EP2095953B1 - Ink cartridges - Google Patents
Ink cartridges Download PDFInfo
- 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
Links
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 23
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 18
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims description 15
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920003002 synthetic resin Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000057 synthetic resin Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 description 10
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 10
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 10
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 9
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 238000000638 solvent extraction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002313 adhesive film Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002390 adhesive tape Substances 0.000 description 2
- 210000000078 claw Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 125000000391 vinyl group Chemical group [H]C([*])=C([H])[H] 0.000 description 2
- 229920002554 vinyl polymer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 241001633942 Dais Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000208202 Linaceae Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000004431 Linum usitatissimum Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229930182556 Polyacetal Natural products 0.000 description 1
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004090 dissolution Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007667 floating Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001746 injection moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002452 interceptive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000696 magnetic material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000025 natural resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005192 partition Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920000139 polyethylene terephthalate Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000005020 polyethylene terephthalate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920006324 polyoxymethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 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
- B41J2/17513—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)
Description
- The present invention relates generally to ink cartridges.
- In particular, 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. For example, 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. Moreover, 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. Nevertheless, as the ink within the ink cartridge is consumed by the recording apparatus, the surface of the ink within the ink cartridge moves downwards, the float moves downwards, and the blocking member moves upwards. When the amount of ink within the ink cartridge reaches an insufficient amount of ink, 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.
- In another known 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. In this known ink cartridge, 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. When the shaft is deformed, 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.
- It is possible to increase the rigidity of the ink cartridge, e.g., by including metal in the frame or the like. Nevertheless, although 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 - The
EP 1 792 736 A1 - The
EP 1 097 814 A2 - The
EP 1 839 873 A1 - 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. Moreover, the ink cartridge includes a movable member which includes a signal blocking portion. The movable member is connected to the support member. - Therefore, a need has arisen for ink cartridges which overcome these and other shortcomings of the related art. 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
- The invention is defined by the claims.
- Other objects, features, and advantages of embodiment of the present invention will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.
- For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the needs satisfied thereby, and the objects, features, and advantages thereof, reference now is made to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
-
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 ofFigs. 1(A) and 1(B) . -
Fig. 3 is a side view of the ink cartridge ofFigs. 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 ofFig. 4 . -
Fig. 6 is an exploded, perspective view of the ink container ofFig. 4 . -
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an arm, according to an embodiment of the present - Embodiments of the present invention and their features and technical advantages may be understood by referring to
Figs. 1-7 , like numerals being used for like corresponding portions in the various drawings. - Referring to
Fig. 1 , anink 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 whenink cartridge 10 is inserted in a direction ofinsertion 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 anarrow 31, than in a height direction, as indicated by anarrow 32, and a depth direction, as indicated by anarrow 33. Referring toFigs. 1(A)-2 , theink cartridge 10 may comprise anink container 20, a case, e.g., ahousing 26, a movable member, e.g., aslider 27, and a pair ofcoil springs housing 26 and theslider 27 may form an outer shell of theink cartridge 10. Theink container 20 may comprise aframe 50, anair communication valve 80, and anink supply valve 90. - The
