EP1481809B1 - Ink cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

Inkjet cartridge for insertion in a cartridge carrier of an inkjet printer has a housing (14) and an elastically tensioned locking catch (32). The latter has a hinge section (34) with a pivoting axis that is approximately parallel to the insertion plane of the ink cartridge (10). The hinge section includes a clip section (36) the clip edge (40) of which is perpendicular to the insertion plane. Independent claims are also included for the following for two further inkjet cartridge designs.

Description

The invention relates to an ink cartridge according to the preamble of claim 1 for insertion into a cartridge receptacle of an inkjet printer.

Interchangeable ink cartridges of the type mentioned are well known and are used for ink supply of inkjet printers. In the ink cartridge for this purpose usually at least one ink chamber is provided, in which the ink jet head to be supplied to the liquid ink is stored. The chambers of an ink cartridge can be fluid-mechanically separated from each other, each with its own Tintenzuführ- and ink extraction openings or in fluid communication with each other, be formed with common Tintenzuführ- and ink removal openings. Fluid-mechanically separated ink chambers are used in particular in ink cartridges for color inkjet printers for receiving the different color inks used. Ink cartridges with a single ink chamber or fluidically interconnected ink chambers are used in both mono- and color inkjet printers. However, especially in color ink jet printers, both types of cartridges can be used in common, for example, by providing a separate black ink cartridge and a separate cartridge having, for example, three chambers for each color ink, or by disposing both the black ink and, for example, three different color inks each in its own Cartridge with one or more fluid-mechanically connected ink chambers are provided. For operation of the inkjet printer, one or more ink cartridges are inserted into the printer-side cartridge receptacle, which is provided either on the printhead or stationary in the housing of the inkjet printer. Upon insertion of the ink cartridge, the or each ink removal port, or the or each port, the or each ink chamber is fluid mechanically connected to the corresponding supply port in the cartridge receptacle.

For a functionally reliable ink supply, it is necessary that the or each port of the ink cartridge with the or each supply port of the printer properly, d. H. airtight, coupled. This is achieved in which the ink cartridge is held in a predetermined, defined mounting position in the cartridge receptacle and preferably locked in this.

A lockable in a cartridge holder ink cartridge is for example from the EP 0 879 703 known in which on the outside of a side wall of the housing of the ink cartridge, the immediately adjacent to the underside of the housing, on which the connecting piece is provided, a locking device is provided, with which the ink cartridge can be locked in the cartridge holder. The locking device is formed in this known ink cartridge in the form of a protruding from the side wall supporting element, on whose side wall facing away from the outside a locking lug is formed. The support member is formed at its transition into the side wall so elastic that it can be pivoted relative to the side wall about a pivot axis back and forth. The pivot axis extends transversely to the insertion or pivoting plane of the ink cartridge, in which the ink cartridge inevitably moves when inserted into the cartridge receptacle.

A disadvantage of the locking device of this known ink cartridge is that the support element must be designed as a comparatively long lever, so that the latch can properly engage in the provided in the cartridge receptacle locking opening. However, this has the consequence that the support element has only a limited rigidity due to the material elasticity required for the deflection of the support element about the pivot axis over its length. The low material stiffness, however, leads in the worst case to the fact that the locking lug does not engage properly in the locking hole, since the support element springs back and evades, as test series have shown. Improper insertion of the ink cartridge into the cartridge receptacle results in air being able to reach the printhead via the ink supply, resulting in nozzle failures, which in turn appear as defects in the print image.

In addition, under severe mechanical stress such as dropping during shipping of ink cartridges, breakage of the support member has been observed, whereby the ink cartridges generally become unusable.

Furthermore, it has been found that the ink cartridge is held securely in the cartridge receptacle only in one direction, namely in the biasing direction of the support element, but can escape laterally, so that leaks occur again and again at the transition between the connection piece and the supply connection.

It is an object of the invention to develop an ink cartridge of the type mentioned so that a proper insertion of the ink cartridge in the cartridge holder of the printer with a defined, secure hold the ink cartridge in the cartridge holder and thus avoiding air access into the ink supply between the or each port of the ink cartridge and the or each printer-side supply port is ensured.

This object is achieved by an ink cartridge having the features of claim 1.

According to a first aspect of the invention, the ink cartridge according to the invention with the features of claim 1, a Verriegelungsschnapper which is pivotable about an approximately parallel to the insertion of the ink cartridge pivot axis. For this purpose, the hinge portion of the Verriegelungsschnappers runs approximately parallel to the insertion level. The actual locking edge, which is provided at the adjoining the hinge portion locking portion, however, extends transversely to the insertion of the ink cartridge to ensure proper locking between the ink cartridge and the cartridge receptacle.

The arrangement of the pivot axis parallel to the insertion level ensures that the latching portion only comes punctiform when inserting the ink cartridge with its outer edge with the upper edge of the cartridge receptacle, while this contact area formed in locking devices according to the prior art, either flat, but at least linear is. When inserting the ink cartridge of the locking latch is moved from its rest position. In contrast to the prior art, the locking device according to the invention facilitates the insertion of the ink cartridge into the cartridge receptacle due to the lower frictional forces. In the final phase of the insertion movement of the ink cartridge, the locking edge finally engages in the locking opening, whereby the ink cartridge is secured in the cartridge receptacle.

In this case, is achieved by the plane parallel to the insertion of the ink cartridge pivot axis about which the Verriegelungsschnapper is deflected that the ink cartridge by the biasing force with which the Verriegelungsschnapper on the inside of the cartridge receptacle, in the longitudinal direction of the ink cartridge, ie in the direction perpendicular to the side wall , is clamped. At the same time, the locking catch causes a torque acting around the connecting piece by which the ink cartridge in the cartridge receptacle is additionally clamped in a direction deviating from the effective direction of the biasing force, thereby achieving an improved and secure hold of the ink cartridge in the cartridge receptacle compared to the prior art and which in particular also reduces the risk of air access into the ink supply.

