Liquid storage container manufacturing method, and liquid storage container

Abstract

To provide a technique for easily determining whether or not a liquid storage container can be re-used.SOLUTION: A manufacturing method for a liquid storage container comprising a memory comprises: an acquisition step at which a value that is determined according to the type of a liquid accommodated in a liquid storage container is acquired; and a recording step at which the acquired value is stored in the memory as number of times the liquid storage container is re-used by using a manufacturing device for manufacturing the liquid storage container.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing a liquid storage container and a liquid storage container.

Background Art

[0002] Regarding liquid storage containers, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for storing the number of regeneration processes performed in the past in a non-volatile memory provided in a cartridge that can be regenerated. In this technique, when performing a regeneration process on a liquid storage container, the stored number of regeneration processes can be compared with a preset upper limit number of regeneration processes.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The upper limit of the number of regeneration processes performed on a liquid storage container may vary depending on the type of liquid stored in the liquid storage container. In this case, a technique that can easily determine whether the liquid storage container can be regenerated is desired.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for manufacturing a liquid storage container including a memory. This manufacturing method includes an acquisition step of acquiring a value determined according to the type of liquid stored in the liquid storage container, and a recording step of recording the acquired value in the memory as the number of reuse times of the liquid storage container using a manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the liquid storage container.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a liquid storage container is provided. The liquid storage container includes a liquid storage portion for storing a liquid, and a memory in which a value corresponding to the type of the liquid is recorded as the number of times of reuse of the liquid storage container at the time of factory shipment.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] A. First Embodiment: FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a liquid consumption device 20 in the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cartridge 100 as a liquid storage container. A cartridge 100 is detachably attached to the liquid consumption device 20 as a liquid storage container. The liquid consumption device 20 consumes the liquid stored in the attached liquid storage container. The liquid consumption device 20 in the present embodiment is a liquid discharge device that discharges a liquid. More specifically, the liquid consumption device 20 is an inkjet printer that discharges ink as a liquid onto a printing medium to perform printing.

[0009] The liquid consumption device 20 includes a consumption control unit 30, a conveyance unit 32, a discharge head 34, and a device interface 36. The conveyance unit 32 conveys a print medium. The discharge head 34 discharges ink onto the print medium conveyed by the conveyance unit 32. The device interface 36 has a terminal (not shown) that contacts a terminal 121 included in the cartridge 100. Hereinafter, the interface will be referred to as "I / F". The consumption control unit 30 controls each part of the liquid consumption device 20, such as the conveyance unit 32 and the discharge head 34. The consumption control unit 30 is configured as a computer including a processor (not shown), a storage device, and an input / output I / F. The consumption control unit 30 communicates with the circuit board 120 of the cartridge 100 via the device I / F 36.

[0010] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cartridge 100 includes a main body portion 101 that constitutes the outer shell of the cartridge 100, and a circuit board 120 attached to the main body portion 101. As shown in FIG. 2, the main body portion 101 is configured as a box-shaped housing. In the present embodiment, the circuit board 120 is attached to the outer surface of the main body portion 101. The main body portion 101 has a liquid storage portion 150 for storing ink as a liquid. The liquid storage portion 150 is provided inside the main body portion 101. The ink stored in the liquid storage portion 150 is supplied to the liquid consumption device 20 through a flow path (not shown). Hereinafter, the circuit board 120 will also be simply referred to as "substrate".

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the circuit board 120 has a memory 130 configured as a non-volatile storage device, and a terminal group constituted by a plurality of terminals 121.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, the memory 130 is provided on the first surface 128 of the circuit board 120. Each terminal 121 is formed on the second surface 129 of the circuit board 120. The second surface 129 is the surface on the opposite side of the first surface 128, is located on the side away from the main body portion 101 among the first surface 128 and the second surface 129, and is the surface exposed to the outside of the cartridge 100. Each terminal 121 and the memory 130 are electrically connected to each other by printed wiring, through holes, and the like.

[0013] When the cartridge 100 is attached to the liquid consumption device 20, each terminal 121 contacts the terminals of the device I / F 36 of the liquid consumption device 20. By this contact, the consumption control unit 30 can supply a power voltage to the circuit board 120 and can transmit and receive electrical signals to and from the circuit board 120 to communicate with each other.

[0014] In the present embodiment, the memory 130 is configured as a semiconductor memory realized by an integrated circuit (IC). Further, the memory 130 is a NAND type flash memory. The NAND type flash memory may be a MONOS (Metal - Oxide - Nitride - Oxide - Silicon) type memory. In other embodiments, the memory 130 may be a NOR type flash memory, an EEPROM, or the like.

[0015] The memory 130 includes a memory control unit 132 and a storage unit 140.

[0016] The memory control unit 132 controls the operation of the memory 130. Specifically, the memory control unit 132 performs a writing operation of writing information to the storage unit 140 and a reading operation of reading information from the storage unit 140 in response to a command transmitted from the liquid consumption device 20.

