EP0478244A2 - Ink cartridge and ink jet apparatus usable with ink cartridge - Google Patents
Ink cartridge and ink jet apparatus usable with ink cartridge Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0478244A2 EP0478244A2 EP91308605A EP91308605A EP0478244A2 EP 0478244 A2 EP0478244 A2 EP 0478244A2 EP 91308605 A EP91308605 A EP 91308605A EP 91308605 A EP91308605 A EP 91308605A EP 0478244 A2 EP0478244 A2 EP 0478244A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- ink
- cartridge
- projection
- supply port
- recording
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
- B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
- B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
- B41J2/17526—Electrical contacts to the cartridge
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
- B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
- B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
- B41J2/17513—Inner structure
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
- B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
- B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
- B41J2/1752—Mounting within the printer
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an ink cartridge and an ink jet apparatus usable with the ink cartridge detachably mountable to the ink jet apparatus.
- Figure 5 illustrates the positional relation of the connection.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention wherein a cover of the apparatus has been removed.
- the ink jet recording apparatus comprises a recording head 1 in the form of a chip and a carriage 2 for mounting the recording head 1 thereon and for scanningly moving the recording head along a recording material (a sheet of paper).
- the carriage 2 is provided, as will be described in detail hereinafter, a supporting member for detachably mounting the recording head 1 and a cover member (chain lines) for protecting a base plate which constitute a part of the recording head 1 and on which a head driver circuit or the like is printed.
- the rotational driving force of the feed motor 21 is used to rotate the sheet feeding roller 5, the discharging roller 4 and operates the ejection recovery mechanism, more particularly, the movement of the cap 13, the blade 26 and the absorbing member 25 and the pump 24.
- the rotational driving force of the feed motor 21 mounted on the frame of the main assembly is first transmitted to a transmission and switching gear train 19.
- the selective switching is effected by movement of an unshown selecting gear operable in association with the scanning movement of the recording head 1, the movement to the home position or the ejection recovery position and the stoppage thereat.
- the rotations of the gears in the gear train 19 is transmitted to the sheet discharging roller 4 and the sheet feeding roller 5 via an intermediate gear 20. It is also transmitted to the integral cap 13 or the like by way of a cam 16 and also transmitted to the pump 24 via pump gear 22 and a pump cam 23.
- a position (1) is a limit position for the ink communication
- a position (3) is a limit position for fixing the cartridge 27, and a position (4) is a cartridge 27 abutment position.
- a position (2A) is a trailing side limit position (with respect to the cartridge inserting direction) for the electric connection between the contact 306A and 306B through the pattern 346A.
- a position (2B) is a trailing limit position in which the contact 306A and 306B are away from the pattern 346A, and they are contacted only with the pattern 346B so that the resistance of the pattern 346B is readable.
- the position (2B) is preferably the same as or in the neighborhood of the position (3), and particularly in the neighborhood of the position (3) where the click 320 is not engaged with the recess 332, and therefore, the cartridge 27 is easily retracted.
- the cartridge 27 has already been assuredly fixed.
- the information (ink color or the like) of the cartridge, indicated by the resistance, is read, and the setting operations corresponding to the information are carried out at step S11.
- Figure 9 is a bottom view of the inserting portion and corresponds to the view taken along lines a in Figure 2.
- Figure 10 is a sectional view taken along a line vertical to the ink cartridge inserting direction.
- Figure 10A shows the situation when the ink cartridge 27 is not mounted, and
- Figure 10B shows the situation when it is mounted.
- Figure 11 is a sectional view taken along a line parallel with the ink cartridge inserting direction.
- the stopper 406b rotates in the retracting direction from the cartridge insertion path 33 about the pin 406c against the spring force by the spring 406d, by which the pawl 406a is released from the cover 401, thus permitting opening of the cover 401.
- the cover 401 is permitted to retract from the cartridge insertion path 33.
- the cartridge 27 has a projection 405a on a front surface 405 (leading side with respect to the cartridge inserting direction) at a position corresponding to the tapered portion 406b of the stopper 406 upon insertion of the cartridge.
- the projection 405a When the cartridge 27 is inserted into the inserting path 33, the projection 405a is faced to the tapered portion 406b. Therefore, when the cartridge is in the process of being inserted, the projection 405a enters the gap between the cover 401 and the frame 408 beyond the cover 401 until it contacts the tapered portion 406b of the stopper 406.
- the projection 405 lowers the tapered portion 406b so as to retract the tapered portion 406b away from the insertion path 33, until the pawl 406a of the stopper 406 is released from the cover 401. Then, the cover 401 is permitted to retract away from the insertion path, thus permitting further insertion of the cartridge 27. Thereafter, the front side 405 of the cartridge 27 abuts directly the cover 406, by which the cover 401 is raised by the cartridge 27.
- the dimensions of the ink jet cartridge 27 are as follows: 1: 109 mm: 2; 79.6 mm: 3; 25.5 mm: 4: 14 mm: 5; 6 mm: 6; 42.8 mm: 7; 20.8 mm: 8; 12.5 mm: 9; 17.5 mm: 10; 13.4 mm: 11; 7 mm: 12; 6 mm: 13; 12 mm: 14 and 15; 6 mm: 16; 4 mm: 17; 2.5 mm: 18; 10 mm: 19 and 20; 6 mm: 21; 2 mm: 22; 4.5 mm: 23; 3 mm:
- An inclined surface 500 at each of the left and right top of the cartridge 27 is provided for preventing erroneous insertion.
- the top 27c ( Figure 3) of the leading side of the cartridge case 27a abuts the limiting plate 32 of the main assembly ( Figures 1, 10A and 10B), so that the loading of the cartridge 27 is prevented.
- the inclined surface 500 is effective to escape from the limiting plate 32, so that the cartridge 27 is permitted to be further inserted.
- the configuration at the top end of the cartridge case 27a is not limited to the inclined or tapered surface but may be changed in accordance with the shape of the limiting plate.
- the present invention is particularly suitably usable in an ink jet recording head and recording apparatus wherein thermal energy by an electrothermal transducer, laser beam or the like is used to cause a change of state of the ink to eject or discharge the ink. This is because the high density of the picture elements and the high resolution of the recording are possible.
- the present invention is applicable to a serial type recording head wherein the recording head is fixed on the main assembly, to a replaceable chip type recording head which is connected electrically with the main apparatus and can be supplied with the ink when it is mounted in the main assembly, or to a cartridge type recording head having an integral ink container.
- the provisions of the recovery means and/or the auxiliary means for the preliminary operation are preferable, because they can further stabilize the effects of the present invention.
- preliminary heating means which may be the electrothermal transducer, an additional heating element or a combination thereof.
- means for effecting preliminary ejection (not for the recording operation) can stabilize the recording operation.
- the recording head mountable may be a single corresponding to a single color ink, or may be plural corresponding to the plurality of ink materials having different recording color or density.
- the present invention is effectively applicable to an apparatus having at least one of a monochromatic mode mainly with black, a multi-color mode with different color ink materials and/or a full-color mode using the mixture of the colors, which may be an integrally formed recording unit or a combination of plural recording heads.
- the ink is liquefied, and the liquefied ink may be ejected.
- Another ink material may start to be solidified at the time when it reaches the recording material.
- the present invention is also applicable to such an ink material as is liquefied by the application of the thermal energy.
- Such an ink material may be retained as a liquid or solid material in through holes or recesses formed in a porous sheet as disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 56847/1979 and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 71260/1985. The sheet is faced to the electrothermal transducers. The most effective one for the ink materials described above is the film boiling system.
