EP3112168B1 - Flüssigkeitszufuhrvorrichtung - Google Patents

Flüssigkeitszufuhrvorrichtung Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP3112168B1
EP3112168B1 EP15174900.9A EP15174900A EP3112168B1 EP 3112168 B1 EP3112168 B1 EP 3112168B1 EP 15174900 A EP15174900 A EP 15174900A EP 3112168 B1 EP3112168 B1 EP 3112168B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
attitude
cartridge
liquid
cover
ink
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
EP15174900.9A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3112168A1 (de
Inventor
Yutao Wang
Naoya Okazaki
Tomohiro Kanbe
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 EP19201792.9A priority Critical patent/EP3613596B1/de
Priority to EP15174900.9A priority patent/EP3112168B1/de
Publication of EP3112168A1 publication Critical patent/EP3112168A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3112168B1 publication Critical patent/EP3112168B1/de
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
    • B41J2/1752—Mounting within the printer

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a liquid supply device comprising a mounting portion and a liquid cartridge configured to be mounted to the mounting portion.
  • a known ink-jet recording apparatus is configured to record an image on a medium by ejecting ink stored in an ink cartridge from nozzles onto the medium. When ink is used up, the ink cartridge is replaced.
  • a known apparatus as described in U.S. Patent Number 5,949,459 , has a container receiving station configured to receive an ink container, and the container receiving station has latching features.
  • the ink container has the corresponding latching features.
  • the latching features of the ink container engage the corresponding latching features of the container receiving portion, and thereby the ink container is locked in the container receiving station against urging forces of springs.
  • Another known apparatus has a receiving portion configured to receive an ink cartridge, and a cover.
  • the cover can move to a close attitude while a cartridge-side interfering portion and a cover-side interfering portion do not interfere with each other.
  • the cartridge-side interfering portion and the cover-side interfering portion interfere with each other, and the cover cannot move to the close attitude.
  • the ink container when the ink container is removed from the container receiving station, the ink container needs to pivot from an attitude in which the latching features of the ink container engage the corresponding latching features of the container receiving portion to an attitude in which the latching features of the ink container do not engage the corresponding latching features of the container receiving portion, so that the ink container is moved toward the outside of the container receiving station by the urging force of springs. Therefore, it is desirable that the ink container can pivot smoothly.
  • the ink container may accidentally be released from the locked state by shock and vibration when a user does not intend to remove the ink cartridge from the container receiving station.
  • US 2004/196333 A1 discloses a liquid supply device comprising a mounting portion and a liquid cartridge configured to be inserted and locked into the mounting portion. Another liquid supply device is known from US 2009/167828 A1 . SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • a technical advantage of the present invention is that a user may recognize that a liquid cartridge is not completely mounted to a mounting portion when the user operates a cover, and a likelihood may be reduced that the liquid cartridge may accidentally be released from a locked state.
  • a liquid supply device comprises a mounting portion and a liquid cartridge configured to be inserted into the mounting portion in a first direction via an opening against an urging force directed in a second direction opposite the first direction and thereby to be mounted to the mounting portion.
  • the liquid cartridge comprises: a liquid chamber configured to store liquid therein; a front face facing the first direction when the liquid cartridge is inserted into the mounting portion; a rear face, wherein the liquid chamber is positioned between the front face and the rear face; a particular face extending between the front face and the rear face; a liquid supply portion positioned at the front face; a lock surface positioned at the particular face; and a recess which is open in the second direction.
  • the mounting portion comprises: a liquid supply tube configured to be inserted into the liquid supply portion; a lock portion configured to contact the lock surface; a cover configured to pivot between an open attitude and a close attitude and comprising a protrusion, wherein when the cover is in the open attitude, the cover does not cover the opening, such that the opening is exposed, and when the cover is in the close attitude, the cover covers the opening.
  • the liquid cartridge is configured to pivot between a first attitude and a second attitude when the liquid cartridge is inserted into the mounting portion and the liquid supply tube is inserted into the liquid supply portion, wherein when the liquid cartridge is in the first attitude, the lock surface and the lock portion face each other in the first direction and the second direction, and the lock surface contacts the lock portion in the second direction, such that movement of the liquid cartridge relative to the mounting portion in the second direction is restricted, wherein when the liquid cartridge is in the second attitude, the lock surface and the lock portion do not face each other in the first direction and the second direction, wherein when the liquid cartridge is in the first attitude and the cover is in the close attitude, the protrusion of the cover is positioned in the recess of the liquid cartridge and restricts movement of the liquid cartridge toward the second attitude, wherein when the liquid cartridge is in the second attitude and the cover pivots from the open attitude toward the close attitude, the protrusion contacts the liquid cartridge during pivotal moment of the cover from the open attitude toward the close attitude.
  • the protrusion of the cover is positioned in the recess of the liquid cartridge and restricts the movement of the liquid cartridge toward the second attitude when the liquid cartridge is in the first attitude and the cover is in the close attitude, a likelihood that the liquid cartridge is accidentally released from the first attitude may be reduced. Because the protrusion contacts the liquid cartridge during the pivotal moment of the cover from the open attitude toward the close attitude when the liquid cartridge is in the second attitude, a user can recognize that the liquid cartridge is not in the first attitude.
  • the liquid cartridge prevents further movement of the cover toward the close attitude.
  • the liquid cartridge further comprises an operation surface positioned at the particular face and positioned closer to the rear face than the lock surface is, wherein the particular face comprises a sub particular face, and the operation surface and the sub particular face at least partly overlap in a direction perpendicular to the particular face, wherein the recess is formed between the operation surface and the sub particular face.
  • the mounting portion is configured such that a plurality of liquid cartridges are mountable and arranged in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction and in parallel to the particular face in the mounting portion, wherein when the plurality of liquid cartridges are in the first attitude and the cover is in the close attitude, the protrusion of the cover is positioned between neighboring first ribs of neighboring liquid cartridges.
  • the number of protrusions provided to the cover becomes less than the number of the liquid cartridges.
  • the mounting portion is configured such that a plurality of liquid cartridges are mountable and arranged in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction and in parallel to the particular facein the mounting portion, wherein when the plurality of liquid cartridges are in the first attitude and the cover is in the close attitude, the protrusion of the cover is positioned in the recesses of neighboring liquid cartridges and restricts movement of the neighboring liquid cartridges toward the second attitude.
  • the number of protrusions provided to the cover becomes less than the number of the liquid cartridges.
  • the liquid cartridge further comprises a second rib extending from the back side of the operation surface toward the sub particular face in the recess.
  • the first direction is a horizontal direction
  • the particular face is an upper face facing an upward direction when the liquid cartridge is inserted into the mounting portion, wherein when the liquid cartridge is in the second attitude, the lock surface is positioned further in a downward direction than the lock portion.
  • the first direction is a horizontal direction
  • the particular face is an upper face facing an upward direction when the liquid cartridge is inserted into the mounting portion, wherein when the liquid cartridge is in the second attitude, the lock surface is positioned further in a downward direction than the lock portion, wherein when the liquid cartridge is in the first attitude, the operation surface faces the upward direction and the second direction.
  • the lock surface may be protected by the at least a portion of the operation surface and may not be damaged.
  • the operation surface comprises a plurality of protrusions formed thereon.
  • the plurality of protrusions is a plurality of elongated protrusions.
  • the operation surface does not move relative to the liquid chamber.
  • the mounting portion comprises a case
  • the liquid cartridge is configured to be inserted into the case, wherein the lock portion does not move relative to the case.
  • an ink cartridge 30 is inserted into a cartridge mounting portion 110 in an insertion direction 51, as an example of a first direction, and the ink cartridge 30 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110 in a removal direction 52, as an example of a second direction, which is oppose to the insertion direction 51.
  • the insertion direction 51 is a horizontal direction
  • the removal direction 52 is also a horizontal direction.
  • the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52 may not be a horizontal direction.
  • a downward direction 53 is the gravitational direction
  • an upward direction 54 is a direction opposite to the gravitational direction.
  • a right direction 55 is perpendicular to the insertion direction 51 and the downward direction 53
  • a left direction 56 is opposite to the right direction 55 and perpendicular to the insertion direction 51 and the downward direction 53. More specifically, the right direction 55 extends rightward and the left direction 56 extends leftward when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the removal direction 52 when the ink cartridge 30 is in a mounted attitude, as an example of a first attitude.
  • the mounted attitude is an attitude that the ink cartridge 30 takes when the ink cartridge 30 has been inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 up to a mounted position and is locked in the cartridge mounting portion 110.
  • the insertion direction 51 is also called a forward direction 57
  • the removal direction 52 is also called a rearward direction 58.