[0017] The memory unit 140 includes a plurality of memory elements for storing data. Each memory element can store 1-bit data. The memory unit 140 has a plurality of memory areas realized by a plurality of memory elements respectively. An address for uniquely identifying each memory area is assigned to each memory area.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the memory areas of the memory unit 140. The memory unit 140 has memory areas designated by addresses A0 to An. Here, "n" in "address An" represents a natural number. In the present embodiment, among each memory area, at least the memory areas with addresses A0 to A12 are rewritable areas where rewriting to new data is possible. In the rewritable area, in addition to reading data, data rewriting is set to be possible, where the already stored data is erased and new data is written.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, the memory area designated by address A12 stores the identification information of the cartridge 100, the type information regarding the type of ink accommodated in the cartridge 100, the capacity information regarding the capacity of the ink accommodated in the cartridge 100, the initial manufacturing timing information of the cartridge 100, the attachment / detachment history of the cartridge 100, and the number of reuse times of the cartridge 100. Each of these pieces of information is stored by 1 or more bits among a plurality of bits corresponding to the memory area designated by address A12. Note that in other embodiments, the memory 130 may store other information in addition to or instead of the above-mentioned pieces of information.

[0020] The identification information of the cartridge 100 is, for example, information representing the model number of the cartridge 100. The type information is, for example, information representing the color of the ink contained in the cartridge 100. The initial manufacturing timing information is information regarding the timing when the new cartridge 100 was manufactured. The initial manufacturing timing information may be, for example, the manufacturing date or the shipping date of the new cartridge 100, or may be the manufacturing lot of the new cartridge 100. The attachment / detachment history is information representing the history of attachment / detachment of the cartridge 100 to / from the liquid consumption device 20. The attachment / detachment history is, for example, information representing the number of times or the frequency of attachment / detachment of the cartridge 100 to / from the liquid consumption device 20. The attachment / detachment history is updated by the consumption control unit 30 of the liquid consumption device 20 each time the cartridge 100 is attached / detached to / from the liquid consumption device 20, for example. The number of reuse times is a value related to the number of times the liquid storage container has been reused. In the present embodiment, the number of reuse times recorded in the memory 130 of the cartridge 100 is incremented by one each time the cartridge 100 is reused. Note that, as will be described later, the number of reuse times recorded in the memory 130 of the cartridge 100 may be different from the actual number of reuse times that the cartridge 100 has been reused. Details of the reuse of the cartridge 100 will be described later.

[0021] Also, in the present embodiment, the area specified by the addresses A0 to A11 is used to record the actual consumption amount of the ink in the cartridge 100. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the first area SC1 to the sixth area SC6 are used according to the number of reuse times described later. The first area SC1 is composed of the storage areas specified by the addresses A0 and A1. The second area SC2 is composed of the storage areas specified by the addresses A2 and A3. The third area SC3 is composed of the storage areas specified by the addresses A4 and A5. The fourth area SC4 is composed of the storage areas specified by the addresses A6 and A7. The fifth area SC5 is composed of the storage areas specified by the addresses A8 and A9. The sixth area SC6 is composed of the storage areas specified by the addresses A10 and A11.

[0022] More specifically, for example, when the number of reuse times stored in the storage area specified by the above address A12 is 0, only the first area SC1 out of the first area SC1 to the sixth area SC6 is used for recording the ink consumption amount. Similarly, when the number of reuse times is 1, only the second area SC2 out of the first area SC1 to the sixth area SC6 is used for recording the ink consumption amount. Similarly, when the number of reuse times is from 2 to 4, the third area SC3 to the sixth area SC6 are respectively used for recording the ink consumption amount.

[0023] As a result of each area being used as described above, for example, when the number of reuse times is 1, usually, the first area SC1 and the second area SC2 are used areas where data writing and reading have been performed, and the third area SC3 to the sixth area SC6 are unused areas where data writing and reading have never been performed. In the present embodiment, data representing "0" is stored in the unused area. Specifically, the unused area contains only bits representing "0". Also, in the used area, data representing other than "0" is stored according to the ink consumption amount. Specifically, the used area contains at least one bit representing "1" according to the ink usage amount. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to verify whether each area is an unused area by verifying whether each bit in the first area SC1 to the sixth area SC6 is 0.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the manufacturing apparatus 200 in the present embodiment. The manufacturing apparatus 200 is an apparatus for manufacturing a liquid storage container. The manufacturing apparatus 200 is used in a factory for manufacturing a liquid storage container. In the factory, at least a part of the steps for manufacturing the liquid storage container is carried out.

[0025] In the present disclosure, "manufacturing" includes newly manufacturing a new liquid storage container and remanufacturing a used liquid storage container. Remanufacturing a liquid storage container means performing various processes such as replacing various consumables, refilling the ink as a liquid, and cleaning on the used liquid storage container to make the liquid storage container usable. Remanufacturing a liquid storage container is also referred to as reusing the liquid storage container. Also, a remanufactured liquid storage container is also referred to as a reused product. In the present embodiment, the manufacturing target by the manufacturing apparatus 200 includes a new liquid storage container and a liquid storage container as a reused product.

[0026] The manufacturing apparatus 200 in the present embodiment is configured as a recording apparatus for recording predetermined initial information in the memory 130 provided in the cartridge 100 to be manufactured. The initial information is various information recorded in the memory 130 of the cartridge 100 at the time of factory shipment. The meaning of "factory shipment" includes shipping a new cartridge 100 from the factory and shipping a reused cartridge 100 from the factory. In the present embodiment, when the manufacturing target is new, the cartridge 100 after various manufacturing processes such as assembling each part of the cartridge 100, filling the cartridge 100 with ink, and installing the circuit board 120 on the main body 101 is transported to the manufacturing apparatus 200. Also, when the manufacturing target is a reused product, the cartridge 100 after various manufacturing processes such as replacing each consumable of the cartridge 100, performing various cleanings, and refilling the cartridge 100 with ink is transported to the manufacturing apparatus 200.

