BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus, in which liquid is
supplied from a liquid cartridge to a recording head mounted to a carriage via a tube.
2. Description of Related Art
[0002] As an example of an image recording apparatus, an ink-jet image recording apparatus
is known, which records an image on a recording medium such as a sheet of paper by
ejecting ink onto the recording medium based on an input signal. More specifically,
the ink-jet image recording apparatus has a recording head and the recording head
ejects ink from its nozzles onto a recording medium, such that an image is formed
on the recording medium.
[0003] One type of known recording heads is mounted to a carriage and reciprocates together
with the carriage in a predetermined direction relative to the recording medium. Driving
force is transmitted to the carriage from a drive source such as a motor, and upon
receiving the driving force the carriage reciprocates in the predetermined direction
guided by a guide shaft or a guide rail. While the carriage is reciprocating, the
recording head selectively ejects ink droplets onto the recording medium, and the
ink droplets' landing on the recording medium forms an image on the recording medium.
[0004] As a way of supplying ink from an ink cartridge to a recording head, a flexible tube
is provided between the ink cartridge and the recording head, as described in Patent
Application Publication Nos.
JP 2002-264363,
JP 2001-199084, or
JP 2010-30143. Because the tube is flexible, the tube flexes and stretches, following the reciprocal
movement of the carriage. When the carriage is in a position closest to the ink cartridge,
the tube is flexed, such that the tube extends, making a U-turn. When the cartridge
is in a position farthest from the ink cartridge, the tube stretches, such that the
tube extends, curving gently.
[0005] In general, when an image recording apparatus does not perform image recording, the
nozzle surface of the recording head is configured to be covered by a cap because
the nozzle surface may dry out if not covered by a cap or ink may leak from the nozzles.
Nevertheless, when the image recording apparatus is powered off during the image recording
operation, the carriage may stop and may not reach a position in which the recording
head is supposed to be covered by the cap. Therefore there may be a situation in which
the recording head is not capped.
[0006] When the image recording apparatus is transported or packed for repair purpose or
other purposes while the recording head is not capped, the image recording apparatus
may be oriented differently from when the image recording apparatus is in use. For
example, when packed, the rear face of a thin flat body of the image recording apparatus
may be oriented downwardly in order to reduce the foot print of the package. When
this occurs, the liquid surface in the ink cartridge is positioned higher than the
recording head, and all the ink stored in the ink cartridge may leak from the recording
head. The same problem may arise when the left or right face of the body is oriented
downwardly or when the body is placed upside down. The problem is significant when
ink flow is not blocked by a valve or the like in an ink path extending from the ink
cartridge, which is in communication with the atmosphere, to the recording head.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Therefore, a need has arisen for an image recording apparatus, which overcomes these
and other shortcomings of the related art. A technical advantage of the present invention
is that the likelihood may be reduced that all the liquid stored in a liquid cartridge
leaks from the nozzles of a recording head when the position of an image recording
apparatus is changed.
[0008] According to the present invention, an image recording apparatus according to claim
1 is provided.
[0009] With this configuration, when the image recording apparatus is oriented differently
from when the image recording apparatus is in use while the liquid cartridge is mounted
to the cartridge mounting portion, e.g., when the image recording apparatus is oriented
such that the rear face of the image recording apparatus is positioned below the front
face of the image recording apparatus, the liquid cartridge is positioned above the
recording head. When the image recording apparatus is oriented such that the rear
face of the image recording apparatus is positioned below the front face of the image
recording apparatus, the connection opening is positioned at an upper portion of the
liquid chamber because the connection opening is formed at a front portion of the
liquid chamber when the image recording apparatus is in use. Therefore, the liquid
surface in the liquid chamber is positioned below the connection opening, and liquid
may not flow out of the liquid chamber to the liquid path. Thus, the likelihood may
be reduced that all the liquid stored in the liquid cartridge leaks from the nozzles
of the recording head.
[0010] Moreover, when the image recording apparatus is oriented such that the left face
of the image recording apparatus is positioned below the right face of the image recording
apparatus, the liquid cartridge is positioned above the recording head. When the image
recording apparatus is oriented such that the left face of the image recording apparatus
is positioned below the right face of the image recording apparatus, the connection
opening is positioned at an upper portion of the liquid chamber because the connection
opening is formed at a right portion of the liquid chamber when the image recording
apparatus is in use. Therefore, the liquid surface in the liquid chamber is positioned
below the connection opening, and liquid may not flow out of the liquid chamber to
the liquid path. Thus, the likelihood may be reduced that all the liquid stored in
the liquid cartridge leaks from the nozzles of the recording head.
[0011] Furthermore, when the image recording apparatus is oriented such that the upper face
of the image recording apparatus is positioned below the lower face of the image recording
apparatus, the liquid cartridge is positioned above the recording head. When the image
recording apparatus is oriented such that the upper face of the image recording apparatus
is positioned below the lower face of the image recording apparatus, the connection
opening is positioned at an upper portion of the liquid chamber because the connection
opening is formed at a lower portion of the liquid chamber when the image recording
apparatus is in use. Therefore, the liquid surface in the liquid chamber is positioned
below the connection opening, and liquid may not flow out of the liquid chamber to
the liquid path. Thus, the likelihood may be reduced that all the liquid stored in
the liquid cartridge leaks from the nozzles of the recording head.
[0012] According to the present invention, an image recording apparatus according to claim
5 is provided.
[0013] With this configuration, when the image recording apparatus is oriented differently
from when the image recording apparatus is in use while the liquid cartridge is mounted
to the cartridge mounting portion, e.g., when the image recording apparatus is oriented
such that the rear face of the image recording apparatus is positioned below the front
face of the image recording apparatus, the liquid cartridge is positioned above the
recording head. When the image recording apparatus is oriented such that the rear
face of the image recording apparatus is positioned below the front face of the image
recording apparatus, the connection opening is positioned at an upper portion of the
liquid chamber because the connection opening is formed at a front portion of the
liquid chamber when the image recording apparatus is in use. Therefore, the liquid
surface in the liquid chamber is positioned below the connection opening, and liquid
may not flow out of the liquid chamber to the liquid path. Thus, the likelihood may
be reduced that all the liquid stored in the liquid cartridge leaks from the nozzles
of the recording head.