  • the ink cartridge 30 is configured to store ink, as an example of liquid, which is used by the printer 10.
  • the ink cartridge 30 and the recording head 21 are fluidically connected via the ink tube 20 when mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110 has been completed.
  • the recording head 21 comprises a sub tank 28.
  • the sub tank 28 is configured to temporarily store ink supplied via the ink tube 20 from the ink cartridge 30.
  • the recording head 21 comprises nozzles 29 and is configured to selectively eject ink supplied from the sub tank 28 through the nozzles 29. More specifically, the recording head 21 comprises a head control board (not shown) and piezoelectric actuators 29A corresponding to the nozzles 29, and the head control board is configured to selectively apply driving voltage to the piezoelectric actuators 29A. As such, ink is ejected from the nozzles 29.
  • the printer 10 comprises a paper feed tray 15, a paper feed roller 23, a conveying roller pair 25, a platen 26, a discharge roller pair 27, and a discharge tray 16.
  • a conveying path 24 is formed from the paper feed tray 15 up to the discharge tray 16 via the conveying roller pair 25, the platen 26, and the discharge roller pair 27.
  • the paper feed roller 23 is configured to feed a sheet of recording paper from the paper feed tray 15 to the conveying path 24.
  • the conveying roller pair 25 is configured to convey the sheet of recording paper fed from the paper feed tray 15 onto the platen 26.
  • the recording head 21 is configured to selectively eject ink onto the sheet of recording paper passing over the platen 26. Accordingly, an image is recorded on the sheet of recording paper.
  • the sheet of recording paper having passed over the platen 26 is discharged by the discharge roller pair 27 to the paper discharge tray 16 disposed at the most downstream side of the conveying path 24.
  • the cartridge mounting portion 110 is configured to receive four ink cartridges 30 storing cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks, respectively. More specifically, the cartridge mounting portion 110 is configured such that the four ink cartridge 30 are mountable and arranged in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56 in the cartridge mounting portion 110.
  • the cartridge mounting portion 110 comprises a case 101 and a cover 108, and four ink supply tubes 102, four sensors 103, four sets of four contacts 106, four sliders 107, and four rods 125, corresponding to the four ink cartridges 30, respectively.
  • the cartridge mounting portion 110 also comprises a lock portion 145.
  • One common lock portion 145 is used for the four ink cartridges 30.
  • the number of the ink cartridges 30 is not limited to four.
  • the cartridge mounting portion 110 may be configured to receive only one ink cartridge 30, six ink cartridges 30, or eight ink cartridges 30.
  • the case 101 has a box shape and forms the outer shape of the cartridge mounting portion 110.
  • the case 101 has an inner space formed therein.
  • the case 101 comprises an upper portion defining the upper end of the inner space, a lower portion defining the lower end of the inner space, and an end surface connected to the upper portion and the lower portion.
  • the case 101 has the opening 112 formed opposite from the end surface in the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52.
  • the opening 112 can be exposed to the outside of the printer 10 through a user-interface surface of the printer 10.
  • the user-interface surface is a surface that a user faces and touches when the user uses the printer 10.
  • the ink cartridge 30 is configured to be inserted into and removed from the case 101 through the opening 112.
  • Each of the upper portion and the lower portion of the case 101 has a guide groove 109 formed therein, and the guide groove 109 extends in the insertion direction 51 from the opening 112.
  • the case 101 comprises three plates 104 extending in the upward direction 54 and the downward direction 53, and the three plates 104 divide the inner space of the case 101 into four vertically-elongated spaces. Each of the four spaces receives the corresponding one of the ink cartridges 30.
  • the ink supply tube 102 is made of synthetic resin and positioned at a lower portion of the end surface of the case 101 at a position corresponding to an ink supply portion 34 of the ink cartridge 30 mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110.
  • the ink supply tube 102 extends from the end surface of the case 101 in the removal direction 52.
  • a cylindrical guide portion 105 is provided to surround the ink supply tube 102.
  • the guide portion 105 extends from the end surface of the case 101 in the removal direction 52, and has an inner space which is open at the distal end of the guide portion 105.
  • the ink supply tube 102 is positioned at the center of the inner space of the guide portion 105.
  • the guide portion 105 has such a shape that it can receive the ink supply portion 34 of the ink cartridge 30 in the inner space of the guide portion 105.
  • the ink supply portion 34 of the ink cartridge 30 enters the inner space of the guide portion 105.
  • the ink supply tube 102 is inserted through an ink supply opening 71 formed in the ink supply portion 34.
  • a valve 77 provided in the ink supply portion 34 moves to open the ink supply opening 71.
  • the ink supply tube 102 and the ink supply portion 34 are connected to each other.
  • Ink stored in an ink chamber 36 of the ink cartridge 30 flows into ink tube 20 connected to the ink supply tube 102 via an inner space of a cylindrical wall 73 of the ink supply portion 34 and an inner space of the ink supply tube 102.
  • the ink supply tube 102 may have a flat end surface or pointed end.
  • the lower portion of the case 101 comprises a groove bottom wall defining the bottom end of the guide groove 109.
  • the groove bottom wall has an opening 111 formed therethrough in the upward direction 54 and the downward direction 53 at a positon adjacent to the end surface of the case 101, and the opening 111 extends in the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52.
  • the slider 107 is positioned in the opening 111. The slider 107 extends from a space below the groove bottom wall to a space above the groove bottom wall through the opening 111.
  • the case 101 comprises a guide rail 113 extending in the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52, and the slider 107 is configured to slide on the guide rail 113 in the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52 in the opening 111.
  • a pulling spring 114 is connected to the case 101 at one end and to the slider 107 at the other end. The pulling spring 114 pulls the slider 107 in the removal direction 52. Therefore, when an external force is not applied to the slider 107, the slider 107 is positioned at the end of the guide rail 113 in the removal direction 52. When an external force is applied to the slider 107 in the insertion direction 51, the slider 107 moves from the end of the guide rail 113 in the insertion direction 51 along the guide rail 113 in the opening 111.
  • a second protrusion 86 of the ink cartridge 30 moves in the guide groove 109 in the insertion direction 51 and contact the slider 107.
  • the second protrusion 86 pushes the slider 107 in the insertion direction 51, and the slider 107 moves in the insertion direction 51 against an urging force of the pulling spring 114.
  • the second protrusion 86 of the ink cartridge 30 receives the urging force in the second direction 52 from the slider 107.
  • the slider 107 and the pulling spring 114 are an example of an urging member.
  • the lock portion 145 is positioned adjacent to the upper portion of the case 101 and the opening 112.
  • the lock portion 145 has an elongated shape extends in the left direction 56 and the right direction 55 in the case 101.
  • the lock portion 145 is a metal circular cylinder.
  • the lock portion 145 has a left end in the left direction 56 and a right end in the right direction 55
  • the case 101 has a left end wall defining the end of the inner space of the case 101 in the left direction 56 and a right end wall defining the end of the inner space of the case 101 in the right direction 55.
  • the left end of the lock portion 145 is fixed at the left end wall of the case 101, and the right end of the lock portion 145 is fixed at the right end wall of the case 101.
  • the lock portion 145 does not move relative to the case 101, e.g., does not pivot relative to the case 101.
  • the lock portion 145 extends over the four spaces into which the four cartridges 30 are mountable, respectively. A space is formed around the lock portion 145 in each of the four spaces. Therefore, the lock portion 145 is accessible in the upward direction 54 and in the removal direction 52.
  • the lock portion 145 is used for locking the ink cartridge 30 in the mounted position when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110.
  • the ink cartridge 30 contacts the lock portion 145 in the removal direction 52, and the lock portion 145 locks or retains the ink cartridge 30 against the urging force from the slider 107, which urging force urges the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 52, and against an urging force of a coil spring 78 of the ink cartridge 30, which urging force also urges the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 52.
  • the four contacts 106 are positioned adjacent to the upper portion of the case 101 and the end surface of the case 101. Although not shown in the drawings, the four contacts 106 are aligned with and spaced apart from each other in the left direction 56 and the right direction 55.
  • the arrangement of the four contacts 106 corresponds to the arrangement of four electrodes 65 of the ink cartridge 30.
  • Each contact 106 is made of a material having electric conductivity and elasticity and can be elastically deformed in the upward direction 54.
  • the four sets of four contacts 106 are provided, corresponding to the four ink cartridges 30, respectively.
  • the number of contacts 106 in one set is not limited to four, but may be two, three or more than four, and the number of electrodes 65 of one ink cartridge 30 is not limited to four, but may be two, three or more than four.
  • Each contact 106 is electrically connected to an arithmetic unit (not shown) of the printer 10 via an electric circuit.
  • the arithmetic unit may comprise a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and may be used as a controller for controlling the operations of the printer 10.
  • voltage may be applied to one of the electrodes 65 from the printer 10, or one of the electrode 65 may be grounded.
  • data stored in an IC of the ink cartridge 30 becomes accessible from the printer 10, and the data can be transmitted to the arithmetic unit via the electric circuit of the printer 10.
  • the rod 125 is positioned at the end surface of the case 101 above the ink supply tube 102.
  • the rod 125 extends from the end surface in the removal direction 52.
  • the rod 125 has a cross-sectional shape taken along a plane perpendicular to the removal direction 52, and the cross-sectional shape of the rod 125 is substantially an inversed U-shape, like an upper half of a circle.
  • the rod 125 has a rib extending from the uppermost part of the U-shaped portion, and the rib extends in the removal direction 52.
  • the rod 125 is inserted into a recess 96 formed in the ink cartridge 30 when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110, i.e., when the ink cartridge 30 is in the mounted position.
