JPH1058701A - Key system for ink vessel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system which assures that a right ink supply vessel. is adequately disposed in an adequate direction to be secured when it is loaded to an ink jet printer, in regard to the exchangeable ink supply vessel by which ink is supplied to the ink jet printer. SOLUTION: An ink vessel 12 comprises a latch mechanism 22' that represents one of characteristic of ink in plural inks. The latch mechanism 22' is engaged with a latch surface of an ink vessel install station 40 so that only the ink vessel of which characteristic is adequate can be inserted and an inadequate one can not be inserted. It is so constituted that the ink vessel of which ink characteristic is adequate is loaded to the ink vessel housing station 40 to be surely secured.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a replaceable ink supply container for supplying ink to an ink jet printer. More particularly, the present invention provides a key on an ink container,
Utilizes an integrated latching and alignment mechanism to ensure that the correct ink supply is properly oriented and oriented when inserted into the ink jet printer, and that the ink supply is properly secured to the printer A system that guarantees that

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Ink jet printers often utilize an ink jet printhead mounted on a carriage that moves back and forth across a print medium such as paper. While the printhead is moving across the print media, a control system moves the printhead so that ink drops are ejected, ie, blown, onto the print media to form images and characters.

[0003] Some ink jet printers used heretofore utilize a replaceable ink cartridge. The ink cartridge contains a printhead and supply ink. When an ink cartridge runs out of ink or requires a different type of ink for a particular print medium, the entire ink cartridge is replaced. Therefore,
Only the ink cartridge to be replaced needs to be compatible with the specific printer into which the cartridge is inserted.

[0004] Alternatively, US patent application Ser.
As described in US Pat. No. 6,521, each of the ink jet printhead and supply ink is separately replaceable. In this type of ink jet printer, the supply of ink is spaced from the printhead. The printhead is mounted on a carriage and ink is supplied to the printhead via a flexible liquid interconnect between the supply ink and the printhead. With this type of arrangement, the ink supply can be changed without changing the printhead.

[0005] It is very important to prevent inks that differ in ink characteristics, such as ink color and ink type, from intermixing and resulting in degraded output image quality. For example, inks of different colors must not be mixed. Further, inks of different types must not be mixed.

[0006] In the case of a color ink jet printer, images and characters are created on a print medium using a plurality of colors of ink. These printers typically require separate ink supply containers for each of the colors black, cyan, yellow, and magenta, for example, for four-color printing. Often, multiple printheads are used, each dedicated to a particular color. However, a single printhead may be used, where each of the different portions is dedicated to a respective color. A separate ink delivery system is provided for each color, such as a liquid interconnect between the supply ink and the printhead.

[0007] Various printers are available in various classes (clause) for different types of printing applications and printing media as well as colors.
sses), that is, using a kind of ink. For example, in many home or office printing applications, the base is (bas
ed) Aqueous ink is used. Depending on the application,
Water resistant inks must be used. The water-resistant ink is usually a non-aqueous base ink. In the case of an ink having an aqueous base, discoloration usually occurs due to ultraviolet rays. Therefore, other types of inks are used to provide images that are resistant to ultraviolet light. Thus, for a given ink color, there is a great variety of different ink types. These types are usually not compatible with each other.

In printers that utilize replaceable cartridges with integrated printheads and ink reservoirs, keeping separate inks of different colors and ink types is usually not a problem. Since the supply ink, the printhead, and the conduit between the supply ink and the printhead are entirely replaced with the ink cartridge, there is usually no problem of mixing different colors and types of ink. In contrast, in printers that utilize ink storage units that can be replaced separately from the printhead, there are some opportunities for inks of different ink types and colors to mix. As a result of replacing the ink storage unit with a different ink color or ink type from the previous ink storage unit, the ink from the replaced ink storage unit remains in the print head and the ink channel before the ink storage unit remains. Mix with ink from unit. In this way, the mixing of inks of different colors produces unpredictable colors and tends to degrade the output image quality. In addition, mixing different types of ink can result in a chemical interaction between the residual ink and the replaced ink. As a result of this chemical interaction, sedimentation can result in clogged ink passages and unpredictable printhead performance.

[0009]

There remains a need for a system that ensures that ink containers of the proper ink characteristics are correctly inserted into an ink jet printer. These systems should ensure that the ink containers are properly aligned and that the proper liquid interconnect is provided between the ink container and the printhead. In addition, the system should provide some form of tactile feedback so that the user can know that the ink container has been properly inserted into the printer. And finally, the system should provide some means of securing the ink container in the ink jet printer so that the ink container cannot be inadvertently dislodged and spilled. The system should be cost effective and easy to manufacture.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is an ink container for supplying ink having an appropriate ink characteristic to an ink container receiving station. The ink container includes a latch mechanism that indicates a characteristic of one of the plurality of inks. The latch mechanism is configured to engage the latch surface of the ink container receiving station to securely mount the ink container having the appropriate ink characteristics to the ink container receiving station.