[0027] The manufacturing apparatus 200 includes a control device 202 and an arm 210 having contact terminals 211.

[0028] The control device 202 is composed of a computer including a processor 203, a storage device 204 including a RAM and a ROM, an input / output I / F 205, and an internal bus 206. The processor 203, the storage device 204, and the input / output I / F 205 are connected to be communicable bidirectionally via the internal bus 206. An arm 210 is connected to the input / output I / F 205. The processor 203 realizes various functions including the function as the control unit 250 by executing the program 230 stored in the storage device 204.

[0029] The arm 210 is configured as a robot arm that operates under the control of the control unit 250. A contact terminal 211 is disposed at the tip of the arm 210. The contact terminal 211 is configured to be able to contact the circuit board 120. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the control unit 250 operates the arm 210 to bring the contact terminal 211 into contact with the circuit board 120 of the cartridge 100 conveyed by a conveying device (not shown). The conveying device is composed of, for example, a belt conveyor, a roller conveyor, or a conveying robot. By bringing the contact terminal 211 into contact with the circuit board 120, the control unit 250 can turn on or off the memory 130 or access the memory 130 via the contact terminal 211. The control unit 250 can acquire various information from the memory 130 or record various information in the memory 130 by accessing the memory 130.

[0030] The control unit 250 executes an acquisition step and a recording step. The acquisition step is a step of acquiring a set value determined in advance according to the type of ink stored in the liquid storage container. Specifically, in the acquisition step, the set value for the liquid storage container to be manufactured is acquired. The recording step is a step of recording the set value acquired in the acquisition step in the memory 130 of the liquid storage container as the number of times of reuse of the liquid storage container. Specifically, in the recording step, the set value acquired in the acquisition step is recorded as the number of times of reuse of the liquid storage container to be manufactured.

[0031] In the recording step in this embodiment, initial information including a set value and specification information described later is recorded in the memory 130. That is, it can be said that the program 230 in this embodiment is a program for causing a computer to realize a function of recording initial information including a set value in the memory 130.

[0032] Also, the control unit 250 in this embodiment executes a determination step for a liquid storage container that is a reused product. The determination step is a step of determining whether or not the liquid storage container can be reused according to the number of times the liquid storage container has been reused. In this embodiment, in the determination step, when the number of reuse times recorded in the memory 130 of the liquid storage container is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that the reuse of the liquid storage container is impossible. That is, in this embodiment, the number of reuse times is used as a determination value to be compared with the threshold value in order to determine whether or not the liquid storage container can be reused in the determination step. Note that the threshold value in this embodiment is "5".

[0033] The storage device 204 in this embodiment stores specification data 220 including specification information, a program 230, and count data 235.

[0034] The specification information included in the specification data 220 is information regarding the specification of the liquid storage container. The specification information includes, for example, identification information, type information, capacity information, initial manufacturing timing information, and the like. Note that in other embodiments, the specification information may store other information in addition to or instead of each of the above-mentioned pieces of information. The specification data 220 in this embodiment is data associating the type of ink with the specification information. The specification data 220 is defined as, for example, data in a table format.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the number data 235 in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the number data 235 is data that associates the type of liquid, that is, the type of ink, with a set value. Specifically, the number data 235 in FIG. 5 is data that associates the type of ink with the set value for a new liquid container. The number data 235 is defined, for example, as data in a table format. FIG. 5 shows an example in which set values are associated with different ink types LA, LB, LC, and LD in the number data 235, respectively.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 5, a "target upper limit" is further associated with the type of ink in the number data 235 in the present embodiment. The target upper limit for a certain type of ink represents a preferable upper limit value as the actual number of times the liquid container that stores the ink of that type is reused. The set value may be determined based on the target upper limit. Note that in other embodiments, the target upper limit may not be included in the number data 235. In this way, the data capacity of the number data 235 can be reduced.

[0037] The set value is set so that in the determination step, by simply comparing the number of reuse times with a threshold value that does not depend on the type of ink, the reusability of the liquid container can be determined in a manner where the actual upper limit of the number of reuse times varies according to the type of ink. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the cartridge 100 to be manufactured is new and the type of ink contained in the cartridge 100 is type LD, the same "5" as the threshold value is recorded in the memory 130 of the cartridge 100 as the set value. That is, in the present embodiment, the cartridge 100 that stores type LD ink is not reused at all. On the other hand, for example, when the cartridge 100 to be manufactured is new and the type of ink contained in the cartridge 100 is type LB, a "2" smaller than the threshold value is recorded in the memory 130 of the cartridge 100 as the set value. That is, in the present embodiment, the cartridge 100 that stores type LB ink can be reused three times corresponding to the target upper limit value.

[0038] More specifically, in the count data 235 in the present embodiment, a larger set value is set for the ink that is more likely to settle. For a liquid storage container that stores ink that is more likely to settle, in order to suppress a decrease in the quality of the ink discharged from the liquid ejection device, compared to a liquid storage container that stores ink that is less likely to settle, it may be necessary to perform agitation more frequently during its usage period. In this case, usually, the liquid storage container is removed from the liquid ejection device, the ink in the removed liquid storage container is agitated, and the liquid storage container after the agitation is completed is attached to the liquid ejection device again. As a result, a liquid storage container that stores ink that is more likely to settle tends to have an increased number and frequency of detachment compared to a liquid storage container that stores ink that is less likely to settle, and the probability that the terminal 121 wears out is high. Therefore, by setting a larger set value for the ink that is more likely to settle, it is possible to more appropriately determine whether reuse is possible in the determination step, and the liquid storage container can be reused more effectively. Ink that is more likely to settle is, for example, white pigment ink.

