[0001] The present invention relates to a recording device and to an ink cartridge mountable
in the recording device.
[0002] Ink cartridges are provided for supplying ink required for recording operations to
recording devices.
[0003] Japanese Patent No. 2,768,817 discloses a recording device with an open portion provided
on its front surface. A plurality of ink cartridges for ejecting different colored
inks are aligned in the open portion.
[0004] United States Patent No. 6,142,617 discloses a recording device with an upwardly-opened
open portion. Grooves corresponding to a plurality of ink cartridges are provided
in side edges that confront the open portion. The ink cartridges are inserted from
above by being aligned with the grooves and dropped into the open portion.
[0005] It is desirable to make the recording device more compact. It is also desirable that
the ink cartridges also be provided thinner and smaller and also easier to attach
to and detach from the recording device.
[0006] It is an objective of the present invention to provide a recording device with a
more flat ink cartridge mounting portion so that the recording device is more compact
and wherein ink cartridges can be easily attached and detached, and to provide an
ink cartridge that is thinner and smaller and that can be easily mounted in the ink
cartridge mounting portion of the recording device.
[0007] In order to achieve the above-described objectives, a combination of a recording
device and an ink cartridge according to a first aspect of the present invention includes
a recording device and an ink cartridge. The recording device includes an open portion,
floor surface, a ceiling surface, a hollow needle, a cover, a lever, a protruding
wall, and a sensor portion. The open portion has an opening that opens in a horizontal
direction to outside. The floor surface and the ceiling surface extend in the horizontal
direction. An ink cartridge mounting portion is defined by the open portion, the floor
surface, and the ceiling surface. The hollow needle supplies ink to a recording head.
The hollow needle is positioned in confrontation with the open portion and extending
in a needle axial direction. The cover selectively covers and uncovers the hollow
needle with respect to the open portion. The lever moves the cover to uncover the
needle. The lever is positioned nearer the open portion than is the cover. The protruding
wall is positioned on the floor surface adjacent to the lever. The protruding wall
extends in the needle axial direction. The sensor portion includes a light emitting
portion and a light receiving portion in confrontation with each other. The lever
and the sensor portion protrude from the floor surface into the ink cartridge mounting
portion at two positions that sandwich therebetween an imaginary extension of the
axial needle extending in the needle axial direction.
[0008] The ink cartridge is detachably mounted in the ink cartridge mounting portion and
includes a lower surface, a front surface, a protruding wall, an operation portion,
a sensor indentation portion, and a light blocking member. The lower surface is adapted
to abut against the floor surface and slide from the open portion to the hollow needle
of the recording device. The front surface has an ink supply hole inserted with the
hollow needle. The protruding wall indentation portion accommodates the protruding
wall. The operation portion is provided at a position that is adjacent to the protruding
wall indentation portion and that corresponds to the position of the lever. The operation
portion is for operating the lever. The sensor indentation portion accommodates the
sensor portion. The light blocking member moves corresponding to amount of ink remaining
in the ink cartridge. The light blocking member is provided in correspondence with
the sensor portion so as to protrude into the sensor indentation portion and interpose
between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion when the ink cartridge
is mounted in the ink cartridge mounting portion. The sensor indentation portion and
the protruding wall indentation portion are formed open at the front surface and the
lower surface at a position that sandwiches both sides of the ink supply hole as viewed
from the front surface side.
[0009] Because the sensor portion and the lever are disposed on either side of the hollow
needle, the lever and the mechanism for moving the lever and the cover can be arranged
in the recording device without interfering with the sensor portion and the circuit
board connected to the sensor portion. As a result, the ink cartridge and the ink
cartridge mounting portion can be made more flat. The floor surface of the ink cartridge
mounting portion enables more stable sliding of the ink cartridge so that the ink
cartridge is easier to mount. The ink cartridge can be accurately mounted with reliable
correspondence with the sensor portion.
[0010] It is desirable that the recording device include a plurality of ink cartridge mounting
portions aligned on the floor surface on substantially the same imaginary plane. Because
the plurality of ink cartridge mounting portions are aligned on the same plane, the
ink cartridge mounting portions overall can have a more flat configuration.
[0011] It is desirable that the ink cartridge mounting portions be positioned below a transport
pathway for sheets recorded by the recording head. Because the plurality of ink cartridge
mounting portions are disposed beneath the sheet transport pathway, the ink cartridge
mounting portions overall can have a more flat configuration.
[0012] It is desirable that the recording device further include protrusion portions and
the ink cartridge further include an upper surface. The protrusion portions are provided
at horizontal ends of the ink cartridge mounting portion and protrude away from the
ceiling surface toward the floor surface. The upper surface extends higher toward
the ceiling surface at portions that correspond to in between the protrusion portions
of the recording device than at portions that correspond to the protrusion portions.
The protrusion portions regulate height wise position of the ink cartridge when the
ink cartridge is inserted in the open portion. The protruding wall indentation portion
and the operation portion are provided near the portions of the ink cartridge that
correspond to the protrusion portions of the recording device. With this configuration,
the ink cartridge can be inserted into the open portion without mistakenly inserting
the ink cartridge upside down. Also, an ink cartridge is prevented from being mounted
in the wrong mounting portion.
[0013] It is desirable that the floor surface extend away from the hollow needle farther
than the ceiling surface. As a result, when the ink cartridge is inserted into the
open portion of the ink cartridge mounting portion, the ink cartridge abuts against
the portion of the floor portion that extends beyond the open portion and slides across
the floor surface so that the ink cartridge can be easily inserted into the open portion.
[0014] An ink cartridge according to a second aspect of the present invention is for use
with a recording device that includes an open portion with an opening that opens in
a horizontal direction to outside; a floor surface that extends in the horizontal
direction; a ceiling surface that extends in the horizontal direction; an ink cartridge
mounting portion being defined by the open portion, the floor surface, and the ceiling
surface; a hollow needle that supplies ink to a recording head, the hollow needle
being positioned in confrontation with the open portion and extending in an needle
axial direction; a cover selectively covering and uncovering the hollow needle with
respect to the open portion; a lever that moves the cover to uncover the needle, the
lever being positioned nearer the open portion than is the cover; a protruding wall
positioned on the floor surface adjacent to the lever, the protruding wall extending
in the needle axial direction; and a sensor portion. The sensor portion includes a
light emitting portion and a light receiving portion in confrontation with each other.
The lever and the sensor portion protrude from the floor surface into the ink cartridge
mounting portion at two positions that sandwich therebetween an imaginary extension
of the axial needle extending in the needle axial direction
[0015] The ink cartridge according to the second aspect of the present invention is detachably
mounted in the ink cartridge mounting portion and includes a lower surface, a front
surface, a protruding wall indentation portion, an operation portion, a sensor indentation
portion, and a light blocking member. The lower surface is adapted to abut against
the floor surface and slide from the open portion to the hollow needle of the recording
device. The front surface has an ink supply hole inserted with the hollow needle.
The protruding wall indentation portion accommodates the protruding wall. The operation
portion is provided at a position that is adjacent to the protruding wall indentation
portion and that corresponds to the position of the lever and that is for operating
the lever. The sensor indentation portion accommodates the sensor portion. The light
blocking member moves corresponding to amount of ink remaining in the ink cartridge.
The light blocking member is provided in correspondence with the sensor portion so
as to protrude into the sensor indentation portion and interpose between the light
emitting portion and the light receiving portion when the ink cartridge is mounted
in the ink cartridge mounting portion. The sensor indentation portion and the protruding
wall indentation portion are formed open at the front surface and the lower surface
at a position that sandwiches both sides of the ink supply hole as viewed from the
front surface side. With this configuration, the ink cartridge can be configured in
a more flat shape. The ink cartridge can be slid more stably across the floor surface
of the ink cartridge mounting portion and so can be mounted and detached more easily.
[0016] It is desirable that the ink cartridge further include an upper surface that confronts
the ceiling surface of the recording device when the ink cartridge is mounted in the
recording device. The upper surface extends higher toward the ceiling surface at portions
that correspond to in between protrusion portions, which are provided on the ceiling
surface at horizontal ends of the ink cartridge mounting portion and that protrude
toward the floor surface, than at portions that correspond to the protrusion portions.
With this configuration, the ink cartridge can be inserted into the open portion without
mistakenly inserting the ink cartridge upside down.
[0017] It is desirable that the front surface have a protruding shape that is higher at
portions that correspond to in between protrusion portions and lower at portions that
correspond to the protrusion portions. The ink supply hole being formed substantially
in the horizontal center of the higher portion of the front surface. With this configuration,
the diameter of the ink supply hole can be made larger. Therefore, the diameter of
the plug mounted in the ink supply hole can be made larger. This makes it easier to
pierce the plug with the hollow needle.
[0018] When the recording device is configured so that an open portion side tip of the protruding
wall is positioned closer to the open portion than is an open portion side tip portion
of the sensor portion, it is desirable that an end of the protruding wall indentation
portion that is opposite to an end of the protruding wall indentation portion that
is open to the front surface be positioned farther from the front surface than is
an end of the sensor indentation portion that is opposite to an end of the sensor
indentation portion that is open to the front surface. With this configuration, when
the ink cartridge is inserted into the ink cartridge mounting portion, the protrusion
wall indentation portion and the protrusion begin to guide the ink cartridge so that
the sensor indention portion reaches the sensor portion after the ink cartridge is
positioned in its widthwise direction. Therefore, the sensor indention portion can
reliably accommodate the sensor portion.
[0019] An ink cartridge according to a third aspect of the present invention is for use
with a recording device that includes an open portion with an opening that opens in
a horizontal direction to outside; a floor surface that extends in the horizontal
direction; a ceiling surface that extends in the horizontal direction; an ink cartridge
mounting portion being defined by the open portion, the floor surface, and the ceiling
surface; a hollow needle that supplies ink to a recording head, the hollow needle
being positioned in confrontation with the open portion and extending in an needle
axial direction; a cover selectively covering and uncovering the hollow needle with
respect to the open portion; a lever that moves the cover to uncover the needle, the
lever being positioned nearer the open portion than is the cover; a protruding wall
positioned on the floor surface adjacent to the lever, the protruding wall extending
in the needle axial direction; and a sensor portion including a light emitting portion
and a light receiving portion in confrontation with each other. The lever and the
sensor portion protrude from the floor surface into the ink cartridge mounting portion
at two positions that sandwich therebetween an imaginary extension of the axial needle
extending in the needle axial direction.
[0020] The ink cartridge according to the third aspect of the present invention is detachably
mounted in the ink cartridge mounting portion. The ink cartridge includes a lower
surface, a front surface, a protruding wall indentation portion, and a sensor indentation
portion. The lower surface is adapted to abut against the floor surface and slide
from the open portion to the hollow needle of the recording device. The front. surface
has an ink supply hole inserted with the hollow needle. The protruding wall indentation
portion accommodates the protruding wall. The sensor indentation portion accommodates
the sensor portion. The sensor indentation portion and the protruding wall indentation
portion are formed open at the front surface and the lower surface at a position that
sandwiches both sides of the ink supply hole as viewed from the front surface side.
With this configuration, the ink cartridge can be configured in a more flat shape.
The ink cartridge can be slid more stably across the floor surface of the ink cartridge
mounting portion and so can be mounted and detached more easily.
[0021] When the recording device includes protrusion portions that protrude away from the
ceiling surface toward the floor surface, then It is desirable that the protrusion
portions regulate height wise position of the ink cartridge when the ink cartridge
is inserted in the open portion. With this configuration, the ink cartridge can be
inserted into the open portion without mistakenly inserting the ink cartridge upside
down.
[0022] An ink cartridge according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is for use
with a recording device that includes an open portion with an opening that opens in
a horizontal direction to outside; a floor surface that extends in the horizontal
direction; a ceiling surface that extends in the horizontal direction; an ink cartridge
mounting portion being defined by the open portion, the floor surface, and the ceiling
surface; a hollow needle that supplies ink to a recording head, the hollow needle
being positioned in confrontation with the open portion and extending in an needle
axial direction; a cover selectively covering and uncovering the hollow needle with
respect to the open portion; a lever positioned nearer the open portion than is the
cover, the lever, in order to move the cover to uncover the needle, protruding into
the ink cartridge mounting portion from a position that is on the floor surface and
that is shifted from the needle axial direction in a direction that is parallel with
the floor surface; and a protruding wall positioned on the floor surface adjacent
to the lever. The protruding wall extends in the needle axial direction. The lever
protrudes from the floor surface into the ink cartridge mounting portion at two positions
that sandwich therebetween an imaginary extension of the axial needle extending in
the needle axial direction.
[0023] The ink cartridge according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is detachably
mounted in the ink cartridge mounting portion and includes a lower surface, a front
surface, a protruding wall indentation portion, and an operation portion. The lower
surface is adapted to abut against the floor surface and slide from the open portion
to the hollow needle of the recording device. The front surface has an ink supply
hole connected with the hollow needle. The protruding wall indentation portion is
open to the front surface and the lower surface for accommodating the protruding wall.
The protruding wall indentation portion is shifted, with respect to a view from the
front surface side, from the ink supply hole in a direction parallel with the lower
surface. The operation portion is provided at a position that is adjacent to the protruding
wall indentation portion and that corresponds to the position of the lever and that
is for operating the lever. With this configuration, the ink cartridge can be configured
in a more flat shape. The ink cartridge can be slid more stably across the floor surface
of the ink cartridge mounting portion and so can be mounted and detached more easily.
[0024] It is desirable that the ink cartridge further include an upper surface that confronts
the ceiling surface of the recording device when the ink cartridge is mounted in the
recording device. The upper surface extends higher toward the ceiling surface at portions
that correspond to in between protrusion portions, which are provided on the ceiling
surface at horizontal ends of the ink cartridge mounting portion and that protrude
toward the floor surface, than at portions that correspond to the protrusion portions.
With this configuration, the ink cartridge can be inserted into the open portion without
mistakenly inserting the ink cartridge upside down. A desired single ink cartridge
can be easily mounted to and removed from in between a plurality of ink cartridges.
[0025] It is desirable that the front surface have a protruding shape that is higher at
portions that correspond to in between the protrusion portions and lower at portions
that correspond to the protrusion portions. The ink supply hole is formed substantially
in the horizontal center of the higher portion of the front surface. With this configuration,
the diameter of the ink supply hole can be made larger. Therefore the diameter of
the plug mounted in the ink supply hole can be made larger. This makes it easier to
pierce the plug with the hollow needle. The ink cartridge can be easily mounted and
removed.
[0026] An ink cartridge according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is for use
with a recording device that includes an open portion with an opening that opens in
a horizontal direction to outside; a floor surface that extends in the horizontal
direction; a ceiling surface that extends in the horizontal direction; an ink cartridge
mounting portion being defined by the open portion, the floor surface, and the ceiling
surface; right and left side surfaces extending from the floor surface to the ceiling
surface; a hollow needle that supplies ink to a recording head, the hollow needle
being positioned in confrontation with the open portion and extending in an needle
axial direction; a cover selectively covering and uncovering the hollow needle with
respect to the open portion; a protruding wall positioned on the floor surface, the
protruding wall extending in the needle axial direction; and a sensor portion including
a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion in confrontation with each
other. The sensor portion protrudes from the floor surface into the ink cartridge
mounting portion at a position shifted from the needle axial direction in a direction
parallel with the lower surface. The sensor portion protrudes from the floor surface
into the ink cartridge mounting portion at two positions that sandwich therebetween
an imaginary extension of the axial needle extending in the needle axial direction.
[0027] The ink cartridge according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is detachably
mounted in the ink cartridge mounting portion and includes a lower surface, a front
surface, a sensor indentation portion, and a light blocking member. T lower surface
is adapted to abut against the floor surface and slide from the open portion to the
hollow needle of the recording device. The front surface has an ink supply hole connected
with the hollow needle. The sensor indentation portion opens to the front surface
and the lower surface for accommodating the sensor portion. The sensor indentation
portion is shifted, with respect to a view from the front surface side, from the ink
supply hole in a direction parallel with the lower surface. The light blocking member
moves corresponding to amount of ink remaining in the ink cartridge. The light blocking
member is provided in correspondence with the sensor portion so as to protrude into
the sensor indentation portion and interpose between the light emitting portion and
the light receiving portion when the ink cartridge is mounted in the ink cartridge
mounting portion. With this configuration, the ink cartridge can be configured in
a more flat shape. The ink cartridge can be slid more stably across the floor surface
of the ink cartridge mounting portion and so can be mounted and detached more easily.
