TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a printing-liquid cartridge that is mountable into
and removable from a cartridge mounting portion, and to a recording apparatus having
the cartridge mounting portion and printing-liquid cartridge.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A known image recording apparatus of a so-called tube-supply system has an ink cartridge
that is positioned on the outside of a carriage on which a recording head is mounted,
and the ink cartridge and the recording head are connected via a tube. The ink cartridge
is configured to insert horizontally into an opening of a cartridge mounting portion
positioned in the front of the image recording apparatus. The cartridge may be inserted
into and removed from the cartridge mounting portion. When the ink cartridge is inserted
into the cartridge mounting portion, an ink channel extending from the ink cartridge
to the recording head is formed.
[0003] The cartridge mounting portion may include a hollow needle or the like, which is
referred to as an "ink needle," such that the ink stored in the ink cartridge is supplied
to the recording head via the tube.
[0004] The mounting portion may include a locking mechanism configured to retain the ink
cartridge in its mounted state and a biasing member configured to bias the ink cartridge
toward the opening of the cartridge mounting portion.
[0005] In this manner, a reduction in size of the recording apparatus is constrained by
an arrangement of the locking mechanism in the cartridge mounting portion.
SUMMARY
[0006] In view of these and other shortcomings of the related art, it is an object of the
invention to provide the smaller recording apparatus.
[0007] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a print liquid cartridge
comprising a print liquid chamber, print liquid supply portion, a stopper, and a release
member. The print liquid supply portion may establish a communication between an interior
of the print liquid chamber and an exterior of the print liquid chamber. The stopper
may prevent the printing-liquid cartridge from moving in a direction opposite to the
liquid communication direction. The release member may release the cartridge from
preventing the cartridge to move in opposite direction of the liquid communication
direction. The stopper may be arranged to offset from the release member in a height
direction orthogonal to the fluid outflow direction and a width direction.
[0008] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a recording apparatus
is provided a cartridge mounting portion. The cartridge mounting portion receives
therein a print liquid cartridge when the print liquid cartridge is inserted into
the cartridge mounting portion in the fluid outflow direction. The cartridge mounting
portion may comprise an engaging member which may associate with the stopper of the
printing-liquid cartridge,
[0009] Other objects, features, and advantages will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill
in the art from the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, needs satisfied thereby,
and the objects, features, and advantages thereof, reference now is made to the following
description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 is a conceptual cross-sectional view showing an internal structure of a printer
provided with a cartridge mounting unit according to an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge;
Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an internal structure of the ink
cartridge of Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a cartridge mounting unit;
Fig. 5A is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge of Fig. 3 mounted
on the cartridge mounting unit of Fig.4, illustrating a state in which the ink cartridge
is initially being inserted into the cartridge mounting unit;
Fig. 5B is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge of Fig. 3 mounted
on the cartridge mounting unit of Fig.4, illustrating a state in which the ink cartridge
is further being inserted into the cartridge mounting unit after the state of Fig.
5A;
Fig. 6A is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge of Fig. 3 mounted
on the cartridge mounting unit of Fig.4, illustrating a state in which the ink cartridge
is fully mounted in the cartridge mounting unit;
Fig. 6B is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge of Fig. 3 mounted
on the cartridge mounting unit of Fig.4, illustrating a state in which the ink cartridge
is initially being removed from the cartridge mounting unit;
Fig. 7 is a perspective view an ink cartridge according to a first variation of the
invention;
Fig. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an internal structure of the ink
cartridge of Fig.7;
Fig. 9A is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge of Fig.7 mounted in
the cartridge mounting unit of Fig.11, illustrating a state in which the ink cartridge
is initially being inserted into the cartridge mounting unit;
Fig. 9B is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge of Fig.7 mounted in
the cartridge mounting unit, illustrating a state in which the ink cartridge is further
being inserted into the cartridge mounting unit after the state of Fig. 5A;
Fig. 10A is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge mounted in the cartridge
mounting unit, illustrating a state in which the ink cartridge is completely mounted
in the cartridge mounting unit;
Fig. 10B is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge mounted in the cartridge
mounting unit, illustrating a state in which the ink cartridge is being removed from
the cartridge mounting unit after the state of Fig. 10A; and
Fig. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cartridge mounting unit according
to the first variation of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] Embodiments of the present invention, and their features and advantages, may be understood
by referring to Figs 1-11, like numerals being used for like corresponding parts in
the various drawings. The embodiments described below are examples only, and the embodiments
may be modified as needed without changing the scope of the invention.
[0012] An ink cartridge 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described
with reference to Figs. 1 through 6B.
[0013] <Overview of a Printer 10>
[0014] First, a printer 10 in which the ink cartridge 30 is accommodated will be described
with reference to Fig. 1. The ink cartridge 30 corresponds to the printing-liquid
cartridge. The printer 10 corresponds to the recording apparatus. The terms "upward",
"downward", "upper", "lower", "above", "below", "beneath", "right", "left", "front",
"rear" and the like will be used throughout the description assuming that the printer
10 is positioned in an orientation in which it is intended to be used.
