ES2338722T5 - Ink cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

An ink cartridge includes a case including a front face and a rear face opposite the front face, an ink supply portion positioned at the front face of the case, an air intake portion positioned at the case, and a movable member configured to move between a first position and a second position relative to the case. The ink cartridge also includes a resilient member having a first end which is coupled to the front face of the case and a second end which is coupled to the movable member. Moreover, the resilient member is configured to expand and to contract to move the movable member relative to the case between the first position and the second position.

Description

Background of the invention

5 Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to ink cartridges. In particular, the present invention relates to ink cartridges that are configured to dispense ink when used in combination with a printer. 2. Description of the related technique

A known recording apparatus, such as an inkjet recording apparatus, includes an inkjet recording head and a mounting portion on which a known ink cartridge is mounted. When the known ink cartridge is mounted in the mounting portion, the known recording apparatus is configured to dispense ink from a plurality of nozzles to register an image on a sheet of paper.

15 The known ink cartridge is detachably mounted in the known recording apparatus. The known ink cartridge includes an ink chamber for storing ink, a wall, and an ink supply portion placed on the wall. In operation, the ink supply portion supplies ink from inside the ink chamber to the known recording apparatus. This known ink cartridge also includes an air intake portion that is placed on the wall and is configured to aspirate air from the atmosphere into the ink chamber.

The known ink cartridge also includes a cover that encloses the wall in which the ink supply portion and the air intake portion are placed, and protects the ink supply portion and the air intake portion. Such a known ink cartridge is described in US 2006/0203051 A1, for example. Before riding

25 the ink cartridge in the recording device, the cover must first be removed. In addition, when the ink cartridge is removed from the recording apparatus with ink remaining in it, and the user attempts to use the ink cartridge again in the future, the user will generally re-cover the ink cartridge using the cover. However, if the user is not able to place the cover, for example, if the user misplaces the cover or discards the cover after mounting the ink cartridge in the recording apparatus, the user will not be able to cover again The ink cartridge Accordingly, the ink cartridge may be damaged if the ink supply portion or the air intake portion contacts a surface when the ink cartridge accidentally falls to the surface, or the ink cartridge may drip ink onto a surface. or the user

Another known ink cartridge is configured to be mounted in a housing of a device

35 known record, and the housing chamber includes a door that is configured to open and close. After mounting this known ink cartridge in the housing chamber and closing the door, the door is configured to retain the ink cartridge to remove the ink cartridge from the housing chamber when the user opens the door, which increases the ease with which the ink cartridge can be removed from the housing chamber. Such a known ink cartridge is described in US 2007/0070140 A1, for example. However, the user relies on the registration apparatus to remove the ink cartridge from the registration apparatus. US 2005018549 A1 describes an ink cartridge with a supply portion and an air intake portion, both placed on the front face of the cartridge case.

Summary of the Invention

Therefore, ink cartridges that overcome these and other drawbacks of the related art are needed. A technical advantage of the present invention is that the ink cartridge may include a mobile element that is movably mounted in an ink cartridge case and is configured to protect the ink supply portion or the air intake portion, or both, provided that the ink cartridge is not mounted in the recording apparatus. Consequently, the ink supply portion or the air intake portion, or both, cannot be damaged if the ink cartridge comes into contact with a surface. Another technical advantage of the present invention is that the movable element can allow the ink cartridge to be easily removed from the recording apparatus.

According to the present invention, an ink cartridge is defined in claim 1.

With this ink cartridge configuration, the ink supply portion cannot be damaged if the ink cartridge comes into contact with a surface. In addition, the ink cartridge can be easily removed from a recording device.

The air intake portion can also be placed on the front face of the box. With this configuration, the air intake portion cannot be damaged if the ink cartridge comes into contact with a surface.

The ink cartridge may further include a translucent portion placed on the front face of the box, and a

65 signal blocking element placed inside the translucent portion to detect an amount of ink in the ink chamber. With this configuration, the translucent portion cannot also be damaged if the ink cartridge

comes into contact with a surface.

Other objects, features, and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art by the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of Drawings

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the needs met by it, and its objects, features and advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 2 (a) and 2 (b) are perspective views of an ink cartridge in which a movable element is in a second position and a first position, respectively, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 2 (c) and 2 (d) are perspective views of an ink cartridge in which a movable element is in a second position and a first position, respectively, according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figures 3 (a) and 3 (b) are side views of the ink cartridge of Figures 2 (a) and 2 (b), respectively. Figures 3 (c) and 3 (d) are side views of the ink cartridge of Figures 2 (c) and 2 (d), respectively. Figures 4 (a) and 4 (b) are a front perspective view and a rear perspective view of a main body of the ink cartridge of Figures 2 (a) and 2 (b). Figure 5 is a side view of the main body of Figures 4 (a) and 4 (b). Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of Figure 4 (a).

Figure 7 is a partial enlarged front cross-sectional view of the body of Figures 4 (a) and 4 (b). Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in Figure 2 (a). Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX in Figure 2 (b). Figures 10 (a) and 10 (b) are enlarged cross-sectional views of an upper portion and a lower portion, respectively, of the main body of Figures 4 (a) and 4 (b). Figures 11 (a) and 11 (b) are perspective and side views, respectively, of a movable element, according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a cartridge mounting portion of a recording apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge mounted on the mounting portion of

35 cartridge of Figure 12. Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge mounted on the cartridge mounting portion of Figure 12, in which a locking lever of the recording apparatus is in an open position . Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge mounted on the cartridge mounting portion of Figure 12, in which the locking lever of the recording apparatus is in a closed position. Figure 16 is a block diagram of a main controller of the recording apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 17 (a) and 17 (b) are exemplary timing diagrams of a sensor signal output of a first optical sensor and a second optical sensor, respectively, of the recording apparatus when a first ink cartridge is mounted in the portion cartridge assembly.

45 Figures 17 (c) and 17 (d) are exemplary timing diagrams of a sensor signal output from the first optical sensor and the second optical sensor, respectively, of the recording apparatus when a second ink cartridge is mounted in the portion cartridge assembly. Figure 18 is a flow chart of a procedure performed by the main controller of the recording apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 19 is a perspective view of a packaging arrangement including the ink cartridge of Figures 2 (a) and 2 (b) enclosed in a packaging element, according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge mounted in the cartridge mounting portion, according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge being ejected from the mounting portion of

55 cartridge of figure 20.

Detailed description of achievements

The embodiments of the present invention and their characteristics and technical advantages can be understood with reference to Figures 1-21, using analogous numbers for corresponding analogous portions in the various drawings.

Referring to Figure 1, a recording apparatus 250 according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The recording apparatus 250 includes a paper feeding apparatus 252, a transfer apparatus 253, a registration unit 254, and a cartridge mounting portion 276. A paper feeding tray 257 is arranged at the bottom of the recording apparatus 250, and the sheets of paper placed in the tray

paper feed 257 are fed, one by one, to a path 259 through the paper feed apparatus

252

The transfer apparatus 253 is arranged in the path 259, and includes a first pair of rollers of

5 transfer 261 and a second pair of transfer rollers 262. The pair of transfer rollers 261 is placed on the upward side of the registration unit 254 in a paper transfer direction, and the pair of transfer rollers 262 It is placed on the side facing down in the direction of paper transfer.

A sheet of paper fed to the path 259 is transferred to a roller 264 by the pair of transfer rollers 261, and the registration unit 254 is positioned above the roller 264. The registration unit 254 registers an image on the sheet of paper that it passes over the roller 264, and the paper sheet is subsequently unloaded to a paper unloading tray 258 placed at the end located down the path 259 by the pair of transfer rollers 262.

15 The registration unit 254 includes a carriage 266 and a registration head 272 mounted on the carriage 266. The registration head 272 includes a secondary reservoir 268 and a head control plate 270, and has a plurality of nozzles 274 formed in he. The carriage 266 is slidably supported by a support rail, and is configured to slide in the vertical direction to the plane of the paper of Figure 1. The secondary reservoir 268 is configured to store ink to be supplied to the nozzles 274. When signals are supplied image to the head control board 270, ink is discharged from the nozzles 274 to the paper sheet based on the image signals. The recording apparatus 250 includes a main controller 200 (shown in Figure 16) for controlling the recording apparatus 250, and the image signals are sent from the main controller 200 and supplied to the head control board 270.