Furthermore, it is achieved by the deflection of the Verriegelungsschnappers to the parallel to the insertion plane pivot axis that also required for the deflection of the Verriegelungsschnappers space requirement in the cartridge holder, compared to the prior art, significantly lower. Due to the overall low effective Hebelarmlänge, determined by the point of contact of the lower arcuate side edge of the locking portion of the locking device according to the invention with the cartridge holder, is also achieved that the force acting on insertion of the ink spring force of the Verriegelungsschnappers, or positioning, much less of the inherent elasticity of the plastic used, as is the case in the prior art. Consequently, the locking device according to the invention is also distinguished by precisely definable positioning forces, which can also be adjusted specifically by the choice of the side edge geometry of the latching section. By appropriate choice of the side edge geometry of the positioning force gradient can be set progressively, degressive, almost constant, continuous and / or stepped. The exact adjustability of the positioning force is a significant advantage of the invention over the prior art. Furthermore, compared to the prior art, the locking catch can be designed to be very narrow, so that the width of the ink cartridge can also be narrow in its width transversely to the insertion plane. While according to the EP 0 879 703 the minimum possible ink cartridge width can not fall below the width of the support element, an ink cartridge with the locking device according to the invention of this restriction is not subject. Another important advantage of the ink cartridge according to the invention is that, unlike the prior art, the hinge portion of the Verriegelungsschnappers in its maximum length is not limited to the relatively small width of the ink cartridge, but in its length to a maximum maximum height of the ink cartridge can be freely specified. Thus, the spring constant and flexural strength, or life, of the hinge section can be adjusted specifically. In particular, in the case of refillable ink cartridges, the risk of a hinge break is largely ruled out. In addition, manufacturing variations or flaws, such as material inhomogeneities or bubbles, in this area can be compensated for by a greater length of the hinge section, which has an advantageous effect on the production costs.

Furthermore, it has been shown in experiments that the ink cartridge according to the invention a distinct audible click is heard as soon as the locking edge engages with the provided on the cartridge receiving locking opening, so that the user receives an audible signal when the ink cartridge properly in the cartridge receptacle has been used.

The manufacture of the ink cartridge according to the invention is compared with the prior art, as it is for example in the EP 0 879 703 is described, clearly simplified, since the locking device has no undercuts, which could complicate the demolding of the ink cartridge according to the invention during plastic injection.

Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, the subclaims and the drawings.

Thus, it is proposed in a particularly preferred embodiment of the ink cartridge according to the invention to make the catch portion so that it is viewed in a plane transverse to the longitudinal direction of the hinge portion at a predetermined angle angled with respect to the insertion plane. As a result, at any time during the insertion movement of the ink cartridge, it is ensured that the latching section comes into punctiform contact with the upper edge of the cartridge receptacle. Experiments have shown that particularly good results can be achieved if the latching section extends at an angle in a range of 25 ° to 35 ° with respect to the insertion plane.

Furthermore, in a preferred development of the ink cartridge according to the invention, it is proposed that the side edge of the latching section facing toward the underside of the housing of the ink cartridge be designed such that it extends in an arc shape and merges into the latching edge. Thus, it has been shown that the arcuate shape of the side edge can be used to selectively influence the torques acting on the deflection and thus the forces counteracting the insertion movement of the ink cartridge. The removal of the ink cartridge from the cartridge receptacle is supported by the arcuate profile of the side edge and the spring action of the Verriegelungsschnappers in an advantageous manner.

However, the arcuate course of the side edge can also pass into a straight section running parallel to the insertion plane, before it passes into the latching edge.

The latching portion and the hinge portion are preferably made of the same material, wherein the latching portion viewed in a plane transverse to the longitudinal direction of the hinge portion has a two to three times greater material thickness than the hinge portion. In this way, the elasticity of the Verriegelungsschnappers can be specified very precisely, so that the Verriegelungsschnapper elastically deformed only possible in the hinge section, while the locking portion is relatively stiff.

For easy removal of the ink cartridge from the cartridge receptacle, an actuating element is formed in a preferred embodiment of the ink cartridge according to the invention on the side of the housing facing away from the outside of the locking portion at a distance from the hinge portion.

In a further preferred embodiment of the ink cartridge according to the invention, means are provided, preferably on the side wall of the housing, which limit a deflectability of the Verriegelungsschnappers. In this way, a mechanical overload and thus a cancel of the Verriegelungsschnappers is prevented.

In order to securely support also ink cartridges of relatively large width in the cartridge holder, it is also proposed to provide on the side wall of the ink cartridge two mirror-symmetrical Verriegelungsschnapper, whereby a particularly secure hold of a large ink cartridge, such as a multi-color cartridge, is achieved in the cartridge holder. Instead of a mirror-symmetrical arrangement of the hinge sections, these can also be formed parallel to the side wall of the ink cartridge. While resulting in the mirror-symmetrical arrangement in different directions acting biasing forces and thus ensure the secure hold of the ink cartridge in the cartridge receptacle, the parallel arrangement causes a resulting torque, which according to the arrangement with a Verriegelungsschnapper the secure hold of the ink cartridge in the cartridge receptacle in an advantageous manner supported by the ink cartridge is thereby supported against a guide surface of the cartridge receptacle.

An unclaimed aspect of the invention relates to an ink cartridge in which the locking device has a longitudinal section L-shaped rocker arm with a latching portion and an approximately perpendicular projecting from this actuating portion. The rocker arm is articulated by a film hinge on the side wall of the housing such that the rocker arm pivots automatically when inserting the ink cartridge into the cartridge receptacle in its locking position in which the actuating portion is approximately parallel to the side wall of the housing, or bears against this, during the Locking portion with the locking hole on the cartridge receptacle is engaged. The flanks of the rocker arm are designed so that the rocker arm remains in its locking position without external force and only released again when the rocker arm is pressed by means of the actuating portion back into the release position, whereby the ink cartridge jumps from its locking position. Also with this Ink cartridge ensures a secure hold of the ink cartridge in the cartridge holder. Also in this embodiment, means are preferably provided on the side wall of the housing, which limit a deflectability of the Verriegelungsschnappers to prevent the mechanical overloading and canceling the locking device.