[0015] The printer 10 uses an inkjet recording system to record images by selectively ejecting
ink droplets onto a recording paper. As shown in Fig. 1, the printer 10 may comprise
an ink supply device 100. The ink supply unit 110 may comprise a cartridge mounting
unit 110. The cartridge mounting unit 110 allows the ink cartridge 30 to be mounted
therein. The cartridge mounting unit 110 includes an opening 112 which opens toward
the outside on one surface of the image recording apparatus 10. The ink cartridge
30 may be configured to be inserted into the cartridge mounting unit 110 and removed
from the cartridge mounting unit 110 through the opening 112. The ink cartridge 30
is inserted into or removed from the cartridge mounting unit 110 through the opening
112.
[0016] Ink is stored in the ink cartridge. A recording head 21 may connect to the ink cartridge
30 via an ink tube 20. The recording head 21 may have a sub-tank 28 in which temporarily
stores ink supplied through the ink tube 20. The recording head 21 may include a plurality
of nozzles 29 through which ink supplied from the sub-tank 28 may selectively eject
to form a recording image.
[0017] The printer 10 also may comprise a paper tray 15, a sheet supply roller 23, a sheet
passage 24, a pair of transfer rollers 25, a platen 26, a pair of discharge roller
22, and a paper discharge tray 16 arranged in this order along a feed direction. The
sheet supply roller 23 may supply the sheet from the paper feed tray 15 to the sheet
passage 24; and the pair of transfer rollers 25 may further convey the sheet to the
platen 26. Then, the recording head 21 may selectively eject the ink onto the sheet
passing through the platen 26 to form an image on the sheet. The pair of discharge
rollers 22 then may discharge the sheet onto the discharge tray 16.
[0018] Note that the general structure of the printer 10 according to the preferred embodiment
is merely one example. Obviously the printer 10 may employ other constructions used
in inkjet printers known in the art, such as different methods for feeding and conveying
the recording paper and a different shape for the conveying path.
[0019] <Ink Supply Device 100>
[0020] As shown in Fig. 1, the ink supply device 100 is provided in the printer 10. The
ink supply device 100 functions to supply ink to the recording head 21 provided in
the printer 10. The ink supply device 100 includes the cartridge mounting unit 110
in which the ink cartridge 30 may be inserted. Fig. 1 shows the cartridge mounting
unit 110 when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted therein.
[0021] <Ink Cartridge 30>
[0022] Next, a detailed configuration of the ink cartridge 30 will be described. As shown
in Fig. 3, the ink cartridge 30 defines therein an ink chamber 36 in which the ink
is stored. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the ink cartridge 30 has a casing 31 defining
an outer shell of the ink cartridge 30. The ink chamber 36 may be defined inside the
casing 31, or may be defined by a member separate from the casing 31 but inside the
casing 31. The ink chamber 36 corresponds to the print liquid chamber. The casing
31 corresponds to the body and the casing.
[0023] The ink cartridge 30 may be configured to be installed in and removed from the cartridge
mounting unit 110 in an upright position shown in Fig. 2, i.e. along a direction indicated
by an arrow 53 with a lower surface in the drawing as a bottom surface and an upper
surface in the drawing as an upper surface (hereinafter, referred to as an "insertion
and removal directions 53"). Hereinafter, a description will be given assuming that
the ink cartridge 30 is in the upright position.
[0024] As shown in Fig. 2, the casing 31 may have a generally flat, rectangular shape with
a widthwise in a direction indicated by an arrow 51 (herein after, referred to as
a widthwise direction or a horizontal direction), a height in a direction indicated
by an arrow 52 that is perpendicular to the widthwise direction 51 (hereinafter, referred
to as a vertical direction or a height direction) and a depth in a direction indicated
by an arrow 53 that is perpendicular to the vertical direction and widthwise direction
51 (hereinafter, referred to as a depthwise direction 53). The height of casing 31
and the depth of casing 31 are each greater than the width of casing 31. In other
words, in the upright position, the depthwise direction 53 is parallel to the insertion
direction 56 and the removal direction 55, while the widthwise direction 51 and height
direction 52 are respectively orthogonal to the insertion direction 56 and the removal
direction 55.
[0025] As shown in Fig. 2, the casing 31 may have a front wall 40, a rear wall 42, a pair
of side walls 37, 38, a top wall 39, and a bottom wall 41. The front wall 40 is positioned
at the front side of the printer 10 when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the
cartridge mounting unit 110, and the rear wall 42 of the ink cartridge 30 is inserted
into the cartridge mounting unit 110, and the rear wall 42 of the casing 31 is positioned
on the rear side of the casing 31. The front wall 40 and rear wall 42 may be positioned
opposite to each other in the depthwise direction 53 (in the insertion direction 56).
