JP2011161779A - Ink cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

A technique capable of easily increasing the number of times an ink cartridge is reused is provided.
An ink container is contained in a case of an ink cartridge. The ink container 20 includes an ink container 21 and an ink discharge member 30. The ink discharge member 30 includes a side wall member 40 and a cover member 50. The side wall member 40 is attached to the ink containing member 21 so that one side of the ink discharge hole 40a is disposed in the ink containing space 21a. The cover member 50 is sandwiched between the inner surface 52 of the end wall 51 in which the opening 51a is formed and the side wall member 40 in a state where the first elastic member 49 is disposed at a position closing the other side of the ink discharge hole 40a. As shown, the side wall member 40 is attached. A second elastic member 60 is detachably bonded to the outer surface 53 of the end wall 51.
[Selection] Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink cartridge, and more particularly to a technique for reusing an ink cartridge.

2. Description of the Related Art An ink jet printing apparatus that prints information on a printing medium by ejecting ink from an ink head onto a printing medium such as paper is used as a printing apparatus such as a printer, a facsimile machine, and a copying machine. An ink jet printing apparatus includes an ink head and an ink tank, a carriage that is reciprocally movable with respect to the main body, and an ink cartridge that is detachably attached to the main body and contains ink to be supplied to the ink tank of the carriage. Have. The ink cartridge includes a case and an ink container accommodated in the case. The ink containing body has an ink containing member that forms an ink containing space, and an ink discharge member that discharges ink contained in the ink containing space. The ink discharge member has a side wall forming an ink discharge hole and an elastic member. The ink discharge member is attached to the ink storage member such that the opening on one side of the ink discharge hole is disposed in the ink storage space. The elastic member is disposed so as to close the opening on the other side of the ink discharge hole. When the ink cartridge is attached to the main body of the ink jet printing apparatus, the tip of the ink supply needle member provided on the main body is inserted into the elastic member of the ink discharge member and passes through the elastic member to reach the ink discharge port. Then, the ink stored in the ink storage space by the ink supply pump causes the ink tank of the carriage to pass through the ink discharge hole, the ink inlet hole and the ink inlet hole formed in the ink supply needle member, and the ink supply pipe. To be supplied.
In such an ink jet printing apparatus, the ink cartridge is reused (recycled) in order to effectively use resources. The ink cartridge can be reused by removing the ink cartridge from the main body of the ink jet printing apparatus, inserting the tip of the ink replenishing needle member into the elastic member of the ink discharging member of the removed ink cartridge, and inserting the ink replenishing needle member into the ink replenishing needle member. A method of supplying ink to the ink containing space of the ink cartridge through the formed ink supply hole and ink supply hole is used (Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-358802 A

As a conventional method of reusing an ink cartridge, a method is used in which the tip of an ink replenishing needle member is inserted into an elastic member of an ink discharging member, and ink is replenished into the ink containing space of the ink cartridge via the ink replenishing needle member. It has been. However, when the number of times the ink cartridge is reused (the number of times of recycling) increases, the elastic characteristics of the elastic member of the ink discharge member deteriorate, and the hole generated in the elastic member due to the insertion of the ink replenishing needle member cannot be blocked. There is a possibility that the ink stored in the ink storage space may leak. In this case, it is conceivable to replace the elastic member of the ink discharge member. However, since the elastic member of the ink discharge member is firmly attached, it is difficult to replace the elastic member of the ink discharge member. For this reason, there is a limit to the number of times the ink cartridge can be reused (number of times it can be recycled).
The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of easily increasing the number of reuse of an ink cartridge.

