EP1904308A2

EP1904308A2 - Ink cartridge

Info

Publication number: EP1904308A2
Application number: EP06762393A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Daniel Sulser
Original assignee: Pelikan Hardcopy Production AG
Current assignee: Pelikan Hardcopy Production AG
Priority date: 2005-07-04
Filing date: 2006-07-04
Publication date: 2008-04-02
Also published as: WO2007003412A2; DE202005020053U1; CA2614081A1; US20090147062A1; WO2007003412A3

Abstract

The invention relates to an ink cartridge (10) for introducing into a cartridge receiving element (12) of an ink-jet printer, said ink cartridge comprising: a housing (14) containing at least one ink storage chamber (20); at least one connecting section (24) which is provided especially on the lower side (22) of the housing (14) and is used to connect the ink storage chamber (20) to a supply connection (26) provided on the ink-jet printer, during the insertion of the ink cartridge (10) into the cartridge receiving element (12); and a locking catch (32) which is elastically pre-stressed in a locking position and is located at a distance from the outer side of a lateral wall (28) of the housing (14), adjacent to the lower side (22). An engaging edge (40) is formed on the locking catch (40), by which means the locking catch (32) can be engaged with a complementary locking edge (e.g. locking opening (59)) provided on the cartridge receiving element (12), in order to lock the ink cartridge (10) in the cartridge receiving element (12). The ink cartridge (10) is supported beneath the locking catch (32) in such a way that a torque (M) holding the connecting section (24) against the supply connection (26) is exerted around said support region.

Description

"Ink cartridge"

description

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

Interchangeable ink cartridges of the aforementioned type are well known and are used to supply inkjet printers with ink. The ink cartridge usually includes at least one ink chamber in which liquid ink is stored. The chambers of an ink cartridge may be fluid mechanically separated from one another, each having its own ink supply and removal openings, or being in fluid communication with each other, having common ink supply and removal openings. Fluid mechanically separated ink chambers are used in particular in ink cartridges for color inkjet printers for receiving different color inks for use. Ink cartridges with a single ink chamber or fluidically interconnected ink chambers are used in both mono and color ink jet printers. However, especially in color ink-jet printers, both types of cartridges can be used in common, for example, by providing a separate black ink cartridge and a separate cartridge having, for example, three chambers for each color ink, or by disposing both the black ink and, for example, three different color inks each own cartridge are provided with one or more fluid-mechanically connected ink chambers. To operate the inkjet printer, one or more ink cartridges are inserted into the printer-side cartridge receptacle, which either moves along the printhead or stationary in the housing of the inkjet printer is provided. Upon insertion of the ink cartridge, the or each ink discharge port, or the or each port, the or each ink chamber is fluid-mechanically connected to the corresponding supply port in the cartridge receptacle.

For a reliable ink supply, it is necessary that the or each port of the ink cartridge is airtightly coupled to the or each supply port of the printer. This is achieved in that the ink cartridge is held in a predetermined, defined mounting position in the cartridge holder and locked in this.

An ink cartridge which can be locked in a cartridge receptacle is known, for example, from EP 1 481 809 A2, which originates from the Applicant. This ink cartridge is characterized in that the Verriegelungsschnapper has a hinge portion having a pivot axis which extends approximately parallel to the insertion of the ink cartridge in which the ink cartridge is to be inserted into the cartridge receptacle, and that adjoins the hinge portion, a latching portion, where the locking edge is formed running transversely to the insertion plane.

This ensures that a proper insertion of the ink cartridge into the cartridge receptacle of the printer with a defined, secure hold of the ink cartridge in the cartridge receptacle and thus avoiding air access into the ink supply between the or each port of the ink cartridge and the or each printer-side supply port is guaranteed.

Moreover, in the case of the ink cartridge according to EP 1 481 809 A2, a positioning aid in the form of a positioning edge is formed on the side wall of the housing from which the locking catch projects and faces away from the side wall near the underside of the housing. With the help of this positioning edge, the insertion of the ink cartridge can be facilitated in the cartridge holder. For this purpose, a corresponding receiving opening is provided on the cartridge receptacle, in which the positioning edge can be introduced upon insertion of the ink cartridge. This positioning edge forms a pivot point for the insertion movement of the ink cartridge in the cartridge receptacle.