The amount of remaining ink can be detected.
[0028] When the recording device includes a plurality of ink cartridge mounting portions
with a distance between left and right side surfaces of one ink cartridge mounting
portion that is different from a distance between left to right side surfaces of another
ink cartridge mounting portion, it is desirable that the distance between one of the
left and right side surfaces of the ink cartridge mounted in the one ink cartridge
mounting portion and the sensor indentation portion be different from the distance
between the other one of the left and right surfaces of an ink cartridge mounted in
the other ink cartridge mounting portion and the sensor indentation portion. With
this configuration, when a plurality of different types of ink cartridges are used,
for example for printing in different colors of ink, ink cartridges can be prevented
from being mounted in the wrong positions because the sensor portion will not correspond
to the ink cartridge if an ink cartridge is mounted in the wrong position.
[0029] When the recording device includes protrusion portions that protrude away from the
ceiling surface toward the floor surface, it is desirable that the ink cartridge have
a height determined by a distance between the protrusion portions and the floor surface
of the recording device when the ink cartridge is inserted in the open portion. With
this configuration, the ink cartridge can be inserted into the open portion without
mistakenly inserting the ink cartridge upside down.
[0030] It is desirable that a fixing wall be provided in the sensor indentation portion.
The fixing wall includes an internal groove that extends parallel with direction of
insertion into the open portion so that the fixing portion is inserted between the
light emitting portion and the light receiving portion. The groove accommodates the
light blocking member in a movable condition. With this configuration, the amount
of ink remaining can be reliably detected while at the same time a flat configuration
is achieved.
[0031] An ink cartridge according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is for use
with a recording device that includes an ink cartridge mounting portion; a connection
portion that supplies ink to a recording head; and a sensor portion including a light
emitting portion and a light receiving portion in confrontation with each other. The
sensor portion protrudes into the ink cartridge mounting portion.
[0032] The ink cartridge according to the sixth aspect includes an outer shape portion and
a light blocking member. The outer shape portion substantially matches the inside
of the ink cartridge mounting portion when the ink cartridge is mounted in the ink
cartridge mounting portion. The outer shape portion includes a contour that receives
the sensor portion. The light blocking member is disposed within the contour of the
outer shape portion. The light blocking member moves corresponding to amount of ink
remaining in the ink cartridge to either enter between and move out from between the
light emitting portion and the light receiving portion. With this configuration, the
ink cartridge has a flat configuration without the light blocking member protruding
from the ink cartridge. As a result, the ink cartridge is easily mounted in or removed
from the recording device.
[0033] It is desirable that a sensor indentation portion receives the sensor portion be
provided in the contour. With this configuration, the ink cartridge can be simply
produced with a flat shape.
[0034] It is desirable that the outer shape further include a sensor indentation portion
that is open in a direction for connecting the ink supply hole with a connection portion
in the ink cartridge mounting portion. The light blocking member extends in the sensor
indentation portion in a direction parallel with a direction for connecting the ink
supply hole. With this configuration, the ink cartridge can be simply produced with
a flat shape.
[0035] It is desirable that a fixing wall be provided in the sensor indentation portion.
The fixing wall includes an internal groove that extends parallel with direction of
insertion into the open portion so that the fixing portion is inserted between the
light emitting portion and the light receiving portion. The groove accommodates the
light blocking member in a movable condition. With this configuration, the light blocking
member is blocked off from outside so there is no fear of ink leaks. Moreover, the
amount of remaining ink can be reliably detected.
[0036] An ink cartridge according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is for use
with a recording device that includes an open portion with an opening that opens in
a horizontal direction to outside; a floor surface that extends in the horizontal
direction; a ceiling surface that extends in the horizontal direction; an ink cartridge
mounting portion being defined by the open portion, the floor surface, and the ceiling
surface; a connection portion that supplies ink to a recording head, the connection
portion being positioned in confrontation with the open portion and extending in a
connection portion axial direction; and protrusion portions provided at horizontal
ends of the ink cartridge mounting portion. The protrusion portions protrude away
from the ceiling surface toward the floor surface.
[0037] The ink cartridge according to the seventh aspect of the present invention is detachably
mounted in the ink cartridge mounting portion and includes a lower surface, a front
surface, and an upper surface. The lower surface is adapted to abut against the floor
surface and slide from the open portion to a connection portion of the recording device.
The front surface has an ink supply hole connectable with the connection portion.
The upper surface extends higher toward the ceiling surface at portions that correspond
to in between the protrusion portions of the recording device than at portions that
correspond to the protrusion portions. With this configuration, the ink cartridge
can be configured in a more flat shape. The ink cartridge can be slid more stably
across the floor surface of the ink cartridge mounting portion and so can be mounted
and detached more easily. The ink cartridge can be inserted into the open portion
without mistakenly inserting the ink cartridge upside down.
[0038] When the recording device further includes a spring member that is provided at a
position nearer the connection portion side of the ceiling surface than the protrusion
portions and that protrudes downward, the It is desirable that an upper surface be
provided that corresponds to the protrusion portions and that extends in a direction
for inserting the ink cartridge into the ink cartridge mounting portion so as to slidingly
abut the spring member. With this configuration, the ink cartridge can be slid more
stably across the floor surface of the ink cartridge mounting portion and so can be
mounted and detached more easily.
[0039] It is desirable that the ink cartridge further include an ink-holding portion and
a flexible film. The ink-holding portion is disposed in an inner portion that corresponds
to the portions of the upper surface that extends higher toward the ceiling surface.
The flexible film covers the ink-holding portion. With this configuration, a large
amount of ink can be stored even if the ink cartridge has a flat shape.
[0040] It is desirable that the front surface have a protruding shape that is higher at
portions that correspond to in between protrusion portions and lower at portions that
correspond to the protrusion portions. The ink supply hole is formed substantially
in the horizontal center of the higher portion of the front surface. Because the ink
supply hole has a large diameter, the ink supply hole can be easily connected to the
recording device.
[0041] An ink cartridge according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is for use
with a recording device that includes a hollow needle and an air supply member. The
air supply member is adjacent to the hollow needle and has an air supply hole connected
to an air pressure source The ink cartridge according to the eighth aspect of the
present invention includes a case, a flexible film, a resilient plug member, an opening
portion, a portion that abuts the air supply member. The case is provided therein
with an ink chamber. The flexible film forms a portion of the ink chamber. The resilient
plug member closes off the ink chamber. The hollow needle pierces the resilient plug
member and supplies ink from the ink chamber to the recording device. The opening
portion is formed in the case at a position adjacent to the plug member. The opening
portion is open to the ink chamber. The portion that abuts the air supply member does
so in a manner that the air supply hole covers the opening portion when the ink cartridge
is mounted in the recording device. With this configuration, the ink cartridge can
be configured in a flat shape. Also the recording head of the recording device can
be returned to a good operating condition because a positive pressure can be applied
to the ink in the ink cartridge when a purge operation is performed by the recording
device.
[0042] When the recording device further includes a resilient ring-shaped seal member provided
at a tip of the air supply hole that abuts the case of the ink cartridge, then it
is desirable that a portion'of the case that abuts against the seal member be substantially
flat. With this configuration, the air supply hole and the opening portion in the
case can be reliably brought into fluid communication.
[0043] When the recording device further includes a resilient ring-shaped seal member provided
at a tip of the air-supply hole that abuts the case of the ink cartridge, a spring
means provided on the air supply hole that urges the seal member toward the case,
and a lock means, then it is desirable that the case of the ink cartridge include
an indentation portion that engages with the lock means against urging force of the
spring means. With this configuration, the indentation portion engages with the lock
means of the recording device when the ink cartridge is mounted into the recording
device and the front surface of the ink cartridge abuts the air supply hole against
the operation of the spring means. As a result, the ink cartridge is maintained at
a predetermined position regardless of the urging force of the spring means and the
air supply hole and the hollow needle can be maintained in a connected condition.
[0044] When the recording device further includes lock means that locks the ink cartridge
at a mounted position in the ink cartridge mounting portion, then it is desirable
that directions for connecting and disconnecting the ink cartridge to and from the
hollow needle and the air supply hole are related so that the air supply hole and
the opening portion are in fluid communication after the hollow needle and the resilient
plug member connect and the air supply hole and the opening portion separate before
the hollow needle and the resilient plug member separate. With this configuration
the air supply hole and the opening portion are connected after the hollow needle
is inserted into the resilient plug member when the ink cartridge is mounted into
the recording device. Also, the hollow needle separates from the resilient plug member
after the air supply hole and the opening portion separate when the ink cartridge
is removed. Even if the ink cartridge is removed while the air pressure source is
operating, ink can be prevented from leaking when the hollow needle is separated from
the resilient plug member.
[0045] It is desirable that the ink cartridge further include a lower surface, a front surface,
a protruding wall indentation portion, and an operation portion in the case that the
recording device further includes an open portion with an opening that opens in a
horizontal direction to outside, a floor surface that extends in the horizontal direction,
a ceiling surface that extends in the horizontal direction, an ink cartridge mounting
portion being defined by the open portion, the floor surface, and the ceiling surface,
a cover selectively covering and uncovering the hollow needle with respect to the
open portion, a lever positioned nearer the open portion than is the cover, the lever,
in order to move the cover to uncover the needle, protruding into the ink cartridge
mounting portion from a position that is on the floor surface and that is shifted
from the needle axial direction in a direction that is parallel with the floor surface,
and a protruding wall positioned on the floor surface adjacent to the lever, the protruding
wall extending in the needle axial direction, the lever protruding from the floor
surface into the ink cartridge mounting portion at two positions that sandwich therebetween
an imaginary extension of the axial needle extending in the needle axial direction,
the hollow needle and the air supply hole being disposed at positions in confrontation
with the opening portion.
[0046] In this case, the lower surface is adapted to abut against the floor surface and
slide from the open portion to the hollow needle of the recording device. The front
surface has the opening portion and the ink supply hole. The protruding wall indentation
portion opens to the front surface and the lower surface for accommodating the protruding
wall. The protruding wall indentation portion is shifted, with respect to a view from
the front surface side, from the ink supply hole in a direction parallel with the
lower surface. The opening portion is positioned between the ink supply hole and the
protruding wall indentation portion. The operation portion is provided at a position
that is adjacent to the protruding wall indentation portion and that corresponds to
the position of the lever and that is for operating the lever. With this configuration,
the ink cartridge can be configured in a more flat shape while the ink cartridge is
provided with the operation portion, the indentation portion, the opening portion,
and the resilient plug member. Further, the ink cartridge can be slid more stably
across the floor surface of the ink cartridge mounting portion and so can be mounted
and detached more easily.
[0047] An ink cartridge according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is for use
with a recording device that includes an open portion with an opening that opens in
a horizontal direction to outside; a floor surface that extends in the horizontal
direction; a ceiling surface that extends in the horizontal direction; a plurality
of ink cartridge mounting portions aligned mutually next to each other on substantially
the same planar surface of the floor surface; a hollow needle that supplies ink to
a recording head, the hollow needle being positioned in confrontation with the open
portion.
[0048] The ink cartridge according to the ninth aspect of the present invention is detachably
mounted in the ink cartridge mounting portion and includes a lower surface, a front
surface, and a rear end portion. The lower surface is adapted to slide following the
floor surface from the open portion side in a direction for connecting the ink supply
hole to the connection portion. The front surface has an ink supply hole connecting
with the hollow needle. The rear end portion is on a side opposite from the front
surface. The rear end portion is exposed from the open portion when the ink cartridge
is in a mounted condition. The rear end portion has a width in a direction in which
the plurality of cartridge mounting portions are aligned that is narrower than width
of the front surface. Because the rear end portion of the ink cartridge has a narrow
width, a space will be opened between the rear end portions of ink cartridges when
a plurality of ink cartridges are aligned. The rear end portion of a single desired
ink cartridge can be easily grasped and pulled out. Also, when mounting the ink cartridge
into the recording device, the user grasps the rear end portion, inserts the ink cartridge
into the mounting portion, and slides the ink cartridge over the floor surface to
align the ink cartridge between the other ink cartridges.
[0049] When the floor surface of the recording device extends further than the ceiling surface
in a direction opposite from the hollow needle side, then it is desirable that the
rear end portion be located on a portion of the floor surface that extends beyond
the ceiling surface. With this configuration, when the ink cartridge is inserted into
the open portion of the ink cartridge mounting portion, the ink cartridge abuts against
the portion of the floor surface that extends beyond the open portion and slides over
the floor surface and so can be easily inserted into the open portion.
[0050] An ink cartridge according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is for use
with a recording device that includes an open portion with an opening that opens in
a horizontal direction to outside; a floor surface that extends in the horizontal
direction; a ceiling surface that extends in the horizontal direction; a connection
portion that supplies ink to a recording head, the connection portion being positioned
in confrontation with the open portion. The floor surface extends further than the
open portion in a direction opposite from the connection portion side.
[0051] The ink cartridge according to the tenth aspect of the present invention is detachably
mounted in the ink cartridge mounting portion and includes a lower surface, a front
surface, and a rear end portion. The lower surface is adapted to slide following the
floor surface from the open portion side in a direction for connecting the ink supply
hole to the connection portion. The front surface has an ink supply hole connecting
with the hollow needle. The rear end portion is on a side opposite from the front
surface. The rear end portion is located on a portion of the floor surface that protrudes
from the open portion. The rear end portion is formed on an upper surface thereof
with an upwardly protruding rib for catching by a user's finger. With this configuration,
when mounting the ink cartridge, the user can remove the ink cartridge by pressing
the rib and sliding its lower surface over the floor surface.
[0052] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become
more apparent from reading the following description of the embodiment taken in connection
with the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing overall configuration of a multifunction device
mounted with an ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the multifunction device of Fig. 1 with an upper
cover of a flat bed type retrieval device opened up;
Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional schematic view showing the multifunction device of Fig.
1;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the multifunction device of Fig. 1 with the flat
bed type retrieval device removed;
Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a lower surface of a cover body of the multifunction
device;
Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the multifunction device with the cover body
opened up;
Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the multifunction device with the flat bed type
retrieval unit and also the cover body removed;
Fig. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing configuration of a printer engine
of the multifunction device;
Fig. 9 is a plan view showing configuration of an ink cartridge accommodation portion
of the multifunction device;
Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing configuration of one ink cartridge mounting
portion in the ink cartridge accommodation portion;
Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing configuration of a mechanism that is provided
below the floor surface of the ink cartridge mounting portion and that is for protecting
needles, for locking the condition where the needles are protected, and for preventing
ink cartridges from falling out of the ink cartridge mounting portion;
Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing an ink cartridge according to the present embodiment
from the rear end;
Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge according to the present embodiment
from the front end;
Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing the ink cartridge with its lid separated from
its main case;
Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing the main case before a flexible film is attached
thereto;
Fig. 16 is an exploded perspective view showing a sensing mechanism provided in an
indentation portion of the main case;
Fig. 17 is an operational diagram indicating operation of the sensing mechanism of
Fig. 16;
Fig. 18 is an underside view of the main case;
Fig. 19 is a plan view showing the ink cartridge of the present embodiment;
Fig. 20 is a view taken from arrow A of Fig. 19;
Fig. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge taken along line B-B of Fig.
19;
Fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge taken along line C-C of Fig.
19;
Fig. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge taken along line D-D of Fig.
19;
Fig. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge taken along line E-E of Fig.
19;
Fig. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge taken along line F-F of Fig.
19;
Fig. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge taken along line G-G of Fig.
19;
Fig. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge taken along line H-H of Fig.
19;
Fig. 28 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge taken along line I-I of Fig.