Another unclaimed aspect of the invention relates to an ink cartridge in which the locking device comprises a locking element formed separately from the housing and a latching element to be actuated by the locking element. In this case, at least the locking element in a recess formed on the side wall of the housing between a release position or unlocking position, in which the ink cartridge is removed from the cartridge receptacle, and a locking position, in which the locking element, the locking element with the locking opening in the cartridge receptacle in Engaging holds, held displaceable.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of this ink cartridge, a substantially hollow cylindrical receptacle is integrally formed on the side wall of the housing and closed by the housing side, wherein in the receptacle a ball is provided as a locking element, which by a arranged between this and the side wall compression spring as a locking element in the locking position is biased. The opening of the receptacle is designed so that the ball, although partially projects from the receptacle, but is not pushed out of this by the compression spring. The ink cartridge must be used in this locking device only in the cartridge holder, wherein the ball is first pressed into the receptacle and engages in reaching the final mounting position of the ink cartridge in the locking hole. To remove the ink cartridge from the cartridge holder, the ink cartridge must be removed only against the force of the compression spring from the cartridge holder.

In an alternative development of the ink cartridge with locking element formed separately from the housing, the receptacle is designed as a pivot bearing, by means of which the locking element is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis extending transversely to an insertion plane of the ink cartridge in which the ink cartridge is to be inserted into the cartridge receptacle. At the side wall facing away from the outside of the locking element while a locking lug is formed as a locking element. In this development, there is the advantage that the ink cartridge can be used by simply replacing the locking element for different printer types, provided that the connecting piece is designed accordingly. The locking element is preferably shaped so that it automatically pivots into the locking position when the ink cartridge is inserted into the cartridge receptacle of the inkjet printer under the action of gravity, that is to say that the locking position represents a stable equilibrium position of the pivotably mounted locking element. The need for the use of springs or elastic materials is therefore eliminated.

Preferably serve as a pivot bearing two formed on the side wall bearing blocks, while the locking element has an actuating lever with two laterally projecting bearing journals with which the actuating lever is pivotally mounted in the bearing blocks. At the free end of the actuating lever is toward the side wall or pointing away from this, according to the locking opening formed in the cartridge receiving, a locking lug provided as a locking element. Alternatively, it is proposed to use as a pivot bearing flush in the top or in the lid of the ink cartridge, projecting beyond the side wall hinge strip, while the locking element is designed as a rocker, wherein the rocker in the locking position at the top or on the lid the ink cartridge adjacent actuating lever, which merges into an angled bearing portion with which the rocker is mounted on the hinge strip for rotatable bearings. The bearing section is adjoined by a detent lever extending approximately at right angles to the actuating lever, at the free end of which a detent protrudes as a detent element towards the side wall or projects away from it, in accordance with the locking opening formed in the cartridge receptacle.

In the case of an ink cartridge with a locking element formed separately from the housing, the receptacle can be designed as a pivot bearing on which the locking element designed as a cylindrical rotary latch is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation extending approximately parallel to the insertion plane of the ink cartridge in which the ink cartridge is to be inserted into the cartridge receptacle. As latching element, a spirally extending latching edge is formed on the mantle surface of the cylindrical rotary latch, which can be brought into engagement with the locking opening in the cartridge receptacle after insertion of the ink cartridge by turning the rotary latch about the axis of rotation. The spiral shape of the locking edge, the ink cartridge is pulled when turning the rotary latch in its final installation position and secured in this way in the cartridge holder. To remove the cartridge, the rotary latch must only be turned back to its original position.

Furthermore, in an alternative development of the ink cartridge is proposed with locking element formed separately from the housing, on the side wall as a receptacle Provide channel which on its side facing away from the side wall has an opening into which an integrally formed with the channel wall locking hooks, which protrudes in its unlocked position with its back in the channel and on its side facing away from the channel front has a locking lug as a locking element. To adjust the locking lug, a wedge is introduced into the channel as a locking element, with which the latching hook is movable into its locking position, in which the latching lug is in engagement with the locking opening in the cartridge receptacle. To remove the ink cartridge from the cartridge holder, only the wedge must be pulled out of the channel.

Furthermore, it is proposed in a further development of the ink cartridge with locking element formed separately from the housing to form a pocket as a receptacle on the side wall of the ink cartridge, which on its facing the top or the lid of the ink cartridge end face and opposite to the side wall of the ink cartridge open side may be partially closed. As a locking element in the pocket a substantially U-shaped in cross-section elastic snapper is inserted, which has at least one first leg for supporting on the side wall of the ink cartridge and at least one second leg, at its free end a locking edge as a locking element on the side of the wall the ink cartridge pioneering side is formed. Once the ink cartridge is inserted into the cartridge receptacle, the U-shaped snapper is inserted into the pocket and is supported with the at least one first leg on the side wall, while the at least one second leg engages with its latching edge with the locking opening in the cartridge receptacle comes. To remove the ink cartridge from the cartridge holder only the U-shaped snapper must be compressed so far until the locking edge is out of engagement with the locking hole. Subsequently, the snapper is pulled out of the bag and then the ink cartridge from the cartridge holder. In the event that the bag is formed partially closed on its side opposite the side wall of the ink cartridge side, the U-shaped snapper can also be slidably provided in the pocket, so that when removing the ink cartridge from the cartridge holder, the snapper remains in the bag ,

In order to more accurately position the ink cartridge in the cartridge receptacle, in all of the ink cartridges described above, it is preferably proposed to form a positioning aid on an opposite side wall of the ink cartridge facing away from the side wall of the ink cartridge on which the locking device is provided Insertion of the ink cartridge in the cartridge receptacle in a provided on the cartridge receptacle positioning opening is inserted. With the help of this positioning, which may be formed for example in the form of a positioning pin or a positioning edge, it is possible the ink cartridge already defined when inserting into the cartridge holder to lead.

