ES2233758T3 - INK CARTRIDGE. - Google Patents

Abstract

An ink cartridge (200) includes an ink-holding portion and a rigid upper surface. The ink-holding portion includes a rigid indented surface portion and a flexible film. The indended surface portion has an open side at one side thereof that is covered by the flexible film. Ink is accommodated between the indented surface portion and the flexible film. The upper surface is positioned opposite from the indented surface portion with respect to the flexible film. The upper surface (212) is formed with a substantial semispherical shape that bulges in a direction away from the indented surface portion. <IMAGE>

Description

Ink cartridge.

Field and background of the invention

The present invention relates to a cartridge of ink that can be mounted on a recording device.

Ink cartridges to supply ink to Registration devices are used extensively. A kind of they have a box containing a porous element impregnated with ink. Another type includes a flexible bag full of ink. The Japanese patent application publication 58-53473, the Japanese patent publication 3-505999 and U.S. Patent 4,509,062, describe a Ink cartridge that includes a box with an open side. A Flexible film is attached to cover the open side of the box. The ink fits between the box and the film.

Consumers currently want devices registration even more compact and thin. Associated with this I want to get even more compact and thin cartridges that allow the recording devices to be thin and compact It is also desirable that the ink cartridges include a sturdy box that can withstand push-ups and warps.

A compact or thin recording device it has only a limited area to mount the cartridges of ink. If an ink cartridge deforms, it would be impossible to mount it In the limited space. The ink cartridge could apply pressure in the ink that is in the ink cartridge in an unpredictable way so that the operations of registry. In addition, the air that is dissolved in the ink can be Turn over time into bubbles. Bubbles are the origin of a defective ink ejection. Sometimes the ink cartridges will They seal in vacuum containers to avoid increasing the quantity of air dissolved in the ink and defective ejection of the ink. However, the ink cartridge may deform when it is generated a vacuum inside the packaging material, resulting in this ink leaks The flexible film that is attached to cover the open side of the box may deform when the ink cartridge case This can substantially influence to the ink inside the ink cartridge.

There has been a problem with the ink cartridges conventional and is the following: the attempts made to reinforce the box have reduced the amount of ink that It can be housed in ink cartridges, making it difficult produce a compact and thin ink cartridge.

From JP 10 202 896 a deposit of ink divided into a transparent ink feed chamber and a transparent complementary ink feed chamber by means of a movable wall, that is to say a laminar film. The camera transparent ink feed is defined by the base of the ink tank and film while the transparent camera Complementary is defined by an ink tank cover which is attached to the base and the movie.

From JP 06 099 588 a cartridge of ink comprising a box equipped with a cover and a Ink container made with a flexible film material.

US 4,604,633 is known as an apparatus for inkjet log that has a detector to detect the ink pressure or a residual amount of ink in the ink feed mechanism The detector has a protector of light coupled to the flexible membrane of the mechanism ink feed to be able to move in response to the deformation of the flexible membrane.

Brief Description of the Invention

An object of the present invention is provide a compact ink cartridge that has enough resistance and at the same time can accommodate a lot of ink.

With a view to achieving the objectives described, a ink cartridge according to the present invention includes a part of Ink housing and a rigid top surface. The part of Ink housing includes an indented surface part rigid and a flexible film. The indented surface part It has an open side covered by flexible film. The ink it is housed between the indented surface part and the film flexible. The upper surface is located opposite the part of indented surface with respect to the flexible film. The upper surface has substantially hemispherical shape that bulges in the opposite direction to the indented surface part. With this configuration, the top surface of the ink cartridge is curve in a direction opposite to the indented surface part in correspondence with the bulging of the flexible film at put ink between the indented surface part and the film flexible. Therefore, a large volume of ink can be accommodated even if the ink cartridge has a compact size. In addition, the upper surface is strong enough because it is given a substantially hemispherical shape that it bulges in the opposite direction to the indented surface part. Therefore, the ink cartridge is sufficiently resistant to pushups and warps and does not crush.

It is desirable to also provide a box Main and a lid. The main box includes the part of indented surface of the ink housing part and is joined with the flexible film, whereby the side is covered open of the indented surface part. The cover is provided as a separate item from the main box and includes the upper surface. The upper surface has a curved part in a position facing the indented surface part of the main box, with the flexible film placed in between. The curved part has a substantially hemispherical shape in a direction that extends in the opposite direction to the part of indented surface. With this setting, the ink cartridge It can be easily produced by simply attaching the lid on the main box, whereby the curved part is in front of the indented surface part with the flexible film placed in between.

It is desirable that the indented surface part of the main box is formed from a curved wall with a substantially hemispherical shape in an opposite direction to the curved part of the lid. With this configuration, the wall that form the indented surface part bends with a shape substantially hemispherical in a direction opposite to that of the curved part of the lid with which the wall has enough resistance. Therefore, the ink cartridge is sufficiently resistant to bending and warping and does not crush.

It is desirable that the ink housing part include a surrounding edge that defines the open side of the part of indented surface. The flexible film is attached to the edge surrounding. The main box has a peripheral wall that is extends from an upper edge thereof in the direction of depth of the ink housing part to an edge bottom of it to surround the ink housing part. The lower edge of the peripheral wall substantially defines a outer peripheral edge of a bottom surface of the box principal. The lid has an outer peripheral part in front of the peripheral wall and that is coupled with the upper edge of the peripheral wall

With this configuration, although the surface bottom of the ink housing part have a shape substantially hemispherical, the bottom edge of the wall peripheral of the main box stabilizes the ink cartridge when, for example, the ink cartridge is placed on a table. In addition, the ink cartridge can be easily mounted on and withdraw from the recording device. Because the movie flexible is attached to the surrounding edge of the housing part of ink and the lid is attached to the upper edge of the wall peripheral, you can precisely seal the ink that is in the ink cartridge without the lid interfering with the part of the flexible film that is attached.

It is desirable that the main box has an edge side peripheral box opening surrounding the open side of The ink housing part. The peripheral opening edge of the main box has an internal edge that defines a boundary between the open side and the indented surface part of the part of ink housing The flexible film is attached to the edge peripheral of the opening of the main box to cover the side Open the ink housing part. The lid has a peripheral lid opening part surrounding the curved part. The peripheral lid opening part is formed in a position which is in front of an area outside the inner edge of the peripheral opening edge of the main box.

With this configuration, the flexible film is joins the peripheral side edge of the box opening. In addition, the side peripheral edge of box opening is in front of the curved part of the lid because it is located in the inside the peripheral part of the lid opening. In consequently, the peripheral part of lid opening is not put on contact with the flexible film when attached to the edge side peripheral box opening even though the box main and the cap are squeezed so that they approach each other. By Therefore, the edge of the flexible film is not damaged. No leaks from ink.

It is desirable that the main box has a plurality of nerves that connect the peripheral wall of the box main with a lower surface of the wall. The plurality of nerves connects the peripheral wall of the main box with the lower surface. With this configuration, the nerves prevent substantially deform the wall that is shaped hemispherical

It is desirable that the peripheral wall of the box main include a first peripheral wall, a second wall peripheral and a plurality of walls that connect the first and second peripheral walls. The first peripheral wall extends in the direction of depth of the part of ink housing and which is formed entirely with the edge surrounding that defines the open side of the surface part indented The second peripheral wall is located on one side of the first peripheral wall opposite the housing part of ink with a space interposed between the peripheral walls First and second. With this configuration, the peripheral wall of the main box has a two layer configuration, which prevent that the peripheral wall is deformed.

It is desirable that the main box is formed with a ink feed hole and a connection path with the atmosphere. The ink feed hole is used to extract ink from the ink housing part to the outside of the ink cartridge. The connection path with the atmosphere connects a space between the lid and the flexible film with the outside of the ink cartridge to apply atmospheric pressure from the outside of the ink housing part to the film flexible. With this setting, the ink that is in the part of Ink housing can be extracted through the hole ink feed since the flexible film is applied with atmospheric pressure through the connection path with the atmosphere.

It is desirable that the main box includes a wall part that defines an ink feed hole and a connection hole with the atmosphere. The feeding hole of ink serves to remove ink from the indented surface part from the ink housing part to the outside of the cartridge from ink. The connection hole with the atmosphere connects a space  which is between the lid and the flexible film with the outside of the ink cartridge to apply atmospheric pressure from the outside of the ink housing part to the film flexible. The lid is formed, at least in a position that is facing the side peripheral edge of the box opening main, with a notch to put the space that is defined between the curved part of the lid and the flexible film in fluid communication with the connection hole with the atmosphere.

With this setting, the ink that is in the part of indented surface can be supplied outside the ink cartridge since the air entering through the hole of connection to the atmosphere applies pressure on the flexible film in a direction that goes to the indented surface part of the  ink housing part. It must be taken into account that there is the danger that the upper surface of the peripheral edge side opening of main case comes into close contact with the flexible film when the peripheral side edge of main box opening deforms plastically, thereby forms an airtight space between the flexible film and the part outer peripheral surrounding the curved part of the lid. In that situation, the ink might not be supplied correctly outside of the ink cartridge since the airtight space is not in fluid communication with the connection hole with the atmosphere therefore, no pressure would be applied on the flexible film. Without However, as the notch is formed in the part where the lid faces the peripheral side edge of the box opening main, the space between the curved part and the film flexible can be maintained in fluid communication with the hole of connection with the atmosphere even though the peripheral edge side opening of main case comes into close contact With the flexible film. Therefore, the feeding function of Ink can be maintained correctly.

It is desirable that the flexible film is formed to from an internal layer and an external layer. The inner layer has the property of melting with heat and is in contact with the upper edge of the peripheral wall of the main box. The layer External is heat and shock resistant and faces the curved part of the lid. Only the inner layer, which has the property of melting with heat, is molten and attached to the wall peripheral of the main layer. On the other hand, the outer layer it has shock resistance so the flexible film does not It tears easily and so ink leakage can be prevented.

It is desirable that the outer layer be formed with a heat and shock resistant additive type polypropylene and the inner layer with a non-additive type polypropylene. With this configuration, the flexible film can be easily attached to the main box and it is difficult to tear.

It is desirable that a box is also provided Main and a lid. The main box includes a part of indented surface of the ink housing part and is formed from a resin. The lid includes an upper surface and It is formed from a different resin than the box resin principal. As the ink housing part of the box main is in direct contact with the ink, the part of Ink housing can be formed from, for example, a additive type polypropylene. On the other hand, the surface top of the lid is not in direct contact with the ink so which can be done with a non-additive type polypropylene, without additives added, to maintain resistance. If the box is made main and the cover with a resin material, for example the same resin material, the ink cartridge can be produced easily melting the coupling parts of the box main and cover entirely with each other using welding Ultrasonic

It is desirable that at least the main box be Form from a resin with high ink resistance. The ink housing part is in direct contact with the ink. However, it can be avoided that the ink corrodes the part of ink housing since it is formed with a resin that has High resistance to ink.

It is desirable that the flexible film be gas permeable. When the ink cartridge is packaged in a container in vacuum, you can discharge the air or other gases that are dissolved in the ink through the flexible film. In consequently, the ink includes a low level of dissolved gas, thereby which only generate small amounts of bubbles.

Brief description of the drawings

The objects, features and advantages exposed of the invention are clearer in the following description of the realization according to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view that shows all the configuration of a multifunctional device mounted with an ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention

Figure 2 is a perspective view that shows the multifunctional device of figure 1 with a top cover of a type recovery device open platform.

Figure 3 is a schematic sectional view. which shows the multifunctional device of figure 1.

Figure 4 is a perspective view that shows the multifunctional device of figure 1 with the platform recovery device removed.

Figure 5 is a perspective view that shows a bottom surface of a device cover multifunctional

Figure 6 is a perspective view that Shows the multifunctional device with the cover open.

Figure 7 is a perspective view that show the multifunction device with the recovery unit platform type and also with the cover removed.

Figure 8 is a perspective view that schematically shows the configuration of a printer engine of the multifunctional device.

Figure 9 is a plan view showing the configuration of an ink cartridge housing part of the multifunctional device.

Figure 10 is a perspective view that shows the configuration of a cartridge mounting part of ink that is in the ink cartridge housing part.

Figure 11 is a perspective view that shows the configuration of a mechanism located below the floor surface of the ink cartridge mounting part and which serves to protect needles, to deactivate the condition in the that needles are protected and to prevent ink cartridges get out of the ink cartridge assembly part.

Figure 12 is a perspective view that shows an ink cartridge according to the present embodiment from the rear end.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge according to the present embodiment from the end frontal.

Figure 14 is a perspective view that show the ink cartridge with its lid separated from its box principal.

Figure 15 is a perspective view that show the main box before joining a movie flexible.

Figure 16 is an exploded view showing a detector mechanism located in a recessed part of the box principal.

Figure 17 is a functional diagram indicating the operation of the detector mechanism of figure 16.

Figure 18 is a view of the bottom of The main box.

Figure 19 is a plan view showing the ink cartridge of the present embodiment.

Figure 20 is a view taken from the arrow A of Figure 19.

Figure 21 is a sectional view of the cartridge of ink taken according to line B-B in the figure 19.

Figure 22 is a sectional view of the cartridge of ink taken according to line C-C of the figure 19.

Figure 23 is a sectional view of the cartridge of ink taken according to line D-D of the figure 19.

Figure 24 is a sectional view of the cartridge of ink taken according to the E-E line of the figure 19.

Figure 25 is a sectional view of the cartridge of ink taken according to the F-F line in the figure 19.

Figure 26 is a sectional view of the cartridge of ink taken according to the G-G line in the figure 19.

Figure 27 is a sectional view of the cartridge of ink taken according to the H-H line in the figure 19.

Figure 28 is a sectional view of the cartridge of ink taken according to line I-I of the figure 19.

Figure 29 is a view showing the relationship between the domed parts formed in the dividing walls of the ink cartridge mounting part, cartridge height ink and curved convex wall formed on the roof surface of the ink cartridge assembly part when the cartridge Ink is inserted into an opening of the mounting part.