[0039] FIG. 6 is a process diagram of a method for manufacturing a liquid storage container in the present embodiment. The manufacturing method in FIG. 6 is executed every time the cartridge 100 is conveyed to the manufacturing apparatus 200. When the cartridge 100 to be manufactured is a reused product, the manufacturing method in FIG. 6 can also be said to represent a method for reusing the cartridge 100.

[0040] In step S210, the control unit 250 turns on the power of the memory 130 of the cartridge 100 to be manufactured. Specifically, in step S210, the control unit 250 controls the arm 210 to bring the contact terminal 211 into contact with the circuit board 120, and turns on the power of the memory 130 via the contact terminal 211. In the present embodiment, the cartridge 100 to be manufactured means the cartridge 100 conveyed to the manufacturing apparatus 200.

[0041] In step S215, the control unit 250 determines whether the cartridge 100 to be manufactured is new. In step S215 of the present embodiment, the control unit 250 accesses the memory 130 via the contact terminal 211 and determines whether type information is stored in the memory 130, thereby determining whether the cartridge 100 is new. Specifically, when the type information is not stored in the storage unit 140 of the memory 130, the control unit 250 determines that the cartridge 100 is new. In the present embodiment, "the type information is not stored" means that all bits included in the storage area specified by the address A12 of the storage unit 140 represent "0". On the contrary, when the type information is stored in the storage unit 140 of the memory 130, the control unit 250 determines that the cartridge 100 is not new. In the present embodiment, "the type information is stored" means that at least one of the bits included in the storage area specified by the address A12 of the storage unit 140 represents "1". Note that determining that the cartridge 100 is not new corresponds to determining that the cartridge 100 is a reused product.

[0042] If the cartridge 100 to be manufactured is new in step S215, in step S220, the control unit 250 acquires initial information to be recorded in the memory 130 of the cartridge 100 to be manufactured. Specifically, the control unit 250 refers to the count data 235 based on the type of ink accommodated in the cartridge 100 to be manufactured, and acquires a set value associated with the type of the ink. Further, the control unit 250 refers to the specification data 220 based on the type of ink accommodated in the cartridge 100 to be manufactured, and acquires specification information associated with the type of the ink. Step S220 corresponds to the above acquisition step. Note that in the present embodiment, since the specification information is not recorded in advance in the new cartridge 100, the specification information is not recorded in the cartridge 100 at the start of step S215 described above.

[0043] In step S220 of the present embodiment, the type of ink contained in the new cartridge 100 is specified, for example, based on the manufacturing information of the cartridge 100. In this case, the manufacturing information may include information that can specify the type of ink contained in the cartridge 100 to be manufactured. The information that can specify the type of ink may be information representing the type of ink, or may be the identification information of the cartridge 100 when the type of ink corresponds to the identification information of the cartridge 100. The manufacturing information of the cartridge 100 may be stored, for example, in the storage device 204, or may be stored in an external computer or recording medium of the manufacturing device 200.

[0044] In step S225, the control unit 250 records the initial information acquired in step S220 in the memory 130 of the cartridge 100 to be manufactured. In step S225, the control unit 250 records the initial information in the memory 130 via the contact terminal 211. Step S225 corresponds to a recording step.

[0045] If the cartridge 100 to be manufactured is not new in step S215, that is, if the cartridge 100 to be manufactured is a reused product, the control unit 250 executes steps S230 to S250.

[0046] In step S230, the control unit 250 acquires the initial manufacturing timing information of the cartridge 100. In the present embodiment, the control unit 250 acquires the initial manufacturing timing information from the memory 130 by accessing the memory 130 via the contact terminal 211.

[0047] In step S235, the control unit 250 determines whether the usage period of the cartridge 100 to be manufactured is within a predetermined expiration date using the initial manufacturing timing information acquired in step S230. If the usage period exceeds the expiration date in step S235, in step S252, the control unit 250 decides to abort the remanufacture of the cartridge 100.

[0048] If the usage period is within the expiration date in step S235, in step S240, the control unit 250 acquires the number of reuse times of the cartridge 100 to be manufactured. In step S240 in the present embodiment, the control unit 250 accesses the memory 130 via the contact terminal 211 to acquire the number of reuse times from the memory 130.

[0049] In step S245, the control unit 250 executes a determination step. In step S245, the control unit 250 determines whether the number of reuse times acquired in step S240 is equal to or greater than the above-described threshold value. If the number of reuse times is equal to or greater than the threshold value in step S245, the control unit 250 proceeds to step S252. Therefore, being determined that the number of reuse times is equal to or greater than the threshold value in step S245 corresponds to being determined that the cartridge 100 to be manufactured is not reusable.

[0050] If the number of reuse times is less than the threshold value in step S245, in step S250, the control unit 250 executes a verification step. The verification step is a step of verifying whether the storage area of the memory 130 of the cartridge 100 to be manufactured is normal.

