A UV inkjet printer safety bottle

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of inkjet printer technology, and particularly to a safety bottle for a UV inkjet printer. The bottle includes a bottle body, a cap, and a flow-diverting mechanism. The bottle body has a receiving cavity with an open end. The receiving cavity includes a separately separated ink supply chamber and a waste ink chamber. The cap is located at the open end, and multiple connectors are located on the side of the cap facing away from the receiving cavity. The flow-diverting mechanism is located on the side of the ink supply chamber near the cap, and has multiple ink outlets, each connected to a connector. A pipe is provided between the ink outlets and the connectors, and the inner diameter of the pipe gradually increases as the distance between the connector and the ink outlet increases. The technical solution of this invention aims to improve the balance and consistency of ink flow, thereby improving ink supply efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of inkjet printer technology, and in particular to a safety bottle for a UV inkjet printer. Background Technology

[0002] UV inkjet printer safety bottles are bottles used to store ink in inkjet printers. They are usually made of special materials that can withstand high temperatures and pressures, preventing ink from overflowing or leaking. Using UV inkjet printer safety bottles increases the stability and safety of the inkjet printer, effectively preventing equipment malfunctions or personal injury caused by ink leaks or splashes.

[0003] UV inkjet printers typically use a splitter to distribute ink from the ink reservoir to multiple nozzles, thereby improving ink supply efficiency. Since the direct connection between the ink reservoir and nozzles is replaced by the splitter, the splitting flow rate and path may change during machine operation due to various factors, such as inconsistent nozzle positions or blocked flow channels. This can lead to uneven ink distribution, with some nozzles running too fast while others run too slowly, potentially affecting ink supply efficiency and print quality. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main objective of this invention is to provide a safety bottle for a UV inkjet printer, which aims to improve the balance and consistency of ink flow, thereby improving ink supply efficiency.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a UV inkjet printer safety bottle comprising:

[0006] The bottle body has a receiving cavity inside, the receiving cavity has an open end, and the receiving cavity includes a separated ink supply compartment and a waste ink compartment.

[0007] A bottle cap, wherein the bottle cap is disposed on the open end, and the side of the bottle cap opposite to the receiving cavity is provided with multiple connectors; and

[0008] The flow splitting mechanism is located on the side of the ink supply tank near the bottle cap. The flow splitting mechanism has multiple ink outlets, and each ink outlet is connected to a connector.

[0009] A pipe is provided between the ink outlet and the connector, and the inner diameter of the pipe gradually increases as the distance between the connector and the ink outlet increases.

[0010] In one embodiment of this application, the diversion mechanism includes:

[0011] The inner core is provided with a filter chamber. The filter chamber has an ink inlet at one end facing the ink supply tank and an ink outlet at the other end away from the ink inlet.

[0012] A sleeve is fitted onto the outer wall of the inner core. The inner wall of the sleeve has a flow groove along its length, and the flow groove and the outer wall of the inner core together form an ink outlet channel.

[0013] The inlet of the ink outlet channel is located on the side of the inner core away from the ink inlet, and the outlet of the ink outlet channel is located on the outer wall of the sleeve, and is located on the side close to the ink inlet.

[0014] In one embodiment of this application, multiple inlets are provided, and the multiple inlets are spaced apart along the circumferential direction of the inner core;

[0015] Each inlet corresponds to one connector, and the inner diameter of the inlet is adapted to the inner diameter of the corresponding pipe;

[0016] The inner diameter of the ink outlet channel is adapted to the inner diameter of the pipe it is connected to.

[0017] In one embodiment of this application, a filter screen is provided inside the filter cavity, and the filter screen is located between the ink inlet and the inlet.

[0018] In one embodiment of this application, a backflow preventer is further provided in the filter cavity, and the backflow preventer is located at the ink inlet.

[0019] In one embodiment of this application, the cross-sectional area of ​​the anti-reverse component decreases as it moves further away from the ink inlet.

[0020] In one embodiment of this application, the diversion mechanism is further provided with a waste ink outlet, which is connected to the waste ink tank.

[0021] In one embodiment of this application, the waste ink outlet is disposed through the inner core and the sleeve.

[0022] In one embodiment of this application, an observation pipe is provided on the outer wall of the waste ink tank, and the observation pipe is arranged perpendicular to the waste ink liquid surface.

[0023] In one embodiment of this application, an ink discharge port is provided at the bottom of the waste ink tank.