Figure 30 is a plan view showing a condition in which a part in disengagement projection is folds back using a front surface wall of cartridge ink when the ink cartridge is inserted into the opening of the mounting part of a cartridge mounting part of ink.

Figure 31 is a sectional view of the condition shown in figure 30.

Figure 32 is a sectional view showing the condition in which a needle protection lock element releases the blocking condition of a needle protection plate by a lock release part by touching a lever of needle protection lock release when a notch of Ink cartridge guide engages on a protruding wall of guide and slide the ink cartridge.

Figure 33 is a sectional view showing the condition in which a hollow insertion needle is inserted of ink in an ink feed hole after the front surface of the ink cartridge press on the Needle protection plate and needle protection plate will Remove after releasing the needle guard plate.

Figure 34 is a sectional view showing the condition in which the front surface of the ink cartridge is in contact with a rubber cap of an application element positive pressure in association with the coupling of a part in release projection in a closing hole after insertion the hollow ink insertion needle in a hole ink feed

Figure 35 is a plan view of the condition shown in figure 34.

Figure 36 is a sectional view showing The vacuum packed ink cartridge.

Figure 37 (a) is a side view showing the phases of a method for joining a flexible film according to the present embodiment to a peripheral opening part.

Figure 37 (b) is a side view showing the phases of a method to produce the domed form in the flexible film

Figure 38 is a view showing a modification of the process to produce the bulging form in the flexible film

Figure 39 (a) is a sectional view that shows the phases to adjust a rubber stopper that has been provided with a countercurrent prevention valve completely in an ink feed hole and a plug rubber to partially inject ink into an injection hole of ink, and remove air from an ink housing part e inject ink

Figure 39 (b) shows a plug peak of the rubber stopper to inject ink into the edge of the hole inkjet

Figure 40 is a sectional view showing the position relationship of an edge (peripheral housing part ink) of a spherical surface shape that is on the side external part of a curved part of the lid, of the internal edge of the peripheral opening part and flexible film.

Figure 41 is a perspective view that shows an ink cartridge according to a first modification of the embodiment, wherein a guide groove and a housing groove of sensor are open towards the side walls.

Figure 42 is a plan view showing a modified recording device for use with the cartridge ink of figure 41, where the lever position of needle protection lock release that is in the part of ink cartridge assembly has been changed in correspondence with The modified ink cartridge.

Figure 43 (a) is a plan view that shows an ink cartridge according to a second modification of the realization.

Figure 43 (b) is a perspective view that shows the ink cartridge in figure 43 (a).

Figure 44 (a) is a plan view that shows an ink cartridge according to a third modification of the realization.

Figure 44 (b) is a perspective view that shows the ink cartridge of figure 44 (a).

Figure 45 (a) is a plan view that shows an ink cartridge according to a fourth modification of the realization.

Figure 45 (b) is a perspective view that shows the ink cartridge in figure 45 (a).

Figure 46 (a) is a plan view that shows an ink cartridge according to a fifth modification of the realization.

Figure 46 (b) is a perspective view that shows the ink cartridge of figure 46 (a).

Figure 47 (a) is a plan view that shows an ink cartridge according to a sixth modification of the realization.

Figure 47 (b) is a side view of the ink cartridge of figure 47 (a).

Figure 48 (a) is a plan view that shows an ink cartridge according to a seventh modification of the realization.

Figure 48 (b) is a side view of the ink cartridge of figure 48 (a).

Figure 49 (a) is a plan view that shows an ink cartridge according to an eighth modification of the realization.

Figure 49 (b) is a side view of the ink cartridge of figure 49 (a).

Figure 50 (a) is a plan view that shows an ink cartridge according to a ninth modification of the realization.

Figure 50 (b) is a side view of the ink cartridge of figure 50 (a).

Figure 51 (a) is a plan view that shows an ink cartridge according to a tenth modification of the realization.

Figure 51 (b) is a side view of the ink cartridge of figure 51 (a).

Figure 52 (a) is a plan view that shows an ink cartridge according to an eleventh modification of the realization.

Figure 52 (b) is a side view of the ink cartridge of figure 52 (a).

Figure 53 (a) is a plan view that shows an ink cartridge according to a twelfth modification of the realization.

Figure 53 (b) is a side view of the ink cartridge of figure 53 (a).

Detailed description of the invention

An ink cartridge is described below. 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention and a device multifunctional 1 using the ink cartridge according to the figures 1 to 40

First, the multifunctional device 1 that uses the ink cartridge 200 described with reference to the Figures 1 to 11. Figure 1 shows the multifunctional device 1 according to the present embodiment. The multifunctional device 1 includes a scanner function, a copy function and a function Fax Multifunctional device 1 has a configuration thin and compact and includes a recovery unit 10 and a registration unit with ink jet 20. The registration unit with ink jet 20 is located on the recovery unit 10. A control panel 12 is arranged on the unit of recovery 10. The inkjet recording unit 20 is provided with a sheet feeder tray 22. The device Multifunctional 1 is provided with a telephone 24 and an antenna 26. The phone 24 can transmit wirelessly with a microphone wireless (not shown) using antenna 26. Telephone 24 can connect to a public telephone circuit and serve as transfer point for wireless microphone (not shown)  while the wireless microphone is used to call by phone.

It should be noted that in the registration unit with ink jet 20 is provided a power source, a main substrate, an NCU substrate and two media cards 28 that are shown in figure 7 in addition to registration mechanisms for Perform registration functions. The main substrate serves to check the operation of the multifunctional device 1. The NCU substrate is used to control the connection to the circuit Public telephone for fax function and telephone function. On the front surface of the recording unit with jet ink 20 two media inputs 29 are provided. If a external memory medium in each of the entries 29, the medium external can be mounted separately in the corresponding media cards 28. Media cards 28 retrieve data, for example data taken with a digital camera, from a medium of external memory, while data is used to print and Similar.

As shown in Figure 2, the unit of recovery 10 is a flat head type recovery unit e includes a recovery unit box 14. Box 14 of the recovery unit includes a 15 document glass on which places a document to scan. An image sensor by contact 16 is arranged under the document glass 15. It  provides a configuration to generate scanning movements  of the contact image sensor 16. A top cover 17 to cover the upper surface of the document glass 15 can be opened and closed with respect to box 14 of the unit Recovery.

The control panel 12 is located in the upper surface of the front of the unit box 14 of recovery. An operator enters operations orders, for example copy function, fax function or scanner function, of multifunctional device 1 through control panel 12.

It should be appreciated that a means of providing binding (not shown) to allow the recovery drive of flat head type 10 be separated from the registration unit with ink jet 20.

As shown in Figure 3, the unit of inkjet log 20 that is below the unit recovery 10, includes a housing 30. The feeder tray sheets 22 protrudes from inside the housing 30 to through above the back of the housing 30. A feeder roller of sheets 23 is located in the sheet feeder tray 22 with which leaves can be supplied one by one. It is provided a printer engine 60 as a recorder part in a position in the that the sheets are received from the sheet feeder tray 22. A sheet D discharge part is provided on the front of the printer engine 60. The sheets recorded by the printer engine 60 are downloaded from the leaf discharge part D. It should be appreciated that a sheet unloading tray 34 is freely mounted from separable way in the leaf discharge part D. The tray sheet discharge 34 serves as a part of the transport path of leaves. An ink cartridge holder part P in which mounted ink cartridges 200 (figure 12) is arranged between the discharge part of sheets D and the base of the housing 30. Of this mode, the ink cartridge holder part P is arranged in a lower position than the printer engine 60.

As shown in Figure 4, the housing 30 is cover above with a cover 40. Cover 40 has a engine cover part 42 and a support cover part of cartridge 44. The engine cover part 42 covers the engine of 60 printer from above. The support cover part of cartridge 44 is located below the discharge part of sheets D and covers the ink cartridge holder part P from above. The front surface of the engine cover part 42 opens to form a leaf discharge port 46. The cover part of cartridge holder 44 is located below the path by which they transport the sheets that the printer engine 60 has engraved, it is that is, under the sheet unloading tray 34.

As shown in Figure 3, the part of cartridge holder cover 44. works as a surface of roof of the ink cartridge holder part P. How to described later, the ink cartridge holder part P is formed between the cartridge holder cover part 44 and a base wall 32 of the cartridge holder part whereby the 200 ink cartridges can be inserted in the back of the ink cartridge holder part P from the opening of the front surface O. A surface cover is provided front 50 to open (figure 6) and cover (figure 4) so selective opening of the front part O. The cover of front surface 50 includes an upper surface wall 52 and a bottom surface wall 54. When the surface cover front 50 is closed as shown in figure 4, the wall upper surface 52 is aligned in the same imaginary plane as the cartridge holder cover part 44 and the wall front surface 52 extends vertically down from the upper surface wall 52.

As shown in figure 5, four nerves curved projections 47 are formed on the surface bottom of the cartridge holder cover part 44. The shape Outgoing nerve curve with curve 47 shape is adopted to that matches the shape of the top surface of the four ink cartridges 200 that are mounted on the support part of ink cartridge P. Also, on the right and left ends of the cartridge holder cover part 44 is formed a pair of cuts 48.

As shown in figure 6, a pair of arms 56 that are located on the front surface cover 50 are received in cuts 48 when the front surface cover 50 is open. As described later, five dividing walls 110 are aligned in the base wall 32 of the support part of ink cartridge P. A pivot shaft 57 protrudes from both extreme dividing walls 110. The pair of arms 56 of the cover front surface 50 are pivotally attached to pivot shaft 57 whereby the user can open and close the cover freely front surface 50.

Seven vertical nerves 58 are formed in the back of front surface cover 50 to extend vertically when cover 50 is closed. The vertical ribs 58 extend from the surface wall front 54 of the front surface cover 50 to one part of the upper surface wall 52. Four of the seven nerves verticals 58 are formed in positions corresponding to the center of the width of the ink cartridges mounted 200. In Consequently, when the front surface cover 50 is closed from the open condition shown in figure 6, the corresponding vertical nerves 58 automatically press any 200 ink cartridge that has been inserted partially to the bottom of the cartridge holder part of P ink, whereby the 200 ink cartridges are inserted correctly even if any of the 200 cartridges has been incompletely inserted into the cartridge holder part of ink P. Although not shown in the drawings, a plurality of lateral nerves is also formed on the posterior surface of the front surface cover 50. The lateral nerves are extend in horizontal direction at intersection with the seven vertical nerves 58 and serve to reinforce the seven nerves vertical 58.

The base wall 32 of the support part of cartridge extends further forward than the cover part of cartridge holder 44 to guide the ink cartridges 200 to the opening of the front surface O. The part of the wall of base 32 of the cartridge holder portion that extends exceeding the cartridge holder cover portion 44 is formed with incoming 102 in positions corresponding to the dividing walls 110. The entrances 102 are shaped or quarter circle or half circle when looking at the plan. The recesses 102 have a width smaller than the grip parts 202 of the ink cartridges 200 that are housed in the part of P ink cartridge holder with which the user can grab more easily the 200 cartridges that are housed in the part of ink cartridge holder P using fingers.

Figure 7 shows the multifunctional device  1 with cover 40 and front surface cover 50 removed from the inkjet registration unit 20. As can be seen in figure 7, the housing 30 has an upper side open and the opening of the front surface O of the part of Ink cartridge holder P is the front side of the housing 30. The two media cards 28 are arranged in positions that correspond to the media inputs 29. In addition, a pump of positive pressure 36 described below is located behind media cards 28.

A black ink cartridge assembly part (K) Sk, a cyan color ink cartridge assembly part (C) Sc, a yellow ink cartridge assembly part (Y) Sy and a Magenta ink cartridge assembly part (M) Sm are aligned in the left-right direction in the part of ink cartridge holder P. The cartridge mounting part black ink (K) Sk is used to mount a black ink cartridge (K) 200k, the cyan color ink cartridge assembly part (C) Sc is used to mount a cyan ink cartridge (C) 200c, the yellow ink cartridge assembly part (Y) Sy serves to mount a 200y yellow ink cartridge, and the part Magenta ink cartridge assembly (M) Sm is used to mount a Magenta ink cartridge (M) 200m.

The black ink cartridge (K) 200k, the cartridge Cyan color ink (C) 200c, yellow cartridge (Y) 200y and the 200m Magenta (M) ink cartridge will be referred to collectively as from now 200 ink cartridges. In addition, the mounting part Black ink cartridge (K) Sk, the cartridge mounting part Cyan color ink (C) Sc, the cartridge mounting part of yellow ink (Y) Sy and the ink cartridge mounting part magenta (M) Sm are going to be called together from now on ink cartridge assembly parts S.

The ink cartridge holder part P is configured from the ink cartridge mounting parts S, which are aligned in the direction left-right on the same imaginary plane (in the base wall 32) under the ceiling plate that configures the cartridge holder cover part 44 of cover 40, and under the sheet discharge tray 34, which serves as part of transport of leaves. Consequently, the whole part of ink cartridge holder P has a flat shape and substantially of  parallelepiped Therefore, the entire device configuration Multifunctional 1 can be formed thin and compact.

