Ink cartridge for ink jet printer

• US 6,550,901 B2
• Filed: 12/27/2000
• Issued: 04/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Iida, Yuji
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Judy
• Application Number:
  US09/749,325
• Publication Number:
  US 20010006396A1
• Time in Patent Office: 846 Days
• Field of Search: 347/84-87
• US Class Current: 347/86
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17503 Ink cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1752 Mounting within the printer
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17523 Ink connection
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17553 Outer structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17556 Means for regulating the pressure in the cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17596 Ink pumps, ink valves
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/14 with flexible valve members
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/144 the closure elements being fixed along all or a part of their periphery
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/145 the closure elements being shaped as a solids of revolution, e.g. cylindrical or conical
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 16/0652 using several membranes without spring

Abstract

An ink cartridge for an ink jet printer is provided with a container having at least a first wall. An ink supply port is formed through the first wall for supplying ink to the exterior of the container. An ink chamber and an ink supply chamber are formed by a membrane valve seat made of an elastic thin membrane and formed with a through hole therethrough. A valve body is positioned opposing the through hole formed in the membrane valve seat, the valve body and membrane valve seat adjacent said through hole formed therein being maintained selectively in contact by a pressure difference between said ink chamber and said ink supply chamber.

Claims

1. An ink-jet recording device for use with an ink container having an ink chamber having an amount of an ink therein, an ink supply chamber, and an ink supply port leading to the ink supply chamber and through which ink flows from the ink supply chamber to the ink-jet recording device, comprising:

a connecting member upon which the ink container is detachably mounted;

an ink-jet recording head joined to said connecting member; and

an ink supply mechanism mounted to said connecting member for supplying ink from the ink supply port of the ink container to said recording head, the ink supply mechanism comprising;

a value body; and

a differential pressure valve including a movable elastic membrane member having an opening and normally in elastic contact with the valve body so that the opening is blocked by the valve body, the differential pressure valve separating the ink chamber from the ink supply chamber and opening at a pressure that is greater than a pressure exerted on the differential pressure valve just by the ink in the ink chamber.

2. An ink-jet recording device according to claim 1, wherein said ink supply mechanism is disposed in the ink container.

3. An ink-jet recording device according to claim 1, wherein said elastic membrane member is plate-like in shape.

4. An ink supply unit for use with an ink container having an ink chamber having an amount of an ink therein, an ink supply chamber, and an ink supply port in fluid communication with the ink supply chamber and adapted for connection to an ink-jet recording head, comprising:

a valve body; and

a differential pressure valve including a movable elastic membrane member having an ink flow port and normally in elastic contact with the valve body so that the ink flow port is blocked by the valve body, the differential pressure valve being disposed in the ink container, the differential pressure valve separating the ink chamber from the ink supply chamber and opening at a pressure that is greater than a pressure exerted on the differential pressure valve just by the ink in the ink chamber.

5. An ink supply unit according to claim 4, wherein said elastic membrane member lies in a plane perpendicular to an axis of the ink supply port.

6. An ink supply unit according to claim 4, wherein said elastic membrane member is formed at a center of the differential pressure valve with said ink flow port, the valve body is located on an upstream side of said ink flow port facing said ink flow port, and said ink flow port of said elastic membrane member is pressed against said valve body.

7. An ink supply unit according to claim 4, wherein said ink chamber communicates with ambient air via a capillary formed in said container.

8. An ink supply unit according to claim 7, wherein said capillary includes a groove formed on an upper wall of said ink chamber, and a flexible membrane along said groove.

9. An ink supply unit according to claim 4, wherein said elastic membrane member includes a movable part and a fixed part provided to a periphery of said movable part.

10. An ink supply unit according to claim 9, wherein a central area of said movable part is offset from a peripheral area thereof.

11. An ink supply unit according to claim 4, wherein said elastic membrane member includes a movable part and a supporting part being formed in an outer periphery of said movable part.

12. An ink supply unit according to claim 4, wherein said valve body is protruded toward said elastic membrane member.

13. An ink supply unit according to claim 4, wherein said valve body is formed as a protruded part having a planar surface on a side toward said elastic membrane member.

14. An ink unit according to claim 4, wherein said elastic membrane member is formed at its center with the ink flow port, and the valve body is formed as a protruded part defining a planar surface facing the elastic membrane member.

15. An ink supply unit according to claim 4, wherein said ink chamber and an area in which said differential pressure valve is accommodated are separated by a wall having a communication hole.

