JP2008183836A - Ink refilling kit, and method of refilling ink - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink refilling kit for refilling ink into an ink cartridge so as not to leak and drop when in reuse, and a method of refilling ink. <P>SOLUTION: The ink refilling kit 1 for refilling the ink 10 into the ink cartridge 100 filled with a negative pressure material 120 comprises: an ink tank 6 having the ink to be refilled into the ink cartridge and a space 14 for containing the ink and air, provided with an ink take-out opening 32 for flowing the ink from the ink tank and an air hole 34 for flowing air into the space; an ink injection needle 50 for injecting the ink contained in the ink tank into the negative pressure material by inserting into the negative pressure material by a predetermined depth and communicating with the take-out opening; an air exhaust nozzle 60 for sucking the air out of the ink cartridge by inserting into the negative pressure material more shallowly than the ink injecting needle and communicating with the air hole; and an air supplying nozzle 80 with a predetermined length communicating with the air hole and disposed in the ink tank. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink replenishment kit and an ink replenishment method for replenishing ink into an ink cartridge, and more particularly to an ink replenishment kit and an ink replenishment method suitable for replenishing an ink cartridge filled with a negative pressure material with an appropriate amount of ink. About.

  In a printer apparatus such as an ink jet printer, printing is performed by ejecting liquid ink onto a printing material. In a printer device, particularly in a small printer device for home use, ink is stored in an ink cartridge, and printing is performed while ink is supplied from the ink cartridge to the printer head. However, due to the necessity of downsizing the apparatus, the ink cartridge itself is made small and its capacity is limited even if the use frequency of the printer is taken into consideration. Therefore, it is often required to replace the ink cartridge or refill the ink cartridge with ink.

It is preferable to refill the ink cartridge without replacing the ink cartridge because of effective use of resources. However, if a general consumer refills the ink cartridge with ink, it will accidentally inject more ink than the absorption capacity of the negative pressure material. As a result, troubles such as ink leaking from the ink supply port to the ink-jet head during reuse (hereinafter referred to as “bottom drop”) often occur. Therefore, an attempt is made to replenish the ink cartridge by its own weight and prevent the ink from being injected further by closing the air port communicating with the ink bottle disposed above the negative pressure material in the ink cartridge. Yes (see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent No. 3255517 (5th page, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2)

However, in the above attempt, in order to close the air opening, the ink must be injected beyond the negative pressure material, and as a result, it is considered that the ink cannot be prevented from dropping out. Further, since the ink supply port for replenishing the ink by its own weight and injecting the ink into the ink cartridge and the air port communicating with the ink bottle are provided adjacent to each other, the ink injected into the negative pressure material is the negative pressure material. There is a high probability that the air will be blocked before it diffuses sufficiently.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an ink replenishment kit and an ink replenishment method for replenishing ink to an ink cartridge so that ink drops do not occur when reused.

  In order to achieve the above object, an ink replenishment kit according to the first aspect of the present invention includes an ink replenishment kit 1 for replenishing ink 10 to an ink cartridge 100 filled with a negative pressure material 120 as shown in FIG. An ink 10 that is replenished in the ink cartridge 100; an ink tank 6 that accommodates the ink 10 and has a space 14 in which air is accommodated, and the ink is taken out from the ink tank 6 An ink tank 6 in which an air hole 34 for allowing air to flow into the space portion 14 is formed; a predetermined depth is inserted into the negative pressure material 120 of the ink cartridge 100, communicates with the ink outlet 32, and the ink tank An ink injection needle 50 for injecting the ink 10 contained in the negative pressure material 120 into the negative pressure material 120; An air vent nozzle 60 which is inserted shallower than the ink injection needle 50 and communicates with the air hole 34 and sucks air from the ink cartridge 100; communicates with the air hole 34 and has a predetermined length disposed in the ink tank 6. An air supply nozzle 80.

  With this configuration, the ink injection needle that communicates with the ink outlet of the ink bottle is inserted into the negative pressure material of the ink cartridge at a predetermined depth, and the air vent nozzle that communicates with the air hole of the ink bottle is shallower than the ink injection needle. Since it is inserted into the negative pressure material, the ink in the ink tank is injected into the ink cartridge, and when the ink is injected to the depth where the air vent nozzle is inserted, the ink gradually rises to the air supply nozzle, and the ink tank and the ink When the pressure difference between the liquid levels in the cartridge becomes equal to the pressure difference between the air supply nozzle and the ink cartridge, the ink injection naturally stops. That is, the ink replenishment kit prevents the injection of a predetermined amount or more of ink.

Further, in the ink replenishment kit according to the second aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3A, for example, in the ink replenishment kit 1 according to the first aspect, the ink injection needle 50 has a negative pressure. An ink flow path 54 for injecting the ink 10 into the negative pressure material 120 may be formed at a position different from the tip portion 52 inserted into the material 120.
With this configuration, by injecting into the negative pressure material, even if the hole formed at the tip of the injection needle is blocked by the negative pressure material, a flow path for injecting ink is secured and the ink is injected. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an increase in resistance.

Further, in the ink replenishment kit according to the invention described in claim 3, for example, as shown in FIG. 3A, in the ink replenishment kit 1 described in claim 2, the ink flow path is inserted into the negative pressure material. Alternatively, the groove 54 formed from the leading end 52 may be used.
If comprised in this way, a process will become easy also in the front-end | tip part of a thin ink injection needle.

In addition, in the ink replenishment kit according to the invention described in claim 4, in the ink replenishment kit 1 according to any one of claims 1 to 3, for example, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. The air vent nozzle 60 may be formed with an air channel 69 for sucking air at a position different from the tip 68 inserted into the negative pressure material 120.
With this configuration, by injecting into the negative pressure material, even if the hole formed at the tip of the air vent nozzle is blocked by the negative pressure material, a flow path for sucking air is secured and the air is sucked. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an increase in resistance.

Further, in the ink refill kit according to the invention described in claim 5, for example, as shown in FIG. 3B, in the ink refill kit 1 described in claim 4, the air flow path is inserted into the negative pressure material. Alternatively, the groove 69 formed from the leading end 68 may be used.
If comprised in this way, a process will become easy also in the front-end | tip part of a thin air vent nozzle.

Further, in the ink replenishment kit according to the invention described in claim 6, for example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the ink replenishment kit 1 according to any one of claims 1 to 5, air is supplied. An air tube 70 that connects the hole 34 and the air vent nozzle 60 and through which the sucked air flows may be provided, and the air tube 70 that can visually recognize the ink 10 that flows inside the air tube 70 may be provided.
With this configuration, it is possible to visually confirm that ink is injected to the depth where the air vent nozzle is inserted and that the ink is flowing inside the air tube, so that it is possible to easily confirm that a predetermined amount of ink has been injected.

Further, in the ink replenishment kit according to the invention described in claim 7, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, for example, in the ink replenishment kit 1 according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the air vent nozzle. 60, a check valve 36 for preventing the flow of air from the ink tank 6 to the ink cartridge 100 is provided in the air supply nozzle 80 or between the air vent nozzle 60 and the air supply nozzle 80; The inner volume may be reduced by being deformed by being manually pressed.
With this configuration, when ink is difficult to flow during the start of ink injection or in the middle of injection, pressure exceeding the resistance generated in the ink flow path is applied by manually pressing the ink tank, and air is discharged from the ink tank. Since the check valve prevents the ink from flowing into the ink cartridge, the ink is injected into the ink cartridge from the ink outlet through the ink injection needle, and then the ink flows smoothly.