  • the sensor 103 is positioned at the upper portion of the case 101.
  • the sensor 103 comprises a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion.
  • the light receiving portion is spaced apart from the light emitting portion in the right direction 55 or the left direction 56.
  • the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion faces each other in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56.
  • the light emitting portion of the sensor 103 is configured to emit light, e.g., visible or infrared light.
  • the sensor 103 is configured to output different signals based on whether or not the light receiving portion receives the light emitted from the light emitting portion. If the light receiving portion does not receive the light emitted from the light emitting portion, i.e., if the intensity of light received by the light receiving portion is less than a threshold value, the sensor 103 outputs a Low-level signal, i.e., a signal whose level is less than a threshold level.
  • the sensor outputs a High-level signal, i.e., a signal whose level is greater than or equal to the threshold level.
  • the cover 108 is configured to pivot between an open attitude and a close attitude about an axis 115 extending in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56.
  • the cover 108 has substantially a rectangular shape and has such a size that the cover 108 can cover the opening 22.
  • the cover 108 covers the opening 22, and a user cannot insert or remove the ink cartridge 30 into or from the cartridge mounting portion 110.
  • the cover 108 does not cover the opening 22, and the opening 112 of the case 101 and the opening 22 are exposed to the outside of the printer 10.
  • a user can insert or remove the ink cartridge 30 into or from the cartridge mounting portion 110.
  • the cover 108 comprises an outer surface 116 and an inner surface 117.
  • the outer surface 116 forms the outer appearance of the printer 10 together with the casing 14, and the inner surface 117 faces the case 101 when the cover 108 is in the close attitude.
  • the cover 108 comprises a hook 118 at the inner surface 117.
  • the hook 118 is configured to be engaged with an engagement portion 119 provided to the casing 14 above the opening 22. When the hook 118 is engaged with the engagement portion 119, the cover 108 is retained in the close attitude.
  • the cover 108 comprises three protrusions 121 protruding from the inner surface 117.
  • the protrusions 121 are positioned closer to the axis 115 than the hook 118 is.
  • the protrusions 121 are aligned and spaced away from each other in the direction of axis 115, that is, in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56.
  • the three protrusion 121 are positioned corresponding to three gaps formed between the four ink cartridges 30 in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56.
  • Each protrusion 121 has almost the same shape.
  • the protrusion 121 has a flat shape elongated in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56. As will be described in more detail later, when the ink cartridge 30 is in the first attitude and the cover 108 is in the close attitude, the protrusion 121 is positioned in a recess 95 of the ink cartridge 30.
  • the ink cartridge 30 is a container configured to store ink.
  • the ink cartridge 30 has an inner space formed therein, and the inner space is the ink chamber 36, as an example of a liquid chamber, configured to store ink, as an example of liquid.
  • the ink cartridge 30 comprises an inner frame 35, a rear cover 31, and a front cover 32.
  • the rear cover 31 and the front cover 32 are attached to each other, and the inner frame 35 is enclosed by the rear cover 31 and the front cover 32.
  • the rear cover 31 and the front cover 32 forms the outer shape of the ink cartridge 30.
  • the ink chamber 36 is formed in the inner frame 35.
  • the ink cartridge 35 may not have the inner frame 35, and the rear cover 31 and the front cover 32 may define the ink chamber 36.
  • the attitude of the ink cartridge 30 shown in Figs. 3 to 6 and 15 is the mounted attitude, as an example of the first attitude.
  • the ink cartridge 30 comprises a front face 140, a rear face 41, an upper face 39, 141 as an example of a particular face, and a lower face 42, 142, as outer faces of the ink cartridge 30.
  • the ink cartridge 30 takes the attitude shown in Figs.
  • the direction extending from the rear face 41 to front face 140 coincides with the insertion direction 51 and the forward direction 57
  • the direction extending from the front face 140 to the rear face 41 coincides with the removal direction 52 and the rearward direction 58
  • the direction extending from the upper face 39, 141 to the lower face 42, 142 coincides with the downward direction 53
  • the direction extending from the lower face 42, 142 to the upper face 39, 141 coincides with the upward direction 54.
  • the front face 140 faces the insertion direction 51 and the forward direction 57
  • the rear face 41 faces the removal direction 52 and the rearward direction 58
  • the lower face 42, 142 faces the downward direction 53
  • the upper face 39, 141 faces the upward direction 54.
  • the ink cartridge 30 has a width dimension along the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, a height dimension along the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54, a depth dimension along the forward direction 57 and the rearward direction 58.
  • the width dimension is less than each of the height dimension and the depth dimension.
  • the front cover 32 comprises the front face 140, which faces the insertion direction 51 and the forward direction 57 when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110
  • the rear cover 31 comprises the rear face 41, which faces the removal direction 52 and the rearward direction 58 when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110.
  • the ink chamber 36 is positioned between the front face 140 and the rear face 41.
  • the rear cover 31 has a box shape having side faces 37, 38 spaced apart from each other in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, the upper face 39 and the lower face 42 spaced apart from each other in the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54, and the rear face 41.
  • the side faces 37, 38 face the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, respectively, the upper face 39 faces the upward direction 54, and the lower face 42 faces the downward direction 53.
  • the side faces 37, 38, the upper face 39, and the lower face 42 extend from the rear face 41 in the insertion direction 51 and the forward direction 57, and the inner space of the rear cover 31 is opened toward the insertion direction 51 and the forward direction 57.
  • the inner frame 35 is inserted into the inner space of the rear cover 31 from the opening, i.e., the rear cover 31 covers a rear portion of the inner frame 35.
  • the ink chamber 36 is positioned between the upper face 39 and the lower face 42
  • the rear face 41 comprises an upper portion 41U and a lower portion 41L.
  • the upper portion 41U is positioned above the lower portion 41L, i.e., the upper portion 41 is positioned further in the upward direction 54 than the lower portion 41L.
  • the lower portion 41L is positioned below the upper portion 41U, i.e., the lower portion 41L is positioned further in the downward direction 53 than the upper portion 41U.
  • the lower portion 41L is positioned more forward than the upper portion 41U, i.e., the lower portion 41L is positioned further in the forward direction 57 than the upper portion 41U.
  • each of the upper portion 41U and the lower potion 41L is a plane, i.e., a flat surface.
  • the upper portion 41U and the lower portion 41L intersect each other forming an angle therebetween, which angle is not a right angle.
  • the lower portion 41L is inclined relative to the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54, such that the lower portion 41L becomes closer to the front face 140 as it approaches to the lower face 42, i.e., the lower portion 41L is closer to the front face 140 at a position closer to the lower face 42.
  • the upper portion 41U comprises a letter or symbol thereon, and the letter or symbol indicates that the upper portion 41U is supposed to be pushed.
  • the upper portion 41U comprises letters "PUSH" thereon, so that a user may push the upper portion 41U when the user inserts the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110.
  • An example of the symbol may be an arrow or a picture of a finger.
  • the rear cover 31 comprises a protrusion 43 extending from the upper face 39.
  • the protrusion 43 is positioned at about the center of the upper face 39 in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, and extends in the insertion direction 51 (the forward direction 57) and the removal direction 52 (the rearward direction 58).
  • the protrusion 43 comprises a lock surface 151 facing the removal direction 52 (the rearward direction 58).
  • the lock surface 151 extends in the upward direction 54 and the downward direction 53.
  • the lock surface 151 is configured to contact the lock portion 145 of the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the removal direction 52 when the ink cartridge is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110. By the lock surface 151 contacting the lock portion 145 in the removal direction 52, the ink cartridge 30 is locked or retained in the cartridge mounting portion 110 against the urging force of the pulling spring 114 transmitted via the slider 107 and the urging force of the coil spring 78.
  • the protrusion 43 comprises reinforcing surfaces 152, 153.
  • the reinforcing surfaces 152, 153 are continuous with and extend from the right end and the left end of the lock surface 151 in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, respectively.
  • the reinforcing surfaces 152, 153 extend from a virtual plane toward the insertion direction 51 (the forward direction 57), forming acute angles between the reinforcing surfaces 152, 153 and the virtual plane, respectively, which virtual plane includes the lock surface 151 and extends in the downward direction 53, the upward direction 53, the right direction 55, and the left direction 56.
  • the reinforcing surfaces 152, 153 reinforce the strength and the rigidity of the protrusion 43, and therefore a likelihood that the lock surface 151 is damaged is reduced.
  • the reinforcing surfaces 152, 153 do not extend more rearward than the lock surface 151, i.e., the reinforcing surfaces 152, 153 do not extend further in the rearward direction 58 than the lock surface 151, the reinforcing surfaces 152, 153 may not contact the lock portion 145 of the cartridge mounting portion 110. Therefore, if the lock surface 145 slides on the lock portion 145, the sliding resistance may not be increased by the reinforcing surfaces 152, 153.
  • the protrusion 43 comprises a horizontal surface 154 positioned in front of the lock surface 151, i.e., positioned further in the forward direction 57 than the lock surface 151.
  • the horizontal surface 154 is continuous with the lock surface 151.
  • the horizontal surface 154 extends in the right direction 55, the left direction 56, the forward direction 57, and the rearward direction 58.
  • the protrusion 43 comprises an inclined surface 155 in front of the horizontal surface 154, i.e., positioned further in the forward direction 57 than the horizontal surface 154.
