Method of filling a liquid container having a check valve and a flow path bypassing the check valve

The present invention relates to a method for producing a liquid container, a liquid container.

Conventionally, an inkjet recording device is widely known as a liquid injection device that injects a liquid onto a target. Specifically, this inkjet recording device includes a carriage, a recording head mounted on the carriage, and an ink cartridge for storing ink as a liquid. Then, while moving the carriage relative to the recording medium, ink is supplied from the ink cartridge to the recording head, and ink is ejected from a nozzle formed in the recording head to perform printing on the recording medium. It was supposed to be.

In addition, in such an inkjet recording device, an ink cartridge is not mounted on the carriage in order to reduce the load on the carriage and to make the device smaller and thinner (so-called off-carriage type). There was something to say. Then, such an ink cartridge usually includes an ink pack for storing ink and a case for storing the ink pack.

Conventionally, as such an ink pack, an ink pack having a valve device in a lead-out portion is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Specifically, this lead-out portion is provided so as to be sandwiched between the openings constituting the bag portion of the ink pack, and the ink contained in the bag portion is discharged to the outside. The valve device provided in the lead-out unit functions as a check valve that allows only ink to flow out from the inside of the ink pack to the outside.

Then, when supplying ink to the recording head from an ink pack provided with this lead-out portion, first, an ink introduction tube provided at one end of an ink supply tube whose other end is connected to the recording head is provided in the lead-out portion. insert. After that, the pressure of the ink in the ink pack is increased by crushing the bag portion. As a result, the ink in the ink pack is supplied to the recording head via the lead-out unit and the ink supply tube.

In an ink pack provided with this lead-out portion, the valve device functions as a check valve even if the user forcibly opens the opening on the tip end side of the lead-out portion with a screwdriver or the like. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ink in the ink pack from leaking to the outside and the outside air or the like from flowing into the ink pack. As a result, it has become possible to improve the degree of degassing and cleanliness of the ink in the ink pack.<patcit num="1"><text>Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-192739</text></patcit>

<p> However, in the ink pack described in Patent Document 1, since the valve device provided in the lead-out portion functions as a check valve, it is not possible to inject ink through the lead-out portion. Further, when the ink pack filled with ink is stored in the ink cartridge, the four corners of the ink pack may be sandwiched between the ink cartridges, so that the maximum amount of ink may be filled with respect to the internal volume of the ink cartridge. could not.</p><p> The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to be able to inject a liquid into a liquid storage portion from a lead-out member provided with a check valve and to the internal volume of the storage container. It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid container, a method for producing a liquid container, which can increase the amount of liquid that can be filled.</p>