The ink cartridge of the present invention is preferably used in an ink jet printing apparatus, but can be used in various printing apparatuses that print information on a print medium by ejecting ink.
The ink cartridge of the present invention includes a case and an ink container accommodated in the case. The ink container includes an ink container and an ink discharge member. An ink storage space for storing ink is formed by the ink storage member. The ink discharge member is attached to the ink storage member. The ink containing member is preferably configured by forming a flexible sheet member into a bag shape. Various methods can be used as the method for forming the sheet member into a bag shape, but preferably a method in which two sheet members are overlapped and heat-sealed along the outer periphery is used.
The ink discharge member includes a side wall that forms an ink discharge hole, an end wall in which an opening is formed, a first elastic member, and a second elastic member. The opening on one side of the ink discharge hole communicates with the ink containing space. The side wall is formed in a cylindrical shape. Further, the opening on the other side of the ink discharge hole is closed by the first elastic member so that the ink storage space and the ink discharge hole are in a sealed state (so that ink does not leak). Further, the end wall in which the opening is formed is disposed on the side opposite to the ink discharge hole from the first elastic member. The second elastic member has an area larger than the area of the opening formed in the end wall. The second elastic member is detachably attached to a surface (outer surface) opposite to the first elastic member among the opposing surfaces of the end wall at a position closing the opening formed in the end wall. As a method of detachably attaching the second elastic member to the end wall, various methods such as a method of bonding with an adhesive having a peelable adhesive force can be used. Preferably, in a state where the second elastic member is attached to the end wall, the space formed between the first elastic member and the second elastic member including the opening formed in the end wall is sealed. Configured to be.
The first elastic member is made of rubber, synthetic resin, or the like when a needle member (an ink supply needle member or an ink supply needle member) is inserted into the first elastic member, or on the first elastic member. When the inserted needle member is pulled out from the first elastic member, it is formed so as to have an elastic characteristic that ink does not leak through a hole formed by insertion of the needle member. Similarly to the first elastic member, the second elastic member is a needle inserted into the second elastic member when the needle member is inserted into the second elastic member with rubber, synthetic resin, or the like. When the member is pulled out from the second elastic member, it is formed so as to have an elastic characteristic in which ink does not leak through a hole formed by insertion of the needle member. The first elastic member and the second elastic member may be formed of the same material or may be formed of different materials.
The inner peripheral shape of the ink discharge hole and the outer peripheral shape of the side wall can be formed in various shapes including a circular shape. Further, the outer peripheral shape of the end wall and the inner peripheral shape of the opening formed in the end wall can be formed in various shapes including a circular shape. The shape of the first elastic member and the second elastic member can be various shapes depending on the inner peripheral shape of the ink discharge hole, the inner peripheral shape of the opening formed in the end wall, the outer peripheral shape of the end wall, and the like. Can be formed. For example, the second elastic member is formed in a plate shape in which the outer peripheral shape of the opposing surface is circular, that is, a disk shape. The thicknesses of the first elastic member and the second elastic member can prevent the ink from leaking through the hole formed by the insertion of the needle member, and can be easily inserted into the needle member. Is set. For example, when a needle member having an outer diameter of about 1 mm is used, it is set in the range of 0.5 m to 1.5 mm.
The side wall and the end wall may be integral or separate.
When the ink cartridge of the present invention is attached to the printing apparatus, the tip of the ink supply needle member provided in the printing apparatus is inserted into the second elastic member and the first elastic member, and reaches the ink discharge hole. . Thereby, the ink stored in the ink storage space is supplied to the ink tank of the printing apparatus. Further, when the ink cartridge is reused (recycled), the tip of the ink replenishing needle member is inserted into the second elastic member and the first elastic member and arranged at the position of the ink discharge hole to provide an ink containing space. Refill the ink.
In the ink cartridge of the present invention, since the second elastic member is detachably attached to the end wall, the second elastic member can be easily replaced. Further, by replacing the second elastic member, it is possible to prevent ink leakage even when the elastic characteristics of the first elastic member are deteriorated. The second elastic member is replaced at an appropriate timing each time the ink cartridge is reused (recycled) or reused (recycled) a plurality of times. As a result, the number of reuses (recycles) of the ink cartridge can be easily increased.
In the different form of this invention, the 2nd elastic member has the adhesive agent provided in one among the elastic bodies which have the surface which opposes, and the elastic body which opposes. Further, the second elastic member is detachably bonded to the surface (outer surface) opposite to the first elastic member among the opposing surfaces of the end wall by an adhesive provided on one surface of the elastic body. Is done. The elastic body (first elastic member) is preferably formed in a plate shape in which the outer peripheral shape of the opposing surfaces is circular, that is, a disk shape. And the area of the surface which an elastic body (1st elastic member) opposes is set larger than the area of the opening currently formed in the end wall.
In the ink cartridge of this embodiment, the second elastic member can be easily replaced.
In another different form of the invention, a holding sheet is provided. The state where the second elastic member is attached to the outer surface of the end wall is held by the holding sheet. The holding sheet typically has an adhesive provided on one of the sheet body and the opposing surface of the sheet body. Then, the holding sheet is detachably bonded to the second elastic member and the end wall with an adhesive. In the case where the ink discharge member includes a side wall member having a side wall and a cover member having an end wall, the mode in which the “holding sheet is bonded to the second elastic member and the cover member” It is included in the mode that “the holding sheet is bonded to the second elastic member and the side wall”. The holding sheet is formed of a synthetic resin or the like so that a needle member (an ink supply needle member or an ink supply needle member) can be inserted.
In the ink cartridge of this embodiment, it is possible to prevent ink from leaking during conveyance.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the ink discharging member includes a side wall member having a side wall forming an ink discharging hole and a cover member having an end wall in which an opening is formed. The cover member is attached to the side wall member. In a state where the cover member is attached to the side wall member, the first elastic member is sandwiched between the end wall of the cover member and the side wall member at a position closing the opening on the other side of the ink discharge hole. Thereby, the space (opening formed in the end wall) formed between the second elastic member attached to the outer surface of the end wall and the first elastic member can be sealed.
In the ink cartridge of this embodiment, the opening on the other side of the ink discharge hole can be easily closed by the first elastic member (the ink storage space and the ink discharge hole are sealed), and the first elasticity The space formed between the member and the second elastic member can be sealed.