  • the inclined surface 155 is continuous with the horizontal surface 154.
  • the inclined surface 155 faces the upward direction 54 and the forward direction 57.
  • the inclined surface 155 is viewable when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the downward direction 53 and is viewable when the ink cartridge is viewed in the rearward direction 58. Because the horizontal plane 154 is positioned between the lock surface 154 and the inclined surface 155, the lock surface 151 and the inclined surface 155 do not intersect each other at an acute angle. During the insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the lock portion 145 of the cartridge mounting portion 145 slides on the inclined surface 155 and the horizontal surface 154 and therefore is smoothly guided to a position more rearward than the lock surface 151, i.e., a position further in the rearward direction 58 than the lock surface 151.
  • the protrusion 43 comprises reinforcing surfaces 156, 157.
  • the reinforcing surfaces 156, 157 are continuous with and extend from the right end and the left end of the inclined surface 155 in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, respectively.
  • the reinforcing surfaces 156, 157 extend from a virtual plane toward the downward direction 53 forming acute angles between the reinforcing surfaces 156, 157 and the virtual plane, respectively, which virtual plane includes the inclined surface 155 and extends in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56.
  • the reinforcing surfaces 156, 157 reinforce the strength and the rigidity of the protrusion 43, and therefore a likelihood that the inclined surface 155 is damaged is reduced.
  • the reinforcing surfaces 156, 157 do not extend more upward than the inclined surface 155, i.e., the reinforcing surfaces 156, 157 do not extend further in the upward direction 54 than the inclined surface 155, the reinforcing surfaces 156, 157 may not contact the lock portion 145 of the cartridge mounting portion 110. Therefore, if the inclined surface 155 slides on the lock portion 145, the sliding resistance may not be increased by the reinforcing surfaces 156, 157.
  • the recess 95 is open in the removal direction 52 (the rearward direction 58).
  • the operation portion 90 extends in the upward direction 54 beyond the protrusion 43 from a position adjacent to the boundary between the sub upper face 91 and the rest of the upper face 39, and then extends obliquely downward, i.e., in the rearward direction 58 and the downward direction 53.
  • the rear cover 31 comprises a rib 94, as an example of a first rib, extending between the operation portion 90 and the sub upper face 91.
  • the rib 94 is continuous with the operation portion 90 and the sub upper face 91.
  • the rib 94 also extends in the rearward direction 58. Referring to Fig.
  • the operation portion 90 comprises an operation surface 92 facing the upward direction 54 and the rearward direction 58.
  • the position of the operation surface 92 and the position of the sub upper face 91 along the forward direction 57 and the rearward direction 58 at least partly overlap.
  • the operation surface 92 and the sub upper face 91 at least partly overlap in the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54.
  • at least a portion of the operation surface 92 is aligned with at least a portion of the sub upper face 91 in the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54.
  • the sub upper face 91 is positioned further in the downward direction 53 than the operation surface 92, and a space is formed between the operation surface 92 and the sub upper face 91 in the downward direction 53.
  • the operation surface 92 comprises a plurality of protrusions, i.e., a plurality of elongated protrusions 93, each extending in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56.
  • the elongated protrusions 93 are spaced apart from each other in the forward direction 57 and the rearward direction 58. With the elongated protrusions 93, the operation surface 92 becomes recognizable to a user, and the operation surface 92 becomes nonskid when the user operates the operation surface 92 with his/her finger.
  • the dimension of the operation surface 92 in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56 is the same as the dimension of the operation portion 90 in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56.
  • the rear cover 31 comprises a rib 89, as an example of a second rib, extending from a back side 99 of the operation surface 92 toward the sub upper face 91.
  • the rib 89 extends from the rib 94 in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56.
  • the dimension of the rib 94 in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56 is almost the same as the dimension of the operation portion 90 (the dimension of the operation surface 92) in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56.
  • the back side 99 is a surface of the operation portion 90 opposite the operation surface 92 in the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54.
  • the operation surface 92 is viewable when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the downward direction 53 and when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the forward direction 57 and the insertion direction 51.
  • the operation surface is viewable when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the direction extending from the upper face 39 toward the lower face 42 and when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the direction extending from the rear face 41 toward the front face 140.
  • the operation surface 92 is a surface a user operates for unlocking or releasing the ink cartridge 30 from the locked state in the cartridge mounting portion 110.
  • the operation portion 90 is fixed to the rear cover 31, e.g., the operation portion 90 is integrally molded with the rear cover 31, and therefore the operation portion 90 does not move relative to the rear cover 31, e.g., does not pivot relative to the rear cover 31. Therefore, a force applied to the operation surface 92 from a user is directly transmitted to the rear cover 31, without changing its direction.
  • the operation portion 90 also does not move relative to the inner frame 35 or ink chamber 36, e.g., does not pivot relative to the inner frame 35 or ink chamber 36.
  • At least a portion of the operation surface 92 protrudes further in the upward direction 54 than the lock surface 151.
  • the front cover 32 has a box shape having side faces 143, 144 spaced apart from each other in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, the upper face 141 and the lower face 142 spaced apart from each other in the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54, and the front face 140.
  • the side faces 143, 144 face the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, respectively, the upper face 141 faces the upward direction 54, and the lower face 142 faces the downward direction 53.
  • the side faces 143, 144, the upper face 141, and the lower face 142 extend from the front face 140 in the removal direction 52 and the rearward direction 58, and the inner space of the front cover 32 is opened toward the removal direction 52 and the rearward direction 58.
  • the inner frame 35 is inserted into the inner space of the front cover 32 from the opening.
  • the front cover 32 covers a front portion of the inner frame 35, which is not covered by the rear cover 31.
  • the ink chamber 36 is positioned between the upper face 141 and the lower face 142.
  • the upper face 141 of the front cover 32 and the upper face 39 of the rear cover 31 constitute the upper face of the ink cartridge 30.
  • the lower face 142 of the front cover 32 and the lower face 42 of the rear cover 31 constitute the lower face of the ink cartridge 30. More specifically, when the ink cartridge 30 is in the mounted attitude (first attitude), the lower face 142 of the front cover 32 extends in the forward direction 57 and the rearward direction 58, and the lower face 42 of the rear cover 31 faces the downward direction 53 and the rearward direction 58.
  • the lower face 42 is inclined relative to the lower face 142.
  • each of the lower face 42 and the lower face 142 is a plane, i.e., a flat surface.
  • the side faces 143, 144 of the front cover 32 and the side faces 37, 38 of the rear cover 31 constitute the side faces of the ink cartridge 30.
  • the front face 140 of the front cover 32 constitutes the front face of the ink cartridge 30, and the rear face 41 of the rear cover 31 constitutes the rear face of the ink cartridge 30.
  • the front face 140 and the rear face 41 are spaced apart from each other in the forward direction 57 and the rearward direction 58.
  • the rear face of the ink cartridge 30 is a face that is viewable when the ink cartridge in the first attitude is viewed in the forward direction 57 and positioned more rearward than the center of the ink cartridge 30 in the first attitude with respect to the forward direction 57 and the rearward direction 58, i.e., positioned further in the rearward direction 58 than the center of the ink cartridge 30 in the first attitude with respect to the forward direction 57 and the rearward direction 58.
  • the upper face of the ink cartridge 30 is a face that is viewable when the ink cartridge 30 in the first attitude is viewed in the downward direction 53 and positioned above the center of the ink cartridge 30 with respect to the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54, i.e., positioned further in the upward direction 54 than the center of the ink cartridge 30 with respect to the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54.
  • the lower face of the ink cartridge 30 is a face that is viewable when the ink cartridge 30 in the first attitude is viewed in the upward direction 54 and positioned below the center of the ink cartridge 30 with respect to the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54, i.e., positioned further in the downward direction 53 than the center of the ink cartridge 30 with respect to the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54.
  • One of the side faces of the ink cartridge 30 is a face that is viewable when the ink cartridge 30 in the first attitude is viewed in the left direction 56 and positioned to the right of the center of the ink cartridge 30 with respect to the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, i.e., positioned further in the right direction 55 than the center of the ink cartridge 30 with respect to the right direction 55 and the left direction 56.
  • the front cover 32 has the recess 96 formed in an upper portion of the front face 140.
  • the recess 96 extends from the front face 140 in the rearward direction 58.
  • the recess 96 is configured to receive the rod 125 when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110.
  • the recess 96 has a cross-sectional shape taken along a plane perpendicular to the forward direction 57 and the rearward direction 58, and the cross-sectional shape of the recess 96 corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the rod 125.
  • the front cover 32 has an opening 97 formed through a lower portion of the front face 140 in the rearward direction 58.
  • the opening 97 is configured to allow the ink supply portion 34 to extend therethrough when the inner frame 35 is inserted into the front cover 32, such that the ink supply portion 34 is positioned outside of the front cover 32.
  • the position, dimension, and shape of the opening 97 correspond to those of the ink supply portion 34.
