Ink filling device and ink filling method

Abstract

The present invention provides an ink filling device and an ink filling method. An ink container (1) supplied with ink (K) from a supply path (3) having a valve portion (6) is refilled with ink without performing an operation of squeezing the valve portion from the outside, wherein the valve portion is forced in a closing direction. In order to fill ink into an ink container (1) having a storage container (2), a supply path (3) and a valve portion (6), the storage container (2) is stored in a filling chamber (11), a supplementary container (13) is connected to the supply path (3), and the inside of the filling chamber (11) becomes a negative pressure relative to the outside. Even if the valve portion (6) to which force is applied is not mechanically squeezed inward, the valve portion (6) is pulled inward by the negative pressure to open the supply path (3), so that the ink (K) flows from the supplementary container (13) into the storage container (2), thereby making it easy to fill the ink (K).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ink filling device for refilling ink into an ink cartridge having a valve portion urged in a closing direction, and more particularly to an ink filling device that can easily fill ink without performing a complicated operation of squeezing the valve portion from the outside. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses an invention of an ink cartridge suitable for a high-productivity inkjet printer. Ink cartridges used in inkjet printers, such as the ink cartridge of this invention, generally have a large ink capacity and low ink viscosity, so a thermoplastic film container having an ink supply path provided in an integral structure is used as the ink container. Ink containers of this structure are generally known as "spout bags".

[0003] Figure 6 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the supply path 101 and the vicinity of the ink container 100 of such a structure. Such an ink container 100 is generally manufactured as follows: a bag-shaped storage container 102 of a thermoplastic film is filled with ink, and then the supply path 101 is arranged at the opening of the storage container 102, and the opening of the storage container 102 is joined to the supply path 101 by heat welding to form an integral body, thereby sealing the ink in the storage container 102.

[0004] like Figure 6 As shown in (a) of FIG. 1 , in the ink container 100 of the above structure, a valve portion 103 which can be opened and closed is generally provided inside the supply path 101. The valve portion 103 is as shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown in (a) of FIG. 1 , the force applying unit 104 applies force in the closing direction, and the supply path 101 is closed when the ink cartridge is not installed. Figure 6 As shown in (b) of FIG. 1 , when the inkjet printer is mounted, the valve portion 103 is pressed inward by a mechanism on the printing device side (not shown) to open the supply path 101 .

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-132204 Summary of the invention

[0008] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0009] In recent years, various industrial products are being reused (recycled) from the perspective of environmental protection and resource conservation, and the social demand for reusing ink containers of ink cartridges, which are consumed more and more due to the popularization of printing devices (printers) for home and office use, is also increasing. For example, in the case of reusing the above-mentioned ink cartridges, after the ink in the ink cartridge is consumed, the empty ink container is taken out from the outer shell as an outer box, the same ink is refilled into the ink container, and then the ink container is stored in the outer shell to restore the original ink cartridge form, and can be assembled into the printing device for use again.

[0010] However, when refilling the ink in the case of reusing the ink cartridge, since the bag-shaped storage container 102 and the ink supply path 101 have been welded together, the opening of the storage container 102 cannot be opened to refill the ink. In addition, a valve portion 103 that is urged in a closing direction is provided in the supply path 101, and therefore the ink cannot be refilled from the outside of the supply path 101.

[0011] Therefore, the following methods are also considered: Figure 7 As shown, a rod-shaped member 110 or the like is used to squeeze the valve portion 103 from the outside of the supply path 101 to open the flow path of the ink, and the ink is filled from the supply path 101 while maintaining this state. However, this operation is very complicated, and there is a problem that the refilling operation requires skill and a long time. In addition, the ink storage container 102 is made of a thermoplastic film, so it has flexibility but no rigidity, so it is difficult to make the empty storage container 102 stand upright on the workbench with the supply path 101 facing upward. Even if it stands upright for a short time, the storage container 102 will bend during the filling process, and the above-mentioned refilling operation will become more difficult.