Four walls may separate the front wall 40 from the rear wall 42: a pair of side walls
(not depicted) extending in the insertion and removal directions 50, an upper wall
39 connecting the upper edges of the side walls, and a lower wall 41 also connecting
the lower edges of the side walls. The upper wall 39 and lower wall 41 are spaced
away from each other by a prescribed distance in the height direction 52. The front
wall 40 corresponds to the front side. The rear wall 42 corresponds to the rear side.
The top wall 39 corresponds to the upper side of the present invention.
[0026] An ink supply portion 43 may be positioned on the front side of the ink cartridge
30, e.g., the front wall 40 of the casing 31 at a lower end. The ink supply portion
43 may have cylindrical outer shape, and ink supply portion 43 may project frontward
from the front wall 40 in the insertion direction 56 (i.e., in the depthwise direction
53). The ink supply portion 43 may have an outer end portion 72 on which an ink supply
outlet 71 is formed to provide external communication with the casing 31. As shown
in Fig. 3, an ink channel 44 may be formed to extend from the ink supply outlet 71
through an internal space of the ink supply portion 43 to the ink chamber in the depthwise
direction 53. The ink supply portion 43 corresponds to the print liquid supply portion.
[0027] As shown in Fig. 3, within the ink supply portion 43, a valve 70 may be configured
to be opened or closed by the ink supply outlet 71. The valve 70 may move within the
ink channel 44 of the ink supply portion 43 in the depthwise direction 53 (in the
insertion direction 56 as well as in the removal direction 55). A coil spring 73 may
be provided for biasing the valve 70 toward the ink supply outlet 71. When no external
forces may be applied to the valve 70, the coil spring 73 holds the valve 70 in a
closed position for tightly sealing the ink supply outlet 71. A portion of the outer
end portion 72 of the ink supply portion 43 surrounding the ink supply outlet 71 is
formed of an elastic member, such as rubber. The elastic member elastically may deform
when contacted by the valve 70 biased by the coil spring 73, tightly sealing the ink
supply outlet 71. In this state, part of the valve 70 may be exposed through the ink
supply outlet 71 outside of the ink supply portion 43, i.e., outside the ink cartridge
30. The ink supply portion 71 is not limited to a configuration in which the ink supply
valve 70 opens and closes the ink supply portion 70. For example, a configuration
in which a film, rubber stopper, or the like closes the ink supply outlet 70 when
the ink cartridge inserted into the cartridge mounting unit 110.
[0028] An ink needle 122 (described later) may be also positioned on the cartridge mounting
unit 110. When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110,
the ink needle 122 is inserted into the ink supply outlet 71, elastically deforming
the coil spring 73 and moving the valve 70 against the biasing force of the coil spring
73 into an open position separated from the ink supply outlet 71 (see Fig. 6A). In
this state, the ink supply outlet 71 is open and ink in the ink chamber 36 can flow
into the ink needle 122 through the ink channel 44.
[0029] An air introducing unit (not shown) may also be provided in the casing 31. Accordingly,
air is introduced into the ink chamber 36 via the air introducing unit as ink flows
from the ink chamber 36 into the ink needle 122. However, the air introducing unit
is not an essential component. For example, the ink chamber 36 may be configured of
an ink bag whose volume decreases as the amount of ink in the ink chamber 36 decreases.
[0030] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a protrusion 32 may be positioned on the lower wall 41
(a lower end of the front wall 40 below the ink supply portion 43). The protrusion
32 may protrude frontward in the insertion direction 56 and may have a protruding
length greater than that of the ink supply portion 43 in the insertion direction 56.
[0031] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the top wall 39 of the casing 31 may be formed with an
engaging recess 45 extending from a position substantially center of the top wall
39 to the rear wall 42 in the depthwise direction 53. The engaging recess 45 may be
defined by a vertical engaging surface 46 at the front end in the insertion direction
56, and a pair of ribs 45a, 45b. That is, the engaging surface 46 may occupy a plane
extending in the widthwise direction 51 and the height direction 52. When the ink
cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110, an engaging member 145
of the cartridge mounting unit 110 (described later) may engage the engaging surface
46. Specifically, the engaging member 145 engages the top end of the engaging surface
46. The top end of the engaging surface 46 corresponds to the stopper.
[0032] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a portion of the upper wall 39 that may be positioned
frontward of the engaging recess 45 in the insertion direction 56 serves as a upper
surface 47 that may contact the engaging member 145 of the cartridge mounting unit
110 when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting unit 110. That
is, the upper surface 47 may have a plane extending in the widthwise direction 51
and the depthwise direction 53. The top surface 47 and front wall 40 may be linked
by a sloped surface 48 sloping relative to the top surface 47 and front wall 40. The
sloped surface 48 serves to guide the engaging member 145 onto the top surface 47.
However, the sloped surface 48 may be omitted from this construction. Alternatively,
a protrusion similar to the protrusion 32 that protrudes in the insertion direction
56 may be provided in place of the sloped surface 48.
