KR20040005559A - Ink cartridge and recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An ink cartridge and a recording apparatus are provided to mount and remove the small and thin ink cartridge from the flat ink cartridge installation part of the compact recording apparatus accurately and conveniently. CONSTITUTION: An ink cartridge installation system comprises a partition wall(110), a recessed part(102) formed on a cartridge remaining base wall(32), a guide projection wall(120), a needle protection plate(130), a lock member of the needle protection plate, a lock release rib(150), a withdrawing lock projection part(160), and a remaining ink detecting optical sensor(170). An ink cartridge is installed in a recording apparatus, and a lever and the optical sensor are placed at both sides of a hollow needle(82) near the opening for mounting the ink cartridge. Two recesses are opened and formed in the front and lower parts of the ink cartridge, and a light shielding member is arranged in the recess corresponding to the optical sensor. One recess is guided by the projection wall, and the sensor is contained by the other recess to protrude the light shielding member into the optical sensor. The front of the ink cartridge is contacted to the lever, and the hollow needle is inserted to an ink supply hole of the ink cartridge by opening the hollow needle.

Description

Ink Cartridges and Recording Devices {INK CARTRIDGE AND RECORDING DEVICE}

The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and an ink cartridge mountable to the recording apparatus.

An ink cartridge for supplying ink for recording operation to the recording apparatus is provided.

Japanese Patent No. 2,768, 817 discloses a recording apparatus in which an opening portion is provided on the front surface. A plurality of ink cartridges for discharging inks of different colors are provided in the openings.

U. S. Patent No. 6,142, 617 discloses a recording device having an open opening upward. Grooves corresponding to the plurality of ink cartridges are provided at side edges facing the openings. The ink cartridge is inserted from above by aligning with the grooves and dropped into the opening.

It is desirable to manufacture the recording apparatus more compactly. Also, it is desirable that a thin and small ink cartridge is provided and easily detached from the recording apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus in which an ink cartridge is easily detachable as the recording apparatus has a flatter ink cartridge mounting portion so that the recording apparatus is more compact, and is thinner, smaller and can be easily mounted on the ink cartridge mounting portion of the recording apparatus. It is to provide a cartridge.

In order to achieve the above object, the combination of the recording apparatus and the ink cartridge according to the first aspect of the present invention includes the recording apparatus and the ink cartridge. The recording apparatus includes an opening portion, a bottom surface, a ceiling surface, a hollow needle, a cover, a lever, a protruding wall, and a sensor portion. The opening has an opening that opens outward in the horizontal direction. The bottom and ceiling surfaces extend in the horizontal direction. The ink cartridge mounting portion is defined by the opening, the bottom surface and the ceiling surface. The hollow needle supplies ink to the recording head. The hollow needle is positioned facing the opening and extends in the needle axial direction. The cover selectively covers or opens the hollow needle with respect to the opening. The lever moves the cover to open the needle. The lever is located closer to the opening than to the cover. The protruding wall is located on the bottom surface adjacent to the lever. The protruding wall extends in the needle axial direction. The sensor unit includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit facing each other. The lever and the sensor portion project from the bottom into the ink cartridge mounting portion at two positions interposed between the virtual extension of the axial needle extending in the needle axial direction.

The ink cartridge is detachably mounted to the ink cartridge mounting portion and includes a lower surface, a front surface, a protruding wall, a working portion, a sensor indentation portion, and a light blocking member. The bottom face is configured to abut against the bottom face and slide from the opening to the hollow needle of the recording apparatus. The front face has an ink supply hole into which the hollow needle is inserted. The protruding wall indentation receives the protruding wall. The working portion is provided at a position adjacent to the protruding wall indent and corresponding to the position of the lever. The working part is for actuating the lever. The sensor indentation receives the sensor portion. The light blocking member moves corresponding to the amount of ink remaining in the ink cartridge. The light shielding member is provided correspondingly to the sensor portion so as to protrude to the sensor indentation portion when the ink cartridge is mounted to the ink cartridge mounting portion and to be interposed between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion. The sensor indentation and the protruding wall indentation are formed open at the front face and the bottom face at positions interposed between both sides of the ink supply hole when viewed from the front face side.