[0012] Therefore, the present invention has been completed in view of the prior art and its problems, and its purpose is to easily fill ink into an ink filling device for refilling ink into an ink cartridge to which ink is supplied from a supply path having a valve portion, without performing the complicated operation of squeezing the valve portion from the outside, wherein the valve portion is forced in a closing direction.

[0013] Solutions for solving problems

[0014] The ink filling device of the present invention is used to fill ink into an ink container, and the ink container comprises:

[0015] A flexible storage container for storing ink;

[0016] an ink supply path provided in the storage container; and

[0017] a valve portion which is urged to close the supply path,

[0018] The ink filling device is characterized by comprising:

[0019] an airtight filling chamber that stores the storage container therein so that the storage container communicates with the outside via the supply path; and

[0020] A suction unit is provided to suction the interior of the filling chamber.

[0021] Effects of the Invention

[0022] According to the ink filling device of the present invention, there is no need to perform an operation of pressing the valve portion to which force is applied inward. As long as the filling chamber is made negative pressure by the suction unit, the valve portion is pulled inward by the negative pressure to open the supply path, so that ink flows from the outside into the storage container, thereby making it easy to fill the ink. That is, even if the valve portion is not physically pressed from the outside, the valve portion can be opened by the negative pressure to fill the ink. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 The ink tank is a front view and a side view of an ink tank to be filled with ink by the ink filling device according to the embodiment.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view showing a state before the ink filling device according to the embodiment starts filling.

[0025] Figure 3 It is a perspective view showing a fixing portion of an ink tank provided in the ink filling device according to the embodiment.

[0026] Figure 4 This is a functional block diagram of the ink filling device according to the embodiment.

[0027] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view showing a state of the ink filling device according to the embodiment during the filling start period.

[0028] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view for explaining the structure of a supply path and the like in a conventional ink tank, and the closing and opening of the supply path by a valve portion.

[0029] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a conventional method of refilling ink into a conventional ink tank. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Below, refer to Figure 1 to Figure 5 A mode (embodiment) for carrying out the present invention will be described.

[0031] Reference Figure 1 to Figure 4 The structure of the ink filling device according to the embodiment will be described.

[0032] Figure 1 The ink tank 1 is a front view and a side view of an ink tank 1 to which the ink filling method using the ink filling device of the embodiment is applied. The ink tank 1 is called an ink cartridge when it is stored in a box-shaped outer shell (not shown), but when the ink is exhausted and it is to be refilled with ink, it is taken out of the outer shell and becomes a Figure 1 That is, in Figure 1 The ink tank 1 is shown to be almost not filled with ink.

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown, the ink tank 1 includes: a bag-shaped storage container 2, which is made of a thermoplastic film; and a substantially cylindrical supply path 3, which is provided at the opening of the storage container 2 and is an ink flow path that connects the inside of the storage container 2 with the outside. The opening of the bag-shaped storage container 2 and the supply path 3 are integrated in an airtight state by heat welding, and the inner end of the supply path 3 is located inside the storage container 2, and the outer end is located outside the storage container 2. Therefore, the inside of the storage container 2 can be connected to the outside through the supply path 3.

[0034] like Figure 2 As shown in the partially enlarged cross-sectional view, the supply path 3 of the ink container 1 includes: an ink flow path 4; a seat portion 5, which is arranged in the middle of the flow path 4; a valve portion 6, which is arranged in the flow path 4 and closes the flow path 4 by abutting against the seat portion 5; and a force unit 7, which applies force to the valve portion 6 in the closing direction to make the valve portion 6 abut against the seat portion 5.

[0035] Figure 2 1 is a cross-sectional view of an ink filling device 10 for refilling ink into an empty ink container 1. The ink filling device 10 includes a box-shaped and airtight filling chamber 11. The empty ink container 1 is stored in a suspended state inside the filling chamber 11 by a fixing portion 12 described later. In addition, a supplementary container 13 storing ink K for refilling is connected to the outer end of the supply path 3 protruding upward from the upper surface side of the filling chamber 11.

