Ink tube recycling device and method thereof

Abstract

An ink tube recycling apparatus and method, comprising: a cleaning and recycling module for cleaning and filling ink into an ink tube of an ink cartridge, further comprising: a first pump which is a pressure pump and has a fluid inlet for providing a first air pressure to pressurize a purging fluid for purging the ink tube; one end of the purging pipeline is connected with the first pump, and the other end is connected with the ink pipe; the second pump is a decompression pump, provides second air pressure to generate negative pressure and is used for enabling the ink pipe to suck cleaning liquid medicine or ink; a multi-way valve module to start and stop pulses of fluid from the first pump and the second pump; the buffer tank is connected with the multi-way valve module, is provided with a storage space and is used for preventing the cleaning liquid medicine or the ink from flowing back to the second pump when the negative pressure provided by the second pump is too large; and a fluid line.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ink tube recycling device and method, in particular to an ink tube recycling device and method which can reuse the ink tube by flushing and refilling the ink for repair. Background Art

[0002] Liquid crystal displays are non-active light-emitting elements. Their color display must be provided by a backlight module, which is matched with a driving circuit and liquid crystal control to form a grayscale brightness display. Each pixel is given a specific color through the red (R), green (G) and blue (B) color layers of the filter. Pixels of different colors form a color picture. If there are defects in the panel, the pixel in the display will not be able to correctly display the required color, and a bright spot or a dark spot will be formed. Bright spots are particularly obvious to display users, so the number of bright spots is also one of the factors for panel rating.

[0003] Generally speaking, repair liquid ink can be injected into the color filter of the liquid crystal display through an ink cartridge with a needle structure to repair the defects of the display. However, this ink cartridge can only be discarded directly after the repair liquid ink is used up and cannot be reused. This is not environmentally friendly and increases the cost of repairing the display. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an ink tube recycling device and method thereof, which uses a pressure pump and a pressure reducing pump to clean the inside of the ink tube by air blowing and chemical solution, and then refills the ink.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides an ink tube recycling device, which is suitable for an ink cartridge, comprising: a cleaning and recycling module, which is used to clean and fill ink into an ink tube of the ink cartridge, and further comprises: a first pump, which is a pressure pump and has a fluid inlet, which provides a first air pressure to pressurize a purge fluid to purge the ink tube; a purge pipeline, one end of which is connected to the first pump and the other end is connected to the ink tube; a second pump, which is a pressure reducing pump, which provides a second air pressure to generate a negative pressure to make the ink tube suck a cleaning solution or an ink; a multi-way valve module a plurality of pumps for starting and stopping the pulses of the fluids from the first pump and the second pump; a buffer tank connected to the multi-way valve module and having a storage space to prevent the cleaning solution or the ink from flowing back to the second pump when the negative pressure provided by the second pump is too large; and a fluid pipeline, one end of which is connected to the buffer tank and the other end is connected to the ink tube; a waste liquid storage tank for storing the residual ink or residual medicine blown out of the ink cartridge; a cleaning solution storage tank for storing the cleaning solution for cleaning the ink cartridge; and an ink storage tank for storing the ink filled in the ink cartridge.

[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, the ink tube comprises a longitudinally extending tubular fluid chamber, a tube opening arranged in front of the fluid chamber, and a rearward opening connected to the cleaning pipeline or the fluid pipeline.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first pump and the second pump can be integrated into a pressure regulating pump having pressurization and decompression functions. In one embodiment of the present invention, the pressure regulating pump is connected to the cleaning pipeline and the buffer tank respectively.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first gas pressure is 0.05 to 0.2 kg / cm2. In one embodiment of the present invention, the purge fluid is but not limited to air or nitrogen. In one embodiment of the present invention, the second gas pressure is 0.01 to 0.1 kg / cm2. In one embodiment of the present invention, the first air pressure is greater than the second air pressure.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned purge pipeline and one end of the fluid pipeline have a bottle mouth fixing ring for fixing the ink tube to prevent the ink tube from being separated from the purge pipeline or the fluid pipeline when the pressure is too high.