Since the sensor portion and the lever are disposed on both sides of the hollow needle, the mechanism and the cover for moving the lever and the lever can be arranged in the recording apparatus without colliding with the sensor portion and the circuit board connected to the sensor portion. As a result, the ink cartridge and ink cartridge mounting portion can be manufactured more flat. The bottom surface of the ink cartridge mounting portion can slide the ink cartridge more stably so that the ink cartridge can be easily mounted. The ink cartridge can be mounted accurately to reliably coincide with the sensor portion.

Preferably, the recording apparatus includes a plurality of ink cartridge mounting portions aligned on the bottom surface on substantially the same virtual surface. Since the plurality of ink cartridge mounting portions are mounted on the same plane, the ink cartridge mounting portions can have a flatter configuration.

Preferably, the ink cartridge mounting portion is located below the transport path for the sheet recorded by the recording head. Since the plurality of ink cartridge mounting portions are disposed below the sheet transport path, the entire ink cartridge mounting portion can have a flatter configuration.

Preferably, the recording apparatus further includes a protrusion and the ink cartridge further includes an upper surface. The projection is provided at the horizontal end of the ink cartridge mounting portion and projects from the ceiling surface toward the bottom surface. The upper surface extends higher toward the ceiling surface at the portion corresponding between the projections of the recording apparatus than the portion corresponding to the projection. The protrusion adjusts the height direction position of the ink cartridge when the ink cartridge is inserted into the opening. The protruding wall indentation and the working portion are provided adjacent to portions of the ink cartridge corresponding to the protruding portions of the recording apparatus. Due to this configuration, the ink cartridge may be inserted into the opening without accidentally inserting the top surface of the ink cartridge downward. In addition, the ink cartridge is prevented from being mounted on the wrong mounting portion.

Preferably, the bottom surface extends further from the hollow needle than the ceiling surface. As a result, when the ink cartridge is inserted into the opening of the ink cartridge mounting portion, the ink cartridge abuts against the portion of the bottom which extends beyond the opening and slides across the bottom surface so that the ink cartridge can be easily inserted into the opening.

The ink cartridge according to the second aspect of the present invention includes an opening having an opening that is open in the horizontal direction to the outside, a bottom surface extending in the horizontal direction, a ceiling surface extending in the horizontal direction, and an opening portion and a bottom surface; An ink cartridge mounting portion defined by the ceiling surface, a hollow needle which supplies ink to the recording head and is positioned facing the opening and extends in the needle axial direction, a cover for selectively opening and closing the hollow needle with respect to the opening, and the needle It is for use in a recording apparatus including a lever moving the cover to open and positioned closer to the opening than the cover, a protruding wall located on the bottom surface adjacent to the lever and extending in the needle axial direction, and a sensor portion. The sensor unit includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit facing each other. The lever and the sensor portion project from the bottom into the ink cartridge mounting portion at two positions interposed between the virtual extension of the axial needle extending in the needle axial direction.

An ink cartridge according to the second aspect of the present invention is detachably mounted to an ink cartridge mounting portion and includes a lower surface, a front surface, a protruding wall indentation portion, a working portion, a sensor indentation portion, and a light shielding member. The lower surface abuts against the bottom surface and is configured to slide from the opening to the hollow needle of the recording apparatus. The front face has an ink supply hole into which the hollow needle is inserted. The protruding wall indentation receives the protruding wall. The working portion is provided at a position adjacent to the protruding wall indentation and corresponding to the position of the lever and for actuating the lever. The sensor indentation receives the sensor portion. The light blocking member moves in correspondence with the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge. The light shielding member is provided correspondingly to the sensor portion so as to protrude to the sensor indentation portion when the ink cartridge is mounted to the ink cartridge mounting portion and to interpose between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion. The sensor indentation and the protruding wall indentation are formed open at the front face and the bottom face at positions interposing both sides of the ink supply hole when viewed from the front face side. Due to this configuration, the ink cartridge can be formed into a flatter shape. The ink cartridge can slide more stably across the bottom surface of the ink cartridge mounting portion and thus can be detached more easily.