Based on this prior art, the present invention has the object, an ink cartridge of the type mentioned while retaining the advantages the same so that a tight connection between the connection piece of the ink cartridge and the supply port of the cartridge receptacle is ensured.

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

A key point of the present invention is thus that the ink cartridge is supported below the Verriegelungsschnappers such that around this support the connecting piece against the supply port holding torque is exercised. The torque ensures that a particularly tight connection between the connection piece and the supply connection is ensured, which allows a proper operation of the printer with regard to the ink supply, even with mechanical effect on the printer or the cartridge.

In a preferred embodiment, on the side wall of the housing from which the locking snap he projects, a positioning arranged, in particular in the form of a positioning bar, in particular is formed, or in the inserted state of the ink cartridge on the side wall facing this boundary wall of the Cartridge receptacle supported. Accordingly, according to the invention, a separate receiving opening in the cartridge receptacle for a positioning aid formed on the housing of the ink cartridge, in particular positioning edge, is no longer required. The inventively embodied ink cartridge is thus suitable for a cartridge holder with or without a receiving opening for a positioning aid, and thus more universally applicable.

Characterized in that the positioning element in the inserted state of the ink cartridge supporting function, the ink cartridge is held by the positioning in the inserted state and thus secured.

Alternatively, the positioning member may also be formed on the boundary wall of the cartridge receptacle, which faces the side wall of the housing of the ink cartridge, from which protrudes the Verriegelungsschnapper.

When the positioning element is designed as a positioning strip, it preferably extends approximately parallel to the insertion plane of the ink cartridge, in which it is to be inserted or inserted into the cartridge receptacle. However, it should be noted at this point that the positioning can also be designed as a pin or the like., The free end is preferably rounded, in particular hemispherical in shape.

When the positioning element is designed as a positioning strip, at least the region of the outer boundary facing the underside of the housing has an arcuate section. This ensures that the positioning strip does not hinder the pivoting in and out of the ink cartridge into or out of the cartridge receptacle.

Of particular advantage in connection with the above-described further development are also the measures according to claims 5 to 8. The arrangement of the pivot axis parallel to the insertion is achieved that the locking portion when inserting the ink cartridges with its outer edge with the upper edge of the cartridge receptacle only about punctiform comes into contact, while this contact area in locking devices according to the prior art, eg according to EP 0 879 703 A2, either flat, or at least linear. When inserting the ink cartridge of the locking latch is moved from its rest position. In contrast to the mentioned prior art, the locking device according to the invention facilitates the insertion of the ink cartridge in the cartridge receptacle due to the lower frictional forces. In the final phase of the insertion movement of the ink cartridge, the locking edge finally engages in the locking opening, whereby the ink cartridge is secured in the cartridge receptacle, this fuse is additionally secured by the erfϊndungsgemäße positioning.

It should also be noted that is achieved by the parallel to the insertion level of the ink cartridge pivot axis about which the Verriegelungsschnapper is deflected that the ink cartridge by the biasing force with which the Verriegelungsschnapper on the inside of the cartridge receptacle, in the longitudinal direction of the ink cartridge , ie in the direction perpendicular to the side wall, is clamped. At the same time the Verriegelungsschnapper causes a torque acting around the bottom-side connecting piece through which the ink cartridge is additionally clamped in the cartridge receptacle in a direction deviating from the effective direction of the biasing force, whereby an improved and secure hold of the ink cartridge in the cartridge receptacle is achieved, in particular the risk from access of air into the ink supply is reduced. Moreover, with regard to the advantages of the measures according to the Claims 4 to 7 referred to the applicant deriving from EP 1 481 809 A2. The content of this EP 1 481 809 A2 is made part of the content of the present application with regard to the features of claims 5 to 8.

Preferably, the support comprises at least one positioning element, which is provided on the underside of the ink cartridge and is supported in the inserted state at the bottom of the cartridge receptacle. As a result of the interaction of the positioning element with the bottom of the cartridge receptacle, a fixing of the positioning element acting at least in one direction is achieved, so that a torque can be applied to this positioning element.

