disposed in the case, the cost of manufacturing the ink cartridge can be reduced.

By changing the film size, the ink capacity on the inclined surface side can be changed. Therefore, in the process of welding the films (see fig. 20), the amount of the films pressed by the pressing portions can also be changed. With this structure, the film size is different and the ink capacity is different. Therefore, the empty state can be accurately detected.

It is also possible to weld films formed of different materials and having the same film thickness as long as the bending order of the films is determined. With this structure, even when the film thickness is the same, the material quality is different, and therefore the film strength is different. Therefore, the order of bending of the thin film can be determined, and the evacuation state can be accurately detected.

The ink cartridge 20 will be described with reference to fig. 50. On the cap projecting member 350 of the ink cartridge 1, the end surface on the side of the case 200 is formed as a flat surface. In contrast, on the cap protrusion member 3910 of the ink cartridge 20, the tip is formed to have a convergent shape. Portions of the ink cartridge 20 corresponding to the same portions of the ink cartridge 1 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

Fig. 50 includes an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the ink cartridge 20 where the case 200 and the cap 300 of the ink cartridge 20 are welded together.

As shown in fig. 50(a), with the ink cartridge 20, the tip of the cap projection member 3910 of the cap 300 is formed to have a converging shape. Therefore, compared with the case where the tip of the cap protrusion member 3910 is formed to have a flat surface, the cap protrusion member 3910 is immediately melted, and the melted chips X can easily flow downward. Therefore, the cap 300 and the case 200 can be welded together at an early stage.

If the inclined surface of the cap protrusion member 3910 is formed to be inclined downward in the cap side wall 320 direction, the melting chips X are guided to the gap between the cap side wall 320 and the case side wall 230 when the cap protrusion member 3910 melts. Therefore, the possibility of the melt debris X entering the ink cartridge can be reduced.

The ink cartridge 21 will be described with reference to fig. 51. Fig. 51 is a sectional view of a part of an ink supply portion 4010 of the ink cartridge 21. In the ink cartridge 21, the ink flow channel 4020 is formed differently from the ink flow channel of the ink cartridge 1. Portions of the ink cartridge 21 corresponding to the same portions of the ink cartridge 1 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

As shown in fig. 51, the ink flow channel 4020 of the ink supply portion 4010 includes a first flow channel 4030 formed in a truncated conical shape and a second flow channel 4031 formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The diameter of the second flow channel 4031 is less than the smallest diameter of the first flow channel 4030. Accordingly, a stepped surface 4032 is formed between the first flow channel 4030 and the second flow channel 4031. The stepped surface 4032 projects in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the filter 4040 is inserted.

In manufacturing the ink cartridge 21, if the filter 4040 formed in a cylindrical shape having a diameter substantially the same as the maximum diameter of the first flow channel 4030 is inserted into the ink flow channel 4020, the filter 4040 contacts the stepped surface 4032 within the ink flow channel 4020. The diameter of the second flow channel 4031 is smaller than the diameter of the first flow channel 4030, and therefore the stepped surface 4032 serves as a wall surface that restricts the filter 4040 from further entry into the ink flow channel 4020. Thus, the filter 4040 is not pressed into the second flow channel 4031. Therefore, a problem that the filter 4040 is pushed into the ink storage portion 120 can be prevented.

The ink cartridge 22 will be described with reference to fig. 52. Fig. 52 is a sectional view of a part of an ink supply portion 4110 of the ink cartridge 22. The ink flow channel 4120 of the ink cartridge 22 is different from that of the ink cartridge 1. Portions of the ink cartridge 22 corresponding to the same portions of the ink cartridge 1 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

As shown in fig. 52, the entire ink flow passage 4120 of the ink supply portion 4110 is formed to have a hollow conical shape. The orifice of the ink supply hole 4131 formed at the end of the ink flow channel 4120 on the ink storage portion 120 side is formed to be smallest in the ink flow channel 4120. Therefore, at the time of manufacturing the ink cartridge 22, even if the filter 4140 is pushed into the ink flow passage 4120, the possibility that the filter 4140 is pushed into the ink storage portion 120 is reduced.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

For example, a modified embodiment of the slider member, the base member, and the cover member will be described with reference to fig. 53. Fig. 53 includes a top view of the slider member 4210, base member 4220 and lid member 4230. Portions of the slider member 4210, the base member 4220 and the cover member 4230 corresponding to the same portions of the slider member 640, the base member 660 and the cover member 680 of the ink cartridge 1 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and thus, description thereof is omitted.

As shown in fig. 53(a), the slider through hole 4211 of the slider member 4210 is formed in a substantially square shape in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface. As shown in fig. 53(b), the first and second base through holes 4221 and 4222 of the base member 4220 are formed in a substantially square shape in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface. As shown in fig. 53(c), the cap through hole 4231 of the cap member 4230 is formed in a substantially square shape in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface.

By making the respective through holes (the slider through hole 4211, the first base through hole 4221, the second base through hole 4222, and the cover through hole 4231) forming the ink flow passage in a substantially square shape as described above, adverse effects on the ink flow due to the formation of ink bubbles can be reduced. Therefore, by using one or more of the slider member 4210, the base member 4220, and the cover member 4230, the influence of bubbles can be reduced, and deterioration in print quality can be prevented.

In any of the valve mechanisms described above, if the flow passage through which the ink flows is formed in a square shape, the influence of the ink bubbles can be further reduced. Although the above refers to a hole having a square shape, a hole having any polygonal shape other than a substantially circular shape may be employed.

The improved joint member 3010 is described with reference to fig. 54. Fig. 54 is a cross-sectional view of the tab member 3010.

The joint member 3010 is provided with: a joint outer peripheral portion 3020 which forms an outer peripheral wall of the joint member 3010 and is exposed to the outside of the ink supply portion 140; a joint inner peripheral portion 3030 which is formed inside the joint outer peripheral portion 3020 and is inserted into the ink supply portion 140; a joint contact portion 3040 that protrudes from a top surface 3031 of a joint inner peripheral portion 3030 toward a valve member 620 (see fig. 19) side (an upper side of fig. 54 (b)) and contacts the valve member 620; a first joint groove portion 3050 formed between the joint outer peripheral portion 3020 and the joint inner peripheral portion 3030 and engaged with the outer peripheral wall of the ink supply portion 140; and a second joint groove portion 3070 formed in the periphery of the joint contact portion 3040 in the joint inner peripheral portion 3030. The second joint groove portion 3070 opens to the top surface 3031 of the joint inner peripheral portion 3030 with the depth direction being parallel to the axis B, and the bottom surface of the groove has substantially the same height as the junction of the tapered portion flow passage 3061 and the seal portion flow passage 3062, which will be described later.

In the joint member 3010, an ink flow passage 3060 is formed which extends from a bottom face 3032 of a joint inner peripheral portion 3030 to a tip end portion 3041 (lower side of fig. 12 (d)) of a joint contact portion 3040.

The ink flow passage 3060 is provided with an orifice 3033 formed at the bottom surface 3032, a tapered portion flow passage 3061 formed by a tapered surface 3034 connected with the orifice 3033, a substantially hollow cylindrical sealing portion flow passage 3062 formed by an inner peripheral surface 3035 connected with the tapered surface 3034 parallel to the axis B and sealing the ink extraction tube 1720, and a contact portion flow passage 3063 formed by an inner peripheral surface 3042 of a joint contact 3040 connected with the inner peripheral surface 3035.

When the ink extraction tube 1720 is inserted into the ink flow passage 3060 of the joint member 3010, the outer circumferential surface of the ink extraction tube 1720 elastically contacts the inner circumferential surface 3035 of the sealing portion flow passage 3062. Then, the inner peripheral surface 3035 is dragged by the ink suction tube 1720 due to the friction of the contact surface and moves in the insertion direction, and the movement is transmitted to the joint contact portion 3040. However, the joint contact portion 3040 is easily bent in a direction away from the axis B by the second joint groove portion 3070 formed around the joint contact portion. Therefore, the joint contact portion 3040 moves in a manner inclined in the direction along the second joint groove portion 3070 (the arrow Q direction of fig. 54 (b)). Therefore, the joint contact portion 3040 is difficult to rise to the valve member 620 side), so the valve member 620 separates from the joint contact portion 3040 at an early stage, and an ink flow passage is formed. Therefore, the stroke when the ink cartridge is mounted can be shortened.

The valve mechanism 3110 is described with reference to fig. 55. Fig. 55 is a sectional view of the valve mechanism 3110.

As shown in fig. 55, the valve mechanism 3110 is provided with a first spring member 630, a slider member 640, a second spring member 650, a base member 660, a check valve 670, and a cover member 680 in the same manner as in the ink cartridge 1. Further, the valve mechanism 3110 is provided with a joint member 3120 and a valve member 3140.

The joint member 3120 of the valve mechanism 3110 is provided with: a joint outer circumferential portion 3130 which forms an outer circumferential wall of the joint member 3120 and is exposed to the outside of the ink supply portion 140; a joint inner circumferential portion 3131 which forms an inner circumferential portion of the joint outer circumferential portion 3130 and is inserted into the ink supply portion 140; a joint groove portion 3132 formed between the joint inner circumferential portion 3131 and the joint outer circumferential portion 3130 and engaged with the outer circumferential wall of the ink supply portion 140; and an ink flow passage 3133 formed at the center of the joint inner circumferential portion 3131.

In the same manner as in the ink cartridge 1, the valve member 3140 is provided with: a valve bottom wall 810 forming a bottom surface of the valve member 3140; a valve sidewall 820 forming an outer peripheral wall of the valve member 3140; the pair of valve guide grooves 830 in which the slider loose insertion member 1030 is loosely inserted; the pair of valve restricting portions 840 for restricting the movement of the slider member 640; and valve hook portions 850, the valve hook portions 850 engaging the slider member 640. In addition, in the valve bottom wall 810, a valve protrusion portion 3150 is formed, which protrudes in the direction of the joint member 3120. The valve protrusion portion 3150 is formed in such a manner as to surround the ink flow passage 3133 of the joint member 3120, and closes the ink flow passage by contacting the joint member 3120.

When the ink extraction tube 1720 (see fig. 26) is inserted into the joint member 3120, the valve member 3140 is lifted toward the base member 660 (upper side of fig. 54). Accordingly, the valve protrusion portion 3150 is separated from the joint member 3120 at an early stage, and forms an ink flow channel. Therefore, the stroke when the ink cartridge is mounted can be shortened.

As long as a structure is provided in which the ink flow passage is closed as the joint member contacts the valve member as described with reference to fig. 54 and 55, and in which the joint member is separated from the valve member at an early stage and the ink flow passage is formed when the ink suction tube 1720 is inserted, a structure in which a protrusion is formed on the joint member side or a structure in which a protrusion is formed on the valve member side may be employed.