19;
Fig. 29 is a view showing the relationship between bulging portions formed on partition
walls of the ink cartridge mounting portion, height of the ink cartridge, and a curved
convex wall formed on the ceiling surface of the ink cartridge mounting portion when
the ink cartridge is inserted into a mounting portion opening;
Fig. 30 is a plan view showing a condition wherein a pull-out lock protrusion portion
is retracted by an ink cartridge front surface wall when the ink cartridge is inserted
into a mounting portion opening of an ink cartridge mounting portion;
Fig. 31 is a cross-sectional view of the condition shown in Fig. 30;
Fig. 32 is a cross-sectional view showing condition wherein a' needle protection lock
member releases locked condition of a needle protection plate by a lock release portion
hitting a needle protection lock release lever when a guide groove of the ink cartridge
engages with a guide protrusion wall and the ink cartridge is slid;
Fig. 33 is a cross-sectional view showing condition wherein an ink introduction hollow
needle is inserted into an ink supply hole after the front surface of the ink cartridge
presses the needle protection plate and the needle plate retracts after the lock of
the needle protection plate is released;
Fig. 34 is a cross-sectional view showing condition wherein the front surface of the
ink cartridge abuts a rubber cap of a positive pressure application member in association
with engagement of a pull-out holding lock protrusion portion into a pull-out holding
lock indentation portion after the ink introduction hollow needle is inserted into
an ink supply hole;
Fig. 35 is a plan view of the condition shown in Fig. 34;
Fig. 36 is a cross-sectional view showing the ink cartridge in a vacuum packaged condition;
Fig. 37 (a) is a side view showing processes of a method for attaching a flexible
film according to the present embodiment to an opening peripheral portion;
Fig. 37 (b) is a side view showing processes of a method for producing the bulging
shape in the flexible film;
Fig. 38 is a view showing a modification of the process for producing the bulging
shape in flexible film;
Fig. 39 (a) is a cross-sectional view showing processes of fitting a rubber plug with
a back-flow prevention valve completely into an ink supply hole and a rubber plug
for ink injection partially into an ink injection hole, and removing air from an ink
accommodation portion and injecting ink;
Fig. 39 (b) shows a plug peak portion of the ink rubber plug for ink injection fitted
to the edge of the ink injection hole;
Fig. 40 is a cross-sectional view showing positional relationship of an edge (ink
accommodation peripheral portion) of a spherical surface shape at the outer side of
a curved portion of the lid, the inner edge of the opening peripheral portion, and
the flexible film;
Fig. 41 is a perspective view showing an ink cartridge according to a first modification
of the embodiment, wherein a guide groove and a sensor accommodation groove are open
to the side walls;
Fig. 42 is a plan view showing a recording device modified for use with the ink cartridge
of Fig. 41, wherein the position of the needle protection lock release lever in the
ink cartridge mounting portion is changed in correspondence with the modified ink
cartridge;
Fig. 43 (a) is a plan view showing an ink cartridge according to a second modification
of the embodiment;
Fig. 43 (b) is a perspective view showing the ink cartridge of Fig. 43 (a);
Fig. 44 (a) is a plan view showing an ink cartridge according to a third modification
of the embodiment;
Fig. 44 (b) is a perspective view showing the ink cartridge of 44 Fig. (a);
Fig. 45 (a) is a plan view showing an ink cartridge according to a fourth modification
of the embodiment;
Fig. 45 (b) is a perspective view showing the ink cartridge of Fig. 45 (a);
Fig. 46 (a) is a plan view showing an ink cartridge according to a fifth modification
of the embodiment;
Fig. 46 (b) is a perspective view showing the ink cartridge of Fig. 46 (a);
Fig. 47 (a) is a plan view showing an ink cartridge according to a sixth modification
of the embodiment;
Fig. 47 (b) is a side view showing the ink cartridge of Fig. 47 (a);
Fig. 48 (a) is a plan view showing an ink cartridge according to a seventh modification
of the embodiment;
Fig. 48 (b) is a side view showing the ink cartridge of Fig. 48 (a);
Fig. 49 (a) is a plan view showing an ink cartridge according to an eighth modification
of the embodiment;
Fig. 49 (b) is a side view showing the ink cartridge of Fig. 49 (a);
Fig. 50 (a) is a plan view showing an ink cartridge according to a ninth modification
of the embodiment;
Fig. 50 (b) is a side view showing the ink cartridge of Fig. 50 (a);
Fig. 51 (a) is a plan view showing an ink cartridge according to a tenth modification
of the embodiment;
Fig. 51 (b) is a side view showing the ink cartridge of Fig. 51 (a);
Fig. 52 (a) is a plan view showing an ink cartridge according to an eleventh modification
of the embodiment;
Fig. 52 (b) is a side view showing the ink cartridge of Fig. 52 (a);
Fig. 53 (a) is a plan view showing an ink cartridge according to a twelfth modification
of the embodiment;
Fig. 53 (b) is a side view showing the ink cartridge of Fig. 53 (a).
[0053] Next, an ink cartridge 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention and
a multifunction device 1 that uses the ink cartridge 200 will be described while referring
to Figs. 1 to 40.
[0054] First, the multifunction device 1 that uses the ink cartridge 200 will be described
with reference to Figs. 1 to 11. Fig. 1 shows the multifunction device 1 according
to the present embodiment. The multifunction device 1 includes a scanner function,
a copy function, and a facsimile function. The multifunction device 1 has a slim and
compact configuration including a retrieval unit 10 and an ink jet recording unit
20. The ink jet recording unit 20 is disposed on the retrieval unit 10. A control
panel 12 is provided on the retrieval unit 10. The ink jet recording unit 20 is provided
with a sheet-supply tray 22. The multifunction device 1 is provided with a telephone
24 and an antennae 26. The telephone 24 is capable of wireless transmission with a
cordless handset (not shown) using the antennae 26. The telephone 24 is capable of
connecting with a public telephone circuit and serving as a transfer point for the
cordless handset (not shown) while the cordless handset is used for a telephone call.
[0055] It should be noted that a power source, a main substrate, an NCU substrate, and two
media board devices 28 shown in Fig. 7 are provided in the ink jet recording unit
20 in addition to recording mechanisms for performing recording operations. The main
substrate is for controlling operations of the multifunction device 1. The NCU substrate
is for controlling connection with the public telephone circuit for the facsimile
function and the telephone function. Two media slots 29 are provided at the front
surface of the ink jet recording unit 20. By inserting an external memory medium into
either of the media slots 29, the external medium can be freely detachably mounted
in the corresponding one of the media board devices 28. The media board devices 28
retrieve data, such as data taken by a digital camera, from the external memory medium,
whereupon the data is used for printing and the like.
[0056] As shown in Fig. 2, the retrieval unit 10 is a flat head type retrieval unit and
includes a retrieval unit case 14. The retrieval unit case 14 includes a document
glass 15 on which a document to be scanned is placed. A contact image sensor 16 is
disposed below the document glass 15. Configuration is provided for generating scanning
movements of the contact image sensor 16. An upper cover 17 for covering the upper
surface of the document glass 15 is provided openable and closable with respect to
the retrieval unit case 14.
[0057] The control panel 12 is provided on the upper surface to the front of the retrieval
unit case 14. An operator inputs commands for operations, such as a copy operation,
a facsimile operation, or a scanner operation, of the multifunction device 1 through
the control panel 12.
[0058] It should be noted that an attachment means (not shown) is provided for enabling
the flat head type retrieval unit 10 to be disconnected from the ink jet recording
unit 20.
[0059] As shown in Fig. 3, the ink jet recording unit 20, which is below the retrieval unit
10, includes a housing 30. The sheet-supply tray 22 protrudes from inside the housing
30 to above the rear portion of the housing 30. A sheet-supply roller 23 is provided
in the sheet-supply tray 22 so that one sheet of time can be supplied. A printer engine
60 is provided as a recording portion at a position where sheets are received from
the sheet-supply tray 22. A sheet-discharge portion D is provided to the front of
the printer engine 60. Sheets recorded on by the printer engine 60 are discharged
from the sheet-discharge portion D. It should be noted that a sheet-discharge tray
34 is freely detachably mounted on the sheet-discharge portion D. The sheet-discharge
tray 34 serves as a portion of a sheet transport pathway. An ink cartridge holding
portion P into which the ink cartridges 200 (Fig. 12) are mounted is disposed between
the sheet-discharge portion D and the base of the housing 30. In this way, the ink
cartridge holding portion P is disposed at a position lower than the printer engine
60.
[0060] As shown in Fig. 4, the housing 30 is covered from above by a cover 40. The cover
40 has an engine cover portion 42 and a cartridge holding cover portion 44. The engine
cover portion 42 covers the printer engine 60 from above. The cartridge holding cover
portion 44 is provided below the sheet-discharge portion D and covers the ink cartridge
holding portion P from above. The front surface of the engine cover portion 42 is
opened to form a sheet-discharge port 46. The cartridge holding cover portion 44 is
positioned below the pathway along which sheets recorded by the printer engine 60
are transported, that is, below the sheet-discharge tray 34.
[0061] As shown in Fig. 3, the cartridge holding cover portion 44 functions as a ceiling
surface of the ink cartridge holding portion P. As will be described later, the ink
cartridge holding portion P is formed between the cartridge holding cover portion
44 and a cartridge holding portion base wall 32 so that the ink cartridges 200 can
be inserted to the rear side of the ink cartridge holding portion P from a front surface
opening portion O. A front surface cover 50 is provided to selectively cover (Fig.
4) and open (Fig. 6) the front surface opening portion O. The front surface cover
50 includes an upper surface wall 52 and a front surface wall 54. When the front surface
cover 50 is closed as shown in Fig. 4, the upper surface wall 52 is aligned on the
same imaginary plane as the cartridge holding cover portion 44 and the front surface
wall 54 extends vertically downward from the upper surface wall 52.
[0062] As shown in Fig. 5, four curve-shaped protruding ribs 47 are formed on the lower
surface of the cartridge holding cover portion 44. The curved shape of the curve-shaped
protruding ribs 47 is formed to follow the shape of the upper surface of the four
ink cartridges 200 mounted in the ink cartridge holding portion P. Also, a pair of
notches 48 are formed in left and right ends of the cartridge holding cover portion
44.
[0063] As shown in Fig. 6, a pair of arms 56 provided to the front surface cover 50 are
received by the notches 48 when the front surface cover 50 is opened up. As will be
described later, five partition walls 110 are aligned on the base wall 32 in the ink
cartridge holding portion P. A pivot shaft 57 protrudes from the two end position
partition walls 110. The pair of arms 56 of the front surface cover 50 are pivotably
attached to the pivot shaft 57 so that the user can freely open and close the front
surface cover 50.
[0064] Seven vertical ribs 58 are formed to the rear side of the front surface cover 50
so as to extend vertically when the cover 50 is closed. The vertical ribs 58 extend
from the front surface wall 54 of the front surface cover 50 to a portion of the upper
surface wall 52. Four of the seven vertical ribs 58 are formed at positions that correspond
to the widthwise center of the mounted ink cartridges 200. Accordingly, when the front
surface cover 50 is closed from the open condition shown in Fig. 6, the corresponding
vertical ribs 58 automatically press any partially inserted ink cartridges 200 deep
into the ink cartridge holding portion recording sheet recording sheet P, so that
the ink cartridges 200 are accurately inserted even when one of the ink cartridges
200 is incompletely inserted into the ink cartridge holding portion P. Although not
shown in the drawings, a plurality of lateral ribs is also formed at the rear surface
of the front surface cover 50. The lateral ribs extend in the horizontal direction
in intersection with the seven vertical ribs 58 and are for reinforcing the seven
vertical ribs 58.
[0065] The cartridge holding portion base wall 32 extends further forward than the cartridge
holding cover portion 44 in order to guide the ink cartridges 200 into the front surface
opening portion O. The portion of the cartridge holding portion base wall 32 that
extends further forward than the cartridge holding cover portion 44 is formed with
indentations 102 at positions that correspond to the partition walls 110. The indentations
102 have either a quarter or half circle shape when viewed in plan. The indentations
102 have a narrower width than grasping portions 202 of the ink cartridges 200 housed
in the ink cartridge holding portion P so that the user can more easily grasp the
ink cartridges 200 housed in the ink cartridge holding portion P using his or her
fingers.
[0066] Fig. 7 shows the multifunction device 1 with the cover 40 and the front surface cover
50 removed from the ink jet recording unit 20. As can be seen in Fig. 7, the housing
30 has an open upper side and the front surface opening portion O of the ink cartridge
holding portion P is the front side of the housing 30. The two media board devices
28 are disposed at positions that correspond to the media slots 29. Also, a positive
pressure pump 36 to be described later is disposed behind the media board devices
28.
[0067] A black (K) ink cartridge mounting portion Sk, a cyan (C) ink cartridge mounting
portion Sc, a yellow (Y) ink cartridge mounting portion Sy, and a magenta (M) ink
cartridge mounting portion Sm are aligned in the left-right direction in the ink cartridge
holding portion P. The black (K) ink cartridge mounting portion Sk is for mounting
a black (K) ink cartridge 200k, the cyan (C) ink cartridge mounting portion Sc is
for mounting a cyan (C) ink cartridge 200c, the yellow (Y) ink cartridge mounting
portion Sy is for mounting a yellow (Y) ink cartridge 200y, and the magenta (M) ink
cartridge mounting portion Sm is for mounting a magenta (M) ink cartridge 200m.
[0068] The black (K) ink cartridge 200k, the cyan (C) ink cartridge 200c, the yellow (Y)
ink cartridge 200y, and the magenta (M) ink cartridge 200m will be referred to collectively
as the ink cartridges 200 hereinafter. Further, the black (K) ink cartridge mounting
portion Sk, the cyan (C) ink cartridge mounting portion Sc, the yellow (Y) ink cartridge
mounting portion Sy, and the magenta (M) ink cartridge mounting portion Sm will be
referred to collectively as the ink cartridge mounting portions S hereinafter.
[0069] The ink cartridge holding portion P is configured from the ink cartridge mounting
portions S, which are aligned in the left-right direction on the same imaginary plane
(on the base wall 32) below the ceiling plate, which configures the cartridge holding
cover portion 44 of the cover 40, and below the sheet-discharge tray 34, which serves
as a portion of a sheet transport pathway. Accordingly, the ink cartridge holding
portion P overall has a flat and substantially parallelepiped shape. Accordingly,
the overall configuration of the multifunction device 1 can be formed thin and compact.
[0070] Ink supply mechanisms 80, a positive pressure application mechanism 90, and cartridge
mounting mechanisms 100 are provided in the ink cartridge mounting portions S. Each
cartridge mounting mechanism 100 is for mounting the corresponding ink cartridges
200 as will be described later. The positive pressure application mechanism 90 is
for applying a positive pressure from the positive pressure pump 36 to ink in the
mounted ink cartridges 200. The ink supply mechanisms 80 are for supplying ink in
the mounted ink cartridges 200 to the printer engine 60. Ink-supply tubes T for supplying
ink into the printer engine 60 extend from the ink supply mechanisms 80. That is,
a black (K) ink-supply tube Tk extends from the black (K) ink cartridge mounting portion
Sk, a cyan (C) ink-supply tube Tc extends from the cyan (C) ink cartridge mounting
portion Sc, a yellow (Y) ink-supply tube Ty extends from the yellow (Y) ink cartridge
mounting portion Sy, and a magenta (M) ink-supply tube Tm extends from the magenta
(M) ink cartridge mounting portion Sm. The black (K) ink-supply tube Tk, the cyan
(C) ink-supply tube Tc, the yellow (Y) ink-supply tube Ty, and the magenta (M) ink-supply
tube Tm will be referred to collectively as the ink-supply tubes T hereinafter.
[0071] Although not shown in the drawings, a waste ink absorbing material is disposed on
the housing 30 behind the ink cartridge holding portion P and below the printer engine
60. The printer engine 60 includes an engine housing 62. Although not shown in the
drawings, a sheet transport slot is formed in the rear surface of the engine housing
62. The sheet transport slot is for receiving sheets supplied from the sheet-supply
tray 22. An engine-side sheet-discharge slot 64 is formed in the front surface of
the engine housing 62. The engine-side sheet-discharge slot 64 is for discharging
sheets that were recorded on by the printer engine 60 toward the sheet-discharge portion
D. The sheet-transport pathway is further defined in the engine housing 62 from the
sheet transport slot to the engine-side sheet-discharge slot 64. Printed sheets are
discharged onto the sheet-discharge portion D because the engine-side sheet-discharge
slot 64 confronts the sheet-discharge port 46 (Fig. 4) while the cover 40 covers the
housing 30. A KC tube opening 66 and a YM tube opening 68 are formed in the front
surface of the engine housing 62. The KC tube opening 66 is for introducing the black
(K) ink-supply tube Tk and the cyan (C) ink-supply tube Tc into the printer engine
60. The YM tube opening 68 is for introducing the yellow (Y) ink-supply tube Ty and
the magenta (M) ink-supply tube Tm into the printer engine 60. Although not shown
in the drawings, a cable opening for introducing cables connected to the main circuit
board into the printer engine 60 is also formed in the front surface of the engine
housing 62.