  In the ink cartridge of the present invention, the number of reuses can be easily increased by replacing the second elastic member detachably attached to the end wall surface of the ink discharge member.

It is a perspective view of one embodiment of an ink cartridge. 2 is a perspective view of an ink container used in an embodiment of an ink cartridge. FIG. It is sectional drawing of the principal part of the ink container used by one Embodiment of an ink cartridge. It is a figure explaining the operation | movement which attaches one Embodiment of an ink cartridge to an inkjet printing apparatus. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an ink cartridge to which a holding sheet is attached. It is a figure which shows an example of a holding sheet. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of an ink cartridge. It is a perspective view of the ink container used in other embodiment of an ink cartridge. It is sectional drawing of the principal part of the ink container used in further another embodiment of an ink cartridge.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
1 to 3 show an ink cartridge 10 according to an embodiment. The ink cartridge 10 of the present embodiment is used in an ink jet printing apparatus. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge 10. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ink container 20 used in the ink cartridge 10. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the ink container 20 used in the ink cartridge 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ink cartridge 10 of the present embodiment includes a case 11 and an ink container 20.
The case 11 is constituted by a first case member 11 and a second case member 12, and is formed in a box shape having a substantially rectangular side surface. In the case 11, a storage space for storing the ink container 20 is formed. The first case member 11 and the second case member 12 are formed with notches 11a and 12a at opposite positions, respectively. Thereby, the case 11 has the opening part 10a. In the state where the ink container 20 is stored in the storage space of the case 11, the ink discharge member 30 of the ink container 20 is configured to be disposed at the position of the opening 10 a. The shape of the case 11 can be selected as appropriate.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ink containing body 20 includes an ink containing member 21 and an ink discharge member 30.
The ink containing member 21 is formed in a bag shape having a substantially square side surface by a flexible sheet member. In the present embodiment, two sheet members having flexibility are overlapped, and the two sheet members are joined by the joining portion 22 along the outer periphery so as to form an ink containing space 21a for containing ink. ing. As the sheet member constituting the ink containing member 21, a sheet member that does not affect the ink characteristics, for example, an aluminum laminate sheet is used. As a method of joining two sheet members, a method of welding by heating, a method of bonding with an adhesive, or the like can be used. In the present embodiment, a method is used in which a thermoplastic resin is disposed along the outer periphery of the two sheet members, and heat is applied to weld the two sheet members at the joint portion 22. The shape of the ink containing member 21 can be selected as appropriate.