The support may comprise a positioning pin which is arranged on the underside of the housing and in the inserted state cooperates with a positioning opening formed in or on the bottom of the cartridge receptacle or a positioning step projecting from the floor. This embodiment realizes the principle underlying the invention in a simple and effective manner, according to which a secure connection between the connecting piece and the supply connection is ensured by applying a torque to a support below the Verriegelungsschnappers.

An improved introduction of force into the cartridge receptacle is achieved in that a surface of the positioning pin provided for abutment of the positioning opening is planar.

The insertion of the ink cartridge in the cartridge receptacle is facilitated by a free end of the positioning pin has a chamfer.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the support comprises at least one positioning opening, which is provided on the underside of the ink cartridge and is supported in the inserted state at the bottom of the cartridge receptacle. Thus, the principle explained in the preceding embodiment, according to which an element projecting from the underside of the ink cartridge interacts with a complementary opening in the bottom of the cartridge receptacle, is reversed. The interaction of a provided in the bottom or at the bottom of the ink cartridge positioning opening with the bottom of the cartridge receptacle, in particular with a corresponding profiled point of the bottom, also leads to a torque can be applied to the ink cartridge around the positioning hole. In a preferred embodiment, the support comprises at least one, in particular two notches, which are formed in side edges of the underside of the ink cartridge and cooperate with at least one, in particular two complementary ribs at the bottom of the cartridge receptacle.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. This shows in:

Figure 1 is a side view of an embodiment of an ink cartridge according to the invention with a Verriegelungsschnapper for locking the ink cartridge in a cartridge receptacle of an ink jet printer, wherein the lid of the ink cartridge is not shown.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the ink cartridge of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front view of the ink cartridge of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge of Fig. 1;

5 is a schematic side view of an ink cartridge according to another embodiment;

Figures 1 to 4 show a first embodiment of an ink cartridge 10 according to the invention, which is insertable into a cartridge receptacle 12 of an ink jet printer, wherein the cartridge receptacle 12 is provided in a known manner either directly on the print head or away from this in the printer housing. For clarity, the lid of the ink cartridge 10 is not shown.

The ink cartridge 10 has a housing 14 made of plastic, which, as shown in particular in FIGS. 2 and 4, passes through a dividing wall 16 into an ink chamber 18 (on the left in FIG. 2) and a storage chamber 20 in fluid communication with the ink chamber 18 is divided. In the storage chamber 20, a capillary ink reservoir, not shown here, is usually accommodated, for example a porous sponge or a nonwoven material in which the liquid ink is stored. The storage chamber 20 is in fluid communication with a connection piece 24 formed on the underside 22 of the housing, which is coupled to a supply connection 26 of the inkjet printer when the inkjet printer 10 is properly inserted in the cartridge receptacle 12 of the inkjet printer, so that ink from the ink cartridge 10 is required is supplied depending on the ink head.

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

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

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

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

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

All other side walls, in particular also the side wall 28 opposite arranged side wall are smooth.

As can still be seen in FIGS. 1 to 4, a positioning element in the form of a positioning strip extending parallel to the hinge section 34 is formed on the side wall 28, from which the locking catch 32 projects, which in the inserted state of the ink cartridge 10 adjoins this side wall 28 facing boundary wall 52 of the cartridge holder 12 is supported. The aforementioned positioning strip is identified by the reference numeral 50. As can be seen in particular in FIG. 1, but also in FIGS. 5 and 6, in which the locking device 30 is omitted for a clearer illustration of the positioning strip 50, the region of the outer boundary 60 of the positioning strip 50 facing the underside 22 of the housing 14 comprises a arcuate portion 62. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper portion of the outer boundary 60 of the positioning bar 50 is also arcuate. For handling, i. the pivoting into and out of the cartridge receptacle 12 is the lower arcuate portion 62 of crucial importance. In side view, this arcuate portion is slightly set back relative to the likewise arcuate side edge 38 of the latching portion 36, so that the function of the latching portion 36 is not affected by the positioning strip 50.

The middle portion of the outer boundary or boundary edge 60 of the positioning strip 50 is preferably rectilinear, namely extending parallel to the side wall 28.