An ink cartridge 10 is configured to be mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 276. The cartridge mounting portion 276 includes a plurality of boxes 280, each of which is configured to receive a corresponding ink cartridge 10. By For example, the cartridge mounting portion 276 includes four boxes 280, and each box 280 corresponds to an ink cartridge containing a different colored ink. The ink cartridge 10 is configured to be mounted and removed from the cartridge mounting portion 276. The ink cartridge 10 includes a main body 20, and the main body 20 includes an ink chamber 100 configured to store ink, and is supplied ink from the ink chamber 100 to the recording head 272 by means of an ink tube 278.

In one embodiment of the present invention, two different ink cartridges may have different ink capacities or may store different initial amounts of ink, and may store the ink of the same color,

35 for example, black ink. For example, a first ink cartridge 10 and a second ink cartridge 10 'have different ink capacities or store different initial amounts of ink, they can store the ink of the same color. In addition, the recording apparatus 250 is configured so that the ink cartridges 10 and 10 'are mounted to the same box 280 of the cartridge mounting portion 276. The recording apparatus 250 is configured to determine what type of ink cartridge Ink is mounted in box 280.

With reference to Figures 2 (a), 2 (b), 3 (a), 3 (b), and 4-10 (b), the ink cartridge 10 has a substantially flat hexahedron shape. A width of the ink cartridge, as indicated by an arrow 31, is relatively short, and each of the height of the ink cartridge 10, as indicated by an arrow 32, and the depth of the ink cartridge 10, as indicated by an arrow 33, is greater than the width of the ink cartridge 10.

The ink cartridge 10 includes a box, for example, a main body 20, a movable element 21, a cover element 22, and at least one helical spring, for example, a pair of helical springs 23 and 24. The body Main 20 includes an ink chamber 100 for storing ink. The mobile element 21 and the cover element 22 enclose the main body 20. Each of the main body 20, the mobile element 21, and the cover element 22 is formed of a resin material, for example nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene , or analogues, and their combinations.

The ink cartridge 10 is inserted into the recording apparatus in a direction indicated by an arrow 30 in a vertical state. A front portion 20a of the main body is enclosed by the movable element 21, and a

55 rear portion 20b of the main body 20 is enclosed by the cover element 22. Accordingly, in this embodiment of the present invention, the front portion 20a is protected by the movable element 21, and the rear portion 20b is protected by the cover 22.

The mobile element 21 is configured to slide in the direction of depth, as indicated by arrow 33, with respect to the main body 20. The mobile element 21 is configured to move with respect to the main body

20. Specifically, the mobile element 21 is configured to move between a first position, as shown in Figures 2 (b) and 9, in which the mobile element 21 is in its position furthest from a front face 41 of the body main, and a second position, as shown in Figures 2 (a) and 8, in which the mobile element 21 is in its position closest to the front face 41. When the mobile element 21 is in the

First, at least a portion of the movable element 21 is positioned farther from the front face 41 than the ink supply portion 90 of the front face 41. In one embodiment, when applied to the movable element 21

a predetermined amount of force greater than the thrust force of the coil springs 23 and 24, and therefore the mobile element 21 moves from the first position to the second position, a rod 84 of an air intake portion 80 contacts the mobile element 21 and is pushed by the mobile element 21, and an ink supply portion 90 emerges from the interior of the mobile element 21 leaving the mobile element 21. When the predetermined amount 5 of force is released from the mobile element 21, and therefore the mobile element 21 subsequently moves from the second position to the first position, the rod 84 is separated from the mobile element 21, and the ink supply portion 90 returns to the interior of the mobile element 21. The entire mobile element 21 is configured to move substantially simultaneously in a first direction relative to the main body 20 when the helical springs 23 and 24 expand, and the entire element Mobile 21 is configured to travel substantially simultaneously in a second direction opposite the first direction when the coil springs 23 and 24 contract. Each of the first direction and the second direction is substantially parallel to each of the expansion direction and the contraction direction of the coil springs 23 and 24. In another embodiment, explained in detail below and represented in Figures 2 ( c), 2 (d), 3 (c), and 3 (d), a hole 180 'can be formed through a front wall 161 of the adjacent moving element 21 and

15 in alignment with the air intake portion 80, so that a printer component can apply the force to the rod 84 instead of the mobile element 21 applying the force to the rod 84.

The main body 20 has a substantially flat hexahedron shape. When the ink cartridge 10 is mounted in the mounting portion of the recording apparatus, the main body 20 is in a vertical state. The main body 20 includes the front face 41, a rear face 42, an upper face 43, and a lower face 44. The main body 20 also includes a pair of side faces 45 and 46 facing each other, and each of the side faces 45 and 46 is connected to the front face 41, the rear face 42, the upper face 43, and the lower face

44. Each of the side faces 45 and 46 has a surface area that is larger than each of a surface area of the front face 41, the rear face 42, the upper face 43, and the lower face 44.

The main body 20 includes a frame 50, an arm 70, the air intake portion 80, and the ink supply portion 90. In addition, the side face 45 or the side face 46, or both, include a film, for example, a translucent film. Specifically, the film is welded to the frame 50, so that the frame 50 is sealed by the film to define an ink chamber 100. The frame 50 is made of a translucent resin material, that is, a transparent resin material or semi-transparent, for example, polyacetal, nylon, polyethylene, or polypropylene, and their combinations, so that light can pass through it, and the frame 50 is formed by injection molding. The frame 50 is rigid enough so that the shape of the frame 50 is not altered in the directions of expansion and contraction of the helical springs 23 and 24 when the helical springs 23 and 24 expand and contract.

35 The frame 50 includes an outer peripheral wall 51 and a plurality of inner walls 52. The inner walls 52 are placed inside the outer peripheral wall 51. The outer peripheral wall 51 and the inner walls 52 are integral and define the frame 50. The outer peripheral wall 51 and the inner walls 52 extend from the left side face 45 to the right side face 46 of the main body 20. The outer peripheral wall 51 has an annular shape that extends along the front face 41, the upper face 43, the rear face 42, and the lower face 44, and forms a space inside. Accordingly, a hole 57a has been formed in the left side face 45 of the frame 50, and a hole 57b has been formed in the right side face 46.

The films are welded to the side faces 45 and 46 of the frame 50, respectively, by welding

45 ultrasonic, and the hole 57a and the hole 57b are covered by the respective films so that a space surrounded by the outer peripheral wall 51 and the films forms the ink chamber 100. Alternatively, the films can be omitted, and the frame 50 may have a parallelepiped deposit form such that the frame 50 defines the ink chamber 100 therein.

The inner walls 52 are placed within a space surrounded by the outer peripheral wall 51, and the films are welded to the outer edge portions of the inner walls 52 on the sides of the side faces 45 and 46. Accordingly, it is prevented that The movie is buckling. Furthermore, when the movable element 21 and the cover element 22 are deformed towards the main body 20, the deformation of the movable element 21 and the cover element 22 is restricted by the inner walls 52. Consequently, the damage of the body is avoided.

55 main 20 and movies.

An ink insertion hole 150 has been formed on the rear face 42 of the frame 50. The ink introduction hole 150 has a substantially cylindrical hole formed therein, which extends from the rear face 42 towards the ink chamber 100, and the ink insertion port 150 is in fluid communication with the inside of the ink chamber 100. The ink introduction hole 150 is configured to introduce ink into the interior of the ink chamber 100 therethrough when it is manufactured the ink cartridge 10. After the ink chamber 100 is filled with ink, the ink insertion hole 150 is closed by placing a plug in the ink introduction hole

150

65 A translucent portion 140 has been placed on the front face 41 of the frame 50 and extends from the ink chamber 100. The amount of ink stored in the ink chamber is detected optically or visually through the translucent portion 140. The translucent portion 140 is integral with the frame 50, and is made of the same material as the frame 50, for example, the translucent portion 140 is made of a translucent resin material so that light can pass through it.

5 The translucent portion 140 protrudes outward from a central portion of the front face 41 of the main body 20 in an opposite direction of the ink chamber 100. The translucent portion 140 is divided by five rectangular walls and has a substantially hollow box shape. . For example, the translucent portion 140 is divided by a front wall 140a, a pair of side walls 140b, the upper wall 140c, and the lower wall 140d. The front wall 140a extends parallel to the front face 41 and is separated from the front face 41 a predetermined distance. The pair of side walls 140b is connected to the front face 41 and the front wall 140a, the upper wall 140c is connected to upper ends of the front wall 140a and the side walls 140b, and the lower wall 140d is connected to lower ends of the front wall 140a and the side walls 140b. In addition, the width of the front wall 140a is smaller than the width of the front face 41.

15 The translucent portion 140 is configured to be sandwiched between a photo transmitter element (not shown) and a photoreceptor element (not shown) of an optical sensor (not shown), for example the photo switch, mounted on the recording apparatus. The light emitted by the photo transmitter element passes through the side walls 140b and is received by the photoreceptor element.