<p> In order to solve the above problems, in the method for manufacturing a liquid container of the present invention, a lead-out member is attached to a liquid storage unit that stores a liquid, and the liquid contained in the liquid storage unit is transferred from the lead-out member. In a method for manufacturing a liquid container, which comprises a liquid reservoir to be supplied to the outside, a container body, and a lid that closes the container body, and includes a storage container in which the liquid reservoir is housed in the container body. The lead-out member includes a liquid flow path that communicates the outside with the inside of the liquid storage portion, and a check valve that allows the flow of the liquid only from the inside to the outside on the liquid flow path. A storage step of forming a bypass flow path on the liquid flow path that bypasses the check valve and communicating the outside with the inside of the liquid storage portion, and storing the liquid reservoir in the container body, and the above. A filling step of filling the liquid storage portion from the outside through the liquid flow path and the bypass flow path of the lead-out member, and after filling the liquid storage portion with the liquid, the bypass flow path is closed. It consists of a closing step of closing by means.</p><p> According to the present invention, the check valve can be bypassed, that is, the outside of the liquid storage portion and the inside of the liquid storage portion can be communicated with each other via the bypass flow path, so that the liquid reservoir is stored in the container body. The liquid container can be filled with liquid. Therefore, if the liquid reservoir is stored in the container body and then the liquid storage portion is filled with the liquid via the lead-out member, the liquid reservoir before filling is not bulky, and the liquid storage portion protrudes from the container body. It can be stored without any problem, and the amount of liquid filled in the liquid storage portion with respect to the volume of the container body can be increased. Then, since the bypass flow path is blocked after the liquid is filled, it is possible to prevent air bubbles or the like from being mixed into the liquid storage portion and reducing the degree of degassing and cleanliness of the liquid.</p><p> In the method for producing a liquid container of the present invention, after the storage step of storing the liquid reservoir in the container body, a sealing step of sealing the container body with a sealing member is further provided, and the sealing member is at least. The portion facing the closing position that closes the bypass flow path has flexibility, and the closing means is the liquid accommodating portion.</p><p> According to the present invention, the container body is sealed with a sealing member after the storage step. Since at least the portion of the sealing member facing the closing position for closing the bypass flow path has flexibility, the bypass flow path can be closed by the liquid accommodating portion while bending the sealing member. ..</p><p> In the method for manufacturing a liquid container of the present invention, the sealing member and the liquid container are made of different materials at least on the surfaces facing each other. According to the present invention, the sealing member and the liquid accommodating portion are formed of different materials at least on the surfaces facing each other. As a result, for example, when the bypass flow path is closed by the liquid storage portion from above the sealing member by heating the portion of the sealing member facing the bypass flow path, the bypass flow path is closed by the liquid storage portion. Even so, the sealing member and the liquid accommodating portion are not adhered to each other. Therefore, the bypass flow path can be closed by a simple method and without adding a closing component.</p><p> In the method for producing a liquid container of the present invention, the bypass flow path is closed by heat welding. According to the present invention, since the bypass flow path is closed by heat welding, for example, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the liquid containing body and shorten the time required for closing as compared with the case where the bypass flow path is closed by vibration welding. Can be done.</p><p> In the method for manufacturing a liquid container of the present invention, the closing means is a plug that is fitted and fixed to the bypass flow path. According to the present invention, since the closing means is formed by a plug, the bypass flow path can be easily closed.</p><p> The liquid container of the present invention includes a liquid reservoir in which a lead-out member is attached to a liquid storage section that houses the liquid, and the liquid contained in the liquid container is supplied to the outside from the lead-out member, and a container body. In a liquid container including a lid that closes the container body and a storage container that houses the liquid storage in the container body, the lead-out member is the outside and the inside of the liquid storage. A liquid flow path for communicating with the liquid flow path and a check valve that allows the flow of the liquid only from the inside to the outside on the liquid flow path, and bypassing the check valve on the liquid flow path to the outside. And the inside of the liquid accommodating portion were formed to communicate with each other.</p><p> According to the present invention, the check valve can be bypassed, that is, the outside of the liquid storage portion and the inside of the liquid storage portion can be communicated with each other via the bypass flow path, so that the liquid reservoir is stored in the container body. The liquid container can be filled with liquid. If the bypass flow path is closed after the liquid is filled, air bubbles or the like will not be mixed into the liquid storage portion.</p>

(First Embodiment) Hereinafter, a first embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inkjet recording device (hereinafter referred to as a printer 1) as a liquid injection device of the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the printer 1. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the ink cartridge 7 provided in the printer 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 of the present embodiment is an inkjet type and includes a frame 2. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, a guide member 3, a carriage 4, a recording head 5, and a valve unit 6 are provided in the frame 2. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 includes an ink cartridge 7 as a liquid container and an air pressurizing pump 8. The frame 2 is a box body having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a cartridge holder 2a is formed on the front surface thereof.

As shown in FIG. 2, the guide member 3 is formed in a rod shape and is erected in the frame 2. In this embodiment, the direction in which the guide member 3 is erected is referred to as the main scanning direction. The carriage 4 is inserted so as to be relatively movable with respect to the guide member 3, and can be reciprocated in the main scanning direction. The carriage 4 is connected to a carriage motor (not shown) via a timing belt (not shown). The carriage motor is supported by the frame 2, and the carriage motor is driven to drive the carriage 4 via a timing belt, and the carriage 4 is reciprocated along the guide member 3, that is, in the main scanning direction. ..

On the other hand, the recording head 5 is provided on the lower surface of the carriage 4, and includes a plurality of nozzles (not shown) for injecting ink as a liquid. The valve unit 6 is mounted on the carriage 4 and supplies the temporarily stored ink to the recording head 5 in a state where the pressure is adjusted.

In the present embodiment, the valve unit 6 can individually supply two types of ink to the recording head 5 in a state where the pressure is adjusted. In the present embodiment, a total of three bulb units 6 are provided, which correspond to six ink colors (black, yellow, magenta, cyan, light magenta, and light cyan).