Preferably, the ink cartridge further includes an upper surface facing the ceiling surface of the recording apparatus when the ink cartridge is mounted to the recording apparatus. The top surface extends higher toward the ceiling surface than the portion corresponding to the projection, between the projections provided on the ceiling surface at the horizontal end of the ink cartridge mounting portion and protruding toward the bottom surface. Due to this configuration, the ink cartridge may be inserted into the opening without accidentally inserting the top surface of the ink cartridge downward.

Preferably, the front face has a higher protrusion shape at the portion corresponding to the protrusions and a lower protrusion shape at the portion corresponding to the protrusion. An ink supply hole is formed in the substantially horizontal center of the high portion of the front face. Due to this configuration, the diameter of the ink supply hole can be made larger. Thus, the diameter of the plug mounted in the ink supply hole can be made larger. This makes it easier to drill the plug using the hollow needle.

When the recording apparatus is formed such that the open end side of the protruding wall is located closer to the opening than the open end side of the sensor, preferably the end of the protruding wall indent opposing to the end of the protruding wall indent opened on the front face is It is located farther from the front face than the end of the sensor indent, opposite the end of the sensor indent that is open to the front face. Due to this configuration, when the ink cartridge is inserted into the ink cartridge mounting portion, the protruding wall indentation portion and the projection portion start guiding the ink cartridge so that the sensor indentation reaches the sensor portion after the ink cartridge is positioned in the width direction. Thus, the sensor indentation can reliably receive the sensor portion.

The ink cartridge according to the third aspect of the present invention includes an opening having an opening that is opened outward in the horizontal direction, a bottom surface extending in the horizontal direction, a ceiling surface extending in the horizontal direction, an opening portion and a bottom surface; An ink cartridge mounting portion defined by the ceiling surface, a hollow needle positioned to face the opening and supplying ink to the recording head and extending in the needle axial direction, a cover for selectively opening and closing the hollow needle with respect to the opening, and the needle A sensor portion including a lever that moves the cover to open and is positioned closer to the opening than the cover, a protrusion wall located on the bottom surface adjacent the lever and extending in the needle axial direction, and a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion facing each other; It is for use in a recording device. The lever and the sensor portion project from the bottom into the ink cartridge mounting portion at two positions interposed between the virtual extension of the axial needle extending in the needle axial direction.

The ink cartridge according to the third aspect of the present invention is detachably mounted to the ink cartridge mounting portion. The ink cartridge includes a bottom face, a front face, a protruding wall indent and a sensor indent. The bottom face is configured to abut against the bottom face and slide from the opening to the hollow needle of the recording apparatus. The front face has an ink supply hole into which the hollow needle is inserted. The protruding wall indentation receives the protruding wall. The sensor indentation houses the sensor. The sensor indentation and the protruding wall indentation are formed open at the front face and the lower face at positions interposed between both sides of the ink supply hole when viewed from the front face side. Due to this configuration, the ink cartridge can be formed into a flatter shape. The ink cartridge can slide more stably across the bottom surface of the ink cartridge mounting portion and thus can be detached more easily.

When the recording apparatus includes a projection protruding from the ceiling surface to the bottom surface, the projection preferably adjusts the height direction position of the ink cartridge when the ink cartridge is inserted into the opening. Due to this configuration, the ink cartridge may be inserted into the opening without accidentally inserting the top surface of the ink cartridge downward.

An ink cartridge according to the fourth aspect of the present invention includes an opening having an opening that is open outward in the horizontal direction, a bottom surface extending in the horizontal direction, a ceiling surface extending in the horizontal direction, an opening portion and a bottom surface; An ink cartridge mounting portion defined by the ceiling surface, a hollow needle positioned to face the opening and supplying ink to the recording head and extending in the needle axial direction, a cover for selectively opening and closing the hollow needle with respect to the opening, A lever proximate the opening and protruding into the ink cartridge mount from a position displaced from the needle axial direction in a direction parallel to the bottom surface to move the cover to open the needle, and a bottom adjacent the lever It is for use in a recording apparatus including a protruding wall located on the surface. The protruding wall extends in the needle axial direction. The lever protrudes from the bottom into the ink cartridge mounting portion at two positions interposed between a virtual extension of the axial needle extending in the needle axial direction.

