Cartridge and method for reusing cartridge

Abstract

To provide an environmentally friendly, reusable cartridge.SOLUTION: A cartridge comprises: an absorbent that holds liquid; a tank including an opening, and an absorbent accommodation chamber that accommodates the absorbent; a lid member joined to the opening of the tank; and a partition member including a protrusion that is disposed between the absorbent located in the absorbent accommodation chamber and the lid member. The protrusion of the partition member abuts against the absorbent; and the lid member and the partition member are mutually separate members. Thus, the cartridge can contribute to realization of a sustainable society such as a carbon-free / recycling-based society.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cartridge that contains a liquid such as ink and is detachably mounted on an inkjet recording apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] In order to realize a sustainable society, such as a carbon-free / circular economy, there is a demand for reusable recording cartridges.

[0003] Among recording cartridges, there is known a type in which a recording unit that ejects recording material and a liquid storage chamber that stores the recording material by absorbing it into an absorber are integrally configured. Patent Document 1 describes an example of a cartridge that has an ink absorber inside a main body member, and the ink held in the ink absorber is supplied to a recording element substrate through a filter and an ink flow path. In Patent Document 1, a cover member is welded to an opening in the main body member, dividing an internal space. This type of cartridge is replaced with a new cartridge when the ink stored in it runs out. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-95128 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in a configuration such as that of Patent Document 1, when the lid member is peeled off from the opening of the main body member, unevenness is created in the lid member and the opening of the main body member, making it impossible to weld the lid member again, and there is a risk that it is not suitable for reuse.

[0006] In view of the above problems, the present disclosure aims to provide an environmentally friendly, reusable cartridge. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The cartridge of the present disclosure is a cartridge having a tank including an absorbent that holds liquid, an opening, and an absorbent storage chamber that stores the absorbent, a lid member joined to the opening of the tank, and a partition member that is arranged between the absorbent located in the absorbent storage chamber and the lid member and has a protrusion, wherein the protrusion of the partition member abuts the absorbent, and the lid member and the partition member are separate members. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide an environmentally friendly, reusable cartridge. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a recording apparatus according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a cartridge of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a cartridge of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the cover member of the cartridge of the recording device according to the first embodiment, facing the partition member. [Figure 6] 3A and 3B are a top view and a bottom view of a partition member of a cartridge of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a side view of the cartridge of the recording device according to the first embodiment, in which the lid member and the partition member are integrated together. [Figure 8] 3A to 3C are a bottom view, a partially enlarged view, and a cross-sectional view of a state in which a lid member and a partition member of a cartridge of a recording device according to a first embodiment are integrated together. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a side view of the cartridge of the recording device according to the first embodiment, in which the lid member and the partition member are integrated together. [Figure 10]FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process for reusing a cartridge of the recording device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a modified example of the cartridge of the recording device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a cartridge of a recording apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cartridge of a recording apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 14] 11A to 11C are a bottom view, a partially enlarged view, and a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of a state in which a lid member and a partition member of a cartridge of a recording device according to a third embodiment are integrated together. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a tank of a cartridge of a recording device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a cartridge showing a comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The reasons for the difficulties in the manufacturing process will be explained using Figure 16. Figure 16(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cartridge shown in Patent Document 1 before use, showing the state before the lid member is welded, and Figure 16(b) shows the state after the lid member is welded. Figure 16(c) shows the state after use with the lid member 2 removed from the cartridge 1. When manufacturing a cartridge, an absorber 5 is inserted into a tank 4 to which a recording head 3 is attached, and after ink is injected, the lid member 2 is welded. When the lid member 2 is welded, the welded rib 2a melts and becomes compatible with the opening of the tank 4, fixing the lid member 2 to the tank 4. After the ink is consumed, the cartridge 1 is collected as a used cartridge and manufactured as a reused cartridge.

[0011] The lid member and the tank are both made of plastic, and the welding is performed by pressing a welding rib on the lid against the welding surface of the tank, and then vibrating the lid at a high frequency to fuse the abutting area together using frictional heat, etc. To ensure a complete seal between the lid and the tank, it is necessary to ensure a sufficient welding width by thoroughly fusing the welding rib.

[0012] If a used cartridge is left in an ink-starved state for a long period of time, the small amount of residual ink remaining in the absorber may harden and cause clogging, which may result in the refilled ink leaking out.

[0013] In light of this situation, reused cartridges require the absorbent to be removed and either cleaned or replaced with a new one. In order to replace the absorbent, the welded lid member must be removed, but it can be difficult to reuse the removed lid member.