[0024] The technical solution of this invention adopts a diversion mechanism, in which the ink after diversion enters the connector through pipes of different diameters. The pipe diameter is related to the positional distance between the connector and the diversion mechanism. The closer the distance, the smaller the pipe diameter, and the farther the distance, the larger the pipe diameter. The ink flow after diversion has a strong balance and consistency, avoiding affecting the printing quality.

[0025] Furthermore, a filter screen can be installed in the diversion mechanism to filter impurities in the ink;

[0026] Furthermore, the safety bottle is equipped with a waste ink cartridge, and the diversion mechanism is connected to the waste ink cartridge to facilitate the recycling or environmental treatment of waste ink. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the UV inkjet printer safety bottle of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the UV inkjet printer safety bottle of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of one embodiment of the inner core of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the sleeve of the present invention.

[0032] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0033] 10. Bottle body; 11. Receptacle cavity; 111. Open end; 113. Ink supply tank; 115. Waste ink tank; 1151. Observation pipe; 1153. Ink outlet; 30. Bottle cap; 31. Connector; 50. Diverting mechanism; 51. Ink outlet; 53. Inner core; 531. Ink inlet; 533. Inlet; 535. Filter chamber; 5351. Filter screen; 5353. Check valve; 55. Sleeve; 551. Flow channel; 57. Ink outlet channel; 59. Waste ink outlet.

[0034] The realization of the objective, functional features and advantages of the present invention will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on the embodiments of the present invention without making any creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0036] It should be noted that all directional indications in the embodiments of the present invention (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) are only used to explain the relative position relationship, movement status, etc. between the various components under a certain specific posture (as shown in the accompanying drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly.

[0037] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connection," "fixed," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "fixed" can mean a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; it can mean a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can mean a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can mean the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0038] Furthermore, in this invention, descriptions involving "first," "second," etc., are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the word "and / or" throughout the text means including three parallel solutions; taking "A and / or B" as an example, it includes solution A, solution B, or a solution that simultaneously satisfies A and B. Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this invention.

[0039] To solve the above technical problems, refer to Figures 1 to 4 As shown, this invention proposes a safety bottle for a UV inkjet printer, comprising a bottle body 10, a bottle cap 30, and a flow-diverting mechanism 50. The bottle body 10 has a receiving cavity 11 with an open end 111. The receiving cavity 11 includes an ink supply chamber 113 and a waste ink chamber 115 separated by partitions. The bottle cap 30 is placed on the open end 111, and multiple connectors 31 are provided on the side of the bottle cap 30 away from the receiving cavity 11. The flow-diverting mechanism 50 is located on the side of the ink supply chamber 113 near the bottle cap 30, and the flow-diverting mechanism 50 has multiple ink outlets 51, each ink outlet 51 being connected to a connector 31. A pipe is provided between the ink outlets 51 and the connectors 31, and the inner diameter of the pipe gradually increases as the distance between the connectors 31 and the ink outlets 51 increases from near to far.

[0040] Understandably, the routing of safety bottles in UV inkjet printers is typically achieved through a splitter. The splitter is usually located on the connection line between the inkjet printer and the safety bottle, and it distributes the ink needed by the inkjet printer into multiple nozzles. The splitter works by having multiple pipes of varying numbers within it to distribute ink to different nozzles. For example, in a 4-way splitter, ink can be divided into four parts and flow into four nozzles through four pipes. Using a splitter allows for full utilization of multiple nozzles, providing UV inkjet printers with longer continuous operating time and thus improving productivity. However, because the direct connection between the ink tank 113 and the printhead is replaced by the splitter, the splitting flow rate and path may change during machine operation due to various reasons, such as inconsistent printhead positions or flow channel blockages. This can lead to uneven ink distribution, with some printheads running too fast while others run too slowly, potentially affecting ink supply efficiency and print quality.

[0041] However, the aforementioned diverters are usually located outside the safety bottle, which not only takes up space but also makes it impossible to control the balance of ink reaching the diverter, thus failing to solve the problem of ink flow balance at its root.