housing 26 may be configured to protect theink container 20. For example, each portion of theink container 20 other than afront surface 41 may be covered by thehousing 26. Thehousing 26 may comprise afirst cover 21 and asecond cover 22 configured to enclose theink container 20. Thefirst cover 21 may be attached to aright side surface 46 of theink container 20 via a plurality ofengaging claws 12 positioned on the inner surface of thefirst cover 21, which engageengaging grooves 13 positioned on theink container 20. Accordingly theright side surface 46 of theink container 20 is covered by thefirst cover 21. Similarly, thesecond cover 22 is attached to aleft side surface 45 of theink container 20, such that theleft side surface 45 of theink container 20 is covered by hesecond cover 22. Thecovers frame 50, theair communication valve 80, and theink supply valve 90. - The
slider 27 may be configured to protect theair communication valve 80 and theink supply valve 90. Theslider 27 may be removably attached to theink container 20, and an inner surface of theslider 27 may contact thecoil springs coil spring 23 may be mounted to aspring receiver 23A formed at the upper portion of thefront surface 41 of theink container 20, thecoil spring 24 may be mounted to aspring receiver 24A formed at the bottom portion of thefront surface 41, and the engagingclaws grooves slider 27, such that afront portion 28 of thehousing 26 is covered by theslider 27. - The
slider 27 may be configured to slide in the depth direction along thefront portion 28 of thehousing 26. Referring toFigs. 3(A) and 3(B) ,slider 27 may be configured to move between a first position, as shown inFig. 3(B) , and a second position, as shown inFig. 3(A) . When theslider 27 is in the first position, theslider 27 may be positioned further from thefront surface 41 than when theslider 27 is in the second position. When theslider 27 is in the second position, theair intake valve 80 and theink supply valve 90 may be exposed to the outside via a pair of openings formed in theslider 27, when theslider 27 is in the first position, theslider 27 may enclose theair communication valve 80 and theink supply valve 90. - Referring to
Figs. 4-7 , theink container 20 may have substantially the same contour and shape as theink cartridge 10. When theink cartridge 10 is mounted to a cartridge storage section (not shown)-of the recording apparatus, the cartridge storage section may receive theink container 20 with theslider 27 in the second position. In this embodiment, theink container 20 may comprisefront surface 41, arear surface 42 opposite thefront surface 41, anupper surface 43, alower surface 44 opposite theupper surface 43, aleft side surface 45, and aright side surface 46 opposite theleft side surface 45, such that surfaces 41-46 define an enclosure therein. An area ofsurfaces - The
ink container 20 may compriseframe 50, anarm 70, a supportingblock 170, aspring member 150, theair communication valve 80, theink supply valve 90, and at least onefilm 65, e.g., a pair offilms 65. Theframe 50 may be a housing of theink container 20 which defines surfaces 41-46. Theframe 50 may comprise a translucent resin, e.g., a transparent resin, and may be formed by injection molding. For example, theframe 50 may comprise polypropylene, polyacetal, nylon, or the like, or any combinations thereof. - The
frame 50 may comprise an outerperipheral wall 51 and a plurality ofinner walls 52. Theinner walls 52 are arranged inside the outerperipheral wall 51. The outerperipheral wall 51 and theinner walls 52 may be integral with theframe 50. The outerperipheral wall 51 and theinner walls 52 may extend from theleft side surface 45 to theright side surface 46 of theink container 20. The outerperipheral wall 51 may be disposed in an annular shape along thefront surface 41, theupper surface 43, therear surface 42 and thelower surface 44 to define a space in the interior thereof. Accordingly, anopening 57 may be positioned on each of theleft side surface 45 and theright side surface 46 of theframe 50. - The pair of
films 65, e.g., translucent films, may be connected to, e.g., adhered to theleft side surface 45 and theright side surface 46, respectively, of theframe 50 via an adhesion method, e.g., a thermal adhesion method. More specifically, thefilms 65 are adhered to both end portions of the outerperipheral wall 51 in thewidthwise direction 31. Accordingly, theopenings 57 are covered by thefilms 65, and a space surrounded by the outerperipheral wall 51 and the films is defined as anink chamber 100. Alternatively, a box shaped frame which is opened on one side only may be employed instead of theframe 50. In this case, theink chamber 100 is defined by thefilm 65 adhered on the opened side of the box shaped frame. - The