In addition, in the ink replenishment kit according to the invention described in claim 8, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, for example, as shown in FIGS. The ink tube 170 that connects the port 32 and the ink injection needle 50 may be provided, and the ink tube 170 that can change the height of the ink extraction port 32 from the ink injection 50 needle may be provided.
With this configuration, even when the amount of ink in the ink tank is reduced, a certain difference between the ink liquid level in the ink tank and the ink liquid level in the ink cartridge can be secured. It is possible to prevent a decrease in ink injection speed due to a decrease in injection pressure.

Further, in the ink refill kit according to the invention described in claim 9, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, in the ink refill kit 1 according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the ink tank 6 includes: The ink bottle 20 containing the ink 10 and having one opening 22 formed therein may be provided, and the fitting member 30 fitted into the opening 22 and having the ink outlet 32 and the air hole 34 formed therein. If comprised in this way, since an ink bottle and a fitting member can be manufactured separately, manufacture will become easy.

  In order to achieve the above object, an ink replenishing method according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is directed to an ink cartridge 100 filled with a negative pressure material 120 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 7, for example. An ink replenishing method for replenishing ink: a step of connecting an ink injection needle 50 for injecting ink 10 into a negative pressure material 120 to an ink tank 6 having a space 14 in which air 10 is stored. (S20); connecting the air vent nozzle 60 for sucking air from the ink cartridge 100 to the ink tank 6, and communicating the air vent nozzle 60 with the air supply nozzle 80 disposed in the ink tank 6 (S30); A step (S50) of inserting the ink injection needle 50 to a predetermined depth of the negative pressure material 120 of the ink cartridge 100; Inserting the ink 10 into the negative pressure material 120 of the ink cartridge 100 at a position away from the needle 50 by a predetermined length and shallower than the depth at which the ink injection needle 50 is inserted; A step of tilting the ink tank 6 (S60); a step of disposing the end 84 of the air supply nozzle 80 opposite to the side communicating with the air vent nozzle 60 in the space portion (S60); A step (S70) of placing the ink 10 from the ink tank 6 to the ink cartridge 100.

  With this configuration, the ink injection needle connected to the ink bottle is inserted into the negative pressure material of the ink cartridge at a predetermined depth, and the air vent nozzle communicating with the air supply nozzle is inserted into the negative pressure material shallower than the ink injection needle. Ink flows out to the ink injection needle, and the air vent nozzle communicates with the space through the ink supply nozzle, so that the ink in the ink tank is injected into the ink cartridge and the ink is injected to the depth where the air vent nozzle is inserted. When the ink gradually rises to the air supply nozzle and the differential pressure between the liquid levels in the ink tank and the ink cartridge becomes equal to the differential pressure between the air supply nozzle and the liquid level in the ink cartridge, the ink is injected. Stop naturally. In other words, an ink replenishment method in which no more than a predetermined amount of ink is injected. Further, since the air bleeding nozzle is separated from the ink injection needle by a predetermined length, the ink injected from the ink injection needle to the negative pressure material may be sucked from the air bleeding nozzle before sufficiently diffusing into the negative pressure material. Is prevented.

  In order to achieve the above object, an ink replenishment kit according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is an ink replenishment kit 201 for replenishing ink 10 to an ink cartridge 100 filled with a negative pressure material 120 as shown in FIG. An ink 10 that is replenished in the ink cartridge 100; an ink tank 206 that stores the ink 10, and has a space 14 that stores air; An ink tank 206 having a port 32 formed therein; inserted into the negative pressure material 120 of the ink cartridge 100 at a predetermined depth, communicated with the ink outlet port 32, and accommodates the ink 10 contained in the ink tank 206 in the negative pressure material 120. An ink injection needle 50 for injecting into the air; and an intake passage for communicating the space 14 to the atmosphere and holding the space 14 at atmospheric pressure 90; an air vent nozzle 260 that is inserted in the negative pressure material 120 of the ink cartridge 100 at a depth shallower than the ink injection needle 50 and sucks air from the ink cartridge 100; The ink injection needle 50 and the air vent nozzle 260 have fitting portions 248 and 266 that hold the ink cartridge 100 in an airtight manner.

  With this configuration, when the ink in the ink tank is injected into the ink cartridge and the ink is injected to the depth where the air vent nozzle is inserted, the ink gradually rises to the balance tube, and the liquid in the ink tank and the ink cartridge When the pressure difference between the surfaces becomes equal to the pressure difference between the liquid levels in the balance tube and the ink cartridge, the ink injection naturally stops. That is, the ink replenishment kit prevents the injection of a predetermined amount or more of ink.

  According to the ink refill kit of the present invention, the ink to be refilled in the ink cartridge, the ink tank that contains the ink, the ink takeout port that has a space portion in which air is contained, and allows the ink to flow out of the ink tank An ink tank in which air holes are formed to allow air to flow into the space, and ink contained in the ink tank that is inserted into the negative pressure material of the ink cartridge and communicated with the ink outlet port into the negative pressure material. An ink injection needle that is inserted into the negative pressure material of the ink cartridge shallower than the ink injection needle, communicates with the air hole, and sucks air from the ink cartridge, and communicates with the air hole and is disposed in the ink tank. The air supply nozzle of the length is provided, so the ink in the ink tank is injected into the ink cartridge and the air vent nozzle is inserted When the ink is injected to the specified depth, the ink gradually rises to the air supply nozzle, and the differential pressure between the liquid level in the ink tank and the ink cartridge becomes the difference between the differential pressure between the air supply nozzle and the liquid level in the ink cartridge. Ink injection stops spontaneously when they are equal. That is, an ink replenishment kit in which no more than a predetermined amount of ink is injected. Therefore, it is possible to prevent ink from dropping.

  According to the ink replenishing method of the present invention, the step of connecting the ink injection needle for injecting the ink into the negative pressure material to the ink tank having the space for storing the ink and storing the air, and the ink tank A step of connecting an air vent nozzle for sucking air from the ink cartridge to connect the air vent nozzle to an air supply nozzle disposed in the ink tank, and inserting an ink injection needle at a predetermined depth of the negative pressure material of the ink cartridge A step of inserting the air vent nozzle into the negative pressure material of the ink cartridge at a position spaced apart from the ink injection needle by a predetermined length and shallower than the depth at which the ink injection needle is inserted, and guiding the ink to the ink injection needle The step of tilting the ink tank, the step of disposing the end of the air supply nozzle opposite to the side communicating with the air vent nozzle in the space, and the ink tank And a step of flowing ink from the ink tank to the ink cartridge, the ink injection needle connected to the ink tank is inserted into the negative pressure material of the ink cartridge at a predetermined depth, and the air supply nozzle and The communicating air vent nozzle is inserted into the negative pressure material shallower than the ink injection needle, the ink in the ink injection needle flows out, and the air exhaust nozzle communicates with the space via the ink supply nozzle, so that the ink in the ink tank is in the ink cartridge. Injected into. When ink is injected to the depth at which the air vent nozzle is inserted, the ink gradually rises to the air supply nozzle, and the differential pressure between the liquid level in the ink tank and the ink cartridge causes the liquid level in the air supply nozzle and the ink cartridge. When the pressure difference becomes equal to the ink pressure, the ink injection stops spontaneously. In other words, an ink replenishment method in which no more than a predetermined amount of ink is injected. Therefore, it is possible to prevent ink from dropping. Further, since the air bleeding nozzle is separated from the ink injection needle by a predetermined length, the ink injected from the ink injection needle to the negative pressure material may be sucked from the air bleeding nozzle before sufficiently diffusing into the negative pressure material. Is prevented.

