Ink cartridge and method for remanufacturing the same

Abstract

The present invention aims to provide an easy method for remanufacturing ink cartridges and ink cartridges that can be easily remanufactured. In other words, the technology described herein can contribute to the realization of a sustainable society such as a decarbonized / circular economy. [Solution] A method for remanufacturing an ink cartridge, comprising: a separation step of separating the lid member from the opening; a removal step of removing the ink holding member from the housing through the opening; an insertion step of inserting an ink holding member different from the ink holding member removed in the removal step into the housing through the opening; and a joining step of joining a lid member different from the lid member separated in the separation step to the opening, wherein, prior to the removal step, a heat shrinking step is included in which the ink holding member to be removed in the removal step is heated and shrunk.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ink cartridge and a method for remanufacturing the same.

Background Art

[0002] A liquid ejection device is equipped with a liquid ejection head for ejecting a liquid, and various purposes are achieved by ejecting the liquid. For example, in an inkjet recording device, an inkjet recording head for ejecting a liquid is mounted on a carriage, and recording such as an image or characters is performed by ejecting ink onto a recording medium. The liquid ejected from the liquid ejection device is supplied from a cartridge detachable from the liquid ejection device to the liquid ejection head.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes an ink cartridge including an ink holding member for holding ink, a tank member having an opening for inserting the ink holding member and a housing portion for housing the ink holding member, and a lid member joined to the opening to cover the opening. The ink holding member is formed by welding intersections where fibers overlap with heat using polypropylene for the core material and high-density polyethylene having a lower melting point than the core material for the outer peripheral portion. The ink holding member is housed in the housing portion without a gap, and ink enters the voids formed between the fibers, thereby performing the function as an ink holding member.

[0004] In recent years, with the aim of realizing a decarbonized / circular economy, there has been a growing demand for environmentally conscious solutions for ink cartridges. Therefore, manufacturers and others are exploring ways to collect ink cartridges that have run out of ink and become unusable, and then reuse or recycle them. One example of such a method involves disassembling and cleaning the collected ink cartridges, allowing some components to be reused while others are replaced with new ones, thus enabling reuse or recycling. On the other hand, in the ink cartridge described in Patent Document 1, the ink-holding component has a structure where fibers are heat-welded, making it difficult to clean the ink held inside, and thus requiring replacement with a new one. To do this, it is necessary to separate the lid component attached to the opening and remove the ink-holding component from the tank component. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3281329 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] However, in the ink cartridge described in Patent Document 1, when the lid member is separated from the opening, burrs are generated at the opening, and since the ink retaining member is fitted tightly into the housing, there is a risk that the ink retaining member may get caught on the burrs when removing it.

[0007] In other words, there is a concern that the cycle time for reusing (remanufacturing) ink cartridges will increase, which will not promote the remanufacturing of ink cartridges.

[0008] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide an easy method for remanufacturing ink cartridges and an ink cartridge that can be easily remanufactured. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention relates to a method for remanufacturing an ink cartridge comprising: an ink-holding member for holding ink; a tank member having an opening that forms an opening and a housing portion for housing the ink-holding member; and a lid member joined to the opening and covering the opening, the method comprising: a separation step of separating the lid member from the opening; a removal step of removing the ink-holding member from the housing portion through the opening; an insertion step of inserting an ink-holding member different from the one removed in the removal step into the housing portion through the opening; and a joining step of joining a lid member different from the one separated in the separation step to the opening, wherein, prior to the removal step, the method includes a heat shrinking step of heating and shrinking the ink-holding member to be removed in the removal step. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an easy method for manufacturing ink cartridges and ink cartridges that can be easily remanufactured. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram of a liquid dispensing device. [Figure 2] An oblique view of an ink cartridge. [Figure 3] Disassembly diagram of an ink cartridge. [Figure 4] Cross-section of an ink cartridge. [Figure 5] Schematic diagram of the ink-holding component. [Figure 6] Ink cartridge manufacturing flow chart. [Figure 7] A schematic diagram showing the process of heating and shrinking the ink-holding member. [Figure 8] A schematic diagram showing the process of heating and shrinking the ink-holding member. [Figure 9] A schematic diagram showing the process of heating and shrinking the ink-holding member. [Figure 10] A perspective view showing the process of removing the ink-holding member from the housing. [Figure 11] Perspective view of the ink holding member. [Figure 12] Top view of the ink holding member in the process of heating and shrinking the ink holding member. [Figure 13] Perspective view showing the process of taking out the ink holding member from the housing part. [Figure 14] Top view of the ink holding member in the process of heating and shrinking the ink holding member. [Figure 15] Perspective view of the ink holding member.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the matters of the present invention, and all combinations of features described in this embodiment are not necessarily essential for the solution means of the present invention. The same reference numerals are assigned to the same components.

