EP1790480B1 - Ink cartridge, main body and refill unit - Google Patents
Ink cartridge, main body and refill unit Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1790480B1 EP1790480B1 EP06013000A EP06013000A EP1790480B1 EP 1790480 B1 EP1790480 B1 EP 1790480B1 EP 06013000 A EP06013000 A EP 06013000A EP 06013000 A EP06013000 A EP 06013000A EP 1790480 B1 EP1790480 B1 EP 1790480B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- ink cartridge
- door
- main body
- ink
- opening
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000004308 accommodation Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 239000000976 ink Substances 0.000 description 268
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 11
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 9
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 8
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 8
- 230000007935 neutral effect Effects 0.000 description 8
- 238000005192 partition Methods 0.000 description 8
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 6
- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 description 5
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000004973 liquid crystal related substance Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000994 depressogenic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005304 joining Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 125000006850 spacer group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 230000003068 static effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
- B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
- B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
- B41J2/1752—Mounting within the printer
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
- B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
- B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
- B41J2/17553—Outer structure
Definitions
- the present invention is relates to an ink cartridge, a main body and a refill unit of an ink jet recording apparatus.
- the ink jet recording apparatus ejects ink droplets from a recording head onto a transferred recording paper so as to record an image on the recording paper.
- ink is previously stored in an ink tank of a cartridge type (ink cartridge) and the ink is supplied to the recording head from the ink cartridge. Therefore, if the residual amount of the stored ink in the ink tank is reduced, the ink cartridge is required to be replaced with a new one (for example, refer Patent Documents 1 to 5).
- the ink cartridge is accommodated in a casing mounted in the ink jet recording apparatus.
- Ink cartridges include an on-carriage type and an off-carriage type.
- the ink cartridge of the on-carriage type is mounted to a carriage where the recording head is mounted and that can reciprocate along a direction perpendicular to a paper transferring direction.
- a casing is mounted on the carriage and the ink is supplied to the recording head from the ink cartridge accommodated in the casing.
- a casing which accommodates the ink cartridge, is provided somewhere in the ink jet recording apparatus other than on the carriage. That is, the ink cartridge and the casing are previously structured as a unit and the unit is provided in somewhere in the ink jet recording apparatus. Therefore, ink is supplied to the recording head from the casing which accommodates the ink cartridge via an ink supplying pipe and the like.
- the unit is called a refill unit in this application.
- the casing of the refill unit generally has a door.
- the door is closed when the ink cartridge is accommodated in the casing. Accordingly, the ink cartridge is surely accommodated and held in the casing.
- An ink supplying needle is arranged inside the casing. The ink supplying needle is inserted into the ink cartridge when the ink cartridge is accommodated in the casing.
- the ink in the ink cartridge is supplied to the recording head via the ink supplying needle, the ink supplying pipe and the like.
- the door is opened and the ink cartridge is removed from the casing (for example, refer to Patent Document 6).
- EP 0 478 244 A shows an ink cartridge according to the preamble of claim 1.
- EP 10 109 427 A shows a main body according to the preamble of claim 4.
- the ink cartridge is replaced easily and in a short time by a user of the ink jet recording apparatus. That is, it is required that the used ink cartridge is easily removed from the casing and a new ink cartridge is easily inserted into the casing.
- An object of the present invention is to provide a refill unit, a main body for a refill unit used in the refill unit and an ink cartridge for the refill unit which enable easy insertion/removal of the ink cartridge into/from a casing by a user.
- an ink cartridge according to claim 1 is provided.
- the ink cartridge can be accommodated in the accommodating portion, and the ink cartridge is removed from the accommodating portion as follows.
- the door is first opened.
- the pulling member pulls out the ink cartridge toward the opening. Accordingly, a user can pull out the ink cartridge from the accommodating portion through the opening.
- the ink cartridge is accommodated in the accommodating portion, the ink cartridge is inserted into the accommodating portion from the opening while the door is open. At this time, the ink cartridge, which is to be inserted to the accommodating portion, is previously supported by the pulling member. Then, the ink cartridge is inserted to the accommodating portion, being guided by the pulling member.
- the pulling member when the door is moved from the closed position to the open position, the pulling member can surely pull out the ink cartridge toward the opening. Further, when a new ink cartridge is inserted to the accommodating portion from the opening, the ink cartridge is surely supported and guided by the pulling member. Therefore, the ink cartridge can be replaced more easily.
- the door is designed in a compact size, which reduces a size of the unit body for a refill unit.
- the ink cartridge can be inserted into and removed from the accommodating portion on the front side of the unit body for a refill unit by a user, the ink cartridge can be replaced more easily.
- the curved portion is rotated so that the ink cartridge is pulled out of the unit body and the curved portion functions as the guide member. Therefore, the structure of the pulling member is simple, which reduces manufacturing cost of the unit body for a refill unit
- the used ink cartridge is replaced according to the following steps.
- the door is opened.
- a pulling member pulls the ink cartridge toward the opening. Accordingly, a use can pull out the ink cartridge from the opening.
- a new ink cartridge is inserted to an accommodating portion from the opening.
- the door is at the open position and the new ink cartridge, which is to be inserted to the accommodating portion, is previously supported by the pulling member. Then, the ink cartridge is inserted to the accommodating portion, being guided by the pulling member.
- the pulling member when the door is moved from the closed position to the open position, the pulling member can surely pull out the ink cartridge toward the opening. Furthermore, when a new ink cartridge is inserted to the accommodating portion from the opening, the ink cartridge is surely supported and guided by the pulling member. Therefore, a user can replace the ink cartridge easily.
- each of the pulling members is received into the groove formed in the ink cartridge. Further, since the distance between the pair of pulling members is set to equal to or smaller than a width of the ink cartridge, the pulling members received in the ink cartridge do not protrude from the ink cartridge. Therefore, the door is designed in a compact size, which reduces a size of the refill unit.
- the ink cartridge can be inserted to and removed from the accommodating portion on the front side of the refill unit by a user, the ink cartridge can be replaced more easily.
- the curved portion is rotated so that the ink cartridge is pulled out from the refill unit.
- the curved portion also functions as a guide member. Therefore, the structure of the pulling member becomes simple, which reduces manufacturing cost of the refill unit.
- the ink cartridge since the ink cartridge is pulled out from the casing by the pulling member when the door is moved from the closed position to the open position, the ink cartridge is removed from the casing easily. Further, when the door is open, a new ink cartridge is guided by the pulling member so as to be accommodated in the casing. Accordingly, a new ink cartridge is inserted to the casing easily. That is, when an operator simply opens the door, the used ink cartridge is pulled out from the casing, and the operator can easily accommodate a new ink cartridge into the casing while the door is open. Accordingly, the ink cartridge can be replaced quite easily.
- Figure 1 is an external perspective view of a multifunction device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- the multifunction device 10 is an MFD (multi function device) integrally comprising a printer part 11 at the bottom and a scanner part 12 at the top, and has various functions such as a printer function, scanner function, copy function, and facsimile function.
- the multifunction device 10 is mainly connected to an unillustrated computer, and records images and texts on recording paper, which serves as the recording medium, based on image data and text data transmitted from the computer.
- the multifunction device 10 can be connected to an external device such as a digital camera to record image data outputted from the digital camera on the recording paper.
- the multifunction device 10 comprises the subsequently described slot part 61, and allows image data or the like stored on a storage medium to be recorded on the recording paper by installing various types of storage medium such as a memory card in this slot part 61.
- the distinguishing features of the multifunction device 10 according to the present embodiment are the point that the aforementioned printer part 11 is constituted as an ink jet recording device and has on the front surface of the device a refill unit 70 which stores in advance the ink which is supplied to the recording head which ejects ink drops, and the point that this refill unit 70 has a structure which aids the ink cartridge insertion and removal operation, so that the user of this multifunction device 10 can very simply and rapidly perform the ink cartridge replacement operation. Since the present invention is implemented in the form of the refill unit 70 which is incorporated into the multifunction device 10 described below, it goes without saying that the configuration of the multifunction device 10 can be modified in design as appropriate without changing the gist of the present invention.
- Figure 2 is a drawing schematically illustrating the internal structure of the aforementioned multifunction device 10.
- Figure 3 is a drawing schematically illustrating the internal structure of the aforementioned scanner part 12 (the portion shown by the dotted line in Figure 2 ).
- the scanner part 12 comprises a document bed 13 which functions as an FBS (flatbed scanner) and a document cover 15 provided thereon.
- the document cover 15 comprises an auto document feeder mechanism (hereinafter referred to as "ADF") 14, and is attached to the back surface of the document bed 13 via hinges to allow opening and closing.
- ADF auto document feeder mechanism
- the document cover 15 is opened and closed by turning in the direction of arrow 16 relative to the document bed 13.
- the document bed 13 is comprised in the case of the multifunction device 10, and the document cover 15 constitutes part of the top surface of the multifunction device 10.
- the document bed 13 also serves as the frame of the scanner part 12. As shown in Figure 3 , a contact glass plate 20 is provided on the ceiling 19 of the document bed 13. Furthermore, an image reading unit 18 is arranged inside the document bed 13. Documents are placed between the document cover 15 and the contact glass plate 20. The image read unit 18 reads the image from the document by moving below the contact glass plate 20 along the contact glass plate 20, i.e. in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in Figure 3 .
- the document read unit 18 comprises a CIS unit 21, guide shaft 22, roller unit 23 and an unillustrated belt drive mechanism.
- the document read unit 18 comprises a CIS (contact image sensor), but a reducing optical image sensor such as a CCD (charge coupled device) can be of course be used instead of a CIS.
- the CIS unit 21 comprises a slender cuboid case 43, and this case 43 is fitted to and supported by a carriage 24.
- the guide shaft 22 is mounted in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of the same drawing. This guide shaft 22 passes through the bottom end part 25 of said carriage 24. Namely, the CIS unit 21 is supported by this guide shaft 22, and slides while being guided by the guide shaft 22.
- the aforementioned belt driving mechanism comprises a timing belt (not illustrated) driven by a motor, for instance. A portion of this timing belt is coupled to the bottom end part 25 of said carriage 24.
- the aforementioned roller unit 23 is arranged at both ends of the CIS unit 21.
- This roller unit 23 touches the bottom surface 26 of the contact glass plate 20.
- this roller unit 23 rolls in the direction of movement of the carriage 24 over the back surface 26 of the contact glass plate 20 when the carriage 24 moves.
- this roller unit 23 aids in the smooth movement of the CIS unit 21.
- the roller unit 23 also plays the role of a spacer, which maintains a constant distance between the CIS unit 21, and the document resting on the contact glass plate 20.
- the document cover 15 comprises the aforementioned ADF 14.
- This ADF 14 is configured to allow continuous feeding of a document up to a prescribed number of sheets from the document tray 47 to the paper ejection tray 46.
- the mechanism for continuously feeding the document is built into the document cover 15. Since the ADF 14 has a known structure, detailed description thereof will be omitted. The ADF 14 may also be left out of the present embodiment.
- Figure 4 is a drawing, which schematically represents the internal configuration of the printer part 11 (the part indicated by a dotted line in Figure 2 ).
- the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in Figure 4 is the width direction of the multifunction device 10, which matches the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in Figure 2 .
- the printer part 11 comprises an image recording part 28 having a frame constituted by the aforementioned document bed 13, and an ink jet recording head 27 (hereinafter referred to simply as "recording head 27").
- the printer part 11 is comprised of an ink jet recording device.
- the printer part 11 comprises the aforementioned refill unit 70.
- This refill unit 70 is contained in from of the document bed 13, i.e. on the side of the front surface 71, as shown in Figure 1 .
- the refill unit 70 is able to house and retain four ink cartridges.
- the ink cartridges hold ink of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan colors.
- the inks of the various colors held in these ink cartridges are designed to be supplied to the aforementioned recording head 27 via an ink tube (supply tube). Illustration of the ink tube has been omitted from Figure 4 .
- the document bed 13 constituting the frame of the printer part 11 has an opening and closing cover 72 on the aforementioned front surface 71 side.
- This opening and closing cover 72 opens and closes an opening 73 provided at an end part of this front surface 71.
- the opening and closing cover 72 is rotatable between a position where it exposes the refill unit 70 through said opening 73 by leaning forward as shown in Figure 1 , and a position where said opening 73 is closed to contain the refill unit 70.
- the document bed 13 is provided with an opening 42 in the middle of its front surface, and a paper supply tray 29 is arranged inside this opening 42 (see Figure 4 ).
- a paper supply tray 29 is arranged inside this opening 42 (see Figure 4 ).
- the recording paper fed from the paper supply tray 29 is ejected into a paper ejection tray 32 provided in said opening 42 after the image has been recorded in the manner described below.
- a separation tilt plate 30 is arranged on the inner side of the aforementioned paper supply tray 29 (on the right side in Figure 4 ). This separation tilt plate 30 separates the recording paper sheets stacked in the paper supply tray 29 and guides them upward.
- a paper feed path 31 is formed going upward from the separation tilt plate 30.
- the paper feed path 31 extends upward and then curves to the left, extending from the back surface side of the multifunction device 10 to the front surface side. Furthermore, the paper feed path 31 passes through the image recording part 28 and into the paper ejection tray 32. Therefore, the recording paper housed in the paper supply tray 29 is guided to the image recording part 28 by the paper feed path 31 such that it makes a U-tum from the bottom upward. After the image recording part 28 has performed image recording on the recording paper being fed through the paper feed path 31, the recording paper is ejected into the paper ejection tray 32. In Figure 1 , the paper ejection tray 32 and the aforementioned paper supply tray 29 are not shown.
- a paper supply roller 34 is provided above the paper supply tray 29.
- the paper supply roller 34 separates the recording paper stacked in the paper supply tray 29 one sheet at a time and feeds it into the paper feed path 31.
- the structure of the paper supply roller 34 is known.
- the paper supply roller 34 and pivotally supported on the tip of a paper supply arm 35. This paper supply arm 35 is above to move up and down towards and away from the paper supply tray 29.
- the paper supply roller 34 is coupled to a motor via an unillustrated drive transmission mechanism. This drive transmission mechanism can be configured based on the engagement of a plurality of gears. Actuating the aforementioned motor causes its driving force to be transmitted to the paper supply roller 34, causing the paper supply roller 34 to rotate. The rotating paper supply roller 34 feeds the recording paper to the paper feed path 31.
- the paper supply arm 35 is supported on a based end shaft 36 and is able to rotate around the base end shaft 36. As a result, the paper supply arm 35 is able to slide up and down with the base end shaft 36 as the center of sliding. This paper supply arm 35 is impelled toward the paper supply tray 29 by means of an unillustrated paper supply clutch, spring, etc. when the paper supply tray 29 is installed, and retracts upward during insertion or removal of the paper supply tray 29. The downward turning of the paper supply arm 35 causes the paper supply roller 34 pivotally supported on its tip to press against the surface of the recording paper on the paper supply tray 29.
- the paper feed path 31, outside of the places where the image recording part 28 and the like are arranged, is demarcated by an outer guide surface and inner guide surface which face each other at a prescribed spacing.
- the outer guide surface is comprised of the inner wall surface of the frame of the printer part 11 comprised of the document bed 13, while the inner guide surface is comprised of the surface of a guide member provided inside said frame.
- feed rollers may be provided, particularly in places where the paper feed path 31 curves. Although no feed rollers are shown in said figure, feed rollers may be arranged rotatably with the width direction of the paper feed path 31 (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in Figure 4 ) as the rotational center shaft direction. The feed rollers are mounted so that their roller surface is exposed to the aforementioned outer guide surface or inner guide surface. Providing these feed rollers causes the recording paper to be fed smoothly in contact with the guide surface even in places where the paper feed path 31 curves.