[0014] Because the height of the weld rib on the peeled-off lid member has been partially lost, when the peeled-off lid member is re-welded to the tank, a sufficient amount of weld cannot be secured, which may result in leakage. One possible solution to this problem would be to increase the height of the weld rib in advance, anticipating that the lid member will be welded several times when reused. However, this would change the height of the cartridge itself depending on the number of times it is reused, which could lead to a new problem of incorrect installation in the recording device.

[0015] From the above perspectives, it is difficult to reuse the lid member described in Patent Document 1, and the peeled-off lid member is discarded. However, from the perspective of reducing waste plastic, it is hard to say that this is environmentally friendly. Furthermore, the recycling rate, which is the ratio of the weight of the parts other than the ink in the collected cartridge to the weight of the parts reused in the reused cartridge, is low, so there is a risk that the reused cartridge will not be accepted on the market.

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0017] (First embodiment) (Inkjet recording device overview) 1 is a schematic diagram of an inkjet recording device according to a first embodiment. The inkjet recording device 10 (hereinafter also referred to as the recording device) is an on-carriage type that uses a serial recording method, and includes a cartridge 100 and a carriage 11. The cartridge 100 is mounted on the carriage 11. In the recording device 10, the carriage 11 moves back and forth, and recording paper 12 is transported by a predetermined amount in a direction perpendicular to the reciprocating movement of the carriage, and the cartridge ejects ink onto the recording paper 12, thereby forming an image on the recording paper 12.

[0018] (Cartridge Overview) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a cartridge according to the first embodiment, FIG. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of the cartridge according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the cartridge according to the first embodiment. The cartridge 100 is a type that contains ink of one color, typically a cartridge for black ink. While the present disclosure is also applicable to cartridges that contain ink of multiple colors, typically cartridges for color inks (cyan, magenta, and yellow), in this embodiment, recording is performed using a cartridge for black ink.

[0019] The cartridge 100 includes a print head 110 that ejects ink, a tank 120 that stores ink, an absorber 130 that absorbs and retains the ink, and a partition member 140 that presses against the absorber 130. The cartridge 100 also includes a cover member 150 that joins with the tank 120 and a filter 160 that removes foreign matter from the tank 120. The print head 110 ejects ink based on ejection data and is disposed on the bottom surface vertically below the tank 120. The absorber 130 is made of a fibrous or porous material and can retain ink therein by exerting capillary force. The absorber 130 is accommodated in an absorber accommodation chamber 121 of the tank 120 so as to abut against a filter 160 that removes foreign matter. The ink in the tank 120 and the absorber 130 is fluidly connected to the print head 110 via the filter 160 and an ink flow path 122. With this configuration, ink in the absorber 130 can be supplied to the recording head 110, enabling recording. The lid member 150 is disposed so as to close the opening of the tank 120, and together with the tank 120, defines an absorber storage chamber 121. The lid member 150 has an air vent 151, which allows air to be drawn into the interior from the outside when ink in the tank 120 is consumed during recording. The partition member 140 is disposed between the absorber 130 and the lid member 150, and holds the absorber 130 while fixing it in place. In the present disclosure, a type integrated with the recording head is used, but this is not limiting, and the recording head, tank, etc. may not be integrated. Details of the lid member 150 and the partition member 140 will be described later.

[0020] (Explanation of the lid member and partition member) Next, the lid member 150 and the partition member 140 of the cartridge according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 7. Figure 5 is a plan view showing the side of the lid member 150 that faces the partition member 140. Figure 6(a) is a plan view showing the side of the partition member 140 that faces the lid member 150, and Figure 6(b) is a plan view showing the side that faces the absorber 130. Figure 7 is a schematic side view showing the lid member 150 and the partition member 140 that are crimped and integrated together.

[0021] The cover member 150 has an air vent port 151 formed in the approximate center of the cover member 150 on the exterior side, and a circular recess 152 (see FIG. 3) formed around the air vent port 151. An air vent groove 153 is formed in the circular recess 152 so as to communicate with the air vent port 151. An adhesive label 170 is affixed to the cover member 150 so as to cover the air vent port 151, the circular recess 152, and the air vent groove 153. This prevents ink leakage and evaporation of ink inside the cartridge during transportation or before use. The cover member 150 also has a protruding main body fixing portion 154 on the exterior side. The fixing portion (not shown) of the carriage 11 fits into the main body fixing portion 154, thereby accurately fixing the cartridge 100 to the carriage 11. The cover member 150 also has a protruding grip portion 155 at a position facing the main body fixing portion 154 on the exterior side. The user can grasp this to securely hold onto their fingers, allowing them to lift the cartridge 100 mounted on the carriage 11 without slipping.