[0051] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the verification step. FIG. 7 shows the correspondence between the number of reuse times stored in the memory 130 of the cartridge 100 and the storage area verified in the verification step. In FIG. 7, the target area to be verified whether it is an unused area in the verification step is represented as "YES". In the verification step, when it is verified that the target area is an unused area, it is determined that the storage area of the memory 130 is normal.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 7, for example, when the number of reuse times is 0, in the verification step, it is verified whether the memory areas corresponding to the second area SC2 to the sixth area SC6, that is, the memory areas specified by the addresses A2 to A11, are unused areas. When the number of reuse times is 0, as described above, usually, the second area SC2 to the sixth area SC6 correspond to unused areas. Therefore, when the number of reuse times is 0 and all of the second area SC2 to the sixth area SC6 are unused areas, it is determined that the memory area of the memory 130 is normal. On the other hand, when the number of reuse times is 0 and at least any one of the second area SC2 to the sixth area SC6 is a used area, it is determined that the memory area of the memory 130 is not normal.

[0053] If the memory area is not normal in step S250, the control unit 250 proceeds to step S252 for processing.

[0054] If the memory area is normal in step S250, in step S255, the control unit 250 obtains initial information including specification information and set values by referring to the specification data 220 and the count data 235 based on the type information stored in the memory 130. In step S250 in the present embodiment, the control unit 250 obtains the type information from the memory 130 by accessing the memory 130 via the contact terminal 211, and obtains the initial information by referring to the specification data 220 and the count data 235 based on the obtained type information. Specifically, in step S255, the set value included in the initial information is a value obtained by increasing the set value included in the count data 235 according to the actual number of reuse times of the liquid storage container. The actual number of reuse times of the liquid storage container is specified based on, for example, the used area and the unused area in the storage unit 140 described above. Step S255 corresponds to an acquisition step. In other embodiments, the type information may be obtained, for example, prior to step S255, or may be obtained, for example, in step S215.

[0055] In step S260, the control unit 250 records the initial information acquired in step S255 in the memory 130. In step S260, the control unit 250 records the initial information in the memory 130 via the contact terminal 211. Step S260 corresponds to a recording step. Also, steps S255 and S260 correspond to a step for remanufacturing the liquid storage container and a step for reusing the liquid storage container.

[0056] In step S265, the control unit 250 performs a function test on the memory 130. In the function test, for example, it is inspected whether data recording to the memory 130 and data acquisition from the memory 130 can be executed normally. For example, when the memory 130 has a lock function that appropriately restricts its own functions, in the function test, it may be inspected whether the lock function functions normally. In step S270, the control unit 250 turns off the power of the memory 130. Thereafter, the cartridge 100 is shipped from the factory.

[0057] According to the method for manufacturing a liquid storage container in the present embodiment described above, a set value corresponding to the type of liquid stored in the liquid storage container to be manufactured is recorded in the memory 130 as the number of reuse times of the liquid storage container using the manufacturing apparatus 200. According to this mode, in the determination step, by simply comparing the stored set value with a threshold value that does not depend on the type of liquid, it is possible to determine whether the liquid storage container can be reused in a mode where the actual upper limit of the number of reuse times differs according to the type of liquid. Therefore, even when the actual upper limit of the number of reuse times of the liquid storage container is varied according to the type of liquid, it is possible to easily determine whether the liquid storage container can be recycled.

[0058] Note that whether or not a set value corresponding to the type of liquid is recorded in the memory 130 at the time of manufacturing the liquid storage container as in the present embodiment can be verified, for example, by comparing the number of reuse times recorded in the memory 130 with the actual number of reuse times specified based on the used area and unused area in the storage unit 140.

[0059] Also, in the present embodiment, when the control unit 250 of the manufacturing apparatus 200 executes the acquisition step and the recording step, by accessing the memory 130 via the contact terminal 211, the acquisition of information from the memory 130 and the recording of information into the memory 130 can be easily executed.

[0060] Also, in the present embodiment, in the acquisition step and the recording step, the control unit 250 can easily execute the acquisition and recording of set values by using the count data 235 and the program 230 stored in the storage device 204.

[0061] Also, in the present embodiment, the initial information recorded in the memory 130 by the function realized by the program 230 further includes specification data 220 in addition to the set values. Therefore, in the recording step, the specification information can be recorded in the memory 130 together with the set values.

[0062] Also, in the present embodiment, the control unit 250 determines the type of liquid contained in the liquid storage container by accessing the memory 130 via the contact terminal 211. Therefore, the type of liquid can be easily determined by accessing the memory 130 via the contact terminal 211.

[0063] Also, in the present embodiment, it is determined whether the liquid storage container to be manufactured is new or not by accessing the memory 130 via the contact terminal 211. When the liquid storage container is new, the set value is stored in the memory 130 via the contact terminal 211 by using the count data 235. Therefore, when the liquid storage container to be manufactured is new, the set value can be easily recorded as the number of reuse times.

[0064] B. Second Embodiment: FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the manufacturing apparatus 200 in the second embodiment. In this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, correction data 240 is stored in the storage device 204b. Further, in the recording step in this embodiment, a set value corresponding to the initial manufacturing timing of the liquid storage container and the attachment / detachment history of the liquid storage container is recorded in the memory 130 as the number of reuse times. Among the configurations of the manufacturing apparatus 200 and the cartridge 100 in the second embodiment, parts not particularly described are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0065] The correction data 240 is data associating at least one of the initial manufacturing timing and the attachment / detachment history of the liquid storage container with a correction value for correcting the set value. The correction data 240 in this embodiment is data associating the initial manufacturing timing and the attachment / detachment history with the correction value. The correction data 240 is set, for example, to reflect the progress of deterioration of the cartridge 100. The deterioration of the cartridge 100 progresses as the elapsed time from the initial manufacturing timing is longer and as the number of attachment / detachments or the attachment / detachment frequency is greater. Therefore, in the correction data 240, it is preferable to set, for example, a larger correction value for a longer elapsed time from the manufacturing timing. Specifically, when three years have elapsed from the manufacturing timing, it is preferable to set the correction value to “+1”, and when five years have elapsed from the manufacturing timing, it is preferable to set the correction value to “+2”. Further, in the correction data 240, it is preferable to set a larger correction value for a larger number of attachment / detachments or a higher attachment / detachment frequency. Specifically, when the number of attachment / detachments after the most recent factory shipment is 5 or more and less than 10, it is preferable to set the correction value to “+1”, and when the number of attachment / detachments after the most recent factory shipment is 10 or more, it is preferable to set the correction value to “+2”. Note that the correction value may be, for example, a negative value. Specifically, when the number of attachment / detachments after the most recent factory shipment is less than 3, it may be set such that the correction value is “−1”.

