Ink cartridge

The invention relates to an ink cartridge according to the preamble of claim 1 for Insertion into a cartridge receptacle of an inkjet printer, by a locking device is locked in the cartridge receptacle.

Lockable ink cartridge of the aforementioned type, in which a pressure equalization with the environment through an integrated into the ink cartridge aerator is carried out, are known from the prior art. to Use the aerator to ensure that the delivery of the data stored in the ink storage chamber ink takes place uniformly and without interruption during the printing process and as possible all of the ink contained in the ink storage chamber of the ink cartridge is discharged.

Thus, the ink is not made before the first use of the ink cartridge in a printer may exit the ink cartridge, it is common for the ventilation device only immediately to activate before using the ink cartridge.

Thus, it is known a device provided on the aeration ventilation opening closed during the transport and storage of the ink cartridge with a film hold that the immediately before use of the ink cartridge to activate Aerator is removed. An ink cartridge having an actively such Aerator is described for example in EP 0803365 B1.

A disadvantage of this known ink cartridge, that the activation of the aeration device - And thus the proper function of the ink cartridge - of the proper Remove the foil depends.

In order to facilitate removal of the film from the ventilation opening and to ensure that the film is effectively removed, it is also known that the film to be deducted to connect with the packaging of the ink cartridge so that the film when opening the Packaging to activate the ventilation device with removed is.

For instance, EP 0685340 A1, EP 0792749 A2 and JP 11268290 disclose an ink cartridge, in which the packaging of the ink cartridge to be drawn off in such a way with the Film of the aeration device is connected at a proper that Opening the package also removed the film to be deducted from the ink cartridge simultaneously and so the aeration device is activated. The disadvantage here is that the film is only removed correctly if the packaging in accordance with the The manufacturer's instructions opens.

Finally, it is known, in the ink cartridge as a venting means comprises a valve arrangement provide that a provided in the cartridge receiving actuator opens. However, the thus constructed ink cartridges are in their preparation due to the valve assembly employed as compared with the previously described known ink cartridges designed very complicated.

The object of the invention to provide a simply designed ink cartridge in the proper activation of the aerator when you first use of the ink cartridge is ensured.

This object is inventively achieved by an ink cartridge having the features of In claim 1 and in particular in that the locking device simultaneously serves as an actuating member for activating the ventilation device and at its Movement into its locking position with the aeration device in operative connection is to enable this.

One of the essential idea on which the invention is based is that the locking process the ink cartridge in the cartridge receptacle with the activation of the Aerator of the ink cartridge is coupled directly. Opening the Aerator is inventively by the locking movement of Locking device from its rest position to its locked position. By the Coupling of locking the ink cartridge with the activation of the ventilation is provided, that when the user presses the ink cartridge according to the invention properly in the cartridge naufnahme locked, simultaneously also the aeration device properly is put into operation. In this way consists on the one hand the advantage that the ventilation device is activated only when a proper locking of the ink cartridge takes place in the cartridge receptacle, while the other hand simultaneously ensured is that the ventilation device is activated, without requiring the user for this purpose further must be done by operating steps. In particular, by the latter, namely the automatic Activate the ventilation device, maloperation by the user, such they in the known ink cartridges with tear-off sheet by an incomplete or incorrect removal of the film occur frequently, no longer occur. simultaneously This ensures that in a very simple and elegant way, the ink cartridge at least can be correctly commissioned upon initial use. at appropriate design of the ventilation device is - as discussed in detail is explained - also possible that ventilation means even when the ink cartridge Unlock the ink cartridge using the locking device to disable, so that an interruption of the use of the ink cartridge or a replacement an empty ink cartridge, ink leakage from the ink storage chamber is effectively prevented.

Further advantages and advantageous developments of the ink cartridge according to the invention are from the following description, the claims and the drawing visible.