- the aforementioned image recording part 28 is arranged downstream of where the paper feed path 31 makes an upward U-turn.
- a platen 37 is arranged opposite the aforementioned recording head 27.
- the fed recording paper is brought over the platen 37.
- the recording head 27 emits ink drips on the recording paper arranged over the platen 37.
- the recording head 27 is mounted on an unillustrated carriage. This carriage moves back and forth in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in said drawing by means of a CR motor.
- the location and reciprocating operation of the recording head 27 is monitored by an unillustrated carriage encoder.
- the recording head 27 emits ink of each of the aforementioned colors in the form of ink drops onto the aforementioned recording paper while moving back and forth, thereby recording an image on the recording paper.
- a drive roller 39 and press roller 38 are provided on the upstream side of said recording head 27 in the paper feed path 31.
- the drive roller 39 is rotationally driven by an unillustrated LF motor.
- the drive roller 39 and press roller 38 sandwich the recording paper being fed along the paper feed path 31.
- the rotation of the drive roller 39 causes the recording paper to be fed downstream in the paper feed path 31 and to be arranged over the platen 37.
- a paper ejection roller 40 and press roller 41 are provided downstream of said recording head 27 in the paper feed path 31.
- the paper ejection roller 40 is rotationally driven by the LF motor, which drives the aforesaid drive roller 39. Namely, the paper ejection roller 40 is driven synchronously with the drive roller 39 by means of an unillustrated interlocking mechanism.
- the paper ejection roller 40 and press roller 41 sandwich the recording paper onto which ink drops have been emitted, and rotation of the paper ejection roller 40 causes said recording paper to be fed downstream in the paper feed path 31.
- the aforementioned press roller 38 is elastically impelled toward the drive roller 39 so as to depress said drive roller 39 with a prescribed pressure. Therefore, when the recording paper enters between the drive roller 39 and press roller 38, the press roller 38 sandwiches the recording paper in cooperation with the driver roller 39 while retracting elastically by the width of the recording paper. Since the recording paper is nipped by the drive roller 39 and press roller 38 in this manner, the rotational force of the drive roller 39 is reliably transmitted to the recording paper. Furthermore, the aforementioned press roller 41 is arranged in the same manner in relation to the aforementioned paper ejection roller 40. In the present embodiment, since the press roller 41 presses against recording paper on which recording has been completed, the roller surface is formed in a spurred shape so as to not degrade the image recorded on the recording paper.
- the recording paper sandwiched between the drive roller 39 and press roller 38 is fed intermittently over the platen 37 by a prescribed line feed width.
- the recording head 27 is moved forward and/or back upon each line feed of the recording paper to perform image recording successively from the leading edge of the recording paper.
- Recording paper on which image recording has been carried out is sandwiched between the paper ejection roller 40 and press roller 41 staring at its leading edge.
- the recording paper is fed intermittently by a prescribed line feed width while being sandwiched at its leading edge side by the paper ejection roller 40 and press roller 41 and at its trailing edge side by the drive roller 39 and press roller 38, and image recording is carried out by the recording head 27 as the paper is being fed in this manner.
- the paper ejection roller 40 is rotationally driven continuously and the recording paper sandwiched by the paper ejection roller 40 and press roller 41 is ejected into the paper ejection tray 32.
- a control panel 45 is mounted on the upper sloping surface of the document bed 13 constituting the frame of the printer part 11.
- This control panel 45 is a device for controlling the printer part 11, scanner part 12, and the like.
- Various control keys 56 through 58, a liquid crystal display 59 and the like are provided on its top surface 44.
- a controller (not illustrated), which controls the actuation of the printer part 11 and scanner part 12 and the operation of the multifunction device 10 as a whole, is provided in the bottom part of the document bed 13.
- a control board 54 is arranged below this control panel 45 (inside the document bed 13).
- the various control keys 56 through 58 arranged on the control panel 45 are connected to the control board 54 via an unillustrated flat cable.
- This control board 54 is connected to the aforementioned controller, which processes the instructions from the aforementioned control keys 56 through 58 and controls the actuation of the multifunction device 10.
- the user of the multifunction device 10 inputs the desired instructions using the various control keys 56 through 58 of the control panel 45.
- the multifunction device 10 receives this input and performs the prescribed operation.
- a personal computer or the like can be connected to this multifunction device 10.
- the multifunction device 10 can also operation according to instructions transmitted via a scanner driver, printer driver or the like from the personal computer, in addition to the instructions from the control panel 45.
- the aforementioned slot part 61 is arranged on the front surface of the multifunction device 10.
- Storage media such as various compact memory cards can be installed in this slot part 61.
- Compact memory cards can store image data; the image data is read from the compact memory card installed in the slot part 61, and information on this image data is displayed on the liquid crystal display 59. Any image displayed on the liquid crystal display 59 can be recorded on recording paper by the printer part 11. The input for this purpose is performed via the aforementioned control panel 45.
- Figure 5 is a perspective view of refill unit 70.
- Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view along VI-VI in Figure 5 .
- This refill unit 70 comprises a unit main body 74 and an ink cartridge 63 which can be installed in and removed from the unit main body 74.
- the unit main body 74 comprises a case 75 which the ink cartridge 63 is inserted into and removed from, a door 76 provided on the case 75, and a pullout member 77 provided on the door 76.
- the case 75 is made for instance from resin, and is overall formed in a substantially cuboid shape.
- a housing chamber 78 (retaining part) in which the ink cartridge 63 is housed and retained is demarcated inside the case 75 (see Figure 6 ).
- the case 75 has four housing chambers 78, which the aforementioned four ink cartridges 63 being inserted into and removed from the respective housing chambers 78.
- the inner wall surface shape of each housing chamber 78 corresponds to the outer circumferential surface shape of the ink cartridge 63.
- the case 75 comprises a bottom plate part 80, a pair of side plate parts 81 arranged on the left and right sides of the bottom plate part 80, and a ceiling plate 82 arranged to span between the side plate parts 81, and is equipped with partition wall parts (not illustrated) serving to demarcate the aforementioned housing chambers 78.
- the partition wall parts are arranged according to the number of the ink cartridges 63 housed in the case 75. Of course, these partition wall parts do not need to be arranged so as to completely demarcate each housing chamber 78, and can be formed in the shape of ribs which partition adjacent housing chambers 78 on the bottom plate part 80 at least.
- the bottom plate part 80, side plate parts 81, ceiling plate part 82 and partition walls are preferably formed integrally.
- Unillustrated push rods are provided on the back surface of the case 75. Each of these push rod extend towards the housing chambers 78, and is inserted into an air intake valve 85 (see Figure 7 , Figure 13 through Figure 14 ) provided in the ink cartridge 63 when an ink cartridge 63 is placed inside the case 75. This allows air to enter inside the ink cartridge 63 through the air intake valve 85, so that the ink from inside the ink cartridge 63 is fed smoothly toward the recording head 27.
- a liquid level sensor connector 86 is provided on the back surface of case 75. This liquid level sensor connector 86 is connected to a liquid level sensor 87 provided in the ink cartridge 63 when the ink cartridge 63 is installed in case 75. The liquid level sensor connector 86 is connected to the aforementioned controller, and the controller constantly monitors the remaining quantity of ink held in each ink cartridge 63.
- the top surface of the aforementioned bottom plate part 80 constitutes the placement surface 98 on which the ink cartridge 63 is placed.
- the height position of this placement surface 98 is set such that, when the ink cartridge 63 has been inserted into said housing chamber 78, the unillustrated ink supply tube is inserted into the ink supply valve 115 of ink cartridge 63, said push rod is inserted into the air intake valve 85 of ink cartridge 63 (see Figure 14 ), and said liquid level sensor connector 86 engages the liquid level sensor 87 of the ink cartridge 63.
- a rib 124 is provided on the aforementioned ceiling plate part 80, thereby increasing the rigidity of the case 75.
- the ceiling plate part 80 comprises a swing arm 123.
- Figure 7 is a side view of the main parts of unit main body 74, and schematically illustrates the relationship between opening/closing of door 76 and sliding of the swing arm 123.
- This swing arm 123 is formed as a whole approximately into an L shape, and has a first arm 125 and a second arm 126.
- a support shaft 127 is arranged in the boundary area between the first arm 125 and the second arm 126, and the swing arm 123 is supported rotatably on this support shaft 127.
- a tension spring 128 is mounted between the first arm 125 and the ceiling plate part 82.
- the swing arm 123 Since the swing arm 123 is elastically impelled in this manner, it can change to the position shown by the solid line when it receives a force in the counterclockwise direction opposing said elastic force.
- the swing arm 123 is made to engage the top surface 122 of the ink cartridge 63 and allows the ink cartridge 63 to be forcibly pushed out from said housing chamber 78 as described below.
- openings 88 are provided on the front surface 79 of the case 75. These openings 88 are arranged so as to correspond to each of the housing chambers 78.
- the aforementioned housing chambers 78 are arranged in the case 75 as a continuation of the opening 88, and the aforesaid four ink cartridges 63 are designed to be inserted into and removed from the housing chambers 78 through these openings 88 from the front surface 79 side.
- Figure 8 is a cross-section of the unit main body 74 in the state where said door 76 is open.
- Figure 9 and Figure 10 are exploded perspective views of this door 76.
- Said door 76 opens and closes said opening 88.
- a door 76 is provided on each of the opening 88, and is designed to change position between a position where the opening 88 is closed (closed position) as shown in Figure 6 , and a position where the opening 88 is opened (open position) as shown in Figure 8 .
- the ink cartridge 63 is securely retained in said housing chamber 78.
- the ink cartridge 63 can be easily inserted into or removed from said housing chamber 78.
- the door 76 comprises a door main body 89, a pushing retaining member 90 provided thereon, a lock member 91 and a lock release lever 92, which are all molded from resin.
- the door main body 89 is formed into a slender rectangular plate shape.
- the outer shape of door main body 89 matches the shape of said opening 88.
- a rotational shaft part 94 is formed in the bottom end part 93 of door main body 89.
- This rotational shaft part 94 is formed integrally with the door main body 89.
- This rotational shaft part 94 is supported on the bottom part of the front surface 79 of case 75, as shown in Figure 6 .
- a bearing part 95 is formed on the front end part of the bottom plate part 80 of case 75, and said rotational shaft part 94 is rotatably fitted into this bearing part 95.
- the door main body 89 is able to stand up and close said opening 88 as shown in Figure 6 , as well as to lie down and open said opening 88 as shown in Figure 8 .
- the aforementioned pullout member 77 is provided on the bottom end part 93 of door main body 89.
- This pullout member 77 is formed integrally with the door main body 89.
- the pullout member 77 is formed substantially into an L shape and has an extension part 96 and a curved part 97.
- the extension part 96 is provided continuously with said bottom end part 93. As shown in Figure 6 , the extension part 96 extends rearward from said bottom end part 93 when the door 76 is in closed position. Furthermore, the curved part 97 continuous from the rear edge of said extension part 96 and extends upward, forming an approximately 90° angle. When the door 76 is in a closed position, the leading edge of said curved part 97 protrudes upward above said placement surface 98.
- the door main body 89 rotates with said rotational shaft part 94 as the center of rotation, thereby causing said pullout member 77, formed in an L shape, to also rotate about said rotational shaft part 94, as shown in Figure 6 and Figure 8 .
- this sort of rotation of the pullout member 77 causes the ink cartridge 63 to be pulled out from said housing chamber 78.
- the curved part 97 of said pullout member 77 rotates counterclockwise about the rotational shaft part 94.
- the rotation of the curved part 97 causes its outer wall surface 110 to change from a substantially vertical standing state (see Figure 6 ) to a substantially horizontal state (see Figure 8 ).
- the length of the extension part 96 of the pullout member 77 is set to a prescribed dimension, so that when the curved part 97 has rotated, its outer wall surface 110 is positioned slightly above the placement surface 98 of the case 75, i.e. substantially as an extension of said placement surface 98, and extends in the front-back direction.
- this outer wall surface 110 functions as a guide surface which guides the ink cartridge 63 onto the placement surface 98 inside said housing chamber 78.
- said pullout member 77 in addition to functioning as a member for pulling the ink cartridge 63 out of said housing chamber 78, also functions as a guide member for inserting the ink cartridge 63 into said housing chamber 78.
- each door main body 89 is provided with two pullout members 77.
- the pullout members 77 as shown in Figure 10 , are arranged opposite each other in the width direction of the door main body 89. Arranging a pair of pullout members 77 in this manner allows the pair of pullout members 77 to support the ink cartridge 63 between them in the widthwise direction.
- the spacing (widthwise dimension) d1 between the pullout members 77 is made smaller than the widthwise dimension d2 of ink cartridge 63 (see Figure 14 ). The effect of defining the dimensions d1 and d2 in the manner will be discussed later.
- pushing retaining member 90 is attached to the inner surface of the door main body 89.
- Tabs 146 are provided on both side surfaces of the pushing retaining member 90, and tab accommodating parts 147 are provided in the door main body 89. Said tabs 146 are provided protruding from the side surface of the pushing retaining member 90. Said tab accommodating parts 147 are comprised of grooves extending in the front-back direction of the door main body 89. Said tabs 146 are slidably fitted into said tab accommodating parts 147, so that the pushing retaining member 90 is supported in a manner that allows it to move in the front-back direction relative to the door main body 89.
- the pushing retaining member 90 is able to change between a protruding position where it rises from the inner surface of the door main body 89 (see Figure 8 ) and a retracted position where it is retracted toward the door main body 89 from the protruding position (see Figure 6 ).
- a coil spring 99 is located between the pushing retaining member 90 and the door main body 89.
- the pushing retaining member 90 is constantly elastically impelled to assume said protruding position, as shown in Figure 8 .
- the pushing retaining member 90 touches the front surface of the ink cartridge 63, and is displaced to said retracted position by being pushed relatively by the ink cartridge 63.
- the ink cartridge 63 receives the elastic force of said coil spring 99 through the pushing retaining member 90 and is pushed backward, so that the ink cartridge 63 is retained in a state positioned relative to the case 75. Therefore, leakage of ink from the ink supply valve 115 of the ink cartridge 63 is reliably prevented.
- the pushing retaining member 90 is formed in a flat plate shape.
- the wall surface 84 of this pushing retaining member 90 (the surface which faces the front surface of ink cartridge 63 when the door 76 is in a closed position) is formed as a flat surface, and a pair of protrusions 141 and 142 are formed on the wall surface 84, as shown in Figure 5 and Figure 10 .
- these protrusions 141 and 142 touch and press against the front surface of the ink cartridge 63.
- These protrusions 141 and 142 are arranged at a prescribed spacing in the width direction of the door 76.
- said protrusions 141 and 142 contact the two sides of the joint part 143 of the ink cartridge 63 without the pushing retaining member 90 coming into contact with the joint part 143.
- the lock member 91 is attached to the top end part of the door main body 89.
- the lock member 91 comprises a main shaft part 132, a key part 133 which projects inward into the case 75 continuously from the top end of the main shaft part 132, and a seat part 109 which projects outward from the case 75 continuously from the bottom end of the main shaft part 132.
- the lock member 91 is supported so as to allow it to advance and retract vertically relative to the door main body 89.
- a slide rail 101 is provided extending vertically on the top end part of the door main body 89.
