EP2095953B1 - Tintenkartuschen - Google Patents

Tintenkartuschen Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2095953B1
EP2095953B1 EP20080003692 EP08003692A EP2095953B1 EP 2095953 B1 EP2095953 B1 EP 2095953B1 EP 20080003692 EP20080003692 EP 20080003692 EP 08003692 A EP08003692 A EP 08003692A EP 2095953 B1 EP2095953 B1 EP 2095953B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ink
ink cartridge
shaft
frame
chamber
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
Application number
EP20080003692
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2095953B8 (de
EP2095953A1 (de
Inventor
Shingo Hattori
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Brother Industries Ltd
Original Assignee
Brother Industries Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Brother Industries Ltd filed Critical Brother Industries Ltd
Priority to DE200860000756 priority Critical patent/DE602008000756D1/de
Priority to EP20080003692 priority patent/EP2095953B8/de
Publication of EP2095953A1 publication Critical patent/EP2095953A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2095953B1 publication Critical patent/EP2095953B1/de
Publication of EP2095953B8 publication Critical patent/EP2095953B8/de
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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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
    • B41J2/17513—Inner structure
    • 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
    • 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
    • B41J2/17566—Ink level or ink residue control

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to ink cartridges.
  • the present invention is directed towards ink cartridges which comprise a movable member configured to rotate with respect to a shaft positioned in an ink chamber of the ink cartridge.
  • a known recording apparatus is configured to detect when an amount of ink within a known ink cartridge is less than a sufficient amount of ink.
  • the ink cartridge includes an arm configured to rotate with respect to a shaft.
  • the rotatable arm is configured to have a float which is positioned at a first end of the arm, and a blocking member which is positioned at a second end of the arm and is configured to move in an opposite direction with respect to the float based on an amount of ink in the ink cartridge.
  • the known recording apparatus may include an optical sensor. When there is a sufficient amount of ink within the ink cartridge, the blocking member is positioned below the optical sensor, and light emitted by the optical sensor is not blocked by the blocking member.
  • the blocking member moves upwards.
  • the blocking member blocks the light from the optical sensor, and the printer determines that there is an insufficient amount of ink within the ink cartridge.
  • the pressure within the ink chamber is reduced, or the ink cartridge is packaged in a reduced pressure packaging arrangement to prevent gas from dissolving in the ink.
  • the shaft in the ink chamber may be deformed due to the pressure differential between an interior of the ink cartridge and an exterior of the ink cartridge.
  • the rotatable arm may not rotate smoothly, which may decrease the accuracy of determining whether there is a sufficient amount of ink in the ink cartridge.
  • the rigidity of the ink cartridge e.g. , by including metal in the frame or the like.
  • increasing the rigidity of the ink cartridge may decrease a likelihood that the shaft will be deformed, such an increase in rigidity may increase the size of the ink cartridge, e.g. , the thickness and the width of the ink cartridge, the weight of the ink cartridge, and the cost of the ink cartridge.
  • the EP 1 772 270 A2 discloses an ink cartridge for supplying ink to an inkjet recording device comprising a case forming a housing space for housing an ink reservoir element on the inside and the replaceable ink reservoir element storing ink and placed in the housing space.
  • the case is formed by a plurality of case members which are connected to each other and one end surface of the case is equipped with an opening through which at least a portion of said ink supply part and at least a portion of said irradiated part are exposed to the outside of said case such that the irradiated part of the ink reservoir element is detectable, when the ink reservoir element is housed in the case.
  • the EP 1 792 736 A1 discloses an ink cartridge comprising an ink tank which stores ink and which has downwardly inclined inner surfaces extending in a direction inclined downwardly with respect to an ink surface, a displacement member, which displaces in the ink tank in accordance with an amount of this ink store in tank, and the regulating member, which regulates displacement of the displacement member.
  • the EP 1 097 814 A2 discloses an ink storage chamber for an ink jet recording apparatus having an indicator formed from magnetic material.
  • a float member whose upper position is limited and is housed in the ink storage chamber.
  • Two magnetic field detection systems are provided at a position on the exterior of the sub tank, at which the detection system can detect a magnetic flax of the indicator simultaneously, such that the longitudinal direction of the detection system is oriented vertically with the specified ink level of the sub tank sandwiched between the detection system.