In the translucent portion 140 an interior space 142 has been formed, which is defined by the front wall 140a, the side walls 140b, the upper wall 140c and the lower wall 140d. No wall has been placed between the interior space 142 and the ink chamber 100, and the interior space 142 is configured to be in fluid communication with the interior of the ink chamber 100. A signal blocking portion 72 of arm 70

25 is configured to selectively insert and remove from the interior space 142 based on the amount of ink inside the ink chamber 100.

The arm 70 is used to detect the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 100. The arm 70 includes the signal blocking portion 72 at its end, and a floating portion 73 at its other end. The arm 70 is pivotally supported on a rib 74 that extends vertically from the center to the width of the outer peripheral wall 51. The specific gravity of the floating portion 73 is less than the specific gravity of ink stored in the ink chamber 100 In the floating portion 73 a gap has been formed, and it floats in liquid such that the floating portion 73 rises and falls based on the amount of ink inside the ink chamber 100, and the arm 70 pivots based on the movement of the floating portion 73. The rib 74 is placed in the outer peripheral wall 51 next to a

35 corner of the front face 41 and the bottom face 44. With reference to Figure 6, the rib 74 includes a support portion 77 configured to pivotally support the arm 70.

With reference to Figures 4 (a) -6, the arm 70 is positioned such that the signal blocking portion 72 is placed in the interior space 142 when a sufficient amount of ink is stored in the ink chamber 100. For example, the signal blocking portion 72 contacts the lower wall 140d of the translucent portion 140 to maintain the signal blocking portion 72 within the interior space 142 of the translucent portion. In addition, when the amount of ink in the ink chamber 100 is less than a predetermined amount of ink, the floating portion 73 moves down, and the signal blocking portion 72 leaves the interior space 142. Accordingly, it is detected if there is enough ink left in the ink chamber 100 monitoring if the

The signal blocking portion 72 is placed within the interior space 142. For example, an optical sensor, such as a photointerrupter, is used to monitor whether the signal blocking portion 72 is placed within the interior space.

Referring to Figure 7, the air intake portion 80 includes a cylindrical valve storage chamber 55 formed on the front face 41 above the translucent portion 140. The valve storage chamber 55 opens to the outside of the main body 20 at its end 82. The valve storage chamber 55 extends in the direction of the depth of the main body 20, and is in fluid communication with the interior of the ink chamber 100 at its other end.

55 The air intake portion 80 also includes a valve mechanism for selectively opening and closing a path that extends from the end 82 of the valve storage chamber 55 into the ink chamber 100. For example, the portion Air intake 80 includes a valve element 87, a spring 86, a sealing element 83, and a plug 85. The valve element 87 is configured to slide in the direction of the depth of the main body 20 in the chamber of valve storage 55. The valve element 87 includes a cover 88 and the rod 84. The plug 85 is attached to the outer edge of the end 82 of the valve storage chamber 55, by inserting the sealing element 83 in between. Through holes 83 are formed through the plug 85 and the sealing element 83. When the plug 85 and the sealing element 83 are attached to the outer edge of the end 82, the through holes form an air communication hole 81, and the inside and outside of the valve storage chamber 55 are in fluid communication through the

65 air communication hole 81. The rod 84 is inserted into the air communication hole 81, and the diameter of the rod 84 is smaller than the diameter of the air communication hole 81, so that an interval is formed for allow air flow between rod 84 and the inner walls of the air communication hole

81. The rod 84 protrudes outward from the center of the lid 88 through the air communication hole 81.

When the valve element 87 slides in the valve storage chamber 55, the cover 88 slides between

5 a position in which the cover 88 contacts the sealing element 83 and a position in which the cover 88 is separated from the sealing element 83. When the cover 88 contacts the sealing element 83, the air communication hole 81 it is closed, and when the cover 88 is separated from the sealing element 83, the air communication hole 81 opens.

In the valve storage chamber 55, the spring 86 pushes or deflects the valve element 87 in the direction of travel closure that extends from the inside of the valve storage chamber 55 to the outside of the valve storage chamber 55, thereby causing the cover element 88 to contact the sealing element 83. When the rod 84 is pushed into the valve storage chamber 55, the cover 88 of the valve element 87 is separated from the sealing element 83 against the spring thrust 86.

15 Accordingly, the path that extends from the inside of the valve storage chamber 55 to the outside of the valve storage chamber 55 opens, and communication is established between the inside of the ink chamber 100 and the outside of the body main 20 by the air intake portion 80. Air entering and exiting the ink chamber 100 by the air intake portion 80, the pressure inside the ink chamber 100 is equal to the ambient pressure.

Referring to Figure 7, the ink supply portion 90 includes a cylindrical valve storage chamber 54 formed on the front face 41 below the translucent portion 140, and the valve storage chamber 54 opens to the outside of the body main at its end 92. The valve storage chamber 54 extends in the direction of the depth of the main body 20, and is in fluid communication with the interior of

25 the ink chamber 100 at its other end.

The ink supply portion 90 also includes a valve mechanism for selectively opening and closing an ink path extending from the end 92 of the valve storage chamber 54 into the ink chamber 100. The supply portion Ink 90 includes a valve element 97, a spring 96, a sealing element 93, and a plug 95.

The plug 95 is attached to the outer edge of the end 92 of the valve storage chamber 54, inserting the sealing element 93 in between. Through holes 95 have been formed through the plug 95 and the sealing element 93. When the plug 95 and the sealing element 93 are attached to the outer edge of the end 92 of the

35 valve storage chamber 54, the through holes form an ink supply port 91, and the ink supply hole 91 communicates the inside and outside of the valve storage chamber 54. A tube is inserted into the hole ink supply 91 when the ink cartridge 10 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 276.

In the valve storage chamber 54, the spring 96 pushes or deflects the valve element 97 in the direction to close the ink path, such that the valve element 97 contacts the sealing element 93 and communication is avoided. between the inside of the ink chamber 100 and the outside of the main body 20. When the tube is inserted into the ink supply port 91, the tube pushes the valve element 97, and the valve element 97 is separated from the element sealing 93 against the pushing force of the spring 96, and the hole

45 ink supply 91 opens. Accordingly, communication is established between the inside of the ink chamber 100 and the outside of the main body 20 by the ink supply portion 90, and the ink in the ink chamber 100 is supplied through the tube to the recording apparatus 250 .

A recessed portion 59 has been formed on the upper face 43 of the frame 50, and a recessed portion 60 has been formed on the lower face 44 of the frame 50. The recessed portions 59 and 60 engage with protruding strips 210 and 211 (shown in the Figure 8), respectively, formed on the inner surface of the cover element 22 when the rear portion 20b of the main body 20 is covered by the cover element 22. The projecting strip 210 is mounted on the recessed portion 59, and the projecting strip 211 is mounted on the recessed portion 60, to make a fixed engagement between the rear portion 20b and the cover element 22.

With reference to Figure 6, a spring storage chamber 110 is formed on the front face 41 above the valve storage chamber 55, and a spring storage chamber 111 is formed on the front face 41 below the valve storage chamber 54. The spring storage chambers 110 and 111 are substantially cylindrical chambers extending from the front face 41 towards an ink chamber 100, such that at least a rear portion of the storage chambers of spring 110 and 111, respectively, define a front face portion 41. With reference to Figure 8, the coil springs 23 and 24 are positioned within the valve storage chambers 110 and 111, respectively. For example, each of the helical springs 23 and 24 is coupled to the front face 41 at one end and is coupled to the movable element 21 at the other end. Specifically, the coil springs

65 23 and 24 are coupled to the front face 41 and the mobile element 21 by direct contact between the helical springs 23 and 24 and the front face 41 and the mobile element 21, or by indirect contact between the helical springs 23 and 24 and the front face 41 and the movable element 21, that is, with at least one other element positioned between the helical springs 23 and 24 and the front face 41 and the movable element 21. The helical springs 23 and 24 are configured to elastically push the movable element 21 away from the front face 41 by applying a pushing force to the moving element 21. In addition, in order to push the element stable and uniformly

5 mobile 21, the spring storage chamber 110 and the spring storage chamber 111 are sufficiently separated from each other in the height direction of the main body 20, that is, they are placed adjacent to opposite ends of the front face 41 in The height direction. In other words, the coil spring 23 is positioned closer to the upper end of the front face 41 than to the lower end of the front face 41, and the coil spring 24 is positioned closer to the lower end of the front face 41 than to the end upper front face 41.