- a slide groove 102 is provided extending vertically on the main shaft part 132 of the lock member 91 (see Figure 9 ). Said slide rail 101 is inserted into this slide groove 102, thereby allowing to lock member 91 to freely slide up and down.
- Tabs 144 are provided on both side surfaces of said main shaft part 132. These tabs 144 project outward from the main shaft part 132. When the lock member 91 is fitted into the door main body 89, said tabs 144 are accommodated in tab accommodating parts 145 provided on the main shaft part 132 (see Figure 10 ). These tab accommodating parts 145 are comprised of grooves extending a prescribed length in the vertical direction. Thus, when the lock member 91 slides upward or downward, said tabs 144 contact the inner wall surface of said tab accommodating parts 145, thereby constraining the vertical sliding of the lock member 91. When the lock member 91 slides upward relative to the door main body 89, the lock member 91 assumes a position projecting upward from the top end of the door main body 89.
- the lock member 91 when the lock member 91 slides downward relative to the door main body 89, the lock member 91 assumes a position retracted into the door main body 89.
- the range of sliding of the lock member 91 corresponds to the length of the aforementioned tab accommodating parts 145.
- a coil spring 100 is interposed between the lock member 91 and the door main body 89.
- the lock member 91 is constantly elastically impelled so as to project upward from the door main body 89.
- the top surface 103 of the key part 133 of the lock member 91 constitutes a sloped surface, which is inclined downward.
- said top surface 103 of the lock member 91 contacts the top edge part 130 of the opening 88 of the case 75 (see Figure 8 ), and when the door 76 turns toward the closed position, the lock member 91 is depressed relative by said top edge part 130 and retracts inward into the door main body 89.
- the lock member 91 again projects from the door main body 89 and said key part 133 engages with the case 75 (see Figure 6 ). Specifically, the key part 133 of the lock member 91 fits into a lock member fitting hole 83 (see Figure 5 and Figure 11 ) provided in the case 75. Since the lock member 91 is constantly elastically impelled by said coil spring 100 so as to project from the door main body 89, having assumed a closed position, the door 76 is retained in said position.
- the lock release lever 92 is formed in a rectangular plate shape and is attached to the upper part of the outside surface 105 of the door main body 89.
- a support pin 106 is provided at the bottom end part of the lock release lever 92.
- the door main body 89 is provided with a pin support hole 107. Said support pin 106 fits into this pin support hole 107, whereby the lock release lever 92 becomes rotatable about the support pin 106.
- the lock release lever 92 is able to rotationally change position between a position substantially parallel to the outer surface 105 of the door main body 89 by standing up as shown in Figure 6 , a position where it is inclined approximately 45° (degrees) (see Figure 11 ) and a position where it is lying substantially horizontal (see Figure 12 ).
- the position of the lock release lever 92 is defined as "standing position”
- the position of the lock release lever 92 when inclined approximately 45° is defined as "neutral position”
- the position of the lock release lever 92 when its lying substantially horizontal is defined as the "lying position.”
- An arrow is labeled or engraved on the top surface 151 of the lock release lever 92. This makes the direction of operation of the lock release lever 92 clear.
- the bottom end surface 108 of the lock release lever 92 is formed in a prescribed shape.
- This bottom end surface 108 constitutes a cam, which causes the lock member 91 to slide vertically when the position of the lock release lever 92 changes.
- the shape of said bottom end surface 108 is not particularly restricted, and can be any shape so long as it causes said lock member 91 to slide as described below when the lock release lever 92 is turned.
- Figure 11 is a cross-section of refill unit 10 showing the manner of operation of the lock release lever 92.
- Figure 12 is an enlargement of the main part of Figure 11 .
- the bottom end surface 108 of the lock release lever 92 constitutes a cam, as discussed above.
- the lock release lever 92 is able to undergo rotational displacement centered about said support pin 106 (see Figure 9 and Figure 10 ) in the area between said standing position and neutral position.
- the location of the center of gravity of the lock release lever 92 is set such that it will always move to the neutral position, i.e. to the position shown in Figure 11 , under its own weight.
- the lock release lever 92 Since the lock member 91 is constantly subject to the elastic force of aforesaid coil spring 100, once rotational force acting upon the lock release lever 92 disappears - in other words, once the operator lets go of the lock release lever 92 - the lock member 91 assumes a position of maximum projection from the door main body 89.
- the lock release lever 92 is forcibly displaced to the aforementioned standing position. Namely, as shown in Figure 8 , when the door 76 is in an open position, the lock release lever 92 assumes a position where it is essentially contained within the door main body 89.
- the lock release lever 92 when replacing the ink cartridge 63, assumes a state where it is essentially contained within the door main body 89, thus allowing the door 76 to rotate about the rotational shaft part 94 to a substantially horizontal state, thereby allowing the operator to easily replace the ink cartridge 63. Furthermore, the two protrusions 141 and 142 provided on the wall surface 84 of the aforementioned pushing retaining member 90, in cooperation with a subsequently described guide part between the curved parts 97, also act as a guide when installing an ink cartridge 63 in the housing chamber 78.
- the operator when inserting an ink cartridge 63 into the housing chamber 78, the operator needs only to place the bottom surface of the ink cartridge 63 onto the protrusions 141 and 142 and put the leading edge part of the ink cartridge 63 between the curved parts 97, and then just push the ink cartridge 63 toward the housing chamber 78. Furthermore, when removing the ink cartridge 63 from the housing chamber 78, the operator needs only to pull out until the bottom surface of the ink cartridge 63 moves between the curved parts 97 onto the protrusions 141 and 142.
- the lock release lever 92 is arranged in the aforementioned neutral position when the door 76 is in a closed position in relation to the case 75, i.e. since the lock release lever 92 is tilted toward the operator, there is the advantage that the operator can easily manipulate the lock release lever 92.
- the refill unit 70 is arranged on the front surface 71 of the multifunction device 10, as shown in Figure 1 , if the lock release lever 92 is arranged at said neutral position, i.e. if it is leaning forward, a large space would need to be secured inside the multifunction device 10 to accommodate the refill unit 70. Therefore, the refill unit 70 would need to be arranged further inward from the edge of the opening 73, and thus the external dimensions of the multifunction device 10 may need to increase.
- the lock release lever 92 when the door 76 is in a closed position in relation to the case 75, the lock release lever 92 is able to rotate freely between said neutral position and standing position, so the refill unit 70 can be arranged near the edge of said opening 73. This is because even if the refill unit 70 is arranged at the edge of the opening 73, when the opening/closing cover 72 is being closed, the inner wall surface of the opening/closing cover 72 touches said lock release lever 92, and when the opening/closing cover 72 is completely closed, the lock release lever 92 is displaced to said standing position while being pushed by the opening/closing cover 72. Therefore, in the present embodiment, compact design of the multifunction device 10 is possible.
- Figure 13 is a side view of ink cartridge 63.
- Figure 14 is a perspective view of ink cartridge 63.
- the ink cartridge 63 serves to store the ink in advance, as discussed above, and comprises a cartridge main body 111 and ink held therein.
- the refill unit 70 houses four ink cartridges 63, with each ink cartridge 63 storing cyan, magenta, yellow and black color inks respectively.
- the structure of the ink cartridges is such that the ink cartridge 63 storing black ink is fashioned to be somewhat larger in the thickness direction as compared to the ink cartridges 63 of other ink colors. This is because, generally speaking, the demand for black ink is greater and it is consumed in larger amounts.
- the structure of the ink cartridges 63 storing inks of colors other than black is all the same.
- the cartridge main body 111 consists of resin.
- the cartridge main body 111 is formed overall into a thin-walled cuboid shape, with ink housing space that houses ink being demarcated inside it.
- This cartridge main body 111 is comprised of two tray-like members 112 and 113, and these two members 112 and 113 are joined by welding or other known fastening means.
- the aforementioned joint part 143 is formed by the joining of the cartridge main body 111.
- the aforementioned air intake valve 85 is provided on the back surface 114 of the cartridge main body 111.
- a check valve is arranged in the inner part of the air intake valve 85.
- a push rod provided in said case 75 is inserted into said air intake valve 85, whereby said check valve is opened.
- an ink supply valve 115 is provided on the rear surface 114 of the cartridge main body 111.
- an ink supply tube provided in said case 75 is connected to this ink supply valve 115, and ink is supplied to said recording head 27 via this ink supply tube.
- the aforementioned liquid level sensor 87 is provided on said back surface 114.
- the structure of this liquid level sensor 87 is not particularly limited, and a known sensor can be used.
- Engagement grooves 116 are provided on the bottom surface of the cartridge main body 111.
- the engagement grooves 116 as shown in Figure 14 , are provided as recesses in the corner parts at the boundary between the side surfaces and bottom surface of the cartridge main body 111. These engagement grooves 116, as shown in said figure, extend in the lengthwise direction of the cartridge main body 111.
- the engagement grooves 116 are provided symmetrically on the left and right sides of the cartridge main body 111 (see Figure 5 ).
- the engagement grooves 116 comprise a shallow groove part 118 which opens on the back surface 114 of the cartridge main body 111 and extends continuously from the back surface 114 toward the front surface 117, a boundary groove part 119 which continues from the shallow groove part 118 and increases gradually in groove depth (the vertical dimension in said figure), and a deep groove part 120 that continues from the boundary groove part 119.
- the deep groove part 120 does not continue to the front surface 117 of the cartridge main body 111, so an end surface 121 is formed on the front surface 117 side of the deep groove part 120.
- the engagement groove 116 extends in the direction of insertion and removal of the ink cartridge 63 into and out of the case 75, and is connected to the back surface 114 but not the front surface 117 of the cartridge main body 111, and has an end surface 121 extending vertically. The leading edge of the curved part 97 of the aforementioned pullout member 77 comes into contact with this end surface 121 as described below.
- a groove 149 is also formed on the top surface 122 of the cartridge main body 111.
- This groove 149 as shown in Figure 14 , is recessed into the corner of the boundary of side surface and top surface 122 of cartridge main body 111.
- This groove 149 as shown in the same figure, extends in the lengthwise direction of the cartridge main body 111, and is connected to the front surface 117 and back surface 114 of the cartridge main body 111.
- a recessed part 134 is provided on the top surface 122 of the cartridge main body 111.
- This recessed part 134 is formed substantially in a V shape, and has a forward sloping surface 135 and a rearward sloping surface 136.
- the aforementioned swing arm 123 is provided in the case 75 which houses the ink cartridges 63, and this swing arm 123 is constantly elastically impelled rotationally clockwise by a tension spring 128.
- the second arm 126 of the swing arm 126 turns counterclockwise while being guided by said forward sloping surface 135 and assumes the position indicated by a solid line in said figure. Furthermore, upon insertion of the ink cartridge 63 into the case 75, the ink cartridge 63 slides relative to the swing arm 123, and is arranged at a position displaced by a prescribed distance to the right form the position shown by a solid line in said figure, whereupon the ink cartridge 63 is completely installed in the case 75.
- the prescribed distance in this case is the distance L1 shown in Figure 8 .
- Figure 15 is a drawing schematically illustrating the engagement structure of the ink cartridge 63, case 75, and pullout member 77 of door 76.
- Figure 15 (a) shows the engagement structure of the lower part of the ink cartridge 63 and the lower part of the case 75, while Figure 15 (b) shows the engagement structure of the ink cartridge 63 and pullout member 77.
- a partition wall part 137 provided in case 75 engages with an engagement groove 116 of the ink cartridge 63.
- the partition wall 137 provided on the side of the ceiling plate part 82 of the case 75 also engages with a groove 149 provided on the top surface 122 side of the ink cartridge 63.
- the bottom surface 155 of the ink cartridge 63 is placed on the bottom plate part 80.
- FIG. 16 is a drawing, which schematically illustrates a modified example of the engagement structure of the ink cartridge 63, case 75, and pullout member 77 of door 76.
- Figure 16 (a) shows the engagement structure of the lower part of ink cartridge 63 and the lower part of case 75, while Figure 16 (b) shows the engagement structure of the ink cartridge 63 and pullout member 77.
- Figure 17 is a drawing, which schematically illustrates another modified example of another engagement structure of ink cartridge 63, case 75, and pullout member 77 of door 76.
- Figure 17 (a) shows the engagement structure of the lower part of ink cartridge 63 and the lower part of case 75
- Figure 17 (b) shows the engagement structure of the ink cartridge 63 and pullout member 77.
- This protrusion 139 also extends in the same direction as said engagement groove 116, and is designed to engage with said groove 138.
- spent ink cartridges are replaced in the following manner.
- the operator To remove an ink cartridge 63 from the multifunction device 10, as shown in Figure 1 , the operator first opens the opening/closing cover 72.
- the refill unit 70 is thereby exposed on the front surface of the multifunction device 10.
- the lock release lever 92 of the refill unit 70 is displaced to the neutral position, and tilts toward the front surface of the multifunction device 10 as illustrated in said figure. Therefore, the operation of opening the door 76 of the refill unit 70 and the operation of the removing the ink cartridge 63 become extremely simple for the operator.
- the operator opens the door 76 of the refill unit 70. Specifically, the operator places a finger on the lock release lever 92 and pushes up toward himself, causing the lock release lever 92 to move to a lying position. As a result, the lock member 91 of door 76 slides downward, and the key part 133 (see Figure 12 ) of the lock member 91 is released from the lock member fitting hole 83 of the door 76. The operator can open the door 76 simply by pushing the lock release lever 92 toward himself.
- a new cartridge 63 is inserted into the housing chamber 78 of the case 75 through said opening 88.
- the door 76 is in an open position and the ink cartridge 63 to be inserted into said housing chamber 78 is placed in advance on the outer wall surface 110 of the curved part 97 of said pullout member 77 and is inserted into said housing chamber 78 while being guided by the outer wall surface 110.
- a new ink cartridge 63 is placed temporarily on protrusion 141 and 142 which are provided on the wall surface 84 of the pushing retaining member 90 and is guided onto the outer wall surface 110 of said curved part 97 while being sliding along these protrusion 141 and 142.
- the operator again moves the door 76 to a closed position.
- said pushing retaining member 90 contacts the front surface 117 of the ink cartridge 63, and when the door 76 has completely assumed the closed position, said pushing retaining member 90 elastically impels the ink cartridge 63 inward into the housing chamber 78 of the case 75.
- the key part 133 of said lock member 91 engages the lock member fitting hole 83 provided in case 75 and the door 76 is retained in a closed position.
- the ink cartridge replacement operation is extremely simple.
- a swing arm 123 is provided on the ceiling plate part 82 of the case 75, and when the ink cartridge 63 is pulled out by said distance L1 from the case 75, said swing arm 123 pushes on the forward sloping surface 135. Namely, the elastic force of the tension spring 128 acts upon the forward sloping surface 135 of the cartridge main body 111 though the swing arm 123, elastically impelling the ink cartridge 63 toward said opening 88.
- the swing arm 123 turning and engaging into said recessed part 134 causes the ink cartridge 63 to be pushed further out from the case 75 by a distance L2. Therefore, the ink cartridge 63 is pushed out form said opening 88 by said distance (L1 + L2), which has the advantage of making it very simple for the operator to grasp the ink cartridge 63 and allowing it to be removed from the case 75 more simply.
- a pair of pullout members 77 is provided, which sandwich the ink cartridge 63 arranged in the housing chamber 78 in the widthwise direction (see Figure 15 ).
- the ink cartridge 63 is pulled out through said opening 88 while being positioned in the widthwise direction by the pullout members 77.