[0042] In view of this, the UV inkjet printer safety bottle proposed in this application includes a bottle body 10, a bottle cap 30, and a flow distribution mechanism 50. The bottle body 10 can be square and has an internal accommodating cavity 11. The accommodating cavity 11 can be divided into an ink supply chamber 113 and a waste ink chamber 115 by an integrally formed partition. The accommodating cavity 11 has an open end 111. The bottle cap 30 is placed on the open end 111. Multiple connectors 31 can be provided on the bottle cap 30 for connecting nozzles. The bottle cap 30 is sealed to the bottle body 10. A sealing element can be provided at the connection between the bottle cap 30 and the bottle body 10. The sealing element is generally made of elastic material. A sealing rubber ring that is adapted to the shape of the bottle body 10 and the bottle cap 30 can be provided and placed at the connection between the bottle cap 30 and the bottle body 10 to ensure that no leakage or air entering the ink will affect the inkjet quality during normal operation of the inkjet printer.

[0043] A flow-dividing mechanism 50 can also be installed inside the receiving cavity 11. A mounting plate can be installed parallel to the ink surface inside the receiving cavity 11, and the flow-dividing mechanism 50 is fixed to the mounting plate. A flexible tube can be installed on the flow-dividing mechanism 50, inserted into the ink, to supply ink to the flow-dividing mechanism 50. Multiple ink outlets 51 can be provided on the flow-dividing mechanism 50, each ink outlet 51 connected to a connector 31. The inner diameter of the ink outlet 51 is set according to the distance between the connector 31 and the flow-dividing mechanism 50. The ink outlet 51 and the connector 31 can be connected by a pipe, which can be a flexible tube or other aging-resistant material, or a rigid pipe. The inner diameter of the pipe is adapted to the inner diameter of the ink outlet 51; that is, as the distance between the ink outlet 51 and the connector 31 gradually increases, the inner diameter of the pipe also gradually increases. In this way, the balance of ink output can be adjusted from the source to reduce the difference in ink volume and time reaching each printhead, improve the consistency of flow diversion, and thus improve print quality.

[0044] Further, refer to Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the flow distribution mechanism 50 includes an inner core 53 and a sleeve 55. The inner core 53 is provided with a filter chamber 535. The filter chamber 535 is provided with an ink inlet 531 at one end facing the ink supply tank 113, and an ink outlet channel 57 is provided at the other end away from the ink inlet 531. The sleeve 55 is sleeved on the outer wall of the inner core 53. The inner wall surface of the sleeve 55 is provided with a flow groove 551 along its length direction. The flow groove 551 and the outer wall surface of the inner core 53 enclose the ink outlet channel 57. The inlet 533 of the ink outlet channel 57 is located on the side of the inner core 53 away from the ink inlet 531, and the outlet of the ink outlet channel 57 is provided on the outer wall of the sleeve 55 and is located on the side close to the ink inlet 531.

[0045] Understandably, the diversion mechanism 50 can be composed of a sleeve 55 and an inner core 53 fitted inside the sleeve 55. The sleeve 55 and the inner core 53 can be interference-fitted or overfitted to ensure the sealing of their connection. Both the inner core 53 and the sleeve 55 can be cylindrical. A filter chamber 535 can be provided inside the inner core 53. One end of the filter chamber 535 is connected to the ink supply tank 113. The ink in the ink supply tank 113 first passes through the filter chamber 535 and then flows out of the diversion mechanism 50. Multiple inlets 533 for ink outlet channels 57 are provided on the top of the inner core 53, that is, on the side of the inner core 53 closest to the bottle cap 30. The inner diameter of the inlet 533 is set according to the distance between the connector 31 and the flow distribution mechanism 50; the farther the distance, the larger the inner diameter of the inlet 533. A flow groove 551 corresponding to the inlets 533 is provided on the inner wall of the sleeve 55. When the inner core 53 is inserted into the sleeve 55, the flow groove 551 engages with the outer wall of the inner core 53 to form the ink outlet channels 57. 551 connects to the inlet 533 of the inner core 53. Each inlet 533 is provided with a corresponding flow groove 551. At the bottom of the sleeve 55, that is, on the side of the sleeve 55 away from the bottle cap 30, the outlet of the ink outlet channel 57 is provided. The inner diameters of the inlet 533, flow groove 551 and outlet of the ink outlet channel 57 are the same, and the inner diameter of the ink outlet channel 57 is also the same as the inner diameter of the pipe, so as to keep the ink supply consistent, thereby improving the balance of ink flow in each nozzle, and thus improving ink supply efficiency and printing quality.