A support element 115 is formed at a front end of the upper face 43 of the frame 50. The support element 115 supports the mobile element 21, such that the mobile element 21 slides with respect to the main body 20, and the element support 115 limits the sliding range of the moving element 21. The

15 mobile element 21 is slidably supported at two points by the support element 115 and a support element 116 described later. The support element 115 is integral with the frame 50. The support element 115 includes a first portion 118 extending vertically upwardly from the upper face 43, a second portion 119 extending from an upper end of the first portion 118 in the direction of introduction 30 parallel to the upper face 43, and a hook portion 120 formed at a leading end of the second portion 119 and extending upward. A gap 122 must be formed between the second portion 119 and the upper face 43, which allows the second portion 119 to bend in the height direction of the main body 20.

The support element 116 has substantially the same shape as the support element 115, and is placed at a leading end of the lower face 44 of the frame 50. The support element 116 is integral with the frame 50,

25 and includes a first portion 124 extending vertically downward from the lower face 44, a second portion 125 extending from one end of the first portion 124 in the direction of introduction 30 parallel to the lower face 44, and a hook portion 126 formed at a leading end of the second portion 125 and extending downward.

With reference to Figures 2 (a) -3 (b) and Figures 8-10 (b), the movable element 21 and the cover element 22 are illustrated, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cover element 22 has a reservoir form, and is configured to accommodate the rear portion 20b of the main body 20. The cover element 22 has a flat shape corresponding to the outer shape of the rear portion 20b. The cover element 22 includes a rear wall 212 that faces the rear face 42 of the main body 20 and covers it, an upper wall 213 that looks at

35 the upper face 43 of the main body 20 and covers it, a lower wall 214 that faces the lower face 44 of the main body 20 and covers it, a left wall 215 that looks to the left side face 45 of the main body 20 and the it covers, and a right wall 216 that faces the right side face 46 of the main body 20 and covers it. The walls 212-216 define a space that is configured to accommodate the rear portion 20b. In one embodiment, a portion of the upper wall 213 of the cover element 22 and a portion of the upper face 43 of the main body 20 define a retention recess 1000 in between. In another embodiment, a retention recess may be formed on the upper face 43 of the main body 20, or it may be formed on the upper wall 213 of the cover element 22.

The protruding strips 210 and 211 are placed on the inner surface of the cover element 22 next to the

45 hole of the cover element 22. The protruding strips 210 and 211 are in positions corresponding to the recessed portions 59 and 60. The protruding strip 210 is mounted on the recessed portion 59 formed on the upper face 43 of the main body 20, and the Overhang strip 211 is mounted on the recessed portion 60 formed on the underside 44 of the main body 20. Accordingly, the main body 20 and the cover element 22 are fixedly engaged.

The mobile element 21 has a reservoir shape, and is configured to accommodate the front portion 20a of the main body 20. The mobile element 21 has a flat shape corresponding to the outer shape of the front portion 20a. The mobile element 21 includes a front wall 161 facing the front face 41 of the main body 20, an upper wall 163 covering the upper face 43 of the main body 20, a lower wall 164 which

55 covers the lower face 44 of the main body 20, a left wall 165 covering the left side face 45 of the main body 20, and a right wall 166 covering the right side face 46 of the main body 20. Walls 163-166 define a space that is configured to accommodate the front portion 20a.

The left wall 165 and the right wall 166 extend from the front wall 161 in the direction of the depth of the main body 20 and cover the left side face 45 and the right side face 46 of the main body 20. Therefore, when the mobile element 21 slides, the left wall 165 and the right wall 166 act as guiding surfaces for the left side face 45 and the right side face 46, such that the mobile element 21 slides smoothly.

In an embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of the mobile element 21 has substantially the same color as the ink color stored in the ink chamber 100, such that the mobile element 21

Easily indicate the ink color to the user.

The mobile element 21 includes a signal blocking device 185, a signal blocking device 186, a notch 187 formed therethrough, support bars 168 and 169, sliding slots 171 and 172, a pressure portion 174, and a hole 180 formed therethrough.

With reference to Figures 2 (a) -3 (b), the notch 187 has been formed in a center of the front wall 161, and the notch 187 is configured to expose the translucent portion 140 to the outside when the mobile element 21 is in the second position, so that at least a portion of the translucent portion 140 extends through the notch 187 when the movable element 21 is in the second position. For example, the notch 187 has been formed by removing rectangular portions of the front wall 161 and the side walls 165 and 166, which face the front wall 140a and the side walls 140b of the translucent portion 140. The notch 187 extends from the front wall 161 back in the direction of introduction 30. When the ink cartridge 10 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 276 (shown in Figure 12), a photo emitter element and an element

15 photoreceptor of an optical sensor 230 (shown in Figure 12) matches the notch 187. Therefore, the light emitted by the photoelectric element passes through the notch 187, and the side wall 140b of the translucent portion 140 is irradiated with the light.

The signal blocking device 185 includes a signal blocking portion 189 protruding from the front wall 161 in the insertion direction 30. The signal blocking portion 189 is bridged over the notch 187 in the vertical direction on the front wall 161. The signal blocking portion 189 has a sheet shape, and a space 190 has formed behind the signal blocking portion 189. The ends of the signal blocking portion 189 in the direction of width and notch 187 form rectangular holes in side walls 165 and 166, respectively.

25 With reference to Figure 12, the signal blocking portion 189 is configured to enter an optical path 231 of the optical sensor 230 disposed in the cartridge mounting portion 276 during the assembly of the ink cartridge 10 in the mounting portion of cartridge 276. The signal blocking portion 189 has been formed of a resin material that does not allow light to pass through it or alter the path of the light advancing therethrough. For example, the signal blocking portion 189 may be formed of a resin material including a black pigment. Alternatively, the signal blocking portion 189 may be a prism formed of a transparent resin material. The signal blocking device 186 is configured to enter an optical path 236 of an optical sensor 235 disposed in the cartridge mounting portion 276 during the mounting of the ink cartridge 10 in the cartridge mounting portion 276. The device signal block 186 has been formed of a material of

35 resin that does not let light through it or alter the path of the light that passes through it. With reference to Figures 2 (a) -3 (b), the signal blocking device 186 is placed at or next to a distal end of the upper wall 163, and the signal blocking device 186 protrudes from the front wall 161 moving away from the front wall

161. The signal blocking device 186 includes a signal blocking portion 191, for example, a ribbed portion, and a pair of slots 192 has formed on opposite sides of the signal blocking portion 191. The blocking portion of signal 191 is inserted in the optical path 236 of the optical sensor 235. The signal blocking portion 191, the signal blocking portion 189, and the ink supply portion 90 intersect a foreground, for example a plane that is parallel with arrow 32 and arrow 33 of Figures 2 (a) -2 (d), and the signal blocking portion 189 and the signal blocking portion 72 intersect a second plane that is perpendicular to the foreground, by example, a plane that is parallel with arrow 31 and arrow 33 of figures 2 (a) -2 (d), when

A sufficient amount of ink is stored in the ink chamber 100 and the signal blocking portion 72 is placed in the interior space 142. With this configuration, a procedure described below is easily carried out to determine the type of the ink cartridge. ink.

The projecting portion 181 is placed at or next to a lower end of the front wall 161, and protrudes away from the front wall 161. Distal ends of the projecting portion 181 and the signal blocking device 186 contact the interior wall surface of the cartridge mounting portion 176 when the ink cartridge 10 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 276.

The support bar 168 is configured to support the coil spring 23, and the support bar 169 is

55 configured to support the coil spring 24. The support bars 168 and 169 are placed on a surface of the front wall 161 facing the front face 41 of the main body 20. The support bar 168 is in a position corresponding to the chamber of spring storage 110, and support bar 169 is in a position corresponding to spring storage chamber 111.

With reference to Figures 10 (a) and 10 (b), the support bars 168 and 169 extend from the surface of the front wall 161 in the direction of the depth of the main body 20. When the front portion 20a of the body main 20 is inserted into the mobile element 21 in a state where the coil spring 23 is stored in the spring storage chamber 110 and the coil spring 24 is stored in the spring storage chamber 111, the support bar 168 is it is introduced into the coil spring 23 and the support rod 169 is inserted into the coil spring 24. Accordingly, the coil springs 23 and 24 are supported by the support bars 168 and 169, respectively. The direction of expansion and contraction of

Helical springs 23 and 24 are limited to the depth direction of the main body 20.

Helical springs 23 and 24 are helical compression springs, that is, helical springs 23 and 24 are compressed and stored in spring storage chambers 110 and 111 when the front portion

5 20a is introduced into the movable element 21. Therefore, the coil springs 23 and 24 push the movable element 21 in the direction away from the front face 41 of the main body 20 independent of the position of the movable element 21.