Further, a platen (not shown) is provided below the recording head 5, and the platen is fed by a paper feeding means (not shown) in a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. Support P.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ink cartridges 7 are detachably housed in the cartridge holder 2a, and six ink cartridges 7 are provided corresponding to the above-mentioned ink colors. As shown in FIG. 3, the ink cartridge 7 includes an ink pack 10 as a liquid reservoir in a cartridge case 9 as a storage container. The ink pack 10 includes a bag portion 11 as a liquid accommodating portion for storing ink, and ink is sealed inside the bag portion 11. The ink pack 10 includes a lead-out unit 12 as a lead-out member, and is housed in the cartridge case 9 of the ink cartridge 7. At this time, the ink pack 10 is stored so that a part of the lead-out portion 12 is exposed from the cartridge case 9 and the other part is airtight in the cartridge case 9. Further, the cartridge case 9 is provided with an air introduction port H so as to communicate with the gap S formed between the cartridge case 9 and the ink pack 10. With this configuration, it is possible to increase the pressure in the gap S and generate a force that crushes the ink pack 10 by allowing air to flow in from the air inlet H.

On the other hand, the lead-out unit 12 of the ink pack 10 is connected to the valve unit 6 via an ink supply tube 14 (see FIG. 2) provided for each ink color. The valve unit 6 is connected to the recording head 5 as described above. With this configuration, the ink in the ink pack 10 is supplied to the valve unit 6 via the ink supply tube 14.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the air pressurizing pump 8 is fixed to the back side of the frame 2. The air pressurizing pump 8 can suck the air and discharge the sucked air as pressurized air. Further, the air pressurizing pump 8 is connected to the air inlet H (see FIG. 3) of the corresponding ink cartridge 7 via six air tubes (not shown).

With this configuration, the air pressurized by the air pressurizing pump 8 is introduced into the gap S of the ink cartridge 7 via the air tube. Therefore, for example, when pressurized air flows into the gap S from the air pressurizing pump 8 and the ink pack 10 of each ink cartridge 7 is pressurized, the ink in the ink pack 10 is supplied to the valve unit 6. To. Then, the ink temporarily stored in the valve unit 6 is supplied to the recording head 5 in a state where the pressure is adjusted. Then, based on the image data, the printer 1 moves the carriage 4 in the main scanning direction while moving the recording medium P in the sub-scanning direction by the paper feed means, and ejects ink from the recording head 5 to eject the recording medium. It is designed to print on P.

Next, the detailed configuration of the ink cartridge 7 described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. As shown in FIG. 3, the ink cartridge 7 includes a cartridge case 9 and an ink pack 10 housed in the cartridge case 9. Further, the cartridge case 9 includes a main body case 16 as a container main body and an upper case 18 as a lid body. Note that FIG. 3 shows only one of the six ink cartridges 7, and the remaining five ink cartridges 7 have the same structure and are not shown.

The ink pack 10 includes a bag portion 11 and a lead-out portion 12. In the present embodiment, the bag portion 11 is composed of two rectangular film members 11a and 11b, as shown in FIG. Each of the film members 11a and 11b is deposited with, for example, a gas barrier layer in which a plurality of layers such as polyamide synthetic fiber and aluminum are laminated, and a resin layer in which a plurality of thermoplastic resin layers such as polypropylene or polyethylene are laminated. It is formed by doing. In the bag portion 11, both film members 11a and 11b are overlapped with the thermoplastic resin layers facing each other with the lead-out portion 12 sandwiched between the central portions of one side thereof, and the edges of the four sides are heat-welded. It is formed in the shape of a bag. That is, the bag portion 11 has a gas barrier layer on the outside.

Next, the derivation unit 12 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the lead-out portion 12 includes a first tube body 20 and a second tube body 22, and is formed of the thermoplastic resin layers of the film members 11a and 11b and a heat-weldable resin. ing. The second tube body 22 is fitted into the fitting recess 30 formed at the base end portion of the first tube body 20, and is provided so as to be arranged in the bag portion 11 of the ink pack 10.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first tubular body 20 has a fitting portion 24, a welding portion 26, and a cylindrical portion 28. The fitting portion 24 includes a fitting recess 30 inside the fitting portion 24. The outer peripheral surface of the welded portion 26 is sandwiched between the film members 11a and 11b and fixed to the film members 11a and 11b. A bypass flow path 32 is formed on the upper surface 26a of the welded portion 26 (the upper surface when the ink pack 10 is stored in the cartridge case 9).