[0072] As shown in Fig. 8, a sheet-transport mechanism 76 is provided to the inside to the
engine housing 62. The sheet-transport mechanism 76 is made from plural pairs of rollers
that transport sheets from the sheet-supply roller 23 along the sheet transport pathway
to the engine-side sheet-discharge slot 64. A carriage scan shaft 72 extends above
and in a direction that intersects with the sheet transport direction. A carriage
74 is provided on the carriage scan shaft 72 so as to be capable of reciprocal movement
following the carriage scan shaft 72. A piezoelectric ink jet head 70 is mounted to
the under surface of the carriage 74. Although not shown in the drawings, a group
of nozzles is formed for each of the above-described plurality of ink colors. Each
nozzle faces downward so it ejects ink downward onto the recording sheet. The four
ink-supply tubes T (Tk, Tc, Ty, Tm) and cables are connected to the corresponding
nozzle groups to supply the four colors of ink (black, cyan, yellow, and magenta)
and drive signals to the piezoelectric ink jet head 70. The carriage 74 scans following
the carriage scan shaft 72 and the piezoelectric ink jet head 70 and records in bands
with a width that corresponds to the width of the nozzle groups. Each time one scan
is completed, the sheet-transport mechanism 76 feeds the sheet by a distance that
corresponds to the width of the recording band. A purge unit 78 is provided at a position
that is above the carriage scan shaft 72 and that is shifted from the sheet transport
pathway. Although not shown in the drawings, the purge unit 78 includes a well-known
cap and pump. In certain situations, such as when the nozzles of the piezoelectric
ink jet head 70 are clogged, the piezoelectric ink jet head 70 is transported to a
position in confrontation with the purge unit 78 and a purge operation is performed
wherein the cap covers the nozzles and the pump sucks ink from the nozzles through
the cap.
[0073] Only the piezoelectric ink jet head 70 is mounted on the carriage 74. Ink from the
ink cartridges 200 housed in the ink cartridge holding portion P is supplied to the
piezoelectric ink jet head 70 through the tubes T. Also, a pressure head difference
is developed between the piezoelectric ink jet head 70 and the ink cartridges 200
because the piezoelectric ink jet head 70 is disposed vertically above the ink cartridge
holding portion P. Therefore, a negative pressure, that is, a back pressure operates
on the ink in the nozzles of the piezoelectric ink jet head 70 that prevents ink (not
shown) from dripping out from the nozzle in the piezoelectric ink jet head 70.
[0074] As shown in Fig. 9, the ink supply mechanisms 80, the positive pressure application
mechanism 90, and the cartridge mounting mechanisms 100 have substantially the same
configuration for each of the four ink cartridge mounting portions S.
[0075] As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, each of the ink supply mechanisms 80 is configured from
a buffer tank 84 connected to an ink introducing hollow needle 82 and the ink-supply
tube T. The ink introducing hollow needle 82 extends toward the front surface opening
portion O. The hollow needle 82 is hollow and formed on the sides of its tip end with
a pair of holes connected to the inside in the manner of a well-known hollow needle.
When an ink cartridge 200 is mounted in the corresponding ink cartridge mounting portion
S, the ink introducing hollow needle 82 is inserted into the ink cartridge 200 so
that ink is supplied to the buffer tank 84. The buffer tank 84 temporarily holds ink
supplied by the ink introducing hollow needle 82 and filters foreign objects out from
the ink. Ink that has been filtered in this manner is then supplied to the piezoelectric
ink jet head 70 through the corresponding ink-supply tube T.
[0076] The positive pressure application mechanism 90 is for applying a positive air pressure
to the ink in the ink cartridges 200. The positive pressure application mechanism
90 is configured from positive pressure application members 91 that are connected
to the positive pressure pump 36. It should be noted that the total of four positive
pressure application members 91 provided to the four ink cartridge mounting portions
S are directly connected to the positive pressure pump 36 through positive pressure
application tubes 92. There is a relief valve (not shown) between the positive pressure
pump 36 and the positive pressure application tubes 92. Drive of the positive pressure
pump 36 forces air flow with substantially equal pressure from the four positive pressure
application members 91 toward the ink cartridges 200 through the positive pressure
application tubes 92.
[0077] As shown in Fig. 10, each of the positive pressure application members 91 is made
from a ring-shaped resilient seal member 93 and a support member 96. The support member
96 supports the ring-shaped resilient seal member 93 while a spring 94 urges the ring-shaped
resilient seal member 93 toward the front surface opening portion O. The ring-shaped
resilient seal member 93 includes a centrally located positive pressure hole 98 in
fluid connection with the positive pressure application tubes 92 from the positive
pressure pump 36. The positive pressure hole 98 faces the front surface opening portion
O.
[0078] The cartridge mounting mechanisms 100 include the partition walls 110, the indentations
102 on the cartridge holding portion base wall 32, guide protrusion walls 120, needle
protection plates 130, lock members 180 (Fig. 11) of the needle protection plates
130, lock releasing operation ribs 150, pull-out-lock protrusions 160, and residual
ink detecting photo sensors 170.
[0079] The partition walls 110 are formed at either side of each ink cartridge mounting
portion S so as to protrude upward from the cartridge holding portion base wall 32
and so as to extend from the front surface opening portion O into the ink cartridge
holding portion P. The partition walls 110 define the width of the ink cartridge mounting
portions S. It should be noted that the partition walls 110 positioned in between
adjacent ink cartridge mounting portions S also serve to partition the adjacent ink
cartridge mounting portions S.
[0080] The width of each of the ink cartridge mounting portions S is the size suitable for
the width of the corresponding ink cartridge 200 to enable the corresponding ink cartridge
200 to be mounted therein. As will be described later, the widths of the cyan (C)
ink cartridge 200c, the yellow (Y) ink cartridge 200y, and the magenta (M) ink cartridge
200m are equivalent. The width of the black (K) ink cartridge 200k, the black ink
of which is more frequency used during printing, is larger than the widths of the
cyan (C) ink cartridge 200c, the yellow (Y) ink cartridge 200y, and the magenta (M)
ink cartridge 200m in order to provide the black (K) ink cartridge 200k with a larger
internal capacity. For this reason, the widths of cyan (C) ink cartridge mounting
portion Sc, the yellow (Y) ink cartridge mounting portion Sy, and the magenta (M)
ink cartridge mounting portion Sm are equivalent and the width of the black (K) ink
cartridge mounting portion Sk is larger than the width of the other ink cartridge
mounting portions.
[0081] The cartridge holding portion base wall 32 of the ink cartridge mounting portions
S extends away from the hollow needle 82 farther forward than the front surface opening
portion O. Because the ceiling surface, that is, the cartridge holding cover portion
44, has a length to the position of the front surface opening portion O, the portion
of the cartridge holding portion base wall 32 that extends farther forward than the
cartridge holding portion base wall 32 is opened from above while the front surface
cover 50 is in an open condition and serves to guide the ink cartridges 200 toward
the front surface opening portion O while the ink cartridges 200 are being mounted.
[0082] All of the cartridge mounting mechanisms 100 have substantially the same configuration,
so configuration of a representative cartridge mounting mechanism 100 will be described
with reference to Fig. 10 in order to facilitate explanation. The needle protection
plate 130, the residual ink detecting photo sensor 170, the lock releasing operation
rib 150, and the pull-out-lock protrusion 160 are positioned in this order from the
side of the ink introducing hollow needle 82 to the front of the ink introducing hollow
needle 82 with respect to the lengthwise extending axis of the ink introducing hollow
needle 82. The guide protrusion wall 120, the lock releasing operation rib 150, and
the residual ink detecting photo sensor 170 sandwich the lengthwise extending axis
of the ink introducing hollow needle 82, wherein the guide protrusion wall 120 and
the lock releasing operation rib 150 are on one widthwise side and the residual ink
detecting photo sensor 170 is on the other widthwise side. The guide protrusion wall
120 extends in the front-rear direction. The lock releasing operation rib 150 is positioned
between the front end and the rear end of the guide protrusion wall 120 in the front-rear
direction. The needle protection plate 130 is between the front end and the rear end
of the guide protrusion wall 120 in the front-rear direction and is positioned further
to the rear than the lock releasing operation rib 150. The residual ink detecting
photo sensor 170 is also between the front end and the deep end of the guide protrusion
walls 120 in the front-rear direction and is positioned deeper in than the lock releasing
operation rib 150.
[0083] Referring to Fig. 9, the guide protrusion wall 120 and nearest partition wall 110
are separated by same distance La in the left-right direction in all of the cartridge
mounting portions Sc, Sy, Sm, and Sk. Further, the guide protrusion wall 120 and the
residual ink detecting photo sensor 170 are separated by the same distance Lb1 in
the cyan (C) ink cartridge mounting portion Sc, the yellow (Y) ink cartridge mounting
portion Sy, and the magenta (M) ink cartridge in the left-right direction. However,
the guide protrusion wall 120 and the residual ink detecting photo sensor 170 are
separated by a larger distance Lb2 in the black (K) ink cartridge mounting portion
Sk than the guide-sensor intervening distance Lb1 for the other ink cartridge mounting
portions.
[0084] Returning to Fig. 6, the partition walls 110 extend upward from the cartridge holding
portion base wall 32 to the under surface of the cover 40. As shown more clearly in
Fig. 10, three enlarged portions 112 are formed at the upper portion of each partition
wall 110. As can be seen in Fig. 112, the enlarged portions 112 protrude away from
the cartridge holding cover portion 44 toward the cartridge holding portion base wall
32. The enlarged portions 112 regulate vertical tilt and position of the ink cartridge
after the ink cartridge 200 is inserted. The enlarged portion 112 at the front surface
opening portion O side end of each partition wall 110 is formed at the lower side
with a taper shape for facilitating insertion of the ink cartridge. The enlarged portion
112 formed at the front-rear center of each partition wall 110 includes a spring 114
for urging the ink cartridge 200 downward and regulating vertical movement of the
inserted ink cartridge 200.
[0085] Again using the representative example of Fig. 10, the guide protrusion wall 120
protrudes upward from the cartridge holding portion base wall 32 at a position adjacent
to the lock releasing operation rib 150. The distance La between the guide protrusion
walls 120 and the adjacent partition walls 110 is sufficiently smaller than the thickness
of the average user's finger to prevent the user from contacting the lock releasing
operation rib 150 and releasing the locked condition of the needle protection plates
130. Also, the guide protrusion wall 120 serves to guide the ink cartridge 200 inserted
from the front surface opening portion O side to the ink cartridge mounting portions
S in the front-rear direction while positioning the ink cartridge 200 in the left-right
direction. The guide protrusion wall 120 is formed with its front- and rear-side ends
thicker than its center so that the guide protrusion wall 120 contacts the ink cartridge
200 substantially at two points that correspond to the thick portions. Positioning
in the left-right direction can be precisely performed. It should be noted that guiding
and positioning of the ink cartridge 200 can also be performed by the partition walls
110 or could be performed by cooperative operation of the partition walls 110 and
the guide protrusion wall 120.
[0086] The residual ink detecting photo sensor 170 is made from an infrared light emitting
portion 172 and an infrared light receiving portion 174 and is for detecting the amount
of residual ink in the ink cartridge 200. The residual ink detecting photo sensor
170 is connected to a circuit board disposed beneath the cartridge holding portion
base wall 32. The residual ink detecting photo sensor 170 protrudes above the cartridge
holding portion base wall 32 from the circuit board. Sensor guards 176, which are
for protecting the infrared light emitting portion 172 and the infrared light receiving
portion 174 from the ink cartridge 200 when the ink cartridge 200 is inserted, protrude
upward from the cartridge holding portion base wall 32 from the sides of the infrared
light emitting portion 172 and the infrared light receiving portion 174 that are nearer
to the front surface opening portion O. The sensor guards 176 are formed with rounded
surfaces at the portion of their confronting faces that are nearest the front surface
opening portion O.
[0087] The needle protection plate 130 is positioned at the front surface opening portion
O side of the ink introducing hollow needle 82 with a space between itself and the
ink introducing hollow needle 82. The needle protection plate 130 is for covering
the tip of the ink introducing hollow needle 82 from the side confronting the front
surface opening portion O. Fig. 11 shows configuration relating to the needle protection
plate 130, the lock releasing operation rib 150, and the pull-out-lock protrusion
160 of the representative cartridge mounting mechanism 100 of Fig. 10. The needle
protection plate 130 is supported below the cartridge holding portion base wall 32
so as to be pivotable around a needle protection pivot shaft 132 that intersects the
front-rear direction. The needle protection plate 130 is movable between a cover position
and a release position. In the cover position, the needle protection plate 130 protrudes
from an opening 104 formed in the cartridge holding portion base wall 32 to above
the cartridge holding portion base wall 32. In the release position, the needle protection
plate 130 is retracted within the opening 104. The needle protection plate 130 is
constantly urged by a spring 183 toward the cover position. The lock member 180 is
supported pivotable around a shaft 184 below the cartridge holding portion base wall
32. A pressing plate 140 rises up from one end of the lock member 180. Operation of
the spring 182 moves the lock member 180 in a direction to move the pressing plate
140 into confrontation with the ink introducing hollow needle 82 side surface of the
needle protection plate 130. The lock member 180 integrally includes the lock releasing
operation rib 150 in between the shaft 184 and the pressing plate 140. The urging
force of the spring 182 protrudes the lock releasing operation rib 150 from an opening
106 formed in the cartridge holding portion base wall 32 between the guide protrusion
walls 120 and the partition walls 110.
[0088] In this condition, when the ink cartridge 200 is inserted from the front surface
opening portion O, as will be described later the lower side of the ink cartridge
200 first presses the lock releasing operation rib 150 so that the lock member 180
pivots and the pressing plate 140 retracts downward from the back surface of the needle
protection plate 130. When the ink cartridge 200 is moved further in the front-rear
direction of the mounting portion S, the front surface of the ink cartridge 200 presses
the needle protection plate 130. However, because the pressing plate 140 was retracted
below the back surface of the needle protection plate 130, the needle protection plate
130 is not block from pivoting and so drops into the opening 104 so that the ink cartridge
200 can connect with the ink introducing hollow needle 82.
[0089] In the reverse operation, that is, to remove the ink cartridge 200 from the ink cartridge
mounting portion S, the spring 183 moves the needle protection plates 130 upright
at the position covering the ink introducing hollow needle 82. Then, the lower surface
of the ink cartridge 200 separates away from the lock releasing operation ribs 150
and the spring 182 returns the pressing plate 140 to the back surface of the needle
protection plate 130.
[0090] Unless the lock releasing operation rib 150 is being pressed down, the back surface
of the needle protection plate 130 will abut the pressing plate 140 so the ink introducing
hollow needle 82 will not be exposed to the front. surface opening portion O, even
if an external force is applied from the front surface opening portion O side of the
needle protection plate 130.
[0091] A leak preventing lock member 190 is provided for applying resistance against the
urging force by the spring 94 of the positive pressure application members 91, which
urges the mounted ink cartridge 200 in a direction to pull out of the ink cartridge
mounting portion S. The leak preventing lock member 190 includes the pull-out-lock
protrusion 160, which is capable of protruding above the cartridge holding portion
base wall 32 from an opening 108 formed in the cartridge holding portion base wall
32. The leak preventing lock member 190 is supported pivotable around a shaft 192
below the cartridge holding portion base wall 32. The leak preventing lock member
190 is urged upward by the spring 182. Normally, the protrusion 160 protrudes upward
above the cartridge holding portion base wall 32 from the opening 108 and fits in
a leak preventing lock indentation 246 (Fig. 18) to be described later of the ink
cartridges 200 that is in its mounted position. However, as will be described later,
when the ink cartridge 200 abuts the protrusion 160 by force generated when the ink
cartridge 200 is attached or detached, the leak preventing lock member 190 pivots
around the shaft 192 so that the protrusion 160 retracts downward and the ink cartridge
200 can be attached or detached.
[0092] The cyan, yellow, magenta, and black ink cartridges 200 of the present embodiment
all have the shape shown in Fig. 12. That is, all are made from a main case 230 and
a lid 210 made from a substantially transparent resin. Overall the ink cartridge 200
has a flat and substantially parallelepiped shape. It should be noted that the cyan,
yellow, and magenta ink cartridges 200 (color ink cartridges) have substantially the
same size. The black ink cartridge 200 has substantially the same length as the color
ink cartridges 200. However, the width of the black ink cartridge is wider than that
of the color ink cartridges.
[0093] Next, an explanation will be provided for the ink cartridges 200 of the present embodiment
while referring to the representative example shown in Figs. 12 to 39. The main case
230 includes flat side walls 232 on both sides in the left-right direction. The distance
between the side walls 232, that is, the width of the main case 230, corresponds to
the distance between the partition walls 110 provided to both sides of the ink cartridge
mounting portion S.