For the same purpose, it is further proposed to provide on the underside of the ink cartridge a protruding positioning pin, which is insertable when inserting the ink cartridge in the cartridge receptacle in a provided in the cartridge receptacle positioning opening.

It is also proposed to provide at least one positioning aid, preferably a positioning edge or an elastic element, on the connection piece of the ink cartridge, which can be brought into contact with the supply connection of the inkjet printer for positioning when the ink cartridge is inserted into the cartridge receptacle.

Fig. 1

eine Seitenansicht eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Tintenpatrone mit einem Verriegelungsschnapper zum Verriegeln der Tintenpatrone in einer Patronenaufnahme eines Tintenstrahldruckers, wobei der Deckel der Tintenpatrone nicht dargestellt ist,

Fig. 2

eine Draufsicht auf die Tintenpatrone nach Fig. 1

Fig. 3

eine Vorderansicht der Tintenpatrone nach Fig. 1,

Fig. 4

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Tintenpatrone nach Fig. 1,

Fig. 5

eine Draufsicht auf eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform der Tintenpatrone nach Fig. 1,

Fig. 6

eine perspektivische Teilansicht eines zweiten Beispieles einer Tintenpatrone mit einem Kipphebel als Verriegelungsvorrichtung, wobei nur die Verriegelungsvorrichtung und ein Teil des Gehäuses der Tintenpatrone dargestellt ist,

Fig. 7

eine perspektivische Teilansicht einer bevorzugten Ausgestaltung des zweiten Beispieles,

Fig. 8

eine perspektivische Teilansicht eines dritten Beispieles einer Tintenpatrone mit einer in einer Aufnahme vorgespannten Kugel als Verriegelungsvorrichtung,

Fig. 9

eine perspektivische Teilansicht eines vierten Beispieles einer Tintenpatrone mit einem Drehriegel als Verriegelungsvorrichtung,

Fig. 10

eine perspektivische Teilansicht eines fünften Beispieles einer Tintenpatrone mit einem an einem teilweise offenen Kanal angeformten Rasthaken als Verriegelungsvorrichtung, welcher durch einen in den Kanal einzuführenden Keil betätigbar ist,

Fig. 11

eine perspektivische Teilansicht eines sechsten Beispieles einer Tintenpatrone mit einem in eine Aufnahme am Gehäuse einzusetzenden U-förmigen Verriegelungselement als Verriegelungsvorrichtung,

Fig. 12

eine perspektivische Teilansicht einer Abwandlung der Tintenpatrone nach Fig. 11, bei der die der Seitenwand der Tintenpatrone gegenüberliegende Taschenseite nur teilweise offen ausgebildet ist,

Fig. 13

eine perspektivische Teilansicht eines siebten Beispieles einer Tintenpatrone mit einer schwenkbar am Gehäuse gelagerten Wippe als Verriegelungsvorrichtung,

Fig. 14

eine perspektivische Teilansicht eines achten Beispieles einer Tintenpatrone mit einer L-förmigen Wippe als Verriegelungsvorrichtung, welche nahe der Oberseite des Gehäuses schwenkbar gelagert ist.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to eight examples with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows:

Fig. 1

a side view of a first embodiment of an ink cartridge according to the invention with a Verriegelungsschnapper for locking the ink cartridge in a cartridge receptacle of an ink jet printer, wherein the lid of the ink cartridge is not shown,

Fig. 2

a top view of the ink cartridge after Fig. 1

Fig. 3

a front view of the ink cartridge after Fig. 1 .

Fig. 4

a perspective view of the ink cartridge after Fig. 1 .

Fig. 5

a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the ink cartridge according to Fig. 1 .

Fig. 6

a partial perspective view of a second example of an ink cartridge with a rocker arm as a locking device, wherein only the locking device and a part of the housing of the ink cartridge is shown,

Fig. 7

a partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the second example,

Fig. 8

3 is a partial perspective view of a third example of an ink cartridge having a ball biased in a receptacle as a locking device;

Fig. 9

a partial perspective view of a fourth example of an ink cartridge with a rotary latch as a locking device,

Fig. 10

a partial perspective view of a fifth example of an ink cartridge with a molded on a partially open channel latching hook as a locking device which is actuated by a wedge to be inserted into the channel,

Fig. 11

3 is a partial perspective view of a sixth example of an ink cartridge with a U-shaped locking element to be inserted into a receptacle on the housing as a locking device;

Fig. 12

a partial perspective view of a modification of the ink cartridge according to Fig. 11 in which the pocket side opposite the side wall of the ink cartridge is only partially open,

Fig. 13

1 is a partial perspective view of a seventh example of an ink cartridge with a rocker pivotally mounted on the housing as a locking device;

Fig. 14

a partial perspective view of an eighth example of an ink cartridge with an L-shaped rocker as a locking device which is pivotally mounted near the top of the housing.

The Fig. 1 to 4 show a first embodiment of an ink cartridge 10 according to the invention, which is insertable into a cartridge receptacle 12 of an inkjet printer, the cartridge receptacle 12 is provided in a known manner either directly on the printhead or remote from the printhead in the printer housing. For clarity, the lid of the ink cartridge 10 has not been shown.

The ink cartridge 10 has a housing 14 made of plastic, which, in particular the Fig. 2 and 4 show through a partition wall 16 in an ink chamber 18 (in Fig. 2 on the left) and a storage chamber 20 in fluid communication with the ink chamber 18 is subdivided. In the storage chamber 20, a non-illustrated capillary ink reservoir is usually accommodated, for example, a porous sponge or a nonwoven material in which the liquid ink is stored.

The storage chamber 20 communicates with a formed on the underside 20 of the housing 14 connecting piece 24 in fluid communication, which is coupled with properly inserted into the cartridge holder 12 of the ink jet printer ink cartridge 10 to a supply port 26 of the inkjet printer, so that ink from the ink cartridge 10 as needed, the printhead is supplied.