  According to the ink replenishment kit for replenishing ink to the ink cartridge filled with the negative pressure material according to the invention, the ink to be replenished to the ink cartridge, the ink tank for accommodating the ink, and the space for accommodating the air And an ink tank in which an ink outlet is formed to allow ink to flow out of the ink tank, and the ink stored in the ink tank is inserted into the negative pressure material of the ink cartridge to a predetermined depth and communicated with the ink outlet. An ink injection needle that is injected into the pressure material, an intake passage that communicates the space with the atmosphere and maintains the space at atmospheric pressure, and a negative pressure material of the ink cartridge that is inserted shallower than the ink injection needle and draws air from the ink cartridge. An air vent nozzle for suction, and a balance tube that communicates with the air vent nozzle and is disposed to a height that is higher than the space. Since the needle entry and air bleed nozzle have a fitting part that holds the ink cartridge in an airtight manner, the ink is gradually balanced when the ink in the ink tank is injected into the ink cartridge and the ink is injected to the depth where the air bleed nozzle is inserted. When the pressure rises to the tube and the differential pressure between the liquid levels in the ink tank and the ink cartridge becomes equal to the differential pressure between the liquid levels in the balance tube and the ink cartridge, the ink injection naturally stops. That is, the ink replenishment kit prevents the injection of a predetermined amount or more of ink. Therefore, it is possible to prevent ink from dropping.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding devices are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where an ink replenishment kit 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on an ink cartridge 100. The ink cartridge 100 is an ink cartridge used in a printer device (not shown), for example, and the ink is almost used up. In the ink cartridge 100, an ink supply port 102 that supplies ink to the printer device is formed in a plastic cartridge case 110. A negative pressure material 120 is filled in the internal space of the cartridge case 110. An ink injection hole 112 and an air vent hole 114 are formed on the surface of the cartridge case 110 opposite to the surface on which the ink supply port 102 is formed. The ink injection hole 112 and the air vent hole 114 may be formed in advance, but may be formed when the ink is replenished after the ink is used up. Since the cartridge case 110 is made of plastic, the hole can be formed with a simple tool (not shown) such as a cone.

  The ink cartridge 100 is placed with the ink supply port 102 facing down and the ink injection hole 112 and the air vent hole 114 facing upward. In the internal space of the cartridge case 110, the negative pressure material 120 is displaced downward, so that a slight gap is formed at the top. The negative pressure material 120 is made of a material that can hold the ink 10 by capillary action such as sponge, cotton, or non-woven fabric.

  The ink bottle 20 contains the ink 10, and the opening 22 of the ink bottle 20 is plugged with a fitting member 30. The fitting member 30 is formed with an ink outlet 32 and an air hole 34 which are through-holes communicating the inside and the outside of the ink bottle 20. In order to store the ink 10 in the ink bottle 20, a lid (not shown) is attached to seal the ink outlet 32 and the air hole 34. The ink bottle 20 and the fitting member 30 constitute the ink tank 6. The ink bottle 20 is typically made of polypropylene and easily deforms when pressed by hand. The fitting member 30 is formed of elastically deformed rubber or the like, and is in close contact with the opening 22, and an ink take-out nozzle 40, an ink supply nozzle 80, and the like to be described later fit into the ink take-out port 32 and the air hole 34. Configured as follows.

  The air hole 34 is disposed inside the ink bottle 20 and is a bottom portion opposite to the opening 22 of the ink bottle 20 (in FIG. 1, the ink bottle 20 is shown upside down. The air supply nozzle 80 extending to near the upper side is connected. In addition, in this document, in the case of “joining”, when a space such as a hole and a channel is connected to each other, and between members having a space such as a hole and a channel, other members are in the space of one member. Includes both cases of being inserted. In the air supply nozzle 80, when the opening 22 of the ink bottle 20 is directed downward, the tip 84, which is the end opposite to the connection with the air hole 34, accumulates air on the liquid surface of the ink 10. It is only necessary to have a length that goes out to the liquid level upper space 14 that is a space portion, and the length that the tip 84 goes out to the liquid level upper space 14 of the ink 10 becomes a predetermined length. The air supply nozzle 80 is inserted into the air hole 34 of the fitting member 30 and is rigid so that the tip 84 is located near the bottom of the ink bottle 20 regardless of the direction in which the ink bottle 20 is disposed. For example, made of plastic such as vinyl chloride.

  An air tube 70 is connected to the side of the air hole 34 opposite to the side where the air supply nozzle 80 is inserted. The air tube 70 is typically made of soft vinyl chloride and has flexibility. In addition, it is preferable to make the air tube 70 transparent because the ink 10 can be visually recognized through the air tube 70. This will be described in the description of the method of replenishing the ink cartridge 100 with the ink 10 using the ink replenishment kit 1. The other end of the air tube 70 is connected to the air passage 62 of the air vent nozzle 60.

  The air vent nozzle 60 is a member that is fitted into the air vent hole 114 of the cartridge case 110, and a cylindrical nozzle insert portion 66 that is inserted from the air vent hole 114 and has a tip portion 68 inserted into the negative pressure material 120, and a nozzle A cylindrical part that is coaxially connected to the insertion part 66 and has a wider section than the nozzle insertion part 66 and covers the air vent hole 114, and an air vent knob 65 that is connected to the wide part 64 and has a shape and size that can be easily pinched by hand. Have. An air passage 62 is formed from the tip 68 along the axis of the nozzle insertion portion 66, and the air passage 62 bends 90 degrees at the widening portion 64, penetrates the side surface of the widening portion 64, and connects to the air tube 70 there. The nozzle insertion portion 66 has such a length that the tip end portion 68 is slightly inserted into the negative pressure material 120. The air vent nozzle 60 is typically formed of a plastic such as polyeximethylene having good dimensional stability.

  An ink take-out nozzle 40 is fitted into the ink take-out port 32 of the fitting member 30. The ink take-out nozzle 40 includes a cylindrical fitting portion 44 that is fitted into the ink take-out port 32, a cylindrical insertion portion 48 that is fitted into the ink injection hole 112 of the cartridge case 110, and the fitting portion 44 and the insertion portion. 48 and a widened portion 46 that covers the ink injection hole 112 in a cylindrical shape having a cross-sectional area wider than both. An ink passage 42 penetrating the insertion portion 48 from the fitting portion 44 through the spreading portion 46 is formed. An ink injection needle 50 is connected to the insertion passage 48 side of the ink passage 42. The ink ejection nozzle 40 is typically formed of a plastic such as polyeximethylene having good dimensional stability.

  The ink injection needle 50 is a thin steel hollow needle that is inserted deeply into the negative pressure material 120 of the ink cartridge 100 and is close to the surface of the cartridge case 110 where the ink supply port 102 is formed or around the ink supply port 102. If a device such as a filter is installed, it reaches close to those devices. The ink injection needle 50 may be fixed by being fitted into the ink passage 42 of the ink take-out nozzle 40 or may be fixed using a fixing means such as an adhesive.

  Next, a method for replenishing the ink cartridge 100 with the ink 10 using the ink replenishment kit 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the ink bottle 20 is disposed on the top of the ink cartridge 100 with the opening 22 facing downward, the tip of the ink take-out nozzle 40 on the fitting portion 44 side is in the ink 10, and the air supply nozzle 80 The tip 84 protrudes into the liquid surface upper space 14 of the ink 10 in the ink bottle 20.