  • the front cover 32 comprises a first protrusion 85 and the second protrusion 86 positioned at the front face 140.
  • the first protrusion 85 extends in the forward direction 57 at the upper end of the front cover 32.
  • the recess 96 is formed in the distal end of the first protrusion 57 facing the forward direction 57.
  • the distal end of the first protrusion 57 facing the forward direction 57 is a part of the front face 140.
  • the second protrusion 86 extends in the forward direction 57 at the lower end of the front cover 32.
  • the second protrusion 86 is positioned below the ink supply portion 34, i.e., positioned further in the downward direction 53 than the ink supply portion 34.
  • the protrusion 86 has a recess 87 formed in its lower face, and the recess 87 opens in the forward direction 57 and the downward direction 53.
  • a portion of the second protrusion 86 defining the recess 87 extends beyond the lower face 142 of the front cover 32 in the downward direction 53.
  • the slider 107 During the insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the slider 107 enters the recess 87 and contacts the portion of the second protrusion 86 defining the recess 87.
  • the second protrusion 86 is an example of a receive portion.
  • the front cover 32 has an opening 98 formed through the upper face 141 in the downward direction 53.
  • the opening 98 is configured to allow a portion of the detection portion 62 to extend therethrough when the inner frame 35 is inserted into the front cover 32, such that the detection portion 62 is positioned outside of the front cover 32.
  • the position, dimension, and the shape of the opening 98 correspond to those of the portion of the detection portion 62.
  • the ink cartridge 30 comprises an IC board 64 positioned at the upper face 141 of the front cover 32 above the first protrusion 85 and the ink supply portion 34, i.e., further in the upward direction 54 than the first protrusion 85 and the ink supply portion 34.
  • the IC board 64 comprises four electrodes 65 formed thereon. The four electrodes 65 are exposed and face the upward direction 54. Each electrode 65 is an example of an electrical interface. The four electrodes 65 are aligned with and spaced apart from each other in the left direction 56 and the right direction 55. Each electrode 65 is elongated in the forward direction 57 and the rearward direction 58.
  • the IC board 64 also comprises an IC (Integrated Circuit, not shown), and the four electrodes 65 are electrically connected to the IC.
  • the IC stores information about the ink cartridge 30, such as the lot number, the manufactured date, the color of ink, etc. The information can be read out from the outside.
  • the four electrodes 65 contact the four contacts 106 of the cartridge mounting portion 110.
  • the inner frame 35 comprises an annular or loop shaped wall, and the inner space surrounded by the wall opens in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56 at the right and left ends of the inner frame 35, respectively.
  • Films (not shown) are attached to the right and left ends of the inner frame 35, such that the inner space of the inner frame 35 is closed, and the inner space becomes the ink chamber 36 configured to store ink therein.
  • the inner frame 35 comprises a front face 40, and the ink supply portion 34 is positioned at the front face 40.
  • the front face 40 of the inner frame 35 is positioned adjacent to the front face 140 of the front cover 32, when the inner frame 35 is inserted into the front cover 32.
  • the ink supply portion 34 extends from the front face 40 of the inner frame 35 in the forward direction 57 to the outside of the front cover 32 through the opening 97 formed through the front face 140 of the front cover 32.
  • the ink supply portion 34 has a circular cylindrical outer shape.
  • the ink supply portion 34 comprises the cylindrical wall 73 having a circular cylindrical shape having an inner space, a seal member 76, and a cap 79. The seal member 76 and the cap 79 are attached to the cylindrical wall 73.
  • the cylindrical wall 73 extends from the inside of the ink chamber 36 to the outside of the ink chamber 36.
  • the inner space of the cylindrical wall 73 opens to the ink chamber 36 at the rear end of the cylindrical wall 73.
  • the inner space of the cylindrical wall 73 opens to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 at the front end of the cylindrical wall 73. Communication between the ink chamber 36 and the outside of the ink cartridge 30 is allowed via the inner space of the cylindrical wall 73.
  • the ink supply portion 34 is configured to supply ink stored in the ink chamber 36 to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 through the inner space of the cylindrical wall 73.
  • the seal member 76 and the cap 79 are attached to the front end of the cylindrical wall 73.
  • the ink supply portion 34 comprises the valve 77 and the coil spring 78 positioned in the inner space of the cylindrical wall 73.
  • the valve 77 and the coil spring 78 are configured to switch the state of the ink supply portion 34 between a state in which ink is allowed to flow out of the ink chamber 30 through the inner space of the cylindrical wall 73 to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 (see Fig. 11 ) and a state in which ink is prevented from flowing out of the inner space of the cylindrical wall 73 to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 (see Fig. 6 ).
  • the valve 77 is configured to move in the forward direction 57 and the rearward direction 58 to selectively open and close the ink supply opening 71 formed through the center of the seal member 76.
  • the coil spring 78 is configured to urge the valve 77 in the forward direction 57 (the insertion direction 51), such that the valve 77 contacts the seal member 76 and close the ink supply opening 71 when an external force is not applied to the valve 77.
  • the valve 77 closes the ink supply opening 71.
  • the ink supply tube 102 enters the ink supply opening 71.
  • the inner surface of the seal member 76 defining the ink supply opening 71 liquid-tightly contacts the outer surface of the ink supply tube 102 while the seal member 76 is elastically deformed by the outer surface of the ink supply tube 102.
  • the end of the ink supply tube 102 passes through the ink supply opening 71 and contacts the valve 77.
  • the ink supply tube 102 pushes and moves the valve 77 in the rearward direction 58 against the urging force of the coil spring 78. When this occurs, ink is allowed to flow from the ink chamber 36 to the ink supply tube 102 through the inner space of the cylindrical wall 73.
  • the ink supply tube 102 has an opening at or adjacent to the end of the ink supply tube 102, and the opening extends from the outer surface of the ink supply tube 102 to the inner space of the ink supply tube 102. Ink flows from the inner space of the cylindrical wall 73 to the inner space of the ink supply tube 102 via the opening of the ink supply tube 102. Ink flows from the ink chamber 36 to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 through the inner space of the cylindrical wall 73 and the inner space of the ink supply tube 102.
  • the ink supply portion 34 may not necessarily comprise the valve 77 and the coil spring 78.
  • the ink supply opening 71 may be closed by a film.
  • the ink supply tube 102 penetrates through the film and passes through the ink supply opening 71, such that the end of the ink supply tube 102 is positioned in the inner space of the cylindrical wall 73.
  • the ink supply opening 71 may be closed by the elasticity of the seal member 76.
  • the outer surface of the ink supply tube 102 pushes the inner surface of the seal member 76 defining the ink supply opening 71 radially, and thereby opens the ink supply opening 71.
  • the inner frame 35 comprises the detection portion 62 extending from the upper face of the inner frame 35 in the upward direction 54.
  • the detection portion 62 is a protrusion having an inner space continuous with the ink chamber 36.
  • the detection portion 62 is configured to allow light to pass therethrough in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56.
  • the detection portion 62 extends through the opening 98 of the front cover 32 to the outside of the ink cartridge 30.
  • the ink cartridge 30 comprises a detection member 59 positioned in the ink chamber 36.
  • the inner frame 35 comprises a pivot shaft 61 extending in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, and the detection member 59 is supported by the pivot shaft 61, such that the detection member 59 can pivot about the pivot shaft 61.
  • the detection portion 59 comprises a float 63, and the float 63 has a specific gravity which is less than the specific gravity of ink stored in the ink chamber 36.
  • a buoyancy force acts on the float 63.
  • the detection member 59 pivots counterclockwise in Fig. 6 due to the buoyancy force acting on the float 63.
  • a portion of the detection member 59 is positioned in the inner space of the detection portion 62 and contacts the wall of the detection portion 62 defining the front end of the detection portion 62, such that the detection member 59 does not pivot further in the counterclockwise direction.
  • the portion of the detection member 59 blocks the light of the sensor 103 passing through the detection portion 62 in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56. More specifically, because the portion of the detection member 59 blocks the light, when the light emitted from the light emitting portion of the sensor 103 reaches one of the right face and the left face of the detection portion 62, the intensity of light coming out of the other of the right face and the left face of the detection portion 62 and reaching the light receiving portion of the sensor 103 becomes less than the threshold value, e.g., zero.
  • the portion of the detection member 59 may completely prevent the light from passing therethrough in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, may partly absorb the light, may alter the path of the light, or totally reflect the light.
  • the ink surface in the ink chamber 36 lowers and an upper portion of the float 63 is exposed from the ink surface.
  • the float 63 moves down, following the lowering ink surface.
  • the detection member 59 pivots clockwise in Fig. 6 , and the portion of the detection member 59 in the inner space of the detection portion 62 moves out of the optical path extending between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the sensor 103.
  • the light of the sensor 103 is no longer blocked by the portion of the detection member 59, and the intensity of light received by the light receiving portion of the sensor 103 becomes greater than or equal to the threshold value.
  • a distance D1 from the lock surface 151 (more specifically, the foremost part of the lock surface 151) to the front face 140 (more specifically, the foremost part of the front face 140) in the insertion direction 51 (the forward direction 57) is greater a distance D2 from the lock surface 151 (more specifically, the rearmost part of the lock surface 151) to the rear face 41 (more specifically, the rearmost part of the upper portion 41U of the rear face 41) in the removal direction 52 (the rearward direction 58).
  • the distance D1 is less than a distance D3 from the operation surface 92 (more specifically, the foremost part of the operation surface 92) to the front face 140 (more specifically, the foremost part of the front face 140) in the insertion direction 51 (the forward direction 57).