[0014] Moreover, when the image recording apparatus is oriented such that the right face
of the image recording apparatus is positioned below the left face of the image recording
apparatus, the liquid cartridge is positioned above the recording head. When the image
recording apparatus is oriented such that the right face of the image recording apparatus
is positioned below the left face of the image recording apparatus, the connection
opening is positioned at an upper portion of the liquid chamber because the connection
opening is formed at a left portion of the liquid chamber when the image recording
apparatus is in use. Therefore, the liquid surface in the liquid chamber is positioned
below the connection opening, and liquid may not flow out of the liquid chamber to
the liquid path. Thus, the likelihood may be reduced that all the liquid stored in
the liquid cartridge leaks from the nozzles of the recording head.
[0015] Furthermore, when the image recording apparatus is oriented such that the upper face
of the image recording apparatus is positioned below the lower face of the image recording
apparatus, the liquid cartridge is positioned above the recording head. When the image
recording apparatus is oriented such that the upper face of the image recording apparatus
is positioned below the lower face of the image recording apparatus, the connection
opening is positioned at an upper portion of the liquid chamber because the connection
opening is formed at a lower portion of the liquid chamber when the image recording
apparatus is in use. Therefore, the liquid surface in the liquid chamber is positioned
below the connection opening, and liquid may not flow out of the liquid chamber to
the liquid path. Thus, the likelihood may be reduced that all the liquid stored in
the liquid cartridge leaks from the nozzles of the recording head.
[0016] Other objects, features, and advantages will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill
in the art from the following detained description of the invention and the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] 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 perspective view of a multi-function apparatus according to an embodiment.
Fig. 2 is a vertical, cross-sectional view of the multi-function apparatus.
Fig. 3 is a plan view of an inner structure of a printer portion of the multi-function apparatus.
Fig. 4 is a vertical, cross-sectional view of a cartridge mounting portion and an ink cartridge,
in which the ink cartridge is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge, in which a left wall is removed.
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge, in which the cartridge is cut along the
line VI-VI in Fig. 5.
Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge along the line VII-VII in Fig. 5.
Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge viewed from the upper-wall side toward
a partitioning wall, in which a rear wall is positioned facing downward.
Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge showing the same cross-section as
Fig. 7, in which the left wall is positioned facing downward.
Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge showing the same cross-section as
Fig. 7, in which the upper wall is positioned facing downward.
Fig.11 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge according to a modified embodiment, in
which a left wall is removed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0018] 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.
[General structure of a multi-function apparatus 10]
[0019] Referring to
Figs. 1 and 2, a multi-function apparatus 10 comprises an image recording apparatus,
e.g., a printer portion 11, and a scanner portion 12. The multi-function apparatus 10
functions as a printer, a scanner, a copier, and a facsimile machine. The multi-function
apparatus 10, i.e., the printer portion 11 is configured to be used in a position
shown in
Fig. 1.
[0020] The printer portion 11 is positioned on the lower side of the multi-function apparatus
10, and the scanner portion 12 is positioned on the upper side of the multi-function
apparatus 10. The printer portion 11 is configured to be connected to an external
information device and is configured to record an image and texts based on print data
including image data and text data transmitted from the external information device.
The scanner portion 12 comprises a so-called flat-bed scanner.
[0021] The multi-function apparatus 10 has substantially a rectangular parallelepiped shape
with its dimension in an up-and-down direction 102 being less than its dimension in
a left-and-right direction 101 and its dimension in a front-and-rear direction 103.
The multi-function apparatus 10 has a front face and a rear face opposite the front
face in the front-and-rear direction 103. The front face of the multi-function apparatus
10 faces a user when the user uses the multi-function apparatus 10. The printer portion
11 has an opening 13 formed at the front face. The printer portion 11 comprises a
paper feed tray 20 and a paper discharge tray 21, and the paper feed tray 20 and the
paper discharge tray 21 are exposed to the outside of the printer portion 11 via opening
13. Sheets of paper as recording medium stacked in the paper feed tray 20 are fed
one by one for printing, and are discharged onto the discharge tray 21 after images
are printed thereon.
[0022] The multi-function apparatus 10 comprises an operation panel 14 at its upper portion
of the front face. Input operations are performed at the operation panel 14 for having
the printer portion 11 and the scanner portion 12 work. The operation panel 14 comprises
a plurality of buttons for the input operations and a display for indicating the status
of the multi-function apparatus 10 and some error messages. When the multi-function
apparatus 10 is connected to the external information device, the multi-function apparatus
10 also works based on inputs transmitted from the external information device via
communication software such as a print driver and a scanner driver.
[Printer portion 11]
[0023] Referring to
Fig. 2, the paper feed tray 20 is positioned at the bottom most portion of the multi-function
apparatus 10. The paper discharge tray 21 is positioned above the paper feed tray
20. The printer portion 11 comprises an image recording unit 24. The printer portion
11 has a paper conveying path 23 formed therein. A sheet of paper is fed from the
paper feed tray 20 rearward (toward the rear face of the multi-function apparatus
10) in the front-and-rear direction 103, and then turns upward, making a U-turn forward
(toward the front face of the multi-function apparatus 10) in the front-and-rear direction
103. Subsequently, the sheet of paper is conveyed to the image recording unit 24,
which records an image on the sheet of paper, and then discharged to the paper discharge
tray 21.
[0024] The paper feed tray 20 has a container shape with its upper side opened, having an
inner space formed therein. The sheets of paper are stacked in the inner space of
the paper feed tray 20.
[0025] The paper discharge tray 21 comprises an upper surface onto which the sheets of paper
are discharged. The paper discharge tray 21 partly overlaps the paper feed tray 20
in the up-and-down direction 102, but is shifted from the paper feed tray 20 forward
(toward the front face of the multi-function apparatus 10) in the front-and-rear direction
103. Therefore, the paper discharge tray 21 is not positioned directly above the paper
feed tray 20 at a rear side of the multi-function apparatus 10.
[0026] The printer portion 11 comprises a paper feed roller 25 directly above the paper
feed tray 20 at a rear side of the paper feed tray 20. The paper feed roller 25 is
configured to feed the sheets of paper stacked on the paper feed tray 20 one by one
to the paper conveying path 23. The paper feed roller 25 is configured to rotate when
receiving driving force from a motor (not shown). The printer portion 11 comprises
a paper feed arm 26, and the paper feed arm 26 is pivotally supported at its one end.