Other exemplary modified embodiments are described below. For example, in the above-described embodiments, the cap 300 includes a cap sidewall 320. The cap sidewall 320 may not be included. In this structure, an engagement portion fixed to a mounting portion of the inkjet printer 1710 (see fig. 26) can engage the housing side wall 230.

In addition, as for the above-described valve member 1930, the ink flow passage is the valve through hole 1950, but the shape of the valve through hole 1950 may also be formed in a square shape as viewed from a top view. In addition, the stopper through hole 2180 of the filter stopper member 2170 may also be formed in a square shape as viewed from a top view. By adopting such a structure, clogging of the ink flow passage due to ink bubbles can be reduced.

In addition, as described above, cover member 680 and base member 660 are engaged with engagement portion 1450. However, the cover member 680, check valve 670 and base member 660 may be eliminated, and a filter stopper member 2170 may also be employed.

In addition, in the ink cartridge in which the flow passage of the second base through hole 1150 is not closed when the spring member contacts the base bottom 1110, a base member without the base through groove 1160 may be employed.

In addition, a structure in which the side wall of the cap is provided with a step and a melting chip resulting from welding the cap to the case is not visually seen from the outside may also be applied to the thermal welding of the cap and the case, and the welding of the ink cartridge.

Other exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to fig. 56-86.

Fig. 56 is a perspective view of an exemplary ink cartridge 5001 for supplying ink to an inkjet printer 6000 (see fig. 77) according to the present invention. As shown in fig. 56, the ink cartridge 5001 is provided with a case 5200 and a cap 5300 which enclose a frame 5100 (see fig. 57). The case 5200 and the cap 5300 form a housing of the ink cartridge 5001.

Fig. 57 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge 5001 in a disassembled state, showing the case 5200 and the cap 5300 and the frame 5100. As shown in fig. 57, the housing 5200 includes a front housing portion 5220 and a rear housing portion 5210. The front housing portion 5220 and the rear housing portion 5210, when assembled, enclose the frame 5100. When the ink cartridge 5001 is assembled, the cap 5300 covers one end of the assembled front case portion 5220 and rear case portion 5210.

The frame 5100 includes a frame body 5110, an ink supply port 5120, an air inlet port 5130, an ink detection protrusion 5140, an ink filling chamber 5150, and a film 5160. The film 5160 is attached to the upper edge of the side wall of the frame body 5110 such that the film 5160 and the side wall of the frame together enclose the ink storage space. The ink supply port 5120 is configured to allow ink to be supplied from the ink cartridge 5001 to the inkjet printer 6000 through an ink supply valve mechanism 5500 (see fig. 60 (a)). The air intake 5130 is configured to allow air to enter the ink storage space from outside the ink cartridge 5001 via an air intake valve mechanism 5510 (see fig. 60(b)) when ink is discharged from the ink cartridge 5001 through the ink supply port 5120. The ink detecting projection 5140 is constituted in such a manner as to communicate with the detecting means 6014 (see fig. 77) when the ink cartridge 5001 is mounted in the ink jet printer 6000, so that the ink jet printer 6000 can detect the presence, absence and/or amount of ink in the ink storage space. The ink filling chamber 5150 is configured to allow ink to be introduced into the ink storage space of the cartridge 5001.

As described above, the housing 5200 includes the front housing portion 5220 and the rear housing portion 5210. The front and rear housing portions 5220, 5210 include various features for receiving the frame 5100 and allowing communication between the frame 5100 and the exterior of the ink cartridge 5001 when the front and rear housing portions 5220, 5210 are assembled. The front ink-supply orifice portion 5221 of the front housing portion 5220 and the rear ink-supply orifice portion 5211 of the rear housing portion 5210 form an ink-supply orifice 5221a through which the ink supply port 5120 communicates with the outside of the ink cartridge 5001. The rear housing portion 5210 further includes an ink supply valve receiving surface 5211a located adjacent the rear ink supply orifice portion 5211 for receiving the ink supply valve mechanism 5500. The forward orifice portion 5222 of the front housing portion 5220 and the rearward orifice portion 5212 of the rear housing portion 5210 form an air inlet aperture 5222a through which the air inlet 5130 communicates with the outside of the ink cartridge 5001. The rear housing portion 5210 further includes an intake valve housing surface 5212a located near the rear air vent portion 5212 for housing the intake valve mechanism 5510. The front ink detector orifice portion 5223 of the front housing portion 5220 and the rear ink detector orifice portion 5213 of the rear housing portion 5210 form an accommodating space through which the ink detection projection 5140 can communicate with the detection device 6014.

The front ink supply side projection part 5224a and the corresponding structure on the rear case part 5210 form an ink supply side projection for positioning the ink cartridge 5001 with respect to the inkjet printer 6000 and for positioning the case 5200 with respect to the cap 5300. Also, the front air intake side convex portion 5224b and the rear air intake side convex portion 5214b form an air intake side convex for positioning the ink cartridge 5001 with respect to the ink jet printer 6000 and for positioning the housing 5200 with respect to the cap 5300. The front ink supply side convex part 5224a includes a front ink supply side convex outer surface 5224a2 for positioning the ink cartridge 5001 with respect to the inkjet printer 6000. The rear ink supply side convex part 5214a includes a rear ink supply side convex outer surface 5214a2 for positioning the ink cartridge 5001 with respect to the inkjet printer 6000, and a rear ink supply side convex orifice 5214a1 for positioning the housing 5200 with respect to the cap 5300. The front air-side projecting portion 5224b includes a front air-side projection receiving portion 5224b2 for positioning the ink cartridge 5001 relative to the ink-jet printer 6000 and a front air-side projecting orifice 5224b1 for positioning the housing 5200 relative to the cap 5300. Rear air intake side raised portion 5214b includes rear air intake side protrusion receiving portion 5214b2 for positioning ink cartridge 5001 relative to ink jet printer 6000 and rear air intake side raised aperture 5214b1 for positioning housing 5200 relative to cap 5300.

The rear housing portion 5210 also includes locating pins 5215a, 5215b, 5215c for locating the frame 5100. When the ink cartridge 5001 is assembled, these positioning pins 5215a, 5215b, 5215c communicate with corresponding positioning apertures of the frame 5100.

The front housing portion 5220 includes a front ink-supply-side outer surface 5226, and the rear housing portion 5210 includes a rear ink-supply-side outer surface 5216. The front ink-supply-side outer surface 5226 and the rear ink-supply-side outer surface 5216 help position the ink cartridge 5001 during mounting of the ink cartridge 5001 on the inkjet printer 6000. The front ink-supply-side outer surface 5226 includes an ink-supply-side inclined outer surface 5226a and an ink-supply-side restricting plate 5226b, which guide the ink cartridge 5001 during mounting and prevent the ink cartridge 5001 from being pressed deep into the inkjet printer 6000, respectively.

The front housing portion 5220 includes a front air intake side outer surface 5227, and the rear housing portion 5210 includes a rear air intake side inner surface 5217. The front air intake side outer surface 5227 and the rear air intake side inner surface 5217 help position the ink cartridge 5001 during installation of the ink cartridge 5001 on the inkjet printer 6000. The front air intake side outer surface 5227 includes an air intake side inclined outer surface 5227a, and the rear air intake side inner surface 5217 includes an air intake side inclined inner surface 5217a, the air intake side inclined outer surface 5227a and the air intake side inclined inner surface 5217a cooperatively guide the ink cartridge 5001 during installation and prevent the ink cartridge 5001 from being pressed too deeply into the inkjet printer 6000.

As described above, the cap 5300, together with the assembled front and rear housing portions 5220, 5210, encloses the frame 5100. The cap 5300 includes an air inlet structure 5310, the air inlet structure 5310 for receiving a protruding portion of the air inlet 5130 of the frame 5100.

Fig. 58 shows a cap 5300. Fig. 58(a) is a top view and fig. 58(b) is a cross-sectional view of the cap. As described above, the cap 5300 includes the intake structure 5310, which is disposed opposite the intake valve mechanism 5510 when the ink cartridge 5001 is assembled. Fig. 58(a) and (b) specifically show the internal structure of the cap 5300 for fixing the cap 5300 to the housing 5200. The cap includes a transverse wall 5321 and an edge wall 5322 that define a projection receiving space 5320 for receiving the intake side projection of the housing 5200 when the cap 5300 is seated on the housing 5200. The cap 5300 also includes engagement projections 5330a, 5330b for engaging with the projection apertures on the housing 5200. Each of the engagement projections 5330a, 5330b includes an extension member 5330a2, 5330b2 extending from the inner surface of the cap 5300, and an engagement protrusion 5330a1, 5330b1 provided on an end of the extension member 5330a2, 5330b 2. The inner surface also includes positioning walls 5340a, 5340b that are located on both sides of the ink detection projection 5140 when the ink cartridge 5001 is assembled.

Fig. 59 is a front view of the disassembled frame body 5110, showing its respective structures. As can be seen in fig. 59, the frame body 5110 includes an ink supply chamber 5116 that forms an ink supply port 5120 and accommodates the ink supply valve mechanism 5500, and an intake chamber 5117 that forms an intake port 5130 and accommodates the intake valve mechanism 5510. In addition, the frame body 5110 includes an ink filling chamber 5150, a detector 5470, and an ink storage space defined by each structure described below.

The ink supply chamber 5116 is provided with an ink supply valve fastening rib 5116a, and the air intake chamber 5117 is provided with an air intake valve fastening rib 5117 a. The ink supply valve fastening rib 5116a and the intake valve fastening rib 5117a fix the ink supply valve mechanism 5500 and the intake valve mechanism 5510, respectively, by engaging the projection receiving apertures 5603a, 5703a of the ink supply sleeve 5600 and the intake valve sleeve 5700, respectively.

The frame body 5110 includes an ink storage space defined by sidewalls 5400a extending vertically with respect to the plane of fig. 59. These side walls 5400a are provided with film contact surfaces (outer film contact surface 5112a and inner film contact surfaces 5411a, 5412a, 5413a, 5414a, 5415a, 5416a, 5417a, 5418 a). The membrane 5160 is attached to the frame body 5110 at these membrane contact surfaces. The film 5160 and the sidewall 5400a surround the ink storage space.