[0013] (First Embodiment) (Inkjet Recording Apparatus) FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a liquid ejection device according to the first embodiment. The liquid ejection device according to the first embodiment is an inkjet recording device, but is not limited to this as long as it is a device that ejects liquid. The inkjet recording device 10 (hereinafter also referred to as a recording device) is of an on-carriage type with a serial recording method, and includes an ink cartridge 100 (hereinafter also referred to as a cartridge) and a carriage 11. The cartridge 100 according to the present embodiment has a discharge element substrate 110 (FIG. 2) and is mounted on the carriage 11. The recording device 10 according to the present embodiment is of a serial scan type in which the carriage 11 reciprocates, the recording medium 12 is conveyed in a direction orthogonal to the reciprocating movement of the carriage, and the cartridge discharges ink onto the recording medium 12 to form an image on the recording medium 12.

[0014] (Ink Cartridge) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the cartridge, FIG. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of the cartridge, and FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A′ of the cartridge in FIG. 2. Note that FIG. 4(a) shows the cartridge with sufficient ink remaining, and FIG. 4(b) shows the cartridge with the ink exhausted. The cartridge with the ink exhausted as in the state of FIG. 4(b) is collected by the manufacturer or the like, and the cartridge is remanufactured (reused). The remanufacturing of the cartridge will be described later.

[0015] The cartridge 100 according to the present embodiment is of a type that stores ink for one color, and is generally a cartridge for black ink. The present disclosure is applicable to a type that stores a plurality of colors of ink, generally a cartridge for color ink (cyan, magenta, yellow), but in the present embodiment, the description will be made using a cartridge for black ink. Note that in the case of a cartridge for color ink, the ink holding members 130 are accommodated in the accommodating portion as many as the number of types of ink. According to the remanufacturing method according to the present embodiment, a plurality of ink holding members 130 can be easily taken out from the accommodating portion by a single heat shrinkage process, and thus the remanufacturing method according to the present embodiment is suitable for a color ink cartridge.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 3, the cartridge 100 includes an ink holding member 130 for holding ink, an opening portion 123 that forms an opening 122 for inserting the ink holding member, and a tank portion having an accommodating portion 121 for accommodating the ink holding member. Details of the ink holding member 130 will be described later.

[0017] The cartridge 100 has a lid member 150 that is joined to the opening 123 and covers the opening 122. The joining of the opening 123 and the lid member 150 is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the opening 123 and the lid member 150 are welded together to reduce the risk of ink leakage from the cartridge 100. Furthermore, the lid member 150 has ribs 140 that abut against the ink holding member 130. The ribs 140 are members for fixing the ink holding member 130 inside the housing 121. In Figure 3, the lid member 150 and the ribs 140 are integrally formed, but the lid member 150 and the ribs 140 may be separate parts.

[0018] A discharge element substrate 110 having a row of discharge ports (illustrated) for discharging liquid is provided on the bottom surface of the tank member in the vertical direction downward. The discharge element substrate 110 has a discharge element (illustrated) that generates energy for discharging liquid from the row of discharge ports. The discharge element may be a thermal type that generates pressure for discharging liquid using a thermoelectric conversion element, or a piezo type that generates pressure for discharging liquid using a piezoelectric element. It may also be any other type of liquid discharge method. In this embodiment, the cartridge 100 has a discharge element substrate 110, but it may also be configured not to have a discharge element substrate, and liquid may be supplied from the cartridge 100 to an ink discharge head having a discharge element substrate. The cartridge 100 also has an electrical wiring member 160 for supplying power to the discharge element from an external source.