In order to ensure a proper ink supply from the ink cartridge 10 in the inkjet printer, the ink cartridge 10 must be arranged in a defined position in the cartridge receptacle 12 and secured therein. In order to ensure proper and defined retention of the ink cartridge 10 according to the invention in the cartridge receptacle 12, the ink cartridge 10 has for this purpose at its in Fig. 1 and 2 Left side wall 28 shown a locking device 30, whose structure will be explained in detail below.

As locking device 30 is a Verriegelungsschnapper 32, which has one of the side wall 28 of the housing 14 approximately at right angles protruding, with the side wall 28 integrally formed hinge portion 34. The hinge portion 34 extends at least approximately perpendicular to the bottom 22 of the housing 14 and thus at least approximately parallel to an insertion plane E (see Fig. 2 ), in which the ink cartridge 10 is pivoted or pushed into its installed position in the cartridge receptacle 12 (see the arrow in FIG Fig. 1 ), as will be explained in detail later.

The hinge section 34 is adjoined by a latching section 36 which, compared to the hinge section 34, has an approximately two to three times greater material thickness. The locking portion 36 is also approximately perpendicular to the bottom 22 of the housing 14, but is angled with respect to the side wall 28 by a predetermined angle of about 25 ° to 35 °, resulting in an angle α of about 65 ° to 55 ° with respect to the insertion level e results.

The pointing in the direction of the bottom 22 of the housing 14 side edge 38 of the locking portion 36 has an arcuate course and ends in a transverse to the insertion plane E locking edge 40 which is formed on the locking portion 36 by recessed a portion of the locking portion 36 during molding and an approximately Parallel to the side wall 28 extending surface 42 has been formed.

Close to the upper side edge 44 of the latching portion 36 is spaced from the surface 42, an approximately rectangular actuator 46 integrally formed, with which the latching portion 36 can be deflected against a caused by the material elasticity of the hinge portion 34 biasing force by hand.

On the side wall 28 facing away from the opposite side wall 48, a positioning aid in the form of a positioning edge 50 is formed near the bottom 22 of the housing 14. With the help of this positioning edge 50, the insertion of the ink cartridge 10 can be facilitated in the cartridge holder 12. For this purpose, a corresponding receiving opening 52 is provided on the cartridge receptacle 12, into which the positioning edge 50 can be inserted when inserting the ink cartridge 10. This positioning edge 50 thus forms the fulcrum of the insertion movement of the ink cartridge 10 into the cartridge receptacle 12.

Alternatively or additionally, a positioning aid (not shown) in the form of an inwardly projecting into the connecting piece 24 paragraph, one or more inwardly projecting segments and / or one or more elastic elements may be provided on the connecting piece 24, which for increasing the friction between the connection piece 24 and the supply port 26 are arranged inside the connection piece 24.

Furthermore, a positioning pin 54 is formed on the underside 22 of the ink cartridge 10, which additionally holds the ink cartridge 10 in a defined position in the cartridge receptacle 12 when the ink cartridge 10 is inserted, by engaging with a positioning opening 56 provided on the cartridge receptacle 12.

Now, if the ink cartridge 10 is inserted into the cartridge holder 12, the user can first align the ink cartridge 10, either with the help of the positioning edge 50 or provided on the connecting piece 24 positioning aids relatively in the cartridge holder 12. Subsequently, the user pivots the ink cartridge 10 in the insertion level E down, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1 is indicated, wherein the locking latch 32 comes with its arcuate side edge 38 with an upper edge 58 of the cartridge receptacle 12 into contact and the locking latch 32 with increasing insertion movement from his in the Fig. 1 to 4 shown rest position is moved. Due to the inclination of the side edge 38 relative to the counterpart in the cartridge receptacle 12 is achieved that the Verriegelungsschnapper 32 only points at the edge 58 of the cartridge receptacle 12 comes to rest, whereby the insertion of the ink cartridge 10 is facilitated in the cartridge receptacle 12 due to the lower frictional forces , The required when inserting the ink cartridge 10 into the cartridge receptacle 12 positioning force is held by the arcuate configuration of the side edge 38 almost constant until reaching the locking position.

In the final phase of the insertion movement of the ink cartridge 10, the locking edge 36 finally engages in the locking opening 59, whereby the ink cartridge 10 is secured in the cartridge holder 12. In this case, is achieved by the parallel to the insertion level E of the ink cartridge 10 extending pivot axis about which the Verriegelungsschnapper 32 is deflected that the ink cartridge 10 by the biasing force with which the Verriegelungsschnapper 32 on the inside of the cartridge holder 12, in the longitudinal direction of the ink cartridge 10th , d. H. in the direction perpendicular to the side wall 38, is clamped. At the same time causes the Verriegelungsschnapper 32 acting around the connecting piece 24 torque through which the ink cartridge 10 is additionally braced against the cartridge holder 12.

Furthermore, it is achieved by the deflection of the locking catch 32 about the axis parallel to the insertion plane E that the forces required for deflecting the locking catch 32 are relatively low. Thus, the distance between the point at which the cartridge receptacle 12 touches the Verriegelungsschnapper 32, compared with the distance, which is provided in the known from the prior art ink cartridges on comparable locking devices, significantly less, so that consequently also for deflecting the Verriegelungsschnappers 32 required torque is significantly lower.

Further, by appropriate design of the arcuate course of the side edge 38, the torque acting during the deflection and thus the force counteracting the insertion movement of the ink cartridge 10 can be influenced in a targeted manner. Due to the smaller distance between the point of contact between the edge on the cartridge receptacle 12 and the arcuate side edge 38 to the pivot axis extending through the hinge portion 34 is also achieved that due to the small distance, the inherent elasticity of the material from which the Verriegelungsschnapper 32 is made , at most plays a subordinate role for the forces acting on insertion, so that this also a more accurate definition of the actual forces is possible.