[0022] A protruding welding rib 156 is formed on the surface of the lid member 150 facing the partition member 140, following the outline of the lid member 150. By melting the welding rib 156 of the lid member 150, the lid member 150 is welded and fixed to the tank 120. Specifically, the welding rib 156 of the lid member 150 is pressed against the welding surface 123 of the tank (see FIG. 3 ), and the lid member 150 is vibrated at a high frequency in this state, generating frictional heat at the contact area and causing the welding rib 156 and the welding surface 123 to melt together. This welding brings the absorber-accommodating chamber 121 into a sealed state. The lid member 150 and the tank 120 are made of the same type of plastic, which has a higher melting temperature than the material of the welding rib 156. Furthermore, when the cover member 150 is welded and fixed, the cover member 150 presses against the partition member 140, and the partition member 140 presses against the absorber 130. This pressure causes the absorber 130 to be held in contact with the filter 160 within the absorber-accommodating chamber 121. This prevents the absorber 130 from moving within the absorber-accommodating chamber 121 even if the cartridge 100 is subjected to impact or vibration.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 5, first cover member wall ribs 157a are formed on the surface of cover member 150 facing partition wall member 140 so as to largely surround atmosphere vent 151, and second cover member wall ribs 157b are formed inside first cover member wall ribs 157a. As shown in Fig. 6, partition wall member 140 is formed with first partition wall member wall ribs 141a and second partition wall member wall ribs 141b so as to be surrounded by first partition wall member wall ribs 141a. In addition, absorber pressing ribs 145 (protrusions) are formed on the surface of partition wall member 140 facing absorber 130, and the absorber pressing ribs 145 are shaped like a lattice. The first lid member wall rib 157a and the first partition member wall rib 141a are arranged so as to be in the same relative position, and the second lid member wall rib 157b and the second partition member wall rib 141b are arranged so as to be in the same relative position. When the lid member 150 is welded and fixed, the first lid member wall rib 157a and the first partition member wall rib 141a come into contact. Then, the second lid member wall rib 157b and the second partition member wall rib 141b come into contact, and the absorber pressing rib 145 of the partition member 140 comes into contact with the absorber 130, transmitting the aforementioned pressure.

[0024] The first cover member wall rib 157a (see FIG. 5) and the first partition member wall rib 141a (see FIG. 6) abut against each other to form a protective wall that suppresses ink leakage. The second cover member wall rib 157b and the second partition member wall rib 141b abut against each other to form a protective wall that suppresses ink leakage. The first partition member wall rib 141a has a cutout 142a formed in a portion thereof. The second partition member wall rib 141b has a cutout 142b formed in a portion thereof. This allows communication from the atmosphere communication port 151 to the absorber-accommodating chamber 121 via the cutouts 142a and 142b in the double protective walls.

[0025] 6(b), the absorber pressing rib 145 has a shape that partially abuts the absorber 130. This allows ink leaking from the absorber 130 when the absorber 130 is pressed to flow into the portions that are not in contact with the absorber pressing rib 145, preventing the ink from leaking.

[0026] The partition member 140 has an elongated shape, and for example, the dimensions of the partition member are 15.2 mm in the short direction and 64 mm in the long direction. The aspect ratio (here, the ratio of length to width) of the partition member 140 is 1:4. Although the partition member 140 has an elongated shape, the absorber pressing ribs 145 have a lattice-like shape, making it strong and resistant to deformation. The strong shape of the partition member 140 makes it possible to reduce the overall size of the cartridge 100.

[0027] When cartridge 100 is subjected to shocks such as vibrations and environmental changes such as temperature and air pressure changes occur, ink inside cartridge 100 may leak from the atmosphere communication port. In particular, when cartridge 100 is collected after use, shocks and environmental changes may be greater than those experienced during normal logistics, which may cause ink remaining inside to leak from atmosphere communication port 151. To prevent this leakage, protective walls are provided, which are formed by the abutment between first cover member wall rib 157a and first partition member wall rib 141a, and second cover member wall rib 157b and second partition member wall rib 141b.

[0028] In this embodiment, the cover member 150 is formed with a positioning pin 158 (see FIG. 5), and the partition member 140 is formed with a positioning hole 143 into which the positioning pin 158 is inserted. This allows the first cover member wall rib 157a and the first partition member wall rib 141a, and the second cover member wall rib 157b and the second partition member wall rib 141b to easily abut against each other.