[0066] FIG. 9 is a process diagram of the manufacturing method of the liquid storage container in the second embodiment. In FIG. 9, the same steps as those in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 6.

[0067] In step S240b, the control unit 250 acquires the attachment / detachment history of the cartridge 100 to be manufactured, in addition to the number of times of reuse of the cartridge 100 to be manufactured. Note that the attachment / detachment history may be acquired prior to step S255b, and may be acquired, for example, in step S230 or other steps.

[0068] In step S255b, the control unit 250 refers to the specification data 220 and the count data 235 based on the type information stored in the memory 130, and refers to the correction data 240 based on the initial manufacturing timing information acquired in step S230 and the attachment / detachment history acquired in step S240b, thereby acquiring the initial information. Specifically, in step S255b, the control unit 250 corrects the set value acquired by referring to the count data 235 based on the type information, based on the correction value acquired by referring to the correction data 240 based on the initial manufacturing timing information and the attachment / detachment history, and acquires the corrected value as the set value included in the initial information.

[0069] In step S260b, the control unit 250 records the initial information acquired in step S255 in the memory 130. That is, in step S260b, when the cartridge 100 to be manufactured is not new, the initial information including the set value corresponding to the initial manufacturing timing and the attachment / detachment history of the cartridge 100 to be manufactured is recorded in the memory 130.

[0070] According to the method for manufacturing a liquid storage container in the present embodiment described above, it is determined whether the liquid storage container to be manufactured is new or not by accessing the memory 130 via the contact terminal 211. When the liquid storage container is not new, a set value corresponding to the initial manufacturing timing of the liquid storage container and the attachment / detachment history of the liquid storage container is recorded in the memory 130 as the number of reuse times. According to this form, when the liquid storage container to be manufactured is not new, a set value taking into account the aging deterioration and deterioration due to attachment / detachment of the liquid storage container can be recorded as the number of reuse times. Therefore, in addition to the type of liquid, it is possible to determine whether the liquid storage container can be reused, taking into account the aging deterioration and attachment / detachment of the liquid storage container. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the set value corresponding to the attachment / detachment history is recorded in the memory 130 as the number of reuse times, it is possible to determine whether the liquid storage container can be reused, taking into account the deterioration of the terminal 121 due to the attachment / detachment of the liquid storage container.

[0071] In addition, in other embodiments, when the liquid storage container is not new, a set value corresponding to at least one of the initial manufacturing timing and the attachment / detachment history may be recorded in the memory 130 as the number of reuse times. Even in this case, as in the second embodiment, when the liquid storage container to be manufactured is not new, a set value taking into account the aging deterioration and deterioration due to attachment / detachment of the liquid storage container can be recorded as the number of reuse times.

[0072] C. Other Embodiments: (C-1) In each of the above embodiments, the manufacturing apparatus 200 includes the contact terminal 211. In contrast, for example, the manufacturing apparatus 200 may not include the contact terminal 211. In this case, the manufacturing apparatus 200 may be configured to be capable of transmitting and receiving data in a non-contact manner with the memory 130. For example, it may be configured to be capable of transmitting and receiving data with the memory 130 via wireless communication. In this case, the manufacturing apparatus 200 may realize recording data in the memory 130 and acquiring data from the memory 130 by transmitting and receiving data in a non-contact manner.

[0073] (C-2) In each of the above embodiments, the storage device 204 stores the count data 235 that associates the type of liquid with the set value. In contrast, the storage device 204 may not store the count data 235. For example, the count data 235 may be stored in a computer or a recording medium external to the storage device 204. Further, the control unit 250 may not acquire the set value using the count data 235 according to the type of liquid. For example, the control unit 250 may acquire the set value by calculating the set value based on a predetermined mathematical formula.

[0074] (C-3) In each of the above embodiments, the initial information recorded in the memory 130 includes the specification information, but may not include the specification information.

[0075] (C-4) In each of the above embodiments, the control unit 250 determines the type of liquid contained in the liquid storage container by accessing the memory 130 via the contact terminal 211, but this may not be the case. For example, the control unit 250 may determine the type of liquid by accessing the memory 130 via wireless communication. Further, the control unit 250 may determine the type of liquid by reading, for example, an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag, a two-dimensional code, or a barcode attached to the liquid storage container. Further, the control unit 250 may determine the type of liquid based on, for example, the manufacturing information of the liquid storage container.

[0076] (C-5) In each of the above embodiments, when step S215 in FIG. 6 starts, specification information is not recorded in the memory 130 of the new cartridge 100. In contrast, at the time when step S215 starts, at least a part of the specification information may be recorded in the memory 130 of the new cartridge 100. For example, when step S215 is starting, identification information or type information may be stored in the memory 130 of the new cartridge 100. In this case, the control unit 250 may obtain the identification information or type information from the memory 130 in step S220, identify the type of the liquid accommodated in the cartridge 100 based on the obtained type information, and record initial information in the memory 130 according to the identified type of the liquid.