The cylindrical portion 28 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. In these fitting portions 24, welding portions 26, and cylindrical portions 28, a first communication hole 36, a second communication hole 38, and a third communication hole 38 as a liquid flow path are formed from the fitting portion 24 toward the cylindrical portion 28. The communication hole 40 is formed through. Then, the ink contained in the bag portion 11 is taken out through the first communication hole 36, the second communication hole 38, and the third communication hole 40. The first communication hole 36 communicates with the bypass flow path 32. The second communication hole 38 has a larger diameter than the first communication hole 36, and is composed of a central hole 38a and a plurality of communication grooves 38b formed in the central hole 38a. The central hole 38a is formed in a substantially circular cross section. The communication groove 38b is recessed along the axial direction on the inner peripheral surface of the central hole 38a. Here, the communication grooves 38b are formed at two locations on the inner peripheral surface of the central hole 38a. The third communication hole 40 is formed in the cylindrical portion 28.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the second communication hole 38 and the third communication hole 40 are provided with the first valve mechanism V1. The first valve mechanism V1 includes a valve body 50 and a sealing member 52. The valve body 50 is movably provided in the central hole 38a of the second communication hole 38. The outer diameter of the valve body 50 is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the central hole 38a, and the central hole 38a is slidably arranged in the axial direction.

The seal member 52 is made of a flexible material such as an elastomer and is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The insertion hole 52a penetrating the center of the seal member 52 has an inner diameter on the valve body 50 side where the hollow needle (not shown) provided in the ink supply tube 14 is tightly fitted and faces the lead-out side. It is expanded and formed according to. A valve seat 54 is projected from the base end surface 52b of the seal member 52 so as to surround the opening of the insertion hole 52a. When the valve body 50 is seated on the valve seat 54, the insertion hole 52a of the seal member 52 is closed by the valve body 50. The hollow needle is formed in a hollow shape, and ink flows into the inside through the hole.

Further, the first valve mechanism V1 includes a coil spring 56 that urges the valve body 50. The coil spring 56 is arranged in the center hole 38a so as to urge the valve body 50 toward the seal member 52 side. When no external force is applied, the coil spring 56 urges the valve body 50 to press against the valve seat 54 of the seal member 52, as shown in FIG. Then, when the hollow needle is inserted into the valve body 50 through the insertion hole 52a of the seal member 52, the valve body 50 moves in a direction away from the seal member 52 against the urging force of the coil spring 56. At this time, the tip of the hollow needle is inserted in a state of being sealed to the sealing member 52. Further, when the valve body 50 is separated from the seal member 52, the hole of the hollow needle and the central hole 38a on the opposite side of the valve body 50 are connected via the communication groove 38b. Therefore, when the ink in the bag portion 11 is introduced into the second communication hole 38 through the first communication hole 36, the ink is centered on the seal member 52 side with the valve body 50 sandwiched through the communication groove 38b. It is guided through the hole 38a and flows into the ink supply tube 14 through the hole of the hollow needle. That is, when the ink cartridge 7 is mounted on the cartridge holder 2a, the hollow needle is inserted into the sealing member 52, and the ink is supplied to the valve unit 6 via the ink supply tube 14.

The second tubular body 22 fitted and fixed in the fitting recess 30 formed at the proximal end portion of the first tubular body 20 serves as a continuous liquid flow path from the proximal end surface 22a toward the distal end surface 22b. A fourth communication hole 42 and a fifth communication hole 44 are formed. The inner diameter of the fourth communication hole 42 is formed to be larger than the inner diameter of the fifth communication hole 44.

A second valve mechanism V2 as a check valve is provided in the first communication hole 36 on the first valve mechanism V1 side of the tip surface 22b of the second pipe body 22. The second valve mechanism V2 is composed of a valve body 80 and a valve seat 82. The valve body 80 is formed in a substantially disk shape having a size capable of closing the opening of the fifth communication hole 44 of the second pipe body 22. The valve seat 82 is formed independently of the valve body 80, and is formed in an annular shape around the opening of the fifth communication hole 44 on the tip surface 22b of the second pipe body 22. Therefore, when the valve body 80 comes into contact with the valve seat 82, the fifth communication hole 44 is closed.