inner walls 52 may be surrounded by the outerperipheral wall 51. Theframe 50 may comprise apartitioning panel 53 which partitions an upper space of theink chamber 100 at the center in thewidthwise direction 31 integrally with the outerperipheral wall 51. Theinner walls 52 may be integral with the outerperipheral wall 51 or thepartitioning panel 53. Thefilms 65 may be adhered to theinner walls 52 at the both end portions in thewidthwise direction 31. Accordingly, inward deformation of thefilms 65 may be prevented or suppressed. Moreover, although thefirst cover 21 and thesecond cover 22 may deform toward theink container 20, deformation of thefirst cover 21 and thesecond cover 22 may be prevented or suppressed by theinner walls 52. Consequently, theink container 20 and thefilms 65 may not be damaged. The lower portion of theink chamber 100, e.g., aspace 102, below thepartitioning panel 53 may not be partitioned in thewidthwise direction 31. - The
film 65 may comprise a plurality of synthetic resin films and may have a multilayer structure. For example, thefilm 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 theink chamber 100 may comprise the same material as theframe 50. Alternatively, thefilms 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 outerperipheral wall 51 and may protrude therefrom. The bearingplate 74 may be positioned at the outerperipheral wall 51 adjacent to a corner defined by thefront surface 41 and thelower surface 44. The bearingplace 74 may be positioned at the end portion in the outerperipheral wall 51 on the side of theright side surface 46, and may protrude therefrom. The bearingplate 74 may have a bearing 67, e.g., a circular bearing, positioned on the surface thereof on the side of theleft side surface 45. Ashaft 77, e.g., a shaft having a column shape, may be fitted to the bearing 67, and ashaft opening 78 of thearm 70 may be fitted on theshaft 77. The other end of theshaft 77 is supported by the supportingblock 170. - An
ink injection portion 105 may be positioned at therear surface 42 of theframe 50. Theink injection portion 105 may have a circular hole formed therethrough, which may allow fluid communicate between therear surface 42 and theink chamber 100. Theink injection portion 105 may be integral with theframe 50 adjacent to the lower end of therear surface 42. Theink injection portion 105 communicates with theink chamber 100. Ink is injected into theink chamber 100 through theink injection portion 105. - The
front surface 41 of theframe 50 may have atranslucent portion 140 extending therefrom. Thetranslucent portion 140 may be used to detect the amount of ink stored in theink chamber 100. Thetranslucent portion 140 may be integral with theframe 50, and may comprise the same material as theframe 50. Thetranslucent 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. In this embodiment, theside wall 140B may be irradiated with light emitted from the light-emitting element, and light which passes through theside wall 140B may be received by the light-receiving element. - The
translucent portion 140 may protrude outward from a portion of thefront surface 41 adjacent to the middle portion thereof. Thetranslucent portion 140 may be defined by five wall surfaces forming a substantially rectangular shape, and thespace 142 may correspond to an interior thereof, and may have a hollow rectangular box shape. For example, thetranslucent portion 140 may be defined by afront wall 140A extending in parallel to thefront surface 41, a pair ofside walls 140B, anupper wall 140C, and abottom wall 140D including. The width of thefront wall 140A may be less than the width of thefront surface 41. Moreover, thespace 142 may be in fluid communication with theink chamber 100. - The
air communication valve 80 may be positioned above thetranslucent portion 140. Theair communication valve 80 may be configured to selectively open and close a throughhole 81 to allow fluid communication with the atmosphere positioned on the upper portion of thefront surface 41. Theair communication valve 80 may comprise avalve body 87, aspring 86, a sealingmember 83, and acap 85. Theair communication valve 80 may close the throughhole 81 when theink cartridge 10 is not mounted to the recording apparatus, and may open the throughhole 81 when mounted to the recording apparatus. As such, the pressure of an air layer in theink chamber 100 is equalized with the atmospheric pressure. Alternatively, theair communication valve 80 may be replaced by a vinyl adhesive tape or film. - The
ink supply valve 90 may be positioned below thetranslucent portion 140. Theink supply valve 90 may be configured to selectively open and close a throughhole 91 to allow ink to be dispensed from an interior ofink chamber 100 to an exterior ofink chamber 100. Theink supply valve 90 may comprise avalve body 97, aspring 96, aspring receiver 94, a sealingmember 93, and acap 95. Theink supply valve 90 may close the throughhole 91 when theink cartridge 10 is not mounted to the recording apparatus, and may open the throughhole 91 when theink cartridge 10 is mounted to the recording apparatus and an ink needle (not shown) applies a force to theink supply valve 90, such that ink in theink chamber 100 may be dispensed from theink chamber 100 to the recording apparatus through the ink needle. - The
arm 70 may be used to determine the amount of ink stored in theink chamber 100 is greater than a predetermined amount of ink. Thearm 70 may comprise anindicator portion 72 which may be positioned at a first end of thearm 70. Theindicator portion 72 may be configured to be positioned within theinner space 142 or outside theinner space 142 based on the amount of ink in theink chamber 100. Thearm 70 also may comprise afloat portion 73 positioned at a second end of thearm 70. - The