Thus, in a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention proposed ink cartridge, at the locking device an actuating element provided that in the locking position of the locking device with the Aeration device is in operative connection. In this way it is ensured that the Aerator, at least as long as remains activated as the locking device is interlocked with the cartridge receptacle. Alternatively, it is also possible for the locking device with the ventilation device to be coupled so that the ventilating means already during the movement of the locking means to its locking position the ventilation device is activated, the ventilation device in the final locking position the locking device but not with the locking device is operatively connected, but is independent in its ventilation position holds.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention Ink cartridge, the ventilation device has an openable to their activation Ventilation opening. To activate the ventilation device, the locking device equipped with an actuating element, that at least during the Movement of the locking means to its locking position into the ventilation opening is at least partially inserted in order to open it. By combining Ventilation opening and the actuating element in order to open the ventilation opening this is introduced, is a very safe and trouble-free activation of the aerator possible, at the same time the locking operation in a conventional manner, , Carried out for example by a pivoting movement of a locking lever can be.

According to this previously described in an advantageous development preferred embodiment, the ventilation opening before the first use of the Ink cartridge is closed by a film. Enabling the aerator is then performed by a serving as an actuating element actuating mandrel, which at the movement of the locking device in its locked position to open the ventilation hole pierces the foil. The thus constructed ink cartridge according to the invention is relatively easy to produce.

The ventilation opening closing film is preferably in this development glued to the housing or sealed. Under sealing on is in this context either understood the use of a multilayer film thereof with the Housing is provided to be connected side with a meltable plastic layer, which is fused to the housing. Alternatively, the film will be a fusible Adhesive layer connected to the housing. Further, it is possible, the ventilation opening in the manufacture of conventionally made of plastic, for example polypropylene, manufactured housing through a molded or molded plastic thin skin to close or plastic layer, which serves as-thrusting film.

In a modified embodiment, the ventilation opening of the ventilation device is closed by a valve arrangement. For this purpose, preferably a ball valve used that due to its relatively simple construction with a low Effort is to produce and at the same time a fluid-tight closure of the ventilation opening guaranteed. The actuating element of the locking device activates Aeration device in which the operating member during the movement of the locking means in its locked position with a valve member of the valve assembly, movable between a ventilation opening occluding position and an the ventilation opening releasing position is movable to engage and this moved to open the vent hole in its release position. Advantage of this Embodiment is in particular that the at unlocking of the ink cartridge Valve arrangement, the air vent closes again, so that a pressure equalization of the Ink storage chamber to the environment, and thus an undesired ink leakage from the ink cartridge is effectively prevented after unlocking of the ink cartridge.

In particular, in the use of aerated ink cartridges by sudden Differences in pressure between the ink storage chamber and the environment, or by obliquely holding a withdrawn from the cartridge receptacle Ink Cartridge activated aeration device can cause leakage from the ink storage chamber, is the ventilation device in a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention Ink cartridge with a with the ventilation opening in flow communication stationary channel equipped, in which through an opening with the interior of the housing Fluid communication. The channel serves as a temporary storage of any exiting from the cartridge ink, so that an immediate leakage of ink is prevented from the ink storage chamber with activated ventilation device. Around to obtain the longest possible channel with the greatest possible storage capacity, runs the channel preferably meandering.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the above-described embodiment with channel is additionally proposed between the ventilation hole and the channel provide a compensating chamber, on the channel with the vent hole in Connection is. The additional training of the previously described compensation chamber has the advantage that may leak from the channel ink in the equalizing chamber is collected without leaking from the ventilation opening. The vent hole is In this case, preferably formed in an upper portion of the compensation chamber, so that the equalizing chamber must first be completely filled with ink, the ink up from can escape open vent. Preferably, the channel is on a flat side of the housing, preferably the top of the housing is formed, while the Equalizing chamber to a provided to the channel with the flat side of the housing adjacent other flat side of the housing is provided, into which the ventilation opening immediately opens.