Further, by welding the entire welded portion 26 of the first tubular body 20 with the film members 11a and 11b, the bypass flow path 32 formed on the upper surface 26a is closed by the film member 11a as a closing means. Then, by closing, the valve body accommodating chamber 84 is formed in the first communication hole 36 communicating with the bypass flow path 32 and accommodating the valve body 80. As a result, in the valve body accommodating chamber 84, the valve body 80 reciprocates in the axial direction due to the pressure difference between the fluid in the fifth communication hole 44 and the fluid in the first communication hole 36. Specifically, when the fluid (for example, ink or air) moves from the first communication hole 36 to the fifth communication hole 44 (direction in which ink is injected into the bag portion 11), the fifth communication hole is formed. When the pressure of the fluid in 44 becomes lower than the pressure of the fluid in the first communication hole 36, the valve body 80 moves toward the valve seat 82. Then, the valve body 80 comes into contact with the valve seat 82 and blocks the flow of fluid from the first communication hole 36 to the fifth communication hole 44.

In the ink pack 10 of the present embodiment, the film member 11a is welded to the welding portion 26 so that the bypass flow path 32 is not blocked by the film member 11a until the bag portion 11 is filled with ink. Then, the ink supplied to the first communication hole 36 via the first valve mechanism V1 is filled in the bag portion 11 via the bypass flow path 32. When the bag portion 11 is filled with ink, the film member 11a is welded to the welding portion 26 so that the bypass flow path 32 is blocked.

On the other hand, when the ink is drawn out from the bag portion 11, the pressure of the ink in the fifth communication hole 44 becomes larger than the pressure of the ink in the first communication hole 36, and the valve body 80 is separated from the valve seat 82. To do. As a result, the ink can flow from the fifth communication hole 44 to the first communication hole 36. That is, the second valve mechanism V2 has come to function as a check valve that allows the flow of fluid from the fifth communication hole 44 to the first communication hole 36 and blocks the reverse flow. There is. Therefore, when the ink pack 10 is pressed from the outside by the pressurized air, the pressure in the fifth communication hole 44 becomes higher than the pressure in the first communication hole 36, and the valve body of the second valve mechanism V2. The 80 is separated from the valve seat 82, and the inside of the bag portion 11 and the hole of the hollow needle are in communication with each other. When air flows in through the seal member 52 by forcibly pushing the valve body 50 of the first valve mechanism V1 by a user or the like using a jig, the pressure in the first communication hole 36 becomes high. Become. As a result, the valve body 80 is pressed against the valve seat 82, and air can be prevented from flowing into the bag portion 11.

Next, the cartridge case 9 including the main body case 16 and the upper case 18 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the main body case 16 has a double structure, and is composed of an outer case 90 and an inner case 92, each of which is made of polypropylene, for example. The outer case 90 has a substantially rectangular shape and is a box body with an open upper side. The inner case 92 is one size smaller than the outer case 90 and has a shape similar to that of the ink pack 10, and regulates the movement of the ink pack 10 according to the movement of the cartridge case 9.

A square lead-out attachment portion 96 is formed in the center of the front surface 94 of the main body case 16 (outer case 90). The lead-out portion mounting portion 96 is provided with an opening 98 that communicates with the inner case 92. An air introduction port H is formed on one side of the lead-out portion mounting portion 96. The air inlet H communicates the outside of the main body case 16 (outer case 90) with the inside of the inner case 92. Further, a pair of left and right lead-out portion fixing ribs 100 that sandwich the lead-out portion 12 are formed inside the front surface of the inner case 92. Then, the end 102 of the lead-out portion fixing rib 100 engages with the annular protrusion 104 formed in a disk shape on the outer circumference of the lead-out portion 12 (cylindrical portion 28), and the lead-out portion 12 of the ink pack 10 is brought into the main body case. It is fixed at 16.

A rotation prevention member 106 is formed between the pair of left and right lead-out fixing ribs 100 on the bottom surface of the inner case 92. The rotation prevention member 106 is a protrusion (not shown) formed in the cylindrical portion 28 of the lead-out portion 12, and regulates the movement of the ink pack 10 in the rotational direction to position the ink pack 10 at a predetermined position. It is positioned at. When the ink pack 10 is stored in the cartridge case 9, the ink pack 10 is stored in the inner case 92 so that the lead-out portion 12 of the ink pack 10 is exposed from the inside to the outside of the opening 98.

In the present embodiment, when the ink pack 10 is stored and fixed in the inner case 92, the ink pack 10 is stored in a state where the bag portion 11 is not filled with ink. Therefore, the ink pack 10 is housed in the inner case 92 in a state where the bypass flow path 32 of the lead-out portion 12 is not blocked by the film member 11a.