[0077] (C-6) In each of the above embodiments, in step S215 in FIG. 6 or FIG. 9, the control unit 250 determines whether the cartridge 100 is new by determining whether type information is stored in the memory 130, but this is not necessary. For example, the control unit 250 may determine whether the cartridge 100 is new by determining whether initial manufacturing timing information is stored in the memory 130 or by determining whether information indicating that the cartridge 100 is new is stored in the memory 130.

[0078] (C-7) In each of the above embodiments, in step S230 in FIG. 6 or FIG. 9, the control unit 250 obtains the initial manufacturing timing information by accessing the memory 130 via the contact terminal 211, but this is not necessary. For example, the control unit 250 may obtain the initial manufacturing timing by referring to a database (not shown) stored in the storage device 204, an external computer, a recording medium, etc. based on the identification information of the cartridge 100. In this case, the database may be configured as a database that stores data associating the identification information of the cartridge 100 with the initial manufacturing timing, for example.

[0079] (C-8) In each of the above embodiments, the liquid storage container is configured as the cartridge 100 having a box-shaped housing. In contrast, if the liquid storage container has the memory 130, it does not have to be configured as the cartridge 100 having a housing. For example, the liquid storage container may be configured as a bag-shaped container as a whole including a bag-shaped main body. Among such bag-shaped liquid storage containers, a liquid storage container that stores ink as a liquid is also called an ink pack. Further, the liquid storage container may be distributed and provided in a state where the main body and the memory 130 are separated.

[0080] (C-9) In each of the above embodiments, the manufacturing apparatus 200 manufactures both a new cartridge 100 and a reused cartridge 100, but it may manufacture only one of the new cartridge 100 and the reused cartridge 100. When the manufacturing apparatus 200 manufactures only the new cartridge 100, in the process of reusing the cartridge 100 manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus 200, the set value according to the type of liquid does not have to be recorded in the memory 130 as the number of reuse times. In this case, in the process of reusing the cartridge 100, for example, a process of simply increasing the number of reuse times stored in the memory 130 by one time may be executed. Further, for example, a process of increasing or decreasing the number of reuse times stored in the memory 130 according to the initial manufacturing timing or the attachment / detachment history may be executed. In this case, the number of reuse times may be increased, decreased, or maintained according to the initial manufacturing timing or the attachment / detachment history.

[0081] (C-10) The present disclosure can be applied not only to an inkjet printer and its ink cartridge but also to any printing apparatus that discharges other liquids than ink and its cartridge. For example, it can be applied to the following various printing apparatuses and their cartridges. (1) An image recording apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus (2) A printing apparatus that discharges a coloring material used for manufacturing a color filter for an image display device such as a liquid crystal display (3) A printing device that discharges an electrode material used for forming electrodes in an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, a field emission display (FED), etc. (4) A printing device that discharges a liquid containing a biological organic substance used for manufacturing a biochip (5) A sample printing device as a precision pipette (6) A printing device for lubricating oil (7) A printing device for a resin solution (8) A printing device that discharges lubricating oil pinpoint to precision machinery such as watches and cameras (9) A printing device that discharges a transparent resin solution such as an ultraviolet curable resin solution onto a substrate to form a micro hemispherical lens (optical lens) etc. used for an optical communication element etc. (10) A printing device that discharges an acidic or alkaline etching solution for etching a substrate etc. (11) A printing device equipped with a liquid discharge head that discharges any other minute amount of droplets

[0082] Note that "droplet" refers to the state of the liquid discharged from the printing device, and includes those in a granular, teardrop-like, or filamentous state with a trailing tail. Also, the "liquid" here may be any material that the printing device can discharge. For example, the "liquid" may be a material in a liquid state when the substance is in a liquid phase, including highly viscous or low-viscosity liquid materials, and liquid materials such as sols, gels, water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, and liquid metals. Also, not only liquids as a state of matter, but also those in which particles of functional materials composed of solids such as pigments and metal particles are dissolved, dispersed, or mixed in a solvent are included in the "liquid". Also, typical examples of the liquid include ink, liquid crystal, etc. as described in the above embodiments. Here, the ink is assumed to include general aqueous inks, oil-based inks, and various liquid compositions such as gel inks and hot melt inks.

[0083] In the present disclosure, some or all of the functions and processes implemented in software may be implemented in hardware. Also, some or all of the functions and processes implemented in hardware may be implemented in software. As the hardware for implementing various functions in the above embodiments, for example, various circuits such as integrated circuits and discrete circuits may be used.

[0084] D. Other Forms: The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the present disclosure can also be implemented in the following forms. The technical features in the above embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each of the following forms can be appropriately replaced or combined in order to solve some or all of the problems of the present disclosure or to achieve some or all of the effects of the present disclosure. Also, if the technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

[0085] (1) According to the first form of the present disclosure, a method for manufacturing a liquid storage container including a memory is provided. This method for manufacturing a liquid storage container includes an acquisition step of acquiring a value determined according to the type of liquid stored in the liquid storage container, and a recording step of recording the acquired value in the memory as the number of times of reuse of the liquid storage container using a manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the liquid storage container. According to this form, by simply comparing the value stored in the memory with a threshold value independent of the type of liquid, it is possible to determine whether or not the liquid storage container can be reused in a mode where the upper limit of the number of times of reuse varies according to the type of liquid. Therefore, even when the upper limit of the number of times of reuse of the liquid storage container is varied according to the type of liquid, it is possible to easily determine whether or not the liquid storage container can be reused.