[0029] Furthermore, in consideration of handling during production, it is preferable that the cover member 150 and the partition wall member 140 are integrally configured. However, since the cover member 150 and the partition wall member 140 are separated when reusing the cartridge, as described below, it is desirable that they are integrally configured to an extent that they are separable. Therefore, in this embodiment, the cover member 150 is provided with a crimping pin 159 (see FIG. 5), and the partition wall member 140 is provided with a crimping opening 144 (see FIG. 6(a) and other figures). This allows the crimping pin 159 of the cover member 150 to be fixed to the crimping opening 144 of the partition wall member 140 by thermal crimping. In addition, the diameter of the crimped portion 180 after crimping of the crimping pin 159 is slightly larger than the crimping opening 144, so that the partition wall member 140 is lightly caught. Furthermore, the crimping position is provided at only one longitudinal end of the partition wall member 140. When the lid member 150 is removed from the tank 120, the ends of the lid member 150 and the partition wall member 140 are fixed at the crimped position, so the other ends of the lid member 150 and the partition wall member 140 are relatively separated. In this state, if the partition wall member 140 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in Figure 7, a force (moment) is applied to the crimped portion 180 like a bottle opener, and the lid member 150 and the partition wall member 140 can be separated with a very light force. Up to this point, we have described the lid member 150 and the partition wall member 140 as being integrally configured, but this is for the purpose of improving handling in production, and of course, the effects of the present disclosure can be achieved even if they are not integrally configured.

[0030] The above-described example of thermally caulking the lid member 150 and the partition member 140 is merely a schematic description. The configuration in which the lid member 150 and the partition member 140 of this embodiment are fitted together by thermal caulking will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0031] Fig. 8(a) is a bottom view of the cartridge of the recording apparatus of the first embodiment when the lid member and the partition member are integrated, Fig. 8(b) is a partially enlarged view of the crimping position of the lid member and the partition member of Fig. 8(a). Fig. 8(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIIIc-VIIIc of Fig. 8(b). Fig. 9 is a side view of the cartridge of the recording apparatus of the first embodiment when the lid member and the partition member are integrated.

[0032] The partition wall member 140 is integrated with the cover member 150. The cover member 150 is formed with a pair of positioning pins 158 and a crimping pin 159. The partition wall member 140 is formed with a positioning opening 143 corresponding to the pair of positioning pins 158, a crimping opening 144 into which the crimping pin 159 can be inserted, and a hook portion 144A. After the crimping pin 159 is inserted into the crimping opening 144, the tip of the crimping pin 159 is thermally crimped to form a crimped portion 180 on the cover member 150. As a result, the crimped portion 180 is hooked onto the hook portion 144A of the partition wall member 140, and the cover member 150 is fixed. With the above configuration, the cover member 150 and the partition wall member 140 are fixed by the crimping pin 159 in the left-right direction and the front-to-back direction on the plane of the paper in FIG. 9(c). Furthermore, the cover member 150 and the partition member 140 are fixed in the vertical direction on the paper surface of FIG. 9(c) by the crimped portion 180 at the tip of the crimp pin 159 and the hook portion 144A of the partition member 140. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9(c), a gap G can be formed between the lid member 150 and the partition member 140, and the lid member 150 and the partition member 140 can be separated by inserting a tool into the gap G. From the viewpoint of ease of reuse, it is preferable that the hook shape, such as the crimping portion 180, that secures the lid member 150 and the partition member 140 is easily broken. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8(b), the hooking portion 144A has a semicircular shape and is configured to hook onto only a portion of the crimping portion 180. This facilitates separation when separating the lid member 150 and the partition member 140 for reuse, since only a portion of the crimping portion 180 needs to be broken. The gap G is provided between the crimping portion 180 and the hooking portion 144A of the partition member 140 during thermal crimping, preventing deformation of the partition member 140 when separating the lid member 150 and the partition member 140 for reuse of the cartridge.

[0033] (Comparative example of absorbent cleaning method) The present disclosure aims to clean the absorbent body of a used cartridge without clogging. In the comparative example, a method for cleaning the absorbent body without removing the lid is proposed, but the reason why this method was not adopted will be explained below.