In order to simplify the manufacture of the channel and the compensating chamber is at a particularly preferred embodiment of the above-described embodiments of the Channel and / or the compensation chamber is formed directly on the housing, wherein the Channel and / or the compensation chamber to the outside at least partially open are or is. Then the open channel and the open compensating chamber is a glued or sealed-on the housing slide closed outwardly.

Another important aspect on which the invention is based, is to use a The locking lever as a locking device, the pivotally mounted on the housing Ink cartridge is mounted. The formation of a pivotable locking lever as Locking means has the advantage that the pivoting movement of the locking lever when locking the ink cartridge in the cartridge receptacle without great effort can also be used to activate the ventilation device, in which the to activating element of the ventilation device, for example, the film or the valve element the above-described valve arrangement, in the swing area of ​​the locking lever is arranged. By the lock lever employed, the ventilation device in a very simple and elegant way when locking the ink cartridge in the cartridge receiver are activated.

The locking lever is preferably mounted on the housing by a film hinge. Such a film hinge to a very easy to produce, since such film hinges in plastic injection molding easy to train and easily demould are. Secondly, the need for additional assembly steps at a training the lock lever is required as a separate component to the locking lever pivotally attached to a corresponding housing formed on the bearing point to fasten. In certain cases, for example with a complex shape of the locking lever, However, it can also be quite useful, the locking lever as form a separate component.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the ink cartridge of the invention the locking lever is so designed that it in a first phase about its Pivot axis from a rest position to an intermediate position in which it at a it takes support surface formed on the outer side of the housing to the system to is pivoted, and in a second phase in which the lock lever with his Support surface is supported on the housing, starting from the intermediate position in the direction of Pivot axis is to be bent elastically into its locked position. Through this type of Design of the locking lever generates many different advantages.

Thus, the production of such a locking lever, for example, by plastic injection molding, simplified as the locking lever in its first shape at right angles, can protrude from the housing wall at which it is formed, whereby The course of the separation plane of the injection mold for the demolding of the housing can be optimized. Furthermore, the actuators described above, as the actuating pin, are formed in a simple manner on the locking lever.

Further, by the bending of the locking lever in the second movement phase, the latch lever resiliently biased when locking, whereby a corresponding locking or holding force between the locking lever and Cartridge case arises. By specifying the cross-section of the locking lever and a suitable choice of material can so the locking force with which the ink cartridge is held in the cartridge holder, be predetermined defined.

Thus, the locking lever in a vertically extending to the housing surface level can be bent in its second phase of motion, is located the supporting surface, with the locking lever on the housing outer side comes to rest, in a direction parallel to Pivot axis of the locking lever extending plane. If the locking lever contrast, previously described as the in another direction perpendicular direction be bent, can by appropriate design and appropriate course of Supporting surface on the locking lever relative to the pivot axis, the bending direction of the Locking lever are predetermined in a desired bending direction.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the ink cartridge of the invention it is proposed to design the supporting surface so that it lies in a plane which with an angle in a range of about 30 to 60 °, preferably in a range extends from about 40 to 50 ° inclined to the flat side of the locking lever. Since the Locking lever only elastically deformed when the support surface on the outside of the housing abuts the entire surface, can by defined presetting of the inclination angle the supporting surface, the force can be adjusted, with the locking lever to the Locking with the cartridge receptacle is resiliently biased.

To securely hold the locking lever to ensure in the cartridge receptacle, on locking lever preferably a snap survey, for example, in the form a detent is formed, which when inserted ink cartridge with at Cartridge receptacle provided for locking edge for locking the ink cartridge in engagement can be brought. The locking edge can be designed so that the latching edge during insertion of the ink cartridge with the locking lever is in operative connection and this moved by the insertion into its locking position, wherein at the same time Ventilation device is activated. Once the locking lever with its latching survey is connected to the latching edge engages, so not only the ink cartridge in the cartridge receptacle safely locked, but also the aeration device when inserting the ink cartridge simultaneously activated independently.