[0036] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, a fixing portion 12 is provided at the upper portion of the filling chamber 11, and the fixing portion 12 has a function of clamping the supply path 3 of the storage container 2 to keep the storage container 2 in a suspended state in the filling chamber 11. Figure 3 As shown in detail in the enlarged view in FIG. 1 , the fixing part 12 is provided at the upper part of the filling chamber 11 and mainly includes a pair of lid parts 14, 14 connected by hinges (not shown) and capable of opening and closing in the horizontal direction. The pair of lid parts 14, 14 may be simply separable instead of being connected by hinges. Figure 3As shown in (c), a semi-cylindrical hole-shaped holding hole 15 for clamping the supply path 3 of the storage container 2 is provided on each divided surface of a pair of cover parts 14, 14. Each cover part 14 is provided with an integrally constructed sealing member 16 (seal, etc.) on the inner peripheral surface of the holding hole 15 and a portion of the divided surface of the cover part 14 that is continuous with the inner peripheral surface.

[0037] As described above, the ink filling device 10 of the embodiment includes a fixing portion 12 for holding the supply path 3 of the storage container 2 stored in the filling chamber 11 to suspend the storage container 2 in the filling chamber 11. Figure 3 As shown in (a) of FIG. 1 , the supply path 3 of the storage container 2 is embedded in the holding hole 15 of the fixing portion 12, and the storage container 2 is arranged in the filling chamber 11, and Figure 3 As shown in (b) of FIG. 1 , a pair of cover portions 14, 14 are closed to sandwich the supply path 3. Figure 2 As shown in the figure, the storage container 2 is held by the fixing portion 12 and is suspended in the filling chamber 11. In addition, the cover portion 14 of the fixing portion 12 and the upper end portion of the filling chamber 11 are maintained in an airtight state. Since the flexible storage container 2 has no rigidity and cannot stand upright on its own, it is considered that if the ink is filled in a state where it stands at the bottom of the filling chamber 11, it will be bent and cannot be refilled. However, if it is in a suspended state as in the embodiment, even if the storage container 2 is flexible and has no rigidity, it can maintain a posture of standing upright in the filling chamber 11, so that the refilling of ink using this embodiment described later can be smoothly performed.

[0038] like Figure 2 As shown, a pump 20 as a suction unit for sucking air inside the filling chamber 11 is connected to the filling chamber 11. In addition, a pressure sensor 21 as a pressure measuring unit for measuring the pressure inside the filling chamber 11 is provided in the filling chamber 11.

[0039] like Figure 4As shown, the ink filling device 10 of the embodiment includes a CPU 30 as a control unit. The CPU 30 is connected to the pressure sensor 21, and the measured value of the pressure inside the filling chamber 11 detected by the pressure sensor 21 is input. In addition, the CPU 30 is connected to a pump driving circuit 31 for driving the pump 20, and the pump 20 can be arbitrarily driven by the pump driving circuit 31 to suck the air in the filling chamber 11 and set to an arbitrary negative pressure. In addition, the CPU 30 is connected to a setting input unit 32. The setting input unit 32 is a setting input unit for setting and inputting various setting values ​​and data required for the operation of the ink filling device 10 as needed, and is also an ink specifying unit for specifying the type (or physical property) of the ink to be filled in order to generate a negative pressure in the filling chamber 11 suitable for the physical property (such as viscosity, etc.) of the ink to be filled into the empty storage container 2. The CPU 30 has a storage unit (not shown) that stores programs and data required for controlling the ink filling device 10, and in particular, stores control data required for generating a negative pressure suitable for the physical properties of the ink to be filled in the filling chamber 11. The control data is data that indicates the relationship between the physical property value of the ink and the pressure (negative pressure) inside the filling chamber 11 required for the ink to flow from the supply path 3 into the storage container 2. The CPU 30 can control the pump 20 through the pump drive circuit 31 based on the physical property value of the ink to be stored in the storage container 2, the pressure inside the filling chamber 11 detected by the pressure sensor 21, and the control data, thereby generating the required negative pressure in the filling chamber 11.

[0040] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 5 The operation of the ink filling device 10 according to the embodiment will be described.