[0019] The storage section 121 is provided with an ink supply section 124 (Figure 4) for supplying ink from the ink holding member 130 to the ejection element substrate 110. Preferably, the storage section 121 is also provided with a filter 160 for removing foreign matter that may be supplied to the ink supply section 124 along with the ink. The ink holding member 130 is pressed against the ink supply section 124 inside the storage section 121 via the filter 160.

[0020] When liquid is supplied from the storage section 121 to the ink supply section 124, the storage section 121 needs to take in air. For this reason, the lid member 150 has an air communication hole 151 formed therein to allow air to enter the storage section 121, even when the lid member 150 is joined to the tank member 120. In addition, to reduce the risk of ink leaking from the storage section 121 through the air communication hole 151, a sealing member 170 is provided on the lid member 150 that covers a portion of the air communication hole 151.

[0021] (Ink-holding member) Next, the details of the ink-holding member 130 will be described. The ink-holding member 130 is a member that holds ink by capillary force. This capillary force is determined by the wettability to the ink, the size of the voids present inside, and their proportion. Examples of materials for the ink-holding member 130 include polypropylene (PP) fibers, low-density polyethylene (PE) fibers, high-density polyethylene (PE) fibers, urethane foam, polyester felt fibers, etc., and it may be constructed using a single material or a combination of materials.

[0022] Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of the ink-holding member 130 according to this embodiment. Figure 5(a) shows a perspective view of the ink-holding member 130. The ink-holding member 130 is an aggregate of a large number of fibers 300. The shape of the ink-holding member 130 is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that it has the same shape as the housing portion 121. In this embodiment, the housing portion 121 is rectangular parallelepiped, and the ink-holding member 130 is also rectangular parallelepiped.

[0023] Figure 5(b) is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the structure of the fibers 300 of the ink-holding member 130. The fibers of the ink-holding member 130 according to this embodiment are composed of two types of materials. The two types of materials for the outer periphery and the center can be materials in which the melting point (softening point) of the outer periphery 302 material is lower than that of the center material 301 material. For example, low-density polyethylene or high-density polyethylene can be used as the material for the outer periphery 302, and polypropylene can be used as the material for the center 301.

[0024] Figure 5(c) is a schematic diagram showing the lattice structure of the fibers. Because the melting point (softening point) of the outer periphery 302 is lower than that of the central part 301, when the fibers are heated to a temperature at which only the outer periphery material melts (softens), only the outer periphery melts (softens) at the intersections 303 where the fibers 300 intersect, bonding the fibers together. As a result, the fibers 300 are bonded together, and the ink-holding member 130 is formed.

[0025] (Cartridge remanufacturing) Next, the remanufacturing (reuse) process for cartridge 100 will be explained. In this embodiment, remanufacturing cartridge 100 refers to the regeneration of cartridge 100 by reusing the tank component 120 and removing the used ink holding component 130 after it has been heated and shrunk. In other words, it represents the production of an intermediate component for manufacturing cartridge 100. This will be explained in detail below.

[0026] Figure 6 shows the process flow for remanufacturing cartridge 100. Step S601 is the process of preparing cartridges that have run out of ink. For example, this involves collecting and preparing used cartridges after cartridge 100 has been distributed in the market.

[0027] Next, step S602 is a step of heating and shrinking the ink holding member 130. As will be described later, this step is to facilitate step S604 even if burrs are generated at the opening 123 by step S603. For this reason, the step of heating and shrinking the ink holding member is performed prior to the step of removing the ink holding member from the storage section. In this embodiment, step S602 is performed by expanding the atmospheric communication port 106 as shown in Figure 7 and introducing air blow 800 from the air blow nozzle 801 into the hole, thereby heating the inside of the cartridge 100. The heating temperature at this time is above the thermal shrinkage start temperature of the material constituting the ink holding member 130. When the ink holding member is heated to a temperature above the thermal shrinkage heating temperature, thermal shrinkage occurs in the material constituting the ink holding member. As a result, the volume of the ink holding member 130, which was tightly housed in the storage section 121, decreases, making it easier to perform step S604. Step S604 will be described later.