The maximum height of the positioning strip 50 is dimensioned so that the sum of this and the length of the housing 14 is slightly larger than the clear length of the cartridge receptacle 12, with the result that the ink cartridge 10 is held within the cartridge receptacle 12 under axial bias. The size of this bias is determined by the height of the positioning bar 50. Of course, the positioning strip 50 must not be dimensioned so that the function of the locking device 30 is lost by this. The aforementioned length oversize is in the μ range. In the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 4, a positioning pin 54 is formed on the underside 22 of the ink cartridge 10 which, with the ink cartridge 10 inserted, holds the ink cartridge 10 in a defined position in the cartridge receptacle 12, by providing a positioning opening provided on the cartridge receptacle 12 56 comes into engagement.

For the sake of clarity, a small gap is drawn between the positioning pin 54 and the wall 56a of the positioning hole 56 arranged on the side of the connecting piece 24. In practice, however, the locating pin 54 bears against this wall 56a.

In the inserted state, the positioning strip 50 and the positioning pin 54 are clamped so that a torque M acts around the positioning pin 54. As shown in Fig. 1, the torque M acts in a clockwise direction, so that acts on the connecting piece 24, a force that holds the connecting piece 24 against the supply terminal 26 or pressed.

Specifically, the torque M is generated as follows. In the inserted state, the positioning bar 50 presses against the side wall 28 with the locking snap he 32 opposite wall or side 52 of the cartridge holder 12. The resulting reaction force acts normally on the side wall 28, wherein the introduction of force from the positioning pin 54 is spaced. For this purpose, the support is arranged in principle below the Verriegelungsschnappers 32, in particular near the bottom corner between the bottom 22 and the side wall 28. Concretely, the positioning pin 54 is integrally formed on the underside 22 of the ink cartridge 10. This results in a spacing of the introduction of force in the region of the positioning strip 50 from the positioning pin 54 which, together with the support of the positioning pin 54 on the wall 56a of the positioning opening 56, leads to a lever arrangement and thus to the desired torque M.

In principle, it is also conceivable to form the spring force of the locking catch 32 so great that a sufficient normal force based on the side wall 28 can be generated solely by the locking catch 32. However, this would make it difficult to lock the ink cartridge 10. For this reason, it is more advantageous to apply the torque M through the positioning strip 50, so that the locking snap 32 has only locking function and therefore can be made relatively elastic in terms of applied spring force. In order to ensure the best possible introduction of force from the positioning pin 54 in the positioning hole 56 and the cartridge receptacle 12, ie to avoid voltage spikes in the positioning 54, which is for abutment with the wall 56a certain surface of the positioning pin 54 is flattened or flat. This results in a two-dimensional force transmission from the positioning pin 54 on the positioning receptacle 12. In addition, the positioning pin 54 is chamfered to facilitate the insertion of the positioning pin 54 in the positioning hole.

Another way to generate the torque M in the desired direction will be explained with reference to the further embodiment of FIG. 5. In this case, the Verriegelungsschnapper 32 and the positioning bar 50 are omitted for the sake of simplicity. As can be seen in Figure 5, below latch latch 32, i. provided in the bottom corner between the bottom 22 and the side wall 28 a hook-shaped positioning. The hook-shaped positioning element comprises an at least partially parallel to the side wall 28 extending hook portion 81 which is spaced from the side wall 28 and forms with this a receiving opening. The hook portion 81 acts in the inserted state with a further positioning element 82 in the form of a likewise arranged parallel to the side wall 28 rod-shaped part 83 together. The rod-shaped part 83 is arranged offset relative to the hook portion 81 inwardly toward the side wall 28, so that the rod-shaped part 83 engages in the inserted state in the recess formed between the hook portion 81 and the side wall 28.

For the sake of simplicity, a gap is shown between the hook portion 81 and the lower free end of the rod-shaped part 83. In practice, however, is the rod-shaped part 83 on the inside of the hook portion 81, ie on the side wall 28 facing side of the hook portion 81 at. By acting in the direction of arrow N on the side wall 28 normal force, caused by the interaction of the (not shown) positioning bar 50 with the (also not shown) inside 52 of the cartridge holder 12, a torque M is generated by the hook-shaped positioning member 80.