[0041] Figure 5 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the empty ink container 1 is being refilled with ink using the ink filling device 10. Figure 2 In the state shown, as described above, the empty ink container 1 is suspended and stored in the filling chamber 11 by the fixing portion 12. The supplementary container 13 storing the ink K for refilling is connected to the outer end of the supply path 3 protruding from the outer side of the upper surface of the filling chamber 11, but as shown in the enlarged view, the valve portion 6 is pressed against the seat portion 5 by the force of the force applying unit 7 to block the flow path 4. Therefore, the ink K in the supplementary container 13 reaches the outer side of the valve portion 6 from the outer end of the supply path 3 of the storage container 2, but does not enter the storage container 2.

[0042] exist Figure 2In the state of , the user operates the setting input unit 32 to input a command to start filling. The CPU 30 receives the start signal from the setting input unit 32 and starts driving the pump 20 through the pump drive circuit 31. The air inside the filling chamber 11 is gradually discharged, and the pressure inside the filling chamber 11 gradually decreases. Then, the pressure inside the filling chamber 11 becomes lower than the pressure inside the storage container 2 and the pressure inside the supplementary container 13 (atmospheric pressure), that is, the pressure inside the filling chamber 11 becomes a negative pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure.

[0043] like Figure 5 As shown in the enlarged view of , when the negative pressure inside the filling chamber 11 relative to the storage container 2 and the replenishing container 13 exceeds a certain value, the valve portion 6 resists the force of the force applying unit 7 and falls, and the flow path 4 is opened. Figure 5 As shown, when the ink K in the supplementary container 13 flows into the storage container 2 via the supply path 3, the storage container 2 is filled with the ink K and gradually expands. In this filling process, the storage container 2 is suspended by the fixing portion 12, so that even the flexible and non-rigid storage container 2 can maintain an upright posture in the filling chamber 11, so that the ink K flows smoothly.

[0044] Furthermore, in the filling process of ink K, if the physical property values ​​such as the type and viscosity of the ink K to be filled into the storage container 2 are input in advance from the setting input unit 32, the CPU 30 can set the negative pressure in the filling chamber 11 to an optimal level for sucking the ink K into the storage container 2 based on the pressure value in the filling chamber 11 obtained from the pressure sensor 21 and the control data in the storage unit (data indicating the relationship between the physical property value of the ink and the negative pressure in the filling chamber 11 required for filling), thereby enabling the filling of the ink K to be performed preferably in the shortest time. In addition, the physical property values ​​such as the type and viscosity of the ink K can be input from the setting input unit 32, but if the necessary information is stored in a label attached to the storage container 2, a reading device can be provided in advance on the ink filling device 10 side to read the necessary control information from the label.

[0045] Depending on the physical properties of the ink, sometimes during the filling process, the pressure difference causes the generation and disappearance of bubbles in a short period of time, i.e., cavitation. Cavitation may cause damage or deterioration of the storage container 2, etc., and may also generate vibration and noise. Specifically, ink with a large amount of water (aqueous ink) and ink with a large amount of specific components such as volatile solvents are prone to cavitation. In the embodiment, the control data used when the CPU 30 generates a negative pressure in the filling chamber 11 through the pump 20 includes viscosity data as data representing the physical property value of the ink, but in addition, it may also include data on the content of water, volatile solvents, etc. associated with the occurrence of cavitation. Specifically, the more such components that are prone to cavitation are contained in the ink, the more the action of the pump 20 is weakened, thereby weakening the negative pressure generated in the filling chamber 11. If such control data is used to control the generation of negative pressure, it is possible to prevent in advance the problem that the storage container 2 is damaged due to cavitation during the ink filling process.

[0046] The storage container 2 refilled with the ink K as described above can be assembled into a printing device for repeated use if it is stored in a box-shaped outer case and restored to the form of an ink cartridge.

[0047] As described above, according to the filling method using the ink filling device 10 of the embodiment, the storage container 2 can be suspended and stored in the filling chamber 11 in a vertical direction by using the mechanism of the fixing portion 12 that fixes the supply path 3 of the storage container 2 and is tightly connected to the supply path 3. Moreover, after the filling chamber 11 is sealed, the pump 20 is operated to make the surrounding environment of the storage container 2 a negative pressure, and the valve portion 6 of the supply path 3 moves in the opening direction to open the flow path 4, and the ink K is sucked into the storage container 2 without hindrance due to the negative pressure, so that the empty storage container 2 can be quickly filled with the ink K again.