A structure (not shown in fig. 59) similar to that shown in fig. 59 is provided on the rear side of the frame body 5110. The front and rear sides of the frame body 5110 are divided by partition walls including a lower central partition wall 5441 and an upper central partition wall 5442. Ink and/or air is allowed to pass through the partition walls to occupy ink storage spaces on the front and rear sides of the frame body 5110. The lower inlet aperture 5433a, the upper inlet through hole 5436 and the dividing through holes 5443, 5444, 5445, 5446 make this passage possible. Further, the opening regions 5113 and 5114 allow passage between the front and rear sides of the frame body 5110.

The frame body 5110 includes an air intake structure for preventing ink from flowing out through the air intake chamber 5117 and for ensuring controlled introduction of air into the ink storage space. After the air enters the frame body 5110 through the intake chamber 5117, the air enters the lower intake chamber 5431. The air is then delivered to the upper intake chamber 5432 through the narrow central intake passage 5433. Air can then be delivered to the remainder of the ink storage space through the upper air vent 5435.

The frame body 5110 includes an ink-filled chamber 5150 that includes ink-filled chamber walls 5451. The ink filling chamber 5150 is equipped with a stopper 5520 having a top surface 5520 a. When the stopper 5520 is partially inserted into the ink filling chamber 5150, ink may be introduced into the ink storage space by inserting an ink injection needle (not shown) through the top surface 5520a of the stopper 5520 and into a space below the stopper 5520 in the ink filling portion 5150.

The frame body 5110 further includes a detector 5470 for detecting the presence, absence, and/or quantity of ink in the cartridge 5001. The detector 5470 includes a detector float 5471, a detector mounting pin 5472a, and a detector arm 5473. The detector float 5471 floats in the ink, allowing the detector 5470 to move in response to the ink level in the ink storage space. The detector mounting pins 5472a are placed on the detector mount 5425 in the ink storage space when the ink cartridge 5001 is assembled. The detector mounting pins 5472a and the detector mount 5425 are configured such that the detector 5470 rotates about the detector mount 5425 in response to the amount of ink in the ink storage space. The detector arm 5473 includes a float arm portion 5473a adjacent to the detector float 5471, a detector plate 5473c located at an end of the detector 5470 opposite to the detector float 5471, and a plate arm portion 5473b extending between the float arm portion 5473a and the detector plate 5473 c. The detector plate 5473c is capable of blocking a light beam, and is configured to move in and out relative to the ink detecting projection 5140 in response to the amount of ink in the ink storage space.

Outside the ink storage space of the frame body 5110, positioning apertures 5460a, 5460b, 5460c are provided. The positioning apertures 5460a, 5460b, 5460c ensure the position of the frame body 5110 when the frame is fitted in the housing 5200. Specifically, locating apertures 5460a, 5460b, 5460c engage locating pins 5215a, 5215b, 5215c of housing 5200.

Fig. 60(a) and (b) are front/rear views of the ink supply valve mechanism 5500 and the air intake valve mechanism 5510 of the exemplary ink cartridge according to the present invention, which are divided into its constituent parts, respectively. As shown in fig. 60(a), the ink supply valve mechanism 5500 is provided with an insertion port (lower end) for an ink suction pipe 6015 of the inkjet printer 6000. The ink supply valve mechanism 5500 includes a plurality of components. The ink supply valve mechanism 5500 includes an ink supply valve sleeve 5600 and a joint member 5610. The ink supply valve housing 5600 surrounds the joint member 5610, receives the ink suction tube 6015, and projects from the frame 5100 when the ink cartridge 5001 is assembled. The joint member 5610 may be formed of a resin material having elasticity, such as rubber. The valve member 5620 is provided above the joint member 5610, and closes the ink flow passage when the joint member 5610 contacts the bottom wall of the valve member 5620. The first spring member 5630 is stored in the valve member 5620, and is formed of a resin elastic material. The slider member 5640 covers the release surface of the valve member 5620, and is movable in a uniaxial direction (the direction of the axis 01 of the ink supply valve mechanism 5500) which is a direction in which the valve member 5620 moves when being pressed by the suction tube 6015. The second spring member 5650 is stored within the slider member 5640 and is formed in the same shape and the same material as the first spring member 5630. The base member 5660 contacts the second spring member 5650 and receives the check valve 5670. The cover member 5680 and the base member 5660 sandwich and cover the check valve 5670. The valve member 5620, the first spring member 5630, the slider member 5640, and the second spring member 5650 constitute an ink supply valve assembly 5501. The respective components of the ink supply valve mechanism 5500 can be integrally assembled, so that the operation of assembling the ink supply valve mechanism 5500 in the frame 5100 can be simplified.

As shown in fig. 60(b), the intake valve mechanism 5510 is provided with an actuator port (lower end) through which an actuator (described below) can contact the surface outside the ink cartridge 5001. The intake valve mechanism 5510 includes a plurality of members. The intake valve mechanism 5510 includes an intake valve housing 5700 and a joint member 5710. The inlet valve pockets 5700 surround the joint member 5710, provide access to the actuator, and extend from the frame 5100 when the ink cartridge 5001 is assembled. The joint member 5710 may be formed of a resin material having elasticity, such as rubber. Valve member/actuator 5720 is disposed above joint member 5710 and closes the air flow passage when joint member 5710 contacts the bottom wall of valve member/actuator 5720. The first spring member 5730 is stored in the valve member/actuator 5720, and is formed of a resin elastic material. The slider member 5740 covers the unclamped surface of the valve member/actuator 5720, and is movable in a uniaxial direction (the direction of the axis 02 of the intake valve mechanism 5510) which is a direction in which the valve member/actuator 5720 moves when pressed by the surface on the outside of the ink cartridge 5001. The second spring member 5750 is stored within the slider member 5740 and is formed in the same shape and the same material as the first spring member 5730. The valve member/actuator 5720, first spring member 5730, slider member 5740, and second spring member 5750 comprise an intake valve assembly 5511. The respective parts of the intake valve mechanism 5510 can be assembled integrally, so that the operation of assembling the intake valve mechanism 5510 in the frame 5100 can be simplified.

Fig. 61 shows an ink supply valve sleeve 5600. Fig. 61(a) is a front/rear view of the ink supply valve sleeve 5600, fig. 61(b) is a left/right side view of the ink supply valve sleeve 5600, fig. 61(c) is a top view of the ink supply valve sleeve 5600, fig. 61(d) is a bottom view of the ink supply valve sleeve 5600, and fig. 61(e) is a sectional view of the ink supply valve sleeve 5600.

The ink supply valve sleeve 5600 is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape. As shown in fig. 61(a), the ink supply sleeve includes an outer peripheral wall 5601 and an inner peripheral wall 5602 located below the outer peripheral wall 5601. Tab receiving apertures 5603a, 5603b are formed in the front and rear sides of the outer peripheral wall 5601. These projection receiving apertures 5603 receive projections on the frame 5100 to hold the ink supply valve sleeve 5600 securely in place when the ink supply valve sleeve 5600 is fitted to the frame 5100. As shown in fig. 61(b), positioning slits 5604a, 5604b are formed on the left and right sides of the outer peripheral wall 5601. The positioning slots 5604a, 5604b can receive a substantially planar portion of the frame 5100 to ensure that the ink supply sleeve 5600 is properly positioned. As can be seen in fig. 61(c), the positioning slits 5604a, 5604b extend to the upper edge of the outer circumferential wall 5601.

As can be seen in fig. 61(c), (d), and (e), in the lower interior of the ink supply sleeve 5600, some walls define an ink suction tube receiving structure 5605. The suction tube receiving structure includes a horizontal wall 5606d extending horizontally from outer peripheral wall 5601 to inner peripheral wall 5602. The bottom wall 5606c forms the bottom surface of the ink supply sleeve 5600. Vertical wall 5606e extends between horizontal wall 5606d and bottom wall 5606 c. The sloped wall 5606b defines a generally conical space that is wider near the bottom of the ink supply valve sleeve 5600 and narrows toward the suction tube receiving aperture 5606a to effectively guide the suction tube into the suction tube aperture 5606 a. The wall of the tube receiving structure defines an annular groove 5607 on the interior of the ink supply valve sleeve 5600.

Fig. 62 shows a fitting member 5610. Fig. 62(a) is a side view of the joint member 5610, fig. 62(b) is a top view of the joint member 5610, fig. 62(c) is a bottom view of the joint member 5610, and fig. 62(d) is a sectional view of the joint member 5610 shown in fig. 62 (b).

As shown in fig. 62(a), the joint member 5610 includes three layers in a side view (viewed from a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of fig. 62 (c)). The lowermost layer portion (lower side of fig. 62 (a)) is a joint outer circumferential portion 5611 forming an outer circumferential portion of a joint member 5610. A portion above the joint outer circumferential portion 5611 is a joint inner circumferential portion 5612 that forms an inner circumferential portion of the joint member 5610. The joint outer peripheral portion 5611 and the joint inner peripheral portion 5612 are disposed inside the ink supply valve sleeve 5600. The portion shown above the nipple inner peripheral portion 5612 is a nipple contact portion 5613 that contacts the valve member 5620. As shown in fig. 62(b), the axial centers of the joint outer peripheral portion 5611, the joint inner peripheral portion 5612, and the joint contact portion 5613 are disposed on the same axial center as the axis 01 of the ink supply valve mechanism 5500. In addition, the joint member 5610 is formed of an elastic material such as resin rubber.

As shown in fig. 62(d), a joint contact portion 5613 protrudes from a top surface 5612a (a surface on the side contacting the valve member 5620) of the joint inner peripheral portion 5612. The nipple contact portion 5613 is formed so as to be narrowed toward the tip end portion 5613a (end portion to the upper side of fig. 62 (d)). The tip end portion 5613a contacts the bottom surface of the valve member 5620, and closes the ink flow passage. In addition, in the joint inner peripheral portion 5612, a joint protruding portion 5614 protrudes from the inner peripheral surface 5613b toward the axis 01, an orifice 5612c that becomes an insertion port for the ink suction tube 6015 is formed on a bottom surface 5612b (lower side of fig. 62 (d)) of the joint inner peripheral portion 5612, and a stepped surface 5614b is formed between the orifice 5612c and the joint protruding portion 5614.

In addition, as shown in fig. 62(d), in the joint member 5610, an ink flow passage 5615 is formed extending from the bottom surface 5612b of the joint inner peripheral portion 5612 through the tip end portion 5613a (upper side of fig. 62 (d)) of the joint contact portion 5613. The ink flow passage 5615 includes an orifice 5612c formed in a bottom surface 5612b, a tapered portion flow passage 5615c formed by a stepped surface 5612d connected to the orifice 5612c, a protrusion portion flow passage 5615b formed by an inner peripheral surface 5614a of a joint protrusion portion 5614 connected to the stepped surface 5612d, a contact portion flow passage 5615a formed by a stepped surface 5614b connected to the inner peripheral surface 5614a of the joint protrusion portion 5614, and an inner peripheral surface 5613b of a joint contact portion 5613 connected to the stepped surface 5614 b. In addition, the inner peripheral surface 5614a of the joint projection 5614 is parallel to the axis 01, and the stepped surface 5614b is perpendicular to the axis 01.