  Then, from the ink 10 in the ink bottle 20, the ink passage 42 of the ink take-out nozzle 40, the hollow portion of the ink injection needle 50, the inside of the ink cartridge, the air passage 62 of the air vent nozzle 60, the air tube 70, the air supply nozzle 80, A flow path reaching the liquid level upper space 14 in the ink bottle 20 is formed. Therefore, the ink 10 in the ink bottle 20 falls into the ink cartridge 100 through the ink passage 42 and the ink injection needle 50. That is, the ink 10 is injected from the ink bottle 20 into the ink cartridge 100. The inside of the ink bottle 20 is depressurized by the volume of the ink 10 injected into the ink cartridge 100, but air equal in volume is liquid from the ink cartridge 100 through the air passage 62, the air tube 70, and the air supply nozzle 80. Since it flows into the upper surface space 14, the pressure is balanced, and the ink 10 continues to be injected into the ink cartridge 100. The ink 10 is diffused into the ink cartridge 100 by the negative pressure material 120, and the ink is accumulated in the ink cartridge 100. When the injection of the ink 10 is started, for example, a small amount of the ink 10 remaining in the negative pressure material 120 in the air flowing from the negative pressure material 120 of the ink cartridge 100 to the air passage 62, the air tube 70, and the air supply nozzle 80. May be mixed into the air passage 62, the air tube 70, and the air supply nozzle 80, and the ink 10 may be difficult to flow. In such a case, an air intake channel 390 (see FIG. 10) or the like may be formed near the bottom of the ink bottle 20, and the ink 10 may be allowed to flow by opening the air intake channel 390 or the like. That is, by opening the intake passage 390 and the like, the liquid level upper space 14 is maintained at atmospheric pressure, and the ink 10 flows through the ink passage 42 and the ink injection needle 50. When the ink 10 starts to flow, the intake passage 390 and the like are sealed. Bubbles generated in the air passage 62, the air tube 70, and the air supply nozzle 80 are pushed out by the ink 10 that has started to flow.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the ink 10 is accumulated up to the tip end portion 68 of the nozzle insertion portion 66 of the air vent nozzle 60, not the air but the ink 10 is contained in the air passage 62, the air tube 70, and the air supply nozzle 80. Flows in. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a predetermined amount of ink 10 is injected with the ink replenishment kit 1 mounted on the ink cartridge 100. The ink 10 flows to the air supply nozzle 80, the air passage 62, the air tube 70 and the air supply nozzle 80, the liquid level upper space 14, the ink 10 in the ink bottle 20, the ink passage 42 of the ink take-out nozzle 40, and the ink injection needle 50. With this hollow portion, a closed flow path system having two liquid flow paths filled with the ink 10 is formed with the liquid level upper space 14 interposed therebetween. When the liquid level in the air supply nozzle 80 coincides with the liquid level of the ink 10 in the ink bottle 20, the pressures of the two liquid flow paths in the closed flow path system are balanced and the ink 10 does not flow. Since the ink 10 accumulated in the negative pressure material 120 of the ink cartridge 100 flows into the air passage 62, the air tube 70, and the air supply nozzle 80, air may be involved. When air is entrained, bubbles are generated in the air passage 62, the air tube 70, or the air supply nozzle 80. When bubbles are included, the weight of the ink 10 is reduced accordingly, so that the ink 10 does not flow when the liquid level of the ink 10 in the air supply nozzle 80 slightly rises from the liquid level of the ink 10 in the ink bottle 20. . Thus, the case where the liquid level of the ink 10 in the air supply nozzle 80 rises by the amount of bubbles is also included in the concept when the liquid levels coincide. As described above, when a predetermined amount of ink 10 is injected into the ink cartridge 100, it is possible to prevent the ink 10 from being injected further.

  Therefore, the amount of the injected ink 10 is greatly influenced by the position of the tip portion 68 of the nozzle insertion portion 66 of the air bleeding nozzle 60. In the ink cartridge 100, it is preferable that the ink 10 is sufficiently diffused in the negative pressure material 120 and no more ink 10 is injected than the negative pressure material 120 can hold. That is, if the ink 10 is injected so that the negative pressure material 120 can be retained, there is a high possibility that the ink will fall off when it is attached to a printer device (not shown). This is because it is preferable to inject the ink 10 into the ink. Therefore, it is preferable that the tip end portion 68 of the nozzle insertion portion 66 is at a position where it is slightly inserted into the negative pressure material 120. When positioned above the negative pressure material 120, the ink 10 exceeds the amount of ink 10 that the negative pressure material 120 can hold and accumulates on the negative pressure material 120, and then the ink 10 is stored in the air passage 62, the air tube 70, and the air supply nozzle. Since the ink begins to flow into 80, more ink 10 than the negative pressure material 120 can hold is injected. On the other hand, if the ink 10 is inserted too deeply into the negative pressure material 120, the ink 10 flows into the air passage 62, the air tube 70, and the air supply nozzle 80 before the ink 10 is sufficiently diffused into the negative pressure material 120, and the injection of the ink 10 stops. End up.

  Further, when the ink injection needle 50 is inserted deeply into the negative pressure material 120, the ink 10 is injected into the negative pressure material 120 at a position where the height difference from the tip portion 68 of the nozzle insertion portion 66 is far away. It is preferable that a large amount of ink 10 can be injected by flowing into the air passage 62, the air tube 70, and the air supply nozzle 80 after the ink 10 has been diffused. When the ink injection needle 50 is inserted shallower than the air bleed nozzle tip 68, the injected ink 10 reaches the groove 69 of the air bleed nozzle 60 before reaching the negative pressure material 120 at the bottom of the ink cartridge 100, and further air It flows into the tube 70 and / or the air supply nozzle 80, and the air tube 70 or the air from the height 69 from the tip 52 of the ink injection needle 50 in the ink cartridge 100 to the ink level in the ink bottle 20 and the groove 69 of the air vent nozzle 60. When the ink level in the supply nozzle 80 is balanced, the injection of the ink 10 is stopped. That is, if the ink 10 is first injected into the upper portion of the negative pressure material 120, the air below the negative pressure material 120 is difficult to be removed, and the original function of the ink replenishment kit 1 may not be performed sufficiently. Therefore, it is desirable to insert the tip 52 of the ink injection needle 50 at a predetermined depth or more so as not to contact a device such as a filter (not shown). Here, the predetermined depth differs depending on the shape of the ink cartridge 100 and the negative pressure material 120, but is a depth that is surely inserted into the upper surface of the non-flat negative pressure material 120 in FIG. 1 or FIG. Preferably, the depth of the ink cartridge 100 (the distance between the surface on which the ink injection hole 112 is formed and the surface on which the ink supply port 102 is formed) is more than 1/2, more preferably 3/4. The above depth is further close to the surface on which the ink supply port 102 is formed.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the position where the ink injection needle 50 is inserted is separated from the position where the nozzle insertion portion 66 is inserted. When the ink injection needle 50 and the nozzle insertion portion 66 are inserted, the surrounding negative pressure material 120 is pushed away so that the surrounding area becomes dense. Then, the capillary force increases at that portion, and the ink 10 injected from the ink injection needle 50 first spreads around the ink injection needle 50 before diffusing into the ink cartridge 100. If the nozzle insertion portion 66 is inserted near the ink injection needle 50, the ink 10 injected from the ink injection needle 50 directly passes from the portion with high capillary force around the ink injection needle 50 to the nozzle insertion portion 66. The ink 10 flows from the front end portion 68 of the nozzle insertion portion 66 before flowing into the surrounding portion where the capillary force is high and sufficiently diffuses into the ink cartridge 100, and the injection of the ink 10 stops. Therefore, the interval between the position where the ink injection needle 50 is inserted and the position where the nozzle insertion portion 66 is inserted has such a length that the range in which the negative pressure material 120 becomes dense around each other is not combined. It is preferable. This length is a predetermined length from the position where the ink injection needle 50 is inserted to the position where the nozzle insertion portion 66 is inserted. For example, the height of the negative pressure material 120 (height measured in the vertical direction in FIG. 1) is 30 mm and the width (width measured in the horizontal direction in FIG. 1) is different depending on the material of the negative pressure material 120 and the like. In the case of the 55 mm ink cartridge 100, the distance is 10 mm or more, preferably 15 mm or more.