Feeding mechanisms are provided of ink 80, a positive pressure application mechanism 90 and cartridge mounting mechanisms 100 in the mounting parts of ink cartridge S. Each cartridge mounting mechanism 100 used to mount the corresponding ink cartridges 200 as It is described later. The positive pressure application mechanism 90 serves to apply a positive pressure between the pressure pump positive 36 and 200 ink cartridges mounted. The mechanisms ink supply 80 are used to supply ink to 200 mounted ink cartridges for the 60 printer engine. Some T ink feed tubes to supply ink to the engine printer extend from the feeding mechanisms of ink 80. That is, a black ink feed tube (K) Tk extends from the black ink cartridge mounting part (K) Sk, a cyan color ink feed tube (C) Tc is extends from the color ink cartridge mounting part cyan (C) Sc, a yellow ink feed tube (Y) Ty se extends from the yellow ink cartridge mounting part (K) Sk and a magenta ink feed tube (M) Tm extends  from the magenta ink cartridge assembly part (M) Sm. He tube of black ink feed tube (K) Tk, the tube of Cyan color ink supply (C) Tc, the feeding tube yellow ink (Y) Ty the magenta ink feed tube (M) Tm are going to be called together from now on ink feed

Although not shown in the drawings, a material Waste ink absorber is disposed in the housing 30 behind the ink cartridge holder part P and below the printer engine 60. Printer engine 60 includes a box of 62 engine. Although not shown in the drawings, a slot sheet transport is formed on the back surface of the motor housing 62. The sheet transport slot is used to receive the sheets supplied by the sheet feeder tray 22. A leaf discharge slot that is on the motor side 64 is formed on the front surface of the motor case 62. The sheet discharge slot that is on the side of the engine 64 serves to download sheets that the 60 printer engine has already recorded in the leaf discharge part D. The leaf transport path it is also defined in the motor case 62 between the groove of sheet transport and the leaf discharge slot that is in the motor side 64. Printed sheets are downloaded in the part of D sheet download because the sheet download slot which is on the side of the engine 64 is in front of the port of unloading sheets 46 (figure 4) while cover 40 covers the housing 30. A tube opening KC 66 and a tube opening YM 68 they are formed on the front surface of the motor case 62. The tube opening KC 66 serves to introduce the feeding tube black ink (K) Tk and the color ink feed tube cyan (C) Tc in the printer engine 60. The YM 68 tube opening Used to insert the yellow ink feed tube (Y) Ty and the magenta (M) Tm ink feed tube in the engine printer 60. Although not shown in the drawings, an opening of cable to insert into the printer engine 60 the cables that are connected to the main circuit board, it is also formed on the front surface of the motor case 62.

As shown in figure 8, inside the box of motor 62, a sheet transport mechanism 76 is provided. The sheet transport mechanism 76 is formed by several pairs of rollers that transport sheets from the feeder roller sheets 23 passing through the sheet transport path to the groove of discharge of leaves that is in the side of the engine 64. An axis of carriage scan 72 extends above and in one direction which intersects with the direction of transport of leaves. A car 74 it is located on the carriage scan axis 72 to be able to alternately move behind the carriage scan axis 72. A piezo inkjet head 70 is mounted on the lower surface of the carriage 74. Although not shown in the drawings, a group of nozzles is formed for each of the mentioned plurality of ink colors. Each nozzle is facing down which ejects ink down on the record sheet The four T ink feeding tubes (Tk, Tc, Ty, Tm) and the cables are connected to the groups of corresponding nozzles to supply the four colors (black, cyan, yellow and magenta) and send signals to the head of piezo inkjet 70. Carriage 74 scans following the carriage scan shaft and inkjet head Piezoelectric 70 and records in bands with a corresponding width to the width of the nozzle groups. Every time it is completed a scan, the sheet transport mechanism 76 supplies the sheets at a distance that corresponds to the width of the band of registry. A cleaning unit 78 is provided in a position that is above the carriage scan axis 72 and that move from the sheet transport path. Although not shown in the drawings, the cleaning unit 78 includes a cover and a pump. In certain situations, for example when the nozzles of the 70 piezo inkjet head are stuck, the 70 piezo inkjet head is placed in front of the cleaning unit 78 and a cleaning operation is carried out in which the cover covers the nozzles and the pump draws ink from the nozzles through the lid.

In carriage 74, only the head of piezoelectric inkjet 70. The ink in the 200 cartridges that are housed in the cartridge holder part P ink feeds the piezo inkjet head 70 through the T tubes. In addition, a difference of piezometric height between the inkjet head piezoelectric 70 and ink cartridges 200 because the 70 piezo inkjet head is arranged vertically above the ink cartridge holder part P. Therefore, a negative pressure, that is to say a back pressure, acts about the ink that is in the nozzles of the jet head of 70 piezo ink preventing ink from leaking (not shown)  of the nozzle that is in the inkjet head Piezoelectric 70.

As shown in Figure 9, the mechanisms of 80 ink feed, the pressure application mechanism positive 90 and the cartridge mounting mechanisms 100 have substantially the same configuration for each of the four ink cartridge assembly parts S.

As shown in figures 9 and 10, each of the ink feed mechanisms 80 is configured from of a regulating tank 84 that is connected to a needle hollow ink introduction 82 and to the feeding tube of ink T. The hollow ink insertion needle 82 extends towards the opening of the front part O. The hollow needle of Ink introduction 82 is hollow and has formed on the sides of its tip a pair of holes connected to the interior in the mode of a well known hollow needle. When the ink cartridge 200 is mounted on the corresponding ink cartridge mounting part S, the hollow ink insertion needle 82 is inserted into the ink cartridge 200 whereby ink is supplied to the ink tank  regulation 84. Regulation tank 84 maintains so provisional ink supplying the hollow insertion needle of ink 82 and filters foreign objects from the ink. The ink that is has leaked in this way is then supplied to the head of 70 piezo inkjet through the feed tube corresponding ink T.

The positive pressure application mechanism 90 it is used to apply positive air pressure to the ink that is in 200 ink cartridges. The pressure application mechanism positive 90 is configured from some application elements of positive pressure 91 that are connected to the pressure pump positive 36. It should be appreciated that the four elements of application positive pressure 91 provided for the four parts of ink cartridge assembly S are connected directly to the positive pressure pump 36 through application tubes of positive pressure 92. There is a safety valve (not shown) between the positive pressure pump 36 and the application tubes of positive pressure 92. The pressure pump drive positive 36 current air force with substantially pressure same from the positive pressure application elements 91 towards 200 ink cartridges through the application tubes of positive pressure 92.

As shown in Figure 10, each of the positive pressure application elements 91 is made from an elastic ring-shaped sealing element 93 and an element of support 96. The support element 96 supports the element elastic ring-shaped shutter 93 while at the same time a spring 94 pushes the elastic ring-shaped sealing element 93 towards the opening of the front surface O. The element elastic ring-shaped shutter 93 includes a hole positive pressure centrally located 98 in fluid connection with the positive pressure application tubes 92 that come from the positive pressure pump 36. The positive pressure hole 98 is oriented towards the opening of the front surface O.

The cartridge mounting mechanisms 100 include dividing walls 110, recesses 102 of the wall of base 32 of the cartridge holder part, some walls in guide projection 120, needle shield plates 130, about blocking elements 180 (figure 11) of the protection plates of needle 130, lock release ribs 150, ones release protrusions 160 and detection photosensors of residual ink 170.

The dividing walls 110 are formed in each side of the ink cartridge mounting part S to protrude upwards from the base wall 32 of the support part of cartridge and to extend from the surface opening front O to the ink cartridge holder part P. The partition walls 110 define the width of the mounting parts of ink cartridge S. It should be noted that the dividing walls 110 that are located between ink cartridge mounting parts Adjacent S also serve to divide the mounting parts of ink cartridge S.

The width of each of the mounting parts ink cartridge S is the appropriate measure for the width of the corresponding ink cartridge 200 in order to allow the corresponding ink cartridge 200 can be mounted there. How I know describe later, the widths of the cyan color ink cartridge (C) 200c, yellow ink cartridge (Y) 200y and cartridge Magenta ink (M) 200m are equivalent. The width of the cartridge black ink (K) 200k, ink that is the most frequently used during printing, it is larger than the widths of the cartridge Cyan color ink (C) 200c, yellow ink cartridge (Y) 200y and the Magenta (M) 200m ink cartridge in order to provide the highest capacity black ink cartridge (K) 200K internal For this reason, the widths of the mounting part of the cyan (C) Sc color ink cartridge, from the mounting part of the yellow ink cartridge (Y) Sy and the mounting part of the Magenta (M) Sm ink cartridge are equivalent and the width of The mounting part of the black ink cartridge (K) Sk is greater than the width of the other ink cartridge mounting parts.

The base wall 32 of the support part of ink cartridge assembly parts cartridge S extends in the opposite direction to the hollow needle 82 exceeding the opening of the front surface O. Because the roof surface, it is that is, the cartridge holder cover part 44, reaches up to the opening of the front surface O, the part of the base wall 32 of the cartridge holder portion that extends further towards in front of the base wall 32 of the cartridge holder part It is open from above while the surface cover front 50 is in an open condition and serves to guide the 200 ink cartridges towards the front surface opening O while the 200 cartridges are being mounted.

All cartridge mounting mechanisms 100 they have substantially the same configuration, whereby the configuration of a cartridge mounting mechanism 100 is described then with reference to figure 10 to facilitate explanation. Needle protection plate 130, the detection photosensor of residual ink 170, lock release nerve 150 and the release protrusion 160 are located in this order between the side of the hollow ink insertion needle 82 and the front of the hollow ink insertion needle 82 relative to the axis that extends longitudinally from the hollow needle of introduction of ink 82. The wall in guide projection 120, the release rib lock 150 and residual ink detection photosensor 170 insert the axis extending longitudinally from the needle hollow ink introduction 82, where the protruding wall of guide 120 and lock release nerve 150 are on one side transverse and residual ink detection photosensor 170 is on the other cross side. The wall in guide projection 120 is extends in front to back direction. The protection plate of needle 130 is between the front end and the rear end of the wall on guide projection 120 in the front to back direction and is located further back than the release nerve of lock 150. The residual ink detection photosensor 170 it is also between the front end and the deep end of the walls on guide projection 120 in the front to back direction and is located deeper than the blocking release nerve 150

Referring to figure 9, the protruding wall of guide 120 and the nearest dividing wall 110 are separated for the same distance "La" in the direction left-right on all mounting parts of cartridge Sc, Sy, Sm and Sk. In addition, the wall in guide projection 120 and residual ink detection photosensor 170 are separated the same distance Lb1 in the ink cartridge mounting part Cyan color (C) Sc, on the ink cartridge mounting part yellow (Y) Sy and in the magenta ink cartridge (M) in the left-right direction. However the wall on guide projection 120 and the ink detection photosensor residual 170 are separated a greater distance LB2 in the part Mounting ink cartridge black (K) sk at a distance intermediate guide-sensor Lb1 for the other parts of ink cartridge assembly.

Going back to figure 6, the dividing walls 110 extend upward from the base wall 32 of the part cartridge holder to the bottom surface of the cover 40. As shown more clearly in Figure 10, three parts enlarged 112 are formed on the top of each wall divide 110. As can be seen in the figure, the enlarged parts 112 protrude in the opposite direction to the cover part of cartridge holder 44 towards the base wall 32 of the part of cartridge holder The enlarged parts 112 regulate the inclination vertical and ink cartridge position after it has been inserted the ink cartridge 200. The bottom side of the part enlarged 112 which is at the side end of the opening of the front surface O of each dividing wall 110 is shaped inclined to facilitate the insertion of the ink cartridge. The enlarged part 112 which is formed in the center between the part front and back of each partition wall 110 includes a spring 114 to push the ink cartridge 200 down and adjust the vertical movement of the inserted ink cartridge 200.

Again, using the representative example of the Figure 10, the wall in guide projection 120 projects upwards from the base wall 32 of the cartridge holder part in a position adjacent to the lock release nerve 150. The distance "The" between the walls in guide projection 120 and the adjacent protruding walls 110 is sufficiently smaller than the average thickness of a user's finger to prevent the user touch the lock release nerve 150 and release the blocking condition of the needle protection plates 130. In addition, the wall in guide projection 120 serves to guide the ink cartridge 200 that has been inserted from the side of the front surface opening O in the mounting parts of ink cartridge S in the front to back direction while ink cartridge 200 is being placed in the direction Left Right. The wall on guide ledge 120 it is formed with its thicker front and back sides than its center so that the wall in guide projection 120 is placed in contact with the ink cartridge 200 substantially by two points that correspond to the thick parts. The placement in the left-right direction can be done from precise way. It should be appreciated that the guidance and placement of the ink cartridge 200 can also be made using the walls dividing walls 110 or through the cooperation of dividing walls 110 and the wall in guide projection 120.

The residual ink detection photosensor 170 it is made from an infrared light emission part 172 and an infrared light receiving part 174 and serves to detect the amount of residual ink in the ink cartridge 200. The residual ink detection photosensor 170 is connected to a circuit board that is arranged under the base wall 32 of the cartridge holder part. The detection photosensor of residual ink 170 protrudes above the base wall 32 of the cartridge holder part from the circuit board. Some sensor protectors 176, which serve to protect the part of infrared light emission 172 and the light receiving part infrared 174 of the ink cartridge 200 when the ink cartridge 200, protrude upward from the wall of base 32 of the cartridge holder part by the sides of the part of infrared light emission 172 and the light receiving part infrared 174 that are closer to the surface opening front O. Sensor protectors 176 are formed with surfaces rounded on the part of their opposite fronts that are closer of the opening of the front surface O.

Needle protection plate 130 is located on the opening side of the front surface O of the needle hollow ink introduction 82 with a space between it and the hollow ink insertion needle 82. The protection plate of needle 130 serves to cover the tip of the hollow needle of introduction of ink 82 from the side opposite the opening of the front surface O. Figure 11 shows a configuration that is refers to the needle protection plate 130, to the nerve of lock release 150 and release protrusion 160 of the representative cartridge assembly mechanism 100 of the figure 10. Needle protection plate 130 rests under the wall base 32 of the cartridge holder part to rotate around a pivot axis 132 that intersects the direction of front to back Needle protection plate 130 can be moved between a guard position and a release position. In the backup position, needle protection plate 130 protrudes from an opening 104 that is formed in the wall of base 32 of the cartridge holder part up above the base wall 32 of the cartridge holder part. In position release needle guard plate 130 is retracted inside the opening 104. A spring 183 constantly pushes the needle guard plate 130 towards the guard position. He locking element 180 rests pivotally around an axis 184 that is under the base wall 32 of the part of cartridge holder A pressure plate 140 rises from a end of locking element 180. Spring operation 182 moves the locking element 180 in one direction in order to move the pressure plate 140 until it is placed in front of the side surface of the hollow ink insertion needle 82 of the needle protection plate 130. The locking element 180 fundamentally includes the lock release nerve 150 between shaft 184 and pressure plate 140. The pushing force of the spring 182 causes the lock release nerve 150 protrudes from an opening 106 that is formed in the wall of base 32 of the cartridge holder part between the walls in guide projection 120 and dividing walls 110.