With reference to Figures 2 (a) and 2 (b), the sliding groove 171 has been formed in the upper wall 163, and a cross-sectional shape of the sliding groove 171 is substantially an inverted U-shape. Referring to Fig. 10 (a), the support member 115 is inserted in the sliding groove 171, and an protruding strip 182 extends from a lower surface of the upper wall 163 into the sliding groove 171. Therefore, the sliding groove 171 is partly narrowed by the protruding strip 182. The sliding groove 172 has been formed in the lower wall 164, and a cross-sectional shape of the

15 sliding groove 172 is substantially a U-shape. As shown in Figure 10 (b), the support member 116 is inserted into the sliding groove 172, and an overhanging strip 183 extends from an upper surface of the bottom wall 164 into the sliding groove 172. Therefore, the sliding groove 172 is partly narrowed by the projecting strip 183.

During the introduction of the front portion 20a of the main body 20 into the movable element 21, the support element 115 is inserted into the sliding groove 171, and the support element 116 is inserted into the sliding groove 172. When the element of support 115 is inserted into the sliding groove 171, the protruding strip 182 and the hook portion 120 contact each other. Then, when the support element 115 is further inserted, the support element 115 bends towards the interval 122, and the hook portion 120 rises above the

25 protruding strip 182 while a bevel 182a of the protruding strip 182 and a bevel 120a of the hook portion 120 slide one over the other. When the hook portion 120 has risen by the protruding strip 182 once, the movable element 21 and the main body 20 are not disassembled because the hook portion 120 is received by the protruding strip 182 when disassembly is attempted. The support member 116 is also inserted into the sliding groove 172 in the same manner.

When the front portion 20a is inserted into the mobile element 21, the mobile element 21 is removed from the front face 41 by the helical springs 23 and 24. Therefore, unless an external force is applied to the mobile element 21, the mobile element 21 remains in the first position (represented in figures 2 (b) and 9) corresponding to the distance of the mobile element 21 furthest from the front face 41 of the main body 20. The

35 moving element 21 remains in the first position by the contact between the projecting strip 182 and the hook portion 120 and the contact between the projecting strip 183 and the hook portion 126. On the other hand, when an external force is applied to the front face of the mobile element 21, the mobile element 21 slides from the first position to the second position (shown in Figures 2 (a) and 8) in correspondence with the distance of the mobile element 21 closest to the front face 41 of the body main 20.

With reference to Figures 8 and 9, the pressure portion 174 is placed on the surface of the front wall 161 facing the front face 41 of the main body 20. The pressure portion 174 is in a position corresponding to the rod 84 of the air intake portion 80. The pressure portion 174 is separated from a distal end of the rod 84 when the movable element 21 is in the first position, and the pressure portion 174

45 comes into contact with the distal end of the rod 84 while the mobile element 21 slides from the first position to the second position. Then, when the mobile element 21 slides further towards the second position, the rod 84 is pushed towards the ink chamber 100 to open the air communication hole 81.

The hole 180 has been formed through the front wall 161 in a position adjacent to a lower end of the front wall 161, and has been formed in a position corresponding to the ink supply portion 90. The diameter of the hole 180 is larger than the diameter of the cap 95 of the ink supply portion 90, such that the cap 95 is inserted into and through the hole 180. When the movable element 21 is in the first position, the entire supply portion of ink 90 is within the mobile element 21, so that the entire ink supply portion 90 is lowered from the hole 180. When the mobile element 21 moves from the first position to the second position, at least a portion of the ink supply portion 90 travels and then passes through the hole 180 protruding from the front wall 161. With reference to Figures 2 (a), 2 (b), 3 (a), and 3 (b), in an embodiment of the present invention n, the air intake portion 80 is covered by the front wall 161, such that the air intake portion 80 is not exposed to the outside of the ink cartridge

10. In this embodiment, relatively small air holes (not numbered, but shown in Figures 2 (a) and 2 (b)) are formed in the front wall 161 to be able to aspirate air to the air intake portion 80. However, with reference to Figures 2 (c), 2 (d), 3 (c), and 3 (d), a hole 180 'can be formed through the front wall 161 along with and aligned with the portion of intake 80. In this embodiment, when the mobile element 21 is in the first position, the entire air intake portion 80 is placed inside the mobile element 21, so that the entire air intake portion 80 is lowered from the hole 180 When the mobile element 21 moves from

65 the first position to the second position, the air intake portion remains completely within the mobile element 21, however, the air intake portion is closer to the hole 180 '. In this embodiment, air is drawn into the ink chamber 100 when a component of the printer contacts and applies a force to the rod 84 of the air intake portion 80 through the hole 180 '.

With reference to Figures 11 (a) and 11 (b), in one embodiment of the present invention, the ink cartridge 10 can

5 be replaced by the 10 'ink cartridge. Specifically, in ink cartridge 10 ', the signal blocking device 185 is replaced by a signal blocking device 195 having a different form of the signal blocking device 185. The signal blocking device 195 includes a portion of signal lock 199 protruding from the front wall 161. The signal lock portion 199 is bridged over the notch 187 in the vertical direction on the front wall 161. The signal lock portion 199 includes a front wall and a pair of Side walls 198 at both ends in the width direction. The side walls 198 extend from the front wall of the signal blocking portion 199 to the front wall 161 of the movable element 21. The side walls 198 and the notches 187 form rectangular holes in the side walls 165 and

166. The signal blocking portion 199 is configured to enter the optical path 231 of the optical sensor 230 disposed in the cartridge mounting portion 276 during the assembly of the ink cartridge 10 in the portion of

15 cartridge assembly 276. The signal blocking portion 199 has been formed of a resin material that does not let light through it or alter the path of light passing through it. The signal blocking portion 191, the signal blocking 199, and the ink supply portion 90 intersect a foreground, for example a plane that is parallel with arrow 32 and arrow 33 of Figures 2 (a) - 2 (d), and the signal blocking portion 199 and the signal blocking portion 72 intersect a background that is perpendicular to the foreground for example, a plane that is parallel with arrow 31 and arrow 33 of the figures 2 (a) -2 (d), when a sufficient amount of ink is stored in the ink chamber 100 and the signal blocking portion 72 is placed in the interior space 142. With this configuration a procedure is easily carried out described below to determine the type of the ink cartridge.

With reference to Figure 12, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the cartridge mounting portion 276 includes a plurality, for example, four, boxes 280 corresponding to different colors, for example, cyan, magenta, yellow and black, arranged in parallel in the wide direction. Each box 280 includes a box body 281 and a locking lever 283. The box body 281 includes a storage chamber 282 configured to selectively store the ink cartridge 10 and 10 ', and a hole 284 has been formed through the front side of the case body 281. The case 280 is configured to have the ink cartridge 10 and 10 'of the case body 281 mounted and removed through the hole 284.

The optical sensor 230 and the optical sensor 235 are placed on the closed end side of the storage chamber 282. The optical sensor 230 is placed on a wall surface 286 that forms the closed end.

35 of the storage chamber 282. The optical sensor 230 is configured (a) to detect the type of ink cartridge 10 and 10 'mounted in the case 280; and (b) to detect if the amount of ink in the ink cartridge 10 and 10 'is less than or equal to a predetermined amount of ink, for example, an amount of ink sufficient to produce an image on a recording medium. For example, optical sensor 230 includes a photo switch including a photo transmitter element and a photoreceptor element. The optical sensor 230 is coupled to the main controller 200, and the electrical signals output from the photoreceptor element are supplied to the main controller 200. The optical path 231 has been formed between the photoelectric element and the photoreceptor element of the optical sensor 230. The cartridge type Ink is determined in the output signal, which corresponds to the intensity of the received light, of the optical sensor 230 when the signal blocking device 185 or the signal blocking device 195 is inserted in the optical path 231.

45 The optical sensor 235 is placed on the inner side of a wall surface 287 that forms the upper part of the box body 281. The optical sensor 235 is configured to detect whether the signal blocking portion 191 of the signal blocking device 186 is present in a predetermined position, such that it is determined whether the ink cartridge 10 and 10 'is mounted. For example, optical sensor 235 includes a photo switch including a photo transmitter element and a photoreceptor element. The optical sensor 235 is coupled to the main controller 200, and the electrical signals output from the photoreceptor element are supplied to the main controller 200. When the light is blocked by the signal blocking portion 191 in the optical path 236 of the optical sensor 235, the Light intensity received by the photoreceptor element is reduced substantially instantaneously.