When the ink pack 10 before ink filling is stored in the inner case 92, the first sealing film F1 as a sealing member made of polypropylene and having flexibility is heat-welded to the inner case 92. It has become. As a result, the opening of the inner case 92 is closed by the first sealing film F1 in a state where the ink pack 10 is housed. Further, a second sealing film F2 made of polypropylene is heat-welded to the lead-out portion mounting portion 96 on the front surface of the outer case 90 after the ink pack 10 is filled with ink. Therefore, the openings of the opening 98 and the lead-out portion 12 are sealed with the second sealing film F2. Further, the gap between the opening 98 and the lead-out portion 12 is sealed by the second sealing film F2. As a result, the gap S formed by the inner case 92 for accommodating the ink pack 10 and the first and second sealing films F1 and F2 is in a sealed state except for the air introduction port H. Therefore, the air supplied from the air inlet H to the inner case 92 from the air pressurizing pump 8 (see FIG. 1) supported by the frame 2 has a gap because the inner case 92 is airtightly held. The ink pack 10 stored in S will be pressurized.

The upper case 18 is made of a substantially quadrangular plate-like body that covers the upper surface of the main body case 16, and is made of polypropylene, for example. The upper case 18 is provided with a locking piece K1 at a predetermined position, and when it is placed on the upper surface of the main body case 16, it engages with an engaging member K2 formed between the outer case 90 and the inner case 92. It is designed to do. Then, the opening of the main body case 16 is closed by the upper case 18 to form the cartridge case 9.

Next, a method of manufacturing the ink pack 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6. As shown in FIG. 4, the ink pack 10 is housed in the inner case 92 of the main body case 16 (storage process), and is sealed in the inner case 92 by the first sealing film F1 (sealing process). .. At this point, the ink pack 10 is in a state in which the internal space R is not filled with ink. The upper surface 26a of the welding portion 26 of the lead-out portion 12 is not completely heat-welded to the film member 11a, and only the lower surface 26b is heat-welded to the film member 11b. Therefore, the bypass flow path 32 provided on the upper surface 26a of the welding portion 26 of the lead-out portion 12 is not sealed by the film member 11a. As a result, in the ink pack 10 before filling with ink, the valve body accommodating chamber 84 for accommodating the valve body 80 is not formed, and the internal space R of the bag portion 11 is the fifth communication hole 44. It communicates with the bypass flow path 32 without going through the bypass flow path 32. At this point, the opening 98 of the main body case 16 is not sealed with the second sealing film F2. Therefore, the internal space R of the bag portion 11 can communicate with the second and third communication holes 38 and 40 of the lead-out portion 12 without passing through the second valve mechanism V2. As a result, in the ink pack 10 before assembly, not only the flow of the fluid from the inside to the outside of the bag portion 11 but also the flow of the fluid from the outside to the inside of the bag portion 11 is allowed. ..

Then, a hollow needle provided at the tip of an ink filling tube (not shown) is attached to the insertion hole 52a of the seal member 52 provided in the first tube body 20 of the lead-out portion 12. Then, the valve body 50 moves in the direction away from the seal member 52 against the urging force of the coil spring 56 by the hollow needle. Therefore, the hole of the hollow needle and the central hole 38a on the opposite side of the valve body 50 are connected via the communication groove 38b. In this state, ink is introduced into the lead-out unit 12 from the ink filling tube (not shown). The filling ink flows into the center hole 38a on the coil spring 56 side through the communication groove 38b. The filling ink that has flowed into the central hole 38a on the coil spring 56 side is supplied to the bag portion 11 via the first communication hole 36 and the bypass flow path 32 (filling step).