[0033] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a pivotal member 60 is provided in the engaging recess
45. The pivotal member 60 has a bent plate shape and extends in the depthwise direction
53. Specifically, the pivotal member 60 has a first arm 61, a second arm 62, and a
shaft 63 extending in the widthwise direction 51. The shaft 63 is pivotal-movably
supported by the top wall 39 at the rearward of the engaging surface 46. The first
arm 61 radially may extend from the shaft 63 frontward at the vicinity of or on the
engaging surface 46. The second arm 62 also radially may extend rearward from the
shaft 63 over the rear wall 42. With this construction, the pivotal member 60 may
be pivotally moved about the shaft 63. Note that the casing 31 and the pivotal member
60 may be integrally formed. The pivotal member 60 corresponds to the release member
and the lever.
[0034] While an external force (described later) may be not being applied to the pivotal
member 60, the first arm 61 may contact a bottom surface 49 of the engaging recess
45 due to its self-weight or a biasing force of a biasing member, e.g., coil spring
(not shown). On the other hands, when the second arm 62 may be pushed downward against
the weight or the biasing force, the pivotal member 60 may pivot about the shaft 63
in a counterclockwise direction in Fig. 3, thereby the first arm 61 is moved away
from the bottom surface 49.
[0035] <Cartridge Mounting Unit 110>
[0036] As shown in Fig. 4, the cartridge mounting unit 110 may have a case 101 forming its
box-like outer shell. The case 101 has an opening 112. The ink cartridge 30 may be
inserted into or removed from the case 101 through the opening 112. The case 101 may
be capable of accommodating a plurality of the ink cartridge 30, e.g. four ink cartridges
30 corresponding to the colors cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. However, in the drawings,
the cartridge mounting unit 110 is illustrated such that the case 101 can accommodate
only one ink cartridge 30.
[0037] The case 101 may have an end surface 102 that faces an internal space of the case
101 and may be positioned on the opposite side of this internal space from the opening
112 in the insertion direction 56. As shown in Fig. 4, a connector 103 may be positioned
at a lower portion of a side wall constituting the case 101 on which the end surface
102 is formed. If the case 101 accommodates a plurality of ink cartridges 30, a plurality
of connectors 103 may be positioned.
[0038] The connector 103 may include the ink needle 122 and a retaining part 121. While
not illustrated in Fig. 4, the ink needle 122 may be connected to the ink tube 20
on an outer surface of the side wall that has the end surface 102. The ink tube 20
connected to each ink needle 122 is also connected to the recording head 21 of the
printer 10 and is capable of delivering ink thereto.
[0039] The retaining part 121 may be formed in the end surface 102 of the case 101 by hollowing
out a portion of the end surface 102 in a cylindrical shape. The ink needle 122 may
be coaxially disposed at the retaining part 121 and may penetrate through the side
wall of case 101 having the end surface 102 in the insertion direction 56. When the
ink cartridge 30 may be mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110, as illustrated
in Fig. 6A, the cylindrically-shaped ink supply portion 43 may be hermetically inserted
into the cylindrically-shaped retaining part 121. At this time, the outer circumferential
surface of the ink supply portion 43 may tightly contact and cohere with the surface
defining the retaining part 121. When the ink supply portion 43 is inserted into the
retaining part 121, the ink needle 122 is also inserted into the ink supply outlet
71 formed in the ink supply portion 43. The ink needle 122 inserted through the ink
supply outlet 71 moves the valve 70 from its closed position to its open position
against the biasing force of the coil spring 73. Accordingly, ink stored in the ink
chamber 36 may now flow outward. The ink flowing out of the ink chamber 36 may flow
into the ink needle 122 due to head difference and the like and is delivered to the
recording head 21 via the ink tube 20.
[0040] As shown in Fig. 4, the engaging member 145 may be positioned on the case 101. The
engaging member 145 may hold the ink cartridge 30 in its mounted state in the cartridge
mounting unit 110. The engaging member 145 may be located at a position above the
opening 112 formed in the case 101. The engaging member 145 corresponds to the engaging
member.
[0041] The engaging member 145 may be pivotably supported to the case 101 by a support shaft
147. The support shaft 147 may be provided at one end of the engaging member 145 nearest
the opening 112 and may be mounted on the case 101. With this construction, the engaging
member 145 may be pivotably supported above and in proximity to the opening 112 of
the case 101 and pivots about the support shaft 147 so as to approach or separate
from the opening 112. The engaging end 146 may be formed on another end of the engaging
member 145 opposite the support shaft 147. The engaging end 146 may be engageable
with the engaging surface 46 of the engaging recess 45 formed in the ink cartridge
30. By engaging with the engaging surface 46, the engaging end 146 may hold the ink
cartridge 30 in its mounted position relative to the case 101 against a biasing force
(described later) applied from the case 101. A position of the engaging member 145
when the engaging end 146 is engaged with the engaging surface 46 (see Fig. 6A) will
be referred to as a "locked position," while another position of the engaging member
145 when the engaging end 146 is not engaged in the engaging surface 46 (see Fig.
6B) will be referred to as an "unlocked position."