Finally, it has been shown in experiments that a distinct audible click can be heard in the ink cartridge 10 according to the invention, as soon as the locking edge 40 engages with the locking opening 59 provided on the cartridge receptacle 12, so that the user receives an acoustic message when the ink cartridge 10 has been properly inserted into the cartridge receptacle 12.

The manufacture of the ink cartridge 10 according to the invention is compared with the prior art, as it is for example in the EP 0 879 703 is described, clearly simplified, since the locking device 32 has no undercuts, whereby the demolding of the ink cartridge 10 according to the invention in the plastic injection is facilitated and lower tooling costs incurred.

If now the ink cartridge 10 are removed from the cartridge holder 12, the Verriegelungsschnapper 32 must be moved against the biasing force only briefly by means of the actuating element 46. As soon as the latching edge 40 is disengaged from the latching opening 59, the ink cartridge 10 is pushed out of the cartridge receptacle 12 by the curved course of the side edge 38 and the biasing force with which the latching latch 30 is pretensioned.

Fig. 5 shows a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the ink cartridge 10 from Fig. 1 , On the side wall 28, a web 29 is provided, which limits a deflectability of the Verriegelungsschnappers 32 to the side wall. This prevents us from breaking off the locking catch 32, which may occur, for example, as a result of mechanical overloading of the hinge section 34. The web 29 can be glued to the side wall 28. However, it is particularly advantageous to mold these in one piece on the side wall 28. Instead of a bridge 29 can advantageously be provided one or more knobs. Web 29 or nubs can advantageously be provided instead of on the side wall 28 and on the side wall 28 facing side of the Verriegelungsschnappers 32.

In the following with reference to the 6 to 12 described embodiments of ink cartridges are ink cartridges, which can be used instead of the previously described ink cartridge 10 in the cartridge holder 12, but in the Fig. 5 to 12 on the representation of the cartridge receptacle 12 has been omitted.

So is in Fig. 6 a second example of an ink cartridge 60 shown in partial perspective view. The structure of the ink cartridge 60 corresponds substantially to the structure of the ink cartridge 10 and differs only in the embodiment of the locking device 62. Thus, in this ink cartridge 60 as a locking device 62 is a longitudinally L-shaped rocker arm 64 is used, which with its side wall 68 closest Angle edge 66 is formed by a film hinge 70 at this. The pivot axis of the film hinge 70 extends transversely to the insertion level E of the ink cartridge 60.

The rocker arm 64 has an actuating portion 72 and a right angle projecting from this latching portion 74. In his in Fig. 6 shown rest position of the rocker arm 64 extends approximately perpendicular to the side wall 68, while the latching portion 74 extends approximately parallel to the side wall 68.

Now, when the ink cartridge 60 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 12, the edge 58 of the cartridge receptacle 12 comes into contact with the underside of the actuating portion 72 and slowly pivots the rocker arm 64 in the continued insertion movement, as indicated by the arrow in FIG Fig. 6 is indicated. In this case, the latching section 74 engages with the locking opening 59 formed on the cartridge receptacle 12, so that the ink cartridge 60 is locked in the cartridge receptacle 12, provided that no external forces act on the actuating section 72.

To release the ink cartridge 60, only the operation portion 72 needs to be pressed in the opposite direction, thereby levering the ink cartridge 60 out of the cartridge receptacle 12.

Fig. 7 shows a preferred embodiment of the ink cartridge Fig. 6 , On the side wall 68, a molding 69 is formed, which the mobility of the rocker arm 64 and thus the locking device 62 limit. This prevents breaking of the rocker arm 64 due to mechanical overload.

Fig. 8 Also, the ink cartridge 80 differs from the ink cartridge 10 by the locking device 82. In this case, the locking device 82 has an approximately hollow cylindrical receptacle 84 which is integrally formed on the side wall 86 and closed on one side and is supported by stiffening ribs. In the receptacle 84, a compression spring 88 (shown in phantom) is used, which is supported on the side wall 86 and biased against a likewise held in the receptacle 84 ball 90 is applied. The opening of the receptacle 84 is designed so that the ball 90 although partially projects from the receptacle 84, but is not pushed out of this by the compression spring 88.

Upon insertion of the ink cartridge 80 into the cartridge receptacle 12, the ball 90 is pressed against the force of the compression spring 88 in the receptacle 84 and finally engages in the provided on the cartridge receptacle 12 locking opening 59, whereby the ink cartridge 80 is secured in the cartridge receptacle 12. To remove the ink cartridge 80, it must only be swung out of the cartridge receptacle 12 against the force of the compression spring 88.

Fig. 9 Also, the structure of the ink cartridge 150 is substantially the same as that of the ink cartridge 10, and differs therefrom only in the locking device 152 used. The locking device 152 is formed as a rotary latch 154 which is approximately parallel to the insertion plane E of the ink cartridge 150 is rotatable axis of rotation. The rotary latch 154 is rotatably mounted for this purpose in two bearing points 158 provided on the side wall 156 of the ink cartridge 150. The bearings 158 are slotted for reasons of mountability, so that the rotary latch 154 can be easily used in the bearings 158.

At his in Fig. 9 At the end shown above, a ribbed actuating element 160 protrudes radially outward, with which the rotary latch 154 can be rotated between a release position or unlocking position and a locking position, as indicated by the arrow in FIG Fig. 9 is indicated. Near the in Fig. 9 bearing 158 shown below, a helical circumferential locking edge 162 is provided around the shaft of the rotary latch 154.

To insert the ink cartridge 150, it is merely inserted into the cartridge receptacle 12 in the usual way and pressed into its installed position, wherein the rotary latch 154 is moved into the release position. Subsequently, the rotary latch 154 is rotated by means of the actuating element 160 in its locking position, wherein the locking edge 162 engages with the provided on the cartridge holder 12 locking opening 59 engages. Due to the helical course of the latching edge 162, the ink cartridge 150 is moved into its final installation position and secured in the cartridge receptacle 12.

To remove the ink cartridge 150 from the cartridge holder 12, only the rotary latch 154 has to be rotated into its release position or unlocking position. The ink cartridge 150 can then be easily removed from the cartridge receptacle 12.