The tapered portion flow passage 5615c is formed in a substantially hollow conical shape in which the diameter gradually becomes smaller proceeding from the orifice 5612c along the stepped surface 5612d toward the contact point with the inner peripheral surface 5614a of the nipple projecting portion 5614. The projecting-portion flow passage 5615b is formed in a substantially hollow cylindrical shape having the same inner diameter as the smallest inner diameter of the tapered-portion flow passage 5615 c. The inner diameter of the protruding portion flow passage 5615b is formed slightly smaller than the diameter of the ink suction pipe 6015. The contact portion flow passage 5615a is formed in a substantially hollow cylindrical shape, an inner diameter thereof is larger than that of the protruding portion flow passage 5615b, and the inner diameter is larger than the diameter of the suction tube 6015. In addition, a stepped surface 5614b is formed in a boundary between the projecting-portion flow passage 5615b and the contacting-portion flow passage 5615 a. Therefore, the inner diameter rapidly changes from the projecting-portion flow passage 5615b to the contacting-portion flow passage 5615a in the direction of the axis 01. Therefore, as shown in fig. 62(d), the nipple contact portion 5613 has a structure in a base shape which is notched by the inner peripheral surface 5613b and the stepped surface 5614b, and the tip end portion 5613a of the nipple contact portion 5613 is disposed around the notched portion.

The ink suction pipe 6015 is inserted into the orifice 5612c guided by the stepped surface 5612d of the tapered portion flow passage 5615c, and is inserted into the projecting portion flow passage 5615 b. As described above, the inner diameter of the projecting-portion flow passage 5615b is slightly smaller than the diameter of the ink suction tube 6015, and therefore the ink suction tube 6015 is elastically adhered to the inner peripheral surface 5614a of the joint projecting portion 5614 forming the projecting-portion flow passage 5615 b. That is, the joint projecting portion 5614 is adapted to surround the suction tube 6015 inserted into the projecting-portion flow passage 5615 b. If the area of the joint member 5610 elastically adhering to the outer periphery of the ink suction pipe 6015 is too large, resistance will increase when the ink cartridge 5001 is mounted on the inkjet printer 6000, and smooth mounting cannot be achieved. However, in an embodiment such as that shown in fig. 62(d), the joint projecting portion 5614 is arranged such that the ink suction tube 6015 contacts only the inner peripheral surface 5614 a. Therefore, by making the joint member 5610 have a small area in contact with the ink suction pipe 6015, the mounting of the ink cartridge 5001 on the inkjet printer 6000 can be smoothly performed. As for the ink flow path 5615, a flow path through which ink actually flows when the ink suction pipe 6015 is inserted is located inside the ink suction pipe 6015. Further, as described below, by forming the contact portion flow passage 5615a in a base shape, it is possible to minimize displacement of the joint member 5610 in the axis 01 direction when the ink suction tube 6015 is inserted.

Fig. 63 shows a valve member 5620. Fig. 63(a) is a front/rear view of the valve member 5620, fig. 63(b) is a side view of the valve member 5620, fig. 63(c) is a top view of the valve member 5620, fig. 63(d) is a bottom view of the valve member 5620, and fig. 63(e) is a sectional view of the valve member 5620 shown in fig. 63 (c).

As shown in fig. 63(a), the valve member 5620 is provided with a valve bottom wall 5621 forming a bottom surface (a surface at a lower side in fig. 63 (a)) of the valve member 5620 and a valve side wall 5622 extending from the valve bottom wall 5621 in the axis 01 direction. The valve side wall 5622 is provided with a valve side wall rib 5622a extending in the axis 01 direction along the valve side wall 5622. In the valve side wall 5622, a pair of valve guide grooves 5623 are formed in which a slider loosely inserted member into which the slider member 5640 is loosely inserted. As shown in fig. 63(c), the pair of valve guide grooves 5623 are formed symmetrically with respect to the axis 01 of the ink supply valve mechanism 5500. In addition, as shown in fig. 63(a), the pair of valve guide grooves 5623 are formed along substantially the entire valve side wall 5622 in the axis 01 direction. A pair of extensions 5624 project in a direction away from the valve bottom wall 5621 and define an upper edge of the valve guide 5623. A pair of valve restricting portions 5625 that project in a direction away from the valve bottom wall 5621 and restrict movement of the slider member 5640 are connected to the valve side walls 5622. Each valve restricting portion 5625 projects toward the axis 01 at the tip end (upper side in fig. 63 (a)), thereby providing a valve hook portion 5626 engaged with the slider member 5640.

As shown in fig. 63(b), the pair of valve restricting portions 5625 are formed shorter than the valve side walls 5622 in the axis 01 direction of the ink supply valve mechanism 5500. The pair of valve restricting portions 5625 are arranged to restrict the slider member 5640 using the valve hook portion 5626, while the valve side walls 5622 are arranged to restrain the slider member 5640 from being displaced in the operating direction using the pair of valve guide grooves 5623 and to store the first spring member 5630. Therefore, the valve side wall 5622 is formed longer and larger than the pair of valve restricting portions 5625 in the axis 01 direction of the ink supply valve mechanism 5500.

As shown in fig. 63(c), four ink flow passages 5627 are formed in the valve bottom wall 5621 in the direction of the axis line 01 of the ink supply valve mechanism 5500 (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of fig. 63 (c)) at positions corresponding to the pair of valve guide grooves 5623 and the pair of valve restricting portions 5625. These ink flow passages 5627 extend through the valve bottom wall 5621 in the vertical direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of fig. 63 (c)). In addition, valve receiving portions 5628, 5629 that protrude upward (the front side in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of fig. 63 (c)) from the valve bottom wall 5621 and form a seat for receiving the spring top 5632 of the first spring member 5630 are provided on the valve bottom wall 5621. The valve receiving portion 5628 includes two plate-like members arranged substantially parallel to each other on the valve bottom wall 5621. The valve receiving portion 5629 includes two meniscus members on the valve bottom wall 5621 arranged to surround the valve receiving portion 5628. In addition, as shown in fig. 63(e), the height of the valve receiving portions 5628, 5629 in the direction of the axis 01 is sufficiently smaller than the height of the valve side wall 5622. The valve receiving portions 5628, 5629 are arranged to prevent contact between the first spring member 5630 and the valve bottom wall 5621 when the first spring member 5630 is arranged in the space within the valve side wall 5622, and to ensure positioning of the first spring member 5630 relative to the valve member 5620. This arrangement is necessary because if the first spring member 5630 contacts the valve bottom wall 5621, the ink flow passage is closed and ink does not flow.

Fig. 64 shows the first spring member 5630. Fig. 64(a) is a side view of the first spring member 5630, fig. 64(b) is a top view of the first spring member 5630, fig. 64(c) is a bottom view of the first spring member 5630, and fig. 64(d) is a sectional view of the first spring member 5630 shown in fig. 64 (b).

The first spring member 5630 is formed in a substantially hollow conical/hemispherical shape (or bowl shape), and includes an annular spring bottom 5631 forming a bottom surface (end having a larger diameter) of the first spring member 5630, an annular spring top 5632 forming a top portion (end having a smaller diameter) above the first spring member 5630, and a hollow conical spring flexible portion 5633 provided between the spring top 5632 and the spring bottom 5631. When a load in the direction of the axis 01 is applied to the ink supply valve mechanism 5500 (for example, when the ink suction pipe 6015 presses the valve member 5620 in the urging direction of the first spring member 560 and the second spring member 5650), the spring flexible portion 5633 is bent and deformed. The spring top 5632 contacts the valve receiving portions 5628, 5629 of the valve member 5620, and serves as a pressurizing portion that presses the valve member 5620. In addition, the spring bottom 5631 has a diameter larger than that of the spring top 5632, and thus the spring bottom 5631 serves as a base when the spring flexible portion 5633 is elastically deformed.

As shown in fig. 64(d), in the first spring member 5630, the ink flow passage 5634 extends from the bottom surface of the spring bottom 5631 (the end surface on the left side of fig. 64 (d)) to the tip end of the spring top 5632 (the end surface on the right side of fig. 64 (d)). The ink flow channel 5634 includes a top flow channel 5634a formed by an inner peripheral surface of the spring top 5632, a flexible portion flow channel 5634b formed by an inner peripheral surface of the spring flexible portion 5633, and a bottom flow channel 5634c formed by an inner peripheral surface of the spring bottom 5631. As shown in fig. 64(d), the orifice area of the ink flow channel 5634 becomes gradually larger from the top end of the spring top 5632 to the bottom surface of the spring bottom 5631.

As shown in fig. 64(d), the spring top 5632 is formed in a cylindrical shape, which is relatively thick and extends in the direction of the axis 01. The spring top 5632 is formed such that a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axis 01 direction (the pressing direction of the first spring member 5630) is uniform. Also, the spring bottom 5631 is formed in a cylindrical shape, which is relatively thick and extends in the direction of the axis 01, and has a uniform cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the direction of the axis 01.

In addition, as shown in fig. 64(d), the spring flexible portion 5633 is formed in a substantially conical/hemispherical shape which is curved with respect to the axis 01 direction, and the strength of the spring flexible portion 5633 which receives a load in the axis 01 direction is thereby smaller than the strength of the spring bottom 5631 and the spring top 5632. In addition, the thickness of the spring flexible portion 5633 is less than the thickness of the spring bottom 5631 and the spring top 5632, thereby contributing to making the spring flexible portion 5633 less strong. Therefore, the spring flexible portion 5633 is bent and deformed while the first spring member 5630 is elastically deformed.

The second spring member 5650 is formed in the same shape as the first spring member 5630. The structure of the second spring member 5650 includes a spring bottom 5631, a spring top 5632, a spring flexible portion 5633, and an ink flow channel 5634.

Fig. 65 shows a slider member 5640. Fig. 65(a) is a front/rear view of the slider member 5640, fig. 65(b) is a left/right side view of the slider member 5640, fig. 65(c) is a top view of the slider member 5640, fig. 65(d) is a bottom view of the slider member 5640, and fig. 65(e) is a sectional view of the slider member 5640 shown in fig. 65 (c).