The paper feed roller 25 is rotatably supported at the free end of the paper feed
arm 26. When the paper feed arm 26 pivots, the paper feed roller 25 moves toward and
away from the paper feed tray 20. The paper feed arm 26 is urged downward by a spring
(not shown) or by its own weight, and the paper feed roller 25 contacts the upper
most one of the sheets of paper stacked in the paper feed tray 20. The position of
the paper feed arm 26 and the paper feed roller 25 depends on how many sheets of paper
are stacked in the paper feed tray 20. When the paper feed roller 25 rotates, the
upper most sheet of paper is fed to the paper conveying path 23 by the frictional
force between the outer surface of the paper feed roller 25 and the sheet of paper.
[0027] The paper conveying path 23 extends from a rear side of the paper feed tray 20, goes
upward, turning forward in the front-and-rear direction 103, and then extends up to
the paper discharge tray 21 via the image recording unit 24. The paper conveying path
23 is formed between outside guide surfaces and inside guide surfaces at positions
other than where the image recording unit 24 is provided. For example, the printer
portion 11 comprises an outside guide member 18 and an inside guide member 19, and
the paper conveying path 23 is formed between the outside guide member 18 and the
inside guide member 19 at a position where the paper conveying path 23 curves at a
rear side of the multi-function apparatus 10 with respect to the front-and-rear direction
103. The outside guide member 18 and the inside guide member 19 are supported by a
frame 40 of the multi-function apparatus 10 or the like.
[0028] The image recording unit 24 comprises a carriage 38, a recording head 39 mounted
to the carriage 38, and a platen 42 facing the recording head 39 with a predetermined
gap formed therebetween in the up-and-down direction 102.
[0029] The printer portion 11 comprises a conveying roller 60 and a pinch roller on the
upstream side of the image recording unit 24 along the paper conveying path 23. In
Fig. 2, the pinch roller is hidden by another part of the printer portion 11. The pinch roller
is positioned below the conveying roller 60, and contacts and is urged toward the
conveying roller 60. The conveying roller 60 is configured to rotate, driven by a
motor (not shown). While pinching the sheet of paper therebetween, the conveying roller
60 and the pinch roller are configured to convey the sheet of paper onto the platen
42.
[0030] The printer portion 10 comprises a discharge roller 62 and a spur on the downstream
side of the image recording unit 24 along the paper conveying path 23. In
Fig. 2, the spur is hidden by another part of the printer portion 10. The spur is positioned
above the discharge roller 62, and contacts and is urged toward the discharge roller
62. The discharge roller 62 is configured to rotate, driven by a motor (not shown).
While pinching the sheet of paper therebetween, the discharge roller 62 and the spur
are configured to convey the sheet of paper onto the paper discharge tray 21. The
conveying roller 60, the pinch roller, the discharge roller 62, and the spur correspond
to a conveying mechanism.
[Image recording unit 24]
[0031] Referring to
Figs. 2 to 4, the printer portion 11 comprises four ink tubes 41. The printer portion 11 also comprises
a cartridge mounting portion 110 positioned apart and away from the carriage 38 and
four liquid cartridges,
e.g., four ink cartridges 32 configured to be mounted to the cartridge mounting portion
110. The recording head 39 mounted to the carriage 38 is configured to be supplied
with ink via the ink tubes 41 from the ink cartridges 32 respectively. More specifically,
the ink cartridges 32 store cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks respectively, and
those inks are supplied to the recording head 39 via the ink tubes 41 respectively.
In
Fig. 3, the ink cartridges 32 and the cartridge mounting portion 110 are schematically illustrated
in alternate long and short dash lines. While the carriage 38 is reciprocating, the
recording head 39 selectively ejects ink droplets of the respective colors from its
nozzles formed therein, such that an image is recorded on a sheet of paper being conveyed
over the platen 42.
[0032] Referring to
Fig. 3, the printer portion 11 comprises a pair of guide rails 43, 44 positioned above the
paper conveying path 23. The guide rails 43, 44 are spaced apart from each other in
a paper conveying direction, which is a direction toward the front face of the multi-function
apparatus 10 in the front-and-rear direction 103 (from top to bottom in
Fig. 3), forming a gap therebetween. Each of the guide rails 43, 44 extends in a direction
intersecting the paper conveying direction,
e.g., the left-and-right direction 101. The guide rails 43, 44 are positioned in the printer
portion 11 and form a part of a frame supporting each element of the printer portion
11. The carriage 38 is placed on the guide rails 43, 44 over the gap formed between
the guide rails 43, 44. The carriage 38 is configured to slide on the guide rails
43, 44 in the direction that the guide rails 43, 44 extends,
e.g., the left-and-right direction 101.
[0033] The guide rail 44 comprises an edge portion 45 at its upstream side with respect
to the paper conveying direction, and the edge portion 45 is bent upward at substantially
a right angle. The carriage 38 supported on the guide rails 43, 44 comprises a sandwiching
member such as a roller pair, and the sandwiching member slidably sandwiches the edge
portion 45 in the front-and-rear direction 103. By the sandwiching member sandwiching
the edge portion 45, the position of the carriage 38 is determined with respect to
the paper conveying direction, i.e., the front-and-rear direction 103, and the carriage
38 can slide in the direction intersecting the paper conveying direction, e.g., the
left-and-right direction 101. That is, the carriage 38 is configured to be supported
on the guide rails 43, 44, the position of which being determined by the edge portion
45 with respect to the paper conveying direction, and reciprocate in the direction
intersecting the paper conveying direction.
[0034] The printer portion 11 comprises a belt drive mechanism 46 at the upper surface of
the guide rail 44. The belt drive mechanism 46 comprises a drive pulley (hidden under
the carriage 38 in
Fig. 3) and a driven pulley 48 positioned adjacent to the both ends of the paper conveying
path 23 in the left-and-right direction 101, and an endless round timing belt 49 wound
around the drive pulley and the driven pulley 48. The timing belt 49 comprises teeth
on its inner surface. When driving force is transmitted to the drive pulley from a
motor (not shown), the drive pulley rotates, such that the timing belt 49 rotates
around the drive pulley and the driven pulley 48.
[0035] The carriage 38 is coupled to the timing belt 49 on its bottom side. When the timing
belt 49 moves, the carriage 38 reciprocates on and along the guide rails 43, 44, such
that the recording head 39 mounted to the carriage 38 reciprocates together with the
carriage 38 in the left-and-right direction 101 above the paper conveying path 23.
[0036] The carriage 38 comprises a carriage main body and a cover 31. The carriage main
body has substantially a rectangular parallelepiped shape with an opening formed in
its upper face. The cover 31 is attached to the carriage main body, such that the
cover 31 covers the opening of the carriage main body. The recording head 39 is accommodated
in a space formed in the carriage main body and the cover 31. The nozzle surface of
the recording head 39, which is the lower surface of the recording head 39 and in
which the nozzles are formed, is exposed to a space below the carriage main body.