When the bag portion 11 is fully filled with ink and the hollow needle of the ink filling tube is pulled out from the sealing member 52, the ink filling operation into the ink pack 10 is completed, and the process proceeds to the closing stage. In the closing stage, as shown in FIG. 5, in order to close the bypass flow path 32 with a thermocompression bonding tool 108 such as a heater, the film member 11a is placed on the upper surface of the welded portion 26 from above the first sealing film F1. Thermocompression bonding is applied to 26a (blocking process). At this time, since the first sealing film F1 has flexibility, even if the thermocompression bonding tool 108 is pressed against it, it only bends and is not damaged. The inside of the film member 11a (welded portion 26 side) and the welded portion 26 are made of the same material because they are formed of, for example, a thermoplastic resin layer, and are heat-welded to each other. On the other hand, the first sealing film F1 is formed of, for example, a thermoplastic resin layer, while the outside of the film member 11a is formed of, for example, a gas barrier layer. That is, since the outside of the film member 11a and the first sealing film F1 are different materials, they are not heat-welded to each other. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the inside of the film member 11a and the upper surface 26a of the welded portion 26 are heat-welded, and the bypass flow path 32 is closed. Further, since the first sealing film F1 is not heat-welded to the outside of the film member 11a, the first sealing film F1 and the ink pack 10 (film member 11a) are stored in the inner case 92 in a state where they are not fixed to each other. Will be done.

When the closing step is completed, the upper case 18 is put on the upper surface of the main body case 16. At this time, the locking piece K1 provided on the upper case 18 and the engaging member K2 formed between the outer case 90 and the inner case 92 are engaged with each other. Finally, when the opening 98 of the main body case 16 is sealed with the second sealing film F2, the ink cartridge 7 in which the ink pack 10 is housed in the cartridge case 9 is completed.

According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) According to the present embodiment, the ink pack 10 in which the bag portion 11 is not filled with ink is stored in the inner case 92 (main body case 16), and then the ink pack 10 is filled with ink. Therefore, when the first sealing film F1 is welded after the ink pack filled with ink is stored in the case as in the conventional case, the ink is filled and the bag portion becomes bulky, and the end of the bag portion 11 becomes bulky. There is no problem of protruding from the cartridge case 9 and being sandwiched between the cartridge cases 9. Further, since there is no concern that the end of the bag portion 11 protrudes, the maximum amount of ink can be filled with respect to the internal volume of the cartridge case 9.

(2) According to the present embodiment, the ink pack 10 not filled with ink is stored in the inner case 92, and then the ink pack 10 is filled with ink. As a result, when assembling the printer 1, it is not necessary to prepare an ink pack 10 filled with inks of each color in advance. Therefore, the man-hours for assembling the printer 1 can be reduced.

(3) According to the present embodiment, the ink pack 10 not filled with ink is stored in the inner case 92, and then the ink pack 10 is filled with ink. As a result, when assembling the printer 1, the operator does not need to handle the ink pack 10 filled with ink. Therefore, when assembling the printer 1, the operator does not accidentally damage the ink pack 10 filled with ink.

(4) According to the present embodiment, the ink pack 10 not filled with ink is stored in the inner case 92, and then the ink pack 10 is filled with ink. As a result, the color type of the ink cartridge 7 can be determined at the stage of filling the ink pack 10 with the ink. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the color type of the ink cartridge 7 displayed on the ink cartridge 7 from being different from the color type of the ink actually filled in the ink pack 10 housed in the ink cartridge 7.

(5) According to the present embodiment, a bypass flow path 32 is provided in the lead-out unit 12. Therefore, ink can be injected from the lead-out portion 12 into the bag portion 11 even with the second valve mechanism V2. (6) According to the present embodiment, the bypass flow path 32 is blocked after the ink pack 10 is filled with ink. Therefore, it is possible to prevent air bubbles from being mixed into the bag portion 11 due to a malfunction of the user.

(7) According to the present embodiment, the bag portion 11 and the lead-out portion 12 (bypass flow path 32) are heat-welded. Therefore, for example, as compared with the case of vibration welding, it is possible to prevent the cleanliness of the ink from being lowered due to the inclusion of dust or the like in the bag portion 11. Further, for example, the time required for welding can be shortened as compared with the case of vibration welding.

(8) According to the present embodiment, the lead-out portion 12 and the inside of the bag portion 11 are made of the same material, while the outside of the bag portion 11 and the first sealing film F1 are made of different materials. As a result, even if thermocompression bonding is performed from above the first sealing film F1 with a heater, the bag portion 11 and the first sealing film F1 are adhered to each other while the bag portion 11 and the lead-out portion 12 are adhered to each other. There is nothing to do. Therefore, the bypass flow path 32 can be closed by a simple method without adding a closing component. (Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. Since the present embodiment is characterized by the method of closing the bypass flow path 32 of the ink pack 10 described in the first embodiment, in the following embodiments, the same parts as those of the first embodiment have the same reference numerals. , And the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the ink pack 10 before ink filling, a closing means and a closing member 110 as a stopper are rotatably connected to the lead-out portion 12 at the opening portion of the bypass flow path 32. The closing member 110 is connected to the lead-out portion 12 via the connecting portion 110a, and rotates around the connecting portion 110a. The closing member 110 is normally arranged at a position where the bypass flow path 32 is opened, and when pressed from above, the closing member 110 rotates around the connecting portion 110a and is fitted and fixed to the bypass flow path 32 to be closed.