  It is preferable that at least a part of the air tube 70 is transparent and configured so that the ink 10 flowing therein can be visually recognized, since the state where the ink 10 flows into the air passage 62, the air tube 70, and the air supply nozzle 80 can be confirmed. It is. That is, if the air tube 70 is filled with the ink 10, the user can easily recognize that the injection of the ink 10 has been completed.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3, a preferable shape of the distal end portion 52 of the ink injection needle 50 and the distal end portion 68 of the nozzle insertion portion 66 of the air bleeding nozzle 60 will be described. FIG. 3 is a front view for explaining the structure of the distal end portion 52 of the ink injection needle 50 and the distal end portion 68 of the nozzle insertion portion 66 of the air vent nozzle 60, and FIG. 3A shows the distal end portion 52 of the ink injection needle 50. ) Shows the tip portion 68 of the nozzle insertion portion 66 of the air vent nozzle 60. As shown in FIG. 3A, the tip 52 of the ink injection needle 50 is cut obliquely so that it can be easily inserted into the negative pressure material 120 (see FIG. 1). The tip is flattened or rounded to prevent sharp edges. A groove 54 is formed from the tip 52 to a predetermined depth. Although the hollow of the ink injection needle 50 penetrates to the tip 52, the negative pressure material 120 may become clogged when inserted into the negative pressure material 120 because it is thin. Therefore, a groove 54 is formed as an ink flow path when the hollow tip is clogged. The groove 54 is formed to a predetermined depth so that the ink 10 (see FIG. 1) can be injected through the groove 54. The predetermined depth is a depth that does not clog with the negative pressure material 120 from the hollow tip, for example, a depth of about 3 mm with the ink injection needle 50 having a length of 30 mm. . Instead of forming the groove 54, a through hole that communicates the hollow and the outside may be formed at a position other than the tip 52 of the ink injection needle 50. However, the groove 54 is preferable because it is easy to process. Although the number of the grooves 54 formed is not limited, the ink injection needle 50 is generally a thin steel hollow needle, and typically forms one or two grooves 54.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the shape of the tip portion 68 of the nozzle insertion portion 66 of the air vent nozzle 60 is basically the same as that of the tip portion 52 of the ink injection needle 50, and a groove 69 as an air flow path is formed. It is formed. However, since the air vent nozzle 60 is made of plastic and the nozzle insertion portion 66 is formed thicker than the ink injection needle 50, it is generally formed shallower by increasing the number of grooves 69 or forming a wider width. Is. When the groove 69 is formed, the depth at which the ink 10 is accumulated up to the tip 68 of the nozzle insertion portion 66 of the air vent nozzle 60 (see FIG. 2) is the depth at which the ink 10 is accumulated up to the deepest portion of the groove 69. Become. As in the case of the ink injection needle 50, a through hole as an air flow path reaching the air passage 62 may be formed instead of the groove 69.

  Next, the structure of the air hole 34 for more reliably injecting ink will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the fitting member 30 provided with the check valve 36 in the air hole 34. When viewed from the air supply nozzle 80 side, the air hole 34 bends 90 degrees following the thick portion into which the air supply nozzle 80 is inserted, and then becomes narrow, and the air tube 70 is connected to the narrowed portion. A step is provided at a position that becomes thinner from the thicker portion, and a check valve 36 is installed so as to cover the portion where the air hole 34 becomes thinner with the step as a valve seat. The check valve 36 may be a thin plastic plate, and is supported as a so-called swing type so that the upper part of the check valve 36 can be rotated. Air is supplied from the air supply nozzle 80 through the air tube 70 into the ink cartridge 100. When the reverse flow is attempted, the check valve 36 is closed to stop the air flow. On the other hand, the air flow from the ink cartridge 100 through the air supply nozzle 80 to the ink bottle 20 (see FIG. 1) flows without being blocked by the check valve 36 moving in the direction of the arrow in FIG.

  When the check valve 36 is installed in the air hole 34, the ink 10 in the ink bottle 20 is forcibly passed through the ink injection needle 50 in the ink cartridge 100 by repeatedly pressing and releasing the ink bottle 20 by hand. The air in the ink cartridge 100 can be sent into the ink bottle 20. That is, when the ink bottle 20 is pressed by hand, the pressure in the ink bottle 20 is increased, and the ink 10 is injected from the ink bottle 20 into the ink cartridge 100 by the pressure due to the pressure in addition to the pressure due to the head difference. Air flow through the air supply nozzle 80, the air hole 34, the air tube 70, and the air vent nozzle 60 is stopped by the check valve 36. When the pressing is stopped and released, the ink bottle 20 formed of, for example, polypropylene elastically returns to its original shape, so that the inside is in a reduced pressure state. Therefore, air is sucked from the ink cartridge 100 through the air vent nozzle 60, the air tube 70, the air hole 34 and the air supply nozzle 80. The ink 10 is also sucked through the ink injection needle 50 or the like. However, since the ink injection needle 50 is thin and the viscosity of the ink 10 is larger than that of air, substantially only air is sucked. When the ink replenishment kit 1 is mounted on the ink cartridge 100 and the ink 10 starts to flow, the ink 10 may not flow easily due to surface tension. In such a case, the ink bottle 20 may be manually held as described above. It is effective to start pressing the ink 10 forcibly. The check valve 36 is not necessarily installed in the air hole 34, and may be installed in any of the air flow paths from the air passage 62 of the air vent nozzle 60 to the air supply nozzle 80.

  Next, a fitting member 130 as a modification of the fitting member 30 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a fitting member 130 formed of hard plastic and provided with a spring valve 140. The fitting member 130 is made of, for example, polyoxymethylene. When formed of hard plastic, unlike the case of elastically deformed rubber or the like, the O-ring 135 is fitted to the opening 22 (see FIG. 1) of the ink bottle 20 so as to be airtight (including liquid tight). Arranged. An O-ring 134 is also provided at the ink outlet 132 into which the ink outlet nozzle 40 is inserted. Further, for connection with the air tube 70, the nozzle 136 as a tube fitting portion integrated with the fitting member 130 is protruded, and the air tube 70 is fitted to the nozzle 136. With this configuration, the air tube 70 is elastically connected by the elasticity. Similarly, for connection with the air supply nozzle 80, the nozzle 138 as a fitting portion for the air supply nozzle is protruded, and the air supply nozzle 80 is fitted to the nozzle 138.