[0037] Referring to
Fig. 2, the platen 42 is disposed below the paper conveying path 23, facing the recording
head 39. Although the frame 40 of the multi-function apparatus 10 supports the platen
42 from below, the platen 42 is not illustrated in
Fig. 3, and therefore the frame 40 can be seen in
Fig. 3. The platen 42 extends over a middle region of the range of the reciprocal movement
of the carriage 38 in the left-and-right direction 101, and is configured to support
a sheet of paper passing through the middle region. The width of the platen 42 is
greater than the width of the sheet of paper in the left-and-right direction 101.
A predetermined amount of distance is maintained between the sheet of paper supported
on the platen 42 and the recording head 39. Ink droplets ejected through the nozzles
of the recording head 39 land onto the sheet of paper.
[0038] The recording surface, i.e., the surface of the sheet of paper on which an image
is recorded extends in the left-and-right direction 101 and the front-and-rear direction
103 when the sheet is supported on the platen 42. In other words, the carriage 38
configured to reciprocate in the left-and-right direction 101 is configured to move
in a direction along the recording surface of the sheet of paper.
[0039] Referring to
Fig. 3, ink cartridges 32 storing inks of respective colors are configured to be mounted
to the cartridge mounting portion 110 of the printer portion 11.
[0040] Four ink tubes 41 extend from the cartridge mounting portion 110 to the carriage
38, corresponding to the four colors of ink. The ink tubes 41 are configured to supply
the respective inks to the recording head 39 mounted to the carriage 38. In other
words, the inks flow from the ink cartridges 32 to the recording head 39 through the
ink tubes 41 respectively.
[0041] Referring to
Fig. 3, each of the ink tubes 41 is connected to the cartridge mounting portion 110 at one
end of the ink tube 41. Ink tubes 41 extend from the cartridge mounting portion 110
in the left-and-right direction 101 and then curve forward in the front-and-rear direction
103. The printer portion 11 comprises a clip 36, and the ink tubes 41 are held together
by the clip 36 at a position close to the front face of the multi-function apparatus
10. The ink tubes 41 extend from the clip 36 rearward in the front-and-rear direction
103, making a U-turn, and then extend in the left-and-right direction 101 to be connected
to the carriage 38. The ink tubes 41 are flexible, so that the ink tubes 41 flex and
stretch between the clip 36 and the carriage 38, following the reciprocal movement
of the carriage 38.
[Cartridge mounting portion 110]
[0042] Referring to
Fig. 3, the cartridge mounting portion 110 is positioned further forward than the nozzles
of the recording head 39 with respect to the front-and-rear direction 103 and positioned
to the right of the paper conveying path 23 with respect to the left-and-right direction
101. The cartridge mounting portion 110 is configured to receive four ink cartridges
32 storing cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks respectively. The portions of the
cartridge mounting portion 110 to which the four ink cartridges 32 are configured
to be mounted have the same structure, and therefore the cartridge mounting portion
110 will be described below with an example of one portion of the cartridge mounting
portion 110 to which one ink cartridge 32 is configured to be mounted.
[0043] Referring to
Fig. 4, the cartridge mounting portion 110 comprises a case 111 having an opening 112 formed
on the font-face side of the printer portion 11. The ink cartridge 32 is inserted
into and removed from the case 111 through the opening 112 along the front-and-rear
direction 103. Referring to
Fig. 1, the printer portion 11 comprises a cover 16 to the right of the opening 13. When
the cover 16 is opened, the opening 112 of the case 111 is exposed to the outside
of the printer portion 11.
[0044] Referring back to
Fig. 4, the cartridge mounting portion 110 comprises an ink needle 122 positioned at a lower
portion of a rear side of the case 111 with respect to the front-and-rear direction
103. The ink needle 122 is a cylindrical resin tube. The ink needle 122 is connected
to an ink path 75 at an outer face of the case 111 which is opposite from the opening
112. In other words, the ink needle 122 is connected to the ink path 75 at an outer
face of a rear wall of the case 111, which wall defines an inner space of the case
111 and is positioned at the rear of the case 111 with respect to the front-and-rear
direction 103. Each ink path 75 extending from the ink needle 122 rearward in the
front-and-rear direction 103 extends upward and is connected to the ink tube 41.
[Ink cartridge 32]
[0045] Referring to
Fig. 4, the ink cartridge 32 is a container configured to store ink. The ink cartridge 32
has a space formed therein, and the space is an ink chamber 80 configured to store
ink. The ink chamber 80 corresponds to a liquid chamber.
[0046] The ink cartridge 32 is configured to be inserted into and removed from the cartridge
mounting portion 110 along the front-and-rear direction 103 in an upright state with
its lower face in
Fig. 4 facing downward and its upper face in
Fig. 4 facing upward. Moreover, the ink cartridge 32 is used in the upright state with its
lower face in
Fig. 4 facing downward and its upper face in
Fig. 4 facing upward.
[0047] The ink cartridge 32 comprises a main body 81 having a substantially rectangular
parallelepiped shape. The main body 81 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped
shape with its dimension in the left-and-right direction 101 being less than its dimension
in the up-and-down direction 102 and its dimension in the front-and-rear direction
103.
[0048] The main body 81 comprises a front wall 82 and a rear wall 83 spaced apart in the
front-and-rear direction 103, an upper wall 84 and a lower wall 85 spaced apart in
the up-and-down direction 102, and a left wall 86 and a right wall 87 spaced apart
in the left-and-right direction 101 (see
Fig. 7). The ink chamber 80 is formed in the inner space surrounded by these walls. The
ink chamber 80 may be a space defined by the outer walls of the main body 81 or may
be a space defined by a frame and a film provided inside the main body 81. In this
embodiment, the ink chamber 80 is configured to store ink freely. When ink is stored
freely, ink is not held against the gravity in the inner spaces of a three dimensional
network structure such as a sponge or form, but ink is stored in the ink chamber 80,
such that ink flows freely with the gravity. In this embodiment, the outer faces of
the front wall 82, the rear wall 83, the upper wall 84, the lower wall 85, the left
wall 86, and the right wall 87 correspond to a front end, a rear end, an upper end,
a lower end, a left end, and a right end of the ink cartridge 32 respectively.