  The ink discharge member 30 is attached to the ink storage member 21 and is used for discharging the ink stored in the ink storage space 21 a formed by the ink storage member 21. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ink discharge member 30 includes a side wall member 40, a cover member 50, a first elastic member 49, and a second elastic member 60.

The side wall member 40 is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin that does not affect the ink characteristics. The side wall member 40 has a side wall 41 that forms the ink discharge hole 40 a and a mounting wall 42 for mounting the first elastic member 49. An opening 42 a is formed in the mounting wall 42. It is also possible to provide a mounting wall 42 in which the opening 42a is not formed, and to form the opening 42a in the mounting wall 42 by the needle member when the needle member is first inserted. The side wall member 40 is disposed on the ink containing member 21 so that the opening on one side (the right side in FIG. 3) of the ink discharge hole 40a communicates with the ink containing space 21a (so as to be arranged in the ink containing space 21a). It is attached. As a method of attaching the side wall member 40 to the ink containing member 21, a method of welding by heating, a method of bonding by an adhesive, or the like can be used. In the present embodiment, one end of the side wall 41 is disposed between the two sheet members constituting the ink containing member 21, and heat is applied along the outer periphery of the two sheet members. The sheet member and the side wall member 40 are welded together at the joint portion 22. The inner peripheral shape of the ink discharge hole 40a and the outer peripheral shape of the side wall 41 can be set as appropriate. In the present embodiment, the inner peripheral shape of the ink discharge hole 40a and the outer peripheral shape of the side wall 41 are circular. That is, the side wall 41 is formed in a cylindrical shape. In addition, the shape of the side wall 41 should just be a cylindrical shape, and is not limited to a cylindrical shape.
Further, the side wall member 40 has a recess 43 formed on the side opposite to the ink discharge hole 40 a from the mounting wall 42 by the mounting wall 42 and the side wall 41. A first elastic member 49 for closing the opening on the other side (left side in FIG. 3) of the ink insertion space 40a is inserted into the recess 43. In the present embodiment, the opening 41a formed in the mounting wall 42 or the opening 42a formed in the mounting wall 42 by inserting the needle member corresponds to the “opening on the other side of the ink discharge hole” of the present invention. To do. The first elastic member 49 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin or rubber that does not affect the ink characteristics. The elastic characteristic of the first elastic member 49 is that when the needle member (the ink supply needle member 90 or the ink supply needle member) is inserted or when the needle member is pulled out after being inserted, the needle member It is set so that ink does not leak through the hole created by the insertion of the ink (so that the hole is closed). In the present embodiment, the first elastic member 49 is formed in a disk shape having opposing surfaces.
Further, a step 45 is formed on the side wall 41.