As shown in fig. 65(a) and (b), the slider member 5640 is formed of a resin material having a hardness greater than that of the first spring member 5630 and the second spring member 5650, and includes: a slider peripheral wall 5641 which forms an outer periphery of the slider member 5640; two slider projecting portions 5642a, 5642b which extend from the slider outer peripheral wall 5641 in the direction of the axis 01 of the ink supply valve mechanism 5500 and are formed symmetrically with respect to the axis 01; and a pair of slider loose insertion members 5643 which are disposed on the slider peripheral wall 5641 and the slider protrusion portion 5642a along the slider peripheral wall 5641 and the slider protrusion portion 5642a, are formed symmetrically with respect to the axis 01, and loosely insert the pair of valve guide grooves of the valve member 5620. The slider outer peripheral wall 5641 and the slider projections 5642a and 5642b are formed together in a substantially cylindrical shape.

The spring members 5630, 5650 are arranged in an inner space of the slider member 5640 in the direction of the axis 01. The movement of each spring member 5630, 5650 in the direction perpendicular to the axis 01 is restricted by the slider projecting portions 5642a, 5642b and the slider peripheral wall 5641.

The slider loose insertion member 5643 extends along the slider member 5640 in the axis 01 direction (formed on the slider peripheral wall 5641 and the slider projection 5642 a). The movement of the slider member 5640 in the direction of the axis 01 is smoothed by the cooperation between the pair of valve guide grooves of the slider loose insert member 1030 and the valve member 5620.

As shown in fig. 65(c) and (d), inside the slider outer peripheral wall 5641, a slider base portion 5644 is provided, and on this slider base portion 5644, the respective spring members 5630, 5650 are arranged. The slider base portion 5644 contacts the spring bottom 5631 of each spring member 5630, 5650. The slider base portion 5644 divides two inner spaces in the slider member 5640 that accommodate the respective spring members 5630, 5650. In the center of the slider base portion 5644, a slider through-hole 5645 is formed, and the slider through-hole 5645 becomes a flow passage through which ink flows. As shown in fig. 65(e), a slider base portion 5644 is formed at a substantially intermediate position in the axis 01 direction of the slider member 5640.

Fig. 66 shows a base member 5660. Fig. 66(a) is a side view of the base member 5660, fig. 66(b) is a top view of the base member 5660, fig. 66(c) is a bottom view of the base member 5660, and fig. 66(d) is a sectional view of the base member 5660 shown in fig. 66 (b).

As shown in fig. 66(a), the base member 5660 is provided with a base bottom portion 5661, the base bottom portion 5661 forming a bottom surface of the base member 5660 and contacting the spring top portion 5632 of the second spring member 5650. The base member 5660 is provided with a spring positioning projection 5665, which spring positioning projection 5665 ensures correct positioning of the second spring member 5650 relative to the base member 5660. The base member is also provided with a base receiving portion 5662 arranged on the top surface (upper side of fig. 66 (a)) of the base bottom portion 5661. The seat receiving portion 5662 is provided with seat inclined surfaces 5662a inclined downward toward the center of the seat member 5660, and a check valve 5670 described later is received by these seat inclined surfaces 5662 a.

As shown in fig. 66(b), six base receiving portions 5662 are arranged at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction around the base member 5660. In addition, three of the six base receiving portions 5662 include first base through holes 5662b extending from the front surface to the rear surface of the base member 5660. These first base through holes 5662b are formed in a portion (a horizontal portion of the base receiving portion 5662) of the base receiving portion 5662 other than a portion provided with the base inclined surface 5662 a. Accordingly, the first seat through-hole 5662b is formed in a portion other than a portion receiving the check valve 5670. This structure prevents ink flow from being blocked.

In addition, between the base receiving portions 5662 of the base member 5660, second base through holes 5663 extending through the base bottom portion 5661 are formed. These second base through holes 5663 are formed between the base receiving portions 5662, so that six second base through holes 5663 are formed in a circumferential direction around the base member 5660. The second base through hole 5663 forms an ink flow passage through which ink flows.

As shown in fig. 66(c), on the bottom surface of the base bottom 5661, concave base through grooves 5664 are formed, which connect the respective second base through holes 5663. These base through slots 5664 connect those second base through holes 5663 in a substantially straight line that passes through the axis 01 and is symmetrical about the axis 01. Thus, in the base bottom 5661, three base through grooves 5664 are formed, which intersect with each other at the axis 01.

As shown in fig. 66(d), a gap is formed in the axis 01 direction between the base inclined surface 5662a of the base receiving portion 5662 and the second base through hole 5663. Therefore, even when the check valve 5670 is supported by the base inclined surface 5662a, the ink flow is ensured. In addition, as for the base through groove 5664, the end surface of the spring top 5632 of the second spring member 5650 is disposed inside the second base through hole 5663, and therefore, even when the end surface of the spring top 562 of the second spring member 5650 contacts the base member 5660, the base through groove 5664 ensures ink flow.

Fig. 67 shows a check valve 5670. Fig. 67(a) is a side view of the check valve 5670, fig. 67(b) is a top view of the check valve 5670, fig. 67(c) is a bottom view of the check valve 5670, and fig. 67(d) is a sectional view of the check valve 5670.

The check valve 5670 includes a substantially plate-shaped check valve plate portion 5671, a substantially rod-shaped check valve shaft portion 5672, and a substantially spherical check valve ball portion 5672 a. The upper surface of the check valve plate portion 5671 includes a thick portion 5671a located near the check valve shaft portion 5672 and a thin portion 5671b located at the outer periphery of the check valve plate portion 5671. The lower surface of the check valve plate portion 5671 is received by the base receiving portion 5662 of the base member 5660. Accordingly, when the check valve plate portion 5671 of the check valve 5670 is received by the base receiving portion 5662 of the base member 5660, the ink flow passage is opened, and when the check valve plate portion 5671 of the check valve 5670 contacts the cover member 5680, the ink flow passage is closed.

Fig. 68 shows a cover member 5680. Fig. 68(a) is a side view of the cover member 5680, fig. 68(b) is a top view of the cover member 5680, fig. 68(c) is a bottom view of the cover member 5680, and fig. 68(d) is a sectional view of the cover member 5680 shown in fig. 68 (b).

The cover member 5680 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape in which the lower surface side is opened. The cover member 5680 is provided with a cover peripheral wall 5681 forming an outer periphery and a cover top 5682 forming a top surface (upper side in fig. 68 (a)) of the cover member 5680, and the lower surface is opened. The base member 5660 is engaged with an opening of a lower surface (lower side in fig. 68 (a)) of the cover member 5680, and the check valve 5670 is accommodated between the base member 5660 and the cover member 5680. That is, the cover member 5680 and the base member 5660 constitute a housing that accommodates the check valve.

As shown in fig. 68(b) and (c), in the cover top portion 5682, six cover through holes 5683 are formed through the cover top portion 5682 at a plurality of circumferential positions. The cover through holes 5683 become flow passages through which ink flows, and when the check valve 5670 contacts the cover top 5682, the cover through holes 5683 are closed, and the ink flow passages are closed. The cap top portion 5682 is further provided with a check valve accommodating hole 5684 through which the check valve shaft portion 5672 of the check valve 5670 passes.

Fig. 69 shows inlet valve pockets 5700. Fig. 69(a) is a front/rear view of intake valve pocket 5700, fig. 69(b) is a left/right side view of intake valve pocket 5700, fig. 69(c) is a top view of intake valve pocket 5700, fig. 69(d) is a bottom view of intake valve pocket 5700, and fig. 69(e) is a cross-sectional view of intake valve pocket 5700.

Intake valve pockets 5700 are formed in a generally cylindrical shape. As shown in fig. 69(a), the ink supply valve sleeve includes an outer peripheral wall 5701 and a bottom wall 5702 adjacent to a bottom edge of the outer peripheral wall 5701. Projection receiving apertures 5703a, 5703b are formed in the front and rear sides of the outer peripheral wall 5701. These tab receiving apertures 5703 receive tabs on frame 5100 to securely hold inlet valve pockets 5700 in place when inlet valve pockets 5700 are mated to frame 5100. As shown in fig. 69(b), positioning slits 5704a and 5704b are formed on the left and right sides of the outer peripheral wall 5701. These positioning slots 5704a, 5704b can receive a generally planar portion of frame 5100 to ensure proper positioning of inlet valve pockets 5700. As can be seen in fig. 69(c), the positioning slits 5704a, 5704b extend to the upper edge of the outer peripheral wall 5701.

As can be seen in fig. 69(c), (d) and (e), the bottom wall 5702 includes a circular aperture 5705. When the ink cartridge 5001 is assembled, a portion of the joint member 5710 and the valve member/actuator 5720 protrudes through the circular aperture 5705.

Fig. 70 shows a joint member 5710. Fig. 70(a) is a side view of joint member 5710, fig. 70(b) is a top view of joint member 5710, fig. 70(c) is a bottom view of joint member 5710, and fig. 70(d) is a cross-sectional view of joint member 5710 shown in fig. 70 (b).

As shown in fig. 70(a), joint member 5710 includes four layers in a side view (viewed from a direction perpendicular to the paper of fig. 70 (c)). The lowermost layer portion (lower side of fig. 70 (c)) is a flange portion 5714. The flange portion 5714 is exposed to the outside of the frame 5100 through the inlet valve housing 5700. Above flange portion 5714 is a joint outer peripheral portion 5711 that forms an outer peripheral portion of joint member 5710. Above the joint outer peripheral portion 5711 is a joint inner peripheral portion 5712 that forms an inner peripheral portion of the joint member 5710. Joint outer circumferential portion 5711 and joint inner circumferential portion 5712 are disposed inside intake valve sleeve 5700. The portion shown above the joint inner perimeter portion 5712 is a joint contact portion 5713 that contacts the valve member/actuator 5720. As shown in fig. 70(b), the axial centers of the joint outer peripheral portion 5711, the joint inner peripheral portion 5712, and the joint contact portion 5713 are disposed on the same axial center as the axis 02 of the intake valve mechanism 5510. In addition, the joint member 5710 is formed of an elastic material such as resin rubber.

As shown in fig. 70(d), a joint contact portion 5713 protrudes from a top surface 5712a (a surface on the side contacting the valve member/actuator 5720) of the joint inner peripheral portion 5712. The joint contact portion 5713 is formed so as to be narrowed toward the tip end portion 5713a (end portion to the upper side of fig. 70 (d)). The tip portion 5713a contacts the bottom surface of the valve member/actuator 5720 and closes the air flow passage. In the joint member 5710, the air flow passage 5715 is formed to have a stepped structure whose width decreases as approaching the tip end portion 5713 a. When the ink cartridge 5001 is assembled, the actuator 5721a of the valve member/actuator 5720 extends through the air flow passage 5715.