[0010] The present invention also proposes an ink tube recycling method, which uses the ink tube recycling device as described above, and the method steps include: fixing an ink tube through a purge pipeline of a cleaning and recycling module; pressurizing a purge fluid through a first pump of the cleaning and recycling module to purge residual ink in the ink tube, and storing it in a waste liquid storage tank to complete a residual ink cleaning procedure; fixing the ink tube through a fluid pipeline of the cleaning and recycling module and immersing a tube mouth of the ink tube into a cleaning solution in a cleaning solution storage tank; providing a second air pressure through a second pump of the cleaning and recycling module so that the ink tube absorbs the cleaning solution, and then switching to the first pump to provide a first air pressure to clean the ink tube. The cleaning solution in the ink tube is blown out, and this step is repeated several times to complete a cleaning procedure; the ink tube is then fixed to the purge pipeline, and the residual solution after cleaning is removed and stored in the waste liquid storage tank through the first pump to complete a residual solution removal procedure; and finally the ink tube is fixed to the fluid pipeline, and the tube mouth is immersed in ink in an ink storage tank, and the ink tube is sucked into the ink through the second pump to complete the ink filling procedure; wherein, a multi-way valve module is used to start and stop the pulse of the fluid from the first pump and the second pump; wherein, a buffer tank is used to prevent the cleaning solution or the ink from flowing back to the second pump when the negative pressure provided by the second pump is too large.

[0011] The ink tube recycling device and method of the present invention have at least the following characteristics: through the positive and negative pressure of the pump, the residual ink in the ink tube is first discharged through gas, and then the ink tube wall is cleaned by repeatedly sucking and discharging liquid medicine, and then the ink can be sucked in again to complete filling and recycling, which can reduce the cost and resource waste of purchasing ink cartridges again and maximize the effective reuse of the ink cartridges after use. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an ink tube recycling device according to the present invention; Figure 2A is a schematic diagram of a blowing and cleaning structure of an ink tube recycling device according to the present invention; Figure 2B 2. It is a schematic diagram of a liquid cleaning structure of an ink tube recycling device according to the present invention; Figure 2C is a schematic diagram of an ink filling structure of an ink tube recycling device according to the present invention; Figure 3 The present invention is a flowchart of the operation steps of an ink tube recycling device according to the present invention.

[0013] In the figure: 110 cleaning and reuse module 111 First Pump 112 flushing pipeline 113 Second Pump 114 Multi-way Valve Module 115 buffer tank 116 Fluid pipeline 120 Waste liquid storage tank 121 Residual Ink 130 Cleaning solution storage tank 131 Cleansing Potion 140 ink storage tank 141 Ink 21 ink tubes Step process S310~S360. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] In order to make the above features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the following embodiments are specifically cited and accompanied by the accompanying drawings. In addition to these detailed descriptions, the present invention can also be widely implemented in other embodiments. Any easy replacement, modification, and equivalent changes of the embodiments are included in the scope of the present invention and are subject to the scope of the patent application.

[0015] In the description of the specification, many specific details are provided to enable the reader to have a more complete understanding of the present invention; however, the present invention may still be implemented under the premise of omitting some or all of the specific details. In addition, well-known steps or elements are not described in detail to avoid unnecessary limitations on the present invention. The same or similar elements in the drawings will be represented by the same or similar symbols. It is particularly noted that the drawings are for illustration only and do not represent the actual size or number of the elements. Some details may not be fully drawn. In order to simplify the drawings, a detailed description is given as follows.

[0016] The following descriptions of the embodiments are with reference to the attached drawings to illustrate specific embodiments in which the present invention may be implemented. The directional terms mentioned in the present invention, such as "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "inner", "outer", "side", etc., are only with reference to the directions of the attached drawings. Therefore, the directional terms used are used to illustrate and understand the present application, rather than to limit the present application. In addition, in the specification, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word "comprising" will be understood to mean including the elements described, but not excluding any other elements.