[0011] In one preferred embodiment, the latching mechanism is a first and second latching mechanism. The first latch mechanism indicates the color of the ink associated with the ink container, and the second latch mechanism indicates the type of ink associated with the ink container. In this preferred embodiment, the first latching mechanism is a first plurality of tabs and the second latching mechanism is a second plurality of tabs spaced from the first plurality of tabs. .

Another embodiment of the present invention is an ink container storage station for storing an ink container having suitable ink characteristics. The ink container receiving station includes a latching mechanism configured to engage with a corresponding ink container latching mechanism to secure the ink container to the supply station. The ink container receiving station includes a key system component that defines, along with the ink container latching mechanism, the ink container for which the characteristics of the ink are appropriate.

[0013]

FIG. 1 illustrates an ink container 12 of the present invention for use with an ink jet printer having an ink jet printhead (not shown). The ink container 12 of the present invention is installed in an ink container receiving station mounted on the printer to ensure that an ink container compatible with the ink characteristics is properly inserted into the printer and properly secured to the printer. It is configured to be inserted. For the ink container storage station, see FIG.
Will be described in more detail.

The ink container 12 includes a housing member 14,
16, an ink bag 18, and a fitting (fit) 20 for interconnecting the liquid between the ink bag 18 and a printer (not shown). Ink container 1
2 also include latch mechanisms 22, 2 which are the subject of the present invention.
2 'is included. As described with respect to FIG. 2, the latching mechanisms 22, 22 ', with corresponding latching surfaces,
The ink container 12 is fixed to the printer. Further, the latch mechanisms 22, 22 'are provided with a key mechanism to prevent an ink container having incompatible ink characteristics from being inserted. Finally, the latch mechanism assists in guiding and aligning the ink container during insertion of the ink container into the ink container receiving station on the printer.

One aspect of the latch mechanism 22, 22 'of the present invention is to identify the characteristics of the ink in the ink container 12. The latching mechanism 22, 22 'can identify a number of different ink characteristics. The properties of these inks include the color of the ink and the type of ink, to name a few examples. The type of ink indicates the chemical and physical properties of the ink formulation in the ink container 12. The ink formulation characterizes the properties of the ink, such as solubility in water, water resistance of the ink, and stability of the ink to ultraviolet light. It is very important that only ink containers compatible with the characteristics of the ink be installed in the printer. If an incompatible ink container is installed, the ink in the container combines with the residual ink in the printhead, resulting in poor output image quality.

The latching mechanisms 22, 22 ', in addition to identifying ink characteristics, also provide a guide and alignment mechanism for inserting the ink container 12 into an ink container receiving station on an ink jet printer. I have. This guiding and alignment mechanism allows a user to visually align the liquid interconnect without having to visually align the ink container 12.
To make a liquid connection with the printer. Therefore, the user only has to insert the ink container 12, and if the ink container is compatible, the ink container 12 can be inserted by the latch mechanism 22, 22 'of the present invention. During insertion, latching mechanisms 22, 22 'align and guide ink container 12 into the printer. One important aspect of the present invention is that the latching mechanism 22, 22 'aligns the container 12 to provide a liquid interconnect between the ink container 12 and the printer.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the latch mechanism
2 'means that the ink container 12 is fixed to the printer. The latching mechanism 22, 22 ', together with the latching surface located on the printer,
The ink container 12 is fixed to the printer. The latch surface is described below with respect to FIG.

In the preferred embodiment, the ink container 12
Are made of identical housing members 14,16. By using exactly the same housing member,
Each of the housing members 14, 16 can be formed using a single mold. The housing members are assembled as individual parts. By using a single mold to form both housing members 14, 16, not only the number of parts but also the manufacturing costs are reduced. The reduced number of parts reduces the costs associated with storing and supplying the parts.