The cover member 50 is formed of, for example, a metal that does not affect the ink characteristics. The cover member 50 has an end wall 51 and an attachment portion 54. An opening 51 a is formed in the end wall 51. In the present embodiment, the outer peripheral shape of the end wall 51 and the inner peripheral shape of the opening 51a are circular. The outer peripheral shape of the end wall 51 and the inner peripheral shape of the opening 51a can be set as appropriate.
Further, the attachment portion 54 has elasticity, and a locking portion 55 is formed on the distal end side. Accordingly, when the cover member 50 is moved along the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 41 in the direction of the ink discharge hole 40a (the right direction in FIG. 3) in a state where the front end side of the mounting portion 54 is expanded, the mounting member 54 The locking portion 55 is locked to the stepped portion 45 of the side wall 41, and the cover member 50 is attached to the side wall member 40 (side wall 41). In the present embodiment, in a state where the cover member 50 is attached to the side wall member 40, the first elastic member 49 serves as the inner surface (surface on the ink insertion hole 40 a side) 52 of the end wall 51 of the cover member 50 and the side wall member. It is configured such that it is sandwiched (pressed) by the mounting wall 42 of 40, the opening on the other side of the ink discharge hole 40a is closed, and the ink storage space 21a and the ink discharge hole 40a are in a sealed state. That is, the first elastic member 49 has a disk shape in which the outer peripheral shape of the opposing surface is circular. And the area of the surface which opposes is formed so that it may become larger than the area of the opening 51a of the end wall 51, and the area of the opening 42a of the attachment wall 42. FIG. Further, the distance (thickness) between the opposing surfaces of the first elastic member 49 is larger than the distance between the end wall 51 and the mounting wall 42 in a state where the cover member 50 is mounted on the side wall member 30. It is formed as follows.
The outer peripheral shape of the end wall 51 and the inner peripheral shape of the opening 51a are not limited to a circular shape, and can be set to various shapes. Moreover, the 1st elastic member 49 should just have an area larger than the area of the opening 51a of the end wall 51, and the opening 42a of the attachment wall 42, and can be formed in various shapes other than circular. Further, the first elastic member 49 is not required to be in contact with the inner surface 52 of the end wall 51 as long as the ink containing space 21a and the ink discharge hole 40a can be sealed. Further, the mounting wall 42 can be omitted.

  The second elastic member 60 has an elastic body 61. The elastic body 61 is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin or rubber that does not affect the ink characteristics. When the needle member (the ink supply needle member 90 or the ink supply needle member) is inserted, or the elastic body 61 (second elastic member 60) is pulled out after the needle member is inserted, It is set so that ink does not leak through the hole created by the insertion of the needle member (so that the hole is closed). In the present embodiment, the elastic body 61 is formed in a disk shape having opposing surfaces 62 and 63. The areas of the opposing surfaces 62 and 63 are set so as to have a larger area than the area of the opening 51 a formed in the end wall 51. An adhesive 64 is provided on one of the opposing surfaces 62 and 63 of the elastic body 61. Then, the second elastic member 60 can be peeled off by an adhesive 64 at a position where the outer surface (surface opposite to the ink discharge hole 40a) 53 of the end wall 51 blocks the opening 51a formed in the end wall 51. Glued to. Thereby, the space formed between the first elastic member 49 and the second elastic member 60 including the opening 51a formed in the end wall 51 is sealed. As the adhesive 64, various adhesives that can releasably adhere the second elastic member 60 to the outer surface 53 of the end wall can be used.

  The thicknesses of the first elastic member 49 and the second elastic member 60 (elastic body 61) are determined when the needle member (the ink discharging needle member 90 or the ink replenishing needle member) is inserted and then pulled out. The hole generated by the insertion of the needle member is naturally closed (sealed) by the elastic characteristics of the first elastic member 49 and the second elastic member 60, and the needle member is It is necessary to set so that it can be easily inserted into the member 49 and the second elastic member 60. Here, when a needle member having an outer shape of about 1 mm is used, if the thickness of the first elastic member 49 and the second elastic member 60 (elastic body 61) is less than 0.5 mm, the needle member is inserted. When pulled out, the hole created by the insertion of the needle member is not naturally closed. Moreover, when it exceeds 1.5 mm, it becomes difficult to insert the needle member. For this reason, when using a needle member having an outer shape of about 1 mm, the thickness of the first elastic member 49 and the second elastic member 60 (elastic body 61) is set within a range of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. It is preferable to do this.