- the small and simple structure is enough to prevent the erroneous mounting of the ink cartridge and from the contamination with the ink.
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to an ink cartridge and an ink jet apparatus usable with the ink cartridge detachably mountable to the ink jet apparatus.
- Various recording systems are known to effect recording on paper, OHP (overhead projector) sheet, cloth or another recording material. The recording systems include a wire dot type, a heat-sensitive type, a heat transfer type, an ink jet type, for example. Among these systems, the ink jet type is recently particularly noted because of its low running cost and quietness. In the ink jet recording system, an ink container (ink supply source) is made detachably mountable to the main assembly of the recording apparatus by manipulation of the operator to facilitate replenishment of the ink necessitated by consumption of the ink by the recording operation.
- In this type, when the ink container is mounted into the main assembly of the recording apparatus, a hollow needle projected from the main assembly pierces in a bag of the ink container to establish communication between the main assembly and the ink supply system. This necessitates provision of the hollow needle of the main assembly in the ink container setting position. Therefore, the needle is contaminated with the ink. Therefore, a cover is provided adjacent the ink container setting position to prevent the operators hand from direct access to the needle during the maintenance operation or the like. Means are provided to permit the cover to open only when the ink container is inserted. Actually, however, the cover is easily opened by the operator's hand contacting the latching portion. If the means is so constructed to provide difficulty in the opening, the structure is complicated with the result of higher cost and larger space.
- The prior art will be described.
- U.S. Patent No. 4,074,284 issued on February 14, 1978 discloses an ink supply system wherein a seal of the main assembly is pushed down by a leading side of the
ink cartridge 12, and the ink cartridge is mounted into the main assembly. By doing so, a needle of the main assembly enters theink cartridge 12, thus establishing communication between the ink bladder of the ink cartridge and the ink supply system of the main assembly. Then, the print head is supplied with the ink from the ink cartridge. This system involves the liability that the needle is easily exposed when the operator contacts the seal in the maintenance operation or the like. Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Application No. 180734/1986 (Application No. 62973/1985) discloses an ink jet recording apparatus wherein a lack of the main assembly is moved by the leading edge of theink cartridge 2, or the locking member of the main assembly is retracted by the leading edge of theink cartridge 2 to release amovable member 13 or a bubble adjacent the ink cartridge inlet so as to permit loading of the ink cartridge to the main assembly. By doing so, the hollow needle of the main assembly enters the ink cartridge, so that the ink can be supplied. This system also involves the liability that when the operator contacts the lack or the locking member, the needle is easily exposed. - On the other hand, there is known ink cartridge prior art.
- U.S. Patent No. 4,119,034 issued on October 10, 1978 discloses an ink supply reservoir which is detachably mountable to the main assembly and which comprises integral flexible ink container and residual ink collection chamber.
- U.S. Patent 4,695,824 issued on September 22, 1987 discloses an ink storage apparatus which is detachably mountable to the main assembly and which comprises integral flexible ink container and residual ink absorbing material. The four edges of a face of the ink cassette case in communication with tubes are projected.
- Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide an ink cartridge and an ink jet recording apparatus usable with the ink cartridge, wherein the ink cartridge is advantageous in not requiring large space.
- It is another object of the present invention to provide an ink cartridge and an ink jet recording apparatus usable with the ink cartridge having a projection on a face having an ink outlet portion.
- It is another object of the present invention to provide an ink cartridge and an ink jet recording apparatus usable with the ink cartridge wherein a projection is provided for permitting retraction of a protection cover, when the ink cartridge is mounted into the main assembly of the recording apparatus.
- It is a further object of the present invention to provide an ink cartridge and an ink jet recording apparatus usable with the ink cartridge wherein the ink cartridge has a projection for preventing the ink cartridge stably stand while its ink output portion being faced down.
- It is a further object of the present invention to provide an ink cartridge and an ink jet recording apparatus usable with an ink cartridge wherein the ink cartridge has a projection for preventing the ink outlet portion is prevented from contacting a table when it stands or it is caused to stand on the table.
- It is a yet further object of the present invention to provide an ink cartridge and an ink jet recording apparatus usable with the ink cartridge of low cost.
- These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon a consideration of the following description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
- Figure 1 is a perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention without its top cover.
- Figures 2A and 2B are a perspective and a partial sectional view of a structure of an ink cartridge mounting portion of the ink jet recording apparatus.
- Figure 3 is a sectional view of an ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating interconnection between the ink cartridge and the main assembly of the recording apparatus.
- Figure 5 illustrates the positional relation of the connection.
- Figures 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D and 6E illustrate inconveniences arising when the positional relation in this embodiment is not used.
- Figures 7A and 7B are partial enlarged view of an ink cartridge and the positional relation in an improved modification of Figures 4 and 5 arrangement.
- Figures 8A and 8B are a block diagram of a control system used with the structure of Figure 7 and a flow chart showing the sequential operations thereof.
- Figure 9 is a bottom view of the ink cartridge inserting portion.
- Figures 10A, 10B and 11 are sectional views of an ink cartridge inserting portion.
- Figure 12 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge.
- Figure 13 shows an ink cartridge wherein it stand on a table.
- Figure 14 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge having a pulling seal.
- Referring to the accompanying drawings the preferred embodiments of the present inventions will be described.
- Figure 1 is a perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention wherein a cover of the apparatus has been removed. The ink jet recording apparatus comprises a
recording head 1 in the form of a chip and acarriage 2 for mounting therecording head 1 thereon and for scanningly moving the recording head along a recording material (a sheet of paper). Thecarriage 2 is provided, as will be described in detail hereinafter, a supporting member for detachably mounting therecording head 1 and a cover member (chain lines) for protecting a base plate which constitute a part of therecording head 1 and on which a head driver circuit or the like is printed. - The
recording head 1 has 64 ejection outlets at its end surface, and the ejection outlets communicates with the respective ink passages. Behind the ink passages, a common liquid chamber is provided to supply the respective liquid passages with the ink. Each of the ink passages corresponding to each of 64 ejection outlets, an electrothermal transducer for generating thermal energy contributable to ejecting droplets of the ink through the ejection outlet and electrode wiring for supplying electric power to the electrothermal transducers. - The electrothermal transducer and the electrode wiring are formed on the base plate made of silicon or the like through film forming processes. By laminating partition walls and top plate or the like made of resin or glass material, on the base plate, the ejection outlets, the ink passages and the common ink chambers are constituted. Further behind on the
recording head 1, driving circuit is formed in the form of a print to drive the electrothermal transducers in accordance with the recording signals. - The
carriage 2 is provided with aconnector base 12 through aconnector 9 at a position behind therecording head 1 mounting position. Theconnector base plate 12 is provided with aconnector 9 for connection with therecording head 1 and a connector for connection with a flexible cable connected with a control circuit of a main assembly control system 400 (Figure 8A). Theconnector base plate 12 has capacitors and resistors or the like which function to compensate voltage drop through the flexible cable and to prevent introduction of noise. Theconnector base plate 12 is supported on a sliding member, as will be described hereinafter and slides together with the opening and closing motion of the cover member so that theconnector 9 is brought into contact with the contact of therecording head 1. - The