[0028] Furthermore, heating the inside of the cartridge 100 in step S602 enhances the cleaning and drying effect when removing ink and other contaminants from inside the cartridge. The temperature used for heating at this time is preferably such that it does not damage the reusable components of the cartridge 100, and is preferably 100°C or lower.

[0029] Furthermore, it is preferable that the temperature heated in step S602 is above the temperature at which the material constituting the ink-holding member 130 begins to shrink due to heat, and also above its softening point. Heating the material constituting the ink-holding member 130 to its softening point causes the ink-holding member to shrink further, making step S604, described later, easier to perform.

[0030] Alternatively, in step S602, instead of introducing air blow 800 from the air blow nozzle 801, the ink cartridge 100 may be placed in the batch furnace 1400 and heated in the furnace, as shown in Figure 8. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, the ink holding member may be heated by immersing the cartridge 100 in a heating tub 1101 containing hot water 1100 at about 100°C for a while.

[0031] Next, step S603 is the step of separating the lid member 150 from the opening 123. If the lid member 150 is welded to the opening 123, the lid member 150 can be separated from the opening 123 by peeling or cutting. When the lid member 150 is separated from the opening 123, burrs may be generated at the opening. Note that this step may be performed before step S602. Even in that case, step S602 must be performed before step S604.

[0032] Next, step S604 is the step of removing the ink-holding member from the storage section 121 (removal step). In the conventional technology, since step S602 is not performed, there was a risk that the ink-holding member 130, which was housed tightly in the storage section 121, would get caught on the burrs of the opening 123 when removing it. On the other hand, in this embodiment, since step S602 is performed, the volume of the ink-holding member 130 is smaller relative to the storage section 121. In this state, even when step S604 is performed, the risk of the burrs of the opening 123 interfering with the ink-holding member 130 is reduced because the ink-holding member 130 is smaller, and as shown in Figure 10, the ink-holding member 130 can be easily removed from the storage section 121. In addition, since the heat-shrunk ink-holding member 130 shrinks and hardens, it is easier to grasp and remove the ink-holding member. Furthermore, since the volume of the removed ink-holding member 130 has decreased due to heat shrinkage, it is possible to reduce the volume of discarded material and reduce the burden on the environment. In other words, this manufacturing method can shorten the cycle time for reusing (remanufacturing) ink cartridges and reduce the environmental burden, thereby promoting the remanufacturing of ink cartridges. To put it another way, the technology described herein can contribute to the realization of a sustainable society such as a decarbonized / circular economy.

[0033] From the above steps, an intermediate for manufacturing the ink cartridge 100 is produced. In this embodiment, the following steps are performed on the intermediate in order to remanufacture the ink cartridge 100.

[0034] Step S605 is the step of inserting a second ink-holding member (illustrated) into the housing. A second ink-holding member, different from the ink-holding member 130, is inserted into the cartridge 100 in order to refill the ink cartridge 100 with ink. Alternatively, the ink-holding member 130 may be cleaned and then reinserted into the ink cartridge. The configuration of the second ink-holding member can be one that is usable as the ink-holding member 130. Furthermore, a step of cleaning and drying the inside of the housing 121 may be provided before step S605.

[0035] Next, step S606 is the process of impregnating the second ink-holding member with ink. In other words, it is the process of filling the storage section with ink. Since the second ink-holding member has the same properties as the ink-holding member 130, it can hold ink by incorporating it into the voids in the fibers. Note that in this step, if the ink-holding member 130 is to be reused, the ink-holding member 130 is impregnated with ink.

[0036] Finally, step S607 is the step of joining the second lid member to the opening 123. The joining method is not particularly limited, but it is preferably the same method used to join the lid member 150 to the opening 123, for example, welding can be used. Alternatively, instead of joining the second lid member, the lid member 150 may be reused and rejoined to the opening 123.