[0034] A comparative example of a cleaning method for used absorbers is the method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-238283. This cleaning method involves injecting a cleaning solution through a hollow needle, allowing it to penetrate the porous material (hereinafter referred to as the absorber), and then discharging it through an ink supply port (head) to clean the absorber. This cleaning method has the advantages of being extremely simple, low-cost, and reusable. However, this cleaning method can sometimes be difficult to thoroughly clean residual ink from the absorber. As mentioned above, if residual ink is stuck in the absorber, the cleaning solution must be used to redissolve and expel the stuck ink. To redissolve the stuck ink, the cleaning solution must be injected into the absorber and allowed to soak for a long period of time to gradually dissolve it. If the ink is not sufficiently redissolved, multiple injections and expulsions of the cleaning solution are insufficient to clean the absorber. Allowing the cleaning solution to soak for a long period of time results in a significant cleaning time, which creates another problem: mass production is not possible. Furthermore, this cleaning method may result in the cleaning solution and residual ink that have penetrated the absorber being unable to be completely expelled, remaining inside the absorber. The cleaning fluid that has permeated the absorber is sucked out through the ink supply port, but if an air path is formed during this suction, the suction only sucks out the air inside the cartridge, leaving behind the cleaning fluid and residual ink that should have been expelled.If new ink is injected while this cleaning fluid and residual ink remain, the color of the ink will change, and there is a risk that the desired image will not be formed.

[0035] As described above, in order to reliably clean the absorbent body, it was necessary to remove the lid member, take out the absorbent body and wash it, or use a new one, so the reuse method of the present disclosure is adopted.

[0036] (Recycling method of this embodiment) The cartridge reuse method of this embodiment according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 10. The cartridge reuse process of this embodiment ranges from a lid member peeling step S802 in which the lid member 150 is peeled from the cartridge 100 to a lid member welding step in which the lid member 150 is welded, so these steps will be described in detail. Fig. 10 shows an excerpt from the lid member peeling step to the lid member welding step in the cartridge reuse process flow.

[0037] The cartridge recycling process begins with step S801, in which a used cartridge 100 is prepared. Next, after the cartridge's appearance is checked and cleaned, the process moves to step S802, in which the lid member 150 is removed. In this step, the lid member 150 is moved relative to the tank 120 to remove the lid member 150. The process then moves to step S803, in which the lid member 150 and the partition member 140 are separated. In this separation step S803, the lid member 150 and the partition member 140 are separated because they are integrated by crimping. As described above, this crimping provides a fastening that allows for easy separation. Therefore, the partition member 140 can be separated by peeling it away from the lid member 150. The separated lid member 150 is discarded, and the partition member 140 is reused. The process then moves to step S804, in which the absorber 130, which has run out of ink, is removed from the tank 120. Thereafter, the tank cleaning step S805 is carried out. In the tank cleaning step S805, the inside of the tank 120 is cleaned. Then, the process proceeds to the absorber insertion step S806. In the absorber insertion step S806, the cleaned absorber 130 (S806A) removed in the absorber removal step S804 may be inserted into the tank 120. Alternatively, in the absorber insertion step S806, a new absorber may be inserted into the tank. In the absorber cleaning step S806A, not only is cleaning liquid permeated from one direction and then sucked and discharged, but the entire absorber 130 is immersed in the cleaning liquid, and the cleaning liquid is allowed to soak into every corner and clean. Furthermore, the absorber 130 can be cleaned by being pressed and deformed in the cleaning liquid, so that residual ink can be thoroughly removed. After the absorber insertion step S806, the ink injection step S807 is carried out, in which ink is injected into the tank 120 while being soaked into the absorber 130 using an injection needle or the like. Then, the lid member welding step S808 begins, but before that, as described above, a step S808A is performed in which the lid member 150 and the partition wall member 140 are thermally crimped to each other to improve handling. In the crimping step S808A, a new lid member 150 is used, and the partition wall member 140 separated in the separation step S803 is used to thermally crimp the lid member 150. The thermal crimping in this step is also performed to the extent that it can be easily peeled off by hand, taking into account future reuse.The integrated lid member 150 and partition member 140 are placed on top of the absorbent body, and a lid member welding step S808 is carried out. Since the lid member 150 is new, welding can be performed to ensure a tight seal. Subsequent steps include recording inspection and packaging, and the reusable cartridge is completed in S809.

[0038] In the case of the black ink cartridge of this embodiment described above, the weight of the lid member 150 is approximately 13% of the total weight of the cartridge excluding ink, and the weight of the partition member 140 is approximately 11%. If the lid member 150 is discarded and the partition member 140 is reused, the recycling rate is approximately 87%. In the case of a comparative example lid in which the lid member 150 and partition member 140 are integrated, the weight of the lid is approximately 19%, so if the lid is discarded, the recycling rate is 81%. Because the lid member 150 is a substantially flat, plate-shaped component, the weight of the component that must be discarded can be minimized, making it possible to improve the recycling rate compared to the lid of the comparative example.