[0048] In the above-described embodiment, the storage container 2 is suspended in the filling chamber 11, but it may be placed on the bottom of the chamber in a horizontally placed filling chamber 11. In addition, in the case of such horizontal placement, and in the above-described embodiment, it may be set to manually or mechanically pressurize the replenishing container 13 if necessary to promote the flow of ink K into the storage container 2.

[0049] In addition, in the embodiment described above, ink K is filled into one storage container 2 from one supplementary container 13, but it is also possible to enlarge the filling chamber to accommodate multiple storage containers 2. In this case, multiple airtight fixing parts 12 that can be opened and closed are pre-arranged on the upper surface of the filling chamber in an appropriate configuration, and the supply path 3 of each storage container 2 is fixed in an airtight state by each fixing part 12 in the same manner as the embodiment, so that each storage container 2 is stored in the filling chamber in a suspended manner. In addition, in this case, a large supplementary container with a large ink storage capacity is prepared, and the ink supply pipe drawn from the supplementary container is branched into multiple branch pipes, and each branch pipe is connected to multiple outer end portions protruding from the multiple storage containers 2 stored in the filling chamber to the outside of the filling chamber. If it is such a structure, it is efficient to refill ink into multiple storage containers 2 at the same time.

[0050] The apparatus and method of the embodiment and its modified examples described above are preferably used to refill the storage container 2 of an ink cartridge that has run out of ink with ink K. However, the apparatus and method described above can also be used to fill a new storage container 2 with ink K in order to manufacture a new ink cartridge.

[0051] <<Each mode of implementation and its effects>>

[0052] The ink filling device 10 of the first embodiment is used to fill the ink container 1 with ink K. The ink container 1 includes:

[0053] A flexible storage container 2 for storing ink K;

[0054] an ink K supply path 3 provided in the storage container 2; and

[0055] The valve portion 6 is biased to close the supply path 3.

[0056] The ink filling device 10 is characterized by comprising:

[0057] an airtight filling chamber 11 that stores the storage container 2 therein so that the storage container 2 communicates with the outside via the supply path 3; and

[0058] A suction unit (pump 20 ) that suctions the interior of the filling chamber 11 .

[0059] According to the ink filling device 10 of the first embodiment, there is no need to perform an operation of pressing the valve portion 6 to which force is applied inward. As long as the filling chamber 11 is made negative pressure by the suction unit (pump 20), the valve portion 6 is pulled inward by the negative pressure to open the supply path 3, so that the ink K flows from the outside into the storage container 2, thereby making it easy to fill the ink K. That is, even if the valve portion 6 is not physically pressed from the outside, the valve portion 6 can be opened by the negative pressure to fill the ink K.

[0060] The ink filling device 10 of the second aspect is characterized in that, in the ink filling device 10 of the first aspect, it further includes:

[0061] a pressure measuring unit (pressure sensor 21 ) for measuring the pressure inside the filling chamber 11 ; and

[0062] A control unit (CPU 30) having control data indicating a relationship between a physical property value of ink K and a pressure inside the filling chamber 11 required for the ink K to flow from the supply path 3 into the storage container 2, wherein the control unit controls the suction unit (pump 20) based on the control data, the physical property value of the ink stored in the storage container 2, and the pressure inside the filling chamber 11 detected by the pressure measuring unit (pressure sensor 21).

[0063] According to the ink filling device 10 of the second embodiment, the suction unit (pump 20) can be controlled so that the pressure in the filling chamber 11 is suitable for the physical properties such as the viscosity of the ink K to be filled into the storage container 2 and is the optimal negative pressure for sucking the ink K into the storage container 2, thereby enabling the ink K to be filled better in the shortest time.

[0064] The ink filling device 10 of the third embodiment is characterized in that, in the ink filling device 10 of the second embodiment,

[0065] The ink filling device 10 further includes an ink specifying unit (setting input unit 32 ) for specifying the ink K to be filled into the storage container 2 mounted on the ink filling device 10 from among the plurality of inks K.