Then, when the ink pack 10 is filled with ink, as shown in FIG. 7, the closing member 110 is opened and the ink is filled in the same manner as in the first embodiment (filling step). After filling the ink pack 10 with ink, the process proceeds to the closing stage. In the closing stage, the closing member 110 is fitted and fixed to the bypass flow path 32 from above the first sealing film F1 via the film member 11a using a pressing jig or a finger, as shown in FIG. The bypass flow path 32 is closed (blocking step). At this time, since the first sealing film F1 has flexibility, even if a pressing jig or a finger is pressed against it, it only bends and is not damaged. Then, in the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the film member 11a is not heat-welded to the welding portion 26 (bypass flow path 32).

Then, the locking piece K1 provided on the upper case 18 and the engaging member K2 formed between the outer case 90 and the inner case 92 are engaged with each other. As a result, the ink cartridge 7 in which the ink pack 10 is housed in the cartridge case 9 is completed.

According to the above embodiment, in addition to the effect of the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) According to the present embodiment, the closing member 110 is in the open position and the bypass flow path 32 of the ink pack 10 is open before the ink is filled. Then, after filling the ink pack 10 with ink, the closing member 110 was fitted and fixed to the bypass flow path 32 to close the bypass flow path 32. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the bypass flow path 32 can be closed without heat welding, so that the closing operation can be performed more easily and with a smaller number of steps.

Each of the above embodiments may be changed as follows. In the first embodiment, the upper case 18 is placed on the upper surface of the main body case 16 after the bypass flow path 32 is closed. An opening for heat welding is formed in a portion of the upper case 18 facing the bypass flow path 32. Then, the upper case 18 is put on the upper surface of the main body case 16. After that, the bypass flow path 32 may be closed by the thermocompression bonding tool 108 from above the opening, and then the opening may be closed.

In the second embodiment described above, the closing member 110 is rotatably connected to the lead-out portion 12. This may be done by loosely fitting the closing member into the bypass flow path 32, filling the ink pack 10 with ink, and then driving the closing member deeply to fit the closing member into the bypass flow path 32.

-In each of the above embodiments, the first sealing film F1 has flexibility as a whole. This may be made flexible at least only in the portion facing the bypass flow path 32.

-In each of the above embodiments, six ink packs 10 are provided, but the number of ink packs 10 mounted on the printer 1 may be any number. In each of the above embodiments, the liquid injection device is embodied in the printer 1, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a liquid injection device that injects another liquid may be embodied. For example, as a liquid injection device for injecting liquids such as electrode materials and coloring materials used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, EL displays and surface emitting displays, a liquid injection device for injecting bioorganic substances used in biochip production, and precision pipettes. The sample injection device may be used.

<figref num="1">The perspective view for demonstrating the outline of the printer of 1st Embodiment.</figref><figref num="2">Similarly, a perspective view for explaining the internal configuration of the printer.</figref><figref num="3">Similarly, an exploded perspective view for explaining the configuration of the ink cartridge.</figref><figref num="4">Similarly, a side sectional view for explaining the configuration of the ink cartridge before closing.</figref><figref num="5">Similarly, a side sectional view for explaining a method of closing the ink cartridge.</figref><figref num="6">Similarly, a side sectional view for explaining the configuration of the ink cartridge after closing.</figref><figref num="7">The side sectional view for demonstrating the structure of the ink cartridge before closing of 2nd Embodiment.</figref><figref num="8">Similarly, a side sectional view for explaining the configuration of the ink cartridge after closing.</figref>

Code description

1 ... Printer, 7 ... Ink Cartridge, 9 ... Cartridge Case, 10 ... Ink Pack, 11 ... Bag, 11a, 11b ... Film Parts, 12 ... Derivation, 16 ... body case, 18 ... upper case, 32 ... bypass flow path, 92 ... inner case, 108 ... thermocompression bonding tool, 110 ... closing member, 110a ... connecting part , F1 ... 1st sealing film, V1 ... 1st valve mechanism, V2 ... 2nd valve mechanism.