  The spring valve 140 is installed so as to cover the ink outlet 132 of the fitting member 130. The spring valve 140 includes a spring support 142 including a plurality of legs 141 and a flat plate 143 supported by the legs 141 in the inner direction of the ink bottle 20 from the fitting member 130 (see FIG. 1). One end of the flat plate is fixed to the flat plate, and a spring 146 of a string spring that urges the valve plate 144 toward the ink outlet port 132 of the fitting member 130 and a valve plate 144 that covers the ink outlet port 132 are provided. When the valve plate 144 is urged by the spring 146 and covers the ink outlet 132, the ink outlet 132 is closed. That is, the ink 10 (see FIG. 1) does not flow out from the ink outlet 132. However, when the ink take-out nozzle 40 is inserted into the ink take-out port 132, the fitting portion 44 separates the valve plate 144 from the fitting member 130 against the urging force of the spring 146, and thus the ink take-out nozzle 40. The ink passage 42 (see FIG. 1) communicates with the inside of the ink bottle 20 (see FIG. 1), and the ink 10 flows out. Since the tip of the fitting portion 44 is formed obliquely, the ink passage 42 is not blocked by the valve plate 144.

  Since the fitting member 130 is formed of hard plastic and is configured to be hermetically connected using the O-rings 134 and 135, the air tube 70, and the air supply nozzle 80, the hermeticity is deteriorated due to long-term use. However, it is possible to easily replace parts and maintain airtightness. Further, since the spring valve 140 is provided, the ink 10 does not flow out if the ink take-out nozzle 40 is not attached, and leakage of the ink 10 can be prevented. The structure of the spring valve 140 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 5, and other known valve means may be used, or a known closing means may be used instead of the spring valve 140.

  Next, an ink tube 170 as a jig for earning a head of the ink 10 when the ink 10 in the ink bottle 20 runs short will be described with reference to FIG. 6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining the ink tube 170. FIG. 6A shows the connection between the ink take-out nozzle 41 and the ink injection needle 50 when the ink tube 170 is not used, and FIG. 6B shows the ink take-out nozzle 41 and the ink. The connection when the ink tube 170 is used with the injection needle 50 is shown, and (c) shows the state where the ink cartridge 100 is mounted on the ink cartridge 100 when the ink tube 170 is used.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the ink take-out nozzle 41 has a thin protrusion 49 protruding from the insertion portion 47 and is fitted with a cap 56 connected to the ink injection needle 50. That is, the inner diameter of the cap 56 is formed to be the same as the outer diameter of the protrusion 49. Further, the outer diameter of the cap 56 has a step so as to be fitted to the ink injection hole 112 (see FIG. 1). The protrusion 49 has an ink passage 42 extending from the insertion portion 47, and a cap 56 is formed with a through hole through which the hollow of the ink injection needle 50 communicates. The ink passage 42 of the ink take-out nozzle 41 is formed in the hollow of the ink injection needle 50. Communicate with.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, in order to use the ink tube 170, the joint 160 is connected to the protrusion 49 of the ink take-out nozzle 41. The joint 160 is a tube that has an inner diameter that fits the outer diameter of the protrusion 49 and that fits the protrusion 49 in an airtight manner by elastic deformation. The ink tube 170 is fitted on the side of the joint 160 opposite to the protrusion 49. The ink tube 170 is a tube having an outer diameter equal to that of the protrusion 49 and is typically formed of a hard plastic. Since the outer diameter of the ink tube 170 is equal to the outer diameter of the protrusion 49, the cap 56 connected to the ink injection needle 50 can be fitted into the ink tube 170. In this way, the ink tube 170 is disposed between the ink take-out nozzle 41 and the ink injection needle 50.

  As shown in FIG. 6C, in order to inject the ink 10 from the ink replenishment kit 1 into the ink cartridge 100 using the ink tube 170, the ink bottle 20 and the air vent nozzle are the same as in the case shown in FIG. Wear 60 etc. By using the ink tube 170, the interval between the ink bottle 20 and the ink cartridge 100 becomes longer. Since the air tube 70 is flexible, the air vent nozzle 60, the air hole 34 (see FIG. 1), and the air supply nozzle 80 communicate with each other even when the distance between the ink bottle 20 and the ink cartridge 100 is increased. Is easy. By adding the ink tube 170 and increasing the height of the ink bottle 20 installed on the ink cartridge 100, the amount of the ink 10 in the ink bottle 20 is reduced, and the liquid level of the ink 10 in the ink bottle 20 is reduced. Even if the pressure due to the difference in height from the ink to the liquid level of the ink 10 in the ink cartridge 100 decreases, the head rises by the length of the ink tube 170, so that the ink 10 is transferred from the ink bottle 20 to the ink cartridge. 100 easily flows. Note that ink tubes 170 having various lengths may be prepared, and the degree to which the ink bottle 20 is raised may be changed according to the remaining amount of the ink 10 in the ink bottle 20.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 7, a method for replenishing the ink 10 to the ink cartridge 100 filled with the negative pressure material 120 using the ink replenishment kit 1 as described above will be summarized. explain. In addition, although it demonstrates as what replenishes the ink 10 using the ink replenishment kit 1 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, you may use another ink replenishment kit. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method for refilling the ink cartridge 100 with the ink 10. First, the ink injection hole 112 and the air vent hole 114 are formed on the surface opposite to the surface on which the ink supply port 102 of the ink cartridge 100 is formed (step S10). For the formation of the holes 112 and 114, a cone or the like (not shown) is preferably used. The ink injection hole 112 and the air vent hole 114 are separated from each other so that the ink 10 injected from the ink injection needle 50 is not sucked from the air vent nozzle 60 before sufficiently diffusing into the negative pressure material 120. Next, the ink injection needle 50 is connected to the ink tank 6 that stores the ink 10 (step S20). An ink tube 70 (see FIG. 6) may be sandwiched between the ink tank 6 and the ink injection needle 50. Subsequently, the air vent nozzle 60 is connected to the ink tank 6 (step S30). The air vent nozzle 60 and the ink tank 6 may be directly connected or may be connected via the air tube 70 therebetween. The air vent nozzle 60 is connected to the air supply nozzle 80 by being connected to the ink tank 6. The air supply nozzle 80 communicates with the air hole 34 of the fitting member 30 and is fixed to the fitting member 30 in advance.

  The air vent nozzle 60 is inserted from the air vent hole 114 of the ink cartridge 100 until the tip 68 is inserted into the negative pressure material 120 (step S40). Next, the ink injection needle 50 is inserted from the ink injection hole 112 of the ink cartridge 100 until the leading end 52 is inserted sufficiently deep into the negative pressure material 120 (step S50). Note that step S40 and step S50 may be performed in reverse order. In this case, since the ink injection needle 50 is connected to the ink tank 6, the ink tank 6 is held in the hand. That is, the ink tank 6 is tilted so that the ink bottle 20 is up, the ink outlet 32 is down, and the ink injection needle 50 is directed downward (inverted), and the ink injection needle 50 is inserted into the ink injection hole 112. The ink tank 6 is installed above the ink cartridge 100 (step S60). Since the ink tank 6 is inverted (a state where the opening 22 of the ink bottle 20 is positioned below), the ink 10 is guided to the ink injection needle 50, and the tip 84 of the air supply nozzle 80 is connected to the ink in the ink tank 6. On the liquid level (ink surface upper space) 14.