[0042] The engaging end 146 may be biased downward due to one's own weight or a biasing
force of a coil spring (not shown) to contact the first arm 61 at the locked position.
However, when the first arm 61 is pivotally moved upward, the engaging member 145
is also pivotally moved upward about the support shaft 147, moving from the locked
position to the unlocked position. Further, while not illustrated in the drawings,
the pivoting range of the engaging member 145 may be restricted so that the engaging
member 145 cannot move farther downward than the locked position (the state shown
in Fig. 4). Note that, the engaging member 145 is not necessary biased downward. The
engaging member 145 may pivotally move downward due to its self-weight even without
being biased to realize its engagement with the engaging surface 46 of the ink cartridge
30.
[0043] As shown in Fig. 4, the interior space of the cartridge mounting unit 110 may be
expanded in the insertion direction 56 beneath the end surface 102. Within this expanded
space, a slide member 123 may be movably provided. The slide member 123 may be slidable
in the insertion direction 56 and the removal direction 55 (horizontally). The slide
member 123 may be generally rectangular parallelepiped in shape. The slide member
123 may have a top surface from which a protruding piece 124 protrudes upward. The
protruding piece 124 may stand in an insertion path of the protrusion 32 provided
on the ink cartridge 30 so that the protrusion 32 may be abuttable on the protruding
piece 124 while the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110.
[0044] The expanded space in which the slide member 123 may be accommodated is defined by
an end surface 125 and a front surface 127 opposing each other in the insertion direction
56. The slide member 123 may be interposed between the end surface 125 and the front
surface 127. A coil spring 126 may be positioned in a compressed state between the
end surface 125 and slide member 123 and biases the slide member 123 in the removal
direction 55. When an external force may be not applied to the slide member 123, the
slide member 123 may be placed in contact with the front surface 127 by the biasing
force of the coil spring 126. The front surface 127 may restrict the range of movement
of the slide member 123 away from the end surface 125. When the ink cartridge 30 is
inserted farther into the cartridge mounting unit 110 after the protrusion 32 of the
ink cartridge 30 contacts the protruding piece 124, the slide member 123 may move
together with the protruding piece 124 toward the end surface 125, compressing the
coil spring 126.
[0045] It should be noted that the protrusion 32 may not be provided at the ink cartridge
30. Without the protrusion 32, the ink cartridge 30 may still be applied with a biasing
force acting in the removal direction 55 during the mounting process of the ink cartridge
30 into the cartridge mounting unit 110, since the ink cartridge 30 is provided with
the coil spring 73 disposed within the ink supply portion 43.
[0046] <Mounting the Ink Cartridge>
[0047] Next, operations for mounting the ink cartridge 30 in and removing the ink cartridge
30 from the cartridge mounting unit 110 will be described with reference to Figs.
5A through 6B.
[0048] As shown in Fig. 5A, the ink cartridge 30 may be inserted into the cartridge mounting
unit 110 through the opening 112, leading with the front wall 40 side of the ink cartridge
30. When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting unit 110, the
sloped surface 48 of the casing 31 contacts the engaging member 145. As the ink cartridge
30 is farther inserted into the cartridge mounting unit 110, the engaging member 145
slides up the sloped surface 48 onto the upper surface 47. Accordingly, the engaging
member 145 may pivot counterclockwise in Fig. 5A, moving from the locked position
to the unlocked position.
[0049] As the ink cartridge 30 is mounted into the cartridge mounting unit 110, the ink
supply portion 43 may contact the retaining part 121, and the ink needle 122 may be
inserted into the ink supply outlet 71 of the ink supply portion 43, as illustrated
in Fig. 5B. At this time, the engaging member 145 is not yet engaged in the engaging
recess 45 of the casing 31. The ink needle 122 may be inserted into the ink supply
outlet 71 to contact the valve 70. As the ink cartridge 30 may move farther in the
insertion direction 56, the valve 70 is pressed by the ink needle 122, moving from
its closed position to its open position against the biasing force of the coil spring
73, as illustrated in Fig. 6A. After the ink supply portion 43 is inserted into the
retaining part 121 and the ink needle 122 is further inserted into the ink supply
outlet 71, the ink cartridge 30 may be mounted in its prescribed position relative
to the cartridge mounting unit 110 (mounted position). While not shown in the drawings,
an ink inlet is formed on a distal end of the ink needle 122. Accordingly, ink in
the ink chamber 36 may flow through the ink channel 44 and into the ink needle 122
via this ink inlet.
[0050] When the ink cartridge 30 reaches its mounted position shown in Fig. 6A, the engaging
surface 46 formed on the engaging recess 45 of the casing 31 has passed the engaging
end 146 of the engaging member 145 in the insertion direction 56. Consequently, since
the engaging end 146 of the engaging member 145 is no longer supported on the top
surface 47 of the casing 31, the engaging member 145 may pivot clockwise in Fig. 6A
into the engaging recess 45, with the engaging end 146 of the engaging member 145
contacting the engaging surface 46. The engaging member 145 may engage in the engaging
surface 46 holds the ink cartridge 30 in its mounted position against the biasing
forces of the coil spring 73 and coil spring 126. In this state, the top end of the
engaging surface 46 is arranged to offset from the first arm 61 in the height direction
52. This completes the operation for mounting the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge
mounting unit 110.