In this condition, when the ink cartridge 200 is inserted through the opening of the front surface O, as describe below, the bottom side of the ink cartridge 200 first press the lock release nerve 150 with what which the blocking element 180 rotates and the pressure plate 140 is folds down from the back surface of the plate needle guard 130. When the ink cartridge 200 moves more towards the front-to-back direction of the mounting part of ink cartridge S, the front surface of the ink cartridge 200 presses the needle protection plate 130. However, because the protection plate 140 was retracted below the back surface of the needle protection plate, the plate needle guard 130 can turn and therefore falls into the opening 104 whereby the ink cartridge 200 can connect with the hollow ink insertion needle 82.

In reverse operation, that is, to withdraw the ink cartridge 200 of the cartridge assembly part of ink S, spring 183 elevates needle shield plates 130 to the position where they cover the hollow insertion needle ink 82. Next, the bottom surface of the ink cartridge 200 separates from the lock release nerves 150 and the spring 182 causes pressure plate 140 to return to the surface rear of the needle protection plate 130.

If the release nerve is not pressed lock 150, the back surface of the protection plate of needle 130 is in contact with the pressure plate 140 whereby the hollow ink insertion needle 82 is not exposed to the front surface opening O, even if a external force from the opening side of the front surface Or of the needle protection plate 130.

A leak prevention lock element is provided 190 to apply resistance to the thrust force of spring 94 of the positive pressure application elements 91, which pushes the ink cartridge mounted 200 in one direction to remove the part of ink cartridge assembly S. The leak prevention lock element 190 includes release protrusion 160 that can protrude above the base wall 32 of the cartridge holder part from an opening 108 that is formed in the base wall 32 of the cartridge holder part. The leakage blocking element 190 it rests so that it can rotate about an axis 192 by under the base wall 32 of the cartridge holder part. He spring 182 pushes up the leakage blocking element 190. Normally, protrusion 160 protrudes upwards by above the base wall 32 of the cartridge holder part from the opening 108 and fits in a leak prevention lock hole 246 (Figure 18) (described below) of ink cartridges 200, that is, in its mounted position. However, as described then, when the ink cartridge 200 is in contact with the protrusion 160 by a force that is generated when the cartridge ink 200 is attached or separated, the blocking element leak prevention 190 rotates around axis 192 whereby the protrusion 160 folds down and ink cartridge 200 can be attached or separate.

All cyan color ink cartridges, yellow, magenta and black 200 of the present embodiment have the shape shown in figure 12. That is, all are formed by a box 230 and a lid 210 of resin substantially transparent. The ink cartridge assembly 200 has a flat shape and substantially parallelepipedic. It should be appreciated that Cyan, yellow and magenta 200 ink cartridges (cartridges colored ink) are substantially the same size. He 200 black ink cartridge has substantially the same length than 200 color ink cartridges. However, the width of the black ink cartridge is larger than that of ink cartridges colour.

An explanation of the ink cartridges 200 of the present embodiment in relation to to the representative example shown in Figures 12 to 39. The main box 230 includes flat side walls 232 on both sides in the left-right direction. The distance between the side walls 232, that is, the width of the main box corresponds to the distance between the dividing walls 110 that are provided on both sides of the ink cartridge assembly part S.

The lid 210 has, in its part substantially central, a substantially flat shape with a curved part towards spherical 212 which curves outward in a spherical shape. A projecting part with a flat shape 213 is formed from a raised front end of lid 210 except at the ends right and left. A flat part 214 is formed on the sides right and left of the part on projection 213 and around the spherical outwardly curved part 212 of the lid 210. The part of the flat part 214 that is located to the right and left of the protruding part 213 and spherical outwardly curved part 212 extends in the longitudinal direction (from front to back) of the ink cartridges 200. When the ink cartridge 200 is inserted in the ink cartridge assembly part S, the part that extends from front to back of the flat part 214 slides facing spring 114 in confrontation with the side bottom of the enlarged parts 112. The curved part 212 and the part on outgoing 213 protrude in the direction of and are closer to the lower surface of the cartridge holder cover part 44, that is, the roof surface, than the lower surfaces of the enlarged parts 112, which are located on each side of the curved part 212 and the projecting part 213. The curved part 212 and the projecting part 213 extend above the part of cartridge holder cover 44 than flat part 214. When ink cartridge 200 is mounted on the device registration, the curved part 212 and the projecting part 213 regulate the correct position in height of the ink cartridge 200 when the ink cartridge 200 has been inserted through the opening of the front surface O.

The ink cartridge 200 is sufficiently formed longer than the length of the front to back direction of the cartridge holder cover part 44 whereby the end rear protrudes from the support cover part of cartridge 44 when ink cartridge 200 is mounted on the part ink cartridge assembly S. The rear end of the ink cartridge 200 is a grip part 202 that has a width slightly smaller than the other areas. As shown in the Figure 6, a single desired ink cartridge 200 can be grasped easily and take out when several ink cartridges are housed on the ink cartridge holder part P. On the contrary, a 200 ink cartridge can be easily grasped and mounted even although a 200 ink cartridge is housed near it in a ink cartridge holder part P. A rib 217 is formed near the rear end of the lid 210 to extend linearly in the left-right direction. In Consequently, if nerve 217 is taken with a finger and the ink cartridge 200 forward, the user can take out the ink cartridge of the ink cartridge holder part P using just one finger

As shown in Figure 13, a part in protrusion 235 is formed in a wall of the front surface 234 of main box 230. The projecting part 235 protrudes towards up in the central left-right area of the front surface wall 234. A feed hole of ink 260 is formed in substantial center of the wall of the front surface 234. The ink feed hole 260 is a hole for supplying ink from a housing part of ink 300 (figure 14) which is located in the main box 230 outward. A rubber ink feed cap 262 (Figure 39 (a)) is snapped into the hole of 260 ink feed. An inkjet hole 270 it is open near the ink feed hole 260. A rubber ink feed cap 272 (figure 39 (a)) It is snapped into the inkjet hole 270. In addition, a connection hole with atmosphere 280 is also open in the wall of the front surface 234. The hole of connection to atmosphere 280 is a small diameter hole, elongated and thin that is in fluid communication with the positive pressure hole 98 of the application elements of positive pressure 91 when ink cartridge 200 is mounted on the ink cartridge assembly part S. In addition, a slot guide 236 and a sensor housing slot 240 are formed on the wall of the front surface 234 and through the wall bottom of the main box 230 to be able to open it in the front surface and bottom surface. The guide groove 236 it is a hollow part for engaging the wall in guide projection 120 when the ink cartridge is mounted on the mounting part of ink cartridge S. A lock release part 238 is defined by the bottom surface of the ink cartridge 200 which is between the guide groove 236 and the near side wall 232. The guide groove 236 and lock release part 238 are located near the parts of the ink cartridge 200 which correspond to the enlarged parts 112 of the device registry. Lock release part 238 works to press the lock release nerve 150 when the cartridge ink 200 is mounted on the cartridge mounting part of ink S. The sensor housing slot 240 is a hollow part which is in an outline of the outer shape of the ink cartridge 200 and accommodates the residual ink detection photosensor 170 when the ink cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting part ink cartridge S.

As shown in figure 14, the box main 230 includes an ink housing part 300 in its inside and is open at the top. If described with more detail, the main box 230 includes the part of the main surface 234, side walls 232 and the wall of the back surface 237. The side walls 232 are in the right and left sides of the main box 230. The walls sides 232 are connected to the surface wall front 234 and the back surface wall 237. The parts of grip 202 are formed on the back of the wall of the  back surface 237. The ink housing part 300 is surrounded by the front surface part 234, the walls sides 232 and the back surface wall 237. The part ink housing 300 is configured with a film flexible 302 in an ink retention portion 310 (figure 15) which It is described later. The ink retention portion 310 is formed inside the main box 230. The film flexible 302 is welded on a peripheral opening edge 312 of the ink retention portion 310. The ink is held between the flexible film 302 and ink retention portion 310. When The ink cartridge 200 is full of ink, the flexible film 302 expands up to the curved surface. The hole of  260 ink feed and 270 inkjet hole they are in fluid communication with the inside of the part of 300 ink housing. If described in more detail, the 260 ink feed hole is in fluid communication with the ink housing part 300 through the path of 268 small diameter ink feed connection. The ink feed hole 270 is in fluid communication with the ink housing part 300 through the path of 278 small diameter ink feed connection from the 270 inkjet hole.

A 306 plate-shaped tension plate substantially rectangular is located in flexible film 302 whereby its longitudinal direction extends in parallel with the longitudinal direction (front to back) of the cartridge ink 200. The tension plate 306 is glued on its central part longitudinal in the substantially central part of the film flexible 302 using a double-sided adhesive tape.

It should be appreciated that the sectional form of the Longitudinal direction (figure 21) of the body of the box is the same, either for a black ink cartridge or for a cartridge color ink As the tension plate 306 is stuck on the longitudinal direction, the same tension can be applied if prepare and glue 306 tension plates with the same length to All color ink cartridges. Plate length tensioner 306 is formed slightly smaller than the dimension of the part ink housing 300 in the longitudinal direction. He Tension plate material is a resin film, such as for example a PET film. It should be appreciated that the operation  Detailed tension plate 306 is described below.

An atmospheric chamber 290 that is in fluid communication with the connection hole with the atmosphere 280 is formed on the periphery of the ink housing part 300. Described in more detail, a dividing wall 282 is formed on the back side of the wall of the front surface 234. The dividing wall 282 connects the side walls 232. In addition, a external projection wall 211 is formed from the lid 210. The external projection wall 211 is to engage with the wall dividing 282, the side walls 232 and the wall of the 237 rear surface of the main box. When the lid 210 It is attached to the main box 230 and the wall in external projection 211 is coupled with partition wall 282, the side walls 232 and the rear surface wall 237, the chamber Atmospheric 290 is surrounded by dividing wall 282, the side walls 232 and the back surface wall 237 and It also defines an area (covered by the lid 210) that surrounds the part ink housing 300. Atmospheric chamber 290 is in a substantially airtight condition in communication with the outside only through the connection hole with atmosphere 280. Here, the connection hole with atmosphere 280 is a hole intern that extends between the wall of the front surface 234 and the dividing wall 282 and which is open towards the wall of the front surface 234 and partition wall 282. In addition, the path of 268 ink feed connection and the connection path of inkjet 278 go through dividing wall 282 and are in fluid communication with the ink housing part 300. When the lid 210 is attached to the main box 230 and covers the opening of the main box 230, the atmospheric chamber 290 is in fluid communication with the atmosphere only through connection hole with atmosphere 280. If pressure is applied positive or atmospheric in atmospheric chamber 290, you can apply pressure on flexible film 302 of the part of ink housing 300 from the outer side of the part of ink housing 300 whereby the ink that is in the part ink housing 300 can be supplied outside the 200 ink cartridge through the ink feed hole 260.

It should be noted that a plurality of nerves 292 (figure 15) is formed inside the chamber atmospheric 290 thereby increasing the resistance of the box main 230.

Figure 14 shows the internal surface of the cap 210 that is attached to the ink cartridge 200. As it looks clear In the drawing, the lid 210 is substantially flat. The curved part spherical out 212 which is formed in the central part of the lid 210 has a shape surrounding the film bulge flexible 302. An annular part of the flat part 214 has a determined width surrounding the spherical outward curved part 212 and defines a peripheral ink housing part 216 that It is described later. A notch shaped cut 218 is formed to pass through the peripheral ink housing part 216. When the lid 210 is attached to the main box 230, it is develops a space between the peripheral housing part of ink 216 and flexible film 302 that is glued to the edge opening peripheral 312. When the ink cartridge is vacuum packed in a manner described below, lid 210 and the main case deform elastically between them. Even although the cover side of the peripheral housing part of ink 216 get in close contact with the flexible film 302, the notch-shaped cut 218 and some wall cuts in ledge 219 described below serve to put the space which is between the spherical outwardly curved portion 212 and the flexible film 302 in fluid communication with the chamber Atmospheric 290. In addition, a projection wall 215 is formed in the inner side of the wall in outer boss 211, which is the side outer peripheral part of ink housing 216. The wall on projection 215 extends and protrudes from cover 210 to surround the peripheral part of ink housing 216. The wall in projection 215 is positioned so that, when the lid 210 is mounted in main box 230, surround the outer periphery of the edge opening peripheral 312 described below with reference to Figure 27. The protrusion wall 215 is discontinuous in parts that they go after the side walls 232 and they approach and connect to the wall on external projection 211. These parts discontinuous wall projections 215 define the cuts 219 of The protruding wall. A cut 219 of the protruding wall is located next to the notch-shaped cut 218 and the other cut 219 of the protruding wall is located opposite the shaped cut notch 218 which is in the direction Left Right. The 219 cuts of the wall in outgoing also work to put the space between the spherical outwardly curved part 212 and the flexible film in fluid communication with the atmospheric chamber 290 and to avoid that the projection wall 215 blocks the positive pressure of the connection hole with atmosphere 280.