[0049] The ink cartridge 32 comprises an ink supply portion 88 at a lower portion of the
rear wall 83 of the main body 81. The ink supply portion 88 has a cylindrical shape
and has an inner space which is in fluid communication with the ink chamber 80 via
an ink path 89. The end of the ink supply portion 88 is open, and ink can flow out
of the inner space of the ink supply portion 88 to the outside of the ink cartridge
32 via the opening of the ink supply portion 88. This opening is an ink supply opening
90. The ink supply opening 90 corresponds to a supply opening. The ink supply portion
88 is positioned below a bottom surface 91 of the ink chamber 80 with respect to the
up-and-down direction 102.
[0050] The ink cartridge 32 has an atmosphere communication opening 93 at an upper portion
of the rear wall 83 of the main body 81. The atmosphere communication opening 93 extends
though the rear wall 83, and an air layer in an upper portion of the ink chamber 80
is in communication with the atmosphere outside the ink cartridge 32 via the atmosphere
communication opening 93. Although not shown in the drawings, a check valve may be
provided at the atmosphere communication opening 93, which check valve is configured
to allow fluid to flow from the outside of the ink cartridge 32 to the ink chamber
80 and configured to restrict the flow of fluid from the ink chamber 80 to the outside
of the ink cartridge 32. Alternatively, an air permeable film may be provided at the
atmosphere communication opening 93, and the air permeable film is configured to allow
gat to pass therethrough, but prevents ink from passing therethrough. Alternatively,
the atmosphere communication opening 93 may be connected to a labyrinth-like path
provided further outside than the atmosphere communication opening 93, such that it
may be more difficult for ink to flow out of the atmosphere communication opening
93 to the outside of the ink cartridge 32. Alternatively, an ink-absorbing member
may be provided in the cartridge mounting portion 110 at a position corresponding
to the atmosphere communication opening 93, so that the ink-absorbing member can absorb
ink leaking out of the atmosphere communication opening 93.
[0051] When the ink cartridge 32 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110, it is
preferable that the nozzles of the recording head 39 are positioned above the ink
surface (gas-liquid interface) in the ink chamber 80. Because the ink surface in the
ink chamber 80 may not exceed the height of the atmosphere communication opening 93,
it may be sufficient if the nozzles of the recording head 39 are positioned above
the atmosphere communication opening 93. The atmosphere communication opening 93 corresponds
to an atmosphere communication portion.
[0052] Referring to
Figs. 4 and 5, the ink path 89 is formed in the main body 81 below the ink chamber 80. The ink path
89 corresponds to a liquid path. The ink path 89 is a path connecting the ink supply
portion 88 and the ink chamber 80, such that ink can flow between the ink supply portion
88 and the ink chamber 80. In
Fig. 5, the left wall 86 is removed.
[0053] The ink path 89 is connected to the ink chamber 80 via a connection opening 92. The
connection opening 92 is formed at the lowest portion of the bottom surface 91 of
the ink chamber 80 with respect to the up-and-down direction 102. Therefore, the bottom
surface 91 does not have to a horizontal surface, but may be an inclined surface or
curved surface which goes down toward the connection opening 92.
[0054] The connection opening 92 is positioned at a front portion of the ink chamber 80
with respect to the front-and-rear direction 103 and at a right portion of the ink
chamber 80 with respect to the left-and-right direction 101. In this embodiment, the
connection opening 92 is positioned at a front end of the ink chamber 80 with respect
to the front-and-rear direction 103 and at a right end of the ink chamber 80 with
respect to the left-and-right direction 101. That is, the connection opening 92 is
defined by the inner surface of the front wall 82 and the inner surface of the right
wall 87. The ink supply opening 90 is positioned at the center of the main body 81
with respect to the left-and-right direction 101. The connection opening 92 is offset
to the right of the ink supply opening 90 with respect to the left-and-right direction
101.
[0055] The shape of the connection opening 92 is not limited to a specific shape, but may
be rectangular as shown in
Fig. 5, or circular or polygonal. The size of the connection opening 92 is adjusted according
to an initial amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 80. More specifically, the size
of the connection opening 92 is chosen in order for the ink surface in the ink chamber
80 to be positioned below the connection opening 92 even when the ink cartridge 32
is oriented, such that the rear wall 83, the upper wall 84, or the left wall 86 faces
downward, as described below.
[0056] Referring to
Figs. 5 and 6, the ink path 89 is a space defined by a portioning wall 94 having the bottom surface
91 of the ink chamber 80, an L-shaped partitioning wall 95 facing the rear wall 83
and the right wall 87, the front wall 82, the rear wall 83, the lower wall 85, and
the right wall 87. The partitioning wall 94 is spaced apart from the lower wall 85
in the up-and-down direction 102, and faces the lower wall 85. The partitioning wall
94 is connected to the front wall 82, the rear wall 83, the right wall 86, and the
left wall 87. The partitioning wall 95 is spaced apart from the rear wall 83 forward
in the front-and-rear direction 103, and faces the rear wall 83. The partitioning
wall 95 also is spaced apart from the right wall 87 to the left in the left-and-right
direction 101, and faces the right wall 87. The partitioning wall 95 is connected
to the left wall 86, the front wall 82, the lower wall 85, and the partitioning wall
94.
[0057] The ink path 89 extends from a corner formed between the front wall 82 and the right
wall 87 toward the rear wall 83 along the right wall 87 in the front-and-rear direction
103 and reaches a corner formed between the rear wall 83 and the right wall 87. The
ink path 89 then extends from the corner formed between the rear wall 83 and the right
wall 87 toward the left wall 86 along the rear wall 83 in the left-and-right direction
101. In other words, in the cross-section shown in
Fig. 6, the ink path 89 has an L shape extending along the right wall 87 and the rear wall
83. The ink path 89 is connected to the inner space of the ink supply portion 88 at
the rear wall 83.
[0058] Referring to
Fig. 7, the ink path 89 has a cross-section taken along the left-and-right direction 101
and the up-and-down direction 102, and the cross-section has a width W1 in the left-and-right
direction 101. The ink chamber 80 has a cross-section taken along the left-and-right
direction 101 and the up-and-down direction 102, and the cross-section has a width
W2 in the left-and-right direction 101. The width W1 of the ink path 89 is less than
the width W2 of the ink chamber 80 (W1 < W2). The ink path 89 has a volume V1 and
the ink chamber has a volume V2, and the volume V1 of the ink path 89 is less than
the volume V2 of the ink chamber 80 (V1 < V2).