  • a distance D4 from the upper portion 41U (more specifically, the lowermost part of the upper portion 41U) to the lower face 42 (more specifically, the uppermost part of the lower face 42) in the downward direction 53 is greater than a distance D5 from the lower portion 41L (more specifically, the lowermost part of the lower portion 41L) to the lower face 42 (more specifically, the uppermost part of the lower face 42) in the downward direction 53.
  • the distance D5 is zero.
  • a distance D6 from the upper portion 41U (more specifically, the foremost part of the upper portion 41U) to the front face 140 (more specifically, the foremost part of the front face 140) in the insertion direction 51 (the forward direction 57) is greater than a distance D7 from the lower portion 41L (more specifically, the foremost part of the lower portion 41L) to the front face 140 (more specifically, the foremost part of the front face 140) in the insertion direction 51 (the forward direction 57).
  • the lower portion 41L comprises a portion positioned between a central axis 72 of the ink supply opening 71 of the seal member 76 and the lower face 42 in the downward direction 53.
  • the central axis 72 of the ink supply opening 71 intersects the center of the ink supply opening 71 and extends in the direction in which the ink supply opening 71 penetrates through the seal member 76, i.e., in the forward direction 57 and the rearward direction 58 in this embodiment.
  • the center of the ink supply opening 71 is the center of at least a portion of the ink supply opening 71, and the inner surface of the seal member 76 defining the at least a portion of the ink supply opening 71 contacts the outer surface of the ink supply tube 102 when the ink supply tube 102 is inserted through the ink supply opening 71.
  • the center of the ink supply opening 71 is the center of a portion of the ink supply opening 71 defined by the first inner surface, but not by the second inner surface. If the entire inner surface of the seal member 76 contacts the outer surface of the ink supply tube 102, the center of the ink supply opening 71 is the center of the entirety of the ink supply opening 71.
  • valve 77 closes the ink supply opening 71.
  • the flow of ink from the ink chamber 36 to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 is blocked.
  • the cover 108 is brought into the open attitude when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110.
  • the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the case 101 via the opening 112 of the cartridge mounting portion 110.
  • the upper portion 41U of the rear face 41 of the rear cover 31 is positioned more rearward than the lower portion 41L of the rear face 41, i.e., positioned further in the rearward direction 58 than the lower portion 41L of the rear face 41. Therefore, the upper portion 41U is positioned closer to a user than the lower portion 41L is positioned to the user, and the user tends to push the upper portion 41U to insert the ink cartridge 30 in the insertion direction 51 into the cartridge mounting portion 110.
  • the upper portion 41U comprises the letter or symbol indicating that the upper portion 41U is supposed to be pushed, the user is urged to push the upper portion 41U.
  • a lower portion of the front cover 32 is positioned in the guide groove 109 of the lower portion of the case 101. More specifically, the portion of the second protrusion 86 defining the recess 87 and extending beyond the lower face 142 of the front cover 32 contacts the groove bottom wall of the guide groove 109, and a rear portion of the lower face 142 of the front cover 32 also contacts the groove bottom wall of the guide groove 109. Therefore, a front portion of the front cover 32 is slightly lifted up.
  • the slider 107 enters the recess 87 and contacts the second protrusion 86 of the ink cartridge 30. Because the user pushes the upper portion 41U of the rear face 41 of the ink cartridge 30, the ink cartridge 30 pivots counterclockwise in Fig. 8 about the contact point between the slider 107 and the second protrusion 86. When this occurs, the lower face 142 of the front cover 32 moves away from the groove bottom wall of the guide groove 109 of the lower portion of the case 101, and an upper portion of the ink cartridge 30 moves closer to the guide groove 109 of the upper portion of the case 101.
  • the ink supply tube 102 enters the ink supply opening 71 and pushes the valve 77 away from the seal member 76 against the urging force of the coil spring 78.
  • the urging force of the pulling spring 114 is applied to the ink cartridge 30 via the slider 107 in the removal direction 52, and the urging force of the coil spring 78 is applied to the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 52.
  • the rod 125 in the recess 96 supports the front cover 32 from below.
  • the IC board 64 reaches a position below the contacts 106, and electrodes 65 contact the corresponding contacts 106, respectively, while elastically deforming the contacts 106 in the upward direction 54.
  • the IC board 64 is urged in the downward direction 53 by the elastically deformed contacts 106, but the IC board 64 is supported from below by the rod 125. Therefore, the electrodes 65 are accurately positioned relative to the contacts 106 in the upward direction 54 and the downward direction 53. Nevertheless, the rod 125 may not necessarily support the front cover 32.
  • the protrusion 43 of the rear cover 31 reaches the lock portion 145, and the inclined surface 155 and the horizontal surface 154 slides on the lock portion 145.
  • a counterclockwise moment of force is applied to the ink cartridge 30 because the user pushes the upper portion 41U of the rear face 41 in the insertion direction 51
  • the sliding contact between the inclined surface 155 and the lock portion 145 causes the ink cartridge 30 to pivot clockwise about a pivot center O which is the center of the ink supply opening 71 through which the ink supply tube 102 is inserted, i.e., the center of a portion of ink supply tube 102, which portion contacts the inner surface of the seal member 76 defining the ink supply opening 71.
  • the attitude of the ink cartridge 30 in Fig. 10 is an example of a second attitude.
  • the lock surface 151 is positioned further in the downward direction 53 than the lock portion 145 as shown in Fig. 10 .
  • the lock surface 151 may also be positioned further in the removal direction 52 (the rearward direction 58) than the lock portion 145 when the ink cartridge 30 is in the second attitude as shown in Fig. 10 .
  • the lock surface 151 of the protrusion 43 is positioned below the lock portion 145, i.e., positioned further in the downward direction 53 than the lock portion 145.
  • the position of the pivot center O and the positions of the electrodes 65 along the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52 at least partly overlap. Therefore, the magnitude of a moment of force generated by the urging force of the contacts 106 pushing down the electrodes 65 and applied to the ink cartridge 30 is zero or very small.
  • the lower face 42 of the rear cover 31 contacts or is positioned closer to the groove bottom wall of the guide groove 109 of the lower portion of the case 101.
  • the lower face 42 when the ink cartridge 30 is in the second attitude, the lower face 42 extends in a horizontal plane.
  • the lower portion 41L of the rear face 41 is positioned more forward than the upper portion 41U of the rear face 41, i.e., positioned further in the insertion direction 51 than the upper portion 41U.
  • the ink cartridge 30 when the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted in the insertion direction 51 against the urging force of the pulling spring 114 urging the slider 107 in the removal direction 52 and against urging force of the coil spring 78, the inclined surface 155 and the horizontal surface 154 are positioned further in the insertion direction 51 than the lock portion 145. Because the counterclockwise moment of force, which is generated by the user pushing the upper portion 41U of the rear face 41 in the insertion direction 51, is applied to the ink cartridge 30, when the inclined surface 155 and the horizontal surface 154 do not contact the lock portion 145, the ink cartridge 30 pivots counterclockwise about the pivot center O which is the center of the ink supply opening 71 through which the ink supply tube 102 is inserted.
  • the lock surface 151 When the ink cartridge 30 pivots counterclockwise, the lock surface 151 reaches a position in which the lock surface 151 and the lock portion 145 face each other in the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52. Moreover, when the ink cartridge 30 pivots counterclockwise, the rear cover 31 contacts the lock portion 145. When this occurs, the impact of the contact tells the user that the insertion of the ink cartridge 30 is completed. When the user stops pushing the ink cartridge 30, the ink cartridge 30 is moved in the removal direction 52 by the urging force of the pulling spring 114 applied via the slider 107 and the urging force of the coil spring 78.
  • the attitude of the ink cartridge 30 in Fig. 11 is an example of the first attitude.
  • the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110 is thus completed.
  • the ink cartridge 30 is locked or retained in the cartridge mounting portion 110 with the lock surface 151 contacting the lock portion 145 in the removal direction 52 against the urging force of the pulling spring 114 and the urging force of the coil spring 78 in the removal direction 52.
  • G is the magnitude of the gravitational force acting on the ink cartridge 30.
  • F is the magnitude of the urging force of the pulling spring 114 and the coil spring 78 urging the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 52 when the ink cartridge 30 is in the first attitude.
  • L is the distance between the center of gravity M of the ink cartridge 30 and the pivot center O along the insertion direction 51 when the ink cartridge 30 is in the second attitude.
  • H is the height of the lower end of the upper portion 41U of the rear face 41 from the pivot center O along the upward direction 54 which is perpendicular to the insertion direction 51 when the ink cartridge 30 is in the second attitude.
  • Fig. 12 illustrates the ink cartridge 30 when a user pushes the ink cartridge 30 with a force whose magnitude is F as a threshold magnitude required for the ink cartridge 30 to be inserted.
  • the user pushes the upper portion 41U of the rear face 41, i.e., pushes a portion above the lower end of the upper portion 4l U.
  • a force is applied to the portion above the lower end of the upper portion 41U of the ink cartridge 30 in the insertion direction 51, whose magnitude U is greater than the magnitude F of the urging force.
  • the upper portion 41U is substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction 51 when the ink cartridge 30 is in the second attitude, a counterclockwise moment of force is applied to the ink cartridge 30, whose magnitude is at least greater than the product FH.
  • Fig. 12 illustrates the ink cartridge 30 when a user pushes the lower end of the upper portion 41U of the rear face 41 whose height from the pivot center O along the upward direction 54 is H.
  • a clockwise moment of force which is generated by the gravitational force, is applied to the ink cartridge, whose magnitude is the product GL