  • the EP 1 839 873 A1 shows an ink cartridge comprising a light blocking part formed near an edge of the left side of an arm part, which is supported such that it can oscillate by a support dais in the fulcrum near the edge of the right side.
  • the arm part has a branched arm part, which is branched and extends downwards in the part between the light blocking part and the fulcrum, and there is a float part at the edge of this.
  • the US 2007/0229615 A1 shows an ink cartridge including a case including the first case member.
  • the first case member includes the first wall, and the first wall includes a translucent portion extending from the first wall in a predetermined direction.
  • the translucent portion has an inner space formed therein.
  • the case also includes a second case member connected to the first case member.
  • the first case member and the second case member define an ink chamber therein, and the second case member includes a second wall which is opposite to the first wall, and a support member connected to an interior surface of the second wall.
  • the ink cartridge includes a movable member which includes a signal blocking portion. The movable member is connected to the support member.
  • a technical advantage of the present invention is that a shaft of a movable member, e.g. , an arm, may not be deformed by a force applied due to a pressure differential between an interior of the ink cartridge and an exterior of the ink cartridge
  • Figs. 1(A) and 1(B) are a perspective view of a front side and a rear side, respectively, of an ink cartridge, according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of the ink cartridge of Figs. 1(A) and 1(B) .
  • Fig. 3 is a side view of the ink cartridge of Figs. 1(A) and 1(B) .
  • Fig. 4 is an enlarged, perspective view of an ink container, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 5 is a side view of the ink container of Fig. 4 .
  • Fig. 6 is an exploded, perspective view of the ink container of Fig. 4 .
  • Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an arm, according to an embodiment of the present
  • an ink cartridge 10 may be configured to be removably mounted to an ink jet recording apparatus (not shown), such as an ink jet printer. Specifically, ink cartridge 10 may be mounted in a cartridge storage section (not shown) of the recording apparatus when ink cartridge 10 is inserted in a direction of insertion 30.
  • the ink cartridge 10 may have a substantially flat hexahedron shape, e.g. , a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and may be more narrow in a widthwise direction, as indicated by an arrow 31, than in a height direction, as indicated by an arrow 32, and a depth direction, as indicated by an arrow 33.
  • the ink cartridge 10 may comprise an ink container 20, a case, e.g. , a housing 26, a movable member, e.g. , a slider 27, and a pair of coil springs 23 and 24, in which the housing 26 and the slider 27 may form an outer shell of the ink cartridge 10.
  • the ink container 20 may comprise a frame 50, an air communication valve 80, and an ink supply valve 90.
  • the housing 26 may be configured to protect the ink container 20.
  • each portion of the ink container 20 other than a front surface 41 may be covered by the housing 26.
  • the housing 26 may comprise a first cover 21 and a second cover 22 configured to enclose the ink container 20.
  • the first cover 21 may be attached to a right side surface 46 of the ink container 20 via a plurality of engaging claws 12 positioned on the inner surface of the first cover 21, which engage engaging grooves 13 positioned on the ink container 20. Accordingly the right side surface 46 of the ink container 20 is covered by the first cover 21.
  • the second cover 22 is attached to a left side surface 45 of the ink container 20, such that the left side surface 45 of the ink container 20 is covered by he second cover 22.
  • the covers 21 and 22 may have a shape which allows covers 21 and 22 to avoid interfering with the frame 50, the air communication valve 80, and the ink supply valve 90.
  • the slider 27 may be configured to protect the air communication valve 80 and the ink supply valve 90.
  • the slider 27 may be removably attached to the ink container 20, and an inner surface of the slider 27 may contact the coil springs 23 and 24.
  • the coil spring 23 may be mounted to a spring receiver 23A formed at the upper portion of the front surface 41 of the ink container 20, the coil spring 24 may be mounted to a spring receiver 24A formed at the bottom portion of the front surface 41, and the engaging claws 15 and 16 may engage a pair of engaging grooves 17 and 18, respectively, positioned on the slider 27, such that a front portion 28 of the housing 26 is covered by the slider 27.