To simply release the locking lever of the previously described further developments to can is also proposed on the locking lever provide a release lever, with which the locked in the cartridge receptacle locking lever from its Locking can be solved.

The invention is based on an embodiment with reference explained in the accompanying drawing. In which:<dl tsize="6"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>an ink cartridge according to the invention in a perspective view with a Aeration device which can be activated by a locking lever,</dd><dt>FIG. 2</dt><dd>a detail of a sectional side view of the invention Ink cartridge of Fig. 1 immediately after the production thereof with an enlarged Section X of a detail of the locking lever,</dd><dt>Fig. 3</dt><dd>a partially sectioned side view of the ink cartridge according to the invention when inserted into a cartridge receptacle of an inkjet printer,</dd><dt>Fig. 4</dt><dd>a partially sectioned side view of the ink cartridge according to the invention after locking in the cartridge receptacle,</dd><dt>Fig. 5</dt><dd>one of the view of FIG. 2 corresponding detail of a sectional Side view of a modified embodiment of the invention Ink cartridge, and</dd><dt>Fig. 6</dt><dd>one of the view of FIG. 2 corresponding detail of a sectional Side view of another modified embodiment of the invention Ink cartridge.</dd></dl>

Fig. 1 is an ink cartridge according to the invention shows in a perspective representation 10. The Ink cartridge 10 has a housing 12 fabricated from polypropylene on the underside of Housing 12 is a connection piece 14 integrally formed with the ink cartridge 10 at an appropriately designed connection of an inkjet printer is not shown is connected. As later explains the connection piece 14 by a Film (not shown) is closed, which, while the ink cartridge 10 in the ink jet printer is used by a terminal on the ink jet printer provided Connecting mandrel is pierced. On the side face 16 shown on the left in Fig. 1 of the housing 12 is a receptacle 18 for an authentication chip (not likewise shown).

The top 20 of the housing 12 is closed by a cover 22nd Approximately in the Center of the lid 22 is an opening 24 shown by broken lines are formed, with a formed in the housing 12 ink storage chamber 26 (see. Figs. 2 to 6) in flow communication stands, in which a porous ink reservoir 28 for storing liquid ink is added. The opening 24 communicates with a partially meandering Channel 30 (shown also in dashed lines) in flow communication, which on the lid 22 of the housing 12 is excluded. The channel 30 terminates in a connecting opening 32 of smaller diameter near the other side surface 34 of the housing 12th

Immediately adjacent the top 20 of the housing 12 is in its side surface 34 a balance chamber 36 is formed, which, such as Fig. 2 shows, at its is upper end open and closed by the lid 22nd The connection opening 32 the lid 22 is formed on the cover 22 to the equalizing chamber 36 is in flow connection. In the compensation chamber 36 a opens at the Side face 34 formed vent opening 38th

The opening 24, the channel 30, the communicating hole 32 and the ventilation opening 38, which are covered outwardly open and by a common foil 40, which is adhered fluid-tight to the housing 12 or sealed to this, together form with the balance chamber 38 a ventilation device 42 for aerating the Ink storage chamber 26th

On the side surface 34 of the housing 12 a locking device 44 is in the form of a locking lever 46 is provided, the structure below with reference is described in detail in FIG. 2.

As Fig. 2 shows, in a section of the ink cartridge 10 of FIG. 1 in a sectional Side view is shown of the locking lever 46 by a film hinge 48 is at hinged to the outside of the housing 12 and about a transversely to the side surface 34 extending Pivot axis A (see. FIG. 1) is pivotally mounted. The locking lever 46 has a Bending portion 50 whose operation will be explained in more detail later, at its free end formed a parallel to the pivot axis A snap survey 52 is. At the bending section 50, a release lever 54 is formed near the Rest collection 52nd

With a short distance to the trigger 54 of the detent elevation 52 is on the opposite Front of the locking lever 46, an actuating mandrel 56 is formed, which is approximately perpendicular rises from the front of the lock lever 46 and pointed out three tapered, triangular surface elements 58 is composed, which at the Lock lever 46 are integrally formed.