[0094] The lid 210 has a substantially flat shape with a spherical outward curved portion
212, which is curved outward in a spherical shape, provided at its substantial center
portion. A flat-shaped protrusion portion 213 is formed from a raised up front end
of the lid 210 except at left and right ends. A flat portion 214 is formed at the
left and right sides of the protrusion portion 213 and around the spherical outward
curved portion 212 of the lid 210. The portion of the flat portion 214 positioned
to the left and right of the protrusion portion 213 and of the spherical outward curved
portion 212 extends in the lengthwise (front-rear) direction of the ink cartridges
200. When the ink cartridge 200 is inserted into the ink cartridge mounting portion
S, the front-rear extending portion of the flat portion 214 slides against the spring
114 in confrontation with the underside of the enlarged portions 112. The curved portion
212 and the protrusion portion 213 protrude in the direction of and are closer to
the lower surface of the cartridge holding cover portion 44, that is, the ceiling
surface, than are the lower surfaces of the enlarged portions 112, which are positioned
on either side of the curved portion 212 and the protrusion portion 213. The curved
portion 212 and the protrusion portion 213 extend higher toward the cartridge holding
cover portion 44 than the flat portion 214. When the ink cartridge 200 is mounted
in the recording device, the curved portion 212 and the protrusion portion 213 regulate
height wise position of the ink cartridge 200 when the ink cartridge 200 is inserted
through the front surface opening portion O.
[0095] The ink cartridge 200 is formed sufficiently longer than the length in the front-rear
direction of the cartridge holding cover portion 44 so that the rear end portion protrudes
from the cartridge holding cover portion 44 when the ink cartridge 200 is in a mounted
condition in the mounting portion S. The rear end portion of the ink cartridge 200
is a grasping portion 202 that is slightly narrower width that the other areas. As
shown in Fig. 6, a desired single ink cartridge 200 can be easily grasped and taken
out when plural ink cartridges 200 are housed in the ink cartridge holding portion
P. Contrarily, an ink cartridge 200 can be grasped and easily mounted even when an
ink cartridge 200 is housed adjacent thereto in ink cartridge holding portion P. A
rib 217 is formed near the rear end of the lid 210 so as to extend linearly in the
left-right direction. Accordingly, by snagging his or her finger on the rib 217 and
pulling the ink cartridge 200 forward, the user can pull the ink cartridge 200 out
of the ink cartridge holding portion P using a single finger.
[0096] As shown in Fig. 13, a protrusion portion 235 is formed on a front surface wall 234
of the main case 230. The protrusion portion 235 protrudes upward at the left-right
central region of the front surface wall 234. An ink supply hole 260 is formed in
the substantial center of the front surface wall 234. The ink supply hole 260 is a
hole for supplying ink from an ink accommodation portion 300 (Fig. 14) provided in
the main case 230 to outside. An ink supply rubber plug 262 (Fig. 39(a)) is press-fit
mounted in the ink supply hole 260. An ink injection hole 270 is opened next to the
ink supply hole 260. An ink injection rubber plug 272 (Fig. 39(a)) is press-fit mounted
in the ink injection hole 270. Further, an atmosphere connection hole 280 is also
opened in the front surface wall 234. The atmosphere connection hole 280 is a small-diameter,
long and thin hole that is in fluid communication with the positive pressure hole
98 of the positive pressure application members 91 when the ink cartridge 200 is mounted
in the ink cartridge mounting portion S. Further, a guide groove 236 and a sensor
accommodation groove 240 are formed in the front surface wall 234 and across the lower
wall of the main case 230 so as to be open in the front surface and the lower surface.
The guide groove 236 is an indented portion for engaging with the guide protrusion
wall 120 when the ink cartridge 200 is mounted in the ink cartridge mounting portion
S. A lock release portion 238 is defined by the lower rear surface of the ink cartridge
200 that is between the guide groove 236 and the nearby side wall 232. The guide groove
236 and the lock release portion 238 are provided near the portions of the ink cartridge
200 that correspond to the enlarged portions 112 of the recording device. The lock
release portion 238 functions to press the lock releasing operation rib 150 when the
ink cartridge 200 is mounted in the ink cartridge mounting portion S. The sensor accommodation
groove 240 is an indented portion in a contour of the outer shape of the ink cartridge
200 and accommodates the residual ink detecting photo sensor 170 when the ink cartridge
200 is mounted in the ink cartridge mounting portion S.
[0097] As shown in Fig. 14, the main case 230 includes an ink accommodation portion 300
at its inside and is open at its upper side. Described in more detail, the main case
230 includes the front surface wall 234, the side walls 232, and a rear surface wall
237. The side walls 232 are on left and right sides of the main case 230. The side
walls 232 are connected to the front surface wall 234 and the rear surface wall 237.
The grasping portions 202 are formed to the rear of the rear surface wall 237. The
ink accommodation portion 300 is surrounded by the front surface wall 234, the side
walls 232, and the rear surface wall 237. The ink accommodation portion 300 is configured
with a flexible film 302 at an ink-holding portion 310 (Fig. 15) to be described later.
The ink-holding portion 310 is formed at the inside of the main case 230. The flexible
film 302 is welded onto an opening peripheral edge 312 of the ink-holding portion
310. Ink is held in between the flexible film 302 and the ink-holding portion 310.
While the ink cartridge 200 is filled with ink, the flexible film 302 expands upward
into a curved surface. The ink supply hole 260 and the ink injection hole 270 are
in fluid communication with the inside of the ink accommodation portion 300. Described
in more detail, the ink supply hole 260 is in fluid communication with the ink accommodation
portion 300 through a small-diameter ink supply connection pathway 268. The ink injection
hole 270 is in fluid communication with the ink accommodation portion 300 by the through
a small-diameter ink injection connection pathway 278 from the ink injection hole
270.
[0098] A substantially rectangular plate shaped tension plate 306 is provided on the flexible
film 302 so that its lengthwise direction extends in parallel with the lengthwise
(front-rear) direction of the ink cartridge 200. The tension plate 306 is adhered
at its lengthwise center portion to the substantial center portion of the flexible
film 302 by two-sided adhesive tape.
[0099] It should be noted that the lengthwise direction cross sectional shape (Fig. 21)
of the case body is the same whether for black or color ink cartridges. Because the
tension plate 306 is adhered in the lengthwise direction, an equal tension can be
applied by preparing and adhering tension plates 306 with the same length for all
color ink cartridges. The length of the tension plate 306 is formed slightly shorter
than the dimension of the ink accommodation portion 300 in the lengthwise direction.
The material of the tension plate is a film made from resin such as PET film. It should
be noted that detailed operation of the tension plate 306 will be described later.
[0100] An atmosphere chamber 290 in fluid communication with the atmosphere connection hole
280 is formed in the periphery of the ink accommodation portion 300. Described in
more detail, a partition wall 282 is formed at the rear side of the front surface
wall 234. The partition wall 282 connects the side walls 232. Also, an outside protrusion
wall 211 is formed from the lid 210. The outside protrusion wall 211 is for coupling
with the partition wall 282, the side walls 232, and the rear surface wall 237 of
the main case 230. When the lid 210 is attached to the main case 230 and the outside
protrusion wall 211 is coupled with the partition wall 282, the side walls 232, and
the rear surface wall 237, then the atmosphere chamber 290 will be encompassed by
the partition wall 282, the side walls 232, and the rear surface wall 237 and moreover
defines a region (covered by the lid 210) that surrounds the ink accommodation portion
300. The atmosphere chamber 290 is in a substantially sealed condition in communication
with the outside only through the atmosphere connection hole 280. Here, the atmosphere
connection hole 280 is a through hole that extends between the front surface wall
234 and the partition wall 282 and that is opened to the front surface wall 234 and
the partition wall 282. Also, the ink supply connection pathway 268 and the ink injection
connection pathway 278 penetrate through the partition wall 282 and are in fluid communication
with the ink accommodation portion 300. When the lid 210 is attached on the main case
230 and covers the opening of the main case 230, the atmosphere chamber 290 is in
fluid communication with atmosphere through only the atmosphere connection hole 280.
By applying atmospheric or positive pressure to the atmosphere chamber 290, pressure
can be applied to the flexible film 302 of the ink accommodation portion 300 from
the external side of the ink accommodation portion 300 so that ink in the ink accommodation
portion 300 can be supplied to outside of the ink cartridge 200 through the ink supply
hole 260.
[0101] It should be noted that a plurality of ribs 292 (Fig. 15) are formed in the inside
of the atmosphere chamber 290 so that the strength of the main case 230 is increased.
[0102] Fig. 14 shows the inner surface of the lid 210 that is attached to the ink cartridge
200. As is clear from the drawing, the lid 210 is substantially flat. The spherical
outward curved portion 212 that is formed in the central portion of the lid 210 has
a shape that encompasses the bulge of the flexible film 302. An annular portion of
the flat portion 214 has a predetermined width that encompasses the spherical outward
curved portion 212 and defines an ink accommodation periphery portion 216 to be described
later. A groove-shaped notch 218 is formed so as to cut through the ink accommodation
periphery portion 216. When the lid 210 is coupled to the main case 230, a space develops
between the ink accommodation periphery portion 216 and the flexible film 302 that
is adhered to the opening peripheral edge 312. When the ink cartridge is vacuum packaged
in a manner to be described later, the lid 210 and the main case 230 flexibly deform
toward each other. Even if the lid side of the ink accommodation periphery portion
216 comes into intimate contact with the flexible film 302, the groove-shaped notch
218 and protrusion wall notches 219 to be described later serve to bring the space
between the spherical outward curved portion 212 and the flexible film 302 into fluid
communication with the atmosphere chamber 290. Also, a protruding wall 215 is formed
at the inner side of the outside protrusion wall 211, which is the outer side of the
ink accommodation periphery portion 216. The protruding wall 215 extends and protrudes
from the lid 210 so as to encompass the ink accommodation periphery portion 216. The
protruding wall 215 is located so as to, when the lid 210 is mounted on the main case
230, encompass the outer periphery of the opening peripheral edge 312 to be described
later with reference to Fig. 27. The protruding wall 215 is discontinuous at portions
that follow the side walls 232 and that approach and connect to the outside protrusion
wall 211. These discontinuous portions of the protruding wall 215 define the protrusion
wall notches 219. One protrusion wall notch 219 is located adjacent the groove-shaped
notch 218 and the other protrusion wall notch 219 is located opposite from the groove-shaped
notch 218 in the left-right direction. The protrusion wall notches 219 also function
to bring the space between the spherical outward curved portion 212 and the flexible
film 302 into fluid communication with the atmosphere chamber 290 and to prevent positive
pressure from the atmosphere connection hole 280 from being blocked by the protruding
wall 215.
[0103] As shown in Fig. 15, the ink-holding portion 310 is encompassed by the opening peripheral
edge 312 and includes an tub portion 320. The tub portion 320 is open at the upper
surface. The opening peripheral edge 312 has a circular or ellipsoidal shape that
bulges outward at one portion 328. The tub portion 320 includes a curved surface portion
324 that curves downward in a substantial curved shape from a circular (or ellipsoidal)
shaped encompassing edge 322. The encompassing edge 322 is positioned at the same
height as the opening peripheral edge 312. The substantial center of the curved surface
portion 324 is the lowest position. The curved surface portion 324 includes a slanted
surface portion 326 that is flat (not curved). The horizontally-extending flat shoulder
portion 328, which bulges to the outside of the opening peripheral edge 312, is formed
between the opening peripheral edge 312 and the circular (or ellipsoidal) encompassing
edge 322. Because the flexible film 302 is attached to the opening peripheral edge
312 so as to cover the tub portion 320, ink is stored between the flexible film 302,
the curved surface portion 324 including the slanted surface portion 326, and the
flat shoulder portion 328.
[0104] The height of the flat shoulder portion 328 substantially matches the height of the
opening peripheral edge 312 so that the flexible film 302 bulges only a small amount
above the flat shoulder portion 328. With this configuration, while the lid 210 is
mounted on the main case 230 the user can visually confirm the color of the ink from
above the lid 210 by viewing the color of the ink accumulated between the flat shoulder
portion 328 and the flexible film 302. Said differently, when the tub portion 320
is full of ink, the color of the ink in the tub portion 320 appears substantially
black because the layer of ink is thick. However, the actual color of the ink can
be viewed at the thin ink layer between the flat shoulder portion 328 and the flexible
film 302.
[0105] .The flexible film 302 is preformed into a curved shape that intimately contacts
the inner surface of the ink-holding portion 310 when almost no ink is in the ink-holding
portion 310. The method for manufacturing the flexible film 302 in this shape will
be described later. Because the flexible film 302 is shaped in this manner, the flexible
film can softly and gradually deform following the amount of ink from when ink completely
fills between the flexible film 302 and the ink-holding portion 310 to when almost
no ink is in the ink-holding portion 310. Almost no pressure operates on the ink from
the flexible film itself, for example, by resilient contraction.
[0106] An air removing/ink supply groove 332 is formed in the base surface of the tub portion
320. The air removing/ink supply groove 332 is in fluid communication with an ink
injection groove 330, which is in fluid communication with the ink injection hole
270 (the ink injection connection pathway 278), and the ink supply hole 260 (the ink
supply connection pathway 268). A sensing mechanism 340 is further provided to the
base surface of the tub portion 320. The sensing mechanism 340 is for detecting the
residual amount of ink remaining on the tub portion 320.
[0107] As shown in Fig. 16, the sensing mechanism 340 is made from a sensor lever accommodation
groove 350, a sensor lever 360, and a suppressing film 342. The sensor lever 360 is
disposed within the sensor lever accommodation groove 350. The suppressing film 342
has a T shape. The sensor lever accommodation groove 350 is opened in the base surface
of the tub portion 320. The sensor lever accommodation groove 350 has a base surface
352 that follows the lower surface (Fig. 18) of the main case 230. The sensor lever
accommodation groove 350 is formed so as to extend in a direction that is shifted
45 degrees with respect to the lengthwise (front-rear) direction of the case body
from the central position of the curved surface portion 324 of the tub portion 320,
to bend 45 degrees where it reaches the circular (or ellipsoidal) encompassing edge
322 of the tub portion 320, and then to extend parallel with the lengthwise direction
of the case body. The portion of the sensor lever accommodation groove 350 that extends
in parallel with the lengthwise direction of the case body is called the groove portion
354 and is open upward at the flat shoulder portion 328. In this way, the sensor lever
accommodation groove 350 is open so as to extend in a direction shifted 45 degrees
from the lengthwise direction of the case body at positions from the center portion
of the curved surface portion 324 of the tub portion 320 to the slanted surface portion
326 and is open so as to extend parallel with the lengthwise direction of the case
body at the upper surface of the flat shoulder portion 328. The depth of the sensor
lever accommodation groove 350 is substantially fixed at the curved surface portion
324, rapidly increases at the slanted surface portion 326, and again is substantially
fixed at the flat shoulder portion 328. The groove portion 354 of the sensor lever
accommodation groove 350 extends outside of the tub portion 320, follows the wall
that protrudes to the inside of the sensor accommodation groove 240 and reaches the
inside of the sensor accommodation groove 240, thereby forming a protrusion portion
372 shown in Fig. 18. Also, the sensor lever accommodation groove 350 has a groove
351 that intersects the lengthwise direction.
[0108] The sensor lever 360 has a specific gravity that is higher than the specific gravity
of ink and is formed from a black colored resin that can block infrared light. The
sensor lever 360 is disposed within the sensor lever accommodation groove 350. The
sensor lever 360 is an elongated plate-shaped member having a pivot fulcrum portion
362, an operation arm portion 364, and a sensing arm portion 366. The pivot fulcrum
portion 362 has the shape of a triangular prism. The operation arm portion 364 and
the sensing arm portion 366 extend from on opposite sides of the pivot fulcrum portion
362. A semispherical pivot 365 (an ink residual amount detection point) is provided
at the end portion of the operation arm portion 364. The sensor lever 360 is disposed
within the sensor lever accommodation groove 350 so that the semispherical pivot 365
is disposed in the center position of the curved surface portion 324 of the tub portion
320. As a result, the semispherical pivot 365 is disposed at the lowest position of
the curved surface portion 324. The sensing arm portion 366 is bent at a 45 degree
angle near its end, thereby forming a bent end portion 367, which is positioned in
the groove portion 354 of the sensor lever accommodation groove 350 (the portion opened
at the flat shoulder portion 328) and functions as a sensing point. The pivot fulcrum
portion 362 is disposed inside the intersecting groove 351 of the sensor lever accommodation
groove 350. The apex of the triangular cross section of the pivot fulcrum portion
362 sinks in the ink so as to contact the bottom of the intersecting groove 351. As
a result, the sensor lever 360 can pivot with the pivot fulcrum portion 362 as a fulcrum.