  • the slider 27 may be configured to slide in the depth direction along the front portion 28 of the housing 26. Referring to Figs. 3(A) and 3(B) , slider 27 may be configured to move between a first position, as shown in Fig. 3(B) , and a second position, as shown in Fig. 3(A) . When the slider 27 is in the first position, the slider 27 may be positioned further from the front surface 41 than when the slider 27 is in the second position. When the slider 27 is in the second position, the air intake valve 80 and the ink supply valve 90 may be exposed to the outside via a pair of openings formed in the slider 27, when the slider 27 is in the first position, the slider 27 may enclose the air communication valve 80 and the ink supply valve 90.
  • the ink container 20 may have substantially the same contour and shape as the ink cartridge 10.
  • the cartridge storage section may receive the ink container 20 with the slider 27 in the second position.
  • the ink container 20 may comprise front surface 41, a rear surface 42 opposite the front surface 41, an upper surface 43, a lower surface 44 opposite the upper surface 43, a left side surface 45, and a right side surface 46 opposite the left side surface 45, such that surfaces 41-46 define an enclosure therein.
  • An area of surfaces 45 and 46 may be greater than an area of each of surfaces 41-44.
  • the ink container 20 may comprise frame 50, an arm 70, a supporting block 170, a spring member 150, the air communication valve 80, the ink supply valve 90, and at least one film 65, e.g. , a pair of films 65.
  • the frame 50 may be a housing of the ink container 20 which defines surfaces 41-46.
  • the frame 50 may comprise a translucent resin, e.g. , a transparent resin, and may be formed by injection molding.
  • the frame 50 may comprise polypropylene, polyacetal, nylon, or the like, or any combinations thereof.
  • the frame 50 may comprise an outer peripheral wall 51 and a plurality of inner walls 52.
  • the inner walls 52 are arranged inside the outer peripheral wall 51.
  • the outer peripheral wall 51 and the inner walls 52 may be integral with the frame 50.
  • the outer peripheral wall 51 and the inner walls 52 may extend from the left side surface 45 to the right side surface 46 of the ink container 20.
  • the outer peripheral wall 51 may be disposed in an annular shape along the front surface 41, the upper surface 43, the rear surface 42 and the lower surface 44 to define a space in the interior thereof. Accordingly, an opening 57 may be positioned on each of the left side surface 45 and the right side surface 46 of the frame 50.
  • the pair of films 65 may be connected to, e.g. , adhered to the left side surface 45 and the right side surface 46, respectively, of the frame 50 via an adhesion method, e.g., a thermal adhesion method. More specifically, the films 65 are adhered to both end portions of the outer peripheral wall 51 in the widthwise direction 31. Accordingly, the openings 57 are covered by the films 65, and a space surrounded by the outer peripheral wall 51 and the films is defined as an ink chamber 100. Alternatively, a box shaped frame which is opened on one side only may be employed instead of the frame 50. In this case, the ink chamber 100 is defined by the film 65 adhered on the opened side of the box shaped frame.
  • the inner walls 52 may be surrounded by the outer peripheral wall 51.
  • the frame 50 may comprise a partitioning panel 53 which partitions an upper space of the ink chamber 100 at the center in the widthwise direction 31 integrally with the outer peripheral wall 51.
  • the inner walls 52 may be integral with the outer peripheral wall 51 or the partitioning panel 53.
  • the films 65 may be adhered to the inner walls 52 at the both end portions in the widthwise direction 31. Accordingly, inward deformation of the films 65 may be prevented or suppressed.
  • the first cover 21 and the second cover 22 may deform toward the ink container 20, deformation of the first cover 21 and the second cover 22 may be prevented or suppressed by the inner walls 52. Consequently, the ink container 20 and the films 65 may not be damaged.
  • the lower portion of the ink chamber 100 e.g., a space 102, below the partitioning panel 53 may not be partitioned in the widthwise direction 31.
  • the film 65 may comprise a plurality of synthetic resin films and may have a multilayer structure.
  • the film 65 may have a three-layer structure having a first layer comprising polypropylene, a second layer comprising nylon, and a third layer comprising polyethylene terephthalate laminated, such that the first layer on the side of the ink chamber 100 may comprise the same material as the frame 50.
  • the films 65 may comprise a pulp, a metal, a natural resin, or the like.
  • a bearing plate 74 may be positioned at the center, seen in the widthwise direction, of the outer peripheral wall 51 and may protrude therefrom.
  • the bearing plate 74 may be positioned at the outer peripheral wall 51 adjacent to a corner defined by the front surface 41 and the lower surface 44.