[0059] The ink cartridge 32 may comprise a remaining-ink-amount detection portion provided
at the main body 81 for the multi-function apparatus 10 to determine a remaining amount
of ink in the ink chamber 80. Nevertheless, such a remaining-ink-amount detection
portion or the like may not directly be related to the present invention, and therefore
the detailed description of the remaining-ink-amount detection portion or the like
is omitted here.
[0060] The ink supply portion 88 may comprise a valve provided in the inner space of the
ink supply portion 88, and the valve may close the ink supply opening 90. In such
a case, when the ink cartridge 32 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110,
the ink needle 122 pushes and moves the valve, such that the ink supply opening 90
is opened and ink flows out of the ink chamber 80 into the ink needle 122 via the
ink path 89.
[0061] Alternatively, the ink supply portion 88 may comprise an elastic film such as rubber
provided in the inner space of the ink supply portion 88, and the elastic film may
close the ink supply opening 90. In such a case, when the ink cartridge 32 is mounted
to the cartridge mounting portion 110, the ink needle 122 penetrates through the elastic
film, such that the ink supply opening 90 is opened and ink flows out of the ink chamber
80 into the ink needle 122 via the ink path 89.
[0062] When the ink cartridge 32 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110, the atmospheric
air can enter the ink chamber 90 via the atmosphere communication opening 93. There
is no valve provided in the ink path 75 and the ink tube 41. In other words, when
the ink cartridge 32 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110, there is no
element or mechanism which prevents ink flow in the path extending from the ink chamber
80 up to the recording head 39.
[State of the ink cartridge 32 when the position of the multi-function apparatus 10
is changed]
[0063] When the multi-function apparatus 10 does not perform image recording, the carriage
38 is moved to a home position on the right side of the multi-function apparatus 10
with respect to the left-and-right direction 101 (the right side in
Fig. 3), and the nozzle surface of the recording head 39 is covered by a cap (not shown)
because the nozzle surface may dry out if not covered by the cap or ink may leak from
the nozzles. Nevertheless, when the multi-function apparatus 10 is powered off during
the image recording operation, the carriage 38 may stop and may not reach the home
position. Therefore, there may be a situation in which the recording head 39 is not
capped.
[0064] When the multi-function apparatus 10 is in use, the multi-function apparatus 10 take
the position as shown in
Fig 1, and the nozzle surface of the recording head 39 is positioned above the ink surface
in the ink chamber 80 of the ink cartridge 32 mounted to the cartridge mounting portion
110. Therefore, negative pressure is generated at the nozzles of the recording head
39, such that ink in the nozzles is pulled toward the ink-cartridge 32 side.
[0065] When the multi-function apparatus 10 is packed for repair purpose or other purposes
while the recording head 39 is not capped, the multi-function apparatus 10 may be
oriented differently from when the multi-function apparatus 10 is in use. For example,
when packed, the rear face of the thin flat body of the multi-function apparatus 10
may be oriented downwardly in order to reduce the foot print of the package. In other
words, the rear face of the multi-function apparatus 10 may be positioned below the
front face of the multi-function apparatus 10. When this occurs, the ink surface in
the ink chamber 80 of the ink cartridge 23 mounted to the cartridge mounting portion
110 is positioned above the nozzle surface of the recording head 39 with respect to
the gravitational direction, and the negative pressure is not generated at the nozzles
of the recording head 39 any more. On the contrary, positive pressure is generated,
pushing ink toward the outside of the nozzles. When this occurs, the menisci of ink
in the nozzles may be broken, and the likelihood becomes high that ink positioned
above the nozzles of the recording head 39 leaks from the nozzles.
[0066] Referring to
Fig. 8, when the ink chamber 80 has an initial amount of ink therein, the ink chamber 80
has an ink surface 96. When the multi-function apparatus 10 is oriented, such that
the rear face of the multi-function apparatus 10 faces downward, i.e., when the rear
face of the multi-function apparatus 10 is positioned below the front face of the
multi-function apparatus 10, the rear wall 83 of the ink cartridge 32 mounted to the
cartridge mounting portion 110 is positioned below the front wall 82 of the ink cartridge
32 mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110 as shown in
Fig. 8. The connection opening 92 connecting the ink chamber 80 and the ink path 89 is positioned
at the uppermost position in the ink chamber 80, and therefore, the ink surface 96
is positioned below the connection opening 92. Accordingly, ink does not flow out
of the ink chamber 80 into the ink path 89 when the multi-function apparatus 10 is
oriented like this.
[0067] Referring to
Fig. 9, when the multi-function apparatus 10 is oriented, such that the left face of the
multi-function apparatus 10 faces downward, i.e., when the left face of the multi-function
apparatus 10 is positioned below the right face of the multi-function apparatus 10,
the left wall 86 of the ink cartridge 32 mounted to the cartridge mounting portion
110 is positioned below the right wall 87 of the ink cartridge 32 mounted to the cartridge
mounting portion 110 as shown in
Fig. 9. The connection opening 92 connecting the ink chamber 80 and the ink path 89 is positioned
at the uppermost position in the ink chamber 80, and therefore the ink surface 96
is positioned below the connection opening 92. Accordingly, ink does not flow out
of the ink chamber 80 into the ink path 89 when the multi-function apparatus 10 is
oriented like this.
[0068] Referring to
Fig. 10, when the multi-function apparatus 10 is oriented, such that the upper face of the
multi-function apparatus 10 faces downward, i.e., when the upper face of the multi-function
apparatus 10 is positioned below the lower face of the multi-function apparatus 10,
the upper wall 84 of the ink cartridge 32 mounted to the cartridge mounting portion
110 is positioned below the lower wall 85 of the ink cartridge 32 mounted to the cartridge
mounting portion 110 as shown in
Fig. 10. The connection opening 92 connecting the ink chamber 80 and the ink path 89 is positioned
at the uppermost position in the ink chamber 80 and therefore the ink surface 96 is
positioned below the connection opening 92. Accordingly ink does not flow out of the
ink chamber 80 in to the ink path 89 when the multi-function apparatus 10 is oriented
like this.
[0069] When the multi-function apparatus 10 is oriented, such that the right face of the
multi-function apparatus 10 faces downward, i.e., when the right face of the multi-function
apparatus 10 is positioned below the left face of the multi-function apparatus 10,
the ink cartridge 32 is positioned below the nozzle surface of the recording head
39 in most cases. Therefore, negative pressure is generated in the nozzles of the
recording head 39, such that ink is pulled toward the ink-cartridge 32 side. Accordingly,
there is little likelihood that ink leaks from the nozzles of the recording head 39.
