JP3666601B2 - Ink refilling method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for refilling ink into a flexible ink bag used in an ink jet recording apparatus.

An ink jet recording apparatus is a recording apparatus that performs a large amount of printing because a recording head that receives ink supplied from an ink supply source reciprocates in the paper width direction of the recording paper. And a method of supplying ink to the recording head via a tube.
By the way, the ink jet recording apparatus pressurizes the ink in the pressure generating chamber to generate ink droplets, and if the ink contains bubbles, the pressure decreases and the ink droplet ejection performance also decreases. It requires ink from which dissolved air has been removed, and further requires an expensive ink bag container that can withstand impacts during distribution and use.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to propose an ink refilling method for refilling ink into an ink containing bag.

  That is, in order to achieve such a problem, in the present invention, an ink injection needle is inserted into the ink supply port of the ink bag and placed on the base, and the ink bag is sucked while being compressed by the pressing plate. An ink discharging step of discharging the ink remaining in the ink bag from the ink supply port, and an ink injection step of injecting a predetermined amount of ink from the ink supply port into the ink bag.

  Since the negative pressure is applied while being compressed by the pressing plate, the residual ink in the ink bag can be reduced as much as possible, and the deformation of the ink bag due to the negative pressure during suction can be prevented.

Therefore, details of the present invention will be described below based on examples.
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an ink cartridge of the present invention, which comprises a flexible flat ink bag 1 in which ink is enclosed, a case body 2 for storing the bag, and a lid 3. And an ink end detection plate 4 on which a detection piece for operating an ink end detector (not shown) of the ink jet recording apparatus is formed in accordance with the ink end detection means.

  The ink bag 10 is formed by superimposing two sheets of aluminum foil as an intermediate layer, for example, two aluminum laminate films sandwiched between a nylon film on the outside and a polyethylene film on the inside in order to ensure gas barrier properties. A bag is formed by joining three sides excluding the sides by heat welding or the like. An ink supply port 5 made of a plastic molded product is formed on the remaining short side, and an ink supply port forming member 6 that gives rigidity to the ink bag is attached by heat welding or the like. The ink supply port 5 is sealed with a septum 7 made of an elastic material such as rubber that elastically engages an ink supply needle provided at the tip of the ink tube of the recording apparatus.

Next, a method for manufacturing the above-described ink cartridge will be described.
FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the ink injection device used in the present invention. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 10 denotes a decompression chamber, one side of which can be opened and closed by a door body 11, and is connected via a flow path 12. And connected to the vacuum pump 13 so that the pressure can be reduced to a predetermined negative pressure. In the decompression chamber 10, two bag support bars 14 extending in the horizontal direction are planted on the side surface, and heat welding means 15 and 15 'and bag holding plates 16 and 16' are arranged below the bag support rods 14, and An ink supply needle 18 is provided at the lower end above the opening, and a needle insertion member 19 for moving the ink supply needle 18 up and down is provided. The needle insertion member 19 is connected to the branch pipe 21 via the tube 20.

  Reference numeral 22 denotes a gas-liquid separation unit. In this embodiment, the upper end and the lower end are liquid-tightly fixed to the cylinder 24 so that the hollow fiber bundle 23 is used as a liquid flow path, and the cylinder 24 is connected to a vacuum pump 25. A negative pressure is applied to the outer periphery of the hollow fiber, one end of the cylinder 24 is connected to the ink tank 27 by a tube 26, and the other end is connected to the branch pipe 21 via a stop valve 28.

  Reference numeral 30 denotes a measuring pipe, which includes a cylinder 31 and a piston 32, and the top dead center side is connected to the branch pipe 21 by a tube 33. In the figure, reference numeral 34 denotes a stop valve, and 35 denotes a pump for ink pressure feeding.

  FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the injector, and an ink bag is provided between the stop valve 28 at the discharge end of the gas-liquid separation unit 22 and the stop valve 34 of the tube 20 in the above-described embodiment. A dispenser 36 that measures the amount of ink to be injected into 1 is provided, and when the specified amount is measured by the dispenser 36, the atmosphere release valve 37 is opened and the pressure of the dispenser 36 is determined by the differential pressure from the atmospheric pressure. Ink is dropped into the ink bag 1.

Next, the process of filling the ink bag with ink will be described based on the ink filling apparatus shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, the ink supply port forming member 6 is heat-welded in advance on one side of the short side, the ink supply port 5 is attached, and the ink supply port 5 is sealed by a septum 7, and the other short side. Is formed as an opening, and an ink bag 1 ′ having a plurality of through holes 1′a and 1′a in the vicinity of the opening is prepared.