16. An ink supply unit according to claim 4, wherein said elastic membrane member is plate-like in shape.

17. An ink tank unit for detachable mounting on a connecting member of an ink jet recording apparatus, comprising:

a container having an ink chamber having an amount of an ink therein, an ink supply chamber, and an ink supply port leading to the ink supply chamber and through which ink flows from the ink supply chamber to a recording head; and

a mechanism for selectively communicating said ink chamber with the recording head in response to a pressure change caused in said ink supply chamber due to ejection of ink from the recording head, said mechanism including;

a stationary valve part; and

a movable valve part having an elastically deformable membrane having a through hole;

wherein said stationary valve part and said movable valve part are normally in contact with each other to close said through hole, and said movable valve part is selectively separated from said stationary valve part to open said through hole and communicate said ink chamber with the recording head through said through hole depending on said pressure change, the movable valve part separating from the stationary valve part at a pressure that is greater than a pressure exerted on the movable valve part just by the ink in the ink chamber.

18. An ink tank unit according to claim 17, wherein said container has a partition wall between said ink chamber and said ink supply chamber, extending in a first direction and having a communication hole therein, and said through hole of said movable valve part is offset from said communication hole in said first directions.

19. An ink tank unit for detachable mounting on a connecting member of an ink jet recording apparatus, comprising:

a container having a partition wall that defines and separates a first ink accumulating chamber containing an ink and a second ink accumulating chamber, said partition wall extending in a first direction, and having a first communication hole;

an elastically deformable first valve part opposite from said first ink accumulating chamber with respect to said partition wall, and defining a third ink accumulating chamber between said first valve part and said partition wall and within said second ink accumulating chamber, said first valve part having a second communication hole offset from said first communication hole in said first direction, the first valve part moving at a pressure that is greater than a pressure exerted on the first valve part just by the ink in the first ink accumulating chamber;

a stationary, rigid second valve part provided to said partition wall and aligned with and blocking said second communication hole, so that when the first valve part moves said second communication hole is not blocked; and

an ink supply port leading to the second ink accumulating chamber and through which ink flows from the second ink accumulating chamber to the ink-jet recording apparatus.

20. An ink tank unit according to claim 19, wherein said second valve part is protruded from said partition wall toward said first valve part.

21. An ink tank unit according to claim 20, wherein a distal end face of said second valve part contacts a part of said first valve part surrounding said second communication hole.

22. A selective ink supply system to be located between an ink chamber containing an ink and an ink supply port through which the ink flows to an ink-jet recording apparatus upon which the ink chamber is detachably mounted, said system comprising:

a valve assembly having a valve part and a first communication hole adjacent to said valve part; and

an elastic member movable toward and away from said valve assembly, said elastic member having a second communication hole aligned with and blocked by said valve part and offset from said first communication hole, the elastic member separating from said valve part at a pressure that is greater than a pressure exerted on the elastic member just by the ink in the ink chamber so that when the elastic member moves said second communication hole is not blocked.

23. A selective ink supply system according to claim 22, wherein said first communication hole is in fluid communication with said ink chamber, and said second communication hole is in fluid communication with said ink supply port.

24. A selective ink supply system according to claim 22, wherein said valve part contacts said elastic member to define a space between said valve assembly and said elastic member.

25. A selective ink supply system according to claim 24, wherein ink flows from said ink chamber through said first communication hole and into said space and through said second communication hole to the ink supply port.

26. A selective ink supply system according to claim 22, wherein an outer periphery of said elastic member is held by said valve assembly.

27. A selective ink supply system according to claim 22, wherein said elastic member is plate-like in shape.

28. A selective ink supply system according to claim 22, wherein said valve part is a protrusion.

29. A selective ink supply system for selectively supplying ink from an ink chamber containing an ink to an ink supply port through which the ink flows to an ink-jet recording apparatus upon which said ink chamber is detachably mounted, said system comprising:

first means for fixedly positioning a valve part and a first communication hole adjacent to said valve part and communicated with said ink chamber; and

second means for movably positioning a second communication hole against, and to be blocked by, said valve part and selectively communicating said first communication hole with said ink supply port through said second communication hole, said second means separating from the valve part at a pressure that is greater than a pressure exerted on said second means just by the ink in said ink chamber so that when the second means separates from the valve part said second communication hole is not blocked,

wherein said second communication hole is aligned with said valve part and offset from said first communication hole.

30. A selective ink supply system according to claim 29, wherein said first means includes a valve assembly fixed with respect to an ink container, and said second means includes an elastic membrane member movably supported to said ink container.