Fig. 71 shows valve member/actuator 5720. Fig. 71(a) is a front/rear view of valve member/actuator 5720, and fig. 71(b) is a bottom view of valve member/actuator 5720.

As shown in fig. 71(a), the valve member/actuator 5720 is provided with a valve bottom wall 5721 forming a bottom surface (a surface at the lower side of fig. 71 (a)) of the valve member/actuator 5720, and a valve side wall 5722 extending from the valve bottom wall 5721 in the direction of the axis 02. The valve side wall 5722 is provided with a valve side wall rib 5722a extending in the axis 01 direction along the valve side wall 5722. In the valve side wall 5722, a pair of valve guide grooves are formed, in which a slider loose insert member of the slider member 5740 is loosely inserted. The pair of valve guide grooves 5723 are formed symmetrically with respect to the axis 02 of the intake valve mechanism 5510. The pair of valve guide grooves 5723 are formed along substantially the entire valve side wall 5722 in the direction of the axis 02. A pair of extensions 5724 project away from the valve bottom wall 5721 and define the upper edges of the valve guide 5723. A pair of valve restricting portions 5725 that project in a direction away from the valve bottom wall 5721 and restrict movement of the slider member 5740 is connected to the valve side wall 5722. Each valve restricting portion 5725 protrudes toward the axis 02 at the tip end (upper side in fig. 71 (a)), and is provided with a valve hook portion 5726 that engages with the slider member 5740.

An actuator 5721a is provided extending from the valve bottom wall 5721 of the valve member/actuator 5720. The actuator 5721a extends away from the valve bottom wall 5721 in the direction of axis 02. The actuator 5721a is provided with an actuator rib 5721b extending vertically along the length direction of the actuator 5721 a. When the ink cartridge 5001 is assembled, the actuator 5721a extends to the outside of the ink cartridge 5001. When the actuator 5721a is pressed by the surface outside the ink cartridge 5001, the resulting force presses the valve member/actuator 5720 upward in the direction of the axis 02, thereby operating to open the intake valve mechanism 5510 and allow air to flow into the ink cartridge 5001.

The pair of valve restricting portions 5725 is formed shorter than the valve side walls 5722 in the axis 02 direction of the intake valve mechanism 5510. The pair of valve restraining portions 5725 are arranged to restrain the slider member 5740 with the valve hook portion 5726, while the valve side walls 5722 are arranged to restrain the slider member 5740 from shifting in the operating direction with the pair of valve guide grooves 5723 and to store the first spring member 5730. Therefore, the valve side wall 5722 is formed longer and larger than the pair of valve restricting portions 5725 in the axis 02 direction of the intake valve mechanism 5510.

In the valve bottom wall 5721, four air flow passages 5727 are formed in the direction of the axis 02 of the intake valve mechanism 5510 at positions corresponding to the pair of valve guide grooves 5723 and the pair of valve restricting portions 5725. These air flow passages 5727 extend in a vertical direction through the valve bottom wall 5721. Valve receiving portions 5728, 5729 (see fig. 80) are provided on the valve bottom wall 5721, which project upward from the valve bottom wall 5721 and form a seat for receiving the spring top portion 5732 of the first spring member 5730.

As shown in fig. 60 and described above, the intake valve mechanism 5510 also includes a first spring member 5730, a slider member 5740, and a second spring member 5750. The structures of these components are not shown in separate drawings because they substantially correspond to the first spring member 5630, the slider member 5640, and the second spring member 5650 of the ink supply valve mechanism 5500, respectively. For example, the first spring member 5730 includes a spring bottom 5731, a spring top 5732, a spring flexible portion 5733, and an air flow channel 5734 that generally correspond in structure to the spring bottom 5631, the spring top 5632, the spring flexible portion 5633, and the ink flow channel 5634 of the first spring member 5630. Likewise, slider member 5740 includes slider projections 5742a, 5742b, slider loose insert member 5743, slider base portion 5744 and slider through hole 5745 that correspond in structure generally to slider projections 5642a, 5642b, slider loose insert member 5643, slider base portion 5644 and slider through hole 5645 of slider member 5640. Further, the second spring member 5750 includes a spring bottom 5751, a spring top 5752, a spring flexible portion 5753, and an air flow passage 5754 that generally correspond in structure to the spring bottom 5651, the spring top 5652, the spring flexible portion 5653, and the air flow passage 5654 of the second spring member 5650.

Fig. 72 is a partial sectional view of the frame body 5110, showing the structure of the ink supply valve mechanism 5500 and the intake valve mechanism 5510 assembled in the frame body 5110. As shown in fig. 72, the ink supply valve mechanism 5500 and the intake valve mechanism 5510 are separated in the frame body 5110 by the ink detecting projection 5140.

The ink supply valve mechanism 5500 is located in the frame body 5110, so that constituent elements of the ink supply valve mechanism 5500 are arranged in the following order from the bottom (left side of fig. 72) of the frame body 5110: an ink supply sleeve 5600 at a bottom most position, a joint member 5610, a valve member 5620, a first spring member 5630, a slider member 5640, a second spring member 5650, a base member 5660, a check valve 5670, and a cover member 5680 at a top most position. The ink supply valve mechanism 5500 is inserted into an ink supply valve mechanism insertion portion 5800 provided in the ink supply chamber 5116 of the frame body 5110. Above the ink supply valve mechanism insertion portion 5800 (right side in fig. 72), an ink supply chamber 5801 is provided. Ink is supplied from the ink supply orifice 5423 to the ink supply valve mechanism insertion portion 5800 of the frame body 5110 via the ink supply chamber 5801, the stepped portion 5801a holding the cover member 5680, and the ink supply chamber orifice 5421 separating the ink supply chamber 5801 and the stepped portion 5801 a.

The intake valve mechanism 5510 is located in the frame body 5110, so that the constituent elements of the intake valve mechanism 5510 are arranged in the following order from the bottom (left side of fig. 72) of the frame body 5110: an intake valve pocket 5700 at a bottom-most position, a joint member 5710, a valve member/actuator 5720, a first spring member 5730, a slider member 5740, and a second spring member 5750 at a top-most position. The intake valve mechanism 5510 is inserted into an intake valve mechanism insertion portion 5810 provided in an intake chamber 5117 of the frame body 5110. The intake valve mechanism insertion portion 5810 communicates with the lower intake chamber 5431 of the frame body 5110 through the lower intake chamber aperture 5434. The intake valve insertion portion is provided with a spring member receiving portion 5811 for receiving the second spring member 5750.

Fig. 73 shows how the film 5160 is attached to the frame body 5110. Fig. 73(a) is a right side view of the frame body 5110 before the film 5160 is applied, and fig. 73(b) is a front view of the frame body 5110 before the film 5160 is applied.

As shown in fig. 73(a), before the film 5160 is applied to the frame body 5110, the films are placed near the outer film-contacting surface 5112a of the front side of the frame body 5110 and the outer film-contacting surface 5112b of the rear side of the frame body 5110. These films 5160 are attached to the outer film contact surface 5112a and the outer film contact surface 5112b by the application of heat and pressure (e.g., thermal welding), as indicated by arrows H. As shown in fig. 73(b), the film 5160 includes a contact portion 5900 applied to the frame body 5110. After the film 5160 has been attached to the frame body 5110, the remaining portion of the film 5160 can be cut away and discarded.

Fig. 74 shows a process of filling the frame body 5110 with ink. Fig. 74(a) is a front view of the frame body 5110 before the ink supply valve mechanism 5500 and the intake valve mechanism 5510 are mounted, fig. 74(b) is a front view of the frame body 5110 before ink is added to the frame 5110, and fig. 74(c) is a front view of the frame body 5110 after ink is added to the frame body 5110.

Fig. 74(a) shows the frame body 5110 after the film 5160 has been attached on the front side thereof. Thick lines in fig. 74(a), (b) and (c) show the locations where the film 5160 is sealed to the frame body 5110. When the components of ink supply valve mechanism 5500 and air intake valve mechanism 5510 shown in fig. 74(a) are brought into contact with the ink supply chamber 5116 and air intake chamber 5117 in the direction of the arrows shown, the ink supply valve fastening rib 5116a of the ink supply chamber 5116 and the air intake valve fastening rib 5117a of the air intake chamber 5117 engage with the projection receiving apertures 5603a, 5703a of the ink supply valve sleeve 5600 and air intake valve sleeve 5700, respectively (further, the rear ink supply valve fastening rib (not shown) and the rear side air intake valve fastening rib (not shown) engage with the projection receiving apertures 5603b, 5703b, respectively).

Fig. 74(b) shows the communication between the decompression device 5910 and the frame body 5110 after the ink supply valve mechanism 5500 and the intake valve mechanism 5510 are assembled on the frame body 5110. The pressure reducing device 5910 includes a vacuum pump 5912 and a suction pipe 5911. The suction pipe 5911 is inserted into the ink supply port 5120, and air in the ink storage space of the frame body 5110 is sucked from the frame body 5110. Therefore, the pressure of the ink storage space is lower than the pressure (e.g., atmospheric pressure) of the area outside the ink storage space. In fig. 74(c), the ink injection needle 5920 is inserted into the frame body 5110 (e.g., through the stopper 5520), and the frame body 5110 is filled with ink. Preferably, after filling, the ink level I is below the positions of the upper air intake apertures 5435 and the upper air intake through holes 5436 when the frame body 5110 is in the upright position.

Fig. 75 shows the assembly of the frame body 5110 and the case 5200. Fig. 75(a) is a perspective view of the frame body 5110, the rear case part 5210 and the front case part 5220 before assembly, and fig. 75(b) is a front view of the ink cartridge 5001 after assembly of the frame body 5110 and the case 5200. As shown in fig. 75(a), the ink cartridge 5001 is assembled by bringing the front housing portion 5200b and the rear housing portion 5200a together so that the ink supply port 5120, the air intake port 5130, and the ink detection projection 5140 are seated in the rear ink supply orifice portion 5211, the rear air orifice portion 5212, and the rear ink detector orifice portion 5213, respectively. Further, the positioning apertures 5460a, 5460b, 5460c are brought into contact with the positioning pins 5215a, 5215b, 5215c to achieve engagement. An assembled ink cartridge 5001 is shown in fig. 75 (b).

Fig. 76 shows the preparation and packaging of the ink cartridge 5001. Fig. 76(a) is a perspective view of the cap 5300 and the housing 5200 before assembly, and fig. 76(b) is a perspective view of the ink cartridge 5001 during packaging.