As shown in Figure 15, the part of ink retention 310 is surrounded by the peripheral edge of opening 312 and includes a tub part 320. The tub portion 320 It is open on the upper surface. The peripheral edge of opening 312 has a circular or ellipsoidal shape that bulges out by a part 328. The tub part 320 includes a part of curved surface 324 that curves down with a substantially curved shape from a surrounding edge that has circular (or ellipsoidal) shape 322. The surrounding edge 322 is located at the same height as the peripheral opening edge 312. The substantial center of the curved surface part 324 is in the lower position. The curved surface part 324 includes a inclined surface part 326 that is flat (not curved). The part 328 flat flange that extends horizontally and bulges outward from the peripheral opening edge 312, it is formed between the peripheral opening edge 312 and the edge circular (or ellipsoidal) surrounding 322. As the flexible film 302 is attached to the peripheral opening edge 312 to cover the part of tub 320, the ink is stored between the film flexible 302, the curved surface part 324 that includes the inclined surface 326 and flat flange portion 328.

The height of the flat flange part 328 corresponds substantially to the height of the peripheral edge of opening 312 whereby flexible film 302 bulges only one just above the flat flange part 328. With this configuration, when lid 210 is mounted on the main box 230, the user can visually confirm the color of the ink from the top of the lid 210 looking at the color of the ink which is accumulated between the flat flange part 328 and the film flexible 302. In other words, when the tub part 320 is full of ink, the color of the ink in the tub part 320 appears substantially black because the ink layer is gross. However, the actual color of the ink can be seen in the thin ink layer that is between the flat flange part 328 and flexible film 302.

Flexible film 302 is given a shape with a curved shape that puts in close contact with the internal surface of ink retaining part 310 when not there is almost ink in the ink retention portion 310. The method to make flexible film 302 with this form described then. Since flexible film 302 is formed in this way, the Flexible film can deform smoothly and gradually after that a quantity of ink completely fills the space that is between flexible film 302 and ink retention portion 310 and then there is almost no ink in the ink retention portion 310. The flexible film itself does not exert almost pressure on the ink, for example due to flexible contraction.

An air / feed removal notch of ink 332 is formed on the base surface of the tub part 320. The air removal / ink feed notch 332 is in fluid communication with an inkjet notch 330 which is in fluid communication with the injection hole of ink 270 (the inkjet connection path 278) and the 260 ink feed hole (the connection path of ink feed 268). A sensor mechanism 340 is provided also on the base surface of the tub part 320. The sensor mechanism 340 serves to detect the residual amount of ink that remains in the tub portion 320.

As shown in Figure 16, the mechanism sensor 340 is made from a lever housing slot of sensor 350, a sensor lever 360 and a film of suppression 342. Sensor lever 360 is located within the sensor lever housing slot 350. The film 342 suppression is T-shaped. The lever housing slot of sensor 350 is open on the base surface of the part of tub 320. The sensor lever housing slot 350 has a base surface 352 that is behind the surface bottom (figure 8) of main box 230. The groove of sensor lever housing 350 is formed so that it extend in a direction that moves 45 degrees from the longitudinal direction (front to back) of the body of the box from the central position of the curved surface part 324 of the part of tub 320, to bend 45 degrees where it reaches the edge surrounding that has a circular (or ellipsoidal) shape 322 of the part of tub 320 and to extend in parallel with the address longitudinal of the body of the box. The slot part of sensor lever housing 350 extending in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the body of the box is called slot part 354 and is open upwardly by the part of flat flange 328. Thus, the lever housing slot of sensor 350 is open to extend in one direction which has moved 45 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction of the body of the box in positions that are between the part center of the curved surface part 324 of the tub part 320 and the inclined surface part 326 and is open for extend in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the body of the box on the upper surface of the flat flange portion 328. The depth of the sensor lever housing slot 350 it is substantially fixed on the curved surface part 324, increases rapidly on the inclined surface part 326 and becomes substantially fixed again in the flat flange part 328. The groove portion 354 of the lever housing groove of sensor 350 extends out of the tub portion 320, passes behind the wall that protrudes into the interior of the sensor housing slot 240 and reaches the inside of the sensor housing slot 240, thus forming a part in projection 372 shown in Figure 18. In addition, the groove of sensor lever housing 350 has a groove 351 that cuts the longitudinal direction.

The sensor lever 360 has a specific weight greater than the specific weight of the ink and is formed from a Black resin that can block infrared light. The sensor lever 360 is disposed within the groove of sensor lever housing 350. Sensor lever 360 is a elongated plate-shaped element that has a fulcrum swivel 362, a steering arm part 364 and an arm part detector 366. Rotating support point 362 is in the form of a prism triangular. The steering arm part 364 and the arm part detector 366 extend from opposite sides of the fulcrum rotating 362. A hemispherical pivot 365 (a detection point of amount of residual ink) is provided at the end of the part of control arm 364. Sensor lever 360 is located inside of the sensor lever housing slot 350 whereby the hemispherical pivot 365 is arranged in the center of the part of curved surface 324 of the tub part 320. The result of this is that the hemispherical pivot 365 is arranged in the most position lower part of the curved surface part 324. The arm part detector 366 curves forming a 45 degree angle near its end, thus forming a curved end portion 367 located in the slot portion 354 of the sensor lever housing slot 350 (the open part of the flat flange part) and works as detector point The pivotal support point 362 is arranged inside the slot 351 that cuts the housing slot of sensor lever 350. The vertex of the cross section triangular of the pivotal support point 362 sinks into the ink to contact the bottom of the intersecting groove 351. The result of this is that the sensor lever 360 can turn with the pivotal support point 362 as the support point. Here, the weight of the detector arm part 366 is greater than the weight of the steering arm part 364. In this example, the weight of the detector arm part 366 is five times greater or more than the weight of the steering arm part 364. For this reason, when enough ink remains, the detection point 367 of the lever of sensor 360 is located on the base surface 352 of the sensor lever housing slot 350 as indicated in the Figure 17 with the continuous line. The hemispherical pivot 365 (point of residual ink quantity detection) floats in the ink from the base surface 352 and protrudes above the bottom of the part of tub 320. On the other hand, when ink is spent so that flexible film 302 descends towards the part of tub 320, flexible film 302 presses the hemispherical pivot 365 (point of detection of residual ink quantity) as shows with the dashed lines and two points in figure 17 with which the curved end part 367 (detection point) rises. As the sensor lever 360 is thus placed in the slot of sensor lever housing 350 extending towards the outside from the tub part 320 from below the tub part  320, the sensor lever 360 does not block flexible film 302 since the flexible film 302 deforms towards the tub part 320. Therefore, residual ink detection can be performed With more precision.

In addition, the length L1 of the arm part detector 366 of the 360 sensor lever is greater than the length L2 of the steering arm part 364. In this example, the length L1 of the detector arm part 366 is approximately four times the length L2 of the steering arm part 364. Consequently, although flexible film 302 causes the pivot to descend hemispherical 365 (residual ink quantity detection point) just a little bit, the curved end part 367 rises quite a bit with what which can be accurately detected using a sensor of residual amount detection 70 described below.

The PET 306 film tensioning plate ensures that the sensor lever 360 works correctly when almost no unused ink remains, which allows the maximum amount of ink to be used. That is, if tensioning plate 306 were not provided, wrinkles could form on a part of flexible film 302 when flexible film 302 descends due to ink reduction and comes into close contact with tub portion 320. In this case, the sensor lever 360 is activated while the ink remains between the wrinkled part and the tub part 320 whereby
It is not spent.

However, in the present embodiment, only the central part of the tension plate 306, that is the part that is in front of the hemispherical pivot 365 of the sensor lever 360, it is connected to the central part of the flexible film 302. The 306 tension plate is mounted on top of the film flexible bent 302 as indicated with the continuous line on the Figure 17 when there is a lot of ink in the tub part 320. The tension plate 306 drops according to the ink reduction. However, when a small amount of ink remains, both ends of the tension plate 306 rest on the surface inner peripheral of tub portion 320 in one more position lower than that of peripheral opening edge 312 and higher that the lowest position of the tub part 320 whereby prevents the tension plate 306 from lowering further. The result of this is that although the peripheral part of flexible film 302 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the tub part 320, the central part of flexible film 302 is rises due to the 306 tension plate. At this time, the part center of the raised flexible film 302 faces the hemispherical pivot 365 of the sensor lever 360 with a space Open in between.

When the amount of ink is reduced further, the central part of flexible film 302 descends further making against the elasticity of the tension plate 306. However, a Once the amount of ink in the tub part is reduced at less than a predetermined amount, so that almost no ink remains, flexible film 302 exceeds the pushing force of the tension plate 306 so that the central part of the film flexible 302 presses the hemispherical pivot 365 of the lever 360 sensor. At that time, the surface area of the part peripheral of flexible film 302 that is in contact narrow with the inner peripheral surface of the tub part 320 gradually increases until the center of the film flexible 302 presses the sensor lever 360. That is, the plate tensioner 306 prevents wrinkles from forming on flexible film 302 during the process. In addition, flexible film 302 drops to as the ink accumulates in the central part of the part of tub 320. Therefore, the 360 sensor lever works precisely  in the condition where there is almost no ink left unused.

It is not necessary to form the 306 tension plate with the substantially rectangular shape described above, but which can have a triangular, star, circular or any other shape another way as long as its shape allows to open a space between the flexible film 302 and the hemispherical pivot 365 of the lever 360 sensor when the downward movement is limited as has been described before. In addition, the outer peripheral part of these elements with different shapes do not need to rely on the inner peripheral surface of the tub part 320 but instead it can be placed on the peripheral opening edge 312.

It is preferable that the tension plate 306 has a elasticity and weight that do not influence the pressure of the part ink housing 300. However, the pressure on the part of 300 ink housing can be adjusted by adjusting in turn Adequate elasticity and weight. When there is a big amount of ink, the weight of the tension plate 306 applies pressure positive inside the ink housing part 300 because the tension plate 306 is contacted only with the center of flexible film 302. When it only remains a small amount of ink, the 306 tension plate works as a rocker to raise the central part of the flexible film 302. The result of this is that a negative pressure is applied to the ink housing part 300. If the force of spring (which refers to the negative pressure when there is little ink), the weight (which refers to the positive pressure when there is a large amount of ink) and the length (which refers to the switch timing between pressure application positive and negative pressure application) of the plate tensioner 306, adequate pressure can be applied to the ink consumption condition in the ink housing part 300

In the embodiment, the tension plate 306 is connected with flexible film 302 to move behind flexible film 302 until only a small one remains amount of ink On the other hand, the tub part 320 limits the lowering of the tension plate 306 when only a small one remains amount of ink and has an elasticity that pushes the film flexible 302 in a direction opposite the pivot (detection point of residual ink quantity) 365. The tensioning plate 306 allows that parts of flexible film 302 other than parts that are in front of the pivot (point of detection of quantity of residual ink) 365 go behind the tub part 320, at least after a small amount of ink remains. Without However, the tension plate 306 pushes the parts of the film flexible 302 facing the pivot (detection point of amount of residual ink) 365 in the opposite direction of the pivot (residual ink quantity detection point) 365. In addition, according to the ink reduction after a small remains amount of ink, tensioning plate 306 approaches the pivot (residual ink quantity detection point) 365 doing in front of the thrust of the tension plate 306. In this way, the ink will You can spend more correctly.

As shown in figure 16, the film of 342 T-shaped suppression is PET and is provided for press the sensor lever 360 down to the groove of sensor lever housing from the top of the 360 sensor lever. Explained in more detail, the film of suppression 342 has an integral fixed part 342a and a part of elastic plate 342b. The elastic plate portion 342b presses the detector arm part 366. Slot 351 housing the point of swivel support 362 is formed from the housing slot of sensor lever 350 although with a level difference. A pair of holes 344 are formed in the fixed part 342a. if it fits a pair of protrusions 356 in the pair of holes 344 and the pair of protrusions 356, the fixed part 342a can be secured in the tub part 320. With this, the pivotal support point 362 is rests on the intersecting slot 351 with an open space between it and the T-shaped suppression film 342. The 360 sensor lever can rotate freely with the fulcrum swivel 362 as a fulcrum. The elastic plate part 342b is inserted in the sensor lever housing slot 350 to extend to the detector arm part 366 from the part fixed 342a. With this, the detector arm part 366 descends by means of the elastic plate part 342b. That is, because the hemispherical pivot 365 is pushed to protrude above of the bottom surface of the tub part 320, the pivot hemispherical 365 can safely protrude above the base surface of tub part 320 even though the Ink cartridge has been turned over during transport. Be you should keep in mind that the elasticity of the plate part elastic 342b is large enough to block any additional upward movement of the arm part detector 366 in association with ink reduction.

It should be noted that the slot part of sensor lever housing 350 housing the arm part detector 366 is formed in the inclined surface part 326. Because the inclination of the inclined surface part 326 is greater than the inclination of the spherical surface part, the detector arm part 366 can ascend a sufficient distance without contacting and without being hindered by the movie flexible 302.

As shown in Figure 18, the surface bottom of main box 230 includes a smooth surface and flat 242 that can move with respect to the parts of ink cartridge assembly S. The flat and smooth surface 242 is connected to the side walls 232 on both sides. The surface bottom of main box 230 is formed with the guide groove 236 and the sensor housing slot 240. As shown in the Figure 30, the distance Lac between the guide groove 236 and the wall side 232 that is closer in transverse direction corresponds at the intermediate distance of the wall divider-guide in the cartridge mounting parts of ink S. As shown in Figure 35, the guide groove 236 It is simply formed with a length Lcc that can accommodate walls on guide projection 120 in the longitudinal direction from the front surface wall 234. More particularly, the groove of guide 236 is formed with a length that is at least equal or greater than the length Lc between the application elements positive pressure 91 of the cartridge mounting parts S ink and the side end of the surface opening front O of the walls in guide projection 120. For this reason, the guide groove 236 can accommodate the wall in guide projection 120 when the ink cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting part of ink cartridge S. As shown in Figure 30, the Lbc distance between guide groove 236 and protruding walls guide 120 corresponds to an intermediate distance sensor guide on the cartridge mounting part of ink S. As shown in Figure 30, the housing slot of sensor 240 is simply formed with a length Ldc that corresponds to the distance Ld between the elements of application of positive pressure 91 in the longitudinal direction from the wall and the residual ink detection photosensor 170 with what which residual ink detection photosensor 170 can be accommodate when the ink cartridge 200 is mounted in the part of ink cartridge assembly S.