  • the magnitude G of the gravitational force acting on the ink cartridge 30 varies depending on the amount of ink stored in the ink cartridge 30. Nevertheless, if the condition FH > GL is satisfied when a fresh ink cartridge 30 having an initial amount of ink is inserted, the condition is also satisfied when a used ink cartridge 30 whose amount of ink is relatively low is inserted. That is because the product GL becomes smaller as the amount of ink is reduced while the product FH is unchanged.
  • the magnitude G is a magnitude of the gravitational force acting on the ink cartridge 30 at least when the ink chamber 36 is completely filled with the initial amount of ink or when ink in the ink chamber 36 is consumed.
  • the second protrusion 86 of the ink cartridge 30 receives the urging force of the pulling spring 114 via the slider 107 below the pivot center O, the urging force of the pulling spring 114 also generates an additional moment of force causing the ink cartridge 30 to pivot counterclockwise. Nevertheless, even if the moment of force generated by the pulling spring 114 were not applied to the ink cartridge 30, the overall moment of force applied to the ink cartridge 30 would still be directed counterclockwise.
  • the ink cartridge 30 when the ink cartridge 30 is in the first attitude, the upper end of the lock surface 151 is positioned outside of a virtual circle C, and the lower end of the lock surface 151 is positioned within the virtual circle C.
  • the virtual circle C has its center at the pivot center O and intersects the lock portion 145. Therefore, when the urging force is applied to the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 52 while the lock surface 151 contacts the lock portion 145, the lock portion 145 slides on the lock surface 151 toward the lower end of the lock surface 151. That is, the ink cartridge 30 pivots further counterclockwise when the lock portion 145 and the lock surface 151 contact.
  • a user may push the lower portion 41L of the rear face 41 instead of the upper portion 41U of the rear face 41 when the user inserts the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110. Nevertheless, because the following condition is satisfied, the ink cartridge 30 can pivot counterclockwise in Fig. 13 : Fcos ⁇ ⁇ N > GL .
  • the lower portion 41L is a plane intersecting a first virtual plane PI at an angle of ⁇ degrees when the ink cartridge 30 is in the second attitude, and the first virtual plane PI is perpendicular to the insertion direction 51.
  • N is a length of a perpendicular line extending from the pivot center O to a second virtual plane P2 which is perpendicular to the lower portion 41L and intersects the lower end of the lower portion 41L.
  • the cover 108 pivots from the open attitude (see Fig. 18 ) to the close attitude (see Fig. 19 ).
  • the hook 118 is engaged with the engagement portion 119 to retain the cover 108 in the close attitude.
  • the protrusion 121 is positioned in the recess 95 of the ink cartridge 30.
  • each protrusion 121 of the cover 108 is positioned in the recesses 95 of neighboring ink cartridges 30. That is, the protrusion 121 extends from the recess 95 of one ink cartridge 30 to the recess 95 of another ink cartridge 30. More specifically, each protrusion 121 is positioned between neighboring ribs 94 of the neighboring ink cartridges 30.
  • the protrusions 121 restrict the movement of the ink cartridges 30 toward the second attitude.
  • the ink cartridge 30 is not fully inserted until the ink cartridge 30 becomes the first attitude, but remains in the second attitude as shown in Fig. 10 .
  • the protrusion 121 contacts the ink cartridge 30 during the pivotal movement of the cover 108 from the open attitude to toward the close attitude, as shown in Fig. 20 . More specifically, the protrusion 121 contacts a surface of the ink cartridge 30 defining the recess 95 and facing the removal direction 52 (the rearward direction 58). When this occurs, the cover 108 has not reached the close attitude, and the hook 118 is not engaged with the engagement portion 119.
  • the contact between the protrusion 121 and the ink cartridge 30 generates sound and shock, and the user recognizes that the ink cartridge 30 is not in the first attitude. It is expected that the user has the cover 108 pivot to the open attitude again, insert the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110 again until the ink cartridge 30 becomes the first attitude, and then has the cover 108 pivot to the close attitude.
  • the protrusion 121 contacts the surface of the ink cartridge 30 defining the recess 95, and the user's force causing the cover 108 to pivot toward the close attitude is transmitted to the ink cartridge 30 as a force causing the ink cartridge 30 to move in the insertion direction 51 and the upward direction 54. With this force, the ink cartridge 30 pivots from the second attitude to the first attitude. When this occurs, the lock surface 151 contacts the lock portion 145 in the removal direction 52, and the ink cartridge 30 is locked.
  • the cover 108 can move to the close position, and the hook 118 is engaged with the engagement portion 119.
  • the ink cartridge 30 eventually becomes the first attitude and the cover 108 reaches the close attitude.
  • the ink cartridge 30 prevents further movement of the cover 108 toward the close attitude. That is, even if the protrusion 121 pushes the ink cartridge 30 in the second attitude, the ink cartridge 30 does not move such that the ink cartridge 30 becomes the first attitude. In this case, it is expected that a user has the cover 108 pivot to the open attitude again, insert the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110 again until the ink cartridge 30 becomes the first attitude, and then has the cover 108 pivot to the close attitude.
  • the operation surface 92 is viewable when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the downward direction 53 and is viewable when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the forward direction 57 (the insertion direction 51).
  • the operation surface 92 faces the upward direction 54 and the rearward direction 58 (the removal direction 52).
  • the user's force is directed toward the downward direction 53 and the forward direction 57 (the insertion direction 51). Due to the force directed toward the forward direction 57 (the insertion direction 51), the lock surface 151 separates from the lock portion 145. Due to the force directed toward the downward direction 53, the ink cartridge 30 pivots from the first attitude to the second attitude.
  • the force needed to be applied to the operation surface 92 to cause the ink cartridge 30 to pivot from the first attitude to the second attitude becomes smaller, and the user can readily release the ink cartridge 30.
  • the lock surface 151 is positioned below the lock portion 145, i.e., positioned further in the downward direction 53 than the lock portion 145.
  • the urging force of the pulling spring 114 and the coil spring 78 moves the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 52.
  • the urging force is no longer applied to the ink cartridge 30, and the ink cartridge 30 stops moving in the removal direction 52.
  • the rear cover 31 of the ink cartridge 30 is positioned outside of the case 101, the user can take the ink cartridge 30 out of the cartridge mounting portion 110.
  • the protrusion 121 of the cover 108 is positioned in the recess 95 of the ink cartridge 30 and restricts the movement of the ink cartridge 30 toward the second attitude when the ink cartridge 30 is in the first attitude and the cover 108 is in the close attitude, a likelihood that the ink cartridge 30 is accidentally released from the first attitude may be reduced. Because the protrusion 121 contacts the ink cartridge 30 during the pivotal moment of the cover 108 from the open attitude toward the close attitude when the ink cartridge 30 is in the second attitude, a user can recognize that the ink cartridge 30 is not in the first attitude.
  • the protrusion 121 moves the ink cartridge 30 from the second attitude to the first attitude. Therefore, even if a user fails to recognize that the ink cartridge 30 is not in the first attitude, the user can move the cover 108 to the close attitude, such that the ink cartridge pivots to the first attitude. Nevertheless, in another embodiment, when the protrusion 121 contacts the ink cartridge 30 in the second attitude, the ink cartridge 30 may prevent further movement of the cover 108 toward the close attitude. In this case, it is expected that a user has the cover 108 pivot to the open attitude again, insert the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110 again until the ink cartridge 30 becomes the first attitude, and then has the cover 108 pivot to the close attitude.
  • the operation surface 92 becomes recognizable to a user.
  • the strength and the rigidity of the operation surface 92 is reinforced against a force applied to the operation surface 92.
  • the number of protrusions 121 provided to the cover 108 becomes less than the number of the ink cartridges 30.
  • the operation surface 92 faces the upward direction 54 and the removal direction 52, when a user operates the operation surface 92 to release the ink cartridge 30 from the first attitude, the user's force is directed toward the insertion direction 51 and the downward direction 53. Due to the force directed toward the insertion direction 51, the lock surface 151 separates from the lock portion 145. Due to the force directed toward the downward direction 53, the ink cartridge 30 pivots from the first attitude to the second attitude.
  • the force needed to be applied to the operation surface 92 to cause the ink cartridge 30 to pivot from the first attitude to the second attitude becomes smaller, and the user can readily release the ink cartridge 30.
  • the lock surface 151 may be protected by the at least a portion of the operation surface 92 and may not be damaged.
  • the operation surface 92 and the lock surface 151 is provided at the upper face 39 of the rear cover 31. Nevertheless, in another embodiment, the operation surface 92 and the lock surface 151 may be provided at the side face 37 or 38 or lower face 42 of the rear cover 31. Alternatively, the operation surface 92 and the lock surface 151 may be provided at the upper face 141, lower face 142, side face 143 or 144 of the front cover 32.
  • the cartridge mounting portion 110 is configured to receive a plurality of ink cartridges 30. Nevertheless, in another embodiment, the cartridge mounting portion 110 may be configured to receive only one ink cartridge 30.
  • the rib 89 is provided at the back side 99 of the operation surface 92. Nevertheless, in another embodiment, the rib 89 may not be provided, and the back side 99 may contact the protrusion 121 of the cover 108 when the protrusion 121 is in the recess 95 of the ink cartridge 30 and the ink cartridge 30 attempts to pivot from the first attitude toward the second attitude.
  • the cartridge mounting portion 110 comprises the slider 107 and the pulling spring 114, but the slider 107 and the pulling spring 114 are optional.
  • the cartridge mounting portion 110 may not comprise the slider 107 and the pulling spring 114, and only the coil spring 78 of the ink supply portion 34 may apply the urging force to the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 52 when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110.
  • liquid is not limited to ink.
  • liquid can be pre-treatment liquid which is ejected onto the sheet of paper before ink is ejected in printing.
  • liquid can be water to be used for washing the recording head 21.