  • the bearing place 74 may be positioned at the end portion in the outer peripheral wall 51 on the side of the right side surface 46, and may protrude therefrom.
  • the bearing plate 74 may have a bearing 67, e.g., a circular bearing, positioned on the surface thereof on the side of the left side surface 45.
  • a shaft 77 e.g., a shaft having a column shape, may be fitted to the bearing 67, and a shaft opening 78 of the arm 70 may be fitted on the shaft 77. The other end of the shaft 77 is supported by the supporting block 170.
  • An ink injection portion 105 may be positioned at the rear surface 42 of the frame 50.
  • the ink injection portion 105 may have a circular hole formed therethrough, which may allow fluid communicate between the rear surface 42 and the ink chamber 100.
  • the ink injection portion 105 may be integral with the frame 50 adjacent to the lower end of the rear surface 42.
  • the ink injection portion 105 communicates with the ink chamber 100. Ink is injected into the ink chamber 100 through the ink injection portion 105.
  • the front surface 41 of the frame 50 may have a translucent portion 140 extending therefrom.
  • the translucent portion 140 may be used to detect the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 100.
  • the translucent portion 140 may be integral with the frame 50, and may comprise the same material as the frame 50.
  • the translucent portion 140 may be irradiated with light by an optical sensor, such as a photo interrupter, attached to the recording apparatus.
  • the optical sensor has a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element.
  • the side wall 140B may be irradiated with light emitted from the light-emitting element, and light which passes through the side wall 140B may be received by the light-receiving element.
  • the translucent portion 140 may protrude outward from a portion of the front surface 41 adjacent to the middle portion thereof.
  • the translucent portion 140 may be defined by five wall surfaces forming a substantially rectangular shape, and the space 142 may correspond to an interior thereof, and may have a hollow rectangular box shape.
  • the translucent portion 140 may be defined by a front wall 140A extending in parallel to the front surface 41, a pair of side walls 140B, an upper wall 140C, and a bottom wall 140D including.
  • the width of the front wall 140A may be less than the width of the front surface 41.
  • the space 142 may be in fluid communication with the ink chamber 100.
  • the air communication valve 80 may be positioned above the translucent portion 140.
  • the air communication valve 80 may be configured to selectively open and close a through hole 81 to allow fluid communication with the atmosphere positioned on the upper portion of the front surface 41.
  • the air communication valve 80 may comprise a valve body 87, a spring 86, a sealing member 83, and a cap 85.
  • the air communication valve 80 may close the through hole 81 when the ink cartridge 10 is not mounted to the recording apparatus, and may open the through hole 81 when mounted to the recording apparatus. As such, the pressure of an air layer in the ink chamber 100 is equalized with the atmospheric pressure.
  • the air communication valve 80 may be replaced by a vinyl adhesive tape or film.
  • the ink supply valve 90 may be positioned below the translucent portion 140.
  • the ink supply valve 90 may be configured to selectively open and close a through hole 91 to allow ink to be dispensed from an interior of ink chamber 100 to an exterior of ink chamber 100.
  • the ink supply valve 90 may comprise a valve body 97, a spring 96, a spring receiver 94, a sealing member 93, and a cap 95.
  • the ink supply valve 90 may close the through hole 91 when the ink cartridge 10 is not mounted to the recording apparatus, and may open the through hole 91 when the ink cartridge 10 is mounted to the recording apparatus and an ink needle (not shown) applies a force to the ink supply valve 90, such that ink in the ink chamber 100 may be dispensed from the ink chamber 100 to the recording apparatus through the ink needle.
  • the arm 70 may be used to determine the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 100 is greater than a predetermined amount of ink.
  • the arm 70 may comprise an indicator portion 72 which may be positioned at a first end of the arm 70.
  • the indicator portion 72 may be configured to be positioned within the inner space 142 or outside the inner space 142 based on the amount of ink in the ink chamber 100.
  • the arm 70 also may comprise a float portion 73 positioned at a second end of the arm 70.
  • the arm 70 may have a shaft hole 78 formed therethrough at substantially a center thereof.
  • the shaft 77 may be inserted into the shaft hole 78.