[0039] 11 is an exploded perspective view showing a modified example of the cartridge of the recording device of the first embodiment. In this modified example, the configuration other than the cylindrical member 190 and the absorber 130A has the same basic configuration and functions as the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 11, a cartridge 100A according to a modification of the first embodiment may have a cylindrical member 190 disposed between the cover member 150 and the partition member 140. The absorber 130A may be half the size of the absorber of the first embodiment. An end of the cylindrical member 190 abuts against the first cover member wall rib 157a (see FIG. 5) of the cover member 150. The other end of the cylindrical member 190 abuts against the first partition member wall rib 141a (see FIG. 6) of the partition member 140, causing the absorber pressing rib 145 of the partition member 140 to abut against the absorber 130A, thereby transmitting pressure. As a result, even if the amount of ink injected into the tank 120 is halved, the cylindrical member 190, positioned between the cover member 150 and the partition member 140, can press against the absorber 130A.

[0041] (Second embodiment) A second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Descriptions of the basic configuration of the present disclosure and functions and configurations similar to those of the first embodiment will be omitted, and differences will be described.

[0042] Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a cartridge of a recording device according to the second embodiment, and Fig. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cartridge of a recording device according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the cartridge is a type that contains inks of three colors, and is generally a cartridge 200 for color inks (cyan, magenta, and yellow).

[0043] The cartridge 200 includes a recording head 110 that ejects ink, a tank 220 that contains each ink, three absorbers 230A, 230B, and 230C that absorb and retain each ink, and partition members 240A, 240B, and 240C that press against each absorber 230. The cartridge 200 also includes a cover member 250 that joins with the tank 220 and a filter 260 that removes foreign matter from the tank 220. The absorbers 230A, 230B, and 230C are housed in absorber housing chambers 221A, 221B, and 221C of the tank 220 so as to abut against a filter 160 that removes foreign matter. The inks in the tank 220 and the absorbers 230A, 230B, and 230C are fluidly connected to the recording head 110 via the filter 160 and ink flow paths 122. This configuration allows ink in the absorbers 230A, 230B, and 230C to be supplied to the recording head 110. The lid member 250 is disposed to close the opening of the tank 220 and, together with the tank 220, separates the absorber-containing chambers 221A, 221B, and 221C. The lid member 250 has air-communication ports 251A, 251B, and 251C that communicate with the respective absorber-containing chambers. When ink in the tank 220 is consumed during recording, air can be taken in from the outside. Each partition member 240A, 240B, and 240C is disposed between the absorbers 230A, 230B, and 230C and the lid member 250, and fixes and holds the absorbers 230A, 230B, and 230C. This embodiment can achieve the same effects as the first embodiment by using a configuration similar to that of the first embodiment. In particular, when the cover member 250 is reused, all three chambers must be sealed, which is expected to result in a lower welding yield than a cartridge for one color. From this perspective, this embodiment can be a more effective recycling method than the first embodiment. Although the partition member in this embodiment is configured with three partition members corresponding to the respective inks, this is not limited to this, and the partition member may be configured with one partition member, or may be configured with a plurality of partition members other than three.Furthermore, the tank of this embodiment is configured to have three absorbent body storage chambers formed, each of which stores three absorbents, but this is not limited to this, and multiple absorbent body storage chambers may be formed, each of which stores multiple absorbents.

[0044] (Third embodiment) A third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Descriptions of the basic configuration of the present disclosure and functions and configurations similar to those of the first embodiment will be omitted, and only differences will be described.

[0045] Fig. 14(a) is a bottom view of the cartridge of the recording apparatus according to the third embodiment, in which the lid member and the partition member are integrated, Fig. 14(b) is a partially enlarged view of the crimping position of the lid member and the partition member in Fig. 14(a), and Fig. 14(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIIIc-XIIIc in Fig. 14(b).

[0046] As shown in the present disclosure, the method of fixing the lid member 150 and the partition member 140 is not limited to heat caulking the tip of the caulking pin 159. As another method, a different shape that allows the lid member and the partition member to mechanically fit together may be formed on the tip of the caulking pin 159 or at another location on the lid member, and the lid member and the partition member may be fixed by a method other than joining them.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 14, lid member 350 is formed with a fitting member 359 having a claw-like tip. Partition member 340 is formed with an opening 344 into which fitting member 359 can be inserted, and a hook portion 344A (see FIG. 14(c)) that fits with the claw-shaped fitting member 359 (see FIG. 14(b)). Lid member 350 is inserted into opening 344 so that the claw-like shape of fitting member 359 does not get caught on hook portion 344A (see FIG. 14(c)), and lid member 350 is rotated 90 degrees to fit fitting member 359 with hook portion 344A. As a result, fitting member 359 is hooked on hook portion 344A of partition member 340 and is fixed. Furthermore, when separating the lid member 350 and the partition member 340 for reuse, the lid member 350 can be separated by rotating the lid member 350 by 90 degrees and pulling the lid member 350 out from the partition member 340.