  The ink bag 1 ′ is set in a state where the through holes 1′a and 1′a of the ink bag 1 ′ are inserted into the support rod 14 and the upper end is expanded, and the door 11 is closed (FIG. 5 (I)). Next, the stop valve 28 communicating with the gas-liquid separation unit 22 is closed, the stop valve 34 is opened, and the vacuum pump 13 is operated to set the decompression chamber 10, the tubes 20, 33, and the measuring tube 30 to a predetermined value. (Fig. 5 (II)).

  When the pressure has been reduced to a predetermined pressure, the stop valve 34 is closed, and the stop valve 28 is opened to dispense a predetermined amount of ink 37 into the metering tube 30 (FIG. 6 (I)). Since the gas-liquid separation unit 22 is connected close to the metering tube 30, the ink immediately after degassing by the gas-liquid separation unit 22 flows into the metering tube 30.

  Next, the needle insertion member 19 is lowered to place the injection needle 18 in the ink bag 1 ′, and the stop valve 28 is closed while the stop valve 34 is opened to shut off the gas-liquid separation unit 22. When the piston 32 of the measuring tube 30 is pressed to discharge a predetermined amount of ink 37, a predetermined amount of ink is injected into the ink bag 1 ′ (FIG. 6 (II)).

  When the ink injection is completed, the ink injection needle 18 is retracted upward, and the side of the ink bag 1 ′ is pressed down to a predetermined thickness by the pressing plates 16 and 16 ′ to raise the ink level (FIG. 7). (I)) The ink bag 1 ′ is temporarily sealed by sandwiching a position slightly larger than the amount of ink as a product with the thermocompression bonding tools 15 and 15 ′ (FIG. 7 (II)). In this embodiment, the temporary sealing region is below the ink surface, but the temporary sealing region is located above the ink surface and the amount of air to be sealed is small. As will be described later, the extra injected ink can be sealed in the bag by the main sealing.

  After sealing, the presser plates 16 and 16 ′ and the thermocompression bonding tools 15 and 15 ′ are retracted, and the temporary sealing portion 1 ′ in which the bubbles B contained in the ink 37 of the ink bag 1 ′ are narrowed and squeezed. b (FIG. 8 (I)), the ink bag 1 'is pressed again by the pressing plates 16 and 16' until the thickness is constant, and the thermocompression bonding tool 15 is positioned below the temporary sealing portion 1'b. , 15 ′, the temporary sealing portion 1′b is wider and is finally sealed with a width w (FIG. 9) that can maintain the sealed state even by cutting (FIG. 8 (II)).

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the ink 37 having no air bubbles is sealed by the main sealing portion 1′c. In addition, since the sealing is performed in a state where the shape is adjusted to a constant thickness by the pressing plates 16 and 16 ', the sealing can be performed at a constant liquid level, and the amount of encapsulated ink can be kept constant with high accuracy. Can do.

  When the sealing is completed in this manner, the ink bag 1 'is taken out and the center of the main sealing portion 1'c is cut along the cutting line 1'd. Cutting can be performed without causing ink leakage from 1'e.

  Finally, after removing the ink adhering at the time of injection, the ink cartridge is completed when it is accommodated in the case main body 2 and the ink end detection plate 4 is attached if necessary and sealed with the lid 3.

  In the above-described embodiment, the ink bag is formed with a certain width by the pressing plate, and the temporary welding is performed at a position below the ink liquid surface. There is no practical inconvenience even if the upper part of the ink surface is used as the temporary welding part.

  By the way, when an ink jet recording apparatus is used for commercial printing or the like, a large amount of ink is consumed, so that the volume of the ink bag increases. Depending on the type of the recording apparatus, the length and width of the ink bag are increased. In some cases, the ratio of lengths in the direction is three times or more.

  In such an ink bag, there is a problem that a large head pressure acts on the lower region in the ink injection process to cause elongation, and a large tension acts on the sealed region, possibly causing damage. is there.

  FIG. 10 shows an ink injecting apparatus for coping with such a problem. The bag pressing plates 38 and 38 are at least an effective area on the long side of the ink bag 1 ″, that is, a length when ink is filled. It has a length L ′ that is ½ or more of the length L, and has a gap D that is 以下 or less of the length W on the short side of the ink bag 1 ″. It arrange | positions so that it may be located slightly lower than the sealing area | region of a lower end, and is comprised so that a reciprocation is possible to the opposing side (direction shown by arrow B in the figure).