[0037] Based on the above, the present invention provides an easy method for manufacturing ink cartridges and an easily remanufacturable ink cartridge.

[0038] (Second embodiment) The configuration of the cartridge 100 in the second embodiment of the present invention will now be described. In particular, the ink holding member in this embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment. In the following description, only the parts that differ mainly from the first embodiment will be described, and the parts that are the same as those in the first embodiment will not be described.

[0039] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the ink-holding member 230 according to the second embodiment. The ink-holding member according to the second embodiment includes a first absorbent 231 and a second absorbent 232 that is different from the first absorbent, with the first absorbent 231 having a higher softening point than the second absorbent 232. Generally, high-density polyethylene with a softening point of about 90°C to 110°C can be used as the first absorbent 231, and generally low-density polyethylene with a softening point of about 70°C to 90°C can be used as the second absorbent 232. Furthermore, the first absorbent 231 and the second absorbent 232 are arranged in parallel in the short direction (predetermined direction) of the opening 122 of the cartridge 100, and the second absorbent 232 is sandwiched between the first absorbent 231.

[0040] The ink-holding member 230 can be manufactured by arranging the second absorbent so that it is sandwiched between the first absorbent 231 which has been heat-pressed, and then heating and compressing it at a temperature at which the second absorbent softens and fuses in the direction in which the first absorbent and the second absorbent overlap.

[0041] Figure 12 shows top views of the ink-holding member 230 before and after the heating and shrinking process according to the second embodiment. Figure 12(a) shows a top view of the ink-holding member 230 before the heating and shrinking process, and Figure 12(b) shows a top view of the ink-holding member 230 after the heating and shrinking process. In the heating and shrinking process of the ink-holding member 230, it is heated to a temperature above the softening point of the second absorber 232 and below the softening point of the first absorber 231. This softens only the second absorber 232. Since the second absorber 232 is sandwiched between the first absorber 231, the volume of the ink-holding member 230 decreases as the second absorber 232 softens.

[0042] Figure 13 shows the process of removing the ink-holding member 230 from the storage section 121. As shown in Figure 13, since the volume of the ink-holding member 230 has decreased due to heat shrinkage, interference between the burrs generated at the opening 123 and the ink-holding member 230 can be suppressed during the process of removing the ink-holding member 230. At this time, the first absorber 231 sandwiching the second absorber 232 does not soften, so the first absorber 231 is easy to grasp and the operability during the process of removing the ink-holding member 230 does not decrease. Therefore, with the manufacturing method according to this embodiment, the reuse (remanufacturing) of ink cartridges can be made easier.

[0043] In the second embodiment, a second absorber 232 is positioned directly above the ink supply unit 124. By setting the porosity of the second absorber 232 to be higher than that of the first absorber 231, ink tends to accumulate around the ink supply unit 124, thereby improving ink usage efficiency.

[0044] Furthermore, the first absorbent 231 is preferably configured such that high-density polyethylene (second resin) covers polypropylene (first resin), as shown in Figure 5(b). The second absorbent 232 is preferably configured such that low-density polyethylene (fourth resin) covers polypropylene (third resin), as shown in Figure 5(b). The step of heating and shrinking the ink-holding member is preferably performed at a temperature above the softening point of the fourth resin and below the softening points of the first, second, and third resins.

[0045] (Third embodiment) The configuration of the cartridge 100 in the third embodiment of the present invention will now be described. In particular, this embodiment differs from the second embodiment in its ink-holding member. Details similar to those in the first and second embodiments will be omitted from the description.

[0046] Figure 14 shows an ink-holding member 330 according to a third embodiment. The ink-holding member 330 has a configuration in which a first absorber 231 is sandwiched between a second absorber 232. The ink-holding member 330 can be manufactured by arranging the first absorber 231, which has been heat-pressed, so that it is sandwiched between the second absorber, and then heating and compressing it at a temperature at which the second absorber softens and welds in a direction in which the first and second absorbers overlap. In the third embodiment, an ink cartridge 100 containing this ink-holding member 330 is prepared.