arm 70 may have ashaft hole 78 formed therethrough at substantially a center thereof. Theshaft 77 may be inserted into theshaft hole 78. Theshaft 77 may be configured to rotatably support thearm 70, and may be supported by the bearing 67 positioned on the bearingplate 74 at a first end thereof, and by the supportingblock 170 at second end thereof. Thearm 70 may be rotatably supported by theshaft 77 to be pivotable in the first direction and the second direction, which is perpendicular to the widthwise direction. Theshaft 77 may be separate from or integral with thearm 70. - The
front surface 41 of theframe 50 may have atranslucent portion 140 extending therefrom. Thetranslucent portion 140 may be used to detect the amount of ink stored in theink chamber 100. Thetranslucent portion 140 may be integral with theframe 50, and may comprise the same material as theframe 50. Thetranslucent 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. In this embodiment, theside wall 140B may be irradiated with light emitted from the light-emitting element, and light which passes through theside wall 140B may be received by the light-receiving element. - The
translucent portion 140 may protrude outward from a portion of thefront surface 41 adjacent to the middle portion thereof. Thetranslucent portion 140 may be defined by five wall surfaces forming a substantially rectangular shape, and thespace 142 may correspond to an interior thereof, and may have a hollow rectangular box shape. For example, thetranslucent portion 140 may be defined by afront wall 140A extending in parallel to thefront surface 41, a pair ofside walls 140B, anupper wall 140C, and abottom wall 140D including. The width of thefront wall 140A may be less than the width of thefront surface 41. Moreover, thespace 142 may be in fluid communication with theink chamber 100. - The
air communication valve 80 may be positioned above thetranslucent portion 140. Theair communication valve 80 may be configured to selectively open and close a throughhole 81 to allow fluid communication with the atmosphere positioned on the upper portion of thefront surface 41. Theair communication valve 80 may comprise avalve body 87, aspring 86, a sealingmember 83, and acap 85. Theair communication valve 80 may close the throughhole 81 when theink cartridge 10 is not mounted to the recording apparatus, and may open the throughhole 81 when mounted to the recording apparatus. As such, the pressure of an air layer in theink chamber 100 is equalized with the atmospheric pressure. Alternatively, theair communication valve 80 may be replaced by a vinyl adhesive tape or film. - The
ink supply valve 90 may be positioned below thetranslucent portion 140. Theink supply valve 90 may be configured to selectively open and close a throughhole 91 to allow ink to be dispensed from an interior ofink chamber 100 to an exterior ofink chamber 100. Theink supply valve 90 may comprise avalve body 97, aspring 96, aspring receiver 94, a sealingmember 93, and acap 95. Theink supply valve 90 may close the throughhole 91 when theink cartridge 10 is not mounted to the recording apparatus, and may open the throughhole 91 when theink cartridge 10 is mounted to the recording apparatus and an ink needle (not shown) applies a force to theink supply valve 90, such that ink in theink chamber 100 may be dispensed from theink chamber 100 to the recording apparatus through the ink needle. - The
arm 70 may be used to determine the amount of ink stored in theink chamber 100 is greater than a predetermined amount of ink. Thearm 70 may comprise anindicator portion 72 which may be positioned at a first end of thearm 70. Theindicator portion 72 may be configured to be positioned within theinner space 142 or outside theinner space 142 based on the amount of ink in theink chamber 100. Thearm 70 also may comprise afloat portion 73 positioned at a second end of thearm 70. - The
arm 70 may have ashaft hole 78 formed therethrough at substantially a center thereof. Theshaft 77 may be inserted into theshaft hole 78. Theshaft 77 may be configured to rotatably support thearm 70, and may be supported by the bearing 67 positioned on the bearingplate 74 at a first end thereof, and by the supportingblock 170 at second end thereof. Thearm 70 may be rotatably supported by theshaft 77 to be pivotable in the first direction and the second direction, which are perpendicular to the widthwise direction. Theshaft 77 may be separate from or integral with thearm 70. - The interior of the
float portion 73 may be hollow, and may float on ink for this reason. Alternatively, thefloat 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 theink chamber 100 is less than a sufficient amount of ink. When thearm 70 is rotated clockwise as shown inFig. 5 , theindicator portion 72 moves into thespace 142 of thetranslucent portion 140. Theindicator portion 72 which may contact the inner surface of thebottom wall 140D of thetranslucent portion 140 to prevent the further rotation thereof, and to position thearm 70 in a first position. When thearm 70 is rotated counterclockwise inFig. 5 , theindicator portion 72 moves away from thebottom wall 140D toward a second position. - In this embodiment, a