[0046] It should be noted that after the ink in the ink tank 113 is drawn into the inner core 53, it enters the ink outlet channel 57 through the inlet 533 at the top of the inner core 53, and then flows through the ink outlet channel 57 to the various connectors 31 through the outlet at the bottom of the sleeve 55. Understandably, ink contains a lot of sediment. If the ink is directly supplied to the printhead, it is very likely to cause pipe blockage or reduce print quality. Therefore, the inlet 533 of the ink outlet channel 57 can be set at the top of the inner core 53. Under its own gravity, the sediment will not flow directly out of the ink outlet channel 57, which can reduce the viscosity of the ink entering the printhead and avoid clogging the pipes or reducing print quality.

[0047] In one embodiment of this application, multiple inlets 533 are provided, and the multiple inlets 533 are spaced apart circumferentially along the inner core 53; each inlet 533 corresponds to a connector 31, and the inner diameter of the inlet 533 is adapted to the inner diameter of the corresponding pipe; the inner diameter of the ink outlet channel 57 is adapted to the inner diameter of the pipe it is connected to.

[0048] Understandably, the number of inlets 533 is the same as the number of connectors 31. Multiple inlets 533 are spaced apart around the inner core 53. The inner diameter of the inlet 533, the inner diameter of the ink outlet channel 57, and the inner diameter of the pipe are all the same to maintain the consistency of ink supply.

[0049] refer to Figure 1As shown, in one embodiment of this application, a filter screen 5351 is provided in the filter cavity 535, and the filter screen 5351 is located between the ink inlet 531 and the inlet 533.

[0050] Understandably, impurities in ink typically refer to particles or other insoluble substances within the ink. These may originate from contaminants or impurities during the production process, material quality issues, or equipment damage. Impurities in ink can affect print quality, leading to problems such as printhead clogging, printhead failure, and uneven color distribution, and can also shorten the lifespan of the equipment. A filter screen 5351 can be installed within the filter chamber 535 to filter out impurities that may enter the ink outlet channel 57. Furthermore, by positioning the inlet 533 of the ink outlet channel 57 at the top of the inner core 53, the weight of the impurities can prevent them from entering the ink outlet channel 57, thus avoiding any impact on print quality and equipment lifespan.

[0051] refer to Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment of this application, a backflow preventer 5353 is also provided in the filter cavity 535, and the backflow preventer 5353 is located at the ink inlet 531.

[0052] To prevent filtered impurities from flowing back into the ink supply tank 113, a check valve 5353 can be installed in the filter chamber 535. After the ink enters the diversion mechanism 50, the filtered ink enters the ink outlet channel 57. The filtered impurities will flow back. The check valve 5353 can effectively prevent impurities from flowing back into the ink supply tank 113. The check valve 5353 can be a one-way valve and is located at the ink inlet 531, between the filter screen 5351 and the ink inlet 531.

[0053] In one embodiment of this application, the cross-sectional area of ​​the anti-reverse element 5353 decreases as it moves further away from the ink inlet 531.

[0054] Understandably, the check valve 5353 can be a conical metal part, and it is treated with anti-corrosion to have acid, alkali and corrosion resistance. The cross-sectional area of ​​the check valve 5353 is larger near the ink inlet 531 and smaller further away from the ink inlet 531. Several flow channels can also be provided on the side wall of the check valve 5353. When the ink is supplied, the impact force of the ink will push the check valve 5353 up, and the ink will enter the inner core 53 from the flow channels on the side wall of the check valve 5353. When the ink flows back, the impact force of the ink will press the check valve 5353 against the ink inlet 531, thereby blocking the ink inlet 531. This can effectively prevent impurities in the ink from flowing back to the ink supply tank 113, causing repeated filtration, and can also prevent impurities from corroding the ink supply tank 113.

[0055] refer to Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment of this application, the diversion mechanism 50 is further provided with a waste ink outlet 59, which is connected to the waste ink tank 115.

[0056] Understandably, inkjet printers generate waste ink during use, including ink ejected when the ink cartridge is low, waste ink after cleaning the printhead, and waste ink ejected during printing due to air bubbles, leaks, etc. Waste ink management is crucial, as it reduces environmental pollution and conserves resources, while also maintaining normal equipment operation and improving print quality. Therefore, the diversion mechanism 50 in this application also includes a waste ink outlet 59, which connects to the waste ink tank 115. This outlet allows waste ink generated from the aforementioned reasons, along with impurities produced after filtration, to be discharged into the waste ink tank 115 for centralized processing. It should be noted that the waste ink inlet can be located between the ink inlet 531 and the filter screen 5351 to facilitate the recovery of waste ink and impurities. When handling waste ink, it is essential to ensure that the collection and disposal methods comply with environmental standards and do not generate secondary pollution, thereby protecting the environment and health.