Next, the process of filling the ink bag with ink will be described.
The ink bag 1 "is set in a state where the through holes 1" a, 1 "a of the ink bag 1" are inserted into the support rod 14 and the upper end is expanded, the door 11 is closed, and the gas-liquid separation unit 22 is communicated. The stop valve 28 is closed and the stop valve 34 is opened, and the vacuum pump 13 is operated to reduce the pressure in the decompression chamber 10, the tubes 20, 33, and the measuring tube 30 to a predetermined pressure. When the pressure has been reduced to a predetermined pressure, the stop valve 34 is closed, and the stop valve 28 is opened to dispense a predetermined amount of ink 37 into the metering tube 30 (FIG. 11 (I)).

  Next, the needle insertion member 19 is lowered to place the injection needle 18 in the ink bag 1 ", and the stop valve 28 is closed while the stop valve 34 is opened and shut off from the gas-liquid separation unit 22. When the piston 32 of the measuring tube 30 is pressed to discharge a predetermined amount of ink 37, ink is injected into the ink bag 1 ". In the injection process, the lower region of the ink bag 1 "tries to expand due to the weight of the injected ink, but the bag holding plates 38, 38 make the region about half of the lower region about 1/3 of the short side length W. (FIG. 11 (II)).

  When the ink injection is completed to the extent that the liquid level is positioned above the sealing region, the width direction (arrow in the figure) is such that the bag pressing plates 38 and 38 can be kept in contact with the ink bag 1 ". When reciprocating to B), the water head pressure acting on each part of the ink bag 1 "fluctuates, so that the wrinkles generated by the deformation during the ink injection process are removed, and the bubbles hidden in the wrinkles are formed above the ink bag 1". (FIG. 12 (I)).

  Next, with the ink injection needle 18 retracted upward and the width of the ink bag 1 "is regulated by the width D set on the bag pressing plates 38, 38, the thermocompression bonding tool is slightly below the ink level. The ink bag 1 "is sandwiched between 15 and 15 'and sealed by thermal welding (FIG. 12 (II)).

  In this embodiment, the main sealing is performed directly below the ink liquid surface of the ink bag. However, as in the previous embodiment, the region slightly above the ink liquid surface is temporarily sealed. It is clear that the same effect can be obtained even if the main part below the ink liquid surface is sealed.

  In this embodiment, the thickness of the ink bag 1 "at the time of ink injection is regulated by the ink bag press plates 38 and 38 whose gaps are adjusted in advance. However, as shown in FIG. If the lower portion of the bag 1 "is tensioned downward by a tension imparting member 39 such as a spring, the expansion can be restricted and the thickness can be prevented from becoming unnecessarily large. In particular, when the ink bag presser plates 38, 38 obstruct the thermocompression work when sealing the opening of the ink bag 1 ", tension is applied to the long side direction of the ink bag 1" to provide ink. Limiting the thickness of the bag 1 "can facilitate the welding operation.

Next, the recycling method will be described.
FIG. 14 shows an embodiment of a refilling device. In the figure, reference numeral 40 denotes a decompression chamber, one side of which can be opened and closed by a door body 41, and a vacuum pump 43 through a flow path 42. And is configured to be depressurized to a predetermined negative pressure.

  In the decompression chamber 40, an ink injection needle 44 extending in the horizontal direction on the side surface and a pressing plate 46 having an elastic body 45 such as a sponge on the lower surface are installed. The ink injection needle 44 is connected to the branch pipe 51 through the suction pump 49 and the tube 50 by the tube 48 through the branch pipe 47.

  Reference numeral 52 in the figure denotes a gas-liquid separation unit. In this embodiment, the upper end and the lower end are fixed in a liquid-tight manner to the cylinder 54 so that the hollow fiber bundle 53 serves as a liquid flow path. It connects and it is comprised so that a negative pressure may act on the outer periphery of a hollow fiber. The cylinder 54 constituting the gas-liquid separation unit 52 has one end connected to the ink tank 57 via a tube 56 and the other end connected to the branch pipe 51 via a stop valve 58.

  Reference numeral 60 denotes a measuring pipe, which includes a cylinder 61 and a piston 62, and the top dead center side is connected to the branch pipe 51 by a tube 63. In the figure, reference numerals 64 and 65 denote stop valves, reference numeral 66 denotes a pump for feeding ink pressure, and reference numeral 67 denotes a waste ink tank.

  The ink cartridge 1 is removed from the case 2 and the ink cartridge 1 collected from the user after the ink has been consumed is cleaned as necessary.

  Since the amount of dissolved air in the ink remaining in the collected ink bag 1 is unknown, if the deaerated ink is replenished as it is, the deaerated state of the ink becomes indefinite and not only adversely affects the print quality. If an attempt is made to inject a predetermined amount of ink that has been weighed in advance, an overflow or breakage of the ink bag will occur, and the process will be disturbed.