[0070] Although this is a rare case, there is a situation that the carriage 38 is in the
home position on the right side of the multi-function apparatus 10 with respect to
the left-and-right direction 101, but the nozzle surface of the recording head 39
is not covered by the cap. When the multi-function apparatus 10 is oriented, such
that the right face of the multi-function apparatus 10 faces downward in this situation,
the nozzle surface of the recording head 39 and the ink surface 96 in the ink chamber
80 may be positioned at almost the same height. When this occurs, because the height
difference between the nozzle surface of the recording head 39 and the ink surface
96 in the in chamber 80 is small, positive pressure pushing ink toward the outside
of the nozzles is small (if any). There is little likelihood that the menisci of ink
in the nozzles are broken, and therefore there is little likelihood that ink leaks
from the nozzles of the recording head 39.
[0071] When the multi-function apparatus 10 is oriented, such that the front face of the
multi-function apparatus 10 faces downward, i.e., when the front face of the multi-function
apparatus 10 is positioned below the rear face of the multi-function apparatus 10,
the ink cartridge 32 is positioned below the nozzle surface of the recording head
39. Therefore, negative pressure is generated in the nozzles of the recording head
39, such that ink is pulled toward the ink-cartridge 32 side. Accordingly, there is
little likelihood that ink leaks from the nozzles of the recording head 39.
[Advantages]
[0072] According to the ink cartridge 32 of the above-described embodiment, because the
connection opening 92 connecting the ink chamber 80 and the ink path 89 is positioned
at a lower portion of the ink chamber 80 with respect to the up-and-down direction
102, at a front portion of the ink chamber 80 with respect to the front-and-rear direction
103, and at a right portion of the ink chamber 80 with respect to the left-and-right
direction 101, even if the multi-function apparatus 10 is oriented differently from
when the multi-function apparatus 10 is in use, the likelihood may be reduced that
all the ink stored in the ink chamber 80 leaks from the nozzles of the recording head
39.
[0073] Moreover, because the connection opening 92 is positioned at the front end of the
ink chamber 80 with respect to the front-and-rear direction 103 and at the right end
of the ink chamber 80 with respect to the left-and-right direction 101, the ink chamber
80 can store a relatively large amount of ink therein as an initial amount. Nevertheless,
even if the connection opening 92 is not positioned at the front end of the ink chamber
80 with respect to the front-and-rear direction 103 and at the right end of the ink
chamber 80 with respect to the left-and-right direction 101, the above described advantage
can be achieved as long as the connection opening 92 is positioned at a front portion
of the ink chamber 80 with respect to the front-and-rear direction 103, and at a right
portion of the ink chamber 80 with respect to the left-and-right direction 101 and
the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 80 is chosen appropriately.
[0074] Moreover, because the volume V1 of the ink path 89 is less than the volume V2 of
the ink chamber 80, even if ink in the ink path 89 flows out, the amount of ink flowing
out of the ink cartridge 32 is small.
[0075] Moreover, because the width W1 of the ink path 89 in the left-and-right direction
101 is less than the width W2 of the ink chamber 80 in the left-and-right direction
101, the flow resistance of the ink path 89 is greater than the flow resistance of
the ink chamber 80. It is more difficult for ink to flow in the ink path 89.
[0076] Moreover, because the ink supply opening 90 is positioned at a lower portion of the
rear wall 83, when the upper wall 84 is positioned below the lower wall 85, not all
the ink in the ink path 89 flows out.
[0077] Moreover, because the connection opening 92 is offset to the right of the ink supply
opening 90 with respect to the left-and-right direction 101, i.e., the ink supply
opening 90 is positioned to the left of the connection opening 92 with respect to
the left-and-right direction 101, when the multi-function apparatus 10 is oriented,
such that the right face of the multi-function apparatus 10 faces downward after ink
stored in the ink chamber 80 has been consumed to some extent, the ink surface in
the ink chamber 80 is positioned below the ink supply opening 90. Therefore, although
there is little likelihood that ink leaks from the nozzles of the recording head 39
when the multi-function apparatus 10 is oriented, such that the right face of the
multi-function apparatus 10 faces downward for the reason stated above, there is less
likelihood that ink leaks from the nozzles of the recording head 39.
[0078] Moreover, because the connection opening 92 is positioned at the lowest portion of
the bottom surface 91 of the ink chamber 80 with respect to the up-and-down direction
102, almost all the ink in the ink chamber 80 flows out of the ink chamber 80 when
the multi-function apparatus 10 is in use.
[0079] Moreover, when the multi-function apparatus 10 is in use, the ink chamber 80 is positioned
above the ink supply opening 90 with the bottom surface 91 positioned between the
ink chamber 80 and the ink supply opening 90 with respect to the up-and-down direction
102, and therefore almost all the ink in the ink chamber 80 flow out via the ink supply
opening 90.
[Modified embodiment]
[0080] Referring to
Fig. 11, the ink cartridge 32 according to a modified embodiment has a mirror image of the
ink cartridge 32 of the above-described embodiment (the ink cartridge 32 of
Fig. 5) relative to a plane extending along the up-and-down direction 102 and the front-and-rear
direction 103. In the above-described embodiment, the cartridge mounting portion 110
is positioned further forward than the nozzles of the recording head 39 with respect
to the front-and-rear direction 103 and positioned to the right of the paper conveying
path 23 with respect to the left-and-right direction 101, and the ink cartridge 32
mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110 comprises the connection opening 92
positioned at a lower portion of the ink chamber 80 with respect to the up-and-down
direction 102, at a front portion of the ink chamber 80 with respect to the front-and-rear
direction 103, and at a right portion of the ink chamber 80 with respect to the left-and-right
direction 101. On the other hand, in this modified embodiment, the cartridge mounting
portion 110 is positioned further forward than the nozzles of the recording head 39
with respect to the front-and-rear direction 103 and positioned to the left of the
paper conveying path 23 with respect to the left-and-right direction 101, and the
ink cartridge 32 mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110 comprises the connection
opening 92 positioned at a lower portion of the ink chamber 80 with respect to the
up-and-down direction 102, at a front portion (preferably at the front end) of the
ink chamber 80 with respect to the front-and-rear direction 103, and at a left portion
(preferably at the left end) of the ink chamber 80 with respect to the left-and-right
direction 101 as shown in
Fig. 11. In this modified embodiment, the same advantages as the above-described embodiment
can be achieved.