  By installing the ink tank 6 as described above, the injection of the ink 10 starts. The start of the injection of the ink 10 can be normally confirmed by visually confirming that bubbles flow through the air tube 70 or the air supply nozzle 80. If the ink 10 is difficult to flow at the beginning of the injection of the ink 10 (step S70), the ink tank 6 may be pressed by hand (step S80). Or you may open | release the intake flow path 390 (refer FIG. 10) etc. temporarily. When the ink 10 flows, it is visually checked whether the ink 10 flows into the air tube 70. When it is visually confirmed that the ink 10 is present in the air tube 70 or the ink 10 flows, it indicates that the ink 10 has been sufficiently injected into the ink cartridge 100, and thus the replenishment of the ink 10 is completed (step S90). Even if it is left as it is, the ink 10 gradually rises to the air supply nozzle 80, and the pressure difference between the liquid levels in the ink tank 6 and the ink cartridge 100 causes the liquid in the air supply nozzle 80 and the ink cartridge 100. When the surface pressure becomes equal, the injection of the ink 10 stops spontaneously. Since the replenishment of the ink 10 ends naturally, it is possible to prevent the ink 10 from being injected beyond a predetermined amount. Note that the steps described above may be performed in the same order or at the same time.

  Next, another type of ink replenishment kit 201 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the ink replenishment kit 201 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the ink cartridge 100. The description common to the ink replenishment kit 1 shown in FIG. 1 is omitted, and only different points will be described. An air inlet 292 is formed on the side surface of the ink tank 206 near the bottom of the ink bottle 220 (in FIG. 8, since the ink bottle 220 is shown upside down, it is drawn on the upper side in FIG. 8). The intake pipe 294 is connected to the intake port 292. The intake pipe 294 is provided with a cock 296 as an on-off valve. The intake port 292, the intake pipe 294, and the cock 296 constitute an intake passage 290. The air vent nozzle 260 communicates with the balance tube 280 via the air tube 70. An open end 284, which is one end of the balance tube 280, is located in the liquid level upper space 14. The balance tube 280 is disposed in the ink bottle 220 in the same manner as the air supply nozzle 80 (see FIG. 1). However, the balance tube 280 may be disposed outside the ink bottle 220, and an open end 284 thereof is above the liquid level. It suffices if the height is higher than the space 14. The height above the liquid level upper space 14 indicates that it is higher than the level of the ink 10 in the ink bottle 220. However, if the balance tube 280 is disposed in the ink bottle 220, the ink 10 remaining in the balance tube 280 is placed in the ink bottle 220 when the replenishment of the ink 10 is completed and the opening 22 of the ink bottle 220 is returned upward. Since it returns, it is suitable.

  In the ink replenishment kit 201, the insertion portion 248 of the ink take-out nozzle 240 fits airtightly with the ink injection hole 112 formed in the ink cartridge 100. Further, the nozzle insertion portion 266 of the air vent nozzle 260 fits air tightly with the air vent hole 114 formed in the ink cartridge 100. By making the ink injection hole 112 and the air vent hole 114 airtight, the ink cartridge 100 and the ink bottle 220 and the flow paths 42, 50, 62.70, and 280 connecting them become airtight.

  When the ink replenishment kit 201 is mounted on the ink cartridge 100 as described above, the cock 296 is opened, and the liquid level upper space 14 in the ink bottle 220 is communicated with the atmosphere by the intake flow path 290. The atmosphere is a space around the ink bottle 220 and the ink cartridge 100. By connecting the liquid level upper space 14 to the atmosphere, the pressure of the liquid level upper space 14 is maintained at atmospheric pressure. Therefore, the ink 10 in the ink bottle 220 is injected into the ink cartridge 100 from the ink passage 42 through the ink injection needle 50, and the air in the ink cartridge 100 is sucked from the air flow path 62 of the air vent nozzle 260, It is sent to the liquid level upper space 14 through the balance tube 280. Even if air is not sucked by the vacuum in this way and the sucked space (in this case, the ink cartridge 100) is pressurized and air flows into the air flow path 62 of the air vent nozzle 260, the “air It is included in the concept of “sucked”.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the ink 10 is accumulated up to the tip 68 of the nozzle insertion portion 266 of the air vent nozzle 260, the ink 10 flows into the air passage 62, the air tube 70, and the balance tube 280. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a predetermined amount of ink 10 has been injected with the ink replenishment kit 201 mounted on the ink cartridge 100. The ink 10 flows to the balance tube 280 and reaches the ink 10 in the ink bottle 220, the ink passage 42, the hollow portion of the ink injection needle 50, the ink cartridge 100, the air passage 62, the air tube 70, and the balance tube 280. The flow path system is configured. The liquid level upper space 14 is maintained at atmospheric pressure, but the above-described flow path system including the ink cartridge 100 is airtight. The tip 52 of the ink injection needle 50 and the tip 68 of the air vent nozzle 260 are inserted into the negative pressure material 120 and are positioned below the upper surface of the ink cartridge 100 (the surface on which the ink injection hole 112 and the air vent hole 114 are formed). Therefore, when the ink is filled up to the tip 68 of the air vent nozzle 260 in the ink cartridge 100, the ink flows into the balance tube 280. Therefore, when the pressure difference between the liquid levels in the ink bottle 220 and the ink cartridge 100 becomes equal to the pressure difference between the liquid levels in the balance tube 280 and the ink cartridge 100, the ink injection naturally stops. As described above, when a predetermined amount of ink 10 is injected into the ink cartridge 100, it is possible to prevent the ink 10 from being injected further. In FIG. 9, the space 214 on the liquid level of the ink 10 in the ink cartridge 100 is shown large. However, since the space 214 is usually a small space, the ink corresponding to the compression of air due to an increase in pressure. The rise in the liquid level of the ink 10 in the cartridge 100 hardly occurs.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the intake flow path 290 includes an intake port 292, an intake pipe 294, and a cock 296. When the ink 10 is injected, the cock 294 is opened and the liquid level upper space 14 is maintained at atmospheric pressure. However, when the ink 10 is not injected, the cock 294 is closed so that the ink 10 does not leak through the intake passage 290. It is preferable that the intake channel 290 has an inner diameter of 2 mm or more, preferably 3 mm or more, at the narrowest portion of the channel, because air can be prevented from flowing due to clogging of the ink 10 inside the intake channel 290. Further, it is preferable that the intake flow path 290 is normally set to have an inner diameter of 10 mm or less because it can prevent the ink replenishment kit 201 from being obstructed. The intake channel 290 can be installed anywhere as long as it is in a position communicating with the upper liquid level space 14 in which the ink 10 is being replenished. However, the intake channel 290 is preferably installed on the side surface of the ink bottle 220 because it is easy to handle. Further, the intake pipe 294 is preferably directed horizontally or downward toward the ink bottle 10 when the ink 10 is replenished so that the ink 10 does not collect when the ink 10 is replenished.

  However, as shown in FIG. 10, the intake channel 390 may have other configurations. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an ink replenishment kit 301 in which the intake flow path 390 includes an intake port 392 and a rubber plug 394 that seals the intake port 392. In the case where the ink bottle 320 of the ink tank 306 is formed of plastic, the bottom of the ink bottle 320 is usually formed in a shape that is not flat but recessed. Therefore, an intake port 392 that is a through hole is formed at a position where the inside is recessed, and the intake port 392 is sealed with a rubber plug 394. The rubber stopper 394 includes a fitting portion 396 that is fitted into the air inlet 392 and a knob 398 that is positioned outside the ink bottle 320 when inserted into the air inlet 392. When the ink bottle 320 is removed from the ink cartridge 100 and placed on a plane with the opening 22 facing upward, the knob 398 is formed to a thickness that does not contact the plane. When the ink 10 is injected, the liquid level upper space 14 can be communicated with the atmosphere by pinching the knob 398 by hand and removing the rubber stopper 394 from the air inlet 392. If the intake passage 390 is constituted by the intake port 392 and the rubber plug 394, the configuration becomes simple and the manufacture becomes easy. The air inlet 392 may be formed on the side surface of the ink bottle 320. However, it is preferable that the air inlet 392 be formed as close to the flat surface as possible to facilitate sealing with the rubber stopper 394.