As the enlarged detail X in FIG. 2, in which the enlarged representation Transition of the film hinge 48 between the housing 12 and the bending portion 50 the locking lever 46 is shown, forms the bending portion 50 at a right angle to the film hinge 48 extending edge 60, which merges into a support surface 62nd The Support surface 62 lies parallel to the pivot axis A extending in a plane and located extends at an angle α of about 45 ° with respect to that shown in Fig. 2 above Front side of the bending portion 50

The operation of the ink cartridge 10 according to the invention is based 3 and 4 shown in Figs., partly sectioned side views explained in more detail.

The ink cartridge 10 is in a vertical movement into the cartridge receptacle 64 used, as indicated by the arrow to the connecting piece 14 with the Connection (not shown) of the printer to be coupled in a known manner, wherein the at the connecting piece 14 provided by a film on the connection of the inkjet printer provided connecting mandrel is pierced.

As shown in FIG. 3, the lock lever 46 comes during the insertion of the ink cartridge 10 with an edge 66 on the cartridge receiver 64 in contact, through which the Locking lever 46 is pressed in the direction of the side surface 34 of the housing 12th In this case, the locking lever 46 is in a first phase the film hinge 48 to the A pivot axis as far pivoted until the support face 62 with the side surface 34 of the Housing 12 comes into contact. The completion of this first phase is shown in Fig. 3.

Upon further insertion of the ink cartridge 10 into the cartridge receptacle 64 , the locking lever 46 no longer be pivoted in the hinge 48, but begins in the bending portion 50 in its longitudinal direction transverse to the pivot axis bending A, as shown Fig. 4. Here, the actuating mandrel 56 is in the ventilation opening 38 fluid-tightly closing film 40 is pressed, thereby activating the ventilation device 42 of the ink cartridge 10. At about the same pierces the terminal pin on the Connection of the ink jet printer (not shown) which the connecting piece 14 closing Film.

Once trained on the bending portion 50 latching elevation 52 past the edge 66 is, the lock lever 46 moves back slightly and comes with a Locking edge serving edge 66 in engagement. Here, the actuating mandrel 56 is again slightly pulled out of the vent opening 38, the foil 40 in its pierced and expanded position remains. In particular, by the formed between the surface elements 58 notches 68 may air through the Ventilation opening 36, the balance chamber 36, the connection opening 32, the channel 30 and the opening 24 between the ink storage chamber 26 and the environment for flow a surge back and forth.

If ink from the interior of the housing 12 through the channel 30 from the ink storage chamber reach 26, it is collected and enters the compensating chamber 36 not outwards.

10 to dissolve the ink cartridge, the lock lever 46 need only with bent help of the release lever 54 in the short term as in the direction of the ink cartridge 10 be until the detent elevation 52 on the locking lever 56 disengages from the edge of the 66th Subsequently, the ink cartridge 10 can be in the opposite direction again from the Cartridge receptacle 64 are removed. yet provided that ink in the ink cartridge 10 is included, the user can the ventilation opening 38 and possibly the Connecting piece 14 a provided by sticking to the ink cartridge 10, self-adhesive film can be closed again.

The ink cartridge 10 according to the invention offers the advantage that the opening of the ventilation device 42 and the locking of the ink cartridge 10 by means of the locking device 44 coupled and running in a predetermined order defined. So takes place the opening of the vent hole 42 until immediately before the ink cartridge 10 is engaged with the edge of the 66th This has the advantage that a pressure compensation of the Ink storage chamber 26 is only carried out when the connection piece 14 of the Ink cartridge 10 in the last phase of his movement to the Ankoppelvorganges Terminal of the inkjet printer is such that there is no ink on the connection of the inkjet printer past can escape from the ink cartridge 10th

In Figs. 5 and 6, modifications of the ink cartridge 10 are depicted, which is only distinguished by the manner in which the ventilation opening 38 of the before activating Aerator 42 is closed.