[0047] Then, in the cartridge remanufacturing process, the ink holding member 330 is heated to a temperature above the softening point of the second absorber 232 but below the softening point of the first absorber 231, causing the ink holding member 330 to shrink due to heat. As a result, only the second absorber 232 sandwiching the first absorber 231 undergoes thermal shrinkage, reducing the volume of the ink holding member 330. Therefore, in the process of removing the ink holding member 330 from the storage section 121, the risk of the ink holding member 330 interfering with burrs formed at the opening 123 can be reduced. Furthermore, compared to the second embodiment, the proportion of the second absorber 232 in the ink holding member is larger, which increases the rate of volume reduction of the ink holding member 330. Therefore, interference between the ink holding member 330 and burrs formed at the opening 123 can be further reduced. Furthermore, since the first absorbent 231 sandwiched between the second absorbent 232 does not soften, the first absorbent 231 is easy to grasp, and the operability in the process of removing the ink holding member 330 is not reduced. Therefore, according to the cartridge remanufacturing method of this embodiment, the reuse (remanufacturing) of ink cartridges can be made easier.

[0048] In the third embodiment, the first absorber 231 is positioned directly above the ink supply unit 124. By setting the porosity of the first absorber 231 to be higher than that of the second absorber 232, the ink tends to accumulate around the ink supply unit 124, thereby improving the ink usage efficiency.

[0049] (modified version) Next, a modified example of the ink-holding member will be described. Figure 15 shows a modified example of the ink-holding member 430. In the first embodiment, the ink-holding member was formed from fibers of multiple materials, as shown in Figure 5, but the ink-holding member 430 in the modified example is made from a single material. As a material capable of forming the ink-holding member 430 as a single material, polyurethane foam containing air bubbles 431 inside can be used.

[0050] As described above, the present invention can shorten the cycle time in the reuse (remanufacturing) of ink cartridges and reduce the environmental burden, thereby promoting the remanufacturing of ink cartridges. In other words, the technology described herein can contribute to the realization of a sustainable society such as a decarbonized / circular economy.

[0051] To summarize the present invention, it includes the following methods and configurations.

[0052] (Method 1) A method for remanufacturing an ink cartridge comprising: an ink-holding member for holding ink; a tank member having an opening that forms an opening and a housing portion for housing the ink-holding member; and a lid member joined to the opening and covering the opening, A separation step of separating the lid member from the opening, A removal step of removing the ink-holding member from the storage section through the opening, An insertion step is to insert an ink-holding member different from the ink-holding member removed in the removal step into the housing through the opening. A joining step is performed to join a lid member different from the lid member separated in the separation step to the opening, Includes, A method for remanufacturing an ink cartridge, characterized by including a heating and shrinking step prior to the removal step, in which the ink holding member to be removed in the removal step is heated and shrunk.

[0053] (Method 2) A method for remanufacturing an ink cartridge according to Method 1, comprising the step of filling the housing with ink prior to the bonding step.

[0054] (Method 3) The method for remanufacturing an ink cartridge according to method 1 or 2, wherein the heating shrinkage step is performed at a temperature above the softening point of the material used to manufacture the ink holding member to be removed in the removal step.

[0055] (Method 4) The ink-holding member removed in the removal step includes a first absorbent and a second absorbent different from the first absorbent. The softening point of the first absorber is higher than the softening point of the second absorber. The method for remanufacturing an ink cartridge according to any one of methods 1 to 3, wherein the step of heating and shrinking is performed at a temperature above the softening point of the second absorber and below the softening point of the first absorber.

[0056] (Method 5) The method for remanufacturing an ink cartridge according to Method 4, wherein the first absorber and the second absorber are arranged in parallel in the short direction of the opening.

[0057] (Method 6) The method for remanufacturing an ink cartridge according to method 5, wherein the second absorbent is sandwiched between the first absorbent in the short direction of the opening.