Next, the operation of attaching the ink cartridge of the present embodiment to the ink jet printing apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
The ink jet printing apparatus includes an ink head and an ink tank, and includes a carriage 95 that is reciprocally movable relative to the main body and an ink supply needle member 90. The ink supply needle member 90 has an ink inflow hole 90 a and an ink inflow hole 91 formed in the inclined portion on the tip side of the ink supply needle member 90. The ink inflow hole 91 communicates with the ink inflow hole 90a. An ink supply pipe 93 is provided between the ink supply needle member 90 and the head 95. A protection member 92 that protects the ink supply needle member is provided around the tip of the ink supply needle member 90.
When the ink cartridge 10 is attached to an attachment portion provided in the ink jet printing apparatus, the leading end portion of the ink supply needle member 90 is the second elastic member 60, the opening 51a formed in the end wall 51, and the first portion. It is inserted into the elastic member 49 and reaches the ink discharge hole 40a. That is, the ink inflow hole 90a of the ink supply needle member 90 is communicated with the ink containing space 21a. In this state, by driving the ink supply pump, the ink stored in the ink storage space 21a of the ink cartridge 10 is transferred to the ink inflow hole 91, the ink inflow tube 90a of the ink supply needle member 90, the ink. The ink is supplied to the ink tank mounted on the carriage 95 via the supply pipe 93.

When the remaining amount of ink stored in the ink storage space 21a of the ink cartridge 10 decreases, the ink cartridge 10 is removed from the mounting portion provided in the inkjet printing apparatus. As a result, the tip of the ink supply needle member 90 is pulled out from the first elastic member 49, the opening 51 a formed in the end wall 51, and the second elastic member 60. At this time, the ink supply needle member 90 is inserted into the first elastic member 49 and the second elastic member 60 according to the elastic characteristics of the first elastic member 49 and the second elastic member 60 (elastic body 61). The resulting hole is blocked and ink leakage is prevented.
Next, ink is supplied to the ink containing space 21 a of the removed ink cartridge 10. For example, the tip of the ink supply needle member having the same structure as the ink supply needle member 90 is inserted into the second elastic member 60, the opening 51 a formed in the end wall 51, and the first elastic member 49. And disposed in the ink discharge hole 40a. Then, by driving the ink supply pump, ink is supplied to the ink containing space 21a of the ink cartridge 10 via the ink supply needle member. Various known methods can be used as a method for supplying ink to the ink containing space 21 a of the ink cartridge 10.
Here, by inserting the needle member into the first elastic member 49, the elastic characteristics of the first elastic member 49 may deteriorate. Since the first elastic member 49 is firmly attached by the cover member 50 and the side wall member 40, it is difficult to replace the first elastic member 49. In the present invention, the second elastic member 60 is detachably bonded to the outer surface 53 of the end wall 51. For this reason, the second elastic member 60 can be easily replaced. Therefore, by replacing the second elastic member 60 before the elastic characteristic of the first elastic member 40 is reduced, ink leakage is prevented even if the elastic characteristic of the first elastic member 40 is reduced. be able to. The second elastic member 60 can be replaced at an appropriate timing. For example, every time ink is supplied to the ink containing space 21a of the ink cartridge 10 (each time it is reused), or every time ink is supplied to the ink containing space 21a of the ink cartridge 10 a set number of times (every time the set number of times is reused). Can be exchanged.

  By the way, the second elastic member 60 is detachably bonded to the outer surface 53 of the end wall 51 by an adhesive 64. Therefore, when the ink cartridge 10 is being transported, the second elastic member 60 moves relative to the outer surface 53 of the end wall 51 due to vibration or the like, or peels off from the outer surface 53 of the end wall 51, thereby There is a possibility that a part of the opening 51a formed in the end wall 51 is opened. In this case, if the elastic characteristics of the first elastic member 49 are deteriorated, ink leaks through the hole formed by inserting the needle member into the first elastic member 49 and the opened opening 51a. There is a fear.