As shown in fig. 76(a), the cap 5300 is assembled to the housing 5200 in the direction of the arrow. During assembly, the engagement projections 5330a, 5330b are engaged with boss apertures (e.g., boss apertures formed by rear intake side boss aperture 5214b1 and front intake side boss aperture 5224b 1) on the housing 5200. As shown in fig. 76(b), the ink cartridge 5001 is put into a resin bag 5930. The resin bag 5930 is prepared for transportation or the like using a decompression device 5940. The pressure reduction device 5940 includes a vacuum pump 5942 and a suction pipe 5941. The suction tube 5941 is inserted into the aperture 5931 of the resin bag 5930 and draws air out of the resin bag 5930. Therefore, after sealing the orifice 5931, the pressure of the resin bag 5930 is lower than the pressure (e.g., atmospheric pressure) of the area outside the ink storage space.

Fig. 77 shows an operation of mounting the ink cartridge 5001 on the inkjet printer 6000. Fig. 77(a) is a sectional view of the ink cartridge 5001 and the inkjet printer 6000 before installation, fig. 77(b) is a sectional view of the ink cartridge 5001 and the inkjet printer 6000 during installation, and fig. 77(c) is a sectional view of the ink cartridge 5001 and the inkjet printer 6000 after installation.

As shown in fig. 77(a), the inkjet printer 6000 includes a cartridge installation component 6010 for installing the ink cartridge 5001. The cartridge mount assembly 6010 includes a receiving wall 6011 for receiving a side of the cartridge 5001. The receiving wall 6011 on the side of the cartridge mounting assembly 6010 corresponding to the intake side of the ink cartridge 5001 includes an intake side engaging protrusion 6011 a. The cartridge mount assembly 6010 also includes a mount base 6013 for receiving the bottom of the cartridge 5001. The mount substrate 6013 includes an ink via 6013a for supplying ink to a printhead (not shown). The ink suction pipe 6015 is connected to the ink passage 6013a and extends horizontally away from the mounting substrate 6013. The mount base 6013 further includes an air passage 6013b capable of supplying air to the ink cartridge 5001.

A detection apparatus 6014 is provided on the mount base 6013. The detecting device includes a light emitting portion 6014a and a light receiving portion (not shown). The detecting device 6014 is configured to receive the ink detecting projection 5140 between the light emitting portion 6014a and the light receiving portion.

At a portion where the mount base 6013 intersects with the receiving wall 6011, an ink supply-side groove 6016a and an intake-side groove 6016b are provided. An intake side moving projection 6016b1 is provided along the intake side receiving wall 6011 in the vicinity of the intake side recess 6016 b.

A cover 6017 is provided at an edge (right edge in fig. 77) of the ink supply side receiving wall 6011. The cover includes a cover hinge protrusion 6017a, a cover hinge 6017b, and a cover upper surface 6017 c. The cover 6017 is also provided with a cover end projection 6017d, and the cover end projection 6017d engages the cover receiving recess 6018 of the cartridge mount assembly 6010.

As shown in fig. 77(a), prior to installation, the lid 6017 of the cartridge mount assembly 6010 is opened and the cartridge 5001 is positioned so that the bottom surface of the cartridge 5001 (after removal of the cap 5300) will be inserted first into the inkjet printer 6000. The mounting process is started by moving the ink cartridge 5001 in the direction indicated by the arrow E. As shown in fig. 77(b), the ink cartridge 5001 is horizontally inserted into a space defined by the mount base 6013 and the receiving wall 6011. When the ink cartridge 5001 is inserted into the space, the front air intake side projecting portion 5224b of the ink cartridge 5001 contacts the air intake side moving projection 6016b1, so that the air intake side receiving wall 6011 is moved outward away from the front air intake side outer surface 5227 of the ink cartridge 5001.

When the ink cartridge 5001 is fully inserted into the cartridge mounting assembly 6010, the intake side receiving wall 6011 returns toward the intake side outer surface 5227 of the ink cartridge 5001, and the intake side engaging protrusion 6011a engages the intake side recess 5227b of the ink cartridge 5001. The ink-supply-side restriction plate 5226b engages the cover hinge projection 6017a and covers the cover 6017 on the top surface of the ink cartridge 5001 in the direction of arrow F. The ink suction pipe 6015 is inserted into the ink supply port 5120, the air inlet 5130 is moved close to the air passage 6013b, and the ink detecting protrusion 5140 is located between the light emitting portion 6014a and the light receiving portion. When the ink cartridge 5001 is positioned as shown in fig. 77(c), the inkjet printer 6000 can perform a printing operation.

Fig. 78 shows an operation of detaching the ink cartridge 5001 from the ink jet printer 6000. Fig. 78(a) is a sectional view of the ink cartridge 5001 and the inkjet printer 6000 before detachment, fig. 78(b) is a sectional view of the ink cartridge 5001 and the inkjet printer 6000 during detachment, and fig. 78(c) is a sectional view of the ink cartridge 5001 and the inkjet printer 6000 after detachment.

In fig. 78(a), the ink cartridge 5001 is positioned as shown in fig. 77 (c). The detachment process is started by moving the cover 6017 in the direction indicated by the arrow S. When the cover 6017 is moved further as indicated by the arrow T, the cover hinge projection 6017a engages and pulls the ink-supply-side restriction plate 5226b of the ink cartridge 5001. The force generated by the engagement of the cover hinge projection 6017a and the ink supply-side restriction plate 5226b causes the other parts of the ink cartridge 5001 and the cartridge mount assembly 6010 to disengage. The intake side engagement projection 6011a is disengaged from the intake side groove 5227 b. Front ink-supply-side projecting portion 5224a and front air-intake-side projecting portion 5224b are disengaged from ink-supply-side recess 6016a and air-intake-side recess 6016b, respectively. The ink supply port 5120 is disengaged from the ink suction tube 6015, and the ink detecting projection 5140 is disengaged from the detecting unit 6014.

After the respective parts of the ink cartridge 5001 are disengaged from the respective parts of the cartridge mount assembly 6010 as described above, the disassembly is completed by completely removing the ink cartridge 5001 as indicated by arrow U.

Fig. 79 shows two opposite sides of the frame body 5110. Fig. 79(a) is a front view of the frame body 5110, and fig. 79(b) is a rear view of the frame body 5110.

The components of the frame body 5110 have been discussed in detail above with reference to fig. 59. FIG. 79 shows the openings 5111a/b and the lower central partition 5440, which are not shown in FIG. 59. As for the remaining components, respective corresponding components are provided on the front side (fig. 79(a)) and the rear side (fig. 79(b)) of the frame body 5110. A description is given above with reference to fig. 59 of those components appearing in both fig. 59 and fig. 79. The following components are present only on the rear side of the frame body 5110 (see fig. 79 (b)): outer film-contacting surface 5112b corresponds to outer film-contacting surface 5112 a; sidewall 5400b corresponds to sidewall 5400 a; inner film contact surface 5411b corresponds to inner film contact surface 5411 a; inner film contact surfaces 5412b1, 5412b2 correspond to inner film contact surface 5412 a; inner film contact surface 5413b corresponds to inner film contact surface 5413 a; inner film contact surface 5414b corresponds to inner film contact surface 5414 a; inner film contact surface 5415b corresponds to inner film contact surface 5415 a; inner film contact surface 5416b corresponds to inner film contact surface 5416 a; inner film contact surface 5417b corresponds to inner film contact surface 5417 a; and inner film contact surface 5418b corresponds to inner film contact surface 5418 a. Since these structures correspond to the structures described in fig. 59, no further explanation is provided.

Fig. 80 is a partial cross-sectional view of the frame 5015 showing the direction of ink flow out of the cartridge and the direction of air flow into the cartridge. As shown in fig. 80, when the suction pipe 6015 is inserted into the ink supply valve mechanism insertion portion 5800, ink flows out of the frame 5015 along an ink flow passage indicated by an arrow K. Ink enters the ink supply chamber 5801 through the ink supply orifice 5423, and then flows into the ink supply valve mechanism insertion portion 5800 through the ink supply chamber orifice 5421. In the ink supply valve mechanism insertion portion 5800, ink flows through the cap through hole 5683, the first base through hole 5662b, and the second base through hole 5663 of the cap member 5680, the base through groove 5664, the ink flow passage 5634 of the second spring member 5650, the slider through hole 5645, the ink flow passage 5634 of the first spring member 5630, the flow passage formed between the first spring member 5630 and the valve receiving portions 5628, 5629, the ink flow passage 5627 of the valve member 5620, and the ink suction pipe 6015 in this order. Ink also flows down the circumferential edge of the ink supply valve assembly 5501.

When the actuator 5721a contacts the mounting substrate 6013 of the inkjet printer 6000, air flows into the frame 5015 along an air flow passage indicated by an arrow L. As shown in fig. 80, when actuator 5721a is actuated, air flows through, in order, intake valve pocket 5700, air flow passage 5715 of joint member 5710, air flow passage 5727 of valve member/actuator 5720, air flow passage 5734 of first spring member 5730, slider through hole 5745 of slider member 5740, air flow passage 5754 of second spring member 5750, lower intake chamber orifice 5434, and into lower intake chamber 5431. The air also flows upward over the circumferential edge of the intake valve assembly 5511.

Fig. 81 shows the ink dispensing portion 5420 of the frame body 5110. Fig. 81(a) is a rear view of ink dispensing portion 5420, fig. 81(b) is a cross-sectional view of ink dispensing portion 5420, fig. 81(c) is a rear view of ink dispensing portion 5420, and fig. 81(d) is a rear view of ink dispensing portion 5420.

The ink dispensing portion includes an ink dispensing portion base wall 5424 surrounding ink dispensing portion chamber 5424a, and an ink dispensing portion semi-conical wall 5422 surrounding ink supply semi-conical chamber 5426. The ink dispensing part chamber 5424a and the ink supply semi-conical chamber 5426 are connected through the ink supply orifice 5423, and the ink supply semi-conical chamber 5426 is connected with the ink supply chamber 5116 through the ink supply chamber orifice 5421. As can be seen in fig. 81(a), when the ink cartridge 5001 is installed in the inkjet printer 6000, the ink dispensing part chamber 5424a and the ink supply orifice 5423 are located in a lower position than the side wall 400 b. Therefore, as shown in fig. 81(C), when the ink cartridge 5001 is installed in the ink jet printer 6000, ink accumulates in the ink dispensing part chamber 5424a and is dispensed from the ink cartridge 5001 through the ink supply orifice 5423 and the ink supply chamber orifice 5421 as shown by arrow C. Due to the location of the ink dispensing part chamber 5424a (below the remainder of the frame body 5110) when the ink cartridge 5001 is installed in the ink jet printer 6000, only a minimal amount of ink D may remain in the ink cartridge 5001 before the ink cartridge 5001 is no longer able to dispense ink. Therefore, the ink cartridge 5001 can efficiently dispense most of the stored ink.