  • the shaft 77 may be configured to rotatably support the arm 70, and may be supported by the bearing 67 positioned on the bearing plate 74 at a first end thereof, and by the supporting block 170 at second end thereof.
  • the arm 70 may be rotatably supported by the shaft 77 to be pivotable in the first direction and the second direction, which is perpendicular to the widthwise direction.
  • the shaft 77 may be separate from or integral with the arm 70.
  • the front surface 41 of the frame 50 may have a translucent portion 140 extending therefrom.
  • the translucent portion 140 may be used to detect the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 100.
  • the translucent portion 140 may be integral with the frame 50, and may comprise the same material as the frame 50.
  • the translucent portion 140 may be irradiated with light by an optical sensor, such as a photo interrupter, attached to the recording apparatus.
  • the optical sensor has a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element.
  • the side wall 140B may be irradiated with light emitted from the light-emitting element, and light which passes through the side wall 140B may be received by the light-receiving element.
  • the translucent portion 140 may protrude outward from a portion of the front surface 41 adjacent to the middle portion thereof.
  • the translucent portion 140 may be defined by five wall surfaces forming a substantially rectangular shape, and the space 142 may correspond to an interior thereof, and may have a hollow rectangular box shape.
  • the translucent portion 140 may be defined by a front wall 140A extending in parallel to the front surface 41, a pair of side walls 140B, an upper wall 140C, and a bottom wall 140D including.
  • the width of the front wall 140A may be less than the width of the front surface 41.
  • the space 142 may be in fluid communication with the ink chamber 100.
  • the air communication valve 80 may be positioned above the translucent portion 140.
  • the air communication valve 80 may be configured to selectively open and close a through hole 81 to allow fluid communication with the atmosphere positioned on the upper portion of the front surface 41.
  • the air communication valve 80 may comprise a valve body 87, a spring 86, a sealing member 83, and a cap 85.
  • the air communication valve 80 may close the through hole 81 when the ink cartridge 10 is not mounted to the recording apparatus, and may open the through hole 81 when mounted to the recording apparatus. As such, the pressure of an air layer in the ink chamber 100 is equalized with the atmospheric pressure.
  • the air communication valve 80 may be replaced by a vinyl adhesive tape or film.
  • the ink supply valve 90 may be positioned below the translucent portion 140.
  • the ink supply valve 90 may be configured to selectively open and close a through hole 91 to allow ink to be dispensed from an interior of ink chamber 100 to an exterior of ink chamber 100.
  • the ink supply valve 90 may comprise a valve body 97, a spring 96, a spring receiver 94, a sealing member 93, and a cap 95.
  • the ink supply valve 90 may close the through hole 91 when the ink cartridge 10 is not mounted to the recording apparatus, and may open the through hole 91 when the ink cartridge 10 is mounted to the recording apparatus and an ink needle (not shown) applies a force to the ink supply valve 90, such that ink in the ink chamber 100 may be dispensed from the ink chamber 100 to the recording apparatus through the ink needle.
  • the arm 70 may be used to determine the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 100 is greater than a predetermined amount of ink.
  • the arm 70 may comprise an indicator portion 72 which may be positioned at a first end of the arm 70.
  • the indicator portion 72 may be configured to be positioned within the inner space 142 or outside the inner space 142 based on the amount of ink in the ink chamber 100.
  • the arm 70 also may comprise a float portion 73 positioned at a second end of the arm 70.
  • the arm 70 may have a shaft hole 78 formed therethrough at substantially a center thereof.
  • the shaft 77 may be inserted into the shaft hole 78.
  • the shaft 77 may be configured to rotatably support the arm 70, and may be supported by the bearing 67 positioned on the bearing plate 74 at a first end thereof, and by the supporting block 170 at second end thereof.
  • the arm 70 may be rotatably supported by the shaft 77 to be pivotable in the first direction and the second direction, which are perpendicular to the widthwise direction.
  • the shaft 77 may be separate from or integral with the arm 70.
  • the interior of the float portion 73 may be hollow, and may float on ink for this reason.
  • the float portion 73 may have a specific gravity which is less than the specific gravity of ink.
  • the indicator portion 72 may be configured to indicate whether the amount of ink remaining in the ink chamber 100 is less than a sufficient amount of ink.
  • the indicator portion 72 moves into the space 142 of the translucent portion 140.