[0086] (2) In the above-described embodiment, the manufacturing apparatus may include a storage device, a control unit that executes the acquisition step and the recording step, and a contact terminal configured to be capable of contacting a substrate provided in the liquid storage container and having the memory. According to this embodiment, when executing the acquisition step and the recording step, by accessing the memory via the contact terminal, acquisition of information from the memory and recording of information in the memory can be easily executed.

[0087] (3) In the above-described embodiment, the storage device may store frequency data associating the type of liquid with the value, and a program for causing a computer to realize a function of recording information including the value in the memory. According to this embodiment, in the acquisition step and the recording step, using the frequency data and the program stored in the storage device, acquisition and recording of the value recorded as the number of reuse times can be easily executed.

[0088] (4) In the above-described embodiment, the information may further include information regarding the specifications of the liquid storage container. According to this embodiment, specification information can be recorded in the memory together with the value as the number of reuse times.

[0089] (5) In the above-described embodiment, the control unit may determine the type of liquid stored in the liquid storage container by accessing the memory via the contact terminal. According to this embodiment, the type of liquid can be easily determined by accessing the memory via the contact terminal.

[0090] (6) In the above-described embodiment, the control unit determines whether the liquid storage container is new by accessing the memory via the contact terminal. When the liquid storage container is new, the control unit may record the value in the memory via the contact terminal using the frequency data that associates the type of liquid with the value. According to this embodiment, when the liquid storage container to be manufactured is new, the value as the number of reuse times can be easily recorded.

[0091] (7) In the above-described embodiment, by accessing the memory via the contact terminal, it is determined whether the liquid storage container is new. When the liquid storage container is not new, the value further corresponding to at least one of the initial manufacturing timing of the liquid storage container and the attachment / detachment history of the liquid storage container to the liquid consumption device may be recorded in the memory as the number of reuse times. According to this embodiment, when the liquid storage container to be manufactured is not new, a value taking into account the aging deterioration and deterioration due to attachment / detachment of the liquid storage container can be recorded as the number of reuse times. Therefore, in addition to the type of liquid, it is possible to determine whether the liquid storage container can be reused, taking into account the aging deterioration and attachment / detachment of the liquid storage container.

[0092] (8) According to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, a liquid storage container is provided. This liquid storage container includes a liquid storage portion for storing a liquid, and a memory in which a value corresponding to the type of the liquid is recorded as the number of reuse times of the liquid storage container at the time of factory shipment.

[0093] In addition to the above-described embodiments, the present disclosure can be realized in forms such as a manufacturing apparatus for a liquid storage container and a method for reusing a liquid storage container.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0094] 20... Liquid consumption device, 30... Consumption control unit, 32... Conveying unit, 34... Discharge head, 36... Device interface (I / F), 100... Cartridge, 101... Main body portion, 120... Circuit board, 121... Terminal, 128... First surface, 129... Second surface, 130... Memory, 132... Memory control unit, 140... Storage unit, 150... Liquid storage portion, 200... Manufacturing apparatus, 202... Control apparatus, 203... Processor, 204, 204b... Storage device, 205... Input / output interface (I / F), 206... Internal bus, 210... Contact terminal, 211... Arm, 220... Specification data, 230... Program, 235... Number-of-times data, 240... Correction data, 250... Control unit

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a liquid storage container including a memory, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring a value determined according to the type of liquid stored in the liquid storage container; a recording step of recording the acquired value in the memory as the number of times of reuse of the liquid storage container using a manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the liquid storage container.

2. The method for manufacturing a liquid storage container according to Claim 1, wherein the manufacturing apparatus includes a storage device, a control unit that executes the acquisition step and the recording step, and a contact terminal configured to be capable of contacting a substrate provided in the liquid storage container and having the memory. The method for manufacturing a liquid storage container.

3. The method for manufacturing a liquid storage container according to Claim 2, wherein the storage device stores frequency data associating the type of liquid with the value, and a program for causing a computer to realize a function of recording information including the value in the memory. The method for manufacturing a liquid storage container.

4. The method for manufacturing a liquid storage container according to Claim 3, wherein the information further includes information regarding the specifications of the liquid storage container.

5. The method for manufacturing a liquid storage container according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, wherein the control unit determines the type of liquid stored in the liquid storage container by accessing the memory via the contact terminal.

6. The method for manufacturing a liquid storage container according to Claim 5, wherein the control unit determines whether the liquid storage container is new by accessing the memory via the contact terminal, and when the liquid storage container is new, the control unit records the value in the memory via the contact terminal using frequency data that associates the type of liquid with the value and stores the data.

7. The method for manufacturing a liquid storage container according to Claim 5, wherein it is determined whether the liquid storage container is new by accessing the memory via the contact terminal, and when the liquid storage container is not new, the value further corresponding to at least one of the initial manufacturing timing of the liquid storage container and the attachment / detachment history of the liquid storage container to a liquid consumption device is recorded in the memory as the number of times of reuse. The method for manufacturing a liquid storage container.

8. A liquid storage container, a liquid storage section for storing a liquid, a memory in which a value corresponding to the type of the liquid is recorded as the number of times of reuse of the liquid storage container at the time of factory shipment, the liquid storage container comprising the memory.

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