Fig. 10 shows a fifth example of an ink cartridge 170, the structure of which substantially corresponds to the structure of the ink cartridge 10 and only by the locking device 172 differs therefrom. In this example, a channel 176 extending in the insertion plane E of the ink cartridge 170 and rectangular in cross-section is integrally formed on the side wall 174, which has a rectangular opening 178 on its outer side facing away from the ink cartridge 170. In the opening 178 also protrudes parallel to the insertion level E a latching hook 180 which is connected to the in Fig. 10 formed above the channel wall is formed. The latching hook 180 is slightly angled and projects into the channel 176 far enough that the latching hook 180 with the front of its locking lug 182 is approximately flush with the outside of the channel 176.

In the channel 176, a wedge 184 is inserted, which serves as an actuating element for the latching hook 180. If now the ink cartridge 170 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 12, the wedge 184 is first pulled out of the channel 176 so that the latching hook 180 moves into its release position or unlocking position. Subsequently, the ink cartridge 170 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 12. Thereafter, the wedge 184 is inserted into the channel 176, wherein the wedge surface 186 indicated by the dashed line on the wedge 184 with the inside of the latching hook 180 comes into contact and pushes it into the locking position in which the latching hook 180 with its locking lug 182 with the Locking opening 59 of the cartridge holder 12 is engaged. To remove the ink cartridge 170 only the wedge 184 must be pulled out of the channel 176, wherein the latch hook 180 returns to its release position.

Fig. 11 shows a sixth example of an ink cartridge 190, the structure of which also corresponds substantially to that of the ink cartridge 10 and only by the Locking device 192 differs from this. The locking device 192 has a U-shaped snapper 194 which is insertable in a pocket 198 formed on the side wall 196. The bag 198 is for this purpose at its in Fig. 11 open top side, so that the snapper 194 can be inserted into the pocket 198.

The U-shaped snapper 194 has an in Fig. 11 partially concealed first leg 200, with which the snapper 194 is supported on the side wall 196 when the snapper 194 is inserted into the pocket 198. The second leg 202 serves as a latching element and is provided for this purpose at its free end with a locking edge 204.

For installation of the illustrated ink cartridge 190 in the cartridge holder 12, this is first inserted without snap 194 in the cartridge holder 12 and pressed by hand in its final installation position. Subsequently, the U-shaped snapper 194 is inserted into the pocket 198, wherein the second leg 202 is deflected in the direction of the first leg 200. As soon as the latching edge 204 engages in the locking opening 59 formed on the cartridge receptacle 12, the ink cartridge 190 is locked in the cartridge receptacle 12. To release the ink cartridge 190 of the U-shaped snapper must be compressed only near the junction between the two legs 200 and 202, so that the locking edge 204 is disengaged from the locking hole 59. Subsequently, the snapper 194 can be pulled out of the pocket 198 and finally the ink cartridge 190 removed.

In Fig. 12 Finally, in perspective partial view of an ink cartridge 210 is shown, which is a modification of the in Fig. 11 shown ink cartridge 190 is. The ink cartridge 210 also has a pocket 212 on one of its side walls 214, but the pocket side opposite the side wall 214 of the ink cartridge 210 is partially closed and has a guide groove 218 extending toward the bottom 216 of the ink cartridge 210.

As a locking device 220 is a U-shaped snapper 222, in which the first leg 224 is divided into two leg portions 226 and 228, which are only partially shown. The second leg 230 is adapted to the width of the guide recess 218 and guided in this. At the free end of the second leg 230, as in the Fig. 11 shown example, a locking edge 232 is formed, with which the snapper 222 with the locking hole 59 can be brought into engagement.

The U-shaped snapper 222 is guided with its two leg portions 226 and 228 of the first leg 224 in the pocket 212, while the second leg 230 is guided in the guide recess 218, wherein the locking edge 232 protrudes beyond the outside of the pocket 212 and in their locking position is located.

After inserting the ink cartridge 210 into the cartridge receptacle 12, the ink cartridge 210 is initially held in its installed position. Subsequently, the snapper 222 is inserted with its two leg portions 226 and 228 of the first leg 224 in the pocket 212. Alternatively, the snapper 222 may already be partially inserted into the pocket 212 prior to insertion of the ink cartridge 210. Thereafter, the latch 222 is pressed down into its locking position (see arrow in FIG Fig. 12 ), wherein the second leg 230 is deflected by the engaging with the inside of the cartridge receptacle 12 locking edge 232 in the direction of the ink cartridge 210 until the locking edge 232 engages with the locking hole 59.

To release the ink cartridge 210, the latch 222 must be compressed at its projecting from the pocket 212 at which the legs 224 and 230 merge into one another, whereby the locking edge 232 is brought out of engagement with the locking opening 59. Subsequently, the snapper 222 is at least partially pulled out of the pocket 212 and the ink cartridge 212 taken from the cartridge holder 12.

Fig. 13 shows a seventh example of an ink cartridge 100, whose structure also corresponds to that of the ink cartridge 10 and differs from it only with respect to the locking device 102 used.

Thus, the locking device 102 has an actuating lever 104, from the two longitudinal edges of each of which a bearing journal 106 protrudes. The actuating lever 104 is rotatably mounted with the bearing pin 106 in two provided on the side wall 108 of the ink cartridge 100 bearing blocks 110 rotatable about a transverse to the insertion plane E pivot axis. On its side facing away from the side wall 108, a right-angled latching lug 112 is provided at the free end of the actuating lever 104, wherein the latching lug 112 is slightly chamfered on its outside. The operating lever 104 is thereby formed so that, when the ink cartridge 100 is in the cartridge receptacle, it is pivoted into the locking position by the action of gravity.