second portion 76 ofarm 70 may have a weight which is greater than the weight of afirst portion 75 extending from theshaft hole 78 toward theindicator portion 72, such that in the air, thesecond portion 76 is heavier than thefirst portion 75. Consequently, when the amount of ink within theink chamber 100 is low enough to exposefloat 73 to the air, thearm 70 rotates counterclockwise inFig. 5 about theshaft 77, and theindicator portion 72 moves out of thespace 142 of thetranslucent portion 140 to indicate that the amount of ink in theink chamber 100 is less than a sufficient amount of ink. - When the
float portion 73 is positioned in the ink, a buoyancy is generated at thefloat portion 73, such that thearm 70 has a tendency to rotate clockwise inFig. 5 about theshaft 77, and theindicator portion 72 moves into thespace 142 of thetranslucent portion 140 and is positioned at the firstposition abutting wall 140D, which indicates that the amount of ink in theink chamber 100 is greater than the predetermined amount of ink. Alternatively, thearm 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 thearm 70. Thespring member 150 may be fabricated by bending a linear steel member, such as a wire or a line. Thespring 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. Thespring member 150 may be fixed to theframe 50 by engaging the connecting portion 155 with ahook 131 formed on theframe 50, and inserting the end portions 151 and 152 into a hole (not shown) formed in the bearingplate 74 and ahole 183 formed in the supportingblock 170, respectively. - The
spring member 150 may surround thefloat portion 73 of thearm 70. For example, the protecting portion 153 may be positioned on the side of theleft side surface 45 of theframe 50, and the protecting portion 154 may be positioned on the side of theright side surface 46, such that the both sides of thefloat 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 thefloat portions 73 independent of the position of thefloat portion 73 which is configured to move within theink chamber 100 based on the amount of ink in theink chamber 100. - The protecting portions 153 and 154 may be resiliently deformable. Therefore, when the
films 65 receive the external force are deformed toward theink chamber 100, the protecting portions 153 and 154 deform resiliently toward thefloat portion 73 together with thefilms 65 by an external force. Nevertheless, when the external force is damped, those portions of thefilms 65 which deformed toward theink chamber 100 are urged outward and away from thefloat portion 73 by resilient restoration. - A method of filling the
ink container 20 ink, and a method of manufacturing theink container 20, will now be described. The method of manufacturing the ink container may comprise a first step for injecting ink into theink chamber 100, and a second step for decreasing the pressure insideink chamber 100 to be less than the atmospheric pressure. Thearm 70, theshaft 77, thespring member 150, the supportingblock 170, theair communication valve 80, theink supply valve 90 may be assembled to theframe 50, and thefilms 65 may be adhered to theleft side surface 45 and theright side surface 46 of theframe 50, respectively. - The
ink chamber 100 may comprise theink injection portion 105 for injecting ink, and a needle (not shown) or the like for injecting ink may be connected to theink injection portion 105 to inject a predetermined amount of ink into theink chamber 100. Prior to the first step, or together with the first step, the second step may be implemented. For example, air in theink chamber 100 may be reduced and discharged to reduce the pressure in theink chamber 100, ink then may be injected into theink chamber 100 through theink injection portion 105 using the pressure differential between the interior and the exterior of theink chamber 100. This method of injecting ink may be referred to as a pressure-reducing injection method or a vacuum injection method. When the pressure in theink chamber 100 is reduced, dissolution of air into the ink may be prevented or substantially prevented, and generation of air bubbles in theink chamber 100 may be prevented or substantially prevented. - After the ink is injected, the
air communication valve 80 is closed, and the pressure of an air layer in theink chamber 100 is maintained at a pressure which is less than the atmospheric pressure. Therefore, thefilms 65 deform toward theink chamber 100 by the pressure differential between the interior and the exterior of theink chamber 100. Thehousing 26 and theslider 27 are assembled to theink container 20, such that theink cartridge 10 is completed. Theink 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. Nevertheless, because theshaft 77 may comprise stainless steel, the compression strength in the axial direction may be greater than theframe 50, and consequently, is not deformed by the external force which is applied to thefilms 65. Because the bearingplate 74 and the supportingblock 170 disposed at the both ends of theshaft 77 support therespective films 65 with planes, thefilms 65 are prevented from deforming toward thespace 102 or thearm 70. Consequently, thearm 70 rotates smoothly in theink 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. When the ink cartridge is mounted to the recording apparatus, theair communication valve 80 is opened. Consequently, the air layer in theink chamber 100 is drawn into the atmosphere, and the external force which deforms thefilms 65 is faded out. - When ink in the