- the curved part 97 of the pullout members 77 is arranged substantially horizontally so as to continue smoothly from the placement surface 98 on which the ink cartridge 63 is placed, so that when a new ink cartridge is inserted through said opening 88 into the housing chamber 78, by simply placing the new ink cartridge temporarily on the outer wall surface 110 of the curved parts 97, the new ink cartridge becomes securely supported by pullout members 77 and is guided in that state onto said placement surface 98. Therefore, it becomes even easier to perform the ink cartridge replacement operation.
- each pullout member 77 engages an engagement groove 116 recessed into the ink cartridge 63 and since the widthwise dimension d1 (see Figure 9 ) of the pair of pullout members 77 is set smaller than the width dimension d2 of the ink cartridge 63 (see Figure 14 ), said pullout members 77 do not project from the ink cartridge 63.
- said door 76 can be designed more compactly, as a result allowing miniaturization of the refill unit 70 and thus of multifunction device 10 to be implemented.
- the refill unit 70 is arranged on the front surface 71 of the multifunction device 10, and the operator is able to insert and remove the ink cartridge 63 into and out of the refill unit 70 from the front surface side, thereby making the operation of replacing the ink cartridge 63 simpler.
- the curved part 97 of said pullout members 77 rotates and pushes on the end surface 121 of the ink cartridge 63, whereby the ink cartridge 63 is pulled out from the case 75 and the curved parts 97 also constitute members, which guide the insertion of a new ink cartridge. Therefore, the structure of the pullout members 77 which double as guide members is extremely simple, which has the advantage of keeping the manufacturing costs of the refill unit 70 down.
Landscapes
- Ink Jet (AREA)
- Pens And Brushes (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention is relates to an ink cartridge, a main body and a refill unit of an ink jet recording apparatus.
- The ink jet recording apparatus ejects ink droplets from a recording head onto a transferred recording paper so as to record an image on the recording paper. Generally, ink is previously stored in an ink tank of a cartridge type (ink cartridge) and the ink is supplied to the recording head from the ink cartridge. Therefore, if the residual amount of the stored ink in the ink tank is reduced, the ink cartridge is required to be replaced with a new one (for example, refer
Patent Documents 1 to 5). Generally, the ink cartridge is accommodated in a casing mounted in the ink jet recording apparatus. - Ink cartridges include an on-carriage type and an off-carriage type. The ink cartridge of the on-carriage type is mounted to a carriage where the recording head is mounted and that can reciprocate along a direction perpendicular to a paper transferring direction. A casing is mounted on the carriage and the ink is supplied to the recording head from the ink cartridge accommodated in the casing.
- On the other hand, in the case that the ink cartridge of the off-carriage type is used, a casing, which accommodates the ink cartridge, is provided somewhere in the ink jet recording apparatus other than on the carriage. That is, the ink cartridge and the casing are previously structured as a unit and the unit is provided in somewhere in the ink jet recording apparatus. Therefore, ink is supplied to the recording head from the casing which accommodates the ink cartridge via an ink supplying pipe and the like. The unit is called a refill unit in this application.
- The casing of the refill unit generally has a door. The door is closed when the ink cartridge is accommodated in the casing. Accordingly, the ink cartridge is surely accommodated and held in the casing. An ink supplying needle is arranged inside the casing. The ink supplying needle is inserted into the ink cartridge when the ink cartridge is accommodated in the casing. The ink in the ink cartridge is supplied to the recording head via the ink supplying needle, the ink supplying pipe and the like. When the ink cartridge is replaced with a new one, the door is opened and the ink cartridge is removed from the casing (for example, refer to Patent Document 6).
- [Patent Document 1]
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 11-348303 - [Patent Document 2]
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-109427 - [Patent Document 3]
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2004-345246 - [Patent Document 4]
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2005-219416 - [Patent Document 5]
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2005-96446 - [Patent Document 6]
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 6-106730 -
EP 0 478 244 A shows an ink cartridge according to the preamble ofclaim 1. -
EP 10 109 427 A - It is desired that the ink cartridge is replaced easily and in a short time by a user of the ink jet recording apparatus. That is, it is required that the used ink cartridge is easily removed from the casing and a new ink cartridge is easily inserted into the casing.
- An object of the present invention is to provide a refill unit, a main body for a refill unit used in the refill unit and an ink cartridge for the refill unit which enable easy insertion/removal of the ink cartridge into/from a casing by a user.
- In order to achieve the above mentioned object, an ink cartridge according to
claim 1 is provided. - In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, there is provided the main body for a refill unit of claim 4.
- In the main body for a refill unit, the ink cartridge can be accommodated in the accommodating portion, and the ink cartridge is removed from the accommodating portion as follows. When the ink cartridge is removed from the casing, the door is first opened. When the door is moved to the open position from the closed position, the pulling member pulls out the ink cartridge toward the opening. Accordingly, a user can pull out the ink cartridge from the accommodating portion through the opening. When the ink cartridge is accommodated in the accommodating portion, the ink cartridge is inserted into the accommodating portion from the opening while the door is open. At this time, the ink cartridge, which is to be inserted to the accommodating portion, is previously supported by the pulling member. Then, the ink cartridge is inserted to the accommodating portion, being guided by the pulling member.
- According to the main body for a refill unit of claim 4, when the door is moved from the closed position to the open position, the pulling member can surely pull out the ink cartridge toward the opening. Further, when a new ink cartridge is inserted to the accommodating portion from the opening, the ink cartridge is surely supported and guided by the pulling member. Therefore, the ink cartridge can be replaced more easily.
- According to the main body for a refill unit of claim 4, since the distance between the pair of pulling members is set to equal to or smaller than a width of the ink cartridge, the door is designed in a compact size, which reduces a size of the unit body for a refill unit.
- According to the main body for a refill unit of claim 5, since the ink cartridge can be inserted into and removed from the accommodating portion on the front side of the unit body for a refill unit by a user, the ink cartridge can be replaced more easily. When the door is moved to the open position, the curved portion is rotated so that the ink cartridge is pulled out of the unit body and the curved portion functions as the guide member. Therefore, the structure of the pulling member is simple, which reduces manufacturing cost of the unit body for a refill unit
- In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, there is provided the refill unit of claim 6.
- The used ink cartridge is replaced according to the following steps. When the used ink cartridge is removed from the casing, the door is opened. When the door is moved from a closed position to an open position, a pulling member pulls the ink cartridge toward the opening. Accordingly, a use can pull out the ink cartridge from the opening. Next, a new ink cartridge is inserted to an accommodating portion from the opening. At this time, the door is at the open position and the new ink cartridge, which is to be inserted to the accommodating portion, is previously supported by the pulling member. Then, the ink cartridge is inserted to the accommodating portion, being guided by the pulling member.
- According to the refill unit, when the door is moved from the closed position to the open position, the pulling member can surely pull out the ink cartridge toward the opening. Furthermore, when a new ink cartridge is inserted to the accommodating portion from the opening, the ink cartridge is surely supported and guided by the pulling member. Therefore, a user can replace the ink cartridge easily.
- According to the refill unit, each of the pulling members is received into the groove formed in the ink cartridge. Further, since the distance between the pair of pulling members is set to equal to or smaller than a width of the ink cartridge, the pulling members received in the ink cartridge do not protrude from the ink cartridge. Therefore, the door is designed in a compact size, which reduces a size of the refill unit.
- According to the refill unit, since the ink cartridge can be inserted to and removed from the accommodating portion on the front side of the refill unit by a user, the ink cartridge can be replaced more easily. When the door is moved to the open position, the curved portion is rotated so that the ink cartridge is pulled out from the refill unit. The curved portion also functions as a guide member. Therefore, the structure of the pulling member becomes simple, which reduces manufacturing cost of the refill unit.
- According to the present invention, since the ink cartridge is pulled out from the casing by the pulling member when the door is moved from the closed position to the open position, the ink cartridge is removed from the casing easily. Further, when the door is open, a new ink cartridge is guided by the pulling member so as to be accommodated in the casing. Accordingly, a new ink cartridge is inserted to the casing easily. That is, when an operator simply opens the door, the used ink cartridge is pulled out from the casing, and the operator can easily accommodate a new ink cartridge into the casing while the door is open. Accordingly, the ink cartridge can be replaced quite easily.
-
- (
FIGURE 1) Figure 1 is an external perspective view of a multifunction device according to an embodiment of the present invention. - (
FIGURE 2) Figure 2 is a drawing, which schematically illustrates the internal structure of a multifunction device according to an embodiment of the present invention. - (
FIGURE 3) Figure 3 is a drawing, which schematically illustrates the internal structure of the scanner part of a multifunction device according to an embodiment of the present invention. - (
FIGURE 4) Figure 4 is a drawing, which schematically illustrates the internal structure of the printer part of a multifunction device according to an embodiment of the present invention. - (
FIGURE 5) Figure 5 is a perspective view of refill unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. - (
FIGURE 6) Figure 6 is a cross-section along VI-VI inFigure 5 . - (
FIGURE 7) Figure 7 is a side view of the main parts of the unit main body of a refill unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. - (
FIGURE 8) Figure 8 is a cross-section of the unit main body of a refill unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. - (
FIGURE 9) Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the door of a refill unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. - (
FIGURE 10) Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of the door of a refill unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. - (
FIGURE 11) Figure 11 is a cross-section of a refill unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. - (
FIGURE 12) Figure 12 is an enlargement of the main parts ofFigure 11 . - (
FIGURE 13) Figure 13 is a side view of an ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention. - (
FIGURE 14) Figure 14 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention. - (
FIGURE 15) Figure 15 is a drawing schematically illustrating the engagement structure of the ink cartridge, case, and pullout member according to an embodiment of the present invention. - (
FIGURE 16) Figure 16 is a drawing schematically illustrating a modified example of the engagement structure of the ink cartridge, case, and pullout member according to an embodiment of the present invention. - (
FIGURE 17) Figure 17 is a drawing schematically illustrating another modified example of the engagement structure of the ink cartridge, case and pullout member according to an embodiment of the present invention. - The present invention is described in detail below based on preferred embodiments while referring to the appropriate drawings.
-
Figure 1 is an external perspective view of a multifunction device according to an embodiment of the present invention. - The
multifunction device 10 is an MFD (multi function device) integrally comprising aprinter part 11 at the bottom and ascanner part 12 at the top, and has various functions such as a printer function, scanner function, copy function, and facsimile function. Themultifunction device 10 is mainly connected to an unillustrated computer, and records images and texts on recording paper, which serves as the recording medium, based on image data and text data transmitted from the computer. Furthermore, themultifunction device 10 can be connected to an external device such as a digital camera to record image data outputted from the digital camera on the recording paper. Moreover, themultifunction device 10 comprises the subsequently describedslot part 61, and allows image data or the like stored on a storage medium to be recorded on the recording paper by installing various types of storage medium such as a memory card in thisslot part 61. - The distinguishing features of the
multifunction device 10 according to the present embodiment are the point that theaforementioned printer part 11 is constituted as an ink jet recording device and has on the front surface of the device arefill unit 70 which stores in advance the ink which is supplied to the recording head which ejects ink drops, and the point that thisrefill unit 70 has a structure which aids the ink cartridge insertion and removal operation, so that the user of thismultifunction device 10 can very simply and rapidly perform the ink cartridge replacement operation. Since the present invention is implemented in the form of therefill unit 70 which is incorporated into themultifunction device 10 described below, it goes without saying that the configuration of themultifunction device 10 can be modified in design as appropriate without changing the gist of the present invention. -
Figure 2 is a drawing schematically illustrating the internal structure of theaforementioned multifunction device 10.Figure 3 is a drawing schematically illustrating the internal structure of the aforementioned scanner part 12 (the portion shown by the dotted line inFigure 2 ). - As shown in
Figure 2 , thescanner part 12 comprises adocument bed 13 which functions as an FBS (flatbed scanner) and adocument cover 15 provided thereon. The document cover 15 comprises an auto document feeder mechanism (hereinafter referred to as "ADF") 14, and is attached to the back surface of thedocument bed 13 via hinges to allow opening and closing. Thus, thedocument cover 15 is opened and closed by turning in the direction ofarrow 16 relative to thedocument bed 13. In the present embodiment, thedocument bed 13 is comprised in the case of themultifunction device 10, and thedocument cover 15 constitutes part of the top surface of themultifunction device 10. - The
document bed 13 also serves as the frame of thescanner part 12. As shown inFigure 3 , acontact glass plate 20 is provided on theceiling 19 of thedocument bed 13. Furthermore, animage reading unit 18 is arranged inside thedocument bed 13. Documents are placed between thedocument cover 15 and thecontact glass plate 20. The image readunit 18 reads the image from the document by moving below thecontact glass plate 20 along thecontact glass plate 20, i.e. in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface inFigure 3 . - The document read
unit 18 comprises aCIS unit 21,guide shaft 22,roller unit 23 and an unillustrated belt drive mechanism. In the present embodiment, the document readunit 18 comprises a CIS (contact image sensor), but a reducing optical image sensor such as a CCD (charge coupled device) can be of course be used instead of a CIS. TheCIS unit 21 comprises a slendercuboid case 43, and thiscase 43 is fitted to and supported by acarriage 24. Theguide shaft 22 is mounted in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of the same drawing. Thisguide shaft 22 passes through thebottom end part 25 of saidcarriage 24. Namely, theCIS unit 21 is supported by thisguide shaft 22, and slides while being guided by theguide shaft 22. The aforementioned belt driving mechanism comprises a timing belt (not illustrated) driven by a motor, for instance. A portion of this timing belt is coupled to thebottom end part 25 of saidcarriage 24. Thus, when the belt driving mechanism is actuated, thecarriage 24 moves together with the timing belt, and as a result, theCIS unit 21 moves below thecontact glass plate 20. - The
aforementioned roller unit 23 is arranged at both ends of theCIS unit 21. Thisroller unit 23 touches thebottom surface 26 of thecontact glass plate 20. Furthermore, thisroller unit 23 rolls in the direction of movement of thecarriage 24 over theback surface 26 of thecontact glass plate 20 when thecarriage 24 moves. In other words, thisroller unit 23 aids in the smooth movement of theCIS unit 21. Furthermore, theroller unit 23 also plays the role of a spacer, which maintains a constant distance between theCIS unit 21, and the document resting on thecontact glass plate 20. - As shown in
Figure 1 , thedocument cover 15 comprises theaforementioned ADF 14. ThisADF 14 is configured to allow continuous feeding of a document up to a prescribed number of sheets from thedocument tray 47 to thepaper ejection tray 46. The mechanism for continuously feeding the document is built into thedocument cover 15. Since theADF 14 has a known structure, detailed description thereof will be omitted. TheADF 14 may also be left out of the present embodiment. -
Figure 4 is a drawing, which schematically represents the internal configuration of the printer part 11 (the part indicated by a dotted line inFigure 2 ). The direction perpendicular to the paper surface inFigure 4 is the width direction of themultifunction device 10, which matches the direction perpendicular to the paper surface inFigure 2 . - As shown in
Figure 2 andFigure 4 , theprinter part 11 comprises animage recording part 28 having a frame constituted by theaforementioned document bed 13, and an ink jet recording head 27 (hereinafter referred to simply as "recordinghead 27"). In other words, in the present embodiment, theprinter part 11 is comprised of an ink jet recording device. - As shown in