carriage 2 is engaged with a guidingshaft 3 through the engaging portion 2a for sliding and rotational movement. The guidingshaft 3 extends over a range longer than the width of therecording sheet 6 in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the recording material feeding. Thecarriage 2 is connected with a part of a belt (not shown) stretched in a direction parallel with the guidingshaft 3. When the belt is driven by a carriage motor (not shown), thecarriage 2 moves along the guidingshaft 3 in the scanning manner. Thecarriage 2 and therecording head 1 rotates along the guidingshaft 3 by the weights thereof. The weights are also effective to urge asheet confining plate 8 which will be described hereinafter, through a slidingmember 17 which is provided on thecarriage 2 and slides on the sheet confining plate. Thus, therecording head 1 is spaced from therecording sheet 6 with a predetermined clearance therebetween irrespective of the thickness of therecording sheet 6. - The
recording sheet 6 which is automatically fed out of a sheet feeding cassette (not shown) or manually fed out, is fed into the main assembly of the recording apparatus through asheet inlet 7 constituted by an upper paper guide 7a and alower paper guide 7b. The upper paper guide 7a has an extension constituting the curvedsheet confining plate 8. Thesheet confining plate 8 urges therecording sheet 6 to a platen roller 5. The material is so selected that the friction resulting between thesheet confining plate 8 and therecording sheet 6 under the urging force is smaller than the friction between the sheet feeding roller 5 and therecording sheet 6. Thelower paper guide 7b extends to a position where thesheet confining plate 8 is in parallel with the platen roller 5. - The
recording sheet 6 is supplied through thesheet inlet 7 and is fed upwardly together with the rotation of the sheet feeding roller 28 one by one line. At this time, therecording sheet 6 slides on a plate-like platen 7 while the interval between therecording head 1 and therecording sheet 6 being maintained at a predetermined level by thesheet confining plate 8 and theplaten 7. Apinch roller 29 is pressed on a periphery of the sheet feeding roller 5 by the resiliency of aleaf spring 29a. - The
recording head 1, during its scanning movement, ejects or discharges ink droplets to the recording zone of the recording sheet faced thereto, thus effecting the recording operation for one line. By repeating the recording operation and the subsequent sheet feeding operation by one line, character, the characters, the images or the like are recorded. Therecording sheet 6 now having the recorded image or the like is discharged onto the discharge tray (not shown) by dischargingroller 4 and spurs 40A and 40B disposed above the sheet conveying passage. Five pairs ofspurs 40A and 40B are provided for five pairs of dischargingrollers 4. Between the spurs, a spur cleaner are disposed. In Figure 1, the member for supporting the spur cleaner and the spur cleaner are omitted. Thespur 40A presses therecording sheet 6 to the dischargingroller 4, and the spur 40B confines the conveying direction of therecording sheet 6 in cooperation with theplaten 7. The dischargingroller 4 is rotated so as to have a peripheral speed larger than that of the sheet feeding roller 5, so that the recording zone of therecording sheet 6 is stretched upwardly, by which therecording sheet 6 is prevented from being away from theplaten 7, thus assuring the proper recording operation in the recording zone. - Adjacent a home position which is continuous with the scanning zone of the
recording head 1, various structures for effecting ejection recovery for therecording head 1 are provided. The structure includes a blade 26 for removing droplets, dust or the like on the ejection side surface having the ejection outlets by a wiping action, an absorbingmember 25 for removing the droplets on the ejection side surface by absorption, and a cap for capping the ejection side surface to sealing the ejection side surface, effecting idle ink ejection and sucking the ink. They are supported integrally on a supportingmember 14 which is movable toward and away from therecording head 1 moving zone, so as to carry out the respective operations at proper times. The ink sucking operation using thecap 13 is carried out with apump 24 which is communicating with thegap 13 through a hollow portion of the movable supportingmember 14 and a tube. When the recording head is capped by thecap 13, a hole formed in acap arm 17 mounted on a side surface of the cap supporting member is engaged with a projection of thecarriage 2 so that therecording head 1 is prevented from backward rotation, thus assuring the capping of thecap 13 for the ejection side surface. - The rotational driving force of the
feed motor 21 is used to rotate the sheet feeding roller 5, the dischargingroller 4 and operates the ejection recovery mechanism, more particularly, the movement of thecap 13, the blade 26 and the absorbingmember 25 and thepump 24. The rotational driving force of thefeed motor 21 mounted on the frame of the main assembly is first transmitted to a transmission and switchinggear train 19. In thegear train 19, the selective switching is effected by movement of an unshown selecting gear operable in association with the scanning movement of therecording head 1, the movement to the home position or the ejection recovery position and the stoppage thereat. The rotations of the gears in thegear train 19 is transmitted to thesheet discharging roller 4 and the sheet feeding roller 5 via anintermediate gear 20. It is also transmitted to theintegral cap 13 or the like by way of acam 16 and also transmitted to thepump 24 viapump gear 22 and apump cam 23. - The ink is supplied to the
recording head 1 from theink cartridge 27 mounted on the main assembly of the recording apparatus through a flexible tube 100 (Figures 1, 2 and 4) which can follow the movement of thecarriage 2. More particularly, the ink is supplied to therecording head 1 from theink cartridge 27 through atube 100 connecting thehollow needle 314 and therecording head 1. The position of thecarriage 2 is detected by counting the number of steps actuated by the carriage motor (not shown) with the reference position provided by interrelation between a home position sensor 11 of thecarriage 2 and a homeposition detecting flag 31 adjacent an end of the moving zone of thecarriage 2. These operations are controlled by the controller 400 (Figure 8A) of the main assembly. - The description will be described as to the mounting
portion 30 to which theink cartridge 27 is mounted, and also the description will be made as to the ink cartridge. - Figures 2A and 2B show the mounting
portion 30 for the ink cartridge. In Figure 2A, designated by areference numeral 302 is an ink cartridge inserting portion for receiving theink cartridge 27. Acontact holder 304 functions to holdleaf spring contacts ink cartridge 27. By engagement between a latchingportion 308 and the insertingportion 302, it is combined into the insertingportion 302. Figure 2A shows the state before theholder 304 is combined with the insertingportion 302. Aconnector 312 functions to connect the contacts 306a and 306b with thecontroller 400 of the main assembly. - A
hollow needle 314 pierces in an ink containing bladder and has threeholes 316 for receiving the ink, at its end. To the other end of theneedle 314, anink supply tube 100 is connected, and the other end of thetube 100 is connected to the common ink chamber in the head chip 110 of therecording head 1. An ink remaining amount detecting means may be disposed at a proper part in the ink supply system. - A residual
ink receiving pipe 318 enters theink cartridge 27 through an opening 350 (Figure 4) and feed the residual ink to theink absorbing material 344. The residual ink is produced by the refreshing process from the ink supply system or the common ink chamber or by the ink ejection recovery processing. - A
click 320 functions to fix theink cartridge 27, and it is provided at each side of the insertingportion 302. As shown in Figure 2B, an engagingportion 322 of theclick 320 flexes by its flexibility upon engagement with the side surface of thecartridge 27 when it is inserted, so that the insertion of thecartridge 27 is permitted. When arecess 322 of thecartridge 27 reaches the position where theclick 320 is disposed, the engagingportion 322 restores by its elasticity, by which theclick 320 engages into therecess 322. Thus, thecartridge 27 is fixed in place. - Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the
ink cartridge 27 will be described. - It comprises a
flexible ink bladder 340 for containing the supply of the ink and is provided with aplug 342 made of rubber or the like. Theink bladder 340 is hermetically sealed by theplug 342. When theink cartridge 27 is mounted into the mountingportion 30 of the main assembly, theneedle 314 of the main assembly pierces into theplug 342 to a sufficient degree, by which the ink communication is established. Anannular ring 342b protects therubber plug 342. Theink cartridge 27 also comprises anink absorbing material 344 for absorbing the residual ink. Theink absorbing material 344 is disposed between theink bladder 340 and thebottom surface 27b of thecase 27a of thecartridge 27 so as to cover substantially the entirebottom surface 27b. As shown in Figure 4, a part thereof extends substantially vertically at the rear side of the opening 305. Thus, the ink introduced from the main assembly through theresidual ink pipe 318 is assuredly distributed over substantially the entirety of thebottom surface 27b. - Figure 4 illustrates the connection between the