[0017] Please also refer to Figure 1 , FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C , Figure 1 is a block diagram of an ink tube recycling device according to the present invention; Figure 2A is a schematic diagram of a blowing and cleaning structure of an ink tube recycling device according to the present invention; Figure 2B 2. It is a schematic diagram of a liquid cleaning structure of an ink tube recycling device according to the present invention; Figure 2CThe ink tube recycling device shown in the figure is suitable for an ink cartridge, and includes: a cleaning and recycling module 110 for cleaning and filling ink into an ink tube 21 of the ink cartridge, and further includes: a first pump 111, which is a pressure pump and has a fluid inlet, and provides a first air pressure to pressurize a flushing fluid for flushing the ink tube 21; a flushing pipeline 112, one end of which is connected to the first pump 111 and the other end is connected to the ink tube 21; a second pump 113, which is a pressure reducing pump, provides a second air pressure to generate a negative pressure, so that the ink tube 21 absorbs a cleaning solution or an ink; a multi-way valve module 114, which is used to start and stop the flow of liquid from the first pump 111 into the ink tube 21; and a plurality of valve modules 114 for starting and stopping the flow of liquid from the first pump 111 into the ink tube 21. The first pump 111 and the second pump 113 are used to generate pulses of the fluid; a buffer tank 115 is connected to the multi-way valve module 114 and has a storage space to prevent the cleaning solution or the ink from flowing back to the second pump 113 when the negative pressure provided by the second pump 113 is too large; and a fluid pipeline 116, one end of which is connected to the buffer tank 115 and the other end is connected to the ink tube 21; a waste liquid storage tank 120 is used to store the residual ink 121 or residual medicine blown out of the ink cartridge; a cleaning solution storage tank 130 is used to store the cleaning solution 131 for cleaning the ink cartridge; and an ink storage tank 140 is used to store the ink 141 filled into the ink cartridge.

[0018] In this embodiment, the ink tube 21 includes a longitudinally extending tubular fluid chamber, a tube opening disposed in front of the fluid chamber, and an opening facing backward, and the opening is connected to the cleaning pipeline or the fluid pipeline 116 .

[0019] In this embodiment, the first pump 111 and the second pump 113 can be assembled into a pressure regulating pump with pressurization and decompression functions.

[0020] The pressure regulating pump is connected to the cleaning pipeline and the buffer tank 115 respectively.

[0021] In this embodiment, the first gas pressure is 0.05 to 0.2 kg / cm2.

[0022] Preferably, the first gas pressure is 0.1 to 0.15 kg / cm2.

[0023] In this embodiment, the purge fluid may be, but is not limited to, air or nitrogen.

[0024] In this embodiment, the second gas pressure is 0.01 to 0.1 kg / cm2.

[0025] Wherein, the first air pressure is greater than the second air pressure.

[0026] In this embodiment, one end of the purge pipeline 112 and the fluid pipeline 116 has a bottle nozzle fixing ring for fixing the ink tube 21 to prevent the ink tube 21 from being separated from the purge pipeline 112 or the fluid pipeline 116 when the pressure is too high.

[0027] In this embodiment, the purge pipe 112 and the fluid pipe 116 can be, but are not limited to, a silicone straw.

[0028] In this embodiment, the multi-way valve module 114 is a three-way valve.

[0029] The three-way valve is used to couple the first pump 111 , the second pump 113 and the buffer tank 115 .

[0030] In this embodiment, a water flow buffer and backflow preventer is disposed between the buffer tank 115 and the fluid pipeline 116 to reduce the pressure of the fluid when it rushes out.

[0031] In this embodiment, the cleaning solution may be, but is not limited to, a group consisting of acetone or tetrahydrofuran (THF) and a mixture thereof.