Here, the weight of the sensing arm portion 366 is greater than the weight of the
operation arm portion 364. In this example, the weight of the sensing arm portion
366 is five times or greater than the weight of the operation arm portion 364. For
this reason, when sufficient ink remains, the sensing point 367 of the sensor lever
360 is positioned on the base surface 352 of the sensor lever accommodation groove
350 as indicated by solid line in Fig. 17. The semispherical pivot 365 (ink residual
amount detection point) ink floats up from the base surface 352 and protrudes over
the bottom of the tub portion 320. On the other hand, when ink is used up so that
the flexible film 302 moves down toward the tub portion 320, the flexible film 302
presses down the semispherical pivot 365 (ink residual amount detection point) as
shown by two-dot chain line in Fig. 17 so that the bent end portion 367 (sensing point)
rises up. Because the sensor lever 360 is accommodated in this way in the sensor lever
accommodation groove 350, which extends out from the tub portion 320 from under the
tub portion 320, the sensor lever 360 does not block the flexible film 302 as the
flexible film 302 deforms toward the tub portion 320. Therefore, detection of residual
ink can be more reliably performed.
[0109] Also, the length L1 of the sensing arm portion 366 of the sensor lever 360 is longer
than the length L2 of the operation arm portion 364. In this example, the length L1
of the sensing arm portion 366 is about four times the length L2 of the operation
arm portion 364. Accordingly, even if the flexible film 302 lowers the semispherical
pivot 365 (ink residual amount detection point) only a slight bit, the bent end portion
367 will rise up a great deal so that detection using a residual amount detection
sensor 70 to be described later can be reliably performed.
[0110] The PET film tension plate 306 insures that the sensor lever 360 will reliably operate
when almost no ink remains unused so that ink can be used up to the maximum. That
is, if the tension plate 306 were not provided, then wrinkles could develop in one
portion of the flexible film 302 as the flexible film 302 lowers down in association
with reduction in ink and the flexible film 302 comes into intimate contact with the
tub portion 320. In this case, the sensor lever 360 would be activated while ink remains
between the wrinkled portion and the tub portion 320 so that ink is not used up.
[0111] However, in the present embodiment, only the center portion of the tension plate
306, that is, the portion that confronts the semispherical pivot 365 of the sensor
lever 360, is connected to the center portion of the flexible film 302. The tension
plate 306 rides on top of the bulging flexible film 302 as indicated by solid line
in Fig. 17 when there is a great deal of ink in the tub portion 320. The tension plate
306 moves downward in association with reduction in ink. However, when a small amount
of ink remains, both ends of the tension plate 306 abut against the inner peripheral
surface of the tub portion 320 at a position lower than the opening peripheral edge
312 and higher than the lowest position of the tub portion 320 so that the tension
plate 306 is restricted from moving further downward. As a result, although the peripheral
portion of the flexible film 302 is in intimate contact following the inner peripheral
surface of the tub portion 320, the center portion of the flexible film 302 is raised
up because of the tension plate 306. At this time, the center portion of the raised-up
flexible film 302 confronts the semispherical pivot 365 of the sensor lever 360 with
a spaced opened up therebetween.
[0112] When the amount of ink is further reduced, the center portion of the flexible film
302 moves further down against the resilience of the tension plate 306. However, once
the amount of ink in the tub portion is reduced to less than a predetermined amount
range so that hardly any ink remains, the flexible film 302 overcomes the urging force
of the tension plate 306 so that the center portion of the flexible film 302 presses
against the semispherical pivot 365 of the sensor lever 360. At this time, the surface
area of the peripheral portion of the flexible film 302 that is in intimate contact
following the inner peripheral surface of the tub portion 320 gradually increases
until the center of the flexible film 302 presses the sensor lever 360. That is, the
tension plate 306 prevents wrinkles from being generated in the flexible film 302
along the way. Also, the flexible film 302 moves down while ink is collected in the
center portion of the tub portion 320. Therefore, the sensor lever 360 will reliably
operate in the condition wherein almost no ink remains unused.
[0113] The tension plate 306 need not be formed in the substantial rectangular shape described
above, but could be triangular shaped, star shaped, circular shaped, or any optional
shape as long as its shape enables opening a space between the flexible film 302 and
the semispherical pivot 365 of the sensor lever 360 when downward movement is restricted
as described above. Further, the outer peripheral portion of these different shaped
members need not abut the inner peripheral surface of the tub portion 320, but could
be placed on the opening peripheral edge 312.
[0114] It is desirable that the tension plate 306 have resilience and weight that does not
apply influence to the pressure in the ink accommodation portion 300. However, pressure
in the ink accommodation portion 300 can be adjusted by appropriately setting the
resilience and weight. When there is a great deal of ink, the weight of the tension
plate 306 applies positive pressure to the inside of the ink accommodation portion
300 because the tension plate 306 contacts only the center of the flexible film 302.
When only a little ink remains, then the tension plate 306 functions as a beam to
lift up the central portion of the flexible film 302. As a result, a negative pressure
is applied to the ink accommodation portion 300. By adjusting the spring force (which
relates to negative pressure when little ink remains), weight (which relates to positive
pressure when a great deal of ink remains), and length (which relates to timing of
the switch from application of positive pressure to the application of negative pressure)
of the tension plate 306, a pressure that is appropriate with the consumption condition
of ink can be applied to the ink accommodation portion 300.
[0115] In the embodiment, the tension plate 306 is connected to the flexible film 302 so
as to move following the flexible film 302 until only a slight amount of ink remains.
On the other hand, the tension plate 306 is restricted from moving downward by the
tub portion 320 when only a little ink remains and has resilience that urges the flexible
film 302 in a direction away from the pivot (ink residual amount detection point)
365. The tension plate 306 allows portions of the flexible film 302 other than portions
in confrontation with the pivot (ink residual amount detection point) 365 to follow
the tub portion 320 at least after a slight amount of ink remains. However, the tension
plate 306 urges portions of the flexible film 302 that confront the pivot (ink residual
amount detection point) 365 in the direction away from the pivot (ink residual amount
detection point) 365. Moreover, in association with reduction in ink after a slight
amount of ink remains, the tension plate 306 approaches toward the pivot (ink residual
amount detection point) 365 against the urging of the tension plate 306. In this way,
ink can be reliably used up.
[0116] As shown in Fig. 16, the T-shaped suppressing film 342 is made from PET and is provided
to press the sensor lever 360 downward into the sensor lever accommodation groove
from above the sensor lever 360. Explained in more detail, the suppressing film 342
has an integral fixed portion 342a and resilient plate portion 342b. The resilient
plate portion 342b presses the sensing arm portion 366. Of the sensor lever accommodation
groove 350, the groove 351 which accommodates the pivot fulcrum portion 362 is formed
with a level difference. A pair of holes 344 are formed in the fixed portion 342a.
By fitting a pair of protrusions 356 into the pair of holes 344 and crushing the pair
of protrusions 356, the fixed portion 342a can be fixed to the tub portion 320. By
this, the pivot fulcrum portion 362 is supported in the intersecting groove 351 with
a space opened between itself and the T-shaped suppressing film 342. The sensor lever
360 can be freely pivoted with the pivot fulcrum portion 362 as a fulcrum. The resilient
plate portion 342b is disposed inserted inside the sensor lever accommodation groove
350 so as to extend toward to the sensing arm portion 366 from the fixed portion 342a.
By this, the sensing arm portion 366 moves down by the resilient plate portion 342b.
That is, because the semispherical pivot 365 is urged to protrude above the bottom
surface of the tub portion 320, the semispherical pivot 365 can be reliably protruded
above the base surface of the tub portion 320 even if the ink cartridge is turned
upside down during transport of the ink cartridge. It should be noted that the resilience
of the resilient plate portion 342b is large enough to block further rising movement
of the sensing arm portion 366 in association with reduction in ink.
[0117] It should be noted that the portion of the sensor lever accommodation groove 350
that accommodates the sensing arm portion 366 is formed in the slanted surface portion
326. Because the slant of the slanted surface portion 326 is greater than the slant
of the spherical surface portion, the sensing arm portion 366 can move upward by a
sufficient amount without contacting and being obstructed by the flexible film 302.
[0118] As shown in Fig. 18, the lower surface of the main case 230 includes a flat smooth
surface 242 capable of sliding with respect to the ink cartridge mounting portions
S. The flat smooth surface 242 is connected by the side walls 232 on both sides. The
lower surface of the main case 230 is formed with the guide groove 236 and the sensor
accommodation groove 240. As shown in Fig. 30, the distance Lac between the guide
groove 236 and the side wall 232 that is nearest in the widthwise direction corresponds
to the guide-partition wall intervening distance La in the ink cartridge mounting
portions S. As shown in Fig. 35, the guide groove 236 is formed merely with a length
Lcc capable of accommodating the guide protrusion walls 120 in the lengthwise direction
from the front surface wall 234. More particularly, the guide groove 236 is formed
with a length that is at least as long or longer than a length Lc between the positive
pressure application members 91 in the ink cartridge mounting portions S and the side
end of the front surface opening portion O of the guide protrusion walls 120. For
this reason, the guide groove 236 can accommodate the guide protrusion wall 120 when
the ink cartridge 200 is mounted in the ink cartridge mounting portion S. As shown
in Fig. 30, the distance Lbc between the guide groove 236 and the guide protrusion
walls 120 corresponds to a guide-sensor interdistance in the ink cartridge mounting
portion S. As shown in Fig. 30, the sensor accommodation groove 240 is formed to merely
a length Ldc that corresponds to the distance Ld between the positive pressure application
members 91 in the lengthwise direction from the wall and the residual ink detecting
photo sensor 170 so that the residual ink detecting photo sensor 170 can be accommodated
when the ink cartridge 200 is mounted in the ink cartridge mounting portion S.
[0119] A plurality of ribs 243 are formed in the lower surface of the main case 230. The
ribs 243 are for supporting the strength of the tub portion 320 from the under surface
of the tub portion 320. It should be noted that a bottom central axis rib 244 is formed
in the central position in the widthwise direction of the main case 230 so as to extend
in the lengthwise direction of the main case 230. The bottom central axis rib 244
continues to retract the pull-out-lock protrusion 160 (Fig. retrieval unit 10) to
below the bottom surface when the ink cartridge 200 slides above the bottom surface
of the ink cartridge mounting portion S. The ink cartridge 200 will not pull out from
the ink cartridge mounting portion S because the pull-out-lock protrusion 160 engages
with the leak preventing lock indentation 246 when the ink cartridge 200 is mounted
in the ink cartridge mounting portion S.
[0120] A sensor lever accommodation portion 370 forms the inner portion of the sensor lever
accommodation groove 350. The sensor lever accommodation portion 370 is formed in
the lower surface of the main case 230 so as to protrude out from the tub portion
320. The portion (sensor lever accommodation protrusion portion 372) of the sensor
lever accommodation portion 370 that corresponds to the base surface 352 of the sensor
lever accommodation groove 350 protrudes in the lengthwise direction at the widthwise
center of the sensor accommodation groove 240. The rounded surfaces formed in the
confronting faces of the sensor guards 176 facilitate insertion of the protrusion
portion 372 in between the sensor guards 176 and the infrared light emitting portion
172 and the infrared light receiving portion 174 of the residual ink detecting photo
sensor 170. As shown in Fig. 35, when the ink cartridge 200 is mounted in the ink
cartridge mounting portions S and the residual ink detecting photo sensor 170 is housed
in the sensor accommodation groove 240, the sensing accommodation protrusion portion
is positioned between the infrared light emitting portion 172 and the infrared light
receiving portion 174 of the residual ink detecting photo sensor 170. The sensing
arm end portion 367 (sensing point) of the sensor lever 360 positioned in the groove
portion 354 in the protrusion portion 372 will as a result be positioned between the
infrared light emitting portion 172 and the infrared light receiving portion 174.
It should be noted that at least the protrusion portion 372 of the main case is made
from a material that is transparent to infrared light.
[0121] Fig. 19 is a schematic plan view of the ink cartridge 200 according to the embodiment
having the configuration described above. Fig. 19 shows the situation wherein the
lid 210 is mounted on the main case 230. Internal configuration is indicated by broken
line. Fig. 20 is a view taken from the direction indicated by arrow A of Fig. 19,
that is, is a frontal view showing the front surface of the ink cartridge 200. Figs.
21 to 28 are cross-sectional views taken along lines B-B, C-C, D-D, E-E, F-F, G-G,
H-H, and I-I, respectively. It should be noted that the flexible film 302 and the
ribs (243, 292) are not indicated in the drawings for purposes of clarity. However,
the bottom central axis rib 244 is indicated in some of the drawings.
[0122] As shown in Figs. 15 and 27, a peripheral wall 231 is formed in the main case 230.
The peripheral wall 231 extends from the opening peripheral edge 312, which defines
the opening of the tub portion 320, integrally and continuously to the bottom surface
side (in the depth direction of the tub portion 320) of the main case 230. A peripheral
wall portion 233 is formed connected to the peripheral wall 231, the side walls 232,
and the flat smooth surface 242. The peripheral wall portion 233 supports the tub
portion 320 from the periphery of the tub portion 320. The peripheral wall 231 and
the side walls 232 are separated by an interposed space and are connected together
by a plurality of wall-like ribs 292. The flat portion 214 of the lid is coupled to
the upper end of the peripheral wall portion 233 and serves as the outer peripheral
portion in confrontation with the peripheral wall portion 233. Accordingly, the lower
surface of the ink accommodation portion 300 is stabilized by the flat smooth surface
242 even when substantially spherically shaped. Attachment to and removal from the
multifunction device 1 is simple. Because the flexible film 302 is adhered to the
opening peripheral edge 312 and the lid 210 is connected to the upper end of the peripheral
wall portion 233, ink can be reliably sealed in without the adhered portion of the
flexible film 302 interfering with the lid 210. Because the peripheral wall portion
233 has a two-layered configuration made from the peripheral wall 231 and the side
walls 232, and uses a configuration wherein the peripheral wall portion 233 and the
peripheral wall 231 are connected by a plurality of ribs 292, the peripheral wall
portion 233 can be prevented from deforming even though the ink cartridge 200 is subjected
to vacuum pack processes to be described later. Further, as is clear from Fig. 18,
the plurality of ribs 243 are formed so as to connect the lower surface of the tub
portion 320 and the peripheral wall portion 233. For this reason, the ribs 243 prevent
the tub portion 320 and peripheral wall portion 233 from deforming even if the ink
cartridge 200 is subjected to the vacuum pack processes to be described later.
[0123] The ink cartridge 200 having the above-described configuration has a flat lower surface.
As shown in Fig. 29, the upper surface has a curved shape that is higher than the
height at both ends (side walls 232) in the widthwise direction. The height at both
ends in the widthwise direction (the height from the flat smooth surface 242 to the
flat portion 214) is substantially the same as the distance between the base wall
32 and the enlarged portion 112 that is formed on the upper portion of the front surface
opening portion O side end of the partition walls 110. Accordingly, the ink cartridge
200 can be inserted into the ink cartridge mounting portions S. Also, the ink cartridge
200 can be prevented from being inserted upside down because the height of the spherical
outward curved portion 212 and the protrusion portion 213 is higher than the height
at both sides in the widthwise direction and because the curve-shaped protruding walls
47 of the ceiling surface of the mounting portions S is formed following the spherical
outward curved portion 212 of the ink cartridge 200.
[0124] Because the lower surface of the main case 230 is smooth and formed with the peripheral
wall portion 233, which extends in the lengthwise direction, the ink cartridge 200
can be mounted by merely inserting the ink cartridge 200 in the ink cartridge mounting
portion S and sliding it over the bottom surface while the pull-out-lock protrusion
160 is in a retracted condition. Moreover, the width of the ink cartridge 200 corresponds
to the distance between the partition walls 110 of the ink cartridge mounting portion
S, the distance Lac between the guide groove 236 and the side walls 232 nearest in
the widthwise direction corresponds to the guide-partition wall intervening distance
La in the ink cartridge mounting portion S, and the distance Lbc between the guide
groove 236 and the sensor accommodation groove 240 corresponds to the inter-guide-sensor
distance Lb in the ink cartridge mounting portion S. Accordingly, by sliding the cartridge
so that the guide groove 236 is guided by the guide protrusion walls 120 when the
ink cartridge 200 is inserted into the ink cartridge mounting portion S, the residual
ink detecting photo sensor 170 is reliably housed in the sensor accommodation groove
240 and the bent end portion 367 in the sensor accommodation groove 240 is inserted
between the infrared light emitting portion 172 and the infrared light receiving portion
174.