[0051] Note that the external force created by the coil spring 126 acts on the protrusion
32 provided on the front wall 40 side of the casing 31. In place of the coil spring
73 used for opening and closing the valve 70, a coil spring may be provided on an
outside of the casing 31 as the external force. This coil spring may be positioned
such that its distal end may contact the end surface 102 of the cartridge mounting
unit 110, a photosensor, or the like, and biases the ink cartridge 30 in the removal
direction 55.
[0052] In a state where the ink cartridge 30 has been mounted in the cartridge mounting
unit 110, the first arm 61 of the pivotal member 60 may be positioned below the engaging
end 146 of the engaging member 145, and the second arm 62 of the pivotal member 60
may be apart from the bottom surface 49 of the engaging recess 45 and positioned above
the top wall 39 of the casing 31.
[0053] When the ink in the ink chamber 36 of the ink cartridge 30 becomes depleted, the
user removes the spent ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge mounting unit 110 and mounts
a new ink cartridge 30.
[0054] To remove the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge mounting unit 110, the user presses
the second arm 62 of the pivotal member 60 downward. Since the second arm 62 of the
pivotal member 60 is positioned at a downstream of the rear wall 42 in the removal
direction 55, the user can operate the pivotal member 60 from the rear wall 42 side
of the ink cartridge 30. When the user presses the second arm 62 of the pivotal member
60 downward, the first arm 61 is moved upward to separate from the bottom surface
49 of the engaging recess 45, as illustrated in Fig. 6B. By the movement of the first
arm 61 upward, the engaging member 145 may be pushed upward. Through this operation,
the engaging member 145 may pivot counterclockwise in Fig. 6B until the engaging end
146 separates from the engaging surface 46. That is, the engaging member 145 may pivotally
move from the locked position to the unlocked position, releasing its hold on the
ink cartridge 30.
[0055] When the engaging end 146 of the engaging member 145 separates from the engaging
surface 46, the external forces applied to the casing 31 (specifically, the biasing
forces of the coil spring 73 and/or coil spring 126) move the casing 31 in the removal
direction 55. However, at this time, the pivotal member 60 is touched by the user.
Accordingly, the user's hand absorbs the biasing forces of the coil springs 73 and
126 through the biasing force or its self-weight and pivotal member 60.
[0056] <Effects of the Embodiment>
[0057] When the user pivots the pivotal member 60, the engagement between the engaging member
145 and the engaging surface 46 is released and the ink cartridge 30 may be moved
in the removal direction 55 due to the external force, e.g., the biasing force of
the coil spring 73 or 126. However, in the embodiment, the pivotal member 60 for disengaging
the engagement between the engaging surface 46 and the engaging member 145 is disposed
not at the cartridge mounting unit 110 but at the ink cartridge 30. Therefore, the
pivotal member 60 (second arm 62) is contacted by the user's hand when the ink cartridge
30 moves in the removal direction 55, and the user's hand reduces the speed of the
ink cartridge 30. As the result, the ink cartridge 30 can be prevented from falling
through the opening of the printer 10 when removed from the cartridge mounting unit
110, thereby ink can be prevented from dripping out of the ink needle 122 when the
ink cartridge 30 is replaced.
[0058] Further, a user-operated member for operating the engaging member 145 need not be
provided in the cartridge mounting unit 110, making it possible to produce a more
compact printer 10.
[0059] Further, the second arm 62 is positioned at a downstream of the first arm 61 in the
removal direction 55. Therefore, user can easily identify whether or not the engaging
surface 46 and the engaging member 145 are engaged with each other based on the position
of the second arm 62.
[0060] The engagement between the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting unit 110 is
performed by the engaging surface 46 and the engaging member 145. The pivotal member
60 is used only to release the engagement between the engaging surface 46 and the
engaging member 145. In other words, the pivotal member 60 is separately provided
from the engaging surface 46. Therefore, even if the pivotal member 60 is deformed,
the engagement between the engaging surface 46 and the engaging member 145 is held.
[0061] <Variations of the Embodiments>
[0062] While the invention has been described in detail with reference to the embodiments
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.
[0063] For example, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the pair of ribs 45a, 45b may extend in the
removal direction 55 from the engaging surface 46 to around the shaft 63.
[0064] Further, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9(A)-10(B), it is preferable that a tip end of the
first arm 61 does not protrude beyond the pair of ribs 45a, 45b.
[0065] Further, as shown in Figs. 7-10(B), the second arm 62 of the pivotal member 60 may
be provided with a bent part 62a hat is bent downward. The thickness of the second
arm 62 (especially, the bent part 62a) is greater than the thickness of the first
arm 61 to provide a high rigidity.