[0032] In this embodiment, the cleaning solution storage tank 130 further includes a liquid level detection unit for detecting the amount of the cleaning solution 131 in the cleaning solution storage tank 130 .

[0033] In this embodiment, the ink storage tank 140 further includes a liquid level detection unit for detecting the amount of the ink 141 in the ink storage tank 140 .

[0034] In this embodiment, the ink tube recycling device further includes a heating mechanism for heating and drying the cleaned ink tube 21 .

[0035] Preferably, the ink tube 21 is baked at a high temperature of 120° C. for 30 minutes by the heating mechanism to fully dry the ink tube 21 .

[0036] like Figure 2A The purge structure of the ink tube recycling device shown in the figure can be connected to the purge pipeline 112 through the first pump 111 to pressurize the purge fluid and purge the residual ink 121 inside the ink tube 21.

[0037] In this embodiment, the first pump 111 has a fluid inlet to provide the first air pressure to pressurize the purge fluid.

[0038] In this embodiment, the first gas pressure is 0.05 to 0.2 kg / cm2.

[0039] Preferably, the first gas pressure is 0.1 to 0.15 kg / cm2.

[0040] In this embodiment, the purge fluid may be, but is not limited to, air or nitrogen.

[0041] Wherein, the first air pressure is greater than the second air pressure.

[0042] In this embodiment, one end of the purge pipeline 112 has a bottle nozzle fixing ring for fixing the ink tube 21 to prevent the ink tube 21 from being separated from the purge pipeline 112 when the pressure is too high.

[0043] In this embodiment, the purge pipe 112 may be, but is not limited to, a silicone straw.

[0044] like Figure 2B The liquid cleaning structure of the ink tube recycling device shown in the figure connects the first pump 111 and the second pump 113 to one end of the buffer tank 115 through the multi-way valve module 114, and the other end of the buffer tank 115 is connected to the fluid pipeline 116. The first air pressure generated by the first pump 111 and the second air pressure generated by the second pump 113 are alternately utilized to make the ink tube 21 repeatedly inhale and discharge the cleaning liquid 131 to clean the inner wall of the ink tube 21.

[0045] In this embodiment, the first gas pressure is 0.05 to 0.2 kg / cm2.

[0046] Preferably, the first gas pressure is 0.1 to 0.15 kg / cm2.

[0047] In this embodiment, the purge fluid may be, but is not limited to, air or nitrogen.

[0048] In this embodiment, the second gas pressure is 0.01 to 0.1 kg / cm2.

[0049] Wherein, the first air pressure is greater than the second air pressure.

[0050] In this embodiment, one end of the fluid pipeline 116 has a bottle mouth fixing ring for fixing the ink tube 21 to prevent the ink tube 21 from being separated from the fluid pipeline 116 when the pressure is too high.

[0051] In this embodiment, the fluid pipeline 116 can be, but is not limited to, a silicone straw.

[0052] In this embodiment, the multi-way valve module 114 is a three-way valve.

[0053] The three-way valve is used to couple the first pump 111 , the second pump 113 and the buffer tank 115 .

[0054] In this embodiment, a water flow buffer and backflow preventer is disposed between the buffer tank 115 and the fluid pipeline 116 to reduce the pressure of the fluid when it rushes out.

[0055] In this embodiment, the cleaning solution may be, but is not limited to, a group consisting of acetone or tetrahydrofuran (THF) and a mixture thereof.

[0056] In this embodiment, the cleaning solution storage tank 130 further includes a liquid level detection unit for detecting the amount of the cleaning solution in the cleaning solution storage tank 130 .

[0057] like Figure 2C The purge structure of the ink tube recycling device shown in the figure can be connected to the fluid pipeline 116 through the second pump 113 to allow the ink tube 21 to suck the ink 141.

[0058] Please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 3 This is a flow chart of the operation steps of an ink tube recycling device according to the present invention, and the steps are as follows: Step S310: Fix the ink tube by cleaning the purge pipeline of the reuse module.