Landscapes

  • Ink Jet (AREA)

Claims (16)

  1. Flüssigkeitszufuhrvorrichtung (100) mit einem Montageabschnitt (110) und einer Flüssigkeitskartusche (30), die dazu angepasst ist, um in den Montageabschnitt in einer ersten Richtung (51, 57) über eine Öffnung (22, 112) gegen eine in eine zweite Richtung (52, 58) entgegen der ersten Richtung gerichtete Druckkraft eingeführt zu werden und dadurch in dem Montageabschnitt montiert zu werden, wobei
    die Flüssigkeitspatrone umfasst:
    eine Flüssigkeitskammer (36), die dazu angepasst ist, um Flüssigkeit darin zu speichern;
    eine Vorderfläche (140), die der ersten Richtung zugewandt ist, wenn die Flüssigkeitspatrone in den Montageabschnitt eingesetzt wird;
    eine Rückfläche (41), wobei die Flüssigkeitskammer zwischen der Vorderfläche und der Rückfläche positioniert ist;
    eine bestimmte Fläche (39, 141), die sich zwischen der Vorderfläche und der Rückfläche erstreckt;
    einen Flüssigkeitszufuhrabschnitt (34), der an der Vorderfläche angeordnet ist;
    eine Verriegelungsfläche (151), die an der bestimmten Fläche positioniert ist; und
    eine Aussparung (95), die in der zweiten Richtung offen ist, und
    der Montageabschnitt umfasst:
    einen Verriegelungsabschnitt (145), der dazu angepasst ist, um mit der Verriegelungsfläche in Kontakt zu stehen;
    eine Abdeckung (108), die dazu angepasst ist, um zwischen einer offenen Stellung und einer geschlossenen Stellung zu schwenken, und die einen Vorsprung (121) umfasst, wobei, wenn sich die Abdeckung in der offenen Stellung befindet, die Abdeckung die Öffnung nicht bedeckt, so dass die Öffnung freiliegt, und wenn sich die Abdeckung in der geschlossenen Stellung befindet, die Abdeckung die Öffnung bedeckt,
    wobei
    der Montageabschnitt ein Flüssigkeitszufuhrrohr (102) umfasst, das dazu angepasst ist, um in den Flüssigkeitszufuhrabschnitt eingeführt zu werden;
    wobei die Flüssigkeitspatrone dazu angepasst ist, um zwischen einer ersten Stellung und einer zweiten Stellung zu schwenken, wenn die Flüssigkeitspatrone in den Montageabschnitt eingesetzt wird und das Flüssigkeitszufuhrrohr in den Flüssigkeitszufuhrabschnitt eingeführt wird, wobei, wenn sich die Flüssigkeitspatrone in der ersten Stellung befindet, die Verriegelungsfläche und der Verriegelungsabschnitt in der ersten Richtung und der zweiten Richtung einander zugewandt sind, und die Verriegelungsfläche mit dem Verriegelungsabschnitt in der zweiten Richtung in Kontakt steht, so dass die Bewegung der Flüssigkeitspatrone in Bezug auf den Montageabschnitt in der zweiten Richtung eingeschränkt ist, wobei, wenn sich die Flüssigkeitspatrone in der zweiten Stellung befindet, die Verriegelungsfläche und der Verriegelungsabschnitt in der ersten Richtung und der zweiten Richtung einander nicht zugewandt sind,
    wobei, wenn sich die Flüssigkeitspatrone in der ersten Stellung befindet und die Abdeckung sich in der engen Stellung befindet, der Vorsprung der Abdeckung in der Aussparung der Flüssigkeitspatrone positioniert ist und die Bewegung der Flüssigkeitspatrone in Richtung der zweiten Stellung einschränkt,
    wobei, wenn sich die Flüssigkeitspatrone in der zweiten Stellung befindet und die Abdeckung aus der offenen Stellung in Richtung der geschlossenen Stellung schwenkt, der Vorsprung die Flüssigkeitspatrone während des Schwenkmoments der Abdeckung aus der offenen Stellung in Richtung der geschlossenen Stellung berührt.
  2. Flüssigkeitszufuhrvorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei, wenn die Abdeckung weiter in Richtung der geschlossenen Stellung schwenkt, nachdem der Vorsprung die Flüssigkeitspatrone in der zweiten Stellung während des Schwenkmoments der Abdeckung aus der offenen Stellung in Richtung der geschlossenen Stellung berührt, der Vorsprung die Flüssigkeitspatrone aus der zweiten Stellung in die erste Stellung bewegt.
  3. Flüssigkeitszufuhrvorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei, wenn der Vorsprung die Flüssigkeitspatrone in der zweiten Stellung berührt, die Flüssigkeitspatrone eine weitere Bewegung der Abdeckung in Richtung der geschlossenen Stellung verhindert.
  4. Flüssigkeitszufuhrvorrichtung gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, wobei die Flüssigkeitskartusche ferner eine Betriebsfläche (92) umfasst, die an der bestimmten Fläche positioniert und näher an der Rückseite positioniert ist als die Verriegelungsfläche, wobei die bestimmte Fläche eine untergeordnete Fläche (91) umfasst, und die Betriebsfläche und die untergeordnete Fläche sich zumindest teilweise in einer Richtung senkrecht zu der bestimmten Fläche überlappen, wobei die Aussparung zwischen der Betriebsfläche und der untergeordneten Fläche ausgebildet ist.
  5. Flüssigkeitszufuhrvorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 4, wobei die Flüssigkeitskartusche ferner eine erste Rippe (94) umfasst, die in der Aussparung zwischen der Betriebsfläche und der untergeordneten Fläche positioniert ist und sich zwischen der Betriebsfläche und der untergeordneten Fläche erstreckt.
  6. Flüssigkeitszufuhrvorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 5, wobei jede der ersten Rippe, der Betriebsfläche und der untergeordneten Fläche eine Abmessung entlang einer dritten Richtung senkrecht zur ersten Richtung und der zweiten Richtung aufweist und die Abmessung der Rippe kleiner ist als jeweils die Abmessung der Betriebsfläche und die Abmessung der untergeordneten Fläche.
  7. Flüssigkeitszufuhrvorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 5 oder 6, wobei der Montageabschnitt so dazu angepasst ist, dass eine Vielzahl von Flüssigkeitskartuschen montierbar und in einer dritten Richtung senkrecht zur ersten Richtung und der zweiten Richtung im Montageabschnitt angeordnet sind, wobei, wenn sich die Vielzahl von Flüssigkeitskartuschen in der ersten Stellung befinden und die Abdeckung in der geschlossenen Stellung ist, der Vorsprung der Abdeckung zwischen benachbarten ersten Rippen benachbarter Flüssigkeitskartuschen positioniert ist.
  8. Flüssigkeitszufuhrvorrichtung gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, wobei der Montageabschnitt so dazu angepasst ist, dass eine Vielzahl von Flüssigkeitskartuschen montierbar ist und in einer dritten Richtung senkrecht zur ersten Richtung und der zweiten Richtung im Montageabschnitt angeordnet ist, wobei, wenn sich die Vielzahl von Flüssigkeitskartuschen in der ersten Stellung befinden und die Abdeckung sich in der geschlossenen Stellung befindet, der Vorsprung der Abdeckung in den Aussparungen benachbarter Flüssigkeitskartuschen positioniert ist und die Bewegung der benachbarten Flüssigkeitskartuschen in Richtung der zweiten Richtung einschränkt.
  9. Flüssigkeitszufuhrvorrichtung gemäß einem der Ansprüche 4 bis 8, wobei die Flüssigkeitskartusche ferner eine zweite Rippe (89) umfasst, die sich von der Rückseite (99) der Betriebsfläche zu der untergeordneten Fläche in der Aussparung erstreckt.
  10. Flüssigkeitszufuhrvorrichtung gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9, wobei die erste Richtung eine horizontale Richtung ist und die jeweilige Fläche eine Oberseite ist, die einer Aufwärtsrichtung zugewandt ist, wenn die Flüssigkeitspatrone in den Montageabschnitt eingesetzt wird, wobei, wenn sich die Flüssigkeitspatrone in der zweiten Stellung befindet, die Verriegelungsfläche weiter nach unten gerichtet angeordnet ist als der Verriegelungsabschnitt.
  11. Flüssigkeitszufuhrvorrichtung gemäß einem der Ansprüche 4 bis 9, wobei die erste Richtung eine horizontale Richtung ist und die jeweilige Fläche eine Oberseite ist, die einer Aufwärtsrichtung zugewandt ist, wenn die Flüssigkeitspatrone in den Montageabschnitt eingesetzt wird, wobei, wenn sich die Flüssigkeitspatrone in der zweiten Stellung befindet, die Verriegelungsfläche weiter in einer Abwärtsrichtung als der Verriegelungsabschnitt positioniert ist, wobei, wenn sich die Flüssigkeitspatrone in der ersten Stellung befindet, die Betriebsfläche der Aufwärtsrichtung und der zweiten Richtung zugewandt ist.
  12. Flüssigkeitszufuhrvorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 11, wobei, wenn sich die Flüssigkeitspatrone in der ersten Stellung befindet, mindestens ein Teil der Betriebsfläche weiter vorsteht als die Verriegelungsfläche in der Aufwärtsrichtung.
  13. Flüssigkeitszufuhrvorrichtung gemäß einem der Ansprüche 4 bis 9, 11 und 12, wobei die Betriebsfläche eine Vielzahl von darauf ausgebildeten Vorsprüngen umfasst.
  14. Flüssigkeitszufuhrvorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 13, wobei die Vielzahl der Vorsprünge eine Vielzahl von länglichen Vorsprüngen ist.
  15. Flüssigkeitszufuhrvorrichtung gemäß einem der Ansprüche 4 bis 9 und 11 bis 14, wobei sich die Betriebsfläche in Bezug auf die Flüssigkeitskammer nicht bewegt.
  16. Flüssigkeitszufuhrvorrichtung gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 15, wobei der Montageabschnitt ein Gehäuse (101) umfasst und die Flüssigkeitskartusche dazu angepasst ist, um in das Gehäuse eingesetzt zu werden, wobei sich der Verriegelungsabschnitt nicht relativ zum Gehäuse bewegt.
EP15174900.9A 2015-07-01 2015-07-01 Flüssigkeitszufuhrvorrichtung Active EP3112168B1 (de)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP19201792.9A EP3613596B1 (de) 2015-07-01 2015-07-01 Flüssigkeitszufuhrvorrichtung
EP15174900.9A EP3112168B1 (de) 2015-07-01 2015-07-01 Flüssigkeitszufuhrvorrichtung

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP15174900.9A EP3112168B1 (de) 2015-07-01 2015-07-01 Flüssigkeitszufuhrvorrichtung

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19201792.9A Division EP3613596B1 (de) 2015-07-01 2015-07-01 Flüssigkeitszufuhrvorrichtung

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3112168A1 EP3112168A1 (de) 2017-01-04
EP3112168B1 true EP3112168B1 (de) 2019-10-09

Family

ID=53514028

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19201792.9A Active EP3613596B1 (de) 2015-07-01 2015-07-01 Flüssigkeitszufuhrvorrichtung
EP15174900.9A Active EP3112168B1 (de) 2015-07-01 2015-07-01 Flüssigkeitszufuhrvorrichtung

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19201792.9A Active EP3613596B1 (de) 2015-07-01 2015-07-01 Flüssigkeitszufuhrvorrichtung

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (2) EP3613596B1 (de)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP6597146B2 (ja) * 2015-10-06 2019-10-30 ブラザー工業株式会社 液体供給装置

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5949459A (en) 1997-06-04 1999-09-07 Hewlett-Packard Company Method and apparatus for securing an ink container
US6666542B2 (en) * 2001-03-30 2003-12-23 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Ink cartridge for printer or the like and ink cartridge positioning and locking mechanism
JP4428003B2 (ja) 2003-09-04 2010-03-10 セイコーエプソン株式会社 記録装置
JP4816378B2 (ja) * 2006-09-29 2011-11-16 ブラザー工業株式会社 インクカートリッジ及びインクジェット記録システム
DK2607082T4 (da) * 2011-12-22 2022-08-29 Brother Ind Ltd Printerfluidpatron, printerapparat og anvendelse af printerfluidpatron

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3613596A1 (de) 2020-02-26
EP3112168A1 (de) 2017-01-04
EP3613596B1 (de) 2021-09-08

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US10399345B2 (en) Liquid cartridge
US11453221B2 (en) Liquid cartridge
EP3112163B1 (de) Vorrichtung zum verbrauch von flüssigkeit mit einer flüssigkeitskartusche
US10549540B2 (en) Liquid cartridge
CA2990346C (en) Liquid cartridge, liquid consuming apparatus, method of inserting liquid cartridge into cartridge mounting portion of liquid consuming apparatus, and use of liquid cartridge
AU2015401245B2 (en) Liquid cartridge, liquid consuming apparatus, method of inserting liquid cartridge into cartridge mounting portion of liquid consuming apparatus, and use of liquid cartridge
EP3112167B1 (de) System, in dem eine verbrauchsmaterialpatrone in ein anbaubaresanbauteil montierbar ist
EP3112168B1 (de) Flüssigkeitszufuhrvorrichtung
AU2015401244B2 (en) Liquid cartridge, liquid consuming apparatus, method of inserting liquid cartridge into cartridge mounting portion of liquid consuming apparatus, and use of liquid cartridge
EP3112166B1 (de) Druckvorrichtung mit einer flüssigkeitskartusche
EP3112165B1 (de) Flüssigkeits-verbrauchsgerät mit einer flüssigkeitskartusche

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

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20170704

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20190510

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602015039362

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 1188335

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20191115

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: FP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 1188335

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20191009

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191009

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200109

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200109

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191009

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191009

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200210

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191009

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191009

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191009

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191009

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200110

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200224

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191009

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191009

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191009

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602015039362

Country of ref document: DE

PG2D Information on lapse in contracting state deleted

Ref country code: IS

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191009

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191009

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191009

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191009

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200209

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

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191009

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191009

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191009

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20200710

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191009

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191009

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20200731

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200731

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200701

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200701

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200731

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200731

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191009

Ref country code: MT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191009

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191009

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191009

P01 Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered

Effective date: 20230529

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20240613

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 20240617

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20240613

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20240613

Year of fee payment: 10