Another embodiment configured to hold the state in which the second elastic member 60 is adhered to the outer surface 53 of the end wall 51 is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge 10 according to another embodiment. FIG. 6A is a plan view of a holding sheet 70 used in the ink cartridge 10 of another embodiment, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. .
The ink cartridge 10 of the present embodiment has the same configuration as the ink cartridge 10 of the first embodiment except for the holding sheet 70. Therefore, hereinafter, only the holding sheet 70 used in the ink cartridge 10 of the present embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIG. 6, the holding sheet 70 has a sheet body 71 and an adhesive 74 provided on one of the opposing surfaces 72 and 73 of the sheet body 71 (surface 73 in FIG. 6). is doing. The sheet member 71 is formed of a synthetic resin or the like so that the needle member (the ink discharging needle member 90 or the ink replenishing needle member) can be easily inserted (having a thickness and hardness that can be inserted). The Further, as the adhesive 74, an adhesive that can adhere to the second elastic member 60 (elastic body 61), the cover member 60, and the side wall 51 is used. Preferably, the sheet body 71 is formed of a transparent synthetic resin, and a transparent adhesive is used as the adhesive 74.
The holding sheet 70 includes a central portion 70a and extending portions 70b and 70c extending in both directions from the central portion 70a. The outer peripheral shape of the central portion 70a has a shape (circular shape in the present embodiment) corresponding to the outer peripheral shape of the surface of the second elastic member 60 (the surface on which the adhesive 64 is not provided) 62. The area is equal to or smaller than the area of the surface 62 of the second elastic member 60. Further, the lengths of the extending portions 70 b and 70 c are set such that the end portions of the extending portions 70 b and 70 c are arranged at desired positions of the cover member 50 when the central portion 70 a is arranged on the surface 62 of the second elastic member 60. To be set. The holding sheet 70 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 6 as long as it can hold the state in which the second elastic member 60 is bonded to the outer surface 53 of the end wall 51. Further, the holding sheet 70 can be attached to the second elastic member 60 and the side wall 41 using a method other than the method of bonding with an adhesive.
The holding sheet 70 is held so that the second elastic member 60 is bonded to the outer surface 53 of the end wall 51 when the ink cartridge 10 supplied with ink is supplied to the ink containing space 21a. The second elastic member 60 and the cover member 50 are bonded. For example, the central portion 70a of the holding sheet 70 is bonded to the surface 62 of the second elastic member 60, and the extending portions 70b and 70c are bonded to the outer peripheral surface of the cover member 50 (attachment portion 54).
The holding sheet 70 is formed so that a needle member can be inserted. Therefore, the ink cartridge 10 may be attached to the attachment portion of the ink jet printing apparatus with the holding sheet 70 attached, or may be attached to the attachment portion of the ink jet printing apparatus with the holding sheet 70 peeled off.

In the above embodiment, the ink cartridge 10 provided with only the ink discharge member 70 is used, but ink cartridges having various configurations can be used. Still another embodiment of the ink cartridge is shown in FIGS. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge 110 of the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the ink container 120 used in the ink cartridge 110. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the ink container 120 used in the ink cartridge 110.
The ink cartridge 110 of the present embodiment is different from the ink discharge member 30 used in the ink cartridge 10 of the first embodiment in the configuration of the ink discharge member 130. Accordingly, only the ink discharge member 130 will be described below.
The ink discharge member 130 has a base portion 131 as shown in FIGS. The base portion 131 is integrally formed with the connecting portion 132, the side wall 141 of the side wall member 140 of the ink discharge member 130, and the side wall 181 of the ink injection member 180. The base 131, the connecting portion 132, the side wall 141, and the side wall 181 are formed of, for example, a synthetic resin that does not affect the ink characteristics. Similarly to the ink cartridge 10 of the first embodiment, the first elastic member 149 includes the mounting wall 142 of the side wall member 140 and the inner surface of the end wall 151 of the cover member 150 (the surface on the ink discharge hole 140a side). 152. In the present embodiment, the attachment portion 154 of the cover member 150 is formed with a locking piece 155 that is bent inward. The cover member 150 is attached to the side wall member 140 by the tip of the locking piece 155 of the mounting portion 154 being locked to the stepped portion 145 formed on the side wall 141. The 2nd elastic member 160 is the structure similar to the 2nd elastic member 60 of 1st Embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the ink injection hole 180 a is formed by the side wall 181. The ink injection hole 180a is used when ink is first injected into the ink storage space 121a. When the ink injection into the ink storage space 121a is completed, a predetermined portion of the side wall 181 is heated from both sides to form a sealing portion 182 that seals the ink injection hole 180a.