[0058] (Method 7) The method for remanufacturing an ink cartridge according to Method 5, wherein the first absorbent is sandwiched between the second absorbent in the short direction of the opening.

[0059] (Method 8) The method for remanufacturing an ink cartridge according to Method 4, wherein the first absorbent comprises high-density polyethylene and the second absorbent comprises low-density polyethylene.

[0060] (Method 9) The first absorbent comprises polypropylene covered with the high-density polyethylene, The method for remanufacturing an ink cartridge according to Method 8, wherein the second absorbent comprises polypropylene covered with the low-density polyethylene.

[0061] (Method 10) The method for remanufacturing an ink cartridge according to method 9, wherein the first absorbent and the second absorbent are compressed in the short direction of the opening to form the ink holding member.

[0062] (Method 11) The ink-holding member removed in the removal step includes a first absorbent and a second absorbent different from the first absorbent. The first absorbent comprises a first resin and a second resin covering the first resin. The second absorbent comprises a third resin and a fourth resin covering the third resin. The method for remanufacturing an ink cartridge according to any one of methods 1 to 10, wherein the step of heating and shrinking the ink holding member is performed at a temperature above the softening point of the fourth resin and below the softening points of the first resin, the second resin, and the third resin.

[0063] (Method 12) A method for remanufacturing an ink cartridge according to any one of methods 1 to 11, wherein the lid member separated in the separation step is welded to the opening.

[0064] (Method 13) The method for remanufacturing an ink cartridge according to any one of methods 1 to 12, wherein the separation step involves separating the lid member from the opening by peeling.

[0065] (Method 14) The method for remanufacturing an ink cartridge according to any one of methods 1 to 13, wherein the tank member is provided with an ejection element substrate having a row of ejection ports for ejecting liquid.

[0066] (Method 15) The storage section is provided with an ink supply section for supplying ink from the ink holding member to the ejection element substrate. The method for remanufacturing an ink cartridge according to method 14, wherein the ink retaining member is pressed against the ink supply unit.

[0067] (Composition 1) An ink-holding member for holding ink, A tank member having an opening that forms an opening and a housing portion for housing the ink holding member, A lid member that is joined to the opening and covers the opening, An ink cartridge having, The ink-holding member comprises a first absorbent and a second absorbent different from the first absorbent. The softening point of the first absorber is higher than that of the second absorber. An ink cartridge characterized in that the first absorbent and the second absorbent are compressed in a predetermined direction and are arranged in parallel in the predetermined direction.

[0068] (Configuration 2) The ink cartridge according to configuration 1, wherein the first absorbent is sandwiched between the second absorbent in the predetermined direction.

[0069] (Composition 3) The ink cartridge according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein the second absorbent is sandwiched between the first absorbent in the predetermined direction.

[0070] (Composition 4) The first absorbent body comprises high-density polyethylene covering polypropylene, The ink cartridge according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the second absorbent comprises low-density polyethylene covering polypropylene.

[0071] (Composition 5) The ink cartridge according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the predetermined direction is the short-side direction of the opening.

[0072] (Method 16) A method for manufacturing an intermediate for an ink cartridge, comprising: an ink-holding member for holding ink; a tank member having an opening that forms an opening and a housing portion for housing the ink-holding member; and a lid member joined to the opening and covering the opening, The intermediate body has the tank member, A separation step of separating the lid member from the opening, A removal step of removing the ink-holding member from the storage section through the opening, Includes, A method for remanufacturing an ink cartridge, characterized by including a heating and shrinking step prior to the removal step, in which the ink holding member to be removed in the removal step is heated and shrunk. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 100 ink cartridges 120 Tank components 121 Storage Unit 122 Aperture 123 Opening 130 Ink holding member 150 Lid member

Claims

1. A method for remanufacturing an ink cartridge comprising: an ink-holding member for holding ink; a tank member having an opening that forms an opening and a housing portion for housing the ink-holding member; and a lid member joined to the opening and covering the opening, A separation step of separating the lid member from the opening, A removal step of removing the ink-holding member from the storage section through the opening, An insertion step is to insert an ink-holding member different from the ink-holding member removed in the removal step into the housing through the opening. A joining step is performed to join a lid member different from the lid member separated in the separation step to the opening, Includes, A method for remanufacturing an ink cartridge, characterized by including a heating and shrinking step prior to the removal step, in which the ink holding member to be removed in the removal step is heated and shrunk.