Figure 4 , theprinter part 11 comprises theaforementioned refill unit 70. Thisrefill unit 70 is contained in from of thedocument bed 13, i.e. on the side of thefront surface 71, as shown inFigure 1 . In the present embodiment, therefill unit 70 is able to house and retain four ink cartridges. The ink cartridges hold ink of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan colors. The inks of the various colors held in these ink cartridges are designed to be supplied to theaforementioned recording head 27 via an ink tube (supply tube). Illustration of the ink tube has been omitted fromFigure 4 . - The
document bed 13 constituting the frame of theprinter part 11 has an opening and closingcover 72 on the aforementionedfront surface 71 side. This opening and closingcover 72 opens and closes anopening 73 provided at an end part of thisfront surface 71. Specifically, the opening and closingcover 72 is rotatable between a position where it exposes therefill unit 70 through saidopening 73 by leaning forward as shown inFigure 1 , and a position where saidopening 73 is closed to contain therefill unit 70. - Furthermore, the
document bed 13 is provided with anopening 42 in the middle of its front surface, and apaper supply tray 29 is arranged inside this opening 42 (seeFigure 4 ). As shown inFigure 4 , the recording paper fed from thepaper supply tray 29 is ejected into apaper ejection tray 32 provided in saidopening 42 after the image has been recorded in the manner described below. Aseparation tilt plate 30 is arranged on the inner side of the aforementioned paper supply tray 29 (on the right side inFigure 4 ). Thisseparation tilt plate 30 separates the recording paper sheets stacked in thepaper supply tray 29 and guides them upward. Apaper feed path 31 is formed going upward from theseparation tilt plate 30. Thepaper feed path 31 extends upward and then curves to the left, extending from the back surface side of themultifunction device 10 to the front surface side. Furthermore, thepaper feed path 31 passes through theimage recording part 28 and into thepaper ejection tray 32. Therefore, the recording paper housed in thepaper supply tray 29 is guided to theimage recording part 28 by thepaper feed path 31 such that it makes a U-tum from the bottom upward. After theimage recording part 28 has performed image recording on the recording paper being fed through thepaper feed path 31, the recording paper is ejected into thepaper ejection tray 32. InFigure 1 , thepaper ejection tray 32 and the aforementionedpaper supply tray 29 are not shown. - As illustrated in
Figure 4 , apaper supply roller 34 is provided above thepaper supply tray 29. Thepaper supply roller 34 separates the recording paper stacked in thepaper supply tray 29 one sheet at a time and feeds it into thepaper feed path 31. The structure of thepaper supply roller 34 is known. In the present embodiment, thepaper supply roller 34 and pivotally supported on the tip of apaper supply arm 35. Thispaper supply arm 35 is above to move up and down towards and away from thepaper supply tray 29. Thepaper supply roller 34 is coupled to a motor via an unillustrated drive transmission mechanism. This drive transmission mechanism can be configured based on the engagement of a plurality of gears. Actuating the aforementioned motor causes its driving force to be transmitted to thepaper supply roller 34, causing thepaper supply roller 34 to rotate. The rotatingpaper supply roller 34 feeds the recording paper to thepaper feed path 31. - The
paper supply arm 35 is supported on a basedend shaft 36 and is able to rotate around thebase end shaft 36. As a result, thepaper supply arm 35 is able to slide up and down with thebase end shaft 36 as the center of sliding. Thispaper supply arm 35 is impelled toward thepaper supply tray 29 by means of an unillustrated paper supply clutch, spring, etc. when thepaper supply tray 29 is installed, and retracts upward during insertion or removal of thepaper supply tray 29. The downward turning of thepaper supply arm 35 causes thepaper supply roller 34 pivotally supported on its tip to press against the surface of the recording paper on thepaper supply tray 29. When thepaper supply roller 34 rotates in this state, the friction between the roller surface of thepaper supply roller 34 and the recording paper feeds the recording paper sheet in the uppermost position to the aforementionedseparation tilt plate 30. The fed sheet of recording paper touches theseparation tilt plate 30 with its leading edge and is guided upward and fed into thepaper feed path 31. When the recording paper sheet in the uppermost position is fed out by thepaper supply roller 34, the sheet of recording paper immediately below it may be fed out together due to the effects of friction and static electricity. However, this sheet of recording paper is stopped by coming into contact with theseparation tilt plate 30. - The
paper feed path 31, outside of the places where theimage recording part 28 and the like are arranged, is demarcated by an outer guide surface and inner guide surface which face each other at a prescribed spacing. In thismultifunction device 10, the outer guide surface is comprised of the inner wall surface of the frame of theprinter part 11 comprised of thedocument bed 13, while the inner guide surface is comprised of the surface of a guide member provided inside said frame. Furthermore, feed rollers may be provided, particularly in places where thepaper feed path 31 curves. Although no feed rollers are shown in said figure, feed rollers may be arranged rotatably with the width direction of the paper feed path 31 (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface inFigure 4 ) as the rotational center shaft direction. The feed rollers are mounted so that their roller surface is exposed to the aforementioned outer guide surface or inner guide surface. Providing these feed rollers causes the recording paper to be fed smoothly in contact with the guide surface even in places where thepaper feed path 31 curves. - The aforementioned
image recording part 28 is arranged downstream of where thepaper feed path 31 makes an upward U-turn. Aplaten 37 is arranged opposite theaforementioned recording head 27. The fed recording paper is brought over theplaten 37. Therecording head 27 emits ink drips on the recording paper arranged over theplaten 37. Therecording head 27 is mounted on an unillustrated carriage. This carriage moves back and forth in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in said drawing by means of a CR motor. The location and reciprocating operation of therecording head 27 is monitored by an unillustrated carriage encoder. Therecording head 27 emits ink of each of the aforementioned colors in the form of ink drops onto the aforementioned recording paper while moving back and forth, thereby recording an image on the recording paper. - A
drive roller 39 andpress roller 38 are provided on the upstream side of saidrecording head 27 in thepaper feed path 31. Thedrive roller 39 is rotationally driven by an unillustrated LF motor. Thedrive roller 39 andpress roller 38 sandwich the recording paper being fed along thepaper feed path 31. The rotation of thedrive roller 39 causes the recording paper to be fed downstream in thepaper feed path 31 and to be arranged over theplaten 37. - A
paper ejection roller 40 andpress roller 41 are provided downstream of saidrecording head 27 in thepaper feed path 31. Thepaper ejection roller 40 is rotationally driven by the LF motor, which drives theaforesaid drive roller 39. Namely, thepaper ejection roller 40 is driven synchronously with thedrive roller 39 by means of an unillustrated interlocking mechanism. Thepaper ejection roller 40 andpress roller 41 sandwich the recording paper onto which ink drops have been emitted, and rotation of thepaper ejection roller 40 causes said recording paper to be fed downstream in thepaper feed path 31. - The
aforementioned press roller 38 is elastically impelled toward thedrive roller 39 so as to depress saiddrive roller 39 with a prescribed pressure. Therefore, when the recording paper enters between thedrive roller 39 andpress roller 38, thepress roller 38 sandwiches the recording paper in cooperation with thedriver roller 39 while retracting elastically by the width of the recording paper. Since the recording paper is nipped by thedrive roller 39 andpress roller 38 in this manner, the rotational force of thedrive roller 39 is reliably transmitted to the recording paper. Furthermore, theaforementioned press roller 41 is arranged in the same manner in relation to the aforementionedpaper ejection roller 40. In the present embodiment, since thepress roller 41 presses against recording paper on which recording has been completed, the roller surface is formed in a spurred shape so as to not degrade the image recorded on the recording paper. - The recording paper sandwiched between the
drive roller 39 andpress roller 38 is fed intermittently over theplaten 37 by a prescribed line feed width. Therecording head 27 is moved forward and/or back upon each line feed of the recording paper to perform image recording successively from the leading edge of the recording paper. Recording paper on which image recording has been carried out is sandwiched between thepaper ejection roller 40 andpress roller 41 staring at its leading edge. In other words, the recording paper is fed intermittently by a prescribed line feed width while being sandwiched at its leading edge side by thepaper ejection roller 40 andpress roller 41 and at its trailing edge side by thedrive roller 39 andpress roller 38, and image recording is carried out by therecording head 27 as the paper is being fed in this manner. Once an image has been recorded in the prescribed region of the recording paper, thepaper ejection roller 40 is rotationally driven continuously and the recording paper sandwiched by thepaper ejection roller 40 andpress roller 41 is ejected into thepaper ejection tray 32. - As shown in
Figure 1 , acontrol panel 45 is mounted on the upper sloping surface of thedocument bed 13 constituting the frame of theprinter part 11. Thiscontrol panel 45 is a device for controlling theprinter part 11,scanner part 12, and the like.Various control keys 56 through 58, aliquid crystal display 59 and the like are provided on itstop surface 44. Furthermore, a controller (not illustrated), which controls the actuation of theprinter part 11 andscanner part 12 and the operation of themultifunction device 10 as a whole, is provided in the bottom part of thedocument bed 13. - As shown in
Figure 2 , acontrol board 54 is arranged below this control panel 45 (inside the document bed 13). Thevarious control keys 56 through 58 arranged on thecontrol panel 45 are connected to thecontrol board 54 via an unillustrated flat cable. Thiscontrol board 54 is connected to the aforementioned controller, which processes the instructions from theaforementioned control keys 56 through 58 and controls the actuation of themultifunction device 10. - The user of the
multifunction device 10 inputs the desired instructions using thevarious control keys 56 through 58 of thecontrol panel 45. Themultifunction device 10 receives this input and performs the prescribed operation. As discussed above, a personal computer or the like can be connected to thismultifunction device 10. In this case, themultifunction device 10 can also operation according to instructions transmitted via a scanner driver, printer driver or the like from the personal computer, in addition to the instructions from thecontrol panel 45. - As shown in
Figure 1 , theaforementioned slot part 61 is arranged on the front surface of themultifunction device 10. Storage media such as various compact memory cards can be installed in thisslot part 61. Compact memory cards can store image data; the image data is read from the compact memory card installed in theslot part 61, and information on this image data is displayed on theliquid crystal display 59. Any image displayed on theliquid crystal display 59 can be recorded on recording paper by theprinter part 11. The input for this purpose is performed via theaforementioned control panel 45. -
Figure 5 is a perspective view ofrefill unit 70.Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view along VI-VI inFigure 5 . - This
refill unit 70 comprises a unitmain body 74 and anink cartridge 63 which can be installed in and removed from the unitmain body 74. - The unit
main body 74 comprises acase 75 which theink cartridge 63 is inserted into and removed from, adoor 76 provided on thecase 75, and apullout member 77 provided on thedoor 76. - The
case 75 is made for instance from resin, and is overall formed in a substantially cuboid shape. A housing chamber 78 (retaining part) in which theink cartridge 63 is housed and retained is demarcated inside the case 75 (seeFigure 6 ). In the present embodiment, thecase 75 has fourhousing chambers 78, which the aforementioned fourink cartridges 63 being inserted into and removed from therespective housing chambers 78. The inner wall surface shape of eachhousing chamber 78 corresponds to the outer circumferential surface shape of theink cartridge 63. Thus, eachink cartridge 63 is retained reliably in thecase 75 without any play. - The
case 75 comprises abottom plate part 80, a pair ofside plate parts 81 arranged on the left and right sides of thebottom plate part 80, and aceiling plate 82 arranged to span between theside plate parts 81, and is equipped with partition wall parts (not illustrated) serving to demarcate theaforementioned housing chambers 78. The partition wall parts are arranged according to the number of theink cartridges 63 housed in thecase 75. Of course, these partition wall parts do not need to be arranged so as to completely demarcate eachhousing chamber 78, and can be formed in the shape of ribs which partitionadjacent housing chambers 78 on thebottom plate part 80 at least. Thebottom plate part 80,side plate parts 81,ceiling plate part 82 and partition walls are preferably formed integrally. - Unillustrated push rods are provided on the back surface of the
case 75. Each of these push rod extend towards thehousing chambers 78, and is inserted into an air intake valve 85 (seeFigure 7 ,Figure 13 through Figure 14 ) provided in theink cartridge 63 when anink cartridge 63 is placed inside thecase 75. This allows air to enter inside theink cartridge 63 through theair intake valve 85, so that the ink from inside theink cartridge 63 is fed smoothly toward therecording head 27. Furthermore, as shown inFigure 6 , a liquidlevel sensor connector 86 is provided on the back surface ofcase 75. This liquidlevel sensor connector 86 is connected to aliquid level sensor 87 provided in theink cartridge 63 when theink cartridge 63 is installed incase 75. The liquidlevel sensor connector 86 is connected to the aforementioned controller, and the controller constantly monitors the remaining quantity of ink held in eachink cartridge 63. - ) The top surface of the aforementioned
bottom plate part 80 constitutes theplacement surface 98 on which theink cartridge 63 is placed. The height position of thisplacement surface 98 is set such that, when theink cartridge 63 has been inserted into saidhousing chamber 78, the unillustrated ink supply tube is inserted into theink supply valve 115 ofink cartridge 63, said push rod is inserted into theair intake valve 85 of ink cartridge 63 (seeFigure 14 ), and said liquidlevel sensor connector 86 engages theliquid level sensor 87 of theink cartridge 63. - A
rib 124 is provided on the aforementionedceiling plate part 80, thereby increasing the rigidity of thecase 75. Theceiling plate part 80 comprises aswing arm 123.Figure 7 is a side view of the main parts of unitmain body 74, and schematically illustrates the relationship between opening/closing ofdoor 76 and sliding of theswing arm 123. - This
swing arm 123, as shown in said figure, is formed as a whole approximately into an L shape, and has afirst arm 125 and asecond arm 126. Asupport shaft 127 is arranged in the boundary area between thefirst arm 125 and thesecond arm 126, and theswing arm 123 is supported rotatably on thissupport shaft 127. Atension spring 128 is mounted between thefirst arm 125 and theceiling plate part 82. As a result, theswing arm 123 is constantly elastically impelled to rotate clockwise, i.e. to assume the position shown by the double-dotted dashed line in said figure. Since theswing arm 123 is elastically impelled in this manner, it can change to the position shown by the solid line when it receives a force in the counterclockwise direction opposing said elastic force. Theswing arm 123 is made to engage thetop surface 122 of theink cartridge 63 and allows theink cartridge 63 to be forcibly pushed out from saidhousing chamber 78 as described below. - As shown in
Figure 5 andFigure 6 ,openings 88 are provided on thefront surface 79 of thecase 75. Theseopenings 88 are arranged so as to correspond to each of thehousing chambers 78. In other words, theaforementioned housing chambers 78 are arranged in thecase 75 as a continuation of theopening 88, and the aforesaid fourink cartridges 63 are designed to be inserted into and removed from thehousing chambers 78 through theseopenings 88 from thefront surface 79 side. -
Figure 8 is a cross-section of the unitmain body 74 in the state where saiddoor 76 is open.Figure 9 andFigure 10 are exploded perspective views of thisdoor 76. - Said
door 76 opens and closes saidopening 88. Adoor 76 is provided on each of theopening 88, and is designed to change position between a position where theopening 88 is closed (closed position) as shown inFigure 6 , and a position where theopening 88 is opened (open position) as shown inFigure 8 . When thedoor 76 is in a closed position, theink cartridge 63 is securely retained in saidhousing chamber 78. When thedoor 76 is in an open position, theink cartridge 63 can be easily inserted into or removed from saidhousing chamber 78. - As shown in
Figure 5 andFigure 6 , thedoor 76 comprises a doormain body 89, a pushing retainingmember 90 provided thereon, alock member 91 and alock release lever 92, which are all molded from resin. As shownFigure 6 ,Figure 9 , andFigure 10 , the doormain body 89 is formed into a slender rectangular plate shape. The outer shape of doormain body 89 matches the shape of saidopening 88. Arotational shaft part 94 is formed in thebottom end part 93 of doormain body 89. Thisrotational shaft part 94 is formed integrally with the doormain body 89. Thisrotational shaft part 94 is supported on the bottom part of thefront surface 79 ofcase 75, as shown inFigure 6 . Specifically, a bearingpart 95 is formed on the front end part of thebottom plate part 80 ofcase 75, and saidrotational shaft part 94 is rotatably fitted into this bearingpart 95. As a result, the doormain body 89 is able to stand up and close saidopening 88 as shown inFigure 6 , as well as to lie down and open saidopening 88 as shown inFigure 8 . - The