The present invention is not limited to the configuration described in the embodiment, and various changes, additions, and deletions are possible.
The method of attaching the cover member to the side wall member is not limited to the method described in the embodiment.
A method of detachably attaching the second elastic member to the end wall is not limited to a method of bonding with an adhesive.
The shapes and materials of the case, the ink containing member, the side wall member, the cover member, the first elastic member, and the second elastic member can be variously changed.
The ink discharge member is constituted by the side wall member and the cover member formed separately, but may be constituted by a member in which the side wall and the end wall are integrally formed. In this case, the first elastic member is attached to the ink discharge member so as to close the opening on the other side of the ink discharge hole.
Each configuration described in the embodiment can be used alone, or a plurality selected as appropriate can be used in combination.
Although the ink cartridge for containing ink has been described, it can also be configured as a liquid cartridge for containing a liquid such as ink.

10, 110 Ink cartridge 10a, 120a Opening 11, 111 Case 20, 120 Ink container 21, 121 Ink housing member 21a, 121a Ink housing space 22, 122 Joint part 30, 130 Ink discharge member 40, 140 Side wall member 40a, 140a Ink discharge hole 41, 141 Side wall 42, 142 Mounting wall 42a, 142a Opening 43, 143 Recess 45, 145 Stepped portion 49, 149 First elastic member 50, 150 Cover member 51, 151 End wall 51a, 151a Opening 52, 152 Inner surface (surface on the ink discharge hole side)
53, 153 External surface (surface opposite to the ink discharge hole)
54, 154 Mounting portion 55, 155 Locking portion 60, 160 Second elastic member 61, 161 Elastic body 64, 164 Adhesive 70 Holding sheet 71 Sheet body 74 Adhesive 90 Needle member for ink supply 93 Ink supply pipe 95 Carriage 131 Base 132 Connecting portion 180 Ink injection member 180a Ink injection hole 181 Side wall 182 Sealing portion

Claims (4)

An ink cartridge comprising an ink container and a case for housing the ink container,
The ink containing body includes an ink containing member that forms an ink containing space for containing ink, and an ink discharge member attached to the ink containing member,
The ink discharge member includes a side wall that forms an ink discharge hole, an end wall in which an opening is formed, a first elastic member, and a second elastic member,
An opening on one side of the ink discharge hole formed by the side wall communicates with the ink containing space, and an opening on the other side is closed by the first elastic member,
The end wall is disposed on the side opposite to the ink discharge hole from the first elastic member,
The second elastic member has an area larger than the area of the opening formed in the end wall, and the end of the opposite surface of the end wall is opposite to the end of the first elastic member. An ink cartridge, wherein the ink cartridge is detachably attached at a position closing an opening formed in a wall. The ink cartridge according to claim 1,
The second elastic member includes an elastic body having opposing surfaces and an adhesive provided on one of the opposing surfaces of the elastic body, and the end walls are opposed to each other by the adhesive. An ink cartridge, wherein the ink cartridge is detachably bonded to a surface of the surface opposite to the first elastic member. The ink cartridge according to claim 1 or 2,
The ink discharge member includes a holding sheet that holds the second elastic member in a state where the second elastic member is attached to a surface opposite to the first elastic member among the opposing surfaces of the end wall. A characteristic ink cartridge. The ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The ink discharge member includes a side wall member having a side wall forming the ink discharge hole, and an end wall in which the opening is formed, and a cover member attached to the side wall member.
The ink cartridge, wherein the first elastic member is sandwiched between an end wall of the cover member and the side wall member at a position closing the opening on the other side of the ink discharge hole.

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