[0066] Further, as shown in Fig. 11, the case 101 may be formed with a first guide groove
108 and a second guide groove 109. The first guide groove 108 extending in the removal
direction 55 and insertion direction 56 is formed on the top surface of the case 101,
and the second guide groove 109 extending in the removal direction 55 and insertion
direction 56 is formed on the bottom surface of the case 101. The pair of ribs 45a,
45b is guided by the guide groove 108 of the case 101 when the ink cartridge 30 is
mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110. The ink cartridge 30 is guided in the
insertion direction 56 by the first guide groove 108 and the pair of the ribs 45a,
45b. Note that the bottom surface 41 of the casing 31 is guided by the guide groove
109 of the case 101.
[0067] Further, an engaging member movable in the upper-lower direction may be used instead
of the engaging member 145.
[0068] Further, the pivotal member 60 may move the engaging member 145 not directly but
via an another member.
[0069] In the embodiments described above, the coil springs 73 and 126 apply an external
force in the removal direction 55 to the ink cartridge 30 when the ink cartridge 30
is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110. In place of the coil springs 73 and
126, a biasing member provided on the ink cartridge 30 may function to apply an external
force to the ink cartridge 30 in its mounted state. For example, a coil spring extending
in the insertion direction 56 may be provided on the front wall 40 of the casing 31.
When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110, the coil
spring contacts the end surface 102 of the case 101 and compresses to apply an external
force to the casing 31 in the removal direction 55.
[0070] In the embodiments, a detecting portion configured to detect the amount of residual
ink in the ink cartridge 30 has been omitted, such a detecting portion may be provided
on the ink cartridge 30. The detection portion may be provided on the middle of the
front wall 40 of the ink cartridge 30 and protrudes from the front wall 40 in a direction
away from the ink chamber 36. The detection portion is formed of a light transmissive
resin. The amount of ink in the ink chamber 36 of the ink cartridge 30 may be detected
manually by looking into the ink chamber 36 through the detection portion or automatically
with a photo sensor. When using a photosensor, the distance between a pair of side
walls constituting the detection portion is set smaller than the gap between the light-emitting
element and light-receiving element of the photosensor. A light-shielding plate that
moves based on the quantity of ink may be provided in the detection portion. Alternatively,
the light-shielding plate may be replaced with a device capable of reducing the amount
of light that reaches the light-receiving element by reflecting, diffracting, or attenuating
all or a portion of the light emitted from the light-emitting element based on the
amount of ink in the ink chamber 36.
[0071] While the preferred embodiments describe the printing liquid as ink stored in the
ink cartridge 30 for use with an inkjet-type printer 10, the printing liquid is not
limited to ink. The present invention may also be applied to a cartridge that stores
toner as the printing liquid for use in an electrophotographic image-forming apparatus,
for example.
1. A printing-liquid cartridge (30) comprising:
a print liquid chamber (36) configured to store print liquid;
a print liquid supply portion (43) configured to establish a communication between
an interior of the print liquid chamber and an exterior of the print liquid chamber;
a stopper (46) configured to prevent the printing-liquid cartridge from moving in
a direction opposite to the fluid outflow direction; and
a release member (61) configured to release the stopper, such that the printing-liquid
cartridge is permitted to move in a direction opposite to the fluid outflow direction,
wherein the stopper is aligned with the release member in a height direction orthogonal
to the fluid outflow direction and a width direction.
2. The printing-liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the stopper is not aligned
with the release member in the height direction.
3. The printing-liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the stopper is arranged
to offset from the release member in the fluid outflow direction and the width direction.
4. The printing-liquid cartridge according to claim3, wherein the stopper does not overlap
the release member in the height direction.
5. The printing-liquid cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a wall (39)
having the stopper located at an one end of the wall and a lever (60) having the release
member located at an one end of the lever,
wherein the wall and the lever are positioned to face each other.
6. The printing-liquid cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the release member includes
a lever (60) configured to swing around an axis (63) positioned between the release
member and the other end of the lever.
7. The printing-liquid cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the other end of the release
member is positioned on or adjacent to the stopper in the fluid outflow direction.
8. The printing-liquid cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the one end of the release
member is positioned away from an outer perimeter of the printing-liquid cartridge
when the stopper prevent the printing-liquid cartridge from moving in a direction
opposite to the fluid outflow direction.
9. The printing-liquid cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the one end of the release
member is positioned on or adjacent to the outer perimeter of the printing-liquid
cartridge.
10. The printing-liquid cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a body (31)
having:
a front side (40) at which the print liquid supply portion is located;
a rear side (42) located away from the front side; and
an upper side (39) configured to extend between an upper end of the front side and
an upper end of the rear side,
wherein the stopper and the release member are positioned on the upper side.
11. The printing-liquid cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the release member has
a plate shape, is positioned on the upper side, and includes a pair of protrusions
(61, 62) protruding in a direction perpendicular to the width direction.
12. The printing-liquid cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the other end of the release
member is positioned lower than an upper end of the stopper.