ink cartridge 27 and the main assembly. Awiring pattern 346 on theink cartridge 27 functions to connect thecontacts contact controller 400 of the main assembly detects whether theink cartridge 27 is mounted or not. The pattern may have a resistance depending on the color or density or the like of the ink stored in theink cartridge 27. Then, thecontroller 400 is also informed of the characteristics. - When the
ink cartridge 27 is inserted into the main assembly of the recording apparatus, it passes by an inserting position (1) where the ink communication is established by the insertion of theneedle 314 through theplug 342 to place theholes 316 in theink bladder 340, an inserting position (2) wherein thecontacts wiring pattern 346 with each other, and an inserting position (3) in which theclick 320 is in engagement with therecess 332 to fix theink cartridge 27. Various dimensions and positional relations are determined so that the inserting positions come in this order. When the operator inserts thecartridge 27 into the apparatus, theneedle 314 first pierces in theink bladder 340. When thecartridge 27 is further inserted into the main assembly, thecontacts resistance pattern 346. When thecartridge 27 is further inserted, theclick 320 is brought into engagement with therecess 332, so that thecartridge 27 is fixed in place in the mountingportion 30 in the main assembly. In this embodiment, theink cartridge 27 accommodates the residual ink, and therefore, it is desirable that theresidual ink pipe 318 is brought into theink cartridge 27 at the inserting position (1). - Figure 5 shows the above-described positional relations. In Figure 5, the
ink cartridge 27 finally abuts the part of the main assembly at the inserting position (4). Therefore, the range between the position (3) and position (4), is the movable range in which thecartridge 24 is movable by the play of the engagement between theclick 320 and therecess 332, or the range through which thecartridge 27 is movable after the engagement between theclick 320 and therecess 332 and until its abut the back end of the main assembly. - Figure 6 illustrates the inconveniences when the above positional relations are not satisfied. In the positional relation shown in Figure 6A, even if the cartridge is properly fixed, the information on the characteristics of the cartridge is not read by the
contact controller 400 of the main assembly does not correctly discriminate the insertion of the ink cartridge. With the positional relation shown in Figure 6B, the contacts are established prior to the communication of the ink established. Thecontroller 400 will erroneously discriminate the completion of the cartridge insertion and can start a certain operation. If this occurs, the air may be introduced into the ink supply system by theneedle 314. This also applies to the case of Figure 6C. In addition, if the operator stops the inserting operation because of the clicking sound produced, the ink communication is not established. - With the positional relations shown in Figures 6D and 6E, the
needle 314 is not correctly inserted even though the cartridge is properly fixed. Or, the electric connection between the contacts will not be stabilized. - If the positional relations shown in Figure 5 are used, the ink communication, the electric connection between the contacts and the cartridge fixing occur in this order when the cartridge is inserted. Therefore, what is required for the operator is to confirm the cartridge fixing on the basis of the click sound. Even if the
controller 400 starts the operation immediately in response to the establishment of the electric connection, no air is introduced into the ink supply system. In addition, even if thecartridge 27 is removed during the operation of thecontroller 400, thecontroller 400 is able to detect the event before the ink communication is destroyed. Therefore, no inconveniences arise if the operation is stopped in response thereto. - Figure 7A shows a structure of a further improved apparatus. In this embodiment, the wiring pattern is divided into two parts. The
front pattern 346A with respect to the cartridge inserting direction is allotted the function of establishing electric connection between thecontact rear pattern 346B is allotted of representing ink color and density or the like by changing the resistance. - Figure 7B shows a range in which the ink communication is established, a range in which the electric connection is established between the
contact pattern 346A, a range in which they are contacted only through thepattern 346B, and a range in which the cartridge is properly fixed. - A position (1) is a limit position for the ink communication, a position (3) is a limit position for fixing the
cartridge 27, and a position (4) is acartridge 27 abutment position. A position (2A) is a trailing side limit position (with respect to the cartridge inserting direction) for the electric connection between thecontact pattern 346A. A position (2B) is a trailing limit position in which thecontact pattern 346A, and they are contacted only with thepattern 346B so that the resistance of thepattern 346B is readable. Here, the position (2B) is preferably the same as or in the neighborhood of the position (3), and particularly in the neighborhood of the position (3) where theclick 320 is not engaged with therecess 332, and therefore, thecartridge 27 is easily retracted. - Because of the positional relations shown in Figure 7B, the same advantageous effects as in the case of Figure 5 are provided. With this embodiment, the further advantages are provided when the following operation is carried out.
- Figure 8A shows the major part of the control system. It comprises a
controller 400. It may be in the form of a microcomputer comprising a CPU for controlling the process shown in Figure 8B and for controlling the entirety of the apparatus, ROM storing the program or the like for the process and working RAM. Designated by areference numeral 410 is a detector for detecting the resistance between thecontacts pattern 346A short-circuits the contacts. If it is the infinity, it indicates that theink cartridge 27 is not mounted. When the resistance has a predetermined level, the fact indicates that theink cartridge 27 is properly mounted in place in the mountingportion 30. Designated by areference numeral 420 is an information part having a display for a message and/or sound producing means. Reference I designates stopping signal for various parts. - Figures 8B shows an example of the operational steps of this embodiment. This operation may be started when the main switch is actuated, when the
ink cartridge 27 is exchanged or at proper timing during the recording. - When the process is started, the resistance is read at step S1. If it is the infinity, it is discriminated that the
cartridge 27 is not mounted. Therefore, the operation proceeds to step S3 where the operations of various parts are maintained at rest. At step S5, the operator is promoted to insert thecartridge 27 into the recording apparatus. - If the resistance is zero, it is discriminated that the
cartridge 27 is easily retracted. Therefore, the operation proceeds to step S7, where the operations of various parts are stopped. Subsequently, at step S9, the operator is promoted to assuredly set thecartridge 27. - If the resistance has a predetermined level, the
cartridge 27 has already been assuredly fixed. The information (ink color or the like) of the cartridge, indicated by the resistance, is read, and the setting operations corresponding to the information are carried out at step S11. - If the
click 320 and therecess 332 are not engaged despite the operator inserts thecartridge 27 into the apparatus, or when the engagement is released for some reason or another, the retention of the cartridge is not sufficient, therefore, the cartridge is easily released. In such an occasion, thecontact pattern 346A, and therefore, thecontroller 400 is unable to read the information inherent to thecartridge 27. In this embodiment, thecontroller 400 is capable of recognizing such the situation, and stops the operation, and thereafter, the proper insertion of thecartridge 27 is promoted to the operator. In this manner, the liability that thecartridge 27 is released against intention can be notified to the operator beforehand. - In this embodiment, the cartridge and the inserting position may have another structure if the above described positional relations relating to the ink communication, the cartridge information reading and the cartridge retention, are assured. For example, the retention of the cartridge is not limited to that by the click and the recess structure. The leading of the information inherent to the ink cartridge is not limited to the electric one. It may be an optical one. In the foregoing embodiment, the residual ink is introduced into the cartridge, but the cartridge may have only the function of ink supply.