[0048] When vibration welding is used as the welding method, as in the comparative example described above, fixing the lid member 150 and the partition member 140 in the vertical direction of vibration welding can prevent friction caused by contact between the wall ribs of the lid member 150 and the wall ribs of the partition member 140. Another method for fixing the lid member 150 and the partition member 140 is to place the partition member 140 inside the tank 120 before vibration welding the tank 120 and the lid member 150, and then position and place the lid member 150 on top of it to perform vibration welding, without using thermal caulking. This method requires positioning the tank 120 and the partition member 140, and does not ensure a sufficient gap between the tank 120 and the partition member 140. Furthermore, the tank 120 and the partition member 140 collide during vibration welding, which can damage the tank 120 and the partition member 140, making them unusable or reducing the durability of the tank 120. Furthermore, since the ink cartridge is reused, the tank 120 and the partition member 140 are subjected to vibration welding each time they are reused, resulting in accumulated damage.

[0049] Therefore, by integrating the lid member 150 and the partition member 140 in advance as disclosed herein, a gap can be secured between the tank 120 and the partition member 140, thereby preventing damage to the tank and the partition member 140 that may occur due to vibration welding.

[0050] (Other embodiments) The structures of the lid member and partition member in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be adapted to tanks of any shape. For example, in the present disclosure, as shown in Fig. 12, the tank 220 can be adapted to a cartridge having a configuration with multiple absorber-accommodating chambers. Also, Fig. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the tank in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, and in the present disclosure, the tank can be adapted to a configuration in which the tank is divided into three sections by T-shaped walls, and the absorbers are disposed in some of the absorber-accommodating chambers 221D, 221E, and 221F.

[0051] The technology described in this specification can contribute to the realization of a sustainable society, such as a decarbonized / recycling-based society.

[0052] Furthermore, the present disclosure includes configurations typified by the following cartridge examples.

[0053] <Configuration 1> an absorbent body for holding liquid; a tank having an opening and an absorbent body storage chamber that stores the absorbent body; a cover member joined to the opening of the tank; a partition member having a protrusion, the partition member being disposed between the absorbent body located in the absorbent body-accommodating chamber and the cover member, The protrusion of the partition member abuts against the absorber, A cartridge characterized in that the cover member and the partition member are separate members.

[0054] <Configuration 2> 2. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cover member presses the absorber via the partition member.

[0055] <Configuration 3> 3. The cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cover member is formed with a welding rib, and the cover member and the tank are welded together.

[0056] <Configuration 4> 4. The cartridge according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the cover member is formed with a support member, and the partition member is formed with a fitting member.

[0057] <Configuration 5> The cartridge according to configuration 4, wherein the cover member and the partition member are integrally configured by being fitted together by the support member and the fitting member.

[0058] <Configuration 6> The cartridge described in configuration 5 is characterized in that the support member is a crimping pin, the engaging member is a hook portion, the crimping pin is thermally crimped to form a crimping portion, and the crimping portion and the hook portion are engaged with each other.

[0059] <Configuration 7> The cartridge described in any one of configurations 1 to 6, characterized in that the lid member has an air vent port communicating with the atmosphere at the center of the lid member, and a circular recess is formed around the air vent port.

[0060] <Configuration 8> The cartridge according to configuration 7, wherein the lid member has a lid member wall surface rib formed to surround the atmosphere communication port, and the partition member has a partition member wall surface rib formed.

[0061] <Configuration 9> 9. The cartridge according to configuration 8, wherein the wall rib of the partition member has a notch formed in a part thereof.

[0062] <Configuration 10> 9. The cartridge according to configuration 8, wherein the wall rib of the cover member and the wall rib of the partition member are in contact with each other.

[0063] <Configuration 11> 11. The cartridge according to any one of configurations 7 to 10, wherein the air vent is in communication with a recording head that ejects the liquid.

[0064] <Configuration 12> 12. The cartridge according to any one of configurations 1 to 11, wherein the cartridge has a cylindrical member disposed between the lid member and the partition member.

[0065] <Configuration 13> The cartridge according to any one of configurations 1 to 12, characterized in that one absorbent body storage chamber is formed in the tank, and one absorbent body is stored in the one absorbent body storage chamber.

[0066] <Configuration 14> The cartridge according to any one of configurations 1 to 13, characterized in that the tank has a plurality of absorbent body storage chambers, and the plurality of absorbent body storage chambers store a plurality of absorbents.