31. A selective ink supply system according to claim 29, wherein said valve part is a protrusion.

32. A method of assembling an ink container for detachable mounting on an ink jet recording apparatus, comprising the steps of:

providing the ink container, the ink container having an ink chamber containing an ink, an ink supply chamber, an ink supply port in fluid communication with the ink supply chamber, a member separating the ink chamber from the ink supply chamber, the member having a valve body, and an elastic valve seat having an opening; and

securing the valve seat and the member against each other and deforming the valve seat so that the opening presses against the valve body to prevent the valve seat from separating from the valve body under pressure exerted just by the ink in the ink chamber.

33. A method of assembling an ink-jet recording apparatus having a connecting member upon which an ink container is detachably mounted, comprising the steps of:

providing the ink container, the ink container having an ink chamber containing an ink, an ink supply chamber, an ink supply port in fluid communication with the ink supply chamber, a member separating the ink chamber from the ink supply chamber, the member having a valve body, and an elastic valve seat having an opening;

securing the valve seat and the member against each other and deforming the valve seat so that the opening presses against the valve body to prevent the valve seat from separating from the valve body under pressure exerted just by the ink in the ink chamber; and

mounting the ink container on the connecting member.

34. An ink-jet recording device for use with an ink container having an ink chamber having an amount of an ink therein, an ink supply chamber, and an ink supply port leading to the ink supply chamber and through which ink flows from the ink supply chamber to the ink-jet recording device, comprising:

a connecting member upon which the ink container is detachably mounted;

an ink-jet recording head joined to said connecting member; and

an ink supply mechanism mounted to said connecting member for supplying ink from the ink supply port of the ink container to said recording head, the ink supply mechanism comprising;

a valve body, and

a differential pressure valve including a movable elastic membrane member having an opening and normally in elastic contact with the valve body so that the opening is blocked by the valve body, the differential pressure valve separating the ink chamber from the ink supply chamber and opening when ink downstream of the differential pressure valve establishes a pressure difference larger than a predetermined pressure difference relative to the ink in the ink chamber due to ink consumption by the ink-jet recording head.

35. An ink-jet recording device according to claim 34, wherein said ink supply mechanism is disposed in the ink container.

36. An ink-jet recording device according to claim 34, wherein said elastic membrane member is plate-like in shape.

37. An ink supply unit for use with an ink container having an ink chamber having an amount of an ink therein, an ink supply chamber, and an ink supply port in fluid communication with the ink supply chamber and adapted for connection to an ink-jet recording head, comprising:

a valve body; and

a differential pressure valve including a movable elastic membrane member having an ink flow port and normally in elastic contact with the valve body so that the ink flow port is blocked by the valve body, the differential pressure valve being disposed in the ink container, the differential pressure valve separating the ink chamber from the ink supply chamber and opening when ink downstream of the differential pressure valve establishes a pressure difference larger than a predetermined pressure difference relative to the ink in the ink chamber due to ink consumption by the ink-jet recording head.

38. An ink supply unit according to claim 37, wherein said elastic membrane member lies in a plane perpendicular to an axis of the ink supply port.

39. An ink supply unit according to claim 37, wherein said elastic membrane member is formed at a center of the differential pressure valve with said ink flow port, the valve body is located on an upstream side of said ink flow port facing said ink flow port, and said ink flow port of said elastic membrane member is pressed against said valve body.

40. An ink supply unit according to claim 37, wherein said ink chamber communicates with ambient air via a capillary formed in said container.

41. An ink supply unit according to claim 40, wherein said capillary includes a groove formed on an upper wall of said ink chamber, and a flexible membrane along said groove.

42. An ink supply unit according to claim 37, wherein said elastic membrane member includes a movable part and a fixed part provided to a periphery of said movable part.

43. An ink supply unit according to claim 42, wherein a central area of said movable part is offset from a peripheral area thereof.

44. An ink supply unit according to claim 37, wherein said elastic membrane member includes a movable part and a supporting part being formed in an outer periphery of said movable part.

45. An ink supply unit according to claim 37, wherein said valve body is protruded toward said elastic membrane member.

46. An ink supply unit according to claim 37, wherein said valve body is formed as a protruded part having a planar surface on a side toward said elastic membrane member.

47. An ink supply unit according to claim 37, wherein said elastic membrane member is formed at its center with the ink flow port, and the valve body is formed as a protruded part defining a planar surface facing the elastic membrane member.

48. An ink supply unit according to claim 37, wherein said ink chamber and an area in which said differential pressure valve is accommodated are separated by a wall having a communication hole.