In the preferred embodiment, the housing member 16 includes a retaining mechanism 30, 32 on the housing member 14.
And thereby interact with the housing members 14, 1
Forming a snap fasten 6
ing) and fixing mechanisms 26, 28. Housing member 1
Since the members 4 and 16 are mutually exclusive parts, the housing member 14 also includes fixing mechanisms 26 and 28 (not shown), like the housing member 16. The fixing mechanism of the housing member 14 engages with the holding mechanisms 30 and 32 on the housing member 16 to
Together. By using the securing mechanisms 26, 28 and the retaining mechanisms 30, 32, both housing members can be secured together without the need for additional components, thereby reducing manufacturing costs. Furthermore, by snapping the housing members 14, 16 together, the ink container 12 can be relatively easily assembled, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

As an alternative, the housing members 14, 16
Can be secured using a variety of conventional securing techniques, such as bonding with an adhesive, various bonding techniques, or fastening with fasteners such as clips or screws.

In the preferred embodiment, fit 20 is attached to the ink bag in a conventional manner and fit 2
0 is a fitting receiving section 3 between the housing members 14 and 16
4 are fixed. The fit 20 includes a liquid interconnect 36 including a septum and a ball valve. The liquid interconnect 36 interacts with a corresponding liquid interconnect on the printer to provide a liquid interconnect between the ink container 12 and the printer. In the preferred embodiment, the liquid interconnect of the printer includes a needle portion that uses the latch members 22, 22 'to pierce the septum and open the ball valve when the ink container 12 is inserted into the printer. Latch members 22, 22 'guide the ink container to align the liquid interconnects of ink container 12 and the printer. Alternatively, the liquid interconnect may be a prior art liquid interconnect that provides a reliable liquid interconnect.

In another embodiment, the ink container 12 comprises
Including a frame with a flexible sheet as disclosed in US patent application Ser. No. 08 / 566,521. Alternatively, the ink container 12 may be formed without the ink bag 18 inside. In this alternative embodiment, the housing members 14 and 16 can be separately formed and hermetically sealed together to form the ink container 12, or the housing members 14 and 16 can be formed as an integral member to form an ink container. The container 12 can also be formed. In each of these embodiments, the housing members 14, 16 form a hermetic seal or are one-piece members, wherein the ink is
16 can be directly inserted.

FIG. 2 shows an ink container storage station 40 for storing the ink container 12 of the present invention. The ink container receiving station 40 is attached to the ink jet printer, and is used together with the latch mechanism 22, 22 'on the ink container 12, so that the ink container 12 having the proper ink characteristics is inserted into the printer. I guarantee that. In addition, the ink container receiving station 40, in conjunction with the latching mechanisms 22, 22 ', guides the ink container 12 during insertion into the printer so that the ink container liquid interconnect 36 is connected to the printer liquid interconnect. Ensure proper alignment. The ink container storage station 40 includes:
It includes a base 42 mounted on an ink jet printer 44. The storage station 40 also engages the latching mechanism 22, 22 ′ to transfer the ink container 12 to the base 42.
And a latch member 46 for fixing the latch member 46.

FIG. 3 shows that the latch member 46 is
The ink container 12 is shown properly positioned within the ink container receiving station 40 so as to engage with each of 2, 2 'to securely hold the ink container 12 in place within the ink container receiving station 40. The ink container receiving station 40, together with the latch mechanisms 22, 22 ', guides the ink container 12 during insertion into the printer, mechanically aligns the ink container 12 with the latch member 46, and To the printer. Latch mechanism 22, 22 'and ink container receiving station 40
It also performs guidance and alignment functions to ensure proper electrical interconnection between the ink container 12 and the printer. This electrical interconnection allows information between the ink container 12 and the printer to be provided by electrical sensors, such as information on ink levels, information on ink characteristics, or on storage elements within the ink container 12. Various information such as information of the ink container 12 to be stored can be exchanged.

In the preferred embodiment, the latch member 46
Is a spring clip shaped to engage with each of the latch mechanisms 22, 22 ′ to hold the ink container 12 in place on the ink storage station 40.
The latch member 46 has a non-latching position and a latching position. During insertion of the ink container 12, the non-latching surface 48 of the latch member 46
2, 22 'biased to the non-latched position,
An ink container 12 can be inserted. Once the ink container 12 is properly positioned within the ink container receiving station 40, the latch member 46 springs back to the latched position, as shown in FIG.
6 engages with the latching mechanisms 22, 22 'to remove the ink container 12 from the ink containing station 40.
Fixed to

As the ink container 12 is inserted into the ink receiving station 40, haptic feedback is provided to the user to confirm that the ink container 12 is properly positioned. Haptic feedback is provided by the latch member 4
6 and the latch mechanisms 22, 22 '. When the ink container 12 is inserted, the non-engaging surface 48 engages the latching mechanism 22, 22 'to bias the latch member 46 to the disengaged position, so that a slight resistance is created by the latch member 46. . Once the ink container 12
When the ink container 12 is properly positioned within the ink container receiving station 40, the engagement surface 50 engages the latch mechanism 22, 22 'and the ink container 12
To provide tactile feedback to the user.