- In this embodiment, a
cover 401 is provided at the inlet portion of the inserting or mountingportion 30 so as to prevent the operator's finger or other foreign matters from contacting theink receiving needle 314 in the maintenance operation or the like. Thecover 401 is prevented from opening except for thecartridge 27 insertion time. - Referring to Figures 9 - 11, the structure will be described. Figure 9 is a bottom view of the inserting portion and corresponds to the view taken along lines a in Figure 2. Figure 10 is a sectional view taken along a line vertical to the ink cartridge inserting direction. Figure 10A shows the situation when the
ink cartridge 27 is not mounted, and Figure 10B shows the situation when it is mounted. Figure 11 is a sectional view taken along a line parallel with the ink cartridge inserting direction. - The
cover 401 is disposed so as to block the cartridge inserting path it is made of a metal plate having a thickness of 0.8 mm, for example. It has an area substantially equal to the sectional area of the ink cartridge. Therefore, when thecartridge inserting path 33 is blocked by thecover 401, it does not provide enough space for permitting insertion of the operator's finger or other foreign matters beyond thecover 401. Therefore, theneedle 314 and/or theresidual ink pipe 318 are protected from them. Thecover 401 is rotatable about arecess 403 in the sealing of the mountingportion 30 with which ahook 404 of the cover. - When the
cartridge 27 is inserted, thecover 401 is urged upwardly by the insertion of thecartridge 27 and rotates about therecess 403 until it is contacted to the sealing to permit the insertion of thecartridge 27. When thecartridge 27 is not in the inserting portion, apawl 406a of astopper 406 is projected into the rotational movement range of thecover 401, so that thecover 401 is prevented from opening by thepawl 406a. Thus, thecover 401 blocks thecartridge insertion path 33 and also prevents the introduction of foreign matters beyond thecover 401. Further below thepawl 406a of thestopper 406, there is aninclined portion 406b below a bottom end of thecover 401. - When the
cover 401 is at the closing position, the top portion S of the taperedportion 406b is further inside of thecover 401. Therefore, the taperedportion 406b is kept from the operator's finger or the like. Thestopper 406 has apin 406c at its upper position, and thepin 406c is supported in abearing 407 of the mounting portion. An upper end of aspring 406d integral with thestopper 406 is engaged with aframe 410 of the main assembly so as to urge thestopper 406 to the cartridge mounting portion. When aprojection 405a of thecartridge 27 pushes the taperedportion 406b, thestopper 406b rotates in the retracting direction from thecartridge insertion path 33 about thepin 406c against the spring force by thespring 406d, by which thepawl 406a is released from thecover 401, thus permitting opening of thecover 401. In other words, thecover 401 is permitted to retract from thecartridge insertion path 33. Thecartridge 27 has aprojection 405a on a front surface 405 (leading side with respect to the cartridge inserting direction) at a position corresponding to the taperedportion 406b of thestopper 406 upon insertion of the cartridge. - When the
cartridge 27 is inserted into the insertingpath 33, theprojection 405a is faced to the taperedportion 406b. Therefore, when the cartridge is in the process of being inserted, theprojection 405a enters the gap between thecover 401 and theframe 408 beyond thecover 401 until it contacts the taperedportion 406b of thestopper 406. When thecartridge 405 is further inserted, theprojection 405 lowers the taperedportion 406b so as to retract the taperedportion 406b away from theinsertion path 33, until thepawl 406a of thestopper 406 is released from thecover 401. Then, thecover 401 is permitted to retract away from the insertion path, thus permitting further insertion of thecartridge 27. Thereafter, thefront side 405 of thecartridge 27 abuts directly thecover 406, by which thecover 401 is raised by thecartridge 27. - The relations between the
projection 405a of thecartridge 27 and thefront side 405 of the cartridge and between thecover 401 and thestopper 406, are as follows: - (1) The
projection 406a lowers the taperedsurface 406b of thestopper 406; - (2) The
pawl 406a of the stopper is released from thecover 401; and - (3) The
front side 405 of thecartridge 27 raises thecover 401. - Then, as described hereinbefore, the
needle 314 and theresidual ink pipe 318 are introduced through theplug 342 and theopening 350 of thecartridge 27. Then, the ink communication with established, and the presence of the cartridge is detected, with the cartridge prepared for receiving the residual ink. In addition, thecartridge 27 is fixed or retained in place in the mountingportion 30 by the engagement between theclick 320 and thecartridge recess 332. - The
inside plate 409 of the mounting portion is provided with a whole 408 (Figure 9) for receiving theprojection 405a of the cartridge. As described hereinbefore, thestopper 406 is normally urged in the direction of locking thecover 401 by the contact of thespring 406d to a part of the main assembly. - In this embodiment, the clearance between the
cover 401 and theframe 408 is approximately 4 mm when thecover 401 is at its closing position, and the top S of the taperedsurface 406b of thestopper 406 is at a position approximately 3 mm away from thecover 401 toward the inside. The height of theprojection 405a of thecartridge 27 is approximately 2 mm from the bottom surface, and the length thereof is approximately 2 mm. With this sizes, it is not possible to release thestopper 406 by the operator's finger without intention. Therefore, thecover 401 is not opened against the intention in the maintenance operation or the like. - The projection of the cartridge and the latching of the main assembly is not limitedly provided to the lower side, but it may be disposed at the lateral side or the like, as required by the structure of the main assembly. They may be provided at the opposite sides.
- Referring to Figure 12, the dimensions of the
ink jet cartridge 27 are as follows: 1: 109 mm: 2; 79.6 mm: 3; 25.5 mm: 4: 14 mm: 5; 6 mm: 6; 42.8 mm: 7; 20.8 mm: 8; 12.5 mm: 9; 17.5 mm: 10; 13.4 mm: 11; 7 mm: 12; 6 mm: 13; 12 mm: 14 and 15; 6 mm: 16; 4 mm: 17; 2.5 mm: 18; 10 mm: 19 and 20; 6 mm: 21; 2 mm: 22; 4.5 mm: 23; 3 mm: - An
inclined surface 500 at each of the left and right top of thecartridge 27 is provided for preventing erroneous insertion. - More particularly, when the operator erroneously tried to insert the
cartridge 27 up-side-down into the mounting or insertingportion 30, the top 27c (Figure 3) of the leading side of thecartridge case 27a abuts the limitingplate 32 of the main assembly (Figures 1, 10A and 10B), so that the loading of thecartridge 27 is prevented. When thecartridge 27 is correctly inserted, theinclined surface 500 is effective to escape from the limitingplate 32, so that thecartridge 27 is permitted to be further inserted. The configuration at the top end of thecartridge case 27a is not limited to the inclined or tapered surface but may be changed in accordance with the shape of the limiting plate. - As shown in Figure 12, a pulling
seal 35 is bonded on the top of theink cartridge 27. Theseal 35 is bent and is extended to therear side 27c of thecartridge case 27a. An end thereof constitutes atongue 35a covering aprojection 27d on therear side 27c. When thecartridge 27 is to be taken out of the main assembly, thetongue 35a is peeled off thecase 27a, and the cartridge is pulled out by the pullingseal 35a. - The ink cartridge in this embodiment is provided with the
projection 405a at the side having theplug 342 and/or theopening 350. Therefore, the following advantageous effects are provided. - (1) The erroneous loading can be prevented beforehand. When the cartridge is loaded, the projection at the predetermined position opens a protection cover. The cover opens only when the ink cartridge is inserted. Therefore, even if the operator erroneously tries to load a different kind of cartridge, the cover does not open, thus preventing erroneous loading of the cartridge.