ink container 20 is consumed, ink may be refilled in theink container 20. When refilling ink, the second step described above may be omitted. When ink is disappeared from theink chamber 100, the pressure of the ink with respect to thefilms 65 is faded out, and hence thefilms 65 may deform toward theink chamber 100. Nevertheless, because thefilms 65 are supported by theshaft 77, the bearingplate 74 and the supportingblock 170, thefilms 65 may not deflect toward thespace 102. Consequently, reduction of the capacity of theink chamber 100 due to the deformation of thefilms 65 may be avoided, and theink chamber 100 readily may be refilled with ink. - Because the peripheral surface of the
shaft 77 is smooth, the rotation of thearm 70 is also smooth, and further accurate detection of the amount of ink is achieved. - While the invention has been described in connection with exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that other variations and modifications of the exemplary embodiments described above may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed.
Claims (12)
- An ink cartridge (10) comprising:a frame (50) having an opening (57) on at least one of a left side surface (45) and a right side surface (46) thereof;a film (65) connected to the frame (50), wherein the opening (57) is covered by the film (65), such that the frame (50) and the film (65) define an ink chamber (100) therein, the ink chamber (100) being configured to store ink therein;a movable member (70) positioned within the ink chamber (100); anda shaft (77) extending between the left side surface (45) and the right side surface (46), wherein the movable member (70) is configured to pivot about the shaft (77), the frame (50) comprises a first material, and the shaft (77) comprises a second material which is different from the first material, wherein the rigidity of the second material is greater than the rigidity of the first material.
- The ink cartridge (10) of claim 1, wherein the frame (50) has the opening (57) on each of the left side surface (45) and the right side surface (46), and the opening (57) is covered by the film (45) on each of the left side surface (45) and the right side surface (46).
- The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein the shaft (77) is configured to support the film (65).
- The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein the frame (50) comprises a synthetic resin, and the shaft (77) comprises a metal.
- The ink cartridge of claim 4, wherein the metal comprises stainless steel.
- The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein outer surface of the shaft is substantially unroughened.
- The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein the movable member (70) comprises a third material, wherein the friction coefficient between the second material and the third material is less than the friction coefficient between the first material and the third material.
- The ink cartridge of claim 7, wherein the third material is the same as the first material.
- The ink cartridge of anyone of claims 1 to 8, wherein the movable member (70) comprises:a pivot center having an pivot opening (78) formed therethrough;an indicator portion (72); anda float portion (73), wherein the movable member (70) comprises a first portion (75) connected to the pivot center and the indicator portion (72), and a second portion (76) connected to the pivot center and the float portion (73), wherein at least a portion of the shaft (77) is positioned within the pivot opening (78), the movable member (70) being configured to pivot about the shaft (77) between a first position and a second position based on an amount of ink in the ink chamber (100).
- The ink cartridge of claim 9, further comprising a translucent portion (140) extending from the ink chamber (100), wherein the translucent portion (140) has an inner space (142) formed therein, the inner space (142) being configured to be in fluid communication with the ink chamber (100), and
wherein the indicator portion (72) of the first portion (75) of the movable member (70) is configured to be positioned within the inner space (142) of the translucent portion (140). - The ink cartridge of claim 1, further comprising:an ink container (20) including the frame (50); anda housing (26) surrounding the ink container (20), the housing (26) comprising a first wall (2 1 ), a second wall (22) opposite to the first wall (21) and a sliding member (27),wherein the frame (50) comprises an outer peripheral wall (51) and a plurality of inner walls (52) extending from the left side surface (45) to the right side surface (46), and
wherein the shaft (77) extends between the first wall (21) and the second wall (22). - The ink cartridge of claim 9, further comprising a first protecting portion (153) positioned on the side of the left side surface (45) and a second protecting portion (154) positioned on the side of the right side surface (46), such that both sides of the float portion (73) are surrounded by the first and second protecting portions (153, 154).