[0059] Step S320: The first pump of the cleaning and recycling module pressurizes the cleaning fluid to clean the residual ink in the ink tube and stores it in the waste liquid storage tank to complete the residual ink cleaning procedure.

[0060] Step S330: The control unit then fixes the ink tube through the fluid pipeline of the cleaning and recycling module and immerses the nozzle of the ink tube into the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid storage tank.

[0061] Step S340: After the second pump of the cleaning and recycling module provides the second air pressure to make the ink tube absorb the cleaning liquid, the first pump is switched to provide the first air pressure to blow out the cleaning liquid in the ink tube, and this step is repeated multiple times to complete the cleaning process.

[0062] Step S350: Fix the ink tube to the purge pipeline, and use the first pump to remove the residual medicine after cleaning and store it in the waste liquid storage tank to complete the residual medicine removal procedure.

[0063] Step S360: Finally, the ink tube is fixed to the fluid pipeline, and the tube mouth is immersed in the ink in the ink storage tank, and then the ink tube is sucked into the ink by the second pump to complete the ink filling process.

[0064] A multi-way valve module is used to start and stop the pulse of the fluid from the first pump and the second pump.

[0065] A buffer tank is provided to prevent the cleaning liquid or the ink from flowing back to the second pump when the negative pressure provided by the second pump is too large.

[0066] In this embodiment, the ink tube includes a longitudinally extending tubular fluid chamber, a tube opening arranged in front of the fluid chamber, and an opening facing backward, and the opening is connected to the cleaning pipeline or the fluid pipeline.

[0067] In this embodiment, the first pump and the second pump can be assembled into a pressure regulating pump with pressurization and decompression functions.

[0068] Wherein, the pressure regulating pump is connected to the cleaning pipeline and the buffer tank respectively.

[0069] In this embodiment, the first gas pressure is 0.05 to 0.2 kg / cm2.

[0070] Preferably, the first gas pressure is 0.1 to 0.15 kg / cm2.

[0071] In this embodiment, the purge fluid may be, but is not limited to, air or nitrogen.

[0072] In this embodiment, the second gas pressure is 0.01 to 0.1 kg / cm2.

[0073] Wherein, the first air pressure is greater than the second air pressure.

[0074] In this embodiment, the purge pipeline and one end of the fluid pipeline have a bottle mouth fixing ring for fixing the ink tube to prevent the ink tube from being separated from the purge pipeline or the fluid pipeline when the pressure is too high.

[0075] In this embodiment, the purge pipeline and the fluid pipeline can be but are not limited to a silicone straw.

[0076] In this embodiment, the multi-way valve module is a three-way valve.

[0077] The three-way valve is used to couple the first pump, the second pump and the buffer tank.

[0078] In this embodiment, a water flow buffer and backflow preventer is disposed between the buffer tank and the fluid pipeline to reduce the pressure of the fluid when it rushes out.

[0079] In this embodiment, the cleaning solution may be, but is not limited to, a group consisting of acetone or tetrahydrofuran (THF) and a mixture thereof.

[0080] In this embodiment, the cleaning solution storage tank further includes a liquid level detection unit for detecting the amount of the cleaning solution in the cleaning solution storage tank.

[0081] In this embodiment, the ink storage tank further includes a liquid level detection unit for detecting the amount of ink in the ink storage tank.

[0082] In this embodiment, the ink tube recycling device further includes a heating mechanism for heating and drying the cleaned ink tube.

[0083] Preferably, the ink tube is baked at a high temperature of 120° C. for 30 minutes by the heating mechanism to fully dry the ink tube.

[0084] In summary, the ink tube recycling device and method of the present invention have at least the following characteristics: through the positive and negative pressure of the pump, the residual ink in the ink tube is first discharged through the gas, and then the ink tube wall is cleaned by multiple suction and discharge of liquid medicine, and then the ink can be sucked in again to complete the filling and reuse, which can reduce the cost and resource waste of purchasing ink cartridges again and maximize the effective reuse of the ink cartridges after use.