A plurality of ribs 243 is formed in the lower surface of main box 230. Nerves 243 serve to resist the thrust of the tub part 320 from the surface bottom of the tub part 320. It should be noted that a lower central axis nerve 244 is formed in the position center of the main box 230 in the transverse direction for extend in the longitudinal direction of the main box 230. The lower central axis nerve 244 continues to replicate the release protrusion 160 (recovery unit 10) up to below the bottom surface when the ink cartridge 200 is slide over the bottom surface of the mounting part of ink cartridge S. The ink cartridge 200 is not removed from the ink cartridge assembly part S since the protrusion of release 160 is hooked with the leak prevention lock 246 when the ink cartridge 200 is mounted in the part of ink cartridge assembly S.

A sensor lever housing part 370 forms the internal part of the lever housing slot of sensor 350. The sensor lever housing portion 370 is formed on the bottom surface of the main box 230 for protruding from the tub part 320. The part (projecting part of sensor lever housing 372) of the housing part of sensor lever 370 corresponding to the base surface 352 of the sensor lever housing slot 350 protrudes in longitudinal direction in the transverse center of the groove of sensor housing 240. Rounded surfaces that are formed on opposite sides of sensor protectors 176 facilitate the insertion of the projection part 372 between means of sensor protectors 176 and the light emitting part infrared 172 and the infrared light receiving part 174 of the 170 residual ink detection photosensor. As shown in Figure 35, when the ink cartridge 200 is mounted on the ink cartridge assembly part S and the photosensor of residual ink detection 170 is housed in the slot of sensor housing 240, the outgoing housing part of sensor is located between the infrared light emission part 172 and the infrared light receiving part 174 of the photosensor of residual ink detection 170. The end of the detector arm 367 (detection point) of the sensor lever 360 which is in the slot part 354 of the projecting part 372 will be placed as a result between the infrared light emission part 172 and the infrared light reception part 174. Account must be taken that at least the projecting part 372 of the main box is of a material transparent to infrared light.

Figure 19 is a schematic plan view of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment of the configuration described above. Figure 19 shows the situation in which lid 210 is mounted on the main box 230. The internal configuration is indicated by dashed lines. The Figure 20 is a view taken by the direction indicated by the arrow A of Figure 19, that is, a front view showing The front surface of the ink cartridge. Figures 21 to 28 they are section views taken along lines B-B,  C-C, D-D, E-E, F-F, G-G, H-H e I-I respectively. It should be appreciated that the flexible film 302 and the ribs (243, 292) are not indicated in the drawings for reasons of clarity. However, the nerve of lower central axis 244 is indicated in one of the drawings.

As shown in figures 15 and 27, a wall peripheral 231 is formed in the main box 230. The wall peripheral 231 extends fully and continuously from the edge peripheral opening 312, which defines the opening of the part of tub 320, to the side of the lower surface (in the direction depth of tub portion 320) of main box 230. A peripheral wall part 233 is formed connected to the wall peripheral 231, the side walls 232 and the smooth surface and flat 242. The peripheral wall part 233 supports the part of tub 320 from the periphery of the tub portion 320. The wall peripheral 231 and side walls 232 are separated by a space interposed and connected to each other by a plurality of wall type nerves 292. The smooth part 214 of the lid is coupled at the upper end of the peripheral wall part 233 and serves as an outer peripheral part as opposed to the part of peripheral wall 233. Consequently, the lower surface of the ink housing part 300 is stabilized by the flat and smooth surface 242 even if it has a shape substantially spherical The union to and separation of the device Multifunctional 1 is simple. How flexible film 302 is attached to the peripheral opening edge 312 and the lid 210 is connected to the upper end of the peripheral wall part 233, the ink can be sealed tightly without the glued part of flexible film 302 has to affect the lid 210. As the peripheral wall part 233 has a two-layer configuration made from peripheral wall 231 and side walls 232 and use a configuration in which the peripheral wall part 233 and peripheral wall 231 are connected by a plurality of ribs 292, it can be avoided that the peripheral wall part 233 is deformed although the cartridge of ink undergoes vacuum packaging processes that describe later. In addition, as is clear in Figure 18, the plurality of ribs 243 is formed to connect the surface bottom of tub part 320 and peripheral wall part 233. For this reason, nerves 243 prevent the tub part 320 and the peripheral wall part 233 are deformed even though The ink cartridge undergoes vacuum packaging processes which are described later.

The ink cartridge 200 that has the Previous configuration has a smooth bottom surface. How I know shown in figure 29, the upper surface has a shape curve higher than the height of the two ends (side walls 232) in the transverse direction. The height of both ends in the transverse direction (the height from the flat smooth surface 242 to the flat part 214) is substantially the same as the distance between the base wall 32 and the enlarged part 112 which it is formed in the upper part of the lateral end of the opening of the front surface O of the dividing walls 110. Consequently, the ink cartridge 200 can be inserted into the ink cartridge assembly parts S. In addition, you can avoid insert the ink cartridge 200 backwards because the height of the spherical outwardly curved portion 212 and the projecting part 213 is greater than the height of both ends in the direction transverse and because the projection walls are curved 47 of the ceiling surface of the mounting parts are formed  behind the spherical outwardly curved portion 212 of the cartridge 200 ink

As the bottom surface of the main box 230 is smooth and formed with the peripheral wall part 233 which extends in the longitudinal direction, the ink cartridge 200 it can be mounted simply by inserting the ink cartridge 200 into the ink cartridge assembly part S and sliding it over the bottom surface while release protrusion 160 It is in a retracted condition. In addition, the width of the cartridge ink 200 corresponds to the distance between the walls 110 partitions of the ink cartridge assembly part S, the Lac distance between guide groove 236 and side walls 232 closest in the transverse direction corresponds to the distance of the dividing wall-guide in the part of ink cartridge assembly S and the distance Lbc between the guide slot 236 and sensor housing slot 240 corresponds to the distance Lb between guide and sensor in the part of ink cartridge assembly S. Accordingly, if the cartridge so that the walls in guide projection 120 guide the guide slot 236 when ink cartridge 200 is inserted on the ink cartridge assembly part S, the photosensor of residual ink detection 170 is safely housed in the sensor housing slot 240 and the curved end portion 367 of the sensor housing slot 240 is inserted between the part of infrared light emission 172 and the light receiving part infrared 174.

It should be taken into account, as indicated in the Figures 9 and 30, which position the side of the extreme part of the opening of the front surface O of the projecting walls of guide 120 which are in the ink cartridge mounting part S is a position that is closer to the surface opening front O that the position of the end part (sensor guard 176) from the opening side of the front surface O of the residual ink detection photosensor 170. The end of the guide groove 236 that is opposite the surface wall front 234 is located farther from the surface wall front 234 that the end of the sensor housing slot 240 which is opposite the wall of the front surface 234. In consequently, when the ink cartridge 200 is inserted in the ink cartridge assembly part S and slides on the wall base 32 of the cartridge holder part, the slot sensor housing 240 reaches the ink detection photosensor residual 170 after the guide groove 236 houses the walls on guide projection 120. As the main box 230 reaches the 170 residual ink detection photosensor after placement in the transverse direction of the ink cartridge 200 by coupling the walls in guide projection with guide groove 236, the part extreme curve 367 that is in the sensor housing slot 240 is inserted between the infrared light emitting part 172 and the infrared light receiving part 174.

As the wall in guide projection 120 is near of the blocking release nerve 150 in the transverse direction of the ink cartridge mounting part S and the guide groove 236 is near the lock release part 238 in the cross direction of the ink cartridge 200, the part of lock release 238 is safely in contact with the lock release nerve 150 and fold it back when mounted the ink cartridge in the ink cartridge assembly part S. In addition, as the spring 114 exerts downward pressure on the ink cartridge 200 from the top of the walls dividers 110 near the walls in guide projection 120, the operations to fold the lock release nerve 150 are more secure.

As shown in Figures 29 and 35, the 200 ink cartridge includes sensor housing slot 240 and the guide groove 236 as openings in the wall of the front surface 234 and on the bottom surface in positions that  are on both sides of the ink feed hole 260 as it can be seen from the wall side of the front surface 234. The sensor housing slot 240 serves to house the 170 residual ink detection photosensor. The guide slot 236 serves to accommodate the walls in guide projection 120. The end part of the detector arm 367 is inserted between the part of infrared light emission 172 and the light receiving part infrared 174 and is removably housed in the part in projection 372. As the projection part 372 protrudes to the sensor housing slot 240 and the release part of lock 238 is located next to the guide groove 236, the 200 ink cartridge can be set flat and can be moved from smooth and stable way through the base wall 32 of the part of ink cartridge assembly S. The ink cartridge 200 is You can easily assemble and disassemble. In addition, the amount of ink residual can be detected accurately simply by mounting the ink cartridge 200 in the cartridge mounting part of ink S.

The ink cartridge 200 of the present embodiment is mounted on the ink cartridge mounting part S as shown in Figures 30 to 35.

The user inserts the ink cartridge 200 into the opening of the front surface O of the ink cartridge mounting part S and slides the bottom surface of the ink cartridge 200 over the base wall 32 of the cartridge holder part. The result of this is that first, as shown in Figures 30 and 31, the wall of the front surface 234 retracts the release projection 160. Then, as shown in Figure 32, the lower center axis rib 244 continues refolding the release boss 160 while the cartridge slides forward. The guide groove 236 engages with the walls in guide projection 120 and slides further. When the locking release portion 238 of the front surface wall 234 collides with the locking release rib 150, the blocking element 180 releases the locking of the needle shield plates 130 (causes the pressure plate to descend 140). Then, as shown in Figure 33, the needle protection plate 130 is retracted when the wall of the front surface 234 of the ink cartridge 200 presses the needle protection plates 130. When the ink cartridge 200 moves a a little further forward and fully inserted into the ink cartridge assembly part S, the hollow ink insertion needle 82 pierces the ink feed rubber plug 262 (Figure 39 (a)) that is in the hole of ink feed 260. Next, as shown in Figures 34 and 35, the wall of the front surface 234 is in contact with the rubber plug 93 of the positive pressure application elements 91. The cartridge is pressed facing to the force of the spring 94 of the positive pressure application elements 91 until it advances a little further. At that time, it is desirable that the front surface of the cartridge be in contact with the sealing wall (not shown) so that any other forward movement of the cartridge is suppressed. Then, even if the cartridge moves back a little due to the force of the spring 94, the release protrusion 160 engages with the leakage blocking hole 246 on the bottom surface of the cartridge. The result of this is that the cartridge is locked in situ and prevents it from coming out. In this way, the ink cartridge 200 is mounted on the ink cartridge assembly part S. As the wall of the front surface 234 of the ink cartridge 200 is in contact with the ring-shaped elastic sealing element 93 on the one hand thereof that is substantially flat, the connection hole with the atmosphere 280 and the positive pressure hole 98 of the elastic ring-shaped sealing element 93 remain in fluid communication safely without any loss of air.

As the black ink cartridge has a width greater than that of the other color cartridges, the ink cartridge black cannot be mistakenly inserted into a mounting part of S cartridge for a color ink cartridge. On the other hand, the Color ink cartridges can be inserted by mistake in the Mounting part for black ink cartridges. However, the distance in the transverse direction Lb1 between the groove guide 236 and the sensor housing slot 240 in the Color ink cartridges is less than the distance in direction transverse Lb2 between the wall in guide projection 120 and the residual ink detection photosensor 170 in the part of housing for the black ink cartridge. Consequently, the front surface of the cartridge contacts the sensor protectors 176 and no further forward although the guide groove 236 is coupled with the wall in guide projection 120 and The ink cartridge slides. Even though the width of the color cartridges out large enough to insert them between the wall in guide projection 120 which is in the housing part for black ink cartridge and wall divide 110 which is on the far side of the part in guide projection 120, the lock release nerve 150 does not can be retracted unless the guide groove 236 engages with the wall on guide projection 120. Therefore, the protection plate of needle 130 cannot be retracted since the front surface of the cartridge is in contact with the needle protection plate 130 and the hollow ink insertion needle 82 cannot be inserted into the ink feed hole 260.

When the ink cartridge 200 is mounted on the ink cartridge assembly part S, the hollow needle of ink introduction 82 supplies ink from inside the ink housing part 300 to the regulation tank 84. Ink from regulation tank 84 is supplied to the ink jet head 70 through the feed tube of ink T in association with registration operations.

Although positive pressure pump 36 stops during printing operations and during the times of wait, inside the ink cartridge 200 pressure is applied Atmospheric of the atmospheric chamber 290 through the pump 36, the pressure application tubes 92, the application elements positive pressure 91 and the connection hole with the atmosphere 280. For this reason, flexible film 302 deforms into association with ink reduction without applying pressure to the ink, and the previous form of flexible film 302 adapts to tub part 320 and comes into close contact with the part of tub 320. Therefore, the pressure of the ink that has supplied the inkjet head 70 can be kept fairly fixed and it can stabilize the ejection of the ink from the jet head of ink 70. The amount of waste ink can be reduced, since flexible film 302 ends in close contact with the part of tub 320, substantially adapting to tub portion 320. In addition, at least a part of the tub part 320 is the part of curved surface 324, whose surface area in section transverse decreases in association with the distance from the part top (the open side) of the tub part 320. Therefore, the flexible film 302 can easily adapt to the tub part 320 when a small amount of ink remains. Ink quantity residual can be reduced and the ink pressure that has been supplied remains substantially fixed until it final.