[0067] <Configuration 15> an absorbent body for holding liquid; a tank having an opening and an absorbent body storage chamber that stores the absorbent body; a cover member joined to the opening of the tank; a partition member having a protrusion, the partition member being disposed between the absorbent body located in the absorbent body-accommodating chamber and the cover member, The protrusion of the partition member abuts against the absorber, A method for reusing a cartridge in which the cover member and the partition member are separate members after liquid has been consumed, comprising: providing a depleted cartridge; Peeling the lid member off the tank; separating the lid member from the partition member; replacing the absorbent body; cleaning the interior of the tank; a step of inserting the absorbent body replaced in the step of replacing the absorbent body into the tank and injecting the liquid; a step of fitting a cover member different from the cover member to the partition member; welding the different lid member and the tank; A method for reusing a cartridge, comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 100 cartridges 120 220 Tank 121 221 Absorbent Containment Room 130 230 absorber 140 240 Partition member 150 250 Lid material

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a cartridge that contains a liquid therein, comprising: a step of preparing a used cartridge from which the liquid contained therein has been consumed, the cartridge comprising: an absorbent for holding liquid; a tank having an opening forming an opening and an absorbent storage chamber for storing the absorbent; a lid member joined to the opening of the tank; and a partition member disposed between the absorbent located in the absorbent storage chamber and the lid member and engaged with the lid member; separating the cover member, which is engaged with the partition member, from the opening; separating the lid member and the partition member which are joined together; injecting a liquid into the absorbent chamber; a step of fitting a cover member other than the separated cover member to the partition member; a step of joining the other lid member, which is engaged with the partition member, to the opening; A method for manufacturing a cartridge, comprising:

2. The method for manufacturing a cartridge according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of removing the absorbent body from the absorbent body-accommodating chamber prior to the step of injecting.

3. The method for manufacturing a cartridge according to claim 2, further comprising the step of cleaning the inside of the absorber-accommodating chamber after the removing step and before the joining step.

4. 3. The method for manufacturing a cartridge according to claim 2, wherein after the removing step and before the joining step, an absorbent body different from the absorbent body removed in the removing step is inserted into the absorbent body-accommodating chamber.

5. The method for manufacturing a cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the partition member has a protrusion that comes into contact with the absorbent body.

6. The method for manufacturing a cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the cover member presses the absorber via the partition member.

7. The method for manufacturing a cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the separating step separates the cover member, which is welded to the opening, from the opening.

8. The method for manufacturing a cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the joining step includes welding the separate cover member and the opening.

9. The method for manufacturing a cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the cover member and the partition member are engaged with each other by inserting a support portion of the cover member into a through-hole of the partition member.

10. 2. The method for manufacturing a cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the step of mating includes inserting a support portion of the other cover member into a through-hole of the partition member to effect the mating.

11. A method for reusing a used cartridge from which the liquid inside has been consumed, comprising: preparing the used cartridge, which includes an absorbent for holding liquid, a tank having an opening for forming an opening and an absorbent chamber for accommodating the absorbent, a lid member joined to the opening of the tank, and a partition member disposed between the absorbent located in the absorbent chamber and the lid member and engaged with the lid member; separating the cover member, which is engaged with the partition member, from the opening; separating the lid member and the partition member which are joined together; injecting a liquid into the absorbent chamber; a step of fitting a cover member other than the separated cover member to the partition member; a step of joining the other lid member, which is engaged with the partition member, to the opening; A method for recycling a used cartridge, comprising:

12. The method for reusing a cartridge according to claim 11, further comprising the step of removing the absorbent from the absorbent-accommodating chamber prior to the step of injecting.

13. 13. The method for reusing a cartridge according to claim 12, further comprising the step of cleaning the inside of the absorber-accommodating chamber after the removing step and before the joining step.

14. 13. The method for reusing a cartridge according to claim 12, wherein after the removing step and before the joining step, an absorbent body different from the absorbent body removed in the removing step is inserted into the absorbent body accommodating chamber.

15. The method for reusing a cartridge according to claim 11 , wherein the partition member has a protrusion that comes into contact with the absorbent body.

16. The method for reusing a cartridge according to claim 11 , wherein the cover member presses the absorber via the partition member.

17. The method for reusing a cartridge according to claim 11 , wherein the separating step separates the cover member, which is welded to the opening, from the opening.

18. The method for reusing a cartridge according to claim 11 , wherein the joining step includes welding the other cover member and the opening.

19. 12. The method for reusing a cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the cover member and the partition member are engaged with each other by inserting a support portion of the cover member into a through-hole of the partition member.

20. 2. The method for reusing a cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the step of joining the partition member and the other cover member includes inserting a support portion of the other cover member into a through-hole of the partition member.

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