[0057] In one embodiment of this application, the waste ink outlet 59 is disposed through the inner core 53 and the sleeve 55.

[0058] Understandably, to avoid waste ink contaminating the ink outlet channel 57, the waste ink outlet 59 can be directly installed through the inner core 53 and the sleeve 55, and connected to the waste ink tank 115 through a corrosion-resistant pipe.

[0059] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in one embodiment of this application, an observation pipe 1151 is connected to the outer wall of the waste ink tank 115, and the observation pipe 1151 is perpendicular to the waste ink liquid surface. Understandably, the observation pipe 1151 can be connected to the outer wall of the waste ink tank 115. The observation pipe 1151 can be made of a transparent material, and the waste ink liquid surface inside the waste ink tank 115 is flush with the liquid surface of the observation pipe 1151. The waste ink processing inside the waste ink tank 115 can be observed through the observation pipe 1151 for timely handling. It should be explained that the bottle body 10 is made of a high-strength opaque material to prevent ultraviolet light from causing ink curing, and can withstand high pressure and chemical corrosion, ensuring that the bottle body 10 will not crack or explode during normal operation of the inkjet printer.

[0060] In one embodiment of this application, an ink drain port 1153 is provided at the bottom of the waste ink tank 115. It can be understood that, in order to facilitate timely disposal of waste ink, an ink drain port 1153 can be provided at the bottom of the waste ink tank 115, and the ink drain port 1153 can be sealed with a cover or a stopper during storage.

[0061] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structural transformations made using the contents of the present invention's specification and drawings under the inventive concept of the present invention, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A safety bottle for a UV inkjet printer, characterized in that, include: The bottle body has a receiving cavity inside, and an open end is provided above the receiving cavity. The receiving cavity includes an ink supply compartment and a waste ink compartment that are separated by partitions. A bottle cap, wherein the bottle cap is disposed on the open end, and the side of the bottle cap opposite to the receiving cavity is provided with multiple connectors; and The flow splitting mechanism is located on the side of the ink supply tank near the bottle cap. The flow splitting mechanism has multiple ink outlets, and each ink outlet is connected to a connector. A pipe is provided between the ink outlet and the connector, and the inner diameter of the pipe gradually increases as the distance between the connector and the ink outlet increases.

2. The UV inkjet printer safety bottle as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The diversion mechanism includes: The inner core is provided with a filter chamber. The filter chamber has an ink inlet at one end facing the ink supply tank and an ink outlet at the other end away from the ink inlet. A sleeve is fitted onto the outer wall of the inner core. The inner wall of the sleeve has a flow groove along its length, and the flow groove and the outer wall of the inner core together form an ink outlet channel. The inlet of the ink outlet channel is located on the side of the inner core away from the ink inlet, and the outlet of the ink outlet channel is located on the outer wall of the sleeve, and is located on the side close to the ink inlet.

3. The UV inkjet printer safety bottle as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The inlet is provided in multiple ways, and the multiple inlets are spaced apart along the circumference of the inner core; Each inlet corresponds to one connector, and the inner diameter of the inlet is adapted to the inner diameter of the corresponding pipe; The inner diameter of the ink outlet channel is adapted to the inner diameter of the pipe it is connected to.

4. The UV inkjet printer safety bottle as described in claim 3, characterized in that, A filter screen is provided inside the filter chamber, and the filter screen is located between the ink inlet and the inlet.

5. The UV inkjet printer safety bottle as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The filter chamber is also equipped with a backflow preventer, which is located at the ink inlet.

6. The UV inkjet printer safety bottle as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The cross-sectional area of ​​the anti-reverse component decreases as it moves further away from the ink inlet.

7. The UV inkjet printer safety bottle as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The diversion mechanism is also equipped with a waste ink outlet, which is connected to the waste ink tank.

8. The UV inkjet printer safety bottle as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The waste ink outlet is configured to pass through the inner core and the sleeve.

9. The UV inkjet printer safety bottle as described in claim 7, characterized in that, An observation pipe is connected to the outer wall of the waste ink tank, and the observation pipe is set perpendicular to the waste ink liquid surface.

10. The UV inkjet printer safety bottle as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The bottom of the waste ink tank is equipped with an ink drain port.

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