The ink cartridge assembly part S in the that the ink cartridge 200 is mounted is located in a position lower than inkjet head 70 in direction vertical. For this reason, (see figure 3) the pressure difference dynamic constantly applies a negative pressure on the ink which is in the ink jet head nozzles piezoelectric 70 in the same way as a recording device with ink jet. However, under normal conditions, the surface tension of the meniscus of the ink that is in the nozzles keeps the ink in the nozzle facing the negative pressure After operation of the unit cleaning 78 already known, that is, after covering the nozzles with a plug and aspirate the ink from the nozzles using the pump, the ink that is in the cap and that has bubbles, when stops the suction carried out by the pump, enters the nozzles Due to the dynamic pressure difference. There is a possibility that a defective expulsion may occur after the inkjet head 70 performs printing. At the moment embodiment, the positive pressure pump 36 is then operated of cleaning operations until the cap opens. He Positive pressure pump operation 36 can start also during cleaning operations. The result of this is that positive pressure air current is supplied to the chamber Atmospheric 290 cartridge. A positive pressure is applied to the ink through flexible film 302. The result of this is that a positive pressure can be applied between the side of the cartridge and the ink that is in the nozzles of the head of ink jet 70 and bubbles can be prevented from entering the nozzles It should be borne in mind that at that time, the pressure that you have applied positive pressure pump 36 can be a sufficient pressure so that no bubbles enter the nozzles. Although there is no need to apply a pressure what large enough to positively eject ink of the nozzles, such pressure can be used.

When the ink cartridge 200 is being mounted in the ink cartridge assembly part S, the hole of connection to atmosphere 280 is in contact with the elements of application of positive pressure 91 after the hollow needle of Ink introduction 82 punches the rubber feed cap of ink 262 which is in the release protrusion 160. (Explained in more detail, as shown in Figure 35, the distance A, in the ink cartridge assembly part S, between the hole for the hollow ink insertion needle 82 and the front surface of the rubber cap 93 of the element positive pressure application 91, is greater than distance B, when the ink feed rubber plug 262 blocks the inside the ink feed hole 260 from the front surface of ink cartridge 200). When the ink cartridge 200 of the ink cartridge mounting part S, the hollow ink insertion needle 82 is removed from the cap rubber 262 that is inside the ink feed hole 260 after the connection hole with atmosphere 280 is separates from the positive pressure application elements 91. By so much, even if the ink cartridge 200 leaves the part of ink cartridge assembly S while the pressure pump positive is applying positive pressure to ink cartridge 200, the connection hole with atmosphere 280 is first separated from the  positive pressure application elements 91 while the needle hollow ink introduction 82 remains in its condition of drilling. Therefore, ink leaks from the 200 ink cartridge.

When the ink cartridge 200 is mounted on the ink cartridge assembly part S, as shown in the Figure 35, the infrared light emission part 172 and the part of 174 infrared light reception of the detection photosensor Residual ink 170 is housed in the sensor housing slot 240 to insert the projecting part 372 housing the end of detector arm 367 (detection point) of the sensor lever 360. Accordingly, the end of the detector arm 367 (point of detection) of the sensor lever 360 is located between the part of infrared light emission 172 and the light receiving part infrared 174. If this is done, the detector mechanism is completed of ink to detect the condition of when to the ink cartridge 200 runs out of ink. That is, the detecting part 170 (part Infrared light emission 172 + light receiving part infrared 174) of the present ink detector mechanism embodiment is located in the cartridge mounting part of S ink. The lever (the black resin sensor lever) that detects if the detecting part 170 is on or off is located in the ink cartridge 200 whereby the mechanism detector is completed by mounting the ink cartridge 200 in the part of ink cartridge assembly S.

As already explained, the sensor lever 360 move the end of the detector arm 367 (detection point) vertically according to the amount of residual ink. When a sufficient amount of ink remains, the end of the arm detector 367 is placed between the infrared light emitting part 172 and the infrared light receiving part 174 and blocks the light infrared When the ink is almost finished, the end of the detector arm 367 leaves between the light emitting part infrared 172 and infrared light receiving part 174 for that the infrared light receiving part 174 receives light infrared The result of this is that a person versed in the matter can transform the presence or absence of ink into a electrical signal and control the operation of the device registry. Sensor 170 can be used to detect if the ink cartridge is mounted or not, and not only to detect The presence or absence of ink.

The ink cartridge 200 of the present embodiment is configured only from parts of resin. The basic configuration of the ink cartridge 200 is a film tight to a resin box with ink in between. Is that is, a single sheet of film is placed on the part of tub 320 of the main box 230 and the ink is introduced between the 230 main box and the film. When mounting cover 210 on the main box 230, the user is prevented from directly touching the movie or break it.

Explained in more detail, the main box 230 It is a resin that has a high resistance to properties ink solvents. In this example, the main box 230 is of a non-additive (PP) type polypropylene that has no additives included If additives were included in polypropylene, the ink could dissolve the additives, since the main box 230 (the part ink retention 310) is in direct contact with the ink. On the other hand, the lid 210 is made of additive type polypropylene (PP) which has additives added to maintain resistance since the Cap 210 is not in direct contact with the ink. In this way, the main box 230 and lid 210 can be coupled together using ultrasonic welding because both are made with the same resin material (PP).

In the present embodiment, the part of ink housing 300 is defined between tub portion 320 and flexible film 302. All ink can be used since it is not Use no foam to keep the ink. As the cartridge ink 200 is made only with resin without using any foam, no dioxin is generated when the cartridge is burned 200 ink after the ink has been used. This reduces the Environmental pollution with waste materials. Further, there is no need to provide neither tabs nor mouths of download as if it would be accurate if the ink housing part 300 shaped like a bag. Therefore, you can accommodate a large amount of ink in the box with only a small volume. According to present invention, the ink housing part 300 can be prepare with a simple setup, just prepare a Cargo container and cover it with a film. This configuration Simple can be redesigned as needed.

According to the present invention, the flexible film 302 is a two layer configuration. That is, the movie flexible 302 is prepared by gluing together an inner layer of polypropylene (thickness 30 µm), which has properties of thermofusion and an outer layer of nylon that has resistance to heat and shaking. The polypropylene (thickness 30 µm) is Non-additive type and has almost no additive added. As the inner layer is in contact with the ink, the inner layer is It would dissolve in the ink if it included additives. However the Polypropylene (thickness 30 µm) is extremely weak at mechanical shocks For this reason, the outer layer of nylon is Provides to absorb shaking. The configuration of two layers formed by the inner layer of polypropylene (thickness 30 um) and the outer layer of nylon has the property of stretch when heat is applied and is also permeable to air and other gases As described later, this is very desirable for the flexible film 302 of the present embodiment.

According to the present embodiment, the film two-layer flexible 302 described above is formed in the manner that it is described later so that it will bulge out when it joins the ink retention portion 310. The flexible film 302 It is formed by an inner layer 302a of polypropylene (thickness 30 um) and an outer layer 302b of nylon.

As shown in Figure 37 (a), the flexible film 302 is arranged to cover the open part of the tub part 320 while the flexible film 302 is in A flat condition. Then heat is applied to the peripheral edge opening 312 through flexible film 302. As a result  of this, only the inner layer 302a melts and merges with the heat to the peripheral opening edge 312. Then, as is shown in figure 37 (b), a vacuum device that is not Sample is connected to the ink feed hole 260 which is in fluid communication with the tub part 320. The device vacuum is used to aspirate air and other gases from space that is between flexible film 302 and tub portion 320 for Develop a vacuum condition in space. The pressure atmospheric that has been applied to flexible film 302 since the outside moves flexible film 302 to put it in close contact with the tub part 320. At the same time as applies vacuum, heat is applied throughout the flexible film 302 by an external heat source (not shown) that is located above flexible film 302. The result of this is that flexible film 302 deforms plastically until acquire a form that adapts to the part of tub 320. The result of this is that flexible film 302 is formed to stick precisely to tub part 320. As a result, flexible film 302 acquires a form that is modeled on the base surface of tub portion 320. When the ink gets introduces between tub part 320 and flexible film 302, the flexible film 302 expands in the direction that separates it from tub part 320 whereby double volume can be accommodated of ink than the volume of the tub part 320. As it goes wasting ink, flexible film 302 approaches the part of tub 320. When the ink has completely run out, the film flexible 302 sticks to tub part 320. Accordingly, it You can use all the ink.

Although the nylon of outer layer 302b is located near the external heat source (not shown) on Nylon does not melt because it has heat resistance. For another side, the polypropylene layer of the inner layer 302a deforms only plastically without melting since it is located far from the external heat source. Consequently, flexible film 302 it does not melt due to the external heat source which would mean possible problem if flexible film 302 consisted of a single layer of polypropylene.

If you try to press the flexible film 302 with a pressure roller, there would be a risk that wrinkles will form on flexible film 302 and there may be leaks of ink and air. However, these problems do not occur when The method described is used.

In addition, the present embodiment uses a method in which the same part of curved surface 324 is used as mold and flexible film 302 is stretched to transfer the shape from the curved surface part 324 to the flexible film 302. In consequently, the curved surface part 324 can be given Any optional form and flexible film 302 can be formed easily to adapt it to the optional form. Therefore, you can make shape changes to the tub part 320. It can be avoided that flexible film 302 sticks to the surface part curve 324 during the heating process described forming a plurality of inkjet notches 330 described then or by granulating the curved surface part 324.

In addition, fewer processes are needed than if press a plurality of flexible films 302 to give them a bulging shape and then join the peripheral opening edge 312. Therefore, the risk of foreign objects entering is reduced in the ink housing part 300. In addition, the use of simple equipment since a metal mold is not needed separate for a pressing operation.

It should be appreciated that the inner layer 302a and the outer layer 302b can be made with two types of polypropylene that have different characteristics making the outer layer 302b with additive type polypropylene, which is difficult to melt, instead with nylon, and inner layer 302a with non-type polypropylene additive.

As shown in Figure 38, you can provide a mold 400 in the tub portion 320. The mold 400 is separated and has a concave shape that is symmetrical to the shape of the part of tub 320. In this case, after the movie flexible 302 is fused by heat to the peripheral opening edge  312 in a flat condition, the pressurized air is pushed between the flexible film 302 and tub portion 320 through the hole ink supply 260 while the mold 400 is heated. The result of this is that flexible film 302 expands and the recessed shape of the mold 400 is transferred to the film flexible 302. It should be appreciated that the pressure that can be reduced there is in the space between flexible film 302 and mold 400 in instead of increasing the pressure within the internal space between the flexible film 302 and tub part 320 driving air to this space.

Next, the method of injecting ink into the ink housing part 300 (between tub portion 320 and the flexible film 302 having a bulged shape) is explained with reference to figures 39 (a) and 39 (b).

As shown in Figure 39 (a), a 264 countercurrent prevention valve and rubber stopper 262 ink feed (silicone rubber sleeve) are located inside the ink feed hole 260. A plug 272 inkjet rubber (silicone rubber sleeve) It is located inside the inkjet hole 270. The plug inkjet rubber 272 is connected to the cap of ink feed rubber 262 by a joining part 266. An inkjet needle insertion hole 274 and a cap peak 276 are formed in the rubber injection cap of ink 272 in positions misaligned with each other. Although rubber plugs 262, 272 are pierced with needles so that described later, the rubber plugs 262, 272 have the quality  of closing the perforated part by its own elasticity after the needles are removed.

First, as shown in the figure 39 (a), the ink feed rubber stopper 262 and the 272 inkjet rubber stopper are attached to the 260 ink feed hole and in the injection hole of ink 270. The inkjet rubber stopper 272 is partially adjusted in the inkjet hole 270 in the condition in which the peak of the plug 276 is separated from the track of ink feed connection 278. While the wall of the front surface 234 of the main box 230 is in a posture in which it is oriented vertically upwards, a 502 hollow air removal needle punches the rubber stopper of  262 ink feed and a 504 inkjet needle perforate the 272 inkjet rubber stopper until the needles 502, 504 are exposed in the internal hollow parts of the corresponding rubber caps. The hollow needle of air removal 502 is in fluid communication with a air removal vacuum pump not shown and the needle 504 inkjet is in fluid communication with a ink pump The air is extracted from inside the part of ink housing 300 through the feed hole of 260 ink to establish a vacuum within the part of ink housing 300. Next, the ink pump is activated to inject ink into the inkjet hole 270. Due to which the inkjet needle insertion hole 274 is so narrow, it is impossible to extract all the air that remains in the inkjet needle insertion hole 274 although the Vacuum set is very high. Also, when air is mixed in the ink housing part 300 there is a danger that the air make a bag and produce a false amount detection residual or clog the ink supply to the head. For this reason, the inkjet rubber stopper 272 is tightened completely in the inkjet hole 270 after The inkjet has been completed. As shown in the Figure 39 (b), this results in the peak of plug 276 completely block the ink feed connection path 278. Consequently, the small amount of air that is prevented from fits inside the inkjet needle insertion hole 274 enter the ink housing part 300.

As shown in Figure 15, the notch of 330 inkjet is in fluid communication with the hole Inkjet 270 (the power connection path of ink 278) and is formed to fit the surface part curve 324 so that the ink circulates around the part of tub 320. When ink is injected, the ink is guided by the notch inkjet 330 and enters the tub part 320. By Therefore, air removal is improved. A removal notch air / ink feed 332 is in fluid communication with ink feed hole 260 (the connection path of ink feed 268), is formed to fit so suitable to the curved surface part 324 and also is in fluid communication with the inkjet notch 330. By Therefore, the air is more easily removed during the removal of air. That is, although flexible film 302 sticks very well to the curved surface part 324 during air removal, the air can be removed from the entire ink housing part 300 since an air removal space is opened through the air removal / ink feed notch 332. Must be keep in mind that any concave shaped surface can improve the ability to remove air from the housing part of ink 300. For example, instead of or in addition to the notch of air removal / ink feed 332, tub part 320 it can be formed with a granulated surface, where they form concavities between surface grains. Concavities are in fluid communication with the inkjet notch 330 and for this reason they improve the elimination of air. In addition, the surrounding edge 322 or highlights can extend around the lowest position of the curved surface part 324, is that is, the hemispherical pivot 365, whereby the inkjet can be positively controlled when ink is supplied to The ink jet head. For example, ink can be drawn easily in the lowest position even if only a little and the strength with which flexible film 302 and the part of curved surface 324 sticking together can be reduced with what which can prevent an increase in back pressure.