Another exemplary embodiment of the invention, not shown, is based on the fact that it is basically possible, instead of a projecting profile provided on the ink cartridge 10, for example in the form of the positioning pin 54, to provide a positioning opening which extends in the wall, in particular the underside 22 of the ink cartridge. is formed. This positioning opening cooperates with a complementarily formed profile of the bottom of the cartridge receptacle 12, so that a torque M can be applied to this support in the form of the positioning opening. The positioning opening (not shown) cooperates with the positioning strip 50 in the same way as the positioning pin 54. The positioning opening may, for example, be formed as a notch or as two notches formed in the side edges of the underside 22 of the ink cartridge 10. The (not shown) side edges are formed as over the bottom 22 and the bottom of the ink cartridge protruding strips that extend parallel to the bottom 22 and parallel to each other. As a counterpart, a ribbing is formed on the bottom of the cartridge receptacle, which engages in the inserted state of the ink cartridge 10 in the notches.

The use of the positioning pin 54 as a positioning aid has the advantage that the ink cartridge 10 can be inserted with a linear movement in the cartridge receptacle 12, as indicated in Fig. 1 by the double arrow, wherein a rotational insertion movement is not excluded. The linear insertion movement has the advantage that tilting or jamming of the ink cartridge in the cartridge receptacle 12 is almost completely avoided. When inserting the ink cartridge 10 of the positioning pin 54 engages with the positioning hole 56, wherein the positioning pin 54 hangs on the connecting piece 24 facing wall 56a of the positioning hole 56.

In the final phase of the insertion movement of the ink cartridge 10 into the associated cartridge receptacle 12, the latching edge 36 engages in the locking opening 59, whereby the ink cartridge 10 is secured in the cartridge receptacle 12. By effective after the engagement of the locking edge 36 in the locking opening 59 positioning pin 54 is achieved that the ink cartridge 10 is held under elastic bias between the positioning strip 50 and the positioning pin 54, wherein the already explained torque M acts around the positioning pin 54. At this time, the ink cartridge 10 at the same time in the longitudinal direction, i. clamped in the direction perpendicular to the side wall 28, also causes the Verriegelungsschnapper 32 that the ink cartridge 10 can be moved out of the cartridge holder 12 again only after the release of the lock.

By appropriate design of the arcuate course of the side edge 38, the torque acting during the deflection and thus the force counteracting the insertion movement of the ink cartridge 10 can be selectively influenced. Due to the small distance between the contact point between the edge on the cartridge holder 12 and the arcuately extending side edge 38 to the axis passing through the hinge portion 34 pivot axis is also achieved that due to the small distance, the inherent elasticity of the material from which the Verriegelungsschnapper 32 is made, possibly plays a minor role for the forces acting on insertion, so that This also makes a more exact definition of the actually acting forces possible.

If the ink cartridge 10 is to be removed from the cartridge receptacle 12, the locking catch 32 must be moved briefly, with the aid of the actuating element 46, counter to the biasing force. As soon as the latching edge 40 is disengaged from the latching opening 59, the ink cartridge 10 is pushed out of the cartridge receptacle 12 by the curved profile of the side edge 38 and the prestressing force with which the latching latch 30 is pretensioned. The positioning strip 50 offers only slight resistance to this pivoting movement, in particular due to the arcuate boundary edge 62 slightly set back relative to the arcuate side edge 38 in the lower region of the positioning strip 50.

The positioning strip 50 preferably also serves as a stop for the maximum deflection of the locking snap 32 toward the side wall 28. Thereby, a breaking of the Verriegelungsschnappers 32 can be prevented by mechanical overloading of the hinge portion 34.

It should be mentioned for the latching section 36 that it extends at a predetermined angle α, which is preferably between 55 ° and 65 °, angled with respect to the insertion plane E.