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE200860000756 DE602008000756D1 (en) | 2008-02-28 | 2008-02-28 | ink cartridges |
EP20080003692 EP2095953B8 (en) | 2008-02-28 | 2008-02-28 | Ink cartridges |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP20080003692 EP2095953B8 (en) | 2008-02-28 | 2008-02-28 | Ink cartridges |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2095953A1 EP2095953A1 (en) | 2009-09-02 |
EP2095953B1 true EP2095953B1 (en) | 2010-03-03 |
EP2095953B8 EP2095953B8 (en) | 2010-07-28 |
Family
ID=39399243
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP20080003692 Active EP2095953B8 (en) | 2008-02-28 | 2008-02-28 | Ink cartridges |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2095953B8 (en) |
DE (1) | DE602008000756D1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (5)
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 |
EP1772270B1 (en) | 2005-09-29 | 2008-01-16 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Ink Cartridge |
US7690773B2 (en) | 2006-03-31 | 2010-04-06 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Ink cartridges |
JP4867427B2 (en) | 2006-03-28 | 2012-02-01 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | ink cartridge |
-
2008
- 2008-02-28 DE DE200860000756 patent/DE602008000756D1/en active Active
- 2008-02-28 EP EP20080003692 patent/EP2095953B8/en active Active
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE602008000756D1 (en) | 2010-04-15 |
EP2095953B8 (en) | 2010-07-28 |
EP2095953A1 (en) | 2009-09-02 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US8109615B2 (en) | Ink cartridges | |
US11613127B2 (en) | Printing fluid cartridge, printing apparatus, and use of printing fluid cartridge | |
EP3925782B1 (en) | Printing fluid cartridge, printing apparatus, and use of printing fluid cartridge | |
US8038275B2 (en) | Liquid containers | |
AU2011375985A1 (en) | Printing fluid cartridge, printing apparatus, and use of printing fluid cartridge | |
EP2607081B1 (en) | Printing fluid cartridge and printing apparatus | |
EP3492266B1 (en) | Printing fluid cartridge, printing apparatus, and use of printing fluid cartridge | |
US8197044B2 (en) | Ink cartridges | |
US7942513B2 (en) | Ink cartridges | |
US7815299B2 (en) | Ink cartridges | |
JP6019972B2 (en) | Liquid container | |
EP2095959B1 (en) | Ink cartridges and methods of manufacturing the same | |
US8079685B2 (en) | Ink cartridges and methods of manufacturing the same | |
EP2095953B1 (en) | Ink cartridges | |
US8024860B2 (en) | Methods for manufacturing an ink cartridge | |
EP2062733B1 (en) | Ink cartridges | |
EP2095962B1 (en) | Ink cartridges | |
EP2039519B1 (en) | Liquid container | |
EP2095956B1 (en) | Method for manufacturing an ink cartridge | |
EP2095957B1 (en) | Ink cartridge |
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: 20090511 |
|
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 HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: AL BA MK RS |
|
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): DE FR GB NL |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 602008000756 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 20100415 Kind code of ref document: P |
|
AKX | Designation fees paid |
Designated state(s): DE FR GB NL |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: T3 |
|
RIN2 | Information on inventor provided after grant (corrected) |
Inventor name: KANBE, TOMOHIRO Inventor name: HATTORI, SHINGO |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20101206 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 9 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 10 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 11 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20180125 Year of fee payment: 11 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20180118 Year of fee payment: 11 |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20190228 |
|
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: 20190228 |
|
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: 20190228 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Payment date: 20200130 Year of fee payment: 13 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: MM Effective date: 20210301 |
|
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: 20210301 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20240109 Year of fee payment: 17 |