aforementioned pullout member 77 is provided on thebottom end part 93 of doormain body 89. Thispullout member 77 is formed integrally with the doormain body 89. Thepullout member 77 is formed substantially into an L shape and has anextension part 96 and acurved part 97. Theextension part 96 is provided continuously with saidbottom end part 93. As shown inFigure 6 , theextension part 96 extends rearward from saidbottom end part 93 when thedoor 76 is in closed position. Furthermore, thecurved part 97 continuous from the rear edge of saidextension part 96 and extends upward, forming an approximately 90° angle. When thedoor 76 is in a closed position, the leading edge of saidcurved part 97 protrudes upward above saidplacement surface 98. The doormain body 89 rotates with saidrotational shaft part 94 as the center of rotation, thereby causing saidpullout member 77, formed in an L shape, to also rotate about saidrotational shaft part 94, as shown inFigure 6 andFigure 8 . As will be discussed in detail below, this sort of rotation of thepullout member 77 causes theink cartridge 63 to be pulled out from saidhousing chamber 78. - As shown in
Figure 8 , when saiddoor 76 changes to an open position, thecurved part 97 of saidpullout member 77 rotates counterclockwise about therotational shaft part 94. Here, the rotation of thecurved part 97 causes itsouter wall surface 110 to change from a substantially vertical standing state (seeFigure 6 ) to a substantially horizontal state (seeFigure 8 ). The length of theextension part 96 of thepullout member 77 is set to a prescribed dimension, so that when thecurved part 97 has rotated, itsouter wall surface 110 is positioned slightly above theplacement surface 98 of thecase 75, i.e. substantially as an extension of saidplacement surface 98, and extends in the front-back direction. When saiddoor 76 is in an open position, thisouter wall surface 110 functions as a guide surface which guides theink cartridge 63 onto theplacement surface 98 inside saidhousing chamber 78. In other words, saidpullout member 77, in addition to functioning as a member for pulling theink cartridge 63 out of saidhousing chamber 78, also functions as a guide member for inserting theink cartridge 63 into saidhousing chamber 78. - In the present embodiment, each door
main body 89 is provided with twopullout members 77. Namely, thepullout members 77, as shown inFigure 10 , are arranged opposite each other in the width direction of the doormain body 89. Arranging a pair ofpullout members 77 in this manner allows the pair ofpullout members 77 to support theink cartridge 63 between them in the widthwise direction. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the spacing (widthwise dimension) d1 between the pullout members 77 (seeFigure 9 ) is made smaller than the widthwise dimension d2 of ink cartridge 63 (seeFigure 14 ). The effect of defining the dimensions d1 and d2 in the manner will be discussed later. - As shown in
Figure 6 ,Figure 8 ,Figure 9 , andFigure 10 , pushing retainingmember 90 is attached to the inner surface of the doormain body 89.Tabs 146 are provided on both side surfaces of the pushing retainingmember 90, andtab accommodating parts 147 are provided in the doormain body 89. Saidtabs 146 are provided protruding from the side surface of the pushing retainingmember 90. Saidtab accommodating parts 147 are comprised of grooves extending in the front-back direction of the doormain body 89. Saidtabs 146 are slidably fitted into saidtab accommodating parts 147, so that the pushing retainingmember 90 is supported in a manner that allows it to move in the front-back direction relative to the doormain body 89. In other words, the pushing retainingmember 90 is able to change between a protruding position where it rises from the inner surface of the door main body 89 (seeFigure 8 ) and a retracted position where it is retracted toward the doormain body 89 from the protruding position (seeFigure 6 ). As shown inFigure 10 , acoil spring 99 is located between the pushing retainingmember 90 and the doormain body 89. Thus, the pushing retainingmember 90 is constantly elastically impelled to assume said protruding position, as shown inFigure 8 . - As shown in
Figure 6 , when thedoor 76 assumes a closed position, the pushing retainingmember 90 touches the front surface of theink cartridge 63, and is displaced to said retracted position by being pushed relatively by theink cartridge 63. Thus, theink cartridge 63 receives the elastic force of saidcoil spring 99 through the pushing retainingmember 90 and is pushed backward, so that theink cartridge 63 is retained in a state positioned relative to thecase 75. Therefore, leakage of ink from theink supply valve 115 of theink cartridge 63 is reliably prevented. - In the present embodiment, the pushing retaining
member 90 is formed in a flat plate shape. Thewall surface 84 of this pushing retaining member 90 (the surface which faces the front surface ofink cartridge 63 when thedoor 76 is in a closed position) is formed as a flat surface, and a pair ofprotrusions wall surface 84, as shown inFigure 5 andFigure 10 . Thus, when thedoor 76 is in a closed position, theseprotrusions ink cartridge 63. Theseprotrusions door 76. Thus, when thedoor 76 is in a closed position, saidprotrusions joint part 143 of theink cartridge 63 without the pushing retainingmember 90 coming into contact with thejoint part 143. - The
lock member 91 is attached to the top end part of the doormain body 89. Thelock member 91 comprises amain shaft part 132, akey part 133 which projects inward into thecase 75 continuously from the top end of themain shaft part 132, and aseat part 109 which projects outward from thecase 75 continuously from the bottom end of themain shaft part 132. - The
lock member 91 is supported so as to allow it to advance and retract vertically relative to the doormain body 89. Aslide rail 101 is provided extending vertically on the top end part of the doormain body 89. Furthermore, aslide groove 102 is provided extending vertically on themain shaft part 132 of the lock member 91 (seeFigure 9 ). Saidslide rail 101 is inserted into thisslide groove 102, thereby allowing to lockmember 91 to freely slide up and down. -
Tabs 144 are provided on both side surfaces of saidmain shaft part 132. Thesetabs 144 project outward from themain shaft part 132. When thelock member 91 is fitted into the doormain body 89, saidtabs 144 are accommodated intab accommodating parts 145 provided on the main shaft part 132 (seeFigure 10 ). Thesetab accommodating parts 145 are comprised of grooves extending a prescribed length in the vertical direction. Thus, when thelock member 91 slides upward or downward, saidtabs 144 contact the inner wall surface of saidtab accommodating parts 145, thereby constraining the vertical sliding of thelock member 91. When thelock member 91 slides upward relative to the doormain body 89, thelock member 91 assumes a position projecting upward from the top end of the doormain body 89. Furthermore, when thelock member 91 slides downward relative to the doormain body 89, thelock member 91 assumes a position retracted into the doormain body 89. The range of sliding of thelock member 91 corresponds to the length of the aforementionedtab accommodating parts 145. - As shown in
Figure 10 , acoil spring 100 is interposed between thelock member 91 and the doormain body 89. Thus, thelock member 91 is constantly elastically impelled so as to project upward from the doormain body 89. Furthermore, thetop surface 103 of thekey part 133 of thelock member 91 constitutes a sloped surface, which is inclined downward. Thus, as shown inFigure 8 andFigure 6 , when thedoor 76 changes from an open position to a closed position, saidtop surface 103 of thelock member 91 contacts thetop edge part 130 of theopening 88 of the case 75 (seeFigure 8 ), and when thedoor 76 turns toward the closed position, thelock member 91 is depressed relative by saidtop edge part 130 and retracts inward into the doormain body 89. Once thedoor 76 has completely changed position to a closed position, thelock member 91 again projects from the doormain body 89 and saidkey part 133 engages with the case 75 (seeFigure 6 ). Specifically, thekey part 133 of thelock member 91 fits into a lock member fitting hole 83 (seeFigure 5 andFigure 11 ) provided in thecase 75. Since thelock member 91 is constantly elastically impelled by saidcoil spring 100 so as to project from the doormain body 89, having assumed a closed position, thedoor 76 is retained in said position. - As shown in
Figure 9 andFigure 10 , thelock release lever 92 is formed in a rectangular plate shape and is attached to the upper part of theoutside surface 105 of the doormain body 89. Asupport pin 106 is provided at the bottom end part of thelock release lever 92. Furthermore, the doormain body 89 is provided with apin support hole 107. Saidsupport pin 106 fits into thispin support hole 107, whereby thelock release lever 92 becomes rotatable about thesupport pin 106. Specifically, thelock release lever 92 is able to rotationally change position between a position substantially parallel to theouter surface 105 of the doormain body 89 by standing up as shown inFigure 6 , a position where it is inclined approximately 45° (degrees) (seeFigure 11 ) and a position where it is lying substantially horizontal (seeFigure 12 ). When thelock release lever 92 is substantially parallel to theouter surface 105 of the doormain body 89, the position of thelock release lever 92 is defined as "standing position," the position of thelock release lever 92 when inclined approximately 45° is defined as "neutral position" and the position of thelock release lever 92 when its lying substantially horizontal is defined as the "lying position." An arrow is labeled or engraved on thetop surface 151 of thelock release lever 92. This makes the direction of operation of thelock release lever 92 clear. - The
bottom end surface 108 of thelock release lever 92 is formed in a prescribed shape. Thisbottom end surface 108 constitutes a cam, which causes thelock member 91 to slide vertically when the position of thelock release lever 92 changes. The shape of saidbottom end surface 108 is not particularly restricted, and can be any shape so long as it causes saidlock member 91 to slide as described below when thelock release lever 92 is turned. -
Figure 11 is a cross-section ofrefill unit 10 showing the manner of operation of thelock release lever 92.Figure 12 is an enlargement of the main part ofFigure 11 . - The
bottom end surface 108 of thelock release lever 92 constitutes a cam, as discussed above. When thelock member 91 is fitted into the lockmember fitting hole 83 ofcase 75, i.e. when thedoor 76 is in a closed position in relation to thecase 75, thelock release lever 92 is able to undergo rotational displacement centered about said support pin 106 (seeFigure 9 andFigure 10 ) in the area between said standing position and neutral position. In the present embodiment, the location of the center of gravity of thelock release lever 92 is set such that it will always move to the neutral position, i.e. to the position shown inFigure 11 , under its own weight. - When the
lock release lever 92 has moved to the neutral position, the aforementionedtop end surface 108 touches theseat part 109 of thelock member 91. In this state, as shown inFigure 11 , thelock release lever 92 attempts to rotate further clockwise under its own weight. In other words, thelock release lever 92 tries to rotate in the direction where it pushes thelock member 91 downward. However, since thelock member 91 is constantly elastically impelled upward by theaforementioned coil spring 100, thelock member 91 is not displaced solely by the effect of the weight oflock release lever 92, so thelock member 91 projects upward from the top end of doormain body 89 and maintains a position of engagement with the lockmember fitting hole 83. - However, as shown in
Figure 12 , if thislock release lever 92 is forcibly rotated further clockwise, for example if an operator attempting to replace theink cartridge 63 manipulates and rotates thelock release lever 92, then thelock release lever 92 will be displaced up to the lying position. When thelock release lever 92 is displaced up to the lying position, saidbottom end part 108 is displaced rotationally about saidsupport pin 106, pushing down saidseat part 109 of thelock member 91. Consequently, thelock member 91 moves downward against the elastic force ofaforesaid coil spring 100 and is displaced to a position retracted into the doormain body 89. Once thelock member 91 changes to this position, the lock of thedoor 76 is released and thedoor 76 can be change from a closed position to an open position. - Since the
lock member 91 is constantly subject to the elastic force ofaforesaid coil spring 100, once rotational force acting upon thelock release lever 92 disappears - in other words, once the operator lets go of the lock release lever 92 - thelock member 91 assumes a position of maximum projection from the doormain body 89. Here, thelock release lever 92 is forcibly displaced to the aforementioned standing position. Namely, as shown inFigure 8 , when thedoor 76 is in an open position, thelock release lever 92 assumes a position where it is essentially contained within the doormain body 89. Therefore, as shown inFigure 1 ,Figure 5 andFigure 8 , when replacing theink cartridge 63, thelock release lever 92 assumes a state where it is essentially contained within the doormain body 89, thus allowing thedoor 76 to rotate about therotational shaft part 94 to a substantially horizontal state, thereby allowing the operator to easily replace theink cartridge 63. Furthermore, the twoprotrusions wall surface 84 of the aforementioned pushing retainingmember 90, in cooperation with a subsequently described guide part between thecurved parts 97, also act as a guide when installing anink cartridge 63 in thehousing chamber 78. Namely, when inserting anink cartridge 63 into thehousing chamber 78, the operator needs only to place the bottom surface of theink cartridge 63 onto theprotrusions ink cartridge 63 between thecurved parts 97, and then just push theink cartridge 63 toward thehousing chamber 78. Furthermore, when removing theink cartridge 63 from thehousing chamber 78, the operator needs only to pull out until the bottom surface of theink cartridge 63 moves between thecurved parts 97 onto theprotrusions - In the present embodiment, since the
lock release lever 92 is arranged in the aforementioned neutral position when thedoor 76 is in a closed position in relation to thecase 75, i.e. since thelock release lever 92 is tilted toward the operator, there is the advantage that the operator can easily manipulate thelock release lever 92. Now, since therefill unit 70 is arranged on thefront surface 71 of themultifunction device 10, as shown inFigure 1 , if thelock release lever 92 is arranged at said neutral position, i.e. if it is leaning forward, a large space would need to be secured inside themultifunction device 10 to accommodate therefill unit 70. Therefore, therefill unit 70 would need to be arranged further inward from the edge of theopening 73, and thus the external dimensions of themultifunction device 10 may need to increase. - However, in the present embodiment, when the
door 76 is in a closed position in relation to thecase 75, thelock release lever 92 is able to rotate freely between said neutral position and standing position, so therefill unit 70 can be arranged near the edge of saidopening 73. This is because even if therefill unit 70 is arranged at the edge of theopening 73, when the opening/closing cover 72 is being closed, the inner wall surface of the opening/closing cover 72 touches saidlock release lever 92, and when the opening/closing cover 72 is completely closed, thelock release lever 92 is displaced to said standing position while being pushed by the opening/closing cover 72. Therefore, in the present embodiment, compact design of themultifunction device 10 is possible. -
Figure 13 is a side view ofink cartridge 63.Figure 14 is a perspective view ofink cartridge 63. - The
ink cartridge 63 serves to store the ink in advance, as discussed above, and comprises a cartridgemain body 111 and ink held therein. In the present embodiment, therefill unit 70 houses fourink cartridges 63, with eachink cartridge 63 storing cyan, magenta, yellow and black color inks respectively. The structure of the ink cartridges, as is clear fromFigure 1 andFigure 5 , is such that theink cartridge 63 storing black ink is fashioned to be somewhat larger in the thickness direction as compared to theink cartridges 63 of other ink colors. This is because, generally speaking, the demand for black ink is greater and it is consumed in larger amounts. The structure of theink cartridges 63 storing inks of colors other than black is all the same. - The cartridge
main body 111 consists of resin. In the present embodiment, the cartridgemain body 111 is formed overall into a thin-walled cuboid shape, with ink housing space that houses ink being demarcated inside it. This cartridgemain body 111 is comprised of two tray-like members members joint part 143 is formed by the joining of the cartridgemain body 111. - The aforementioned
air intake valve 85 is provided on theback surface 114 of the cartridgemain body 111. In the present embodiment, a check valve is arranged in the inner part of theair intake valve 85. When theink cartridge 63 is housed in saidcase 75, a push rod provided in saidcase 75 is inserted into saidair intake valve 85, whereby said check valve is opened. Furthermore, anink supply valve 115 is provided on therear surface 114 of the cartridgemain body 111. When theink cartridge 63 is housed in saidcase 75, an ink supply tube provided in saidcase 75 is connected to thisink supply valve 115, and ink is supplied to saidrecording head 27 via this ink supply tube. Furthermore, the aforementionedliquid level sensor 87 is provided on said backsurface 114. The structure of thisliquid level sensor 87 is not particularly limited, and a known sensor can be used. -
Engagement grooves 116 are provided on the bottom surface of the cartridgemain body 111. Theengagement grooves 116, as shown inFigure 14 , are provided as recesses in the corner parts at the boundary between the side surfaces and bottom surface of the cartridgemain body 111. Theseengagement grooves 116, as shown in said figure, extend in the lengthwise direction of the cartridgemain body 111. In the present embodiment, theengagement grooves 116 are provided symmetrically on the left and right sides of the cartridge main body 111 (seeFigure 5 ). As shown inFigure 13 , theengagement grooves 116 comprise ashallow groove part 118 which opens on theback surface 114 of the cartridgemain body 111 and extends continuously from theback surface 114 toward thefront surface 117, aboundary groove part 119 which continues from theshallow groove part 118 and increases gradually in groove depth (the vertical dimension in said figure), and adeep groove part 120 that continues from theboundary groove part 119. Thedeep groove part 120 does not continue to thefront surface 117 of the cartridgemain body 111, so anend surface 121 is formed on thefront surface 117 side of thedeep groove part 120. In other words, theengagement groove 116 extends in the direction of insertion and removal of theink cartridge 63 into and out of thecase 75, and is connected to theback surface 114 but not thefront surface 117 of the cartridgemain body 111, and has anend surface 121 extending vertically. The leading edge of thecurved part 97 of theaforementioned pullout member 77 comes into contact with thisend surface 121 as described below. - A