55 A connection portion 285 is placed in the lower portion of the wall surface 286 and is configured to connect with the ink supply port 91. The connection portion 285 protrudes from the wall surface 286 into the chamber. of storage 282. A through hole 288 has been formed through the connecting portion 285, and an ink tube 278 has been inserted into the through hole 288. The through hole 288 has been formed in a position corresponding to the supply hole. of ink 91. A tube is disposed on the inner side of the connection portion 285, and when the ink cartridge 10 is mounted in the case 280, the tube is inserted into the ink supply hole 91, such that the ink supply port 91 and the connection portion 285 are connected to each other.

A contact portion 240 is placed on the upper portion of the wall surface 286, and a portion of

65 contact 241 is placed in the lower portion of the wall surface 286. When the ink cartridge 10 is inserted in the box 280, the contact portion 240 contacts the distal end of the signal blocking device 186, and the portion of contact 241 contacts the distal end of the protruding portion 181.

The lock lever 283 is configured to selectively open and close the hole 284, and to reliably fix the ink cartridge 10 and 10 'in the storage chamber 282. The lock lever 283 is

5 supports at one end, so that it can rotate about an axis 290 at the upper edge of the hole 284. The locking lever 283 includes an operating portion 293 and a jaw 294. The operating portion 293 is placed on an outer surface 297 of the lock lever 283 next to the other end of the lock lever, and the jaw 294 is placed on the other end of the lock lever 283. A groove 299 has been formed at the bottom edge of the hole 284, and is configured to hook the jaw 294.

Referring to Figures 2 (a), 2 (b), 8, and 13-15, a process for assembling or inserting the ink cartridge 10 into the box 280 is illustrated. When the ink cartridge 10 is inserted into the storage chamber 282 of the case 280, the signal blocking portion 189 of the signal blocking device 185 first enters the optical path 231 of the optical sensor 230. Then, when the ink cartridge 10 is further inserted into the camera of

15 storage 282, the signal blocking portion 191 of the signal blocking device 186 enters the optical path 236 of the optical sensor 235. When the signal blocking portion 191 enters the optical path 236, the signal blocking portion 189 has passed through the optical path 231 of the optical sensor 230, and the light emitted by the light emitting element passes through the space 190 behind the signal blocking portion 189.

When the ink cartridge 10 is inserted into the closed end of the storage chamber 282, the distal end of the signal blocking device 186 contacts the contact portion 240, and the distal end of the projecting portion 181 contacts the contact portion 241. Then, notch 187 has been introduced in optical path 231.

25 When the lock lever 283 has been turned in the direction to close the hole 284, an inner surface 296 of the lock lever 283 contacts the rear wall of the cover element 22 and pushes the ink cartridge 10 in the direction of introduction . Then, the coil springs 23 and 24 are compressed. Accordingly, the main body 20 moves in the direction of introduction in a state in which the mobile element 21 is stationary and the main body 20 moves towards the mobile element 21.

When the main body 20 moves further in the direction of introduction, the ink supply port 91 is connected to the connection portion 285, and the translucent portion 140 enters the notch 187 and the optical path 231 of the optical sensor 230 .

35 When the locking lever 283 is completely closed, and the jaw 294 engages with the slot 299, the locking lever 283 is locked with respect to the hole 284, and the hole 284 is closed by the locking lever 283. Then, the main body 20 of the ink cartridge 10 receives a pushing force from the coil springs 23 and 24, and the rear wall of the cover element 22 is pushed against the inner surface 296 of the locking lever 283.

Referring to Figure 16, the main controller 200 controls the operation of the recording apparatus 250. The main controller 200 is a microcomputer including a central processing unit (CPU) 201, a read only memory (ROM) 202, a memory random access (RAM) 203, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) 204, and an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 205.

45 ROM 202 stores a program used by CPU 201 to control the respective operations of the recording apparatus 250, and a program to discriminate the type of ink cartridge 10 and 10 '. RAM 203 is a storage area or a work zone for temporarily storing the respective data used by the CPU 201 to execute the programs. The EEPROM 204 stores parameters, markers, or the like to be retained, even after the power is cut.

With reference to Figures 1 and 16, the head control plate 270, the optical sensor 230, and the optical sensor 235 are coupled to the ASIC 205. A drive circuit (not shown) for moving the respective rollers of the feeding apparatus of paper 252 and the transfer apparatus 253, an input unit for inserting a

The printing instruction or the like in the recording apparatus 250, and a display device for presenting information relating to the recording apparatus 250, are also connected to the ASIC 205.

The head control board 270 controls the recording head 272 based on the signals, for example, the control signal and the image signal, supplied from the ASIC 205. Accordingly, the ink is selectively discharged at a predetermined time of the nozzle 274 of the registration head 272.

The optical sensor 230 sends sensor signals based on the intensity of light received by the photoreceptor element. For example, electrical analog signals, such as voltage signals or current signals, leave the optical sensor 230 based on the intensity of light received by the photoreceptor element. The output sensor signal of the optical sensor 65 is supplied to the main controller 200, and the main controller 200 determines that the sensor signal is a high level signal when the electrical level, for example, the voltage value or the value of current, of the sensor signal is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value, and determines that the sensor signal is a low level signal when the electrical level is less than the threshold value. For example, it is determined that the sensor signal is a low level signal when the optical path 231 of the optical sensor 230 is blocked, and that the sensor signal is a high level signal when the optical path 231 is not blocked. The intensity of the light 5 received by the photoreceptor element can be zero when the light emitted by the photoelectric element is blocked

or the light path is altered.

The optical sensor 235 operates in substantially the same way as the optical sensor 230, and sends sensor signals based on the intensity of light received by the photoreceptor element.

With reference to Figures 17 (a) and 17 (b) exemplary time profiles of the signal levels of the sensor signals output of the optical sensor 230 and the optical sensor 235 during the assembly of the ink cartridge 10 are illustrated, and with reference to Figures 17 (c) and 17 (c) exemplary time profiles of the signal levels of the sensor signals output from the optical sensor 230 and the optical sensor 235 during the assembly of the ink cartridge 10 'are illustrated.

15 As shown in Figures 17 (a) and 17 (c), the time profile of the signal level of the sensor signal output of the optical sensor 235 when the ink cartridge 10 is mounted in the case 280, is the same as the time profile of the signal level of the sensor signal output of the optical sensor 235 when the ink cartridge 10 'is mounted in the box 280. Specifically, when the signal blocking portion 191 enters the optical path 236 of the optical sensor 235 and blocks or alters the light path, the signal level changes from high to low in time T1. In the main controller 200, this change in the signal level from high to low is used as a trigger signal in a process to determine the type of the ink cartridge.

Referring to Figure 17 (b), when the ink cartridge 10 is mounted in the case 280, the signal blocking portion 189 enters the optical path 231 and blocks or alters the light path at a time T0. In this

25 time, the signal level of the sensor signal output of the optical sensor 230 changes from HIGH to LOW. Since the signal blocking portion 189 is a flat plate, the duration in which the light is blocked or its path is altered is relatively short. The signal blocking portion 189 passes through the optical path 231 and the space 190 enters the optical path after time T0 and before time T1. Therefore, at time T1, the signal level of the optical sensor 230 has been restored from LOW to HIGH.

Subsequently, when the ink cartridge 10 is further inserted, the notch 187 enters the optical path 231, and when the ink cartridge 10 is completely mounted in the case 280, the translucent portion 140 enters the optical path 231 by the notch 187 between a time T2 and a time T3. In this state, the position of the signal blocking portion 72 is detected. In Figure 17 (b), the signal level when the blocking portion of

Signal 72 is in the optical path 231 is represented by a continuous line (LOW level), and the signal level when the signal blocking portion 72 is outside the optical path 231 is represented by a dashed line (HIGH level).

Referring to Figure 17 (d), when the ink cartridge 10 'is mounted in the case 280, the signal blocking portion 199 also enters the optical path 231 to block the light or alter the light path in the time T0. Then, the signal level of the output sensor signal of the optical sensor 230 changes from HIGH to LOW. Since the signal blocking portion 199 has the side walls 198, the duration during which the light is blocked or altered by the signal blocking portion 199 is greater than the duration during which the light is blocked or altered by the signal blocking portion 189. Specifically, at time T1, the walls

45 laterals 198 are still in the optical path 231. Therefore, at time T1, the signal level of the optical sensor output signal 230 is maintained in the LOW state.

Subsequently, when the ink cartridge 10 'is further introduced, at time T2, the side walls 198 pass through the optical path 231, and the notch 187 enters the optical path 231. Then, the signal level of the optical sensor 230 is reset from LOW to HIGH. Then, when the ink cartridge 10 'is completely mounted in the case 280, the translucent portion 140 enters the optical path 231 by the notch 187 at a time between time T2 and time T3. In this state, the position of the signal blocking portion 72 can be detected. In Figure 17 (d), the signal level when the signal blocking portion 72 is in the optical path 231 is represented by a continuous line (LOW level), and the signal level when the signal blocking portion 72

55 is outside the optical path 231 is represented by a dashed line (HIGH level).