It should also be mentioned that the latching portion 36 and / or the positioning strip 50 are made of the same material as the hinge portion 34 and substantially two to five times, in particular three to four and a half times greater material thickness than the hinge portion 34th

All disclosed in the application documents features are claimed as essential to the invention, as far as they are new individually or in combination over the prior art. Designation: Ink Cartridge Cartridge Housing Bulkhead Ink Chamber Storage Chamber Bottom Port Socket Supply Port Side Panel Locking Device Latch Snap Hinge Section Locking Section Bottom Arched Side Edge Latching Edge Surface Upper Side Edge Actuator Side Wall Positioning Bar Boundary Wall Positioning Hole A Wall Edge Latch Opening Outer Limiting Arcuate Section Pipe Inside Arcuate Section Sidewall Arcuate Section Insertion Level hook-shaped positioning hook section wide positioning bar-shaped part

Claims

"Ink cartridge"

claims

Ink cartridge (10) for insertion into a cartridge receptacle (12) of an inkjet printer, comprising a housing (14) in which at least one ink storage chamber (20) is located, at least one, in particular on the underside (22) of the housing (14). provided connecting piece (24) for connecting the ink storage chamber (20) with a provided at the inkjet printer supply port (26) when inserting the ink cartridge (10) in the cartridge receptacle (12), and in a locking position elastically biased Verriegelungsschnapper (32) protruding from the outside of a side wall (28) of the housing (14) adjacent to the underside (22) and having a locking edge (40) with which the locking catch (32) is in its locking position for locking the ink cartridge (10 ) in the cartridge receptacle (12) with a on the cartridge receptacle (12) provided complementary locking edge (eg locking opening 59) latched i St, characterized in that the ink cartridge (10) below the Verriegelungsschnappers (32) is supported such that around this support a the connecting piece (24) against the supply port (26) holding torque (M) is exercised.

2. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that on the side wall (28) of the housing (14) from which the Verriegelungsschnapper (32) projects, a positioning, in particular in the form of a positioning strip (50) arranged, in particular is formed, the or which, in the inserted state of the ink cartridge (10), is supported on the boundary wall (52) of the cartridge receptacle (12) facing this housing side wall (28).

3. The ink cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that the positioning strip (50) extends approximately parallel to the insertion plane (E) of the ink cartridge (10) in the cartridge receptacle (12).

4. The ink cartridge according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that at least the underside (22) of the housing (14) facing the region of the outer boundary edge (60) of the positioning strip (50) comprises an arcuate portion (62).

5. Ink cartridge according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the Verriegelungsschnapper (32) has a hinge portion (34) which defines a pivot axis which is approximately parallel to the insertion level (E) of the ink cartridge (10) in the cartridge receptacle (12 ), and in that adjoining the hinge section (34) is a latching section (36) on which the latching edge (40) is designed to run transversely to the insertion plane (E).

6. The ink cartridge according to claim 5, characterized in that the latching portion (36) at a predetermined angle (α), which is preferably between 55 ° and 65 °, angled with respect to the insertion plane (E) extends.

7. The ink cartridge according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that in the direction of the underside (22) of the housing (14) facing side edge (38) of the latching portion (36) extends arcuately and merges into the latching edge (40).

8. The ink cartridge according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the s of the latching portion (36) and / or the positioning strip (50) are made of the same material as the hinge portion (34) and about two to five times, in particular three - Up to four and a half times greater material thickness than the hinge portion (34).

9. Ink cartridge according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the support comprises at least one further positioning element which is provided on the underside (22) of the ink cartridge (10) and supported in the inserted state at the bottom of the cartridge receptacle (12).

10. The ink cartridge according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the support comprises a positioning pin (54) disposed on the underside (22) of the housing (14) and in the inserted state with a in or at the bottom of the cartridge receptacle (12) complementarily formed positioning opening (50) or from the ground projecting positioning stage cooperates.

11. The ink cartridge according to claim 10, characterized in that a for engagement with the positioning opening (56) provided surface of the positioning pin (54) is flat.

12. The ink cartridge according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that a free end of the positioning pin (54) has a chamfer.

13. Ink cartridge according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the support comprises at least one positioning opening which is provided on the underside (22) of the ink cartridge (10) and supported in the inserted state at the bottom of the cartridge receptacle (12).

14. The ink cartridge according to claim 13, characterized in that the support comprises at least one, in particular two notches, which are formed in side edges of the underside (22) of the ink cartridge (10) and with at least one, in particular two complementary ribs at the bottom of the cartridge receptacle ( 129 cooperate.