  • the indicator portion 72 which may contact the inner surface of the bottom wall 140D of the translucent portion 140 to prevent the further rotation thereof, and to position the arm 70 in a first position.
  • the indicator portion 72 moves away from the bottom wall 140D toward a second position.
  • a second portion 76 of arm 70 may have a weight which is greater than the weight of a first portion 75 extending from the shaft hole 78 toward the indicator portion 72, such that in the air, the second portion 76 is heavier than the first portion 75. Consequently, when the amount of ink within the ink chamber 100 is low enough to expose float 73 to the air, the arm 70 rotates counterclockwise in Fig. 5 about the shaft 77, and the indicator portion 72 moves out of the space 142 of the translucent portion 140 to indicate that the amount of ink in the ink chamber 100 is less than a sufficient amount of ink.
  • the arm 70 When the float portion 73 is positioned in the ink, a buoyancy is generated at the float portion 73, such that the arm 70 has a tendency to rotate clockwise in Fig. 5 about the shaft 77, and the indicator portion 72 moves into the space 142 of the translucent portion 140 and is positioned at the first position abutting wall 140D, which indicates that the amount of ink in the ink chamber 100 is greater than the predetermined amount of ink.
  • the arm 70 may be replaced by a floating member (not shown) to provide an indication as to whether the amount of ink in the ink chamber is greater than a sufficient amount of ink.
  • the spring member 150 may be attached around the arm 70.
  • the spring member 150 may be fabricated by bending a linear steel member, such as a wire or a line.
  • the spring member 150 may comprise a pair of end portions 151 and 152, a pair of protecting portions 153 and 154, and a connecting portion 155.
  • the spring member 150 may be fixed to the frame 50 by engaging the connecting portion 155 with a hook 131 formed on the frame 50, and inserting the end portions 151 and 152 into a hole (not shown) formed in the bearing plate 74 and a hole 183 formed in the supporting block 170, respectively.
  • the spring member 150 may surround the float portion 73 of the arm 70.
  • the protecting portion 153 may be positioned on the side of the left side surface 45 of the frame 50, and the protecting portion 154 may be positioned on the side of the right side surface 46, such that the both sides of the float portion 73 are surrounded by the protecting portions 153 and 154. Because the protecting portions 153 and 154 may be bent into a substantially V-shape, the protecting portions 153 and 154 may be positioned both sides of the float portions 73 independent of the position of the float portion 73 which is configured to move within the ink chamber 100 based on the amount of ink in the ink chamber 100.
  • the protecting portions 153 and 154 may be resiliently deformable. Therefore, when the films 65 receive the external force are deformed toward the ink chamber 100, the protecting portions 153 and 154 deform resiliently toward the float portion 73 together with the films 65 by an external force. Nevertheless, when the external force is damped, those portions of the films 65 which deformed toward the ink chamber 100 are urged outward and away from the float portion 73 by resilient restoration.
  • the method of manufacturing the ink container may comprise a first step for injecting ink into the ink chamber 100, and a second step for decreasing the pressure inside ink chamber 100 to be less than the atmospheric pressure.
  • the arm 70, the shaft 77, the spring member 150, the supporting block 170, the air communication valve 80, the ink supply valve 90 may be assembled to the frame 50, and the films 65 may be adhered to the left side surface 45 and the right side surface 46 of the frame 50, respectively.
  • the ink chamber 100 may comprise the ink injection portion 105 for injecting ink, and a needle (not shown) or the like for injecting ink may be connected to the ink injection portion 105 to inject a predetermined amount of ink into the ink chamber 100.
  • the second step may be implemented. For example, air in the ink chamber 100 may be reduced and discharged to reduce the pressure in the ink chamber 100, ink then may be injected into the ink chamber 100 through the ink injection portion 105 using the pressure differential between the interior and the exterior of the ink chamber 100.
  • This method of injecting ink may be referred to as a pressure-reducing injection method or a vacuum injection method.
  • the pressure in the ink chamber 100 is reduced, dissolution of air into the ink may be prevented or substantially prevented, and generation of air bubbles in the ink chamber 100 may be prevented or substantially prevented.
  • the air communication valve 80 is closed, and the pressure of an air layer in the ink chamber 100 is maintained at a pressure which is less than the atmospheric pressure. Therefore, the films 65 deform toward the ink chamber 100 by the pressure differential between the interior and the exterior of the ink chamber 100.