49. An ink supply unit according to claim 37, wherein said elastic membrane member is plate-like in shape.

50. An ink tank unit for detachable mounting on a connecting member of an ink jet recording apparatus, comprising:

a container having an ink chamber having an amount of an ink therein, an ink supply chamber, and an ink supply port leading to the ink supply chamber and through which ink flows from the ink supply chamber to a recording head; and

a mechanism for selectively communicating said ink chamber with the recording head in response to a pressure change caused in said ink supply chamber due to ejection of ink from the recording head, said mechanism including;

a stationary valve part; and

a movable valve part having an elastically deformable membrane having a through hole;

wherein said stationary valve part and said movable valve part are normally in contact with each other to close said through hole, and said movable valve part is selectively separated from said stationary valve part to open said through hole and communicate said ink chamber with the recording head through said through hole depending on said pressure change, the movable valve part separating from the stationary valve part when ink downstream of the movable valve part establishes a pressure difference larger than a predetermined pressure difference relative to the ink in the ink chamber due to ink consumption by the recording head.

51. An ink tank unit according to claim 50, wherein said container has a partition wall between said ink chamber and said ink supply chamber, extending in a first direction and having a communication hole therein, and said through hole of said movable valve part is offset from said communication hole in said first direction.

52. An ink tank unit for detachable mounting on a connecting member of an ink jet recording apparatus, comprising:

a container having a partition wall that defines and separates a first ink accumulating chamber containing an ink and a second ink accumulating chamber, said partition wall extending in a first direction, and having a first communication hole;

an elastically deformable first valve part opposite from said first ink accumulating chamber with respect to said partition wall, and defining a third ink accumulating chamber between said first valve part and said partition wall and within said second ink accumulating chamber, said first valve part having a second communication hole offset from said first communication hole in said first direction;

a stationary, rigid second valve part provided to said partition wall and aligned with and blocking said second communication hole, so that when the first valve part moves said second communication hole is not blocked, the first valve part separating from the second valve part when ink downstream of the first valve part establishes a pressure difference larger than a predetermined pressure difference relative to the ink in the first ink accumulating chamber due to ink consumption by a recording head; and

an ink supply port leading to the second ink accumulating chamber and through which ink flows from the second ink accumulating chamber to the ink-jet recording apparatus.

53. An ink tank unit according to claim 52, wherein said second valve part is protruded from said partition wall toward said first valve part.

54. An ink tank unit according to claim 53, wherein a distal end face of said second valve part contacts a part of said first valve part surrounding said second communication hole.

55. A selective ink supply system to be located between an ink chamber containing an ink and an ink supply port through which the ink flows to an ink-jet recording apparatus upon which the ink chamber is detachably mounted, said system comprising:

a valve assembly having a valve part and a first communication hole adjacent to said valve part; and

an elastic member movable toward and away from said valve assembly, said elastic member having a second communication hole aligned with and blocked by said valve part and offset from said first communication hole,

the elastic member separating from said valve part when ink downstream of the elastic member establishes a pressure difference larger than a predetermined pressure difference relative to the ink in the ink chamber due to ink consumption by an ink-jet recording head.

56. A selective ink supply system according to claim 55, wherein said first communication hole is in fluid communication with said ink chamber, and said second communication hole is in fluid communication with said ink supply port.

57. A selective ink supply system according to claim 55, wherein said valve part is a protrusion.

58. A selective ink supply system according to claim 55, wherein said valve part contacts said elastic member to define a space between said valve assembly and said elastic member.

59. A selective ink supply system according to claim 58, wherein ink flows from said ink chamber through said first communication hole and into said space and through said second communication hole to the ink supply port.

60. A selective ink supply system according to claim 55, wherein an outer periphery of said elastic member is held by said valve assembly.

61. A selective ink supply system according to claim 55, wherein said elastic member is plate-like in shape.

62. A selective ink supply system for selectively supplying ink from an ink chamber containing an ink to an ink supply port through which the ink flows to an ink-jet recording apparatus upon which said ink chamber is detachably mounted, said system comprising:

first means for fixedly positioning a valve part and a first communication hole adjacent to said valve part and communicated with said ink chamber; and

second means for movably positioning a second communication hole against, and to be blocked by, said valve part and selectively communicating said first communication hole with said ink supply port through said second communication hole, said second means separating from the valve part when ink downstream of said second means establishes a pressure difference larger than a predetermined pressure difference relative to the ink in the ink chamber due to ink consumption by an ink-jet recording head,

wherein said second communication hole is aligned with said valve part and offset from said first communication hole.

63. A selective ink supply system according to claim 62, wherein said first means includes a valve assembly fixed with respect to an ink container, and said second means includes an elastic membrane member movably supported to said ink container.