After ink is introduced into the part of ink housing 300, lid 210 is mounted on the box main 230 and ink cartridge 200 is closed. After this, the ink cartridge 200 is packaged in a vacuum package. Is that is, as shown in figure 36, the entire cartridge of 200 ink with a 500 sheet of resin film material and then the vacuum is performed. As the inkjet head 70 eject ink using pressure waves, any bubble in the ink it absorbs pressure with which the ink cannot eject correctly. The bubbles form and grow with the time from the air that is dissolved in the ink. So, the ink cartridge 200 is vacuum packed to limit the amount of air dissolved in the ink that fills the cartridge 200 ink

The ink injected into the housing part of 300 ink still has air that has been partially removed. Is that is, the amount of air in the ink ranges from 30% to 35% of The amount of saturation. The ink housing part 300 is filled with this ink and the entire 200 ink cartridge is surrounded with The film material. When a condition is established after of vacuum inside the film material, the air that is in the ink passes through flexible film 302 that has been formed of polypropylene and nylon, and the wall of the main box, which prepared from a resin made with polypropylene, and drag inside the package under vacuum. It eliminates more ink air that is in the ink cartridge. After after several days, the air in the ink in the ink cartridge can decrease up to about 20% of a saturation condition. Consequently, it can be provided ink with a high level of air removal to users if the  ink cartridge is provided in a packaging condition at empty.

When the ink cartridge 200 is mounted in the ink cartridge assembly part S, the hollow needle of Ink introduction 82 is inserted into the rubber stopper of ink feed 262 of ink feed hole 260. The hollow ink insertion needle 82 communicates of fluid with the ink jet head 70 through the reservoir regulation 84 and the ink supply tube T. The air that is dissolved in the ink, over time it becomes bubbles and it sticks to the internal walls of the regulation tank 84 and the Ink feeding tube T. Bubbles can even increase more during temperature changes and the like. The 264 counterflow prevention valve in the hole 260 ink feed is designed to block the hole 260 ink feed even if a small external pressure Consequently, the prevention valve of countercurrent 264 closes even if the bubbles increase in the regulation tank 84 and the ink supply tube T whereby a small pressure is applied to the valve countercurrent prevention 264. On the other hand, the valve 264 countercurrent prevention moves freely with respect to the ink using the piezoelectric ink jet head 70. For this reason, although the prevention valve for countercurrent 264 can supply any amount of ink, the counterflow prevention valve 264 closes at the pressure applied by the bubbles which can prevent the bubbles enter the ink housing part 300 of the ink cartridge. Therefore, problems such as bubbles enter the ink cartridge and pass from the ink cartridge to the head and produce expulsions defective

In the present embodiment, the hole of inkjet 270 and ink feed hole 260 se provided separately which can be provided so that open aligned in the left-right direction on the front surface of the ink cartridge. Only provided a hole in the front surface of the ink cartridge. Whether perform vacuum operations, inkjet operations and the ink feed through this hole would be it is necessary to drill the rubber cap that is mounted three times In the hole with needles. It would be necessary to increase the diameter of the own hole to ensure the needles pierced in three different positions. According to the present invention, each hole it can have a small diameter since the holes for the Inkjet and feed are separated. The cartridge of ink can form thin since the holes are aligned in  The left-right direction.

Therefore, the ink feed hole 260 can also be used to create a vacuum during injection ink, the position in which the hollow needle removal of 502 air punches the ink feed rubber plug 262 it must be different from the position in which the hollow needle of Ink introduction 82 punches the rubber feed cap ink 262 when the ink cartridge is mounted on the part of ink cartridge assembly S. According to the present embodiment, as shown in figure 20, the feed hole of ink 260 is formed substantially in the center of the wall of the front surface 234 in transverse and vertical direction. How the protruding part 235 is formed approximately in the center, in the transverse direction of the front surface wall 234, the height (thickness) of the ink cartridge 200 is greater in the protruding part 235 than at the transverse ends. So, ink feed hole 260 can be formed with a larger diameter and 262 ink feed rubber stopper is It can form with a larger diameter. The hollow needle removal Air 502 can be easily inserted into a plug position rubber ink feed 262 that is different from the position that punched the hollow ink insertion needle 82.

The ink cartridge 200 according to the present The invention is sealed in a vacuum container. In that moment, a pressure is applied that pushes the main box and the lid 210 together. To cope with this pressure, according to the present embodiment, the spherical outwardly curved portion 212 of the lid 210 and tub portion 320 are more or less shaped curve and a configuration that is reinforced with nerves is used.

As shown in Figure 40, according to the present embodiment, the spherical outwardly curved portion 212 of the lid 210 is formed so that the peripheral housing part of ink 216 that is on the periphery of the outwardly curved part spherical 212 is placed slightly outside the inner edge of the peripheral opening edge 312 of the side of the main box. Is that is, an inner peripheral edge part 216a of the part ink housing peripheral 216 is facing the part intermediate outer edge and inner edge of the edge peripheral opening 312. If the inner peripheral edge part 216a were located inside the inner edge of the edge peripheral opening 312, there would be a danger that the part of inner peripheral edge 216a will rest on and damage the flexible film 302 when the lid and the part of tub 320 due to the force coming from the container to empty. However, according to the present embodiment, the lid 210 is rest in the slightly outward position from the edge internal of the peripheral opening edge 312, that is, from the upper part of the peripheral opening edge 312. The film flexible 302 is firmly welded on the peripheral edge of opening 312 and integrated with the resin of the main box 230. In consequently, the peripheral ink housing part 216 of the lid 210 does not damage flexible film 302 even if it is supported directly on flexible film 302 at the peripheral edge of opening 312.

Next, the ink cartridge is described according to the first to twelfth modifications of the embodiment with reference to figures 41 to 53 (b).

Figure 41 shows an ink cartridge 200 according to a first modification of the embodiment, wherein the groove guide 236 and sensor housing slot 240 are formed open on the side walls 232. In this case, the cartridge ink 200 is guided by sliding the hollow part of the guide groove 236 'to fit the wall in guide projection 120. The Figure 42 shows the configuration of the recording device 1 modified for ink cartridge 200 of figure 41. The nerve lock release 150 is located near the wall in guide projection 120 on the side where the needle is placed hollow ink introduction 82. The part of the wall of the front surface 234 of the ink cartridge 200 corresponding to the position below the connection hole with the atmosphere 280 functions as the lock release part 238.

Figures 43 (a) and 43 (b) show a cartridge of ink 200 according to a second modification of the embodiment, in where the plurality of ribs 243 is arranged forming a turtle shell settings.

Figures 44 (a) and 44 (b) show a cartridge of ink 200 according to a third modification of the embodiment, in where the plurality of ribs 243 is arranged forming a concentric circle that has the surrounding edge.

Figures 45 (a) and 45 (b) show a cartridge of ink 200 according to a fourth modification of the embodiment, in where the plurality of ribs 243 is arranged in the form of Diamond.

Figures 46 (a) and 46 (b) show a cartridge of ink 200 according to a fifth modification of the embodiment, in where the bottom surface of the ink cartridge 200 is smooth without nerves.

Figures 47 (a) and 47 (b) show a cartridge of ink 200 according to a sixth modification of the embodiment, in where the grip portion 202 and the side walls 232 have a different form of realization.

Figures 48 (a) and 48 (b) show a cartridge of ink 200 according to a seventh modification of the embodiment, in where the grip portion 202 and the side walls 232 have a different form of realization.

Figures 49 (a) and 49 (b) show a cartridge of ink 200 according to an eighth modification of the embodiment, in where the grip portion 202 and the side walls 232 have a different form of realization.

Figures 50 (a) and 50 (b) show a cartridge of ink 200 according to a ninth modification of the embodiment, in where the grip portion 202 and the side walls 232 have a different form of realization.

Figures 51 (a) and 51 (b) show a cartridge of ink 200 according to a tenth modification of the embodiment, in where the grip portion 202 and the side walls 232 have a different form of realization.

Figures 52 (a) and 52 (b) show a cartridge of ink 200 according to an eleventh modification of the embodiment, in where part 212 is shaped like a turtle shell instead of a Curved outward spherical shape.

Figures 53 (a) and 53 (b) show a cartridge of ink 200 according to a twelfth modification of the embodiment, in where part 212 has a square shape instead of a curved shape spherical out.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to a specific embodiment thereof, those versed in the subject must take into account that they can be done several changes and modifications without departing from the object of the invention defined in the appended claims.

For example, the board settings needle guard 130, lock element 180 and element Leakage lock 190 is not limited to those shown in the figure 11.

Claims (14)

1. Ink cartridge (200) comprising: an ink housing part (300) that includes an indented surface part (320) and a film flexible (302), the indented surface part (320) having a open side on one side of it, covering the flexible film (302) the open side of the indented surface part (320) and the ink being lodged between the indented surface part (320) and the flexible film (302); a rigid upper surface opposite the part indented surface (320) with respect to the flexible film (302), characterized in that the upper surface has a substantially hemispherical shape that bulges in the opposite direction to the indented surface portion (320). 2. Ink cartridge according to claim 1, which also includes: a main box (230) that includes the part of indented surface (320) of the ink housing part (300) and that it is joined with the flexible film (302) whereby covers the open side of the indented surface part (320); Y a cover (210) provided as a separate element of the main box (230) and that includes the upper surface, the upper surface having a curved part (212) in a position facing the indented surface part (320) with the flexible film (302) located in between, curving the part curve (212) with a substantially hemispherical shape in the direction opposite to the indented surface part (320). 3. Ink cartridge according to claim 2, where: the indented surface part (320) of the box main (230) is formed from a wall (324) that curves with a substantially hemispherical shape in the opposite direction to the curved part (212) of the cover (210). 4. Ink cartridge according to claim 3, where: the main box (230) has a wall peripheral (233) extending from an upper edge thereof in the depth direction of the ink housing part (300) to a lower edge thereof to surround the part of ink housing (300), substantially defining the edge bottom of the peripheral wall (233) an outer peripheral edge of a lower surface of the main box (230); Y the cover (210) has an outer peripheral part (214) that is facing the peripheral wall (233) and that it is coupled with the upper edge of the peripheral wall (233). 5. Ink cartridge (200) according to claim 4, wherein: the main box has a peripheral edge opening side of the main box surrounding the open side of the ink housing part, having the peripheral edge opening of the main box an inner edge (322) that defines a boundary between the open side and the indented surface part (320) of the ink housing part (300), the film being  flexible attached to the peripheral opening edge of the main case to cover the open side of the housing part of ink, the cover (210) has a peripheral part of lid opening (214) surrounding the curved part (212), being formed the peripheral part of lid opening in a position that is in front of an area outside the inner edge (322) of the peripheral edge (312) of opening of the main box. 6. Ink cartridge (200) according to claim 4, wherein the main box (230) has a plurality of nerves (243) connecting the peripheral wall (233) of the main box (230) with the bottom surface of the wall (324). 7. Ink cartridge according to claim 4, where: the ink housing part (300) includes a surrounding edge (312) that defines the open side of the part of indented surface (320), the flexible film (302) being attached to the surrounding edge (312); Y the peripheral wall (233) of the main box (230) includes: a first peripheral wall (231) that is extends in the direction of depth of the housing part of ink (300) and which is formed entirely with the edge surrounding (312) that defines the open side of the part of indented surface (320); a second peripheral wall (232) located in a side of the first peripheral wall (231) opposite the part of ink housing (300) with a space interposed between the first and second peripheral walls; a plurality of nerves (292) that connect between them the first and second peripheral walls. 8. Ink cartridge according to claim 4, where the main box (230) is formed with: an ink feed hole (260) for withdraw ink from the ink housing part (300) towards the outside of the ink cartridge (200); Y a connection path with the atmosphere (280) that connect a space that is between the lid (210) and the film flexible (302) with the outside of the ink cartridge (200) for apply atmospheric pressure between the outside of the part of ink housing (300) and flexible film (302). 9. Ink cartridge (200) according to claim 4, wherein the main box (230) includes a part of wall that defines an ink feed hole (260) and a connection hole with the atmosphere (280), serving the hole of ink feed (260) to remove ink from the part of indented surface (320) of the ink housing part (200), connecting the connection hole with the atmosphere (280) a space between the lid (210) and the flexible film (302) with the outside of the ink cartridge (280) to apply pressure atmospheric from outside the ink housing part (300) to the flexible film (302); Y the cover (210) is formed, at least in one position facing the peripheral side opening edge of box (312), with a notch (218) to put the space that is defined between the curved part (212) of the cover (210) and the film flexible (302) in fluid communication with the connection hole with the atmosphere (280). 10. Ink cartridge (200) according to claim 4, wherein a flexible film (302) is formed by: an inner layer (302a) that has the property of melt with heat and that is in contact with the upper edge (312) of the peripheral wall (233) of the main box (230); Y an outer layer (302b) that is resistant to heat and shocks and that is facing the curved part (212) of the lid. 11. Ink cartridge (200) according to claim 10, wherein the outer layer (302b) is formed with an additive-type polypropylene resistant to heat and shocks and an inner layer (302a) formed with a polypropylene of non additive type. 12. Ink cartridge (200) according to claim 1, further comprising: a main box (230) that includes a part of ink housing and which is formed from a resin; Y a cover (210) that includes a surface superior and that is formed from a resin that is different from the resin of the main box (230). 13. Ink cartridge (200) according to claim 12, wherein the least the main box (230) is form from a resin that has a high resistance to ink. 14. Ink cartridge (200) according to claim 1, wherein the flexible film (302) is permeable algae.