- (2) The amounting operation is easier. In this embodiment, the direction of the projection is the same as the ink cartridge inserting direction, and therefore, the operator can easily judge the inserting direction from the configuration of the ink cartridge. Therefore, the operator quickly understood the inserting direction without difficulty.
- (3) Contamination by the ink can be prevented. This is because usually, the operator does not try to put the ink cartridge so that the projection contacts the table or the like. The plug or the opening which may be contaminated with the ink are not contacted to the table or the like. Because of the dimensions of the ink cartridge described hereinbefore, if the operator places the
ink cartridge 27 so that it stands with the rubber plug 342 (oropening 342a) side facing down, or even if the operator tries to do so, theplug 342 or the opening 305 does not contact thesurface 600 of the table or the like. Thus, the table or the like is prevented from being contaminated with the ink.
Whether the ink cartridge stands or can not stands in that manner is dependent on the thickness of the projection or the configuration thereof. The present invention is intended to cover both cases. - (4) The mechanism for opening and closing the cover is simplified, and the size thereof is minimized.
- In this embodiment, the cover opening and closing mechanism is engageable with the projection of the cartridge, and therefore, it requires only small additional space, and the structure is simple.
- The present invention is particularly suitably usable in an ink jet recording head and recording apparatus wherein thermal energy by an electrothermal transducer, laser beam or the like is used to cause a change of state of the ink to eject or discharge the ink. This is because the high density of the picture elements and the high resolution of the recording are possible.
- The typical structure and the operational principle are preferably the ones disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740,796. The principle and structure are applicable to a so-called on-demand type recording system and a continuous type recording system. Particularly, however, it is suitable for the on-demand type because the principle is such that at least one driving signal is applied to an electrothermal transducer disposed on a liquid (ink) retaining sheet or liquid passage, the driving signal being enough to provide such a quick temperature rise beyond a departure from nucleation boiling point, by which the thermal energy is provided by the electrothermal transducer to produce film boiling on the heating portion of the recording head, whereby a bubble can be formed in the liquid (ink) corresponding to each of the driving signals. By the production, development and contraction of the the bubble, the liquid (ink) is ejected through an ejection outlet to produce at least one droplet. The driving signal is preferably in the form of a pulse, because the development and contraction of the bubble can be effected instantaneously, and therefore, the liquid (ink) is ejected with quick response. The driving signal in the form of the pulse is preferably such as disclosed in U.S. patents Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262. In addition, the temperature increasing rate of the heating surface is preferably such as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,313,124.
- The structure of the recording head may be as shown in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,558,333 and 4,459,600 wherein the heating portion is disposed at a bent portion, as well as the structure of the combination of the ejection outlet, liquid passage and the electrothermal transducer as disclosed in the above-mentioned patents. In addition, the present invention is applicable to the structure disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 123670/1984 wherein a common slit is used as the ejection outlet for plural electrothermal transducers, and to the structure disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 138461/1984 wherein an opening for absorbing pressure wave of the thermal energy is formed corresponding to the ejecting portion. This is because the present invention is effective to perform the recording operation with certainty and at high efficiency irrespective of the type of the recording head.
- The present invention is effectively applicable to a so-called full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum recording width. Such a recording head may comprise a single recording head and plural recording head combined to cover the maximum width.
- In addition, the present invention is applicable to a serial type recording head wherein the recording head is fixed on the main assembly, to a replaceable chip type recording head which is connected electrically with the main apparatus and can be supplied with the ink when it is mounted in the main assembly, or to a cartridge type recording head having an integral ink container.
- The provisions of the recovery means and/or the auxiliary means for the preliminary operation are preferable, because they can further stabilize the effects of the present invention. As for such means, there are capping means for the recording head, cleaning means therefor, pressing or sucking means, preliminary heating means which may be the electrothermal transducer, an additional heating element or a combination thereof. Also, means for effecting preliminary ejection (not for the recording operation) can stabilize the recording operation.
- As regards the variation of the recording head mountable, it may be a single corresponding to a single color ink, or may be plural corresponding to the plurality of ink materials having different recording color or density. The present invention is effectively applicable to an apparatus having at least one of a monochromatic mode mainly with black, a multi-color mode with different color ink materials and/or a full-color mode using the mixture of the colors, which may be an integrally formed recording unit or a combination of plural recording heads.
- Furthermore, in the foregoing embodiment, the ink has been liquid. It may be, however, an ink material which is solidified below the room temperature but liquefied at the room temperature. Since the ink is controlled within the temperature not lower than 30 °C and not higher than 70 °C to stabilize the viscosity of the ink to provide the stabilized ejection in usual recording apparatus of this type, the ink may be such that it is liquid within the temperature range when the recording signal is the present invention is applicable to other types of ink. In one of them, the temperature rise due to the thermal energy is positively prevented by consuming it for the state change of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state. Another ink material is solidified when it is left, to prevent the evaporation of the ink. In either of the cases, the application of the recording signal producing thermal energy, the ink is liquefied, and the liquefied ink may be ejected. Another ink material may start to be solidified at the time when it reaches the recording material. The present invention is also applicable to such an ink material as is liquefied by the application of the thermal energy. Such an ink material may be retained as a liquid or solid material in through holes or recesses formed in a porous sheet as disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 56847/1979 and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 71260/1985. The sheet is faced to the electrothermal transducers. The most effective one for the ink materials described above is the film boiling system.
- The ink jet recording apparatus may be used as an output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as computer or the like, as a copying apparatus combined with an image reader or the like, or as a facsimile machine having information sending and receiving functions.
- As described in the foregoing, according to the present invention, the small and simple structure is enough to prevent the erroneous mounting of the ink cartridge and from the contamination with the ink.
- While the invention has been described with reference to the structures disclosed herein, it is not confined to the details set forth and this application is intended to cover such modifications or changes as may come within the purposes of the improvements or the scope of the following claims.
Claims (50)
- An ink cartridge, comprising:
a casing;
an ink container in said casing;
an ink absorbing material in said casing;
an ink supply port in communication with said ink container to supply the ink therefrom to an outside of said case;
an ink receiving port in communication with said ink absorbing material; and
a projection from said casing adjacent said supply port. - A cartridge according to Claim 1, wherein said supply port is sealed by a rubber material.
- A cartridge according to Claim 1, wherein said receiving port is opened in communication with ambience.
- A cartridge according to Claim 1, wherein said ink container is above said ink absorbing material.
- A cartridge according to Claim 1, wherein said casing has on its top surface a resistor for detection of mounting of said cartridge in a recording apparatus.
- A cartridge according to Claim 1, wherein said casing has a tapered portion along top lateral edges.
- A cartridge according to Claim 1, wherein said receiving port, said supply port and said projection are disposed in the order named from a top of said casing.
- A cartridge according to Claim 1, wherein said projection has such height that said inlet port is inside of a line connecting an outside of the projection and an edge of said casing.
- A cartridge according to Claim 1, wherein said projection, supply port and receiving port are disposed all in a region within a half of its width.
- A cartridge according to Claim 1, wherein said projection is disposed adjacent at a lower corner on a surface having said supply port.