groove 149 is also formed on thetop surface 122 of the cartridgemain body 111. Thisgroove 149, as shown inFigure 14 , is recessed into the corner of the boundary of side surface andtop surface 122 of cartridgemain body 111. Thisgroove 149, as shown in the same figure, extends in the lengthwise direction of the cartridgemain body 111, and is connected to thefront surface 117 andback surface 114 of the cartridgemain body 111. Furthermore, a recessedpart 134 is provided on thetop surface 122 of the cartridgemain body 111. This recessedpart 134 is formed substantially in a V shape, and has a forward slopingsurface 135 and a rearwardsloping surface 136. As shown inFigure 6 andFigure 7 , theaforementioned swing arm 123 is provided in thecase 75 which houses theink cartridges 63, and thisswing arm 123 is constantly elastically impelled rotationally clockwise by atension spring 128. - When an
ink cartridge 63 is inserted into saidcase 75, as shown inFigure 7 , first, the top surfacerear end part 148 of the cartridgemain body 111 contacts thesecond arm 126 of theswing arm 123. As theink cartridge 63 continues to be inserted into thecase 75, theswing arm 123 turns counterclockwise, assuming the position shown by the solid line in said figure. As theink cartridge 63 is inserted further, theswing arm 123 turns clockwise while being guided by said rearward slopingsurface 136, and engages said recessedpart 134. As theink cartridge 63 goes further into thecase 75, thesecond arm 126 of theswing arm 126 turns counterclockwise while being guided by said forward slopingsurface 135 and assumes the position indicated by a solid line in said figure. Furthermore, upon insertion of theink cartridge 63 into thecase 75, theink cartridge 63 slides relative to theswing arm 123, and is arranged at a position displaced by a prescribed distance to the right form the position shown by a solid line in said figure, whereupon theink cartridge 63 is completely installed in thecase 75. The prescribed distance in this case is the distance L1 shown inFigure 8 . -
Figure 15 is a drawing schematically illustrating the engagement structure of theink cartridge 63,case 75, andpullout member 77 ofdoor 76.Figure 15 (a) shows the engagement structure of the lower part of theink cartridge 63 and the lower part of thecase 75, whileFigure 15 (b) shows the engagement structure of theink cartridge 63 andpullout member 77. - As shown in
Figure 15 (a) , when theink cartridge 63 has been installed in thecase 75, apartition wall part 137 provided incase 75 engages with anengagement groove 116 of theink cartridge 63. When theink cartridge 63 has been installed in thecase 75, thepartition wall 137 provided on the side of theceiling plate part 82 of thecase 75 also engages with agroove 149 provided on thetop surface 122 side of theink cartridge 63. Here, thebottom surface 155 of theink cartridge 63 is placed on thebottom plate part 80. As a result, theink cartridge 63 is housed and retained in a positioned state in the case 75 (seeFigure 6 ). Furthermore, when theink cartridge 63 is housed in thecase 75, as shown inFigure 15 (b) , thebottom surface 155 of theink cartridge 63 is placed on the doormain body 89, and thecurved part 97 of thepullout member 77 enters into theengagement groove 116. When thedoor 76 is opened from this state, as shown inFigure 6 andFigure 7 , thepullout member 77 turns, and saidcurved part 97 pulls theend surface 121 of theengagement groove 116 forward (to the left inFigure 7 ). - The engagement structure of the
ink cartridge 63,case 75, andpullout member 77 ofdoor 76 is not limited to the above structure.Figure 16 is a drawing, which schematically illustrates a modified example of the engagement structure of theink cartridge 63,case 75, andpullout member 77 ofdoor 76.Figure 16 (a) shows the engagement structure of the lower part ofink cartridge 63 and the lower part ofcase 75, whileFigure 16 (b) shows the engagement structure of theink cartridge 63 andpullout member 77. - The difference between the engagement structure shown in said figure and the engagement structure shown in previously mentioned
Figure 15 is that in the engagement structure shown inFigure 15 , when theink cartridge 63 is installed in thecase 75, thebottom surface 155 of theink cartridge 63 is placed on the bottom plate part 80 (seeFigure 15 (a) ) and on the door main body 89 (seeFigure 15 (b) ), while in the engagement structure shown inFigure 16 , when theink cartridge 63 is installed in thecase 75, thebottom surface 155 of theink cartridge 63 does not contact thebottom plate part 80 and thetop wall surface 156 of saidengagement groove 116 touches said partition wall part 137 (seeFigure 16 (a) ). Here, as shown inFigure 16 (b) , thebottom surface 155 of theink cartridge 63 does not contact the doormain body 89, while saidtop wall surface 156 is place don thecurved part 97 of thepullout member 77 and thecurved part 97 enters into theengagement groove 116. In this modified example as well, theink cartridge 63 is housed and retained incase 75 in a positioned state. Whendoor 76 is opened, as shown inFigure 6 andFigure 7 , thepullout member 77 turns, and saidcurved part 97 pulls theend surface 121 of theengagement groove 116 forward (to the left inFigure 7 ). - Furthermore,
Figure 17 is a drawing, which schematically illustrates another modified example of another engagement structure ofink cartridge 63,case 75, andpullout member 77 ofdoor 76.Figure 17 (a) shows the engagement structure of the lower part ofink cartridge 63 and the lower part ofcase 75, whileFigure 17 (b) shows the engagement structure of theink cartridge 63 andpullout member 77. - The difference between the engagement structure shown in said figure and the engagement structure shown in previously mentioned
Figure 15 is that in the engagement structure shown in aforementionedFigure 15 , when theink cartridge 63 is installed in thecase 75, thebottom surface 155 of theink cartridge 63 is placed on the bottom plate part 80 (seeFigure 15 (a) ) and on the door main body 89 (seeFigure 15 (b) ), while in the engagement structure shown inFigure 17 , theink cartridge 63 is provided with agroove 138 on itsbottom surface 155. Thisgroove 138 extends in the same direction as theaforementioned engagement groove 116. Aprotrusion 139, which engages with thisgroove 138, is formed on the doormain body 89. Thisprotrusion 139 also extends in the same direction as saidengagement groove 116, and is designed to engage with saidgroove 138. When theink cartridge 63 is installed in thecase 75, thebottom surface 155 of theink cartridge 63 is placed on thebottom plate part 80 and on the doormain body 89, and thecurved part 97 ofpullout member 77 enters theengagement groove 116. - When the
door 76 is opened from this state, as shown inFigure 6 andFigure 7 , thepullout member 77 turns, and saidcurved part 97 pulls theend surface 121 of theengagement groove 116 forward (to the left inFigure 7 ). Here, since saidprotrusion 139 is provided on the doormain body 89, theprotrusion 139 engages thegroove 138 provided on theink cartridge 63. Therefore, when thedoor 76 is opened, theink cartridge 63 is stably pulled out from thecase 75 without falling sideways. The operation of removing theink cartridge 63 can thereby be performed more smoothly. - In the
multifunction device 10 according to the present embodiment, spent ink cartridges are replaced in the following manner. - To remove an
ink cartridge 63 from themultifunction device 10, as shown inFigure 1 , the operator first opens the opening/closing cover 72. Therefill unit 70 is thereby exposed on the front surface of themultifunction device 10. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as discussed above, when the opening/closing cover 72 is opened, thelock release lever 92 of therefill unit 70 is displaced to the neutral position, and tilts toward the front surface of themultifunction device 10 as illustrated in said figure. Therefore, the operation of opening thedoor 76 of therefill unit 70 and the operation of the removing theink cartridge 63 become extremely simple for the operator. - In this state, the operator opens the
door 76 of therefill unit 70. Specifically, the operator places a finger on thelock release lever 92 and pushes up toward himself, causing thelock release lever 92 to move to a lying position. As a result, thelock member 91 ofdoor 76 slides downward, and the key part 133 (seeFigure 12 ) of thelock member 91 is released from the lockmember fitting hole 83 of thedoor 76. The operator can open thedoor 76 simply by pushing thelock release lever 92 toward himself. - When the
door 76 changes from a closed position to an open position, as shown inFigure 8 , thepullout member 77 rotates about therotational shaft part 94 and thecurved part 97 contacts theend surface 121 of theink cartridge 63 and pushes it to the left in the drawing (out from the front inFigure 1 ). As a result, theink cartridge 63 is dragged out toward theopening 88 , being pulled out forward from theopening 88 of thecase 75 by a prescribed distance L1. Thus, the operator can easily grip theink cartridge 63 and is able to pull them out simply from theopening 88. - Next, a
new cartridge 63 is inserted into thehousing chamber 78 of thecase 75 through saidopening 88. Here, thedoor 76 is in an open position and theink cartridge 63 to be inserted into saidhousing chamber 78 is placed in advance on theouter wall surface 110 of thecurved part 97 of saidpullout member 77 and is inserted into saidhousing chamber 78 while being guided by theouter wall surface 110. In particular, in the present embodiment, because said pushing retainingmember 90 is provided on thedoor 76, anew ink cartridge 63 is placed temporarily onprotrusion wall surface 84 of the pushing retainingmember 90 and is guided onto theouter wall surface 110 of saidcurved part 97 while being sliding along theseprotrusion new ink cartridge 63 having been installed in thecase 75, the operator again moves thedoor 76 to a closed position. When thedoor 76 changes to a closed position, said pushing retainingmember 90 contacts thefront surface 117 of theink cartridge 63, and when thedoor 76 has completely assumed the closed position, said pushing retainingmember 90 elastically impels theink cartridge 63 inward into thehousing chamber 78 of thecase 75. At the same time, thekey part 133 of saidlock member 91 engages the lockmember fitting hole 83 provided incase 75 and thedoor 76 is retained in a closed position. - In this way, in the present embodiment, when the operator opens the
door 76 of therefill unit 70, the spent ink cartridge is automatically pulled out, and the operator can easily install a new ink cartridge in thecase 75 while thedoor 76 remains open. In other words, the ink cartridge replacement operation is extremely simple. - In the present embodiment, as shown in
Figure 7 , aswing arm 123 is provided on theceiling plate part 82 of thecase 75, and when theink cartridge 63 is pulled out by said distance L1 from thecase 75, saidswing arm 123 pushes on the forwardsloping surface 135. Namely, the elastic force of thetension spring 128 acts upon the forwardsloping surface 135 of the cartridgemain body 111 though theswing arm 123, elastically impelling theink cartridge 63 toward saidopening 88. Therefore, when saiddoor 76 is opened as described above and theink cartridge 63 is pulled out through theopening 88 of thecase 75 by saidpullout member 77, at the same time, saidswing arm 123 turns clockwise in said figure, pushing the aforementionedforward sloping surface 135 toward saidopening 88. As a result, theswing arm 123 engages the recessedpart 134 formed between said forward slopingsurface 135 and said rearward slopingsurface 136 and thesecond arm 126 of theswing arm 123 contacts said rearward slopingsurface 136. Namely, theswing arm 123 is retained in said recessedpart 134. - The
swing arm 123 turning and engaging into said recessedpart 134 causes theink cartridge 63 to be pushed further out from thecase 75 by a distance L2. Therefore, theink cartridge 63 is pushed out form saidopening 88 by said distance (L1 + L2), which has the advantage of making it very simple for the operator to grasp theink cartridge 63 and allowing it to be removed from thecase 75 more simply. - Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a pair of
pullout members 77 is provided, which sandwich theink cartridge 63 arranged in thehousing chamber 78 in the widthwise direction (seeFigure 15 ). Thus, theink cartridge 63 is pulled out through saidopening 88 while being positioned in the widthwise direction by thepullout members 77. At this time, as shown inFigure 7 andFigure 8 , thecurved part 97 of thepullout members 77 is arranged substantially horizontally so as to continue smoothly from theplacement surface 98 on which theink cartridge 63 is placed, so that when a new ink cartridge is inserted through saidopening 88 into thehousing chamber 78, by simply placing the new ink cartridge temporarily on theouter wall surface 110 of thecurved parts 97, the new ink cartridge becomes securely supported bypullout members 77 and is guided in that state onto saidplacement surface 98. Therefore, it becomes even easier to perform the ink cartridge replacement operation. - Moreover, since each
pullout member 77 engages anengagement groove 116 recessed into theink cartridge 63 and since the widthwise dimension d1 (seeFigure 9 ) of the pair ofpullout members 77 is set smaller than the width dimension d2 of the ink cartridge 63 (seeFigure 14 ), saidpullout members 77 do not project from theink cartridge 63. By setting said dimension d1 smaller than said dimension d2, saiddoor 76 can be designed more compactly, as a result allowing miniaturization of therefill unit 70 and thus ofmultifunction device 10 to be implemented. - In particular, in the present embodiment, the
refill unit 70 is arranged on thefront surface 71 of themultifunction device 10, and the operator is able to insert and remove theink cartridge 63 into and out of therefill unit 70 from the front surface side, thereby making the operation of replacing theink cartridge 63 simpler. Furthermore, as shown inFigure 8 , when thedoor 76 changes to an open position, thecurved part 97 of saidpullout members 77 rotates and pushes on theend surface 121 of theink cartridge 63, whereby theink cartridge 63 is pulled out from thecase 75 and thecurved parts 97 also constitute members, which guide the insertion of a new ink cartridge. Therefore, the structure of thepullout members 77 which double as guide members is extremely simple, which has the advantage of keeping the manufacturing costs of therefill unit 70 down. -
- 63
- ink cartridge
- 70
- refill unit
- 74
- unit main body
- 75
- case
- 76
- door
- 77
- pullout member
- 78
- housing chamber
- 79
- front surface
- 88
- opening
- 89
- door main body
- 93
- bottom end part
- 94
- rotational shaft part
- 95
- bearing part
- 96
- extension part
- 97
- curved part
- 98
- placement surface
- 106
- support pin
- 107
- pint support hole
- 111
- cartridge main body
- 116
- engagement groove
- 117
- front surface
- 118
- shallow groove part
- 119
- boundary groove part
- 120
- deep groove part
Claims (8)
- An ink cartridge (63) for use in an ink printer, comprising:a cartridge main body (111) having:characterized by: a pair of engagement grooves (116) formed respectively at each boundary between the side surface (112, 113) and the bottom surface and extending from the back surface (114) to end surfaces (121) of the engagement grooves (116) formed at the front surface (117);a front surface (117),a back surface (114) opposite to the front surface (117),a side surface (112, 113) which connects to the front surface (117) and the back surface (114),a bottom surface which connects to the front surface (117), the back surface (114) and side surface (112, 113) ; an ink supply valve (115) provided at the back surface (114);a top surface (122) opposite the bottom surface, which connects to the front surface (117), the back surface (114) and side surface (112, 113); anda pair of upper grooves (149) being formed at the boundary of a side surface (112, 113) and the top surface (122) and extending from the front surface (117) to the back surface (114);
wherein each engagement groove (116) comprises
a shallow groove part (118) which opens on the back surface (114);
a boundary groove part (119) which continues from the shallow groove part (118) and increases gradually in a vertical direction; and a deep groove part (120) which continues from the boundary groove part (119). - The ink cartridge according to claim 1,
wherein a recessed part (134) is provided in a top surface (122) of the cartridge main body (111) in a substantially V shape and having a forward sloping surface (135) and a rearward sloping surface (136). - The ink cartridge according to claim 1 or 2,
wherein the ink supply valve (115) is formed adjacent to a bottom surface of the cartridge main body (111),
a liquid level sensor connector (86) being provided at the back surface (114) in a vertical direction above the ink supply valve (115) and
an air intake valve (85) being provided at the back surface (114) above the liquid level sensor connector (86). - A main body (74) for a refill unit (70) of an ink printer, comprising:a casing (75) having an opening (88) and an accommodating portion which communicates with the opening (88), wherein the accommodating portion is configured to accommodate an ink cartridge (63) therein as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, and the opening (88) is configured such that the ink cartridge (63) is insertable into and removable from the accommodating portion through the opening (88);a door (76) provided at the casing (75) and configured to change its position between an open position and a closed position, wherein when the opening (88) is opened the ink cartridge (63) is allowed to be inserted into and removed from the accommodating portion through the opening (88) and the opening (88) is closed when the door (76) is in the closed position; anda pulling member (77) provided at the door (76) configured to pull out the ink cartridge (63) accommodated in the accommodating portion toward the opening side when the door (76) is moved from the closed position to the open position,wherein the pulling member (77) is configured to function as a guide member which guides the ink cartridge (63) during the insertion of the ink cartridge (63) into the accommodating portion when the door (76) is at the open position;
wherein the pulling member (77) comprises a pair of pulling members arranged so as to sandwich an ink cartridge (63) accommodated in the accommodation portion in a width direction of the ink cartridge (63) when the door (76) is at the closed position, and
wherein the distance between the pair of pulling members is smaller than a width of the ink cartridge (63). - The main body according to claim 4, wherein the opening (88) is provided on a front surface of the casing (75),
wherein a lower end of the door (76) is rotatably supported at a lower portion of the front surface (71), wherein the pulling member (77) is provided on the lower end of the door (76) and the pulling member (77) is formed in a L shape including an extended portion (96), which extends rearward from the lower end of the door (76) when the door (76) is at the closed position, and a curved portion (97), which is connected to the extended portion (96) and extends upwardly. - A refill unit (70) of an ink printer, comprising:an ink cartridge (63) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3 and a main body (74) as claimed in claim 4 or 5.