The type of the ink cartridge is determined by the main controller 200 based on the time profiles of the optical sensor 230 and the optical sensor 235.

Referring to Figure 18, a procedure for determining whether the ink cartridge mounted is the ink cartridge 10 or the ink cartridge 10 'is illustrated. In step S1, the main controller 200 determines whether the signal blocking portion 189 or 199 has entered the optical path 231 of the optical sensor 230, for example, it is determined whether the signal level of the sensor signal output from the sensor Optical 230 has changed from HIGH to LOW. When the main controller 200 determines that the signal blocking portion 189 or 199 has entered the optical path

65 231, step S2 is carried out. Step S2 is not carried out until the main controller 200 determines that the signal blocking portion 189 or 199 has entered the optical path 231.

In step S2, the main controller 200 determines if the signal blocking portion 191 has entered the optical path 236, for example, it is determined whether the signal level of the optical sensor 235 has changed from HIGH to LOW, which corresponds to a detection of a trigger signal. When the trigger signal is detected in the

5 step S2, in step S3, the main controller 200 determines whether the signal level of the sensor signal output of the optical sensor 230 at time T1 when the trip signal is detected, is HIGH or LOW. For example, when the signal level at time T1 is HIGH, the main controller 200 determines that the ink cartridge 10 has been introduced in the box 280, and when the signal level at time T1 is LOW, the main controller determines that the ink cartridge 10 'has been inserted in the box 280.

When it is determined that the signal level of the output sensor signal of the optical sensor 230 is HIGH in step S3, a bit flag indicating that the installed ink cartridge corresponds to the ink cartridge 10 is placed in a register, by example, a record of CPU 201 in step S4. If a bit flag indicating that the ink cartridge installed corresponds to the ink cartridge 10 'has been previously set, the flag indicator is deleted.

15 bits indicating that the installed ink cartridge corresponds to the 10 'ink cartridge, and the bit indicator is set indicating that the installed ink cartridge corresponds to the ink cartridge 10. On the other hand, when it is determined that the level of the signal of the sensor signal output of the optical sensor 230 is LOW, the bit flag indicating that the ink cartridge installed corresponds to the ink cartridge 10 'is put in the register in step S5. If the bit flag indicating that the installed ink cartridge corresponds to the ink cartridge 10 has been previously set, the bit flag indicating that the installed ink cartridge corresponds to the ink cartridge 10 is deleted, and the flag is set bit indicating that the installed ink cartridge corresponds to the 10 'ink cartridge. If the bit flag is set, the recording device 250 or an information processing device for example a personal computer connected to the recording device 250, displays which of the ink cartridges 10 and 10 'is inserted, based on the flag .

25 If the signal level of the optical sensor 235 changes from LOW to HIGH, the determination process can begin again. In addition, the determination process can be executed when the lock lever 283 is opened, and the determination process can be concluded when the lock lever 283 is closed.

The type of ink cartridge 10 and 10 'is determined based on the signal level of the sensor signal output of the optical sensor 230 at time T1 when the trigger signal is detected. Therefore, the configuration of the ink cartridge 10 and 10 'allows the recording apparatus 250 to determine exactly the type of the ink cartridge 10 or 10' regardless of the speed with which the user assembles the ink cartridge 10 or 10 ' in the printer and regardless of whether the user starts to insert the ink cartridge into the printer and then takes out

35 partially the ink cartridge before you finish fully inserting the ink cartridge into the printer. The process described above is configured to distinguish between the two types of ink cartridges 10 and 10 '; however, three or more types of ink cartridges can be discriminated. In addition, an ink cartridge containing black ink and an ink cartridge containing color ink other than black ink can be determined, and an ink cartridge containing pigment ink and an ink cartridge containing dye ink can also be discriminated. Referring to Figure 19, a packaging arrangement 230 is illustrated, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The packaging device 230 includes an ink cartridge, for example, the ink cartridge 10 (or 10 '), and a packaging element 231. The ink cartridge 10 is housed inside the packaging element 231. The cartridge of ink 10 is sent and sold in the packaging device 230.

The interior of the ink chamber 100 is depressurized at a pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure, for example, by a vacuum pump to reduce the amount of air dissolved in the ink in the ink chamber 100. The interior of the ink element Packaging 231 is also depressurized at a pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure, for example, by a vacuum pump to prevent air from entering the ink chamber 100 through the films covering the side faces 45 and 46.

The packaging element 231 is liquid proof, but has some gas permeability. Therefore, air may enter the interior of the packaging element 231 when the packaging device 230 is left unused for a prolonged period of time. However, if there is a depressurized space inside the

55 packaging element 231, the interior of packaging element 231 is maintained in a stable depressurized state for a prolonged period of time.

Packaging device 230 is manufactured as follows. The ink cartridge 10 is housed inside the packaging element 231 in a state in which the movable element 21 is held in the first (extended) position shown in Figure 2 (b). While maintaining this state, the pressure inside the packaging element 231 is reduced to a pressure that is less than the atmospheric pressure, and the packaging element 231 is sealed. Since the ink cartridge 10 is housed in the packaging element 231 in this manner, the depressurized space of a predetermined capacity is formed between the front face 41 of the main body 20 and the front wall 161 of the movable element 21 inside the packaging element 231. Therefore, the

65 inside the packaging element 231 is maintained as the depressurized state for a prolonged period of time.

However, if the inside of the packaging element 231 becomes too depressurized, the pressure difference between the atmospheric pressure and the pressure inside the packaging element 231 can be so large that a relatively large force acts on the ink cartridge 10 In this case, if the depressurized space is formed between the front face 41 of the main body 20 and the front wall 161 of the movable element 21, the movable element 21 can be deformed inward and cannot recover the original shape. Therefore, in another embodiment of the present invention, the ink cartridge 10 'may be housed in the packaging element 231 in a state in which the movable element 21 is held in the second (removed) position shown in Figure 2 (C). When the movable element 21 is in the second position, the depressurized space between the front face 41 of the body

10 main 20 and the front wall 161 of the movable element 21 is relatively small, and therefore, deformation of the movable element 21 can be avoided. The size of the packaging device 230 is also reduced. Since the depressurized space still exists even if it is relatively small, the interior of the packaging element 231 is maintained in a stable depressurized state for a reasonable period of time.

With reference to Figures 20 and 21, a cartridge mounting portion 1276 is illustrated, according to another embodiment of the present invention. The cartridge mounting portion 1276 includes a locking lever 1283 instead of the locking lever 283 of the cartridge mounting portion 276. The locking lever 283 includes a first portion 1291, a second portion 1292, and a portion of pivot 1290 between the first portion 1291 and the second portion 1292. The pivot portion 1290 is supported on the upper portion of the box 280 next to the hole 284 of such

20 so that the locking lever 1283 pivots around the pivot portion 1290. The first portion 1291 extends from the pivot portion to the outside of the case 280, and the second portion 1292 extends from the pivot portion 1290 to the storage chamber 282. The first portion 1291 is placed on top of the second portion 1292 because the weight of the first portion 1291 is less than the weight of the second portion 1292. As depicted in Figure 20, when the ink cartridge 10 is installed in the mounting portion of

25 cartridge 1276, a portion of the second portion 1292 contacts a portion of the retention recess 1000. The main body 20 of the ink cartridge 10 receives the pushing force of the helical springs 23 and 24 into the hole 284. However, given that the portion of the second portion 1292 contacts the portion of the retention recess 1000 to retain the main body 20 in the case 280 against the pushing force of the coil springs 23 and 24, the ink cartridge 10 remains in the case 280.

30 When the user attempts to remove the ink cartridge 10 from the cartridge mounting portion 1276, the user applies a downward force to an end portion of the first portion 1291. The locking lever 1283 then pivots around the portion of pivot 1290, as depicted in Figure 21, and the second portion 1292 moves up and separates from retaining recess 1000. Accordingly, helical springs 23 and 24 are

35 expand, and the ink cartridge 10 is partially ejected from the cartridge mounting portion 1276. The user then grabs the rear portion of the ink cartridge 10 and removes the ink cartridge 10 from the cartridge mounting portion 1276. Thus , the ink cartridge is easily removed from the cartridge mounting portion 1276. In addition, since the ink cartridge 10 is not configured to retain the movable element 21 in the second position by itself, the movable element 21 moves freely from second position to first position

40 when the second portion 1292 is separated from the retention recess 1000, and therefore the ink cartridge 10 is partially ejected from the cartridge mounting portion 1276.