A pair of flanges 52 are formed on both sides of the ink container storage station 40. The pair of flanges 52 are configured to engage slots 38 defined in the side walls of the ink container 12 to assist in guiding and aligning the ink container 12 during insertion into the ink container receiving station 40. Becomes

FIG. 4 shows the corresponding ink container receiving stations 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D, 40
Ink container 1 disposed in E, 40F, and 40G
2A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E, 12F, and 12G are shown. In FIG. 4, the same reference numerals denote the same components as those in FIGS. 1 to 3. Each of the ink containers 12A-G is provided with a latch mechanism 22.
It has a unique arrangement of AG and 22'AG, which is a proof that the properties of the ink contained in each of the ink containers 12A-G are different. Each of the ink container receiving stations 40A-G includes a corresponding latch mechanism slot 54A-G and a latch mechanism slot 56A-G. Latch mechanism slot 54
AG respectively correspond to the latch mechanisms 22A-G, and the slots 56A-G of the latch mechanisms respectively correspond to the latch mechanisms 22'AG.

Latch mechanisms 22A-G and 22'AG
Correspond to slots 54A-G and 5
Together with 6A-G, they cooperate to ensure that the appropriate ink containers 12A-G are properly positioned within ink container receiving stations 40A-G. Ink container 12A
-G can only be inserted into ink container receiving stations 40A-G which have corresponding latching mechanism slots 54A-G and 56A-G configured for that particular ink characteristic. For example, the latch mechanism receiving slots 54B and 56B are configured to receive an ink container 12B having compatible ink characteristics. Ink container 12 containing ink with incompatible ink characteristics
A, C, D, E, F, and G are slots 54 of the latch mechanism.
B and 56B are latch mechanisms 22A, C, D, E, F,
Since G and 22'A, C, D, E, F, and G do not correspond to each other, they cannot be inserted into the ink container storage station 40B.

Further, the latch mechanisms 22A-G and 2
2'A-G are slots 54A-
G and 56A-G, together with a guide and alignment mechanism, to provide a liquid interconnect 3
6 ensures proper alignment with the corresponding liquid interconnect on the printer. Liquid interconnects are mounted on the ink containers 12A-G by fitting receptacles 34A-G, respectively.

The latch mechanism 22A, C, D, E,
One of the key features of F, G and 22'A, C, D, E, F, G is that, in addition to the key, guide, and alignment mechanisms previously described, these latching mechanisms are provided by the latch member 46. Used together to secure the ink container 12 to the ink container storage station 40.

In the preferred embodiment, the latch mechanism 22,
Reference numeral 22 'denotes protruding tabs or keys arranged at equal intervals. Each ink container 12 is initially manufactured with the same number of tabs or keys. The ink container 12 is then identified as having certain ink characteristics by selectively removing the tabs or keys to indicate the characteristics of the ink contained therein. Alternatively, the ink container may be initially formed to have only the latching mechanism or tab required for that particular ink composition. By forming the ink container 12 such that the characteristics of the ink contained therein are identified, the step of selectively removing tabs or keys is eliminated.

If a suitable latching mechanism for engaging the latch mechanisms 22, 22 'is provided on the ink container receiving station 40, these latch mechanisms may be located elsewhere on the ink container. . When the container is inserted into the receiving station 40 to guide and align the container 12 and prevent the container from being inserted so that a liquid connection can be made prior to the key function, the latch mechanism is activated by the ink container 12. Preferably towards the leading edge.

In summary, the present invention provides an ink container having a single set of mechanisms that perform latching, keying, and alignment functions while the ink container is being inserted into the ink container receiving station. I do. By integrating each of these functions into a single set of mechanisms, the mold used to form the ink container is simplified, thereby reducing manufacturing costs. Further, by reducing the number of latching, keying, and alignment mechanisms into a single unified set of mechanisms,
There is a tendency for containers to be made cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail. Hereinafter, examples of each embodiment of the present invention will be described.

(Embodiment 1) An ink container (12) for supplying an ink having an appropriate characteristic to an ink container receiving station (40), wherein the ink container (12)
Includes a latch mechanism (22, 22 ′) that indicates the characteristic of one of the plurality of inks, and the latch mechanism (2, 22 ′).
2, 22 ') are adapted to engage the latch surface (50) of the ink container receiving station and to ensure that the ink container (12) with the proper ink characteristics is loaded.