- The refill unit according to claim 6,
wherein the pulling member (77) of the main body (74) is configured to engage the end surface (121) of the ink cartridge (63) to pull the ink cartridge (63). - The refill unit according to claim 6 or 7, comprising a swing arm (123) ,
the swing arm (123) configured to engage a recessed part (134) of the ink cartridge (63) to push the ink cartridge (63).
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2005342697 | 2005-11-28 | ||
JP2005345866A JP4277850B2 (en) | 2005-11-30 | 2005-11-30 | Refill unit |
JP2005377987 | 2005-12-28 | ||
JP2006081806A JP4479684B2 (en) | 2005-11-28 | 2006-03-23 | ink cartridge |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1790480A1 EP1790480A1 (en) | 2007-05-30 |
EP1790480B1 true EP1790480B1 (en) | 2008-09-17 |
EP1790480B2 EP1790480B2 (en) | 2018-12-26 |
Family
ID=37103351
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP06013000.2A Active EP1790480B2 (en) | 2005-11-28 | 2006-06-23 | Ink cartridge, main body and refill unit |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1790480B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN101132927B (en) |
AT (1) | ATE408514T1 (en) |
DE (4) | DE202006020616U1 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2313507T5 (en) |
HK (1) | HK1117105A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2007060789A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7607771B2 (en) | 2005-11-28 | 2009-10-27 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Ink cartridges |
DE102010024064A1 (en) | 2010-06-17 | 2011-12-22 | Brother Kogyo K.K. | Ink cartridge for attaching in line supply type inkjet recording device e.g. printer, has projection, where total length of end of projection extending to end of retaining portion is measured along insertion direction |
US8449091B2 (en) | 2010-06-17 | 2013-05-28 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Ink cartridges |
Families Citing this family (18)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8025378B2 (en) | 2007-03-28 | 2011-09-27 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Ink cartridges |
EP3075546B1 (en) * | 2008-02-28 | 2019-05-08 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Ink cartridge, set of ink cartridges, and ink cartridge determination system |
ATE534523T2 (en) * | 2008-02-28 | 2011-12-15 | Brother Ind Ltd | INK CARTRIDGE, SET OF INK CARTRIDGES AND INK CARTRIDGE DETERMINATION SYSTEM |
DE202008007757U1 (en) | 2008-06-03 | 2008-08-07 | Ninestar Image Co., Ltd., Zhuhai | Ink cartridge and device with ink cartridge |
DE202009003510U1 (en) | 2009-03-15 | 2009-05-28 | Leier, Rolf | Container for holding a liquid |
PL2397330T3 (en) * | 2010-06-17 | 2013-04-30 | Brother Ind Ltd | Recording apparatus and ink cartridge |
EP2397333B1 (en) * | 2010-06-17 | 2013-09-25 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Ink cartridge and recording apparatus |
EP2397331B1 (en) * | 2010-06-17 | 2014-07-23 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Set of ink cartridges |
JP2012000858A (en) | 2010-06-17 | 2012-01-05 | Brother Industries Ltd | Ink cartridge |
FR2961435B1 (en) * | 2010-06-17 | 2012-08-17 | Brother Ind Ltd | INK CARTRIDGE ASSEMBLY |
JP5482489B2 (en) * | 2010-06-17 | 2014-05-07 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | Liquid supply device |
EP2397329B1 (en) * | 2010-06-17 | 2013-01-02 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Recording apparatus and ink cartridge |
FR2961433B1 (en) * | 2010-06-17 | 2012-08-31 | Brother Ind Ltd | INK CARTRIDGE |
EP2397332B1 (en) * | 2010-06-17 | 2013-10-23 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Ink cartridge and recording apparatus |
DE102011052210A1 (en) * | 2010-09-02 | 2012-03-08 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Liquid container, liquid ejector with the liquid container, and method for recycling the liquid container |
US8596771B2 (en) | 2011-03-30 | 2013-12-03 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Printing-liquid cartridge and recording apparatus using the same |
EP2952354B1 (en) * | 2011-03-30 | 2019-10-16 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Ink cartridge and recording apparatus |
EP2607080B1 (en) * | 2011-12-22 | 2014-08-13 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Printing-liquid cartridge and recording apparatus using the same |
Family Cites Families (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0478244B1 (en) * | 1990-09-22 | 1997-08-13 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Ink cartridge and ink jet apparatus usable with ink cartridge |
JPH06106730A (en) | 1992-09-28 | 1994-04-19 | Canon Inc | Ink jet recording device |
JP2976934B2 (en) | 1996-08-14 | 1999-11-10 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | Ink cartridge and its loading mechanism |
US6585359B1 (en) * | 1997-06-04 | 2003-07-01 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Ink container providing pressurized ink with ink level sensor |
ES2198912T3 (en) † | 1998-05-18 | 2004-02-01 | Seiko Epson Corporation | PRINTER OF INK JET AND INK CARTRIDGE. |
JPH11348303A (en) | 1998-06-09 | 1999-12-21 | Seiko Epson Corp | Ink cartridge setting mechanism of printer |
JP3501356B2 (en) * | 2000-03-14 | 2004-03-02 | 船井電機株式会社 | Printing device |
JP4133154B2 (en) † | 2002-09-19 | 2008-08-13 | 株式会社リコー | Ink cartridge and inkjet printer |
JP3624950B2 (en) * | 2002-11-26 | 2005-03-02 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | ink cartridge |
JP2004345246A (en) | 2003-05-22 | 2004-12-09 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Ink jet type recording device |
JP4469686B2 (en) | 2003-08-29 | 2010-05-26 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | Liquid ejector |
JP4442240B2 (en) | 2004-02-06 | 2010-03-31 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | Liquid ejector |
JP4277850B2 (en) * | 2005-11-30 | 2009-06-10 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | Refill unit |
-
2006
- 2006-06-23 AT AT06013000T patent/ATE408514T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2006-06-23 DE DE202006020616U patent/DE202006020616U1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2006-06-23 EP EP06013000.2A patent/EP1790480B2/en active Active
- 2006-06-23 DE DE202006020420U patent/DE202006020420U1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2006-06-23 DE DE602006002797T patent/DE602006002797D1/en active Active
- 2006-06-23 ES ES06013000T patent/ES2313507T5/en active Active
- 2006-06-23 DE DE202006020615U patent/DE202006020615U1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2006-09-29 WO PCT/JP2006/320014 patent/WO2007060789A1/en active Application Filing
- 2006-09-29 CN CN2006800065635A patent/CN101132927B/en active Active
-
2008
- 2008-06-27 HK HK08107194.1A patent/HK1117105A1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7607771B2 (en) | 2005-11-28 | 2009-10-27 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Ink cartridges |
DE102010024064A1 (en) | 2010-06-17 | 2011-12-22 | Brother Kogyo K.K. | Ink cartridge for attaching in line supply type inkjet recording device e.g. printer, has projection, where total length of end of projection extending to end of retaining portion is measured along insertion direction |
US8449091B2 (en) | 2010-06-17 | 2013-05-28 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Ink cartridges |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
ATE408514T1 (en) | 2008-10-15 |
DE202006020616U1 (en) | 2009-05-28 |
CN101132927B (en) | 2010-05-26 |
EP1790480B2 (en) | 2018-12-26 |
WO2007060789A1 (en) | 2007-05-31 |
DE202006020615U9 (en) | 2009-10-22 |
DE202006020615U1 (en) | 2009-05-28 |
DE202006020420U1 (en) | 2008-06-19 |
CN101132927A (en) | 2008-02-27 |
DE602006002797D1 (en) | 2008-10-30 |
ES2313507T3 (en) | 2009-03-01 |
EP1790480A1 (en) | 2007-05-30 |
ES2313507T5 (en) | 2019-03-25 |
HK1117105A1 (en) | 2009-01-09 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP1790480B1 (en) | Ink cartridge, main body and refill unit | |
JP4277850B2 (en) | Refill unit | |
US7607769B2 (en) | Refill unit | |
US7815296B2 (en) | Ink cartridge holding device | |
US7789487B2 (en) | Ink cartridge holding device | |
EP1792735B1 (en) | Refill unit | |
JP5115634B2 (en) | Ink cartridge holding member | |
JP4839931B2 (en) | Ink cartridge holding member | |
JP2011143725A5 (en) | ||
US7669968B2 (en) | Refill unit | |
JP4631781B2 (en) | Ink cartridge holding member | |
JP2004216660A (en) | Carriage and ink jet recorder | |
JP3937167B2 (en) | Tray and recording device | |
JP2004216662A (en) | Carriage and inkjet type recording device | |
JP2004216659A (en) | Carriage and inkjet type recording device | |
JP2004216658A (en) | Supplying and discharging mechanism and recording device |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20070206 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: AL BA HR MK YU |
|
AKX | Designation fees paid |
Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20080407 |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 602006002797 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 20081030 Kind code of ref document: P |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20080917 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20080917 Ref country code: AT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20080917 Ref country code: SI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20080917 Ref country code: LV Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20080917 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: ES Ref legal event code: FG2A Ref document number: 2313507 Country of ref document: ES Kind code of ref document: T3 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: BE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20080917 |
|
PLBI | Opposition filed |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009260 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: BG Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20081217 |
|
26 | Opposition filed |
Opponent name: PELIKAN VERTRIEBSGES. MBH & CO. KG Effective date: 20090417 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: RO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20080917 Ref country code: CZ Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20080917 Ref country code: PT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20090217 Ref country code: SK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20080917 Ref country code: IS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20090117 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20080917 Ref country code: EE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20080917 |
|
NLR1 | Nl: opposition has been filed with the epo |
Opponent name: PELIKAN VERTRIEBSGES. MBH & CO. KG |
|
PLAX | Notice of opposition and request to file observation + time limit sent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNOBS2 |
|
PLAF | Information modified related to communication of a notice of opposition and request to file observations + time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSCOBS2 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20081217 Ref country code: MC Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20090630 |
|
PLBB | Reply of patent proprietor to notice(s) of opposition received |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNOBS3 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20090623 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: PL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20080917 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20081218 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PL |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CH Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20090630 Ref country code: LI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20090630 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20100630 Ref country code: LU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20090623 Ref country code: CH Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20100630 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: HU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20090318 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: TR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20080917 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CY Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20080917 |
|
APBM | Appeal reference recorded |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNREFNO |
|
APBP | Date of receipt of notice of appeal recorded |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNNOA2O |
|
APAH | Appeal reference modified |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSCREFNO |
|
APBQ | Date of receipt of statement of grounds of appeal recorded |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNNOA3O |
|
PLBP | Opposition withdrawn |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009264 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 11 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 12 |
|
APBU | Appeal procedure closed |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNNOA9O |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 13 |
|
PUAH | Patent maintained in amended form |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009272 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: PATENT MAINTAINED AS AMENDED |
|
27A | Patent maintained in amended form |
Effective date: 20181226 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B2 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R102 Ref document number: 602006002797 Country of ref document: DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: ES Ref legal event code: DC2A Ref document number: 2313507 Country of ref document: ES Kind code of ref document: T5 Effective date: 20190325 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: FP |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20210520 Year of fee payment: 16 Ref country code: IT Payment date: 20210614 Year of fee payment: 16 Ref country code: NL Payment date: 20210517 Year of fee payment: 16 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20210528 Year of fee payment: 16 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: ES Payment date: 20210702 Year of fee payment: 16 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: MM Effective date: 20220701 |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20220623 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20220701 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20220630 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20220623 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: ES Ref legal event code: FD2A Effective date: 20230728 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20220623 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20220624 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20240509 Year of fee payment: 19 |