2. A method for remanufacturing an ink cartridge according to claim 1, comprising the step of filling the housing with ink prior to the bonding step.

3. The method for remanufacturing an ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the heating shrinkage step is performed at a temperature above the softening point of the material constituting the ink holding member to be removed in the removal step.

4. The ink-holding member removed in the removal step includes a first absorbent and a second absorbent different from the first absorbent. The softening point of the first absorber is higher than the softening point of the second absorber. The method for remanufacturing an ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the step of heating and shrinking is performed at a temperature above the softening point of the second absorber and below the softening point of the first absorber.

5. The method for remanufacturing an ink cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the first absorbent and the second absorbent are arranged in parallel in the short direction of the opening.

6. The method for remanufacturing an ink cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the second absorbent is sandwiched between the first absorbent in the short direction of the opening.

7. The method for remanufacturing an ink cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the first absorbent is sandwiched between the second absorbent in the short direction of the opening.

8. The method for remanufacturing an ink cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the first absorbent comprises high-density polyethylene and the second absorbent comprises low-density polyethylene.

9. The first absorbent comprises polypropylene covered with the high-density polyethylene, The method for remanufacturing an ink cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the second absorbent comprises polypropylene covered with the low-density polyethylene.

10. The method for remanufacturing an ink cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the first absorbent and the second absorbent are compressed in the short direction of the opening to form the ink holding member.

11. The ink-holding member removed in the removal step includes a first absorbent and a second absorbent different from the first absorbent. The first absorbent comprises a first resin and a second resin covering the first resin. The second absorbent comprises a third resin and a fourth resin covering the third resin. The method for remanufacturing an ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the step of heating and shrinking the ink holding member is performed at a temperature above the softening point of the fourth resin and below the softening points of the first resin, the second resin, and the third resin.

12. The method for remanufacturing an ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the lid member separated in the separation step is welded to the opening.

13. The method for remanufacturing an ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the separation step involves separating the lid member from the opening by peeling.

14. The method for remanufacturing an ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the tank member is provided with an ejection element substrate having a row of ejection ports for ejecting liquid.

15. The storage section is provided with an ink supply section for supplying ink from the ink holding member to the ejection element substrate. The method for remanufacturing an ink cartridge according to claim 14, wherein the ink holding member is pressed against the ink supply unit.

16. An ink-holding member for holding ink, A tank member having an opening that forms an opening and a housing portion for housing the ink holding member, A lid member that is joined to the opening and covers the opening, An ink cartridge having, The ink-holding member comprises a first absorbent and a second absorbent different from the first absorbent. The softening point of the first absorber is higher than that of the second absorber. An ink cartridge characterized in that the first absorbent and the second absorbent are compressed in a predetermined direction and are arranged in parallel in the predetermined direction.

17. The ink cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the first absorbent is sandwiched between the second absorbent in the predetermined direction.

18. The ink cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the second absorbent is sandwiched between the first absorbent in the predetermined direction.

19. The first absorbent body comprises high-density polyethylene covering polypropylene, The ink cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the second absorbent comprises low-density polyethylene covering polypropylene.

20. The ink cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the predetermined direction is the short-side direction of the opening.

21. A method for manufacturing an intermediate for an ink cartridge, comprising: an ink-holding member for holding ink; a tank member having an opening that forms an opening and a housing portion for housing the ink-holding member; and a lid member joined to the opening and covering the opening, The intermediate body has the tank member, A separation step of separating the lid member from the opening, A removal step of removing the ink-holding member from the storage section through the opening, Includes, A method for remanufacturing an ink cartridge, characterized by including a heating and shrinking step prior to the removal step, in which the ink holding member to be removed in the removal step is heated and shrunk.

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