(Embodiment 2) The latch mechanism (22, 2
2 ′) are first and second latch mechanisms, the latch surface (50) of the ink container receiving station is a first and second latch surface, and the first latch mechanism (22) is The second latch mechanism (22 ') is configured to engage with the first latch surface (50) and exhibit the second ink characteristic. The ink container (12) according to claim 1, wherein the ink container (12) is configured to engage a latch surface (50) of the ink container.

(Embodiment 3) The first latch mechanism (2
The ink container (12) according to embodiment 2, characterized in that 2) is different from the second latch mechanism (22 ').

(Embodiment 4) An embodiment wherein one of the first and second latch mechanisms (22, 22 ') indicates a color of ink associated with the ink container (12). An ink container (12) according to aspect 2.

(Embodiment 5) One of the first and second latch mechanisms (22, 22 ') indicates compatibility of the ink associated with the ink container (12). An ink container (12) according to embodiment 2.

(Embodiment 6) The first latch mechanism (2
2) indicates the color of ink related to the ink container (12), and the second latch mechanism (22 ') indicates the type of ink related to the ink container (12). The ink container (12) according to the second embodiment.

(Embodiment 7) In the second embodiment, each of the first and second latch mechanisms (22, 22 ') is a plurality of tabs extending from the ink container (12). An ink container (12) as described.

(Eighth Embodiment) An ink container (12) according to the second embodiment, wherein the ink container (12) includes an ink container accommodation station (40), and the ink container accommodation station (40) is configured as follows. (A) to (c), wherein (a) the corresponding ink container (1)
A first latching member (46) configured to engage with the first latch mechanism (22) of (2), (b) a second latch mechanism (22) of the corresponding ink container (12). ')
And (c) attached to the ink container receiving station (40) and configured to engage with the latch mechanism (22,2,2).
2 ') together with a key system component (56A) that defines an ink container (12) for which the properties of the ink are appropriate.
-G, 54A-G).

(Embodiment 9) The ink container receiving station (40) is attached to an ink jet printer, and the ink supplied by the ink container (12) is used by the ink jet printer. An ink container (12) according to embodiment 8, wherein an image is formed on the medium.

(Embodiment 10) A system for arranging an ink container (12) in an ink-based printing apparatus, wherein the system includes the following (a) to (c). , (A) a plurality of ink containers (12), each of the plurality of ink containers (12)
Multiple latching mechanisms (2
(B) key component (54A-
G, 56A-G) and the key component (54A-G
G, 56A-G) are integrated into the ink-based printing device and have corresponding latching mechanisms (22,
Guiding the insertion of an ink container (12) having
(C) a latching mechanism for limiting insertion of an ink container (12) having a latching mechanism (22, 22 ') corresponding to an incompatible ink characteristic, wherein the latching mechanism comprises: , Engaged with the plurality of latching mechanisms (22, 22 ') to provide a key component (54A).
-G, 56A-G) to fix the ink container (12) corresponding to the ink-based printing device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an ink supply container including a latch mechanism of the present invention showing characteristics of ink.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an ink container storage station that stores the ink container shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the ink container of the present invention in a state engaged with the ink container receiving station of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the ink container showing various latching and key components of a preferred embodiment of the key system of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12: Ink containers 14, 16: Housing member 18: Ink bag 18 20: Fit 22, 22 ': Latch mechanism 26, 28: Fixing mechanism 30, 32: Holding mechanism 34: Fitting container 36: Liquid interconnect 38 : Slot 40: Ink container accommodation station 42: Base 44: Ink jet printer 46: Latch member 48: Non-latch surface 50: Latch surface 52: Flange 54, 56: Slot of latch mechanism

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor John F. Wilson Forest Springs Lane, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America 27096 (72) Inventor Susan Mellor, Southwest Whiteside Drive, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America 2015 (72) Inventor David O. Merrill, Northwest Wisteria Way, Corvallis, Oregon, United States 3875 (72) Inventor Glen E. Schmitt Northwest Jinis Place, Corvallis, Oregon, United States 4736 (72) Inventor John A. Underwood 113 East Street, Northeast 113 Vancouver, Washington, USA 3415 (72) Inventor Mark Jay Green Northwest Firefarn Place, Corvallis, Oregon, United States 3317 (72) Inventor Thomas G. Cocklin Northeast 164 Street, Ridgefield, Washington, USA G 2506

Claims (1)

[Claims] An ink container for supplying ink having an appropriate ink characteristic to an ink container receiving station, comprising:
The ink container includes a latch mechanism for indicating the characteristics of one of the plurality of inks, wherein the latch mechanism engages a latch surface of the ink container receiving station to engage the ink container with the appropriate ink characteristics. It is characterized in that it is configured to be securely mounted.