  • the housing 26 and the slider 27 are assembled to the ink container 20, such that the ink cartridge 10 is completed.
  • the ink cartridge 10 then may be positioned in a bag-shaped package material and packed with air in the package material discharged, as needed.
  • the external force caused by such a pressure reduction also may act on the shaft 77.
  • the shaft 77 may comprise stainless steel, the compression strength in the axial direction may be greater than the frame 50, and consequently, is not deformed by the external force which is applied to the films 65.
  • the bearing plate 74 and the supporting block 170 disposed at the both ends of the shaft 77 support the respective films 65 with planes, the films 65 are prevented from deforming toward the space 102 or the arm 70. Consequently, the arm 70 rotates smoothly in the ink chamber 100, and accurate detection of the amount of ink is achieved.
  • the ink cartridge 10 is removed from the package material, and is mounted to the cartridge storage section provided in the recording apparatus.
  • the air communication valve 80 is opened. Consequently, the air layer in the ink chamber 100 is drawn into the atmosphere, and the external force which deforms the films 65 is faded out.
  • ink in the ink container 20 When ink in the ink container 20 is consumed, ink may be refilled in the ink container 20.
  • the second step described above may be omitted.
  • the films 65 When ink is disappeared from the ink chamber 100, the pressure of the ink with respect to the films 65 is faded out, and hence the films 65 may deform toward the ink chamber 100. Nevertheless, because the films 65 are supported by the shaft 77, the bearing plate 74 and the supporting block 170, the films 65 may not deflect toward the space 102. Consequently, reduction of the capacity of the ink chamber 100 due to the deformation of the films 65 may be avoided, and the ink chamber 100 readily may be refilled with ink.
  • the rotation of the arm 70 is also smooth, and further accurate detection of the amount of ink is achieved.

Landscapes

  • Ink Jet (AREA)

Claims (12)

  1. Tintenpatrone (10), aufweisend:
    ein Gerüst (50) mit einer Öffnung (57) an einer linken Seitenfläche (45) und/oder einer rechten Seitenfläche (46);
    eine Folie (65), die mit dem Gerüst (50) verbunden ist,
    wobei die Öffnung (57) von der Folie (65) derart abgedeckt wird, dass das Gerüst (50) und die Folie (65) eine Tintenkammer (100) umgrenzen, wobei die Tintenkammer (100) dafür ausgelegt ist, Tinte zu speichern;
    ein bewegliches Element (70), das in der Tintenkammer (100) positioniert ist; und
    eine Achse (77), die sich zwischen der linken Seitenfläche (45) und der rechten Seitenfläche (46) erstreckt, wobei das bewegliche Element (70) dafür ausgelegt ist sich um die Achse (77) zu drehen, wobei das Gerüst (50) ein erstes Material aufweist, und wobei die Achse (77) ein zweites Material aufweist, das sich von dem ersten Material unterscheidet, wobei die Festigkeit des zweiten Materials größer ist als die Festigkeit des ersten Materials.
  2. Tintenpatrone (10) nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Gerüst die Öffnung (57) an sowohl der linken Seitenfläche (45) als auch der rechten Seitenfläche (46) aufweist, und wobei die Öffnung (57) sowohl an der linken Seitenfläche (45) als auch an der rechten Seitenfläche (46) von der Folie (45) abgedeckt wird.
  3. Tintenpatrone (10) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Achse (7) dafür ausgelegt ist, die Folie (65) zu stützen.
  4. Tintenpatrone (10) nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Gerüst (50) ein synthetisches Harz aufweist, und wobei die Achse (77) ein Metall aufweist.
  5. Tintenpatrone nach Anspruch 4, wobei das Metall Edelstahl umfasst.
  6. Tintenpatrone nach Anspruch 1, wobei eine Außenfläche der Achse im Wesentlichen nicht aufgeraut ist.
  7. Tintenpatrone nach Anspruch 1, wobei das bewegliche Element (70) ein drittes Material aufweist, wobei der Reibungskoeffizient zwischen dem zweiten Material und dem dritten Material kleiner ist als der Reibungskoeffizient zwischen dem ersten Material und dem dritten Material.