- An ink jet recording apparatus usable with an ink cartridge including a casing; an ink container in said casing; an ink absorbing material in said casing; an ink supply port in communication with said ink container to supply the ink therefrom to an outside of said case; an ink receiving port in communication with said ink absorbing material; and a projection from said casing adjacent said supply port;
said apparatus comprising:
a cartridge mounting portion for detachably supporting said ink cartridge;
an ink jet recording head for effecting recording on a recording material, said recording head being supplied with ink from said ink cartridge mounted on said mounting portion;
a movable cover provided in said mounting portion;
blocking means for preventing opening movement of said cover, wherein said blocking means is disposed a portion inside of said cover and is engageable with the projection of said ink cartridge to release its blocking action; and
ink supply means connectable with said supply port of said ink cartridge when said ink cartridge is loaded in said apparatus to permit supply of ink from said ink cartridge to said recording head; and
means for feeding the recording material. - An apparatus according to Claim 11, wherein said loading portion has an engaging member engageable with a recess of said ink cartridge by resiliency.
- An apparatus according to Claim 11, wherein said recording head uses thermal energy to eject the ink.
- An apparatus according to Claim 11, wherein said recording head ejects the ink using heat producing film boiling of the ink.
- An ink cartridge, comprising:
a frame;
an ink inlet port in said casing to supply ink;
an inlet port for receiving ink;
recesses formed at both top lateral edges;
a projection disposed adjacent a lower corner of a side having said supply port, said projection extending in a direction in which said recesses extend. - An apparatus according to Claim 15, wherein said frame contains an ink container for containing the ink, and the ink is supplied from the ink container through said supply port to an ink jet recording device.
- An apparatus according to Claim 15, wherein said frame contains an ink absorbing material which absorbs the ink thereto through said receiving port.
- An apparatus according to Claim 15, wherein said supply port is sealed by a sealing material.
- An apparatus according to Claim 15, wherein said inlet port is an opening in communication with ambience.
- An apparatus according to Claim 15, wherein said frame contains an ink container, an ink absorber, wherein said ink container is disposed above said ink absorber.
- An apparatus according to Claim 15, wherein said frame has on its top surface a resistor for notifying mounting thereof in a recording apparatus.
- An apparatus according to Claim 15, wherein said recess has a tapered surface.
- An apparatus according to Claim 15, wherein said receiving port, said supply port and said projection in the order named in the direction of its height.
- An apparatus according to Claim 15, wherein said projection has such a height that said supply port is inside of a line connecting an outside of said projection and an edge of said frame.
- An apparatus according to Claim 15, wherein said projection, receiving port and supply port are disposed in a region within a half width.
- An ink jet recording apparatus usable with an ink cartridge comprising a frame; an ink inlet port in said casing to supply ink; an inlet port for receiving ink; recesses formed at both top lateral edges; a projection disposed adjacent a lower corner of a side having said supply port, said projection extending in a direction in which said recesses extend;
said apparatus comprising:
a cartridge mounting portion for detachably supporting said ink cartridge;
an ink jet recording head for effecting recording on a recording material, said recording head being supplied with ink from said ink cartridge mounted on said mounting portion;
a movable cover provided in said mounting portion;
blocking means for preventing opening movement of said cover, wherein said blocking means is disposed a portion inside of said cover and is engageable with the projection of said ink cartridge to release its blocking action; and
ink supply means connectable with said supply port of said ink cartridge when said ink cartridge is loaded in said apparatus to permit supply of ink from said ink cartridge to said recording head; and
means for feeding the recording material. - An apparatus according to Claim 26, wherein said frame contains an ink container for containing the ink, and the ink is supplied from the ink container through said supply port to an ink jet recording device.
- An apparatus according.to Claim 26, wherein said frame contains an ink absorbing material which absorbs the ink thereto through said receiving port.
- An apparatus according to Claim 26, wherein said recording head uses thermal energy to eject the ink.
- An apparatus according to Claim 26, wherein said recording head ejects the ink using heat producing film boiling of the ink.
- An ink cartridge, comprising:
a frame;
a supply port in said casing for supplying ink;
a receiving port in said frame for receiving ink;
a projection from said frame projecting in the same direction as a direction in which said supply port is extended. - An apparatus according to Claim 31, wherein said frame contains an ink container for containing the ink, and the ink is supplied from the ink container through said supply port to an ink jet recording device.
- An apparatus according to Claim 31, wherein said frame contains an ink absorbing material which absorbs the ink thereto through said receiving port.
- An apparatus according to Claim 31, wherein said supply port is sealed by a sealing material.
- An apparatus according to Claim 31, wherein said inlet port is an opening in communication with ambience.
- An apparatus according to Claim 31, wherein said frame contains an ink container, an ink absorber, wherein said ink container is disposed above said ink absorber.
- An apparatus according to Claim 31, wherein said frame has on its top surface a resistor for notifying mounting thereof in a recording apparatus.
- An apparatus according to Claim 31, wherein said recess has a tapered surface.
- An apparatus according to Claim 31, wherein said receiving port, said supply port and said projection in the order named in the direction of its height.
- An apparatus according to Claim 31, wherein said projection has such a height that said supply port is inside of a line connecting an outside of said projection and an edge of said frame.
- An apparatus according to Claim 31, wherein said projection, receiving port and supply port are disposed in a region within a half width.
- An ink jet recording apparatus usable with an ink cartridge comprising a frame; a supply port in said casing for supplying ink; a receiving port in said frame for receiving ink; a projection from said frame projecting in the same direction as a direction in which said supply port is extended;
said apparatus comprising:
a cartridge mounting portion for detachably supporting said ink cartridge;
an ink jet recording head for effecting recording on a recording material, said recording head being supplied with ink from said ink cartridge mounted on said mounting portion;
a movable cover provided in said mounting portion;
blocking means for preventing opening movement of said cover, wherein said blocking means is disposed a portion inside of said cover and is engageable with the projection of said ink cartridge to release its blocking action; and
ink supply means connectable with said supply port of said ink cartridge when said ink cartridge is loaded in said apparatus to permit supply of ink from said ink cartridge to said recording head; and
means for feeding the recording material. - An apparatus according to Claim 42, wherein said frame contains an ink container for containing the ink, and the ink is supplied from the ink container through said supply port to an ink jet recording device.
- An apparatus according to Claim 42, wherein said frame contains an ink absorbing material which absorbs the ink thereto through said receiving port.
- An apparatus according to Claim 42, wherein said recording head uses thermal energy to eject the ink.
- An apparatus according to Claim 42, wherein said recording head ejects the ink using heat producing film boiling of the ink.
- An ink cartridge, comprising:
a frame;
an ink container in said frame for containing ink;
a supply port in said frame for supplying ink from said ink container;
a projection extending in the same direction as said supply port. - An ink jet recording apparatus for ejecting ink to record on a recording material, comprising:
an ink cartridge including a frame; an ink container in said frame for containing ink; a supply port in said frame for supplying ink from said ink container; and a projection extending in the same direction as said supply port;
a cartridge mounting portion for detachably supporting said ink cartridge;
an ink jet recording head for effecting recording on a recording material, said recording head being supplied with ink from said ink cartridge mounted on said mounting portion;
a movable cover provided in said mounting portion;
blocking means for preventing opening movement of said cover, wherein said blocking means is disposed a portion inside of said cover and is engageable with the projection of said ink cartridge to release its blocking action; and
ink supply means connectable with said supply port of said ink cartridge when said ink cartridge is loaded in said apparatus to permit supply of ink from said ink cartridge to said recording head; and
means for feeding the recording material. - An apparatus according to Claim 48, wherein said recording head uses thermal energy to eject the ink.