  The configuration of the intake flow path may be another configuration, for example, a pipe line that penetrates the fitting member 30 from the liquid level upper space 14 and opens to the atmosphere. If the pipe is used, the ink 10 is likely to be accumulated therein. However, when the ink 10 is replenished, the liquid upper space 14 communicates with the atmosphere, and the ink bottle 220 is placed so that the opening 22 faces upward. Is preferable because it does not leak through the intake passage.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the ink replenishment kit according to the embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the ink cartridge. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a predetermined amount of ink has been injected in a state where the ink refill kit according to the embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the ink cartridge. FIG. 5 is a front view for explaining the structure of the tip of the ink injection needle and the tip of the nozzle insertion portion of the air vent nozzle, where (a) is the tip of the ink injection needle, and (b) is the tip of the nozzle insert of the air vent nozzle. Indicates. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating a fitting member provided with a non-return valve in an air hole. It is sectional drawing explaining the fitting member which formed with the hard plastic and provided the spring valve. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an ink take-out nozzle and an ink tube. (A) shows the connection between the ink take-out nozzle and the ink injection needle when the ink tube is not used, and (b) shows the connection between the ink take-out nozzle and the ink injection needle. The connection when the ink tube is used is shown, and (c) shows a state where the ink replenishment kit when the ink tube is used is mounted on the ink cartridge. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for replenishing ink in an ink cartridge. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which mounted | wore the ink cartridge with the ink replenishment kit as the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where a predetermined amount of ink is injected in a state where an ink refill kit according to a second embodiment of the present invention is mounted on an ink cartridge. It is sectional drawing which shows the ink replenishment kit with which an intake flow path is comprised with the rubber stopper which seals an inlet port and an inlet port.

Explanation of symbols

1 Ink Refill Kit 6 Ink Tank 10 Ink 14 Space (Liquid Upper Space)
20 Ink bottle
22 Opening 30, 130 Fitting member
32, 132 Ink take-out port 34 Air hole 36 Check valve 40, 41 Ink take-out nozzle 42 Ink passage 44 Fitting part 46 Spreading part 47, 48 Insertion part 49 Protrusion 50 Ink injection needle 52 Tip part 54 Groove (ink flow path)
56 Cap 60 Air vent nozzle 62 Air passage 64 Spreading portion 65 Air vent knob 66 Nozzle insertion portion 68 Nozzle tip portion 69 Groove (air flow path)
70 Air tube 80 Air supply nozzle 84 Tip (end)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Ink cartridge 102 Ink supply port 110 Cartridge case 112 Ink injection hole 114 Air vent hole 120 Negative pressure material 134, 135 O-ring 136 Tube fitting part 138 Air supply nozzle fitting part 140 Spring valve 141 Leg part 142 Spring support 143 Flat plate 144 Valve plate 146 Spring 160 Joint 170 Ink tube 201, 301 Ink replenishment kit 206, 306 Ink tank 214 Space 220, 320 above the ink level in the ink cartridge Ink bottle 240 Ink take-out nozzle 248 Insertion part 260 Air vent nozzle 268 Nozzle tip 280 Balance tube 284 Open end 290, 390 Intake flow path 292, 392 Intake port 294 Intake pipe 296 Cock 394 Rubber plug 396 Insertion part 398 Mami

Claims (11)

An ink refill kit for refilling ink cartridges filled with negative pressure material:
Ink to be refilled in the ink cartridge;
An ink tank for storing the ink, wherein the ink tank has a space for storing air, and an ink outlet for allowing the ink to flow out of the ink tank and an air hole for allowing air to flow into the space are formed. An ink tank;
An ink injection needle that is inserted into the negative pressure material of the ink cartridge at a predetermined depth, communicates with the ink outlet, and injects ink contained in the ink tank into the negative pressure material;
An air vent nozzle that is inserted into the negative pressure material of the ink cartridge shallower than the ink injection needle, communicates with the air hole, and sucks air from the ink cartridge;
An air supply nozzle having a predetermined length communicating with the air hole and disposed in the ink tank;
Ink refill kit. The ink injection needle is formed with an ink flow path for injecting the ink into the negative pressure material at a position different from a tip portion inserted into the negative pressure material;
The ink replenishment kit according to claim 1. The ink flow path is a groove formed from a tip inserted into the negative pressure material;
The ink replenishment kit according to claim 2. The air vent nozzle is formed with an air flow path for sucking the air at a position different from a tip portion inserted into the negative pressure material;
The ink replenishment kit according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The air flow path is a groove formed from a tip portion inserted into the negative pressure material;
The ink replenishment kit according to claim 4. An air tube that connects the air hole and the air vent nozzle and through which the sucked air flows, and includes an air tube that can visually recognize the ink flowing inside the air tube;
The ink replenishment kit according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A check valve for preventing air flow from the ink tank to the ink cartridge in the air vent nozzle, in the air supply nozzle, or between the air vent nozzle and the air supply nozzle;
When the ink tank is pressed by hand, the ink tank is deformed to reduce the internal volume:
The ink replenishment kit according to any one of claims 1 to 6. An ink tube connecting the ink outlet and the ink injection needle, the ink tube including an ink tube capable of changing a height of the ink outlet from the ink injection needle;
The ink replenishment kit according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The ink tank contains the ink and has an ink bottle formed with one opening; and a fitting member fitted into the opening and formed with the ink outlet and the air hole;
The ink replenishment kit according to any one of claims 1 to 8. An ink replenishing method for replenishing ink into an ink cartridge filled with a negative pressure material:
Connecting an ink injection needle for injecting ink into the negative pressure material to an ink tank containing the ink and having a space for containing air;
Connecting an air vent nozzle for sucking air from the ink cartridge to the ink tank, and communicating the air vent nozzle with an air supply nozzle disposed in the ink tank;
Inserting the ink injection needle into a predetermined depth of the negative pressure material of the ink cartridge;
Inserting the air vent nozzle into the negative pressure material of the ink cartridge at a position away from the ink injection needle by a predetermined length and shallower than the depth at which the ink injection needle is inserted;
Tilting the ink tank to direct ink to the ink injection needle;
Disposing an end of the air supply nozzle opposite to the side communicating with the air vent nozzle in the space;
Disposing the ink tank on top of the ink cartridge and flowing the ink from the ink tank to the ink cartridge;
Ink replenishment method. An ink refill kit for refilling ink cartridges filled with negative pressure material:
Ink to be refilled in the ink cartridge;
An ink tank for storing the ink, the ink tank having a space for storing air, and having an ink outlet for allowing the ink to flow out of the ink tank;
An ink injection needle that is inserted into the negative pressure material of the ink cartridge at a predetermined depth, communicates with the ink outlet, and injects ink contained in the ink tank into the negative pressure material;
An intake passage that communicates the space with the atmosphere and maintains the space at atmospheric pressure;
An air vent nozzle that is inserted into the negative pressure material of the ink cartridge shallower than the ink injection needle and sucks air from the ink cartridge;
A balance tube that communicates with the air vent nozzle and is disposed to a height equal to or higher than the space;
The ink injection needle and the air vent nozzle have a fitting portion for holding the ink cartridge in an airtight manner;
Ink refill kit.

Images