  8. Tintenpatrone nach Anspruch 7, wobei das dritte Material dem ersten Material gleich ist.
  9. Tintenpatrone nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8, wobei das bewegliche Element (70) aufweist:
    einen Drehpunkt, durch den hindurch eine Drehöffnung (78) ausgebildet ist;
    einen Anzeigeabschnitt (72); und
    einen Schwimmerabschnitt (73), wobei das bewegliche Element (70) einen ersten Abschnitt (75), der mit dem Drehpunkt und mit dem Anzeigeabschnitt (72) verbunden ist, und einen zweiten Abschnitt (76) aufweist, der mit dem Drehpunkt und mit dem Schwimmerabschnitt (73) verbunden ist, wobei mindestens ein Abschnitt der Achse (77) innerhalb der Drehöffnung (78) positioniert ist, wobei das bewegliche Element (70) dafür ausgelegt ist, sich abhängig von einer Tintenmenge in der Tintenkammer (100) zwischen einer ersten Position und einer zweiten Position um die Achse (77) zu drehen.
  10. Tintenpatrone nach Anspruch 9, ferner einen lichtdurchlässigen Abschnitt (140) aufweisend, der sich von der Tintenkammer (100) aus erstreckt, wobei in dem lichtdurchlässigen Abschnitt (140) ein Innenraum (142) ausgebildet ist, wobei der Innenraum (142) ausgelegt ist um über ein Fluid mit der Tintenkammer (100) in Verbindung zu stehen, und
    wobei der Anzeigeabschnitt (72) des ersten Abschnitts (75) des beweglichen Elements (70) für eine Anordnung im Innenraum (142) des lichtdurchlässigen Abschnitts (140) ausgelegt ist.
  11. Tintenpatrone nach Anspruch 1, ferner aufweisend:
    einen Tintenbehälter (20), der das Gerüst (50) aufweist; und
    ein Gehäuse (26), das den Tintenbehälter (20) umgibt, wobei das Gehäuse (26) eine erste Wand (21), eine zweite Wand (22) gegenüber der ersten Wand (21) und
    ein Gleitelement (27) aufweist,
    wobei das Gerüst (50) eine Außenumfangswand (51) und eine Vielzahl von Innenwänden (52) aufweist, die von der linken Seitenfläche (45) zur rechten Seitenfläche (46) verlaufen, und
    wobei die Achse (77) sich zwischen der ersten Wand (21) und der zweiten Wand (22) erstreckt.
  12. Tintenpatrone nach Anspruch 9, ferner einen auf der Seite der linken Seitenfläche (45) angeordneten ersten Schutzabschnitt (153) und einen auf der Seite der rechten Seitenfläche (46) angeordneten zweiten Schutzabschnitt (154) aufweisend, so dass beide Seiten des Schwimmerabschnitts (73) von den ersten und zweiten Schutzabschnitten (153, 154) umgeben sind.
EP20080003692 2008-02-28 2008-02-28 Tintenkartuschen Active EP2095953B8 (de)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE200860000756 DE602008000756D1 (de) 2008-02-28 2008-02-28 Tintenkartuschen
EP20080003692 EP2095953B8 (de) 2008-02-28 2008-02-28 Tintenkartuschen

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP20080003692 EP2095953B8 (de) 2008-02-28 2008-02-28 Tintenkartuschen

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2095953A1 EP2095953A1 (de) 2009-09-02
EP2095953B1 true EP2095953B1 (de) 2010-03-03
EP2095953B8 EP2095953B8 (de) 2010-07-28

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ID=39399243

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
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Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2095953B8 (de)
DE (1) DE602008000756D1 (de)

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6378971B1 (en) 1999-11-05 2002-04-30 Seiko Epson Corporation Ink-jet recording apparatus
TWI246465B (en) 2003-09-30 2006-01-01 Brother Ind Ltd Ink cartridge and ink-jet printer
US7690773B2 (en) 2006-03-31 2010-04-06 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Ink cartridges
EP1772270B1 (de) 2005-09-29 2008-01-16 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Tintenpatrone
JP4867427B2 (ja) 2006-03-28 2012-02-01 ブラザー工業株式会社 インクカートリッジ

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EP2095953B8 (de) 2010-07-28
DE602008000756D1 (de) 2010-04-15
EP2095953A1 (de) 2009-09-02

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