[0081] While the invention has been described in connection with various example structures
and illustrative embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that
other variations and modifications of the structures and embodiments described above
may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Other structures and
embodiments will be understood by those skilled in the art from a consideration of
the specification or practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that
the specification and the described examples are merely illustrative and that the
scope of the invention is defined by the following claims.
1. An image recording apparatus comprising:
a carriage configured to move in a left-and-right direction along a recording surface
of a recording medium;
a recording head mounted to the carriage and having nozzles formed therein, wherein
the recording head is configured to eject liquid droplets though the nozzles;
a conveying mechanism configured to convey the recording medium along a conveying
path to a position below the carriage with respect to an up-and-down direction;
a liquid cartridge comprising a liquid chamber configured to store liquid therein;
a cartridge mounting portion positioned further forward than the nozzles of the recording
head with respect to a front-and-rear direction and positioned to the right of conveying
path with respect to the left-and-right direction, wherein the cartridge mounting
portion is configured to receive the liquid cartridge; and
a tube connecting the cartridge mounting portion and the recording head, through which
liquid can flow between the cartridge mounting portion and the recording head,
wherein the liquid cartridge comprises:
a supply opening which is open at an outer surface of the liquid cartridge and is
configured to supply the liquid stored in the liquid chamber to the tube;
a connection opening formed at a lower portion of the liquid chamber with respect
to the up-and-down direction;
a liquid path connecting the liquid chamber and the supply opening via the connection
opening; and
an atmosphere communication portion configured to bring the liquid chamber into communication
with the atmosphere outside the liquid cartridge,
wherein when the liquid cartridge is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion, the
connection opening is positioned at a front portion of the liquid chamber with respect
to the front-and-rear direction and at a right portion of the liquid chamber with
respect to the left-and-right direction.
2. The image recording apparatus of claim 1, wherein the liquid cartridge comprises a
front end and a rear end with respect to the front-and-read direction, a left end
and a right end with respect to the left-and-right direction, and an upper end and
a lower end with respect to the up-and-down direction, wherein when the liquid chamber
has an initial amount of liquid stored therein, the liquid stored in the liquid chamber
has a surface which is:
positioned below the connection opening when the liquid cartridge is oriented such
that the rear end of the liquid cartridge is positioned below the front end of the
liquid cartridge;
positioned below the connection opening when the liquid cartridge is oriented such
that the left end of the liquid cartridge is positioned below the right end of the
liquid cartridge; and
positioned below the connection opening when the liquid cartridge is oriented such
that the upper end of the liquid cartridge is positioned below the lower end of the
liquid cartridge.
3. The image recording apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the connection opening is offset
to the right of the supply opening with respect to the left-and-right direction.
4. The image recording apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connection
opening is positioned at a front end of the liquid chamber with respect to the front-and-read
direction and at a right end of the liquid chamber with respect to the left-and-right
direction.
5. An image recording apparatus comprising:
a carriage configured to move in a left-and-right direction along a recording surface
of a recording medium;
a recording head mounted to the carriage and having nozzles formed therein, wherein
the recording head is configured to eject liquid droplets though the nozzles;
a conveying mechanism configured to convey the recording medium along a conveying
path to a position below the carriage with respect to an up-and-down direction;
a liquid cartridge comprising a liquid chamber configured to store liquid therein;
a cartridge mounting portion positioned further forward than the recording head with
respect to a front-and-rear direction and positioned to the left of conveying path
with respect to the left-and-right direction, wherein the cartridge mounting portion
is configured to receive the liquid cartridge; and
a tube connecting the cartridge mounting portion and the recording head, through which
liquid can flow between the cartridge mounting portion and the recording head,
wherein the liquid cartridge comprises:
a supply opening which is open at an outer surface of the liquid cartridge and is
configured to supply the liquid stored in the liquid chamber to the tube;
a connection opening formed at a lower portion of the liquid chamber with respect
to the up-and-down direction;
a liquid path connecting the liquid chamber and the supply opening via the connection
opening; and
an atmosphere communication portion configured to bring the liquid chamber into communication
with the atmosphere outside the liquid cartridge,
wherein when the liquid cartridge is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion, the
connection opening is positioned at a front portion of the liquid chamber with respect
to the front-and-rear direction and at a left portion of the liquid chamber with respect
to the left-and-right direction.
6. The image recording apparatus of claim 5, wherein the liquid cartridge comprises a
front end and a rear end with respect to the front-and-read direction, a left end
and a right end with respect to the left-and-right direction, and an upper end and
a lower end with respect to the up-and-down direction, wherein when the liquid chamber
has an initial amount of liquid stored therein, the liquid stored in the liquid chamber
has a surface which is:
positioned below the connection opening when the liquid cartridge is oriented such
that the rear end of the liquid cartridge is positioned below the front end of the
liquid cartridge;
positioned below the connection opening when the liquid cartridge is oriented such
that the right end of the liquid cartridge is positioned below the left end of the
liquid cartridge; and
positioned below the connection opening when the liquid cartridge is oriented such
that the upper end of the liquid cartridge is positioned below the lower end of the
liquid cartridge.
7. The image recording apparatus of claim 5 or 6, wherein the connection opening is offset
to the left of the supply opening with respect to the left-and-right direction.
8. The image recording apparatus of any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the connection
opening is positioned at a front end of the liquid chamber with respect to the front-and-read
direction and at a left end of the liquid chamber with respect to the left-and-right
direction.
9. The image recording apparatus of any one of the claims 1 to 8, wherein the liquid
chamber has a first volume and the liquid path has a second volume which is less than
the first volume.
10. The image recording apparatus of claim 9, wherein the liquid chamber has a first cross-section
taken along the left-and-right direction and the up-and-down direction, and the first
cross-section has a first width in the left-and-right direction, wherein the liquid
path has a second cross-section taken along the left-and-right direction and the up-and-down
direction, and the second cross-section has a second width in the left-and-right direction,
wherein the second width is less than the first width.
11. The image recording apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein when the liquid
cartridge is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion, the supply opening is positioned
at a lower portion of the rear end of the liquid cartridge.
12. The image recording apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the liquid chamber
has a bottom surface with respect to the up-and-down direction, and the connection
opening is formed at the lowest portion of the bottom surface with respect to the
up-and-down direction.
13. The image recording apparatus of any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the liquid chamber
has a bottom surface with respect to the up-and-down direction, and when the liquid
cartridge is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion, the liquid chamber is positioned
above the supply opening with the bottom surface positioned between the liquid chamber
and the supply opening with respect to the up-and-down direction.