  In order to prevent such inconvenience, the ink injection needle 44 is first inserted into the septum 7 of the ink supply port 5 of the ink bag 1 and placed on the base (FIG. 15I). Next, the stop valve 64 is closed, the stop valve 65 is opened, the pressing plate 45 is lowered from above, and the suction pump 49 is operated in a state where the ink bag 1 is compressed by applying a certain pressure, Alternatively, the ink remaining in the ink bag 1 is discharged to the waste ink tank 67 through the ink injection needle 44 only by the compression operation of the ink bag 1 (FIG. 15 (II)).

  In this way, by applying a negative pressure while compressing by the pressing plate 45, it is possible to reduce the residual ink in the ink bag as much as possible, and to prevent the ink bag from being deformed by the negative pressure. it can.

  When the discharge of the ink from the ink bag 1 is completed, the stop valve 65 is closed and the valve 58 is opened to dispense a predetermined amount of ink in the ink tank 55 into the measuring tube 60. At this time, since the gas-liquid separation unit 52 is connected so as to be close to the measuring tube 60, the ink 68 immediately after degassing by the gas-liquid separating unit 52 flows into the measuring tube 60 (FIG. 16 (I)). .

  When the ink in the measuring tube 60 is pushed out while the ink plate 1 is opened by moving the pressing plate 45 back to the original position, a predetermined amount of ink flows into the ink bag 1 (FIG. 16 (II)). When the ink injection is completed, the decompression chamber 40 is returned to atmospheric pressure, the ink injection needle 44 is pulled out from the septum 7, and the ink bag 1 is removed from the decompression chamber 40.

  Of course, since the septum 7 made of an elastic material is attached to the ink supply port 5, even if the ink injection needle 44 is removed, the septum 7 blocks the hole generated by the insertion of the ink injection needle 44 due to elasticity, so that ink leaks. There is nothing to do. When the ink end detection plate 4 is attached and sealed with the lid 3 as necessary, the ink cartridge is completely regenerated.

  In the above-described embodiment, the ink is discharged while compressing the ink bag. However, the ink can be sufficiently discharged only by pressing to such an extent that deformation due to negative pressure can be prevented.

  In the above-described embodiment, the ink is discharged from the ink bag and the ink is refilled into the ink bag under a reduced pressure environment. However, when airtightness can be ensured by a septum, the pressure is reduced under atmospheric pressure. It can also be implemented.

1 is an assembled perspective view illustrating an embodiment of an ink cartridge targeted by the present invention. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows one Example of an ink injection apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the other Example of an ink injection apparatus. It is a figure which shows one Example of the ink bag before ink injection | pouring. FIGS. (I) and (II) are diagrams showing the ink bag setting process in the ink bag manufacturing process. FIGS. (I) and (II) are diagrams showing an ink injection process into the ink bag in the manufacturing process of the ink bag. FIGS. (I) and (II) are diagrams showing a sealing process of the first half of the ink bag manufacturing process, respectively. FIGS. (I) and (II) are diagrams showing the sealing process of the latter half of the ink bag manufacturing process. It is a figure which shows the state which sealing of the ink bag was completed. It is a figure which shows the Example of the ink injection apparatus suitable for an ink bag with a large aspect ratio. FIGS. (I) and (II) are diagrams showing an ink bag setting process and an ink injection process in the ink bag manufacturing process. FIGS. (I) and (II) are diagrams showing the ink bag sealing step in the ink bag manufacturing step. It is a figure which shows the other Example of the ink injection apparatus suitable for an ink bag with a large aspect ratio. It is a block diagram which shows one Example of the refilling apparatus of this invention. FIGS. (I) and (II) are diagrams showing the first half of the refilling process. FIGS. (I) and (II) are diagrams showing the latter half of the refilling process.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink bag 2 Case main body 3 Cover body 5 Ink supply port 7 Septum 40 Depressurization chamber 43 Vacuum pump 44 Ink injection needle 46 Pressing plate 46 49 Suction pump 52 Gas-liquid separation unit 57 Ink tank 57 60 Metering tube 66 Pump for ink pressure feeding

Claims (3)

Inserting an ink injection needle into the ink supply port of the ink bag and placing it on the base;
An ink discharging step of discharging the ink remaining in the ink bag by suction while compressing the ink bag by a pressing plate;
An ink injection step of injecting a specified amount of ink from the ink supply port into the ink bag;
An ink refilling method for an ink bag used in an ink jet recording apparatus comprising:   The ink refilling method for an ink bag used in an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink discharging step applies a negative pressure to the ink injection needle while compressing the ink bag with a pressing plate.   2. The ink refilling method for an ink bag used in an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink discharge is performed in a transfer step and an ink injection step in a reduced pressure environment.

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