[0085] The above-described embodiments are only preferred embodiments for fully illustrating the present invention, and the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Equivalent substitutions or changes made by those skilled in the art based on the present invention are within the protection scope of the present invention. The protection scope of the present invention shall be subject to the claims.

Claims

1. An ink tube recycling device, suitable for an ink cartridge, characterized in that: include: A cleaning and recycling module, used for cleaning and filling ink into an ink tube of the ink cartridge, further comprises: A first pump is a pressure pump having a fluid inlet and providing a first air pressure to pressurize a flushing fluid for flushing the ink tube; a purge pipeline, one end of which is connected to the first pump, and the other end of which is connected to the ink tube; A second pump is a pressure reducing pump, which provides a second air pressure to generate a negative pressure, so as to make the ink tube absorb a cleaning solution or an ink; a multi-way valve module for starting and stopping the pulses of the fluid from the first pump and the second pump; a buffer tank connected to the multi-way valve module and having a storage space for preventing the cleaning solution or the ink from flowing back to the second pump when the negative pressure provided by the second pump is too large; and a fluid pipeline, one end of which is connected to the buffer tank, and the other end of which is connected to the ink tube; A waste liquid storage tank for storing the residual ink or residual medicine blown out of the ink cartridge; a cleaning solution storage tank for storing the cleaning solution for cleaning the ink cartridge; and An ink storage tank is used to store the ink filled in the ink cartridge.

2. The ink tube recycling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ink tube comprises a longitudinally extending tubular fluid chamber, a tube mouth arranged in front of the fluid chamber, and an opening facing backwards, and the opening is connected to the cleaning pipeline or the fluid pipeline.

3. The ink tube recycling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first pump and the second pump can be assembled into a pressure regulating pump with pressurizing and depressurizing functions.

4. The ink tube recycling device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The pressure regulating pump is connected to the cleaning pipeline and the buffer tank respectively.

5. The ink tube recycling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first gas pressure is 0.05 to 0.2 kg / cm2.

6. The ink tube recycling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The purge fluid is, but is not limited to, air or nitrogen.

7. The ink tube recycling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second gas pressure is 0.01 to 0.1 kg / cm2.

8. The ink tube recycling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first air pressure is greater than the second air pressure.

9. The ink tube recycling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The purge pipeline and one end of the fluid pipeline are provided with a bottle mouth fixing ring for fixing the ink tube to prevent the ink tube from being separated from the purge pipeline or the fluid pipeline when the pressure is too high.

10. A method for recycling ink tubes, using the ink tube recycling device according to claim 1 to claim 9, characterized in that: The method steps include: An ink tube is fixed through a purge pipeline of a cleaning and recycling module; A first pump of the cleaning and recycling module pressurizes a cleaning fluid to clean the residual ink in the ink tube and stores the residual ink in a waste liquid storage tank to complete a residual ink cleaning procedure; The ink tube is fixed by a fluid pipeline of the cleaning and recycling module and a tube opening of the ink tube is immersed in a cleaning solution in a cleaning solution storage tank; After the second pump of the cleaning and recycling module provides a second air pressure to make the ink tube absorb the cleaning solution, the first pump is switched to provide a first air pressure to blow out the cleaning solution in the ink tube, and this step is repeated multiple times to complete a cleaning procedure; The ink tube is then fixed to the purge pipeline, and the residual medicine after cleaning is stored in the waste liquid storage tank through the first pump to complete a residual medicine cleaning procedure; and Finally, the ink tube is fixed to the fluid pipeline, and the tube mouth is immersed in the ink in an ink storage tank, and the ink tube is sucked into the ink by the second pump to complete the ink filling process; A multi-way valve module is used to start and stop the pulse of the fluid from the first pump and the second pump; A buffer tank is used to prevent the cleaning solution or the ink from flowing back to the second pump when the negative pressure provided by the second pump is too large.

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