[0125] It should be noted that as indicated in Figs. 9 and 30, the position of the end portion
of the front surface opening portion O side of the guide protrusion walls 120 in the
ink cartridge mounting portion S is positioned at a position nearer the front surface
opening portion O than the position of the end portion (sensor guard 176) of the front
surface opening portion O side of the residual ink detecting photo sensor 170. The
end of the guide groove 236 that is opposite from the front surface wall 234 is positioned
farther from the front surface wall 234 than the end of the sensor accommodation groove
240 that is opposite from the front surface wall 234. Accordingly, when the ink cartridge
200 is inserted into the ink cartridge mounting portion S and slid over the holding
portion base wall 32, the sensor accommodation groove 240 reaches the residual ink
detecting photo sensor 170 after the guide groove 236 accommodates the guide protrusion
walls 120. Because the main case 230 reaches the residual ink detecting photo sensor
170 after being positioned in the widthwise direction of the ink cartridge 200 by
engagement between guide protrusion walls 120 and the guide groove 236, the bent end
portion 367 in the sensor accommodation groove 240 is inserted between the infrared
light emitting portion 172 and the infrared light receiving portion 174.
[0126] Because the guide protrusion wall 120 is near the lock releasing operation rib 150
in the widthwise direction of the ink cartridge mounting portion S and the guide groove
236 is near the lock release portion 238 in the widthwise direction of the ink cartridge
200, the lock release portion 238 reliably abuts against the lock releasing operation
rib 150 and retracts it when the ink cartridge 200 is mounted in the ink cartridge
mounting portion S. Moreover, because the spring 114 member presses the ink cartridge
200 downward from above the partition walls 110 in the vicinity of the guide protrusion
walls 120, operations for retracting the lock releasing operation rib 150 are more
reliable.
[0127] As shown in Figs. 29 and 35, the ink cartridge 200 includes the sensor accommodation
groove 240 and the guide groove 236 as openings in the front surface wall 234 and
in the underside surface at positions that are disposed on either sides of the ink
supply hole 260 as viewed from the front surface wall 234 side. The sensor accommodation
groove 240 is for accommodating the residual ink detecting photo sensor 170. The guide
groove 236 is for accommodating the guide protrusion walls 120. The sensing arm end
portion 367 is inserted between the infrared light emitting portion 172 and the infrared
light receiving portion 174 and is movably housed in the protrusion portion 372. Because
the protrusion portion 372 protrudes into the sensor accommodation groove 240 and
the lock release portion 238 is provided adjacent to the guide groove 236, the ink
cartridge 200 can be configured flat and can be smoothly and stably moved across the
base wall 32 of the ink cartridge mounting portion S. The ink cartridge 200 can be
easily attached and detached. Moreover, the amount of residual ink can be reliably
detected by merely mounting the ink cartridge 200 in the ink cartridge mounting portion
S.
[0128] The ink cartridge 200 of the present embodiment is mounted in the ink cartridge mounting
portion S as shown in Figs. 30 to 35.
[0129] The user pivots the front surface cover 50 open to expose the ink cartridge holding
portion P. Then, the user inserts the ink cartridge 200 into the front surface opening
portion O of the ink cartridge mounting portion S and slides the lower surface of
the ink cartridge 200 over the cartridge holding portion base wall 32. As a result,
first as shown in Figs. 30 and 31, the front surface wall 234 retracts the pull-out-lock
protrusion 160. Afterward, as shown in Fig. 32, the pull-out-lock protrusion 160 continues
to be retracted by the bottom central axis rib 244 while the cartridge slides forward.
The guide groove 236 engages with the guide protrusion walls 120 and is slid further.
When the lock release portion 238 of the front surface wall 234 hits the lock releasing
operation rib 150, the lock member 180 releases the lock of the needle protection
plates 130 (lowers the pressing plate 140). Afterward, as shown in Fig. 33, the needle
protection plate 130 retracts when the front surface wall 234 of the ink cartridge
200 presses the needle protection plates 130. When the ink cartridge 200 is moved
further forward and is completely inserted into the ink cartridge mounting portion
S, the ink introducing hollow needle 82 pierces the ink supply rubber plug 262 (Fig.
39 (a)) in the ink supply hole 260. Afterward, as shown in Figs. 34 and 35, the front
surface wall 234 abuts the rubber cap 93 of the positive pressure application members
91. The cartridge is pressed in against the force of the spring 94 of the positive
pressure application members 91 until it proceeds a bit further. At this time, it
is desirable that the front surface of the cartridge abut against a stopper wall (not
shown) so that forward progress of the cartridge is blocked. Afterward, although the
cartridge moves back a small bit by the force of the spring 94, the pull-out-lock
protrusion 160 engages in the leak preventing lock indentation 246 at the under surface
of the cartridge. As a result, the cartridge is locked in place and is prevented from
pulling out. In this way, the ink cartridge 200 is mounted in the ink cartridge mounting
portion S. Because the front surface wall 234 of the ink cartridge 200 abuts the ring-shaped
resilient seal member 93 with a substantially flat portion thereof, the atmosphere
connection hole 280 and the positive pressure hole 98 of the ring-shaped resilient
seal member 93 are reliably brought into fluid communication without any air leaks.
[0130] Because the black ink cartridge has a wider width than the other color ink cartridges,
the black ink cartridge cannot be mistakenly inserted into an ink cartridge mounting
portion S for a color ink cartridge. On the other hand, the other color ink cartridges
can conceivably be mistakenly inserted into the mounting portion for black ink cartridges.
However, the widthwise direction distance Lb1 between the guide groove 236 and the
sensor accommodation groove 240 in the color ink cartridges is narrower than the widthwise
direction distance Lb2 between the guide protrusion wall 120 and the residual ink
detecting photo sensor 170 in the housing portion for the black ink cartridge. Accordingly,
the front surface of the cartridge will abut against the sensor guards 176 and not
proceed any further forward even if the guide groove 236 engages with the guide protrusion
wall 120 and the ink cartridge is slid. Even if the width of the color cartridges
were large enough to insert between guide protrusion wall 120 in the housing portion
for the black cartridge and the partition wall 110 at the side farther from the guide
protrusion wall 120, the lock releasing operation rib 150 cannot be retracted unless
the guide groove 236 is engaged with the guide protrusion wall 120. Therefore, the
needle protection plate 130 cannot be retracted so the front surface of the cartridge
abuts against the needle protection plate 130 and the ink introducing hollow needle
82 cannot be inserted into the ink supply hole 260.
[0131] When the ink cartridge 200 is mounted in the ink cartridge mounting portion S, the
ink introducing hollow needle 82 supplies ink from inside the ink accommodation portion
300 to the buffer tank 84. The ink from the buffer tank 84 is supplied to the ink
jet head 70 through the ink-supply tube T in association with recording operations.
[0132] Although the positive pressure pump 36 is stopped during normal printing operations
and during waiting times, the inside of the ink cartridge 200 is applied with atmospheric
pressure in the atmosphere chamber 290 inside the ink cartridge 200 through the pump
36, the positive pressure application tubes 92, the positive pressure application
members 91, and the atmosphere connection hole 280. For this reason, the flexible
film 302 deforms in association with reduction in ink without applying pressure to
the ink, and the preformed shape of the flexible film 302 substantially follows the
tub portion 320 and comes into intimate contact with the tub portion 320. Therefore,
the pressure of the ink supplied to the ink jet head 70 can be maintained fairly fixed
and ejection of ink from the ink jet head 70 can be stabilized. The amount of remaining
ink can be reduced because the flexible film 302 ends up in intimate contact with
the tub portion 320, substantially following the tub portion 320. Furthermore, at
least a portion of the tub portion 320 is the curved surface portion 324, whose cross-sectional
surface area decreases in association with distance from above (the open side) of
the tub portion 320. Therefore, the flexible film 302 can easily follow the tub portion
320 when only a little amount of ink remains. The amount of residual ink can be reduced
and pressure of the ink supplied is maintained substantially fixed to the very end.
[0133] The ink cartridge mounting portion S in which the ink cartridge 200 is mounted is
positioned lower than the ink jet head 70 in the vertical direction. For this reason,
(refer to Fig. 3) the difference in pressure head constantly applies a negative pressure
on the ink in the nozzles of the piezoelectric ink jet head 70 in the same manner
as a general ink jet recording device. However, under normal conditions the surface
tension of the meniscus of the ink in the nozzles maintains the ink in the nozzle
against the negative pressure. After the operation of the well-known purge unit 78,
that is, after covering the nozzles with a cap and sucking ink from the nozzles using
the pump, the ink with bubbles in the cap when suction operations by the pump are
stopped enter the nozzles by the difference in pressure head. There is a chance that
defective ejection can occur later when printing operations are performed by the ink
jet head 70. In the present embodiment, the positive pressure pump 36 is operated
after purge operations until the cap is opened up. Operation of the positive pressure
pump 36 can be started during purge operations as well. As a result, the positive
pressure air flow is supplied into the atmosphere chamber 290 in the cartridge. A
positive pressure is applied to the ink through the flexible film 302. As a result,
a positive pressure can be applied from the cartridge side to ink in the nozzles of
the ink jet head 70 and bubbles can be prevented from being drawn into the nozzles.
It should be noted that at this time pressure applied by the positive pressure pump
36 can be a pressure sufficient so that bubbles do not enter the nozzles. Although
there is no need to apply a pressure large enough to positively press ink out from
the nozzles, such a large pressure can be used.
[0134] As the ink cartridge 200 is being mounted in the ink cartridge mounting portion S,
the atmosphere connection hole 280 abuts against the positive pressure application
members 91 after the ink introducing hollow needle 82 pierces the ink supply rubber
plug 262 in the pull-out-lock protrusion 160. (Explained in more detail, as shown
in Fig. 35, the distance A in the ink cartridge mounting portion S between the needle
hole in the ink introducing hollow needle 82 and the front surface of the rubber cap
93 of the positive pressure application member 91 is larger than the distance B that
the ink supply rubber plug 262 blocks the inside of the ink supply hole 260 from the
front surface of the ink cartridge 200.) When the ink cartridge 200 is pulled out
from the ink cartridge mounting portion S, the ink introducing hollow needle 82 pulls
out from the rubber plug 262 inside the ink supply hole ink supply hole 260 after
the atmosphere connection hole 280 separates from the positive pressure application
members 91. Accordingly, even if the ink cartridge 200 pulls out from the ink cartridge
mounting portion S while the positive pressure pump 36 is applying positive pressure
to the ink cartridge 200, the atmosphere connection hole 280 would first separate
from the positive pressure application members 91 while the ink introducing hollow
needle 82 remains in its pierced condition. Therefore, ink can be prevented from leaking
out from the ink cartridge 200.
[0135] When the ink cartridge 200 is mounted in the ink cartridge mounting portion S, then
as shown in Fig. 35 the infrared light emitting portion 172 and the infrared light
receiving portion 174 of the residual ink detecting photo sensor 170 are accommodated
in the sensor accommodation groove 240 so as to sandwich the protrusion portion 372,
which accommodates the sensing arm end portion 367 (sensing point) of the sensor lever
360. Accordingly, the sensing arm end portion 367 (sensing point) of the sensor lever
360 is positioned between the infrared light emitting portion 172 and the infrared
light receiving portion 174. By doing this, the ink sensing mechanism for detecting
the condition of when the ink cartridge 200 runs out of ink is completed. That is,
the sensor portion 170 (light emitting portion 172 + light receiving portion 174)
of the ink sensing mechanism of the present embodiment is provided in the ink cartridge
mounting portion S. The lever (the black resin sensor lever 360) that senses whether
the sensor portion 170 is ON or OFF is provided in the ink cartridge 200 so that the
ink sensing mechanism can be completed by mounting the ink cartridge 200 to the ink
cartridge mounting portion S.
[0136] As explained previously, the sensor lever 360 moves the sensing arm end portion 367
(sensing point) vertically in accordance with the amount of residual ink. When a sufficient
amount of ink remains, the sensing arm end portion 367 is positioned between the infrared
light emitting portion 172 and the infrared light receiving portion 174 and blocks
the infrared light. When the ink is almost all gone, the sensing arm end portion 367
pulls out from between the infrared light emitting portion 172 and the infrared light
receiving portion 174 so that the infrared light receiving portion 174 receives infrared
light. As a result, a person skilled in the art can easily convert presence or absence
of ink into an electric signal and control operations of the recording device. The
sensor 170 can be used to detect whether the ink cartridge is mounted, and not merely
detect presence or absence of ink.
[0137] The ink cartridge 200 of the present embodiment is configured only from resin parts.
The basic configuration of the ink cartridge 200 is a film pulled over a resin case
with ink held in between. That is, a single sheet of film is pulled across the tub
portion 320 of the main case 230 and ink is filled in between the main case 230 and
the film. By mounting the lid 210 onto the main case 230, the user is prevented from
directly touching the film or breaking the film.
[0138] Explained in more detail, the main case 230 is made from resin that has a high resistant
to dissolving properties of ink. In this example, the main case 230 is made from non-additive
type polypropylene (PP) which has no additives included therein. If additives were
included in the polypropylene, the ink could dissolve the additives because the main
case 230 (the ink-holding portion 310) contacts the ink directly. On the other hand,
the lid 210 is made from additive-type polypropylene (PP) with additives added for
maintaining strength because the lid 210 does not contact the ink directly. In this
way, the main case 230 and the lid 210 can be coupled together using ultrasonic welding
because both are made from the same resin material (PP).
[0139] In the present embodiment, the ink accommodation portion 300 is defined between the
tub portion 320 and the flexible film 302. The ink can be used up completely because
no foam is used to hold the ink. Because the ink cartridge 200 is made only from resin
without using any foam, no dioxin is generated when the ink cartridge 200 is burned
after.the ink is used up. This reduces adverse influence on the environment from waste
materials. Also, there is no need to provide tab portions or a spout as would be required
if the ink accommodation portion 300 were a bag shape. Therefore, a large amount of
ink can be accommodated in the case with only a small volume. According to the present
embodiment, the ink accommodation portion 300 can be prepared with a simple configuration
of merely preparing a concave holding vessel and covering it with film. This simple
configuration can be easily redesigned as needed.
[0140] According to the present embodiment, the flexible film 302 is a two-layer configuration.
That is, the flexible film 302 is prepared by adhering together an inner layer made
from polypropylene (30µm thick), which has heat fusing properties, and an outer layer
made from nylon, which has heat resistance and shock resistance. The polypropylene
(30µm thick) is a no-additive type with almost no additives included therein. Because
the inner layer contacts the ink, the inner layer would dissolve in the ink if the
inner layer included additives. However, polypropylene (30µm thick) is extremely weak
against mechanical shock. For this reason, the outer layer of nylon is provided to
absorb shock. The two-layer configuration made from the inner layer made from polypropylene
(30µm thick) and the outer layer made from nylon has the property of stretching when
heat is applied and is also permeable to air and other gases. As will be described
later, this is extremely desirable to be used for the flexible film 302 of the present
embodiment.
[0141] According to the present embodiment, the double-layer flexible film 302 described
above is formed in a manner to be described below to bulge outward when attached to
the ink-holding portion 310. The flexible film 302 is made from an inner layer 302a
made from polypropylene (30µm thick) and an outer layer 302b made from nylon.
[0142] As shown in Fig. 37 (a), the flexible film 302 is disposed so as to cover the open
portion of the tub portion 320 while the flexible film 302 is in a flat condition.
Then heat is applied to the opening peripheral edge 312 through the flexible film
302. As a result, only the inner layer 302a melts and is heat fused to the opening
peripheral edge 312. Next, as shown in Fig. 37 (b), a vacuum device not shown is connected
to the ink supply hole 260, which is in fluid communication with the tub portion 320.
The vacuum device is used to exhaust air and other gases from the space between the
flexible film 302 and the tub portion 320 to develop a vacuum condition in the space.