Fig. 82 shows the air intake portion 5430 of the frame body 5110. Fig. 82(a) is a perspective view of the air intake part 5430, fig. 82(b) is a rear view of the air intake part 5430, and fig. 82(c) is a front view of the air intake part 5430.

As shown in fig. 82(a), the intake section 5430 includes a lower intake chamber 5431, an upper intake chamber 5432, and a central intake passage 5433 that extends between the lower intake chamber 5431 and the upper intake chamber 5432. The lower intake chamber 5431 is defined by lower intake chamber walls 5431a and the upper intake chamber 5432 is defined by upper intake chamber walls 5432 a. The lower intake chamber orifice 5434 is disposed near the rear surface 5437b of the intake section 5430 and connects the lower intake chamber 5431 with the intake chamber 5117. The lower intake aperture 5433a connects the lower intake chamber 5431 with the central intake passage 5433. The middle intake aperture 5433b connects the central intake passage 5433 with the upper intake chamber 5432. The upper air intake hole 5435 is provided at the front surface 5437a of the air intake part 5430, and connects the air intake part 5430 with the remaining part of the front side of the frame body 5110, and the upper air intake through hole 5436 connects the air intake part 5430 with the rear side of the frame body 5110. As shown in fig. 82(b) and 82(c), the components of the air intake portion 5430 are arranged such that: even when the ink cartridge 5001 is filled with ink, air can enter the ink cartridge 5001 from the air intake chamber 5117, and ink does not leak out of the ink cartridge 5001 through the air intake chamber 5117.

Fig. 83 shows the ink filled portion 5450 of the frame body 5110. Fig. 83(a) is a rear view of the ink filling portion 5450, and fig. 83(b) is a sectional view of the ink filling portion 5450.

As shown in fig. 83(a), the ink filling portion 5450 includes ink filling chamber walls 5451, ink filling apertures 5452, and ink filling structures 5453. The ink filling chamber wall 5451 has an open end (ink filling chamber opening 5451a) and a closed end (ink filling chamber base wall 5451 b). As described above, the stopper 5520 can be inserted into the ink filling portion 5450 through the ink filling chamber opening 5451 a. The ink fill structure 5453 includes an inverted horseshoe-shaped ink fill structure wall 5453a and an ink fill structure tip 5454. An ink fill structure 5453 is provided on the outer surface of the ink fill chamber walls 5451, and an ink fill aperture 5452 extends through the ink fill chamber walls 5451 to a location near the base of the ink fill structure 5453. With this structure, ink can exit the ink fill aperture 5452 at a relatively low position and enter the ink storage space at a relatively high position. That is, the ink filling structure 5453 is constituted such that: with the cartridge 5001 in the upright position, the cartridge 5001 can be filled with ink to a level above the ink fill aperture 5452. Therefore, the space of the ink storage space of the frame body 5110 can be more effectively utilized.

Fig. 84 shows the operation of the detector 5470. Fig. 84(a) is a front view of the frame body 5110 filled with ink, and fig. 84(b) is a front view of the frame body 5110 without ink. As shown in fig. 84(a), when the frame body 5110 is filled with ink, the detector plate 5473c of the detector 5470 is located inside the ink detecting protrusion 5140 at a site between the light emitting portion 6014a and the light receiving portion of the detecting device 6014 of the inkjet printer 6000. In this state, the detector plate 5473c prevents the light emitted from the light emitting portion 6014a from reaching the light receiving portion. When such a blockage occurs, the detecting device 6014 determines that there is enough ink within the frame body 5110 for the printing operation. As shown in fig. 84(b), when the frame body 5110 is free from ink, the detector plate 5473c has moved away from a portion between the light emitting portion 6014a and the light receiving portion of the detecting device 6014. In this state, the light emitted from the light emitting portion 6014a reaches the light receiving portion, and the detecting device 6014 determines that there is not enough ink inside the frame body 5110 for the printing operation.

The detector 5470 (and thus the detector plate 5473c) moves in response to a change in the amount of ink in the frame body 5110. Specifically, the detector float 5471 floats in the ink. Thus, as the ink level rises, the detector float 5471 also rises. The detector 5470 is rotatably mounted on the frame body 5110, and the detector plate 5473c is located on the end of the detector 5470 opposite to the detector float 5471. Therefore, when the detector float 5471 rises with the ink level, the detector plate 5473c rotates downward into a portion between the light emitting portion 6014a and the light receiving portion of the detecting device 6014. Also, when the detector float 5471 sinks with the ink level, the detector plate 5473c rotates upward away from the portion between the light emitting portion 6014a and the light receiving portion of the detecting device 6014. Thus, the movement of the detector plate 5473c with the ink level in the frame body 5110 allows the presence, absence, and/or amount of ink in the frame body 5110 to be detected when the ink cartridge 5001 is installed in the ink jet printer 6000.

Fig. 85 shows the ink detecting projection 5140 of the frame body 5110. Fig. 85(a) is a front view of the ink detecting projection 5140, and fig. 85(b) and (c) are sectional views of the ink detecting projection 5140.

As shown in fig. 85(a), the ink detecting projection 5140 includes an ink detecting groove 5141 defined by an ink detecting supply wall 5141a and an ink detecting intake side wall 5141 b. In the ink detection groove 5141, an ink detection restricting wall 5142 is provided. In the vicinity of the ink detection projection, a detector area side wall 5143a and a detector area partition 5143 are provided.

As can be seen in fig. 85(b) and (c), when the ink cartridge 5001 is sufficiently filled with ink, the detector plate 5473c of the detector 5470 is disposed within the ink detection groove 5141. The detector plate 5473c is disposed on the ink detection restricting wall 5142. These structures ensure that: when the ink cartridge 5001 is sufficiently filled with ink, the detector plate 5473c is positioned such that the detector plate 5473c is disposed between the light emitting portion 6014a and the light receiving portion of the detecting device 6014 of the inkjet printer 6000.

Fig. 86 shows a detector 5470. Fig. 86(a) is a side view of the detector 5470, and fig. 86(b) is an end view of the detector 5470. The various components of the detector 5470 described above are shown in fig. 86. Specifically, the detector 5470 includes a detector float 5471, a detector mounting portion 5472 including a detector mounting pin 5742a, and a detector arm 5473. The detector arm 5473 includes a float arm portion 5473a adjacent to the detector float 5471, a detector plate 5473c located at an end of the detector 5470 opposite to the detector float 5471, and a plate arm portion 5473b extending between the float arm portion 5473a and the detector plate 5473 c. The detector arm 5473 is further provided with a detector rib 5473d protruding from a side of the detector arm 5473 to improve structural stability of the detector arm 5473.

Fig. 86 also shows detector plate pins 5473e1, 5473e 2. These detector plate pins 5473e1, 5473e2 extend outwardly from each surface of the detector plate 5473c and thus prevent the relatively large flat surface of the detector plate 5473c from "sticking" to a similar flat surface of the inner surface of the ink detection groove 5141 due to the presence of ink between these flat surfaces. These pins 5473e1, 5473e2 thus prevent potential erroneous ink detection that would occur if the detector plate 5473c were attached to the inner surface of the ink detection groove 5141 when the ink level in the ink cartridge 5001 dropped.

While the present invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and/or substantial equivalents, which are or may not be presently known, will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all known or later-developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and/or substantial equivalents.

Industrial applicability

The ink cartridge of the present invention can be widely used for home or office use.

Claims

1. An ink cartridge, comprising:

a cartridge case and a cap enclosing an interior space enclosing an ink chamber;

an ink supply passage extending from the ink chamber to an outside of the ink cartridge;

an ink filling passage extending from the ink chamber to a region outside the ink chamber; and

a plug member provided in the ink filling passage, the plug member sealing the ink filling passage,

wherein the ink filling passage is adjacent to the area outside the ink chamber and is located at a position closed by the cartridge case, and

the internal space is sealed to the outside of the ink cartridge.

2. The ink cartridge as in claim 1, wherein the ink chamber is defined by a rigid sidewall and at least one flexible film sidewall.

3. The ink cartridge of claim 1, further comprising:

an ink storage body;

wherein an ink chamber is disposed in the ink storage body; and is

The ink storage body is provided in the cartridge case and the cap.

4. The ink cartridge of claim 3, wherein:

the cartridge housing includes an opening; and is

The opening is of sufficient size to allow the ink storage body to be inserted into the cartridge housing through the opening.

5. An ink cartridge as in claim 1, further comprising a valve member disposed in the ink supply passage, the valve member having a first state permitting communication along the ink supply passage between the ink chamber and an exterior of the ink cartridge and a second state preventing communication along the ink supply passage between the ink chamber and the exterior of the ink cartridge.

6. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a backflow prevention mechanism provided on an ink chamber side of the valve member in the ink supply passage, the backflow prevention mechanism being capable of preventing ink from flowing toward the ink chamber through the backflow prevention mechanism.

7. A method of manufacturing an ink cartridge including a cartridge case and a cap, an ink supply passage extending from an ink chamber to an outside of the ink cartridge, an ink filling passage extending from the ink chamber to a region outside the ink chamber, the cartridge case and the cap enclosing an internal space that encloses the ink chamber, the ink cartridge including an ink storage body, and the ink chamber being provided in the ink storage body, the method comprising:

a process of filling the ink chamber with ink through the ink filling passage;

a process of inserting the plug member into the ink filling passage so as to seal the ink filling passage; and

a process of assembling the ink cartridge by welding the cartridge case and the cap, thereby disposing the ink storage body in the cartridge case and the cap and sealing the inner space to the outside of the ink cartridge;

wherein the ink filling passage abuts the area outside the ink chamber and is located at a position closed by the cartridge case at the time of completing the process of assembling the ink cartridge.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the process of assembling an ink storage body, wherein:

a process of assembling the ink storage body is performed before a process of filling the ink chamber;

also, the process of assembling the ink storage body includes a process of attaching the flexible film side wall portion to the rigid side wall portion.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising the process of installing a valve mechanism, wherein:

performing a process of mounting the valve mechanism before a process of filling the ink chamber;

the process of installing the valve mechanism includes a process of inserting the valve member into the ink supply passage so that the valve member has a first state that allows communication along the ink supply passage between the ink chamber and the outside of the ink cartridge and a second state that prevents communication along the ink supply passage between the ink chamber and the outside of the ink cartridge.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the act of installing the valve mechanism includes an act of inserting a backflow prevention mechanism into the ink supply passage, the backflow prevention mechanism being capable of preventing ink from flowing through the backflow prevention mechanism toward the ink chamber.