Although the invention has been described in connection with exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that other variations and modifications of the exemplary embodiments described above may be made without

45 depart from the scope of the invention. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art by consideration of the specification or implementation of the invention described herein. It is intended that the specification and the described examples be considered merely exemplary of the invention, indicating the true scope of the invention by the following claims.

Claims (17)

1. An ink cartridge (10, 10 '), including: a box (20) including a front face (41) facing a direction (30) in which the ink cartridge 5 (10, 10 ') must be inserted into a cartridge mounting portion (276) of a recording apparatus (250), and a rear face (42) in front of the front face (41), where in the box (20) at least a portion of an ink chamber (100) is defined, and the ink chamber (100) is configured to store ink; an ink supply portion (90) placed on the front face (41) of the case (20), where the ink supply portion (90) is configured to dispense ink from the inside of the ink chamber (100) to the outside of the ink chamber (100), and an air intake portion (80) placed in the box (20), where the air intake portion (80) is configured to aspirate air from the outside of the ink chamber (100) inside the ink chamber (100); a movable element (21) including a front wall (161), which faces the front face (41) of the box (20), the front wall (161) being located outside the box (20) and configured to move between a first 15 position and a second position relative to the box (20) along the direction (30) in which the ink cartridge (10, 10 ') is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion (276); and at least one elastic element (23, 24) having a first end that is coupled to the front face (41) of the box (20) and a second end that is coupled to the mobile element. (21), where the at least one elastic element (23, 24) is configured to expand and contract to move the mobile element (21) relative to the box (20) between the first position and the second position, where: the at least one elastic element (23, 24) applies a pushing force to the mobile element (21) to push the mobile element (21) to the first position, and the mobile element (21) moves from the first position to the second position when a predetermined amount of force greater than the thrust force is applied to the front wall (161) of the movable element (21), and 25 when the predetermined amount of force is released, the mobile element (21) moves from the second position to the first position, where the distance between the front wall (161) of the mobile element (21) and the front face (41) of the box (20), when the mobile element (21) is in the second position, is less than the distance between the front wall (161) of the mobile element (21) and the front face (41) of the box (20 ) when the mobile element (21) is in the first position.

2.

 The ink cartridge (10, 10 ') of claim 1, wherein the movable element (21) is located outside the box (20).

3.

 The ink cartridge (10, 10 ') of any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the at least one element

Elastic (23, 24) is coupled to a recessed portion (110, 111) of the front face (41). 35 4. The ink cartridge (10, 10 ') of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the front face (41) of the box

(twenty)

has in a direction (32) perpendicular to the direction (30) of introduction a first end and a second end in front of the first end, the at least one elastic element (23, 24) includes a first elastic element (23) and a second elastic element (24) that expand and contract in the same direction (30) as the other, and the first elastic element (23) is placed closer to the first end of the front face (41) of the case

(twenty)

 that the second end of the front face (41) of the box (20) and the second elastic element (24) is placed closer to the second end of the front face (41) of the box (20) than to the first end of front face

(41)

 of the box (20).

The ink cartridge (10, 10 ') of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, the ink supply portion (90) moves away from the ink chamber (100), and the movable element (21) has a particular hole (180) formed therethrough, where the ink supply portion (90) is separated from the particular hole (180 ) when the movable element (21) is in the first position, and at least one of a portion of the ink supply portion (90) and a portion of the ink chamber (100) is placed inside the particular hole (180 ) when the mobile element (21) is in the second position. 6. The ink cartridge (10, 10 ') of claim 5, wherein the box (20) further includes: a right side face (46); and a left side face (45) in front of the right side face (46), where each of the right side face 55 (46) and the left side face (45) of the box (20) extends from the front face (41) of the box (20) to the rear face (42) of the box (20), where the element mobile (21) further includes: a right side wall (166) covering at least a portion of the right side face (46) of the box (20); and a left side wall (165) covering at least a portion of the left side face (45) of the box (20), where the particular hole (180) of the movable element (21) has formed through the wall front (161) of the mobile element (21). 7. The ink cartridge (10, 10 ') of claim 6, wherein, the box (20) further includes: an upper face (43); Y a lower face (44) in front of the upper face (43), where each of the upper face (43) and the lower face (44) 65 of the box (20) extends from the front face (41) of the box (20) to the rear face (42) of the box (20), where the movable element (21) further includes: an upper wall ( 163) covering at least a portion of the upper face (43) of the box (20); and a bottom wall (164) covering at least a portion of the bottom face (44) of the box (20), where, when the movable element (21) is in the first position, the ink supply portion (90 ) is placed within an interior space (142) defined by the front wall (161), the right side wall (166), the wall 5 left side (165), the upper wall (163), and the lower wall (164) of the movable element (21), and at least a portion of the ink supply portion (90) extends from the front wall ( 161) of the mobile element (21) by the particular hole (180) of the mobile element (21) when the mobile element (21) is in the second position. 8. The ink cartridge (10, 10 ') of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, when the movable element (21) is in the first position, at least a portion of the movable element (21) is placed further of the front face (41) of the box (20) than the ink supply portion (90) of the front face (41) of the box (20). 9. The ink cartridge (10, 10 ') of any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the front wall (161) has a 15 first end and a second end opposite the first end of the front wall (161); and the mobile element (21) further includes a particular projection extending from the front wall (161) at or next to one of the first end and the second end of the front wall (161) in a specific direction away from the box (twenty). 10. The ink cartridge (10, 10 ') of any one of claims 1 to 9, further including a translucent portion (140) placed on the front face (41) of the box (20), wherein the translucent portion (140 ) moves away from the ink chamber, and the translucent portion (140) has an interior space (142) formed therein, where the interior space (142) is configured so that it is in fluid communication with the ink chamber ( 100), and the mobile element (21) has another hole (187) formed therethrough, where the translucent portion (140) is separated 25 of the other hole (187) when the movable element (21) is in the first position, and at least a portion of one of the translucent portion (140) and the ink chamber (100) is placed inside the other hole (187 ) when the mobile element (21) is in the second position. 11. The ink cartridge (10.10 ') of claim 10, further including a signal blocking element (72) placed within the interior space (142) of the translucent portion (140), wherein the signal blocking element (72) is configured to move within the interior space (142) of the translucent portion (140) at least based on an amount of ink in the ink chamber (100). 12. The ink cartridge (10, 10 ') of any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein, the air intake portion 35 (80) is placed on the front face (41) of the box (20). 13. The ink cartridge (10, 10 ') of claim 12, wherein the air intake portion (80) extends from the ink chamber (100), and the movable element (21) has another hole (180 ') formed therethrough, where the air intake portion (80) is separated from the other hole (180') and is placed between the other hole (180 ') and the front face (41) of the box (20) when the movable element (21) is in the first position and the second position, respectively. 14. The ink cartridge (10, 10 ') of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the box (20) further includes a upper face (43) extending from the front face (41) of the box (20) to the rear face (42) of the box (20), and 45 the upper face (43) of the box (20) has a retention recess (1000) formed therein. 15. The ink cartridge (10, 10 ') of any of claims 7 to 14, further including an element of cover (22) including: a rear wall (212) covering the rear face (42) of the box (20); a right side wall (216) covering at least a portion of the right side face (46) of the box (20); a left side wall (215) covering at least a portion of the left side face (45) of the box (20); an upper wall (213) covering at least a portion of the upper face (43) of the box (20); Y a bottom wall (214) covering at least a portion of the bottom face (44) of the box (20). 16. The ink cartridge (10, 10 ') of claim 15, wherein: a portion of the upper wall (213) of the cover element (22) and a portion of the upper face (43) of the box (20) define a retention recess (1000) in between; or the upper wall (163) of the cover element (22) has a retention recess (1000) formed therein. 17. The ink cartridge (10, 10 ') of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein, the ink supply portion (90) includes: a first hole (91) formed therethrough; a first valve element (97); Y a first push element (96) configured to push the first valve element (97) to close the 65 first hole (91). 18. The ink cartridge (10, 10 ') of any of claims 1 to 17, wherein, the air intake portion (80) includes: a second hole (81) formed therethrough; a second valve element (87); Y 5 a second pushing element (86) configured to push the second valve element (87) to close the second hole (81). 19. The ink cartridge (10) of any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the at least one elastic element (23, 24) is coupled to the front face (41) of the box (20) in a predetermined position that is offset from each of the air intake portion (80) and the ink supply portion (90 ).