Thus, FIG. 5 shows a modification of the ink cartridge 10 in which the ventilation opening 42 instead of the foil 40 by an the in the vent opening 38 in the preparation of Housing 12 injected plastic skin 70 is closed. Again, the plastic skin 70 pierced by the action of the actuating mandrel 56 and in this , The aeration device 42 is activated.

In the shown in Fig. 6 modification of the ink cartridge 10, the vent opening 38 is closed by a valve arrangement in the form of a ball valve 72nd The ball valve 72 has for this purpose a valve ball 74, by a compensation chamber 36 in the supporting compression spring 76 against the inner circumferential edge of the ventilation opening 38 is biased and closes fluid-tight. Furthermore, in this modification, the operating pin 56 on the locking lever 46 in by an actuating element 78 replaced the form of a molded cylinder.

Now, the modified ink cartridge shown in Fig. 6 10 into the cartridge receptacle 64 is inserted, the lock lever 46 in its locking position in the above is -Described manner is moved, the actuating element 78 with the valve ball 74 the ball valve 72 comes into contact and presses in the compensation chamber 36, whereby the vent hole 38 is opened. If again from the ink cartridge 10 the cartridge receptacle removed 64, the actuator 78 is again from the Ventilation opening withdrawn 38, wherein the ball valve 74 by the force of the Compression spring 76 is moved back again into its closed position, in which it the ventilation opening 38 fluid-tight manner.

In addition to the modifications already described previously are still further embodiments and variations of the ink cartridge 10 according to the invention are conceivable. For example, the lock lever 46 may be formed as a separate component, that mounted on a corresponding mounting point on the outside of housing 12 is. It is also conceivable, the lock lever 46 mechanically connected to a ventilation opening 38 occluding valve assembly, for example in the form of the Ventilation opening 38 closing slide, mechanically couple.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

<dl tsize="2" compact="compact"><dt>10</dt><dd>ink cartridge</dd><dt>12</dt><dd>housing</dd><dt>14</dt><dd>connecting piece</dd><dt>16</dt><dd>side surface</dd><dt>18</dt><dd>admission</dd><dt>20</dt><dd>top</dd><dt>22</dt><dd>cover</dd><dt>24</dt><dd>opening</dd><dt>26</dt><dd>Ink storage chamber</dd><dt>28</dt><dd>ink storage</dd><dt>30</dt><dd>channel</dd><dt>32</dt><dd>connecting opening</dd><dt>34</dt><dd>side surface</dd><dt>36</dt><dd>equalizing chamber</dd><dt>38</dt><dd>ventilation opening</dd><dt>40</dt><dd>film</dd><dt>42</dt><dd>aerator</dd><dt>44</dt><dd>locking device</dd><dt>46</dt><dd>locking lever</dd><dt>48</dt><dd>film hinge</dd><dt>50</dt><dd>bending section</dd><dt>52</dt><dd>Rast collection</dd><dt>54</dt><dd>sear</dd><dt>56</dt><dd>actuating mandrel</dd><dt>58</dt><dd>surface elements</dd><dt>60</dt><dd>edge</dd><dt>62</dt><dd>supporting surface</dd><dt>64</dt><dd>cartridge receptacle </dd><dt>66</dt><dd>edge</dd><dt>68</dt><dd>recesses</dd><dt>70</dt><dd>skin</dd><dt>72</dt><dd>ball valve</dd><dt>74</dt><dd>valve ball</dd><dt>76</dt><dd>compression spring</dd><dt>78</dt><dd>actuator</dd><dt>A</dt><dd>Schwenkache</dd><dt>α</dt><dd>angle of inclination</dd></dl>