[0066] According to the ink filling device 10 of the third embodiment, only by specifying a specific ink K to be filled into the storage container 2 mounted on the ink filling device 10 from a plurality of inks K through the ink specifying unit (setting input unit 32), the specific ink K can be preferably filled in the shortest time. The ink specifying unit (setting input unit 32) may be an input unit provided in the ink filling device 10 and for a user to input the type of ink K, etc., or a combination of a label, which is an electronic component on which the type of ink K to be filled into the ink cartridge is written and which is mounted on the storage container 2, etc., and a reading unit provided in the ink filling device 10 and for reading the information of the label.

[0067] The ink filling method of the fourth aspect is used to fill ink into an ink container 1, wherein the ink container 1 comprises:

[0068] A flexible storage container 2 for storing ink K;

[0069] an ink K supply path 3 provided in the storage container 2; and

[0070] The valve portion 6 is biased to close the supply path 3.

[0071] The ink filling method is characterized in that

[0072] By making the pressure outside the storage container 2 negative with respect to the pressure inside the storage container 2 , the valve portion 6 is opened to fill the ink K from the outside of the storage container 2 into the inside of the storage container 2 through the supply path 3 .

[0073] According to the fourth method of ink filling, as long as the environment outside the storage container 2 is made to have a negative pressure relative to the inside of the storage container 2, even without performing the complicated operation of mechanically squeezing the valve portion 6 to which a force is applied inward, the valve portion 6 will be pulled inward due to the negative pressure to open the supply path 3, so that the ink K flows into the storage container 2 from the outside, thereby enabling the ink K to be filled smoothly and easily.

[0074] Description of Reference Numerals

[0075] 1: ink container; 2: storage container; 3: supply path; 6: valve part; 10: ink filling device; 11: filling chamber; 12: fixing part; 13: replenishing container; 20: pump as a suction unit; 21: pressure sensor as a pressure measuring unit; 30: CPU as a control unit; 32: setting input unit as an ink specifying unit.

Claims

1. An ink filling device for filling ink into an ink container, the ink container comprising: A flexible storage container for storing ink; an ink supply path provided in the storage container; and a valve portion which is urged to close the supply path, The ink filling device is characterized by comprising: an airtight filling chamber that stores the storage container therein so that the storage container communicates with the outside via the supply path; a suction unit that suctions the interior of the filling chamber; A fixing part including a pair of cover parts, wherein each divided surface of the pair of cover parts is provided with a holding hole for clamping the supply path, and the storage container is held by the fixing part and suspended in the filling chamber by embedding the supply path in the holding hole; a pressure measuring unit that measures the pressure inside the filling chamber; and a control unit having control data indicating a relationship between a physical property value of ink and a pressure inside the filling chamber required for causing the ink to flow from the supply path into the storage container, the control unit controlling the suction unit based on the control data, the physical property value of the ink stored in the storage container, and the pressure inside the filling chamber detected by the pressure measuring unit, in, The valve portion is configured to: cause the outside of the storage container to have a negative pressure relative to the inside of the storage container through the suction unit, so that the valve portion moves in an opening direction to open the supply path, and then fill the ink from the outside of the storage container through the supply path into the inside of the storage container, The control data includes data on the content of water or volatile solvent associated with the occurrence of cavitation, and the higher the content, the more the control unit weakens the operation of the suction unit to weaken the negative pressure generated in the filling chamber.

2. The ink filling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ink filling device further includes an ink specifying unit that specifies the ink to be filled into the storage container mounted on the ink filling device from among the plurality of inks.

3. An ink filling method according to the ink filling device of claim 1, for filling ink into an ink container, the ink container comprising: A flexible storage container for storing ink; an ink supply path provided in the storage container; and a valve portion which is urged to close the supply path, The ink filling method is characterized in that By making the outside of the storage container a negative pressure relative to the inside of the storage container, the valve portion is moved in an opening direction to open the supply path, and the ink is filled from the outside of the storage container through the supply path into the inside of the storage container.

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