When the ink cartridge 100 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 12, the edge 58 of the cartridge receptacle 12 comes into contact with the chamfered detent 112 and pivots the actuating lever 104 against gravity into a release position, in which the detent 112 past the edge 58 on the inside of the Cartridge receptacle 12 slides along until the latch 112 engages under the action of gravity with the formed on the cartridge receptacle 12 locking opening 59 engages, that is, is in its locking position, which corresponds to a stable equilibrium position.

To remove the ink cartridge 100, the user merely has to operate the actuating lever 104 against the action of gravity and move the latch 112 from its locking position to its release position or unlocking position. Then, the user can easily remove the ink cartridge 100 from the cartridge receptacle 12.

In Fig. 14 An eighth example of an ink cartridge 120 is shown. Also, this ink cartridge 120 corresponds in structure substantially in the Fig. 1 to 4 shown ink cartridge 10 and differs from this only in terms of their locking device 122. Thus, in this fifth example as a locking device 122, a rocker 124 is used. The rocker 124 has an actuating lever 126, which merges into an angled bearing portion 128. On the inside of the bearing portion 128 a transverse to the rocker 124 extending bearing groove 130 is formed, with which the rocker 124 is pivotally mounted on a transverse to the insertion level E of the ink cartridge 120 hinge strip 132, as indicated by the arrow in FIG Fig. 8 is indicated. The hinge strip 120 extends approximately perpendicularly from the side edge 134 of the lid 136 of the ink cartridge 120 and protrudes beyond the side wall 138 of the ink cartridge 120.

At the bearing portion 128, a locking lever 140 connects, which extends approximately at right angles to the actuating lever 126 and at its free end has a latching nose 142. Again, by suitable design - for example, by sufficiently large dimensions of the actuating lever 126 in comparison to the locking lever 140 - the locking device 122 reaches that it automatically assumes the locking position under the action of gravity, which corresponds to a stable equilibrium position.

To insert the ink cartridge 120 is inserted in a known manner in the cartridge holder 12, wherein in the last insertion phase, the edge 58 of the cartridge holder 12 comes into contact with the chamfered on the outside latching lug 142 and the rocker 124 from its stable Pressing equilibrium position in a release position in which the latching lug 142 slides along the inside of the cartridge holder until the latching lug 142 engages under the influence of gravity n the locking opening 59 provided on the cartridge receptacle 12.

To remove the ink cartridge 120 only the actuating lever 126 must be raised against gravity until the locking lug 142 out of engagement with the locking opening 59 passes. Subsequently, the ink cartridge 120 of the cartridge holder 12 can be removed.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

ink cartridge

12

cartridge receiver

14

casing

16

partition wall

18

ink chamber

20

storage chamber

22

bottom

24

spigot

26

supply terminal

28

Side wall

29

web

30

locking device

32

locking catch

34

Hinge section

36

detent portion

38

lower arcuate side edge

40

catch edge

42

area

44

upper side edge

46

actuator

48

Side wall

50

positioning edge

52

receiving opening

54

positioning

56

positioning

58

edge

59

locking opening

e

introduction plane

60

ink cartridge

62

locking device

64

rocker arm

66

angled edge

68

Side wall

69

formation

70

film hinge

72

actuating section

74

detent portion

80

ink cartridge

82

locking device

84

admission

86

Side wall

88

compression spring

90

Bullet

100

ink cartridge

102

locking device

104

actuating lever

106

pivot

108

Side wall

110

bearing blocks

112

locking lug

120

ink cartridge

122

locking device

124

seesaw

126

actuating lever

128

Angled bearing section

130

bearing groove

132

hinge strip

134

side edge

136

cover

138

Side wall

140

locking lever

142

locking lug

150

ink cartridge

152

locking device

154

Spagnolet

156

Side wall

158

bearings

160

actuator

162

catch edge

170

Tintenpatrohe

172

locking device

174

Side wall

176

channel

178

opening

180

latch hook

182

locking lug

184

wedge

186

wedge surface

190

ink cartridge

192

locking device

194

U-shaped snapper

196

Side wall

198

bag

200

first leg

202

second leg

204

catch edge

210

ink cartridge

212

bag

214

Side wall

216

bottom

218

guide recess

220

locking device

222

U-shaped snapper

224

first leg

226

leg portion

228

leg portion

230

second leg

232

catch edge

Claims (6)

1. An ink cartridge for insertion into a cartridge-holder in an ink jet printer, comprising a casing (14) containing at least one ink storage chamber (20), at least one nozzle (24) on the underside (22) of the casing (14) for connecting the ink storage chamber (20) to a supply connection (26) on the ink jet printer when the ink cartridge (10) is inserted in the cartridge-holder (12), and

   a spring-loaded catch (32) which is resiliently prestressed into a locking position and projects from the outside of a side wall (28) of the casing (14) adjoining the underside (22) and is formed with a catch edge (40) whereby the spring-loaded catch (32), when in its locking position, is lockable in an opening (59) on the cartridge-holder (12) in order to lock the ink cartridge (10) in the cartridge-holder (12),

   characterised in that

   the spring-loaded catch (32) has a hinge portion (34) having an axis of rotation extending approximately parallel to the plane (E) in which the ink cartridge (10) is insertable into the cartridge-holder (12), and the hinge portion (34) adjoins a catch portion (36) on which the catch edge (40) is formed and extends transversely of the insertion plane (E).
2. An ink cartridge according to claim 1, characterised in that the catch portion (36) extends at a set angle (α), preferably between 55° and 65°, to the insertion plane (E).
3. An ink cartridge according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the side edge (38) of the catch portion (36) extending in the direction of the underside (22) of the casing (14) is arcuate and merges into the catch edge (40).
4. An ink cartridge according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the catch portion (36) is made of the same material as the hinge portion (34) and is substantially two to three times as thick as the hinge portion (34).
5. An ink cartridge according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that means (29) are provided for limiting the possible deflection or excursion of the spring-loaded catch (32).
6. An ink cartridge according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that first positioning means (50, 54) are provided on the ink cartridge (10) and interact with second positioning means (52, 56) on the cartridge-holder (12) when the ink cartridge (10) is inserted into the cartridge-holder (12).

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