Atmospheric pressure applied to the flexible film 302 from outside moves the flexible
film 302 into intimate contact with the tub portion 320. At the same time that the
vacuum is applied, heat is applied to the flexible film 302 overall by an external
heat source (not shown) provided above the flexible film 302. As a result, the flexible
film 302 plastically deforms into a shape that follows the tub portion 320. As a result,
the flexible film 302 is formed so as to cling precisely to the tub portion 320. As
a result, the flexible film 302 is formed in a shape that is modeled on the base surface
of the tub portion 320. When ink is introduced between the tub portion 320 and the
flexible film 302, the flexible film 302 expands in the direction that separates it
from the tub portion 320 so that ink with twice the volume of the tub portion 320
can be accommodated. As ink is used up, the flexible film 302 approaches the tub portion
320. When ink is completely used up, the flexible film 302 completely clings to the
tub portion 320. Accordingly, ink can be can be completely used up.
[0143] Although the nylon of the outer layer 302b is positioned at a location that is nearer
to the external heat source (not shown) the nylon will not melt because it has heat
resistance. On the other hand, the polypropylene layer of the inner layer 302a will
merely plastically deform without melting because it is located far from the external
heat source. Accordingly, the flexible film 302 will not melt because of the external
heat source, which would be a potential problem if the flexible film 302 were made
from a single layer of polypropylene.
[0144] If an attempt were made to press the flexible film 302 by pressure rolling, there
would be a potential risk that wrinkles would form in the flexible film 302 and ink
and air might leak. However, these problems do not occur when the above-described
method is used.
[0145] Moreover, the present embodiment uses a method wherein the curved surface portion
324 itself is used as the mold and the flexible film 302 is stretched to transfer
the form of the curved surface portion 324 to the flexible film 302. Accordingly,
the curved surface portion 324 can be formed in any optional form and the flexible
film 302 can be easily formed to follow that optional form. Accordingly, changes in
shape of the tub portion 320 can be easily dealt with. The flexible film 302 can be
prevented from sticking to the curved surface portion 324 during the above-described
heating process by forming the plurality of ink injection groove 330 and the ink supply
groove 332 to be described later or by forming graining on the curved surface portion
324.
[0146] Further, fewer processes are required than if a plurality of flexible films 302 were
pressed into a bulging shape and then attached to the opening peripheral edge 312.
Therefore, the risk of foreign objects entering into the ink accommodation portion
300 is reduced. Moreover, simple facilities will suffice because no separate metal
mold for a pressing operation is required.
[0147] It should be noted that the inner layer 302a and the outer layer 302b can be made
from two types of polypropylene with different characteristics by making the outer
layer 302b from additive type polypropylene, which is difficult to melt, instead of
nylon, and the inner layer 302a from non-additive type polypropylene.
[0148] As shown in Fig. 38, a mold 400 can be provided on the tub portion 320. The mold
400 is provided separately and has a concave shape that is symmetric with the shape
of the tub portion 320. In this case, after the flexible film 302 is heat fused to
the opening peripheral edge 312 in a flat condition, pressurized air is pushed in
between the flexible film 302 and the tub portion 320 through the ink supply hole
260 while heating up the mold 400. As a result, the flexible film 302 expands and
the indented shape of the mold 400 is transferred to the flexible film 302. It should
be noted that pressure in the space between the flexible film 302 and the mold 400
can be reduced instead of increasing the pressure inside the internal space between
the flexible film 302 and the tub portion 320 by pushing air into the space.
[0149] Next, the method of injecting ink in between (ink accommodation portion 300) the
tub portion 320 and the flexible film 302 formed in the bulging shape will be explained
below with reference to Figs. 39 (a) and 39 (b).
[0150] As shown in Fig. 39 (a), a back-flow prevention valve 264 and the ink supply rubber
plug 262 (silicone rubber bush) are provided inside the ink supply hole 260. An ink
injection rubber plug 272 (silicone rubber bush) is provided inside the ink injection
hole 270. The ink injection rubber plug 272 is connected to the ink supply rubber
plug 262 by a link portion 266. An ink injection needle insertion indentation 274
and a plug peak 276 are formed in the ink injection rubber plug 272 at mutually offset
positions. Although the rubber plugs 262, 272 are pierced by needles in a manner to
be described later, the rubber plugs 262, 272 have the quality of closing up the pierced
portion by their own resilience after the needles are pulled out.
[0151] First, as shown in Fig. 39 (a), the ink supply rubber plug 262 and the ink injection
rubber plug 272 are engaged in the ink supply hole 260 and the ink injection hole
270. The ink injection rubber plug 272 is fitted partially in the ink injection hole
270 to the condition wherein the plug peak 276 is separated from the ink injection
connection pathway 278. While the front surface wall 234 of the main case 230 is in
a posture facing vertically upward, an air-removing hollow needle 502 pierces the
ink supply rubber plug 262 and an ink injection needle 504 pierces the ink injection
rubber plug 272 until the needles 502, 504 are exposed in the internal indentation
portions of the corresponding rubber plugs. The air-removing hollow needle 502 is
in fluid communication with an air removing vacuum pump not shown and the ink injection
needle 504 is in fluid communication with an ink pump. Air is drawn from inside the
ink accommodation portion 300 through the ink supply hole 260 to establish a vacuum
inside the ink accommodation portion 300. Then, the ink pump is operated to inject
ink into the ink injection hole 270. Because the ink injection needle insertion indentation
274 is so narrow, it is impossible to remove all air remaining in the ink injection
needle insertion indentation 274 regardless of how high a vacuum is established. Moreover,
when air mixes in the ink accommodation portion 300 there is a danger that the air
will bulge out and cause a false detection in the residual amount or obstruct supply
of ink to the head. For this reason, the ink injection rubber plug 272 is pressed
completely into the ink injection hole 270 after ink injection is completed. As shown
in Fig. 39 (b), this results in the plug peak 276 completely blocking up the ink injection
connection pathway 278. Accordingly, the slight amount of air remaining inside the
ink injection needle insertion indentation 274 is prevented from entering inside the
ink accommodation portion 300.
[0152] As shown in Fig. 15, the ink injection groove 330 is in fluid communication with
the ink injection hole 270 (the ink injection connection pathway 278) and is formed
to suitably follow the curved surface portion 324 so that ink flows around the tub
portion 320. When ink is injected, the ink follows the ink injection groove 330 and
enters the tub portion 320. Therefore, air removal is enhanced. An air removal/ink
supply groove 332 is in fluid communication with the ink supply hole 260 (the ink
supply connection pathway 268), is formed to suitably follow the curved surface portion
324, and moreover is in fluid communication with ink injection groove 330. Therefore,
air is more easily removed during air removal. That is, even if the flexible film
302 clings intimately to the curved surface portion 324 during air removal, air can
be removed from the entire ink accommodation portion 300 because an air-removal space
is opened by the air removal/ink supply groove 332. It should be noted that any valley-shaped
surface can enhance the ability to remove air from the ink accommodation portion 300.
For example, instead of or in addition to the air removal/ink supply groove 332, the
tub portion 320 can be formed with a grained surface, wherein valleys are formed between
the grains of the grain surface. The valleys are in fluid communication with the ink
injection groove 330 and so enhance air removal. Also, the encompassing edge 322 or
bumps can be extended around the lowest position of the curved surface portion 324,
that is, the semispherical pivot 365 so that ink flow can be positively controlled
when ink is supplied to the ink jet head. For example, ink can be easily drawn from
the lower position even if only a little ink remains and the force at which the flexible
film 302 and the curved surface portion 324 cling to each other can be reduced so
that an increase in back pressure can be prevented.
[0153] After ink is introduced into the ink accommodation portion 300, the lid 210 is mounted
onto the main case 230 and the ink cartridge 200 is completed. Afterward, the ink
cartridge 200 is packaged into a vacuum pack. That is, as shown in Fig. 36, the entire
ink cartridge 200 is encompassed by a sheet 500 of resin film material and then exhausted
to a vacuum condition. Because the ink jet head 70 ejects ink using pressure waves,
any bubbles in the ink absorb pressure so that ink may not be properly ejected. The
bubbles form and grow over time from air dissolved in the ink. Therefore, the ink
cartridge 200 is vacuum packaged in order to restrict the amount of dissolved air
in the ink filling the ink cartridge 200.
[0154] The ink injected into the ink accommodation portion 300 already has air removed to
a certain extent. That is, the amount of air component of the ink is about 30 to 35%
of the saturation amount. The ink accommodation portion 300 is filled with this ink
and the entire ink cartridge 200 is encompassed within the film material. When a vacuum
condition is then established within the film material, the air in the ink passes
through the flexible film 302, which is formed from polypropylene and nylon, and the
wall of the main case, which is prepared from a resin made from polypropylene, and
is drawn inside the vacuum package. Air is further removed from the ink in the ink
cartridge. After a few days elapse, the air component of the ink in the ink cartridge
can drop to about 20% of a saturation condition. Accordingly, ink with a high level
of air removal can be provided to users by providing the ink cartridge to users in
a vacuum packaged condition.
[0155] When the ink cartridge 200 is mounted in the ink cartridge mounting portion S, the
ink introducing hollow needle 82 is inserted into the ink supply rubber plug 262 of
the ink supply hole 260. The ink introducing hollow needle 82 is in fluid communication
with the ink jet head 70 through the buffer tank 84 and the ink-supply tube T. Air
that is dissolved in the ink grows with time into bubbles and clings to the inner
walls of buffer tank 84 and the ink-supply tube T. The bubbles can grow even larger
during to changes in temperature and the like. The back-flow prevention valve 264
in the ink supply hole 260 is designed to block the ink supply hole 260 even if a
slight external pressure is applied. Accordingly, the back-flow prevention valve 264
will close even when bubbles grow in the buffer tank 84 and the ink-supply tube T
so that a slight pressure is applied to the back-flow prevention valve 264. On the
other hand, the back-flow prevention valve 264 moves freely with respect to the pull
of ink by the piezoelectric ink jet head 70. For this reason, although the back-flow
prevention valve 264 can supply any amount of ink, the back-flow prevention valve
264 closes from pressure applied by bubbles so that bubbles can be prevented from
entering into the ink accommodation portion 300 of the ink cartridge. Accordingly,
problems, such as bubbles entering into the ink cartridge and bubbles entering from
the ink cartridge into the head and causing defective ejections, can be prevented.
[0156] In the present embodiment, the ink injection hole 270 and the ink supply hole 260
are provided separately so that they can be provided so as to open aligned in the
left-right direction at the front surface of the ink cartridge. Only a single hole
is provided in the front surface of the ink cartridge. If vacuum operations, ink injection,
and ink supply where all performed through this hole, then the same rubber plug mounted
in the hole would need to be pierced by needles three times. The hole diameter itself
would need to be enlarged to insure that the needles pierced three different positions.
According to the present invention, each hole can have a small diameter because the
holes for ink injection and ink supply are divided separately. The ink cartridge can
be formed thin because the holes are aligned in the left-right direction.
[0157] So that the ink supply hole 260 can also be used to create a vacuum during ink injection,
the position where the air-removing hollow needle 502 pierces the ink supply rubber
plug 262 should be different than the position where the ink introducing hollow needle
82 pierces the ink supply rubber plug 262 when the ink cartridge 200 is mounted in
the ink cartridge mounting portion S. According to the present embodiment, as shown
in Fig. 20 the ink supply hole 260 is formed in the front surface wall 234 in the
substantial height wise and widthwise direction center. Because the protrusion portion
235 is formed in the approximate center in the widthwise direction of the front surface
wall 234, the height (thickness) of the ink cartridge 200 is greater at the protrusion
portion 235 than at the widthwise ends. Therefore, the ink supply hole 260 can be
formed with a larger diameter and the ink supply rubber plug 262 can be formed with
a larger diameter. The air-removing hollow needle 502 can easily be inserted into
a position of the ink supply rubber plug 262 that differs from the position pierced
by the ink introducing hollow needle 82.
[0158] The ink cartridge 200 according to the present embodiment is sealed in a vacuum package.
At this time, pressure is applied that pushes the main case and the lid 210 together.
In order to resist this pressure, according to the present embodiment the spherical
outward curved portion 212 of the lid 210 and the tub portion 320 are formed in an
approximately curved shape and a configuration that is reinforced by ribs is used.
[0159] As shown in Fig. 40, according to the present embodiment the spherical outward curved
portion 212 of the lid 210 is formed so that the ink accommodation periphery portion
216 at the periphery of the spherical outward curved portion 212 is positioned slightly
outside from the internal edge of the opening peripheral edge 312 of the main case
side. That is, an inner peripheral edge portion 216a of the ink accommodation periphery
portion 216 confronts the intermediate portion of the outer edge and the inner edge
of the opening peripheral edge 312. If the inner peripheral edge portion 216a were
positioned to the inside of the inner periphery of the opening peripheral edge 312,
there is a danger that the inner peripheral edge portion 216a would abut against and
damage the flexible film 302 when the lid 210 and the tub portion 320 approach each
other under the force from the vacuum pack. However, according to the present embodiment,
the lid 210 abuts the position slightly outside from the inner edge of the opening
peripheral edge 312, that is, from above the opening peripheral edge 312. The flexible
film 302 is firmly welded onto the opening peripheral edge 312 and integrated with
the resin of the main case 230. Accordingly, the ink accommodation periphery portion
216 of the lid 210 will not damage the flexible film 302 even if it directly abuts
the flexible film 302 on the opening peripheral edge 312.
[0160] Next, ink cartridges according to first through twelfth modifications of the embodiment
will be described with reference to Figs. 41 to 53 (b).
[0161] Fig. 41 shows an ink cartridge 200 according to a first modification of the embodiment,
wherein the guide groove 236 and the sensor accommodation groove 240 are shaped open
to the side walls 232. In this case, the ink cartridge 200 is guided by sliding the
guide groove notch indentation portion 236' to follow the side surface that corresponds
to the guide protrusion wall 120. Fig. 42 shows configuration of the recording device
1 modified for the ink cartridge 200 of Fig. 41. The lock releasing operation rib
150 is provided near the guide protrusion wall 120 to the side at which the ink introducing
hollow needle 82 is disposed. The portion of the front surface wall 234 of the ink
cartridge 200 that corresponds to the position below the atmosphere connection hole
280 functions as the lock release portion 238.
[0162] Figs. 43 (a) and 43 (b) show an ink cartridge 200 according to a second modification
of the embodiment, wherein the plurality of ribs 243 are arranged in a tortoise shell
configuration.
[0163] Figs. 44 (a) and 44 (b) show an ink cartridge 200 according to a third modification
of the embodiment, wherein the plurality of ribs 243 are arranged in a circle concentric
with the encompassing edge 322.
[0164] Figs. 45 (a) and 45 (b) show an ink cartridge 200 according to a fourth modification
of the embodiment, wherein the plurality of ribs 243 are arranged in a diamond shape;
[0165] Figs. 46 (a) and 46 (b) show an ink cartridge 200 according to a fifth modification
of the embodiment, wherein the lower surface of the ink cartridge 200 is smooth with
no ribs.
[0166] Figs. 47 (a) and 47 (b) show an ink cartridge 200 according to a sixth modification
of the embodiment, wherein the grasping portion 202 and the side walls 232 are shaped
differently than in the embodiment.
[0167] Figs. 48 (a) and 48 (b) show an ink cartridge 200 according to a seventh modification
of the embodiment, wherein the grasping portion 202 and the side walls 232 are shaped
differently than in the embodiment.
[0168] Figs. 49 (a) and 49 (b) show an ink cartridge 200 according to an eighth modification
of the embodiment, wherein the grasping portion 202 and the side walls 232 are shaped
differently than in the embodiment.
[0169] Figs. 50 (a) and 50 (b) show an ink cartridge 200 according to a ninth modification
of the embodiment, wherein the grasping portion 202 and the side walls 232 are shaped
differently than in the embodiment.
[0170] Figs. 51 (a) and 51 (b) show an ink cartridge 200 according to a tenth modification
of the embodiment, wherein the grasping portion 202 and the side walls 232 are shaped
differently than in the embodiment.
[0171] Figs. 52 (a) and 52 (b) show an ink cartridge 200 according to an eleventh modification
of the embodiment, wherein the portion 212 has a tortoise shell pattern instead of
a spherical outward curved shape.
[0172] Figs. 53 (a) and 53 (b) show an ink cartridge 200 according to a twelfth modification
of the embodiment, wherein the portion 212 has a square shape instead of a spherical
outward curved shape.
[0173] While the invention has been described in detail with reference to a specific embodiment
and modifications thereof, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of
the invention, the scope of which is defined by the attached claims.
[0174] For example, the configurations of the needle protection plate 130, the lock member
180, and the leak preventing lock member 190 are not limited to those shown in Fig.
11.