13. The printing-liquid cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the stopper is located
further from the rear side than the release member in the fluid outflow direction.
14. The printing-liquid cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of plates
(45a, 45b) located at an upper end or a lower end of the printing-liquid cartridge
in the height direction, the release member being disposed between the pair of plates.
15. The printing-liquid cartridge according to claim 14, wherein the pair of plates is
guided along a guide member (108, 109) provided in a recording apparatus and extending
in the fluid outflow direction.
16. The printing-liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the stopper and the release
member are arranged within an engaging portion in a width direction orthogonal to
the fluid outflow direction.
17. A printing-liquid cartridge (30) mountable in a cartridge mounting portion (110) of
a recording apparatus (10) in a fluid outflow direction, the printing-liquid cartridge
comprising:
a print liquid chamber (36) configured to store print liquid;
a print liquid supply portion (43) configured to establish a communication between
an interior of the print liquid chamber and an exterior of the print liquid chamber;
a stopper (46) configured to prevent the printing-liquid cartridge from moving in
a direction opposite to the fluid outflow direction; and
a release member (61) configured to release the stopper, such that the printing-liquid
cartridge is permitted to move in a direction opposite to the fluid outflow direction,
wherein the stopper, the release member and the print liquid supply portion are positioned
such that the stopper, the release member and print liquid supply portion intersect
a first plane,
wherein the printing-liquid cartridge has a width in a width direction, a height in
a height direction, and a depth in a depth direction, and
wherein the depth direction is parallel with the fluid outflow direction, and the
first plane is parallel with both the height direction and the depth direction.
18. The printing-liquid cartridge according to claim 17, wherein the release member is
configured to allow the printing-liquid cartridge to move in a direction opposite
to the fluid outflow direction.
19. The printing-liquid cartridge according to claim 17, wherein the release member is
configured to restrict the movement of the printing-liquid cartridge in a direction
opposite to the fluid outflow direction.
20. A printing-liquid cartridge (30) mountable in a cartridge mounting portion (110) of
a recording apparatus (10) in a first direction, the printing-liquid cartridge comprising:
a casing (31) that accommodates print liquid, the casing having a liquid-supplying
portion (43) connectable to a liquid-supplied portion (122) to supply the print liquid
to the recording apparatus;
an engaging portion (46) that is engaged with an engaging member (145); and
a release member (60) that releases the engagement between the engaging member and
the engaging portion.
21. The printing-liquid cartridge according to claim 20, wherein the casing has a first
surface (39) extending in both the first direction and a second direction orthogonal
to the first direction, the release member being provided on the first surface, and
wherein the release member having a shaft (63) extending in the second direction,
a first arm (61), and a second arm (62), the first arm and the second arm radially
extending from the shaft, the first arm contacting the engaging member when the engaging
member and the engaging portion are engaged with each other, the release member being
pivotally moved about the shaft to release the engagement between the engagement member
and the engaging portion.
22. The cartridge according to claim 21, wherein the first arm is nearer to the first
surface than the second arm when the engaging member and the engaging part are engaged
with each other.
23. The cartridge according to claim 22, wherein the first arm is moved away from the
first surface when the second arm is closed to the first surface, the engagement between
the engagement member and the engaging portion being released in accordance with the
moving of the first arm away from the first surface.
24. A recording apparatus (10) on which the printing-liquid cartridge according to any
one of claims 1 to 23 is mountable, the recording apparatus comprising an engaging
member (145) configured to associate with the stopper of the printing-liquid cartridge,
wherein the release member is configured to allow the engaging member to move away
from the stopper.
25. The recording apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising a biasing member
(73) configure to bias the printing-liquid cartridge in the direction opposite to
the fluid outflow direction,
wherein the biasing member moves the printing-liquid cartridge in the direction opposite
to the fluid outflow direction when the release member releases the association of
the stopper and the engaging member.
26. A recording apparatus (10) on which a printing-liquid cartridge (30) is mountable,
the printing-liquid cartridge including: a body (31) that accommodates print liquid,
the casing having a liquid-supplying portion (43); an engaging portion (46) that is
engaged with the engaging member to retain an urging force directed to a first direction
for detaching the liquid-supplying portion from the liquid-supplied portion when the
liquid-supplying portion is connected to the liquid-supplied portion; and a release
member (60) that releases the engagement between the engaging member and the engaging
portion, the recording apparatus comprising:
a liquid-supplied portion (122) connectable to the liquid-supplying portion, the print
liquid being supplied to the recording apparatus when the liquid-supplied portion
is connected to the liquid-supplying portion;
a biasing member (73) that provides an urging force directed to a first direction
for detaching the liquid-supplying portion from the liquid-supplied portion when the
liquid-supplying portion is connected to the liquid-supplied portion; and
an engaging member (145) that is engaged with the engaging portion to resist the urging
force when the liquid-supplying portion is connected to the liquid-supplied portion.
27. The recording apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the engaging member comprises
a shaft (147), the engaging member pivotally moving about the shaft when the engagement
is provided and when the engagement is released.