64. A selective ink supply system according to claim 62, wherein said valve part is a protrusion.

65. An ink tank unit for detachable mounting on a connecting member of an ink jet recording apparatus, comprising:

a container having an ink chamber having an amount of an ink therein, an ink supply chamber, and an ink supply port leading to the ink supply chamber and through which ink flows from the ink supply chamber to a recording head; and

a mechanism for selectively communicating said ink chamber with the recording head in response to a pressure change caused in said ink supply chamber due to ejection of ink from the recording head, said mechanism including;

a stationary valve part; and

a movable valve part having an elastically deformable membrane having a through hole;

wherein said stationary valve part and said movable valve part are normally in contact with each other to close said through hole, and said movable valve part is selectively separated from said stationary valve part to open said through hole and communicate said ink chamber with the recording head through said through hole depending on said pressure change, the elastically deformable membrane being deformed so that the through hole presses against the stationary valve part to prevent the elastically deformable membrane from separating from the stationary valve part under pressure exerted just by the ink in the ink chamber.

66. An ink tank unit according to claim 65, wherein said container has a partition wall between said ink chamber and said ink supply chamber, extending in a first direction and having a communication hole therein, and said through hole of said movable valve part is offset from said communication hole in said first direction.

67. An ink tank unit for detachable mounting on a connecting member of an ink jet recording apparatus, comprising:

a container having a partition wall that defines and separates a first ink accumulating chamber containing an ink and a second ink accumulating chamber, said partition wall extending in a first direction, and having a first communication hole;

an elastically deformable first valve part opposite from said first ink accumulating chamber with respect to said partition wall, and defining a third ink accumulating chamber between said first valve part and said partition wall and within said second ink accumulating chamber, said first valve part having a second communication hole offset from said first communication hole in said first direction;

a stationary, rigid second valve part provided to said partition wall and aligned with and blocking said second communication hole, so that when the first valve part moves said second communication hole is not blocked, the first valve part being deformed so that the second communication hole presses against the second valve part to prevent the first valve part from separating from the second valve part under pressure exerted just by the ink in the ink chamber; and

an ink supply port leading to the second ink accumulating chamber and through which ink flows from the second ink accumulating chamber to the ink-jet recording apparatus.

68. An ink tank unit according to claim 67, wherein said second valve part is protruded from said partition wall toward said first valve part.

69. An ink tank unit according to claim 68, wherein a distal end face of said second valve part contacts a part of said first valve part surrounding said second communication hole.

70. An ink tank unit for detachable mounting on a connecting member of an ink jet recording apparatus, comprising:

a container having an ink chamber having an amount of an ink therein, an ink supply chamber, and an ink supply port leading to the ink supply chamber and through which ink flows from the ink supply chamber to a recording head; and

a mechanism for selectively communicating said ink chamber with the recording head in response to a pressure change caused in said ink supply chamber due to ejection of ink from the recording head, said mechanism including;

a stationary valve part; and

a movable valve part having an elastically deformable membrane having a through hole;

wherein said stationary valve part and said movable valve part are normally in contact with each other to close said through hole, the movable valve part being urged against the stationary valve part, and said movable valve part is selectively separated from said stationary valve part to open said through hole and communicate said ink chamber with the recording head through said through hole depending on said pressure change, the movable valve part separating from the stationary valve part as a result of a pressure difference between said ink chamber and said ink supply chamber due to ink consumption by the ink jet recording head.

71. An ink tank unit according to claim 70, wherein said container has a partition wall between said ink chamber and said ink supply chamber, extending in a first direction and having a communication hole therein, and said through hole of said movable valve part is offset from said communication hole in said first direction.

72. An ink tank unit for detachable mounting on a connecting member of an ink jet recording apparatus, comprising:

a container having a partition wall that defines and separates a first ink accumulating chamber containing an ink and a second ink accumulating chamber, said partition wall extending in a first direction, and having a first communication hole;

an elastically deformable first valve part opposite from said first ink accumulating chamber with respect to said partition wall, and defining a third ink accumulating chamber between said first valve part and said partition wall and within said second ink accumulating chamber, said first valve part having a second communication hole offset from said first communication hole in said first direction;

a stationary, rigid second valve part provided to said partition wall and aligned with and blocking said second communication hole, the first valve part being urged against the second valve part, so that when the first valve part moves said second communication hole is not blocked, the first valve part separating from the second valve part as a result of a pressure difference between said first ink accumulating chamber and said second ink accumulating chamber due to ink consumption by the ink jet recording headA; and

an ink supply port leading to the second ink accumulating chamber and through which ink flows from the second ink accumulating chamber to the ink-jet recording apparatus.

73. An ink tank unit according to claim 72, wherein said second valve part is protruded from said partition wall toward said first valve part.

74. An ink tank unit according to claim 73, wherein a distal end face of said second valve part contacts a part of said first valve part surrounding said second communication hole.