- An apparatus according to Claim 48, wherein said recording head ejects the ink using heat producing film boiling of the ink.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE9116990U DE9116990U1 (en) | 1990-09-22 | 1991-09-20 | Ink cartridge and ink jet device usable therewith |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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JP25360690 | 1990-09-22 | ||
JP253606/90 | 1990-09-22 | ||
JP236188/91 | 1991-09-17 | ||
JP3236188A JP2877578B2 (en) | 1990-09-22 | 1991-09-17 | Ink jet recording apparatus and ink cartridge mountable on the recording apparatus |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0478244A2 true EP0478244A2 (en) | 1992-04-01 |
EP0478244A3 EP0478244A3 (en) | 1992-05-27 |
EP0478244B1 EP0478244B1 (en) | 1997-08-13 |
Family
ID=26532531
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP91308605A Expired - Lifetime EP0478244B1 (en) | 1990-09-22 | 1991-09-20 | Ink cartridge and ink jet apparatus usable with ink cartridge |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0478244B1 (en) |
CN (2) | CN1025170C (en) |
AT (1) | ATE156756T1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU650675B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2051964C (en) |
DE (1) | DE69127247T2 (en) |
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EP1790480A1 (en) * | 2005-11-28 | 2007-05-30 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Ink cartridge, main body and refill unit |
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JPH01141750A (en) * | 1987-11-30 | 1989-06-02 | Canon Inc | Ink cartridge holder |
EP0412459A2 (en) * | 1989-08-05 | 1991-02-13 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Ink jet recording apparatus and ink cartridge for the apparatus |
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JPS59131837U (en) * | 1983-02-23 | 1984-09-04 | シャープ株式会社 | Ink cartridge device for inkjet printers |
US4591875A (en) * | 1985-04-12 | 1986-05-27 | Eastman Kodak Company | Ink cartridge and cooperative continuous ink jet printing apparatus |
EP0364284B2 (en) * | 1988-10-14 | 2000-08-23 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Ink cartridge for an ink jet printer |
-
1991
- 1991-09-20 DE DE69127247T patent/DE69127247T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1991-09-20 CA CA002051964A patent/CA2051964C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1991-09-20 EP EP91308605A patent/EP0478244B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1991-09-20 AU AU84671/91A patent/AU650675B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1991-09-20 AT AT91308605T patent/ATE156756T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1991-09-21 CN CN91110496A patent/CN1025170C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1993
- 1993-04-29 CN CN93105283A patent/CN1079691A/en active Pending
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US4119034A (en) * | 1977-02-04 | 1978-10-10 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Leakproof ink supply reservoir |
US4695824A (en) * | 1982-05-10 | 1987-09-22 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Ink storing apparatus with a first case having plural ink tanks and second case having one ink tank and a waste ink receptacle |
JPH01141750A (en) * | 1987-11-30 | 1989-06-02 | Canon Inc | Ink cartridge holder |
EP0412459A2 (en) * | 1989-08-05 | 1991-02-13 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Ink jet recording apparatus and ink cartridge for the apparatus |
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Title |
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Cited By (30)
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EP0622207A2 (en) * | 1993-04-30 | 1994-11-02 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Common ink jet cartridge platform for different print heads |
EP0622208A2 (en) * | 1993-04-30 | 1994-11-02 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Ink jet printer with carriage and ink cartridges |
EP0622207A3 (en) * | 1993-04-30 | 1995-04-19 | Hewlett Packard Co | Common ink jet cartridge platform for different print heads. |
EP0622208A3 (en) * | 1993-04-30 | 1995-04-19 | Hewlett Packard Co | Ink jet printer with carriage and ink cartridges. |
EP0622206A3 (en) * | 1993-04-30 | 1995-04-26 | Hewlett Packard Co | Datum formation for improved alignment of multiple nozzle members in a printer. |
EP0622206A2 (en) * | 1993-04-30 | 1994-11-02 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Datum formation for improved alignment of multiple nozzle members in a printer |
US5691753A (en) * | 1994-03-15 | 1997-11-25 | Xerox Corporation | Valving connector and ink handling system for thermal ink-jet printbar |
FR2733314A1 (en) | 1995-04-20 | 1996-10-25 | Aerospatiale | Gas generator e.g. thruster for space applications |
EP0816098A2 (en) * | 1996-06-27 | 1998-01-07 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Keying system for ink supply containers |
EP0816098A3 (en) * | 1996-06-27 | 1998-10-14 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Keying system for ink supply containers |
US6260951B1 (en) | 1997-08-22 | 2001-07-17 | Xaar Technology Limited | Method of manufacturing of printing apparatus |
US6315401B1 (en) | 1998-03-18 | 2001-11-13 | Tally Computerdrucker Gmbh | Ink printer with at least one exchangeable tank for ink to be supplied to one or more reservoirs |
GB2339171A (en) * | 1998-03-18 | 2000-01-19 | Tally Computerdrucker Gmbh | Cam lever mechanism for moving a replaceable ink tank to displace a sprung cover plate and form a coupling between the tank and an ink supply needle |
DE19811652C1 (en) * | 1998-03-18 | 1999-04-22 | Tally Gmbh | Ink printer with at least one replaceable tank for ink to be fed into one or more ink reservoirs |
GB2339171B (en) * | 1998-03-18 | 2002-04-03 | Tally Computerdrucker Gmbh | Replaceable ink tanks for printers |
DE19849567B4 (en) * | 1998-10-27 | 2004-02-12 | Tally Computerdrucker Gmbh | Ink printer with an exchangeable cartridge for ink liquid |
EP1138504A1 (en) * | 2000-03-31 | 2001-10-04 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Recording apparatus, liquid container cartridge and liquid container |
US6431681B2 (en) | 2000-03-31 | 2002-08-13 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Recording apparatus, liquid container cartridge and liquid container |
AU765023B2 (en) * | 2000-03-31 | 2003-09-04 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Recording apparatus, liquid container cartridge and liquid container |
EP1772275A3 (en) * | 2005-09-29 | 2007-05-16 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Unit of ink cartridges and ink cartridge |
EP1772273A2 (en) | 2005-09-29 | 2007-04-11 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Ink cartridge |
EP1772274A3 (en) * | 2005-09-29 | 2007-05-16 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Ink cartridge, set of ink cartridges and ink jet recording system |
DE202006020782U1 (en) | 2005-09-29 | 2010-02-04 | Brother Kogyo K.K., Nagoya | ink cartridge |
EP1790480A1 (en) * | 2005-11-28 | 2007-05-30 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Ink cartridge, main body and refill unit |
US7607771B2 (en) | 2005-11-28 | 2009-10-27 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Ink cartridges |
EP1800871A3 (en) * | 2005-11-30 | 2008-04-16 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Ink cartridge loading device |
US8011767B2 (en) | 2005-11-30 | 2011-09-06 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Ink cartridge loadable into chamber of casing by guide member |
CN102248801A (en) * | 2010-05-21 | 2011-11-23 | 佳能株式会社 | Liquid cartridge and liquid jet apparatus |
US8646887B2 (en) | 2010-05-21 | 2014-02-11 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Liquid cartridge and liquid jet apparatus |
CN102248801B (en) * | 2010-05-21 | 2014-03-05 | 佳能株式会社 | Liquid cartridge and liquid jet apparatus |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN1061183A (en) | 1992-05-20 |
EP0478244A3 (en) | 1992-05-27 |
AU8467191A (en) | 1992-06-04 |
CA2051964A1 (en) | 1992-03-23 |
CN1025170C (en) | 1994-06-29 |
DE69127247T2 (en) | 1997-12-04 |
EP0478244B1 (en) | 1997-08-13 |
AU650675B2 (en) | 1994-06-30 |
ATE156756T1 (en) | 1997-08-15 |
CA2051964C (en) | 2000-08-22 |
CN1079691A (en) | 1993-12-22 |
DE69127247D1 (en) | 1997-09-18 |
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