An ink cartridge according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is detachably mounted to an ink cartridge mounting portion and includes a lower surface, a front surface, a protruding wall indentation portion, and a work portion. The bottom face is configured to abut against the bottom face and slide from the opening to the hollow needle of the recording apparatus. The front face has an ink supply hole into which the hollow needle is inserted. The protruding wall indents open to the bottom and front faces to accommodate the protruding wall. The protruding wall indentation is displaced from the ink supply hole in a direction parallel to the lower surface when viewed from the front surface side. The working portion is provided at a position adjacent to the protruding wall indentation and corresponding to the position of the lever and for actuating the lever. Due to this configuration, the ink cartridge can be formed into a flatter shape. The ink cartridge can slide more stably across the bottom surface of the ink cartridge mounting portion and thus can be detached more easily.

Preferably, the ink cartridge further includes an upper surface facing the ceiling surface of the recording apparatus when the ink cartridge is mounted to the recording apparatus. The top surface extends toward the ceiling surface at a portion corresponding to the projection, between projections provided on the ceiling surface at the horizontal end of the ink cartridge mounting portion and protruding toward the bottom surface. Due to this configuration, the ink cartridge may be inserted into the opening without accidentally inserting the top surface of the ink cartridge downward. One desired ink cartridge can be easily mounted and removed between the plurality of ink cartridges.

Preferably, the front face has a higher protrusion shape at the portion corresponding to the protrusions and a lower protrusion shape at the portion corresponding to the protrusion. An ink supply hole is formed in the substantially horizontal center of the high portion of the front face. Due to this configuration, the diameter of the ink supply hole can be made larger. Thus, the diameter of the plug mounted in the ink supply hole can be made larger. This makes it possible to drill the plug more easily using the hollow needle. The ink cartridge can be easily removed.

An ink cartridge according to the fifth aspect of the present invention includes an opening having an opening that is opened outward in a horizontal direction, a bottom surface extending in the horizontal direction, a ceiling surface extending in the horizontal direction, an opening portion and a bottom surface; An ink cartridge mounting portion defined by the ceiling surface, left and right sides extending from the bottom surface to the ceiling surface, a hollow needle positioned to face the opening and extending in the needle axial direction, supplying ink to the recording head, and the opening portion And a cover for selectively opening and closing the hollow needle, a protruding wall positioned on the bottom surface and extending in the needle axial direction, and a sensor portion including a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion facing each other. The sensor portion projects from the bottom surface into the ink cartridge mounting portion at a position displaced from the needle axial direction in a direction parallel to the bottom surface. The sensor portion projects from the bottom into the ink cartridge mounting portion at two positions interposed between a virtual extension of the axial needle extending in the needle axial direction.

An ink cartridge according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is detachably mounted to an ink cartridge mounting portion, and includes a lower surface, a front surface, a sensor indentation portion, and a light shielding member. The bottom face is configured to abut against the bottom face and slide from the opening to the hollow needle of the recording apparatus. The front face has an ink supply hole into which the hollow needle is inserted. The sensor indents open to the front and bottom surfaces to accommodate the sensor portion. The sensor indentation is displaced from the ink supply hole in a direction parallel to the lower surface when viewed from the front surface side. The light blocking member moves in correspondence with the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge. The light shielding member is provided correspondingly to the sensor portion so as to protrude to the sensor indentation portion when the ink cartridge is mounted to the ink cartridge mounting portion and to interpose between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion. Due to this configuration, the ink cartridge can be formed into a flatter shape. The ink cartridge can slide more stably across the bottom surface of the ink cartridge mounting portion and thus can be detached more easily. The remaining ink level can be detected.

When the recording apparatus includes a plurality of ink cartridge mounting portions different in distance between the left and right sides of one ink cartridge mounting portion and the distance between the left and right sides of the other ink cartridge mounting portion, preferably, the ink mounted on one ink cartridge mounting portion The distance between one of the left and right sides of the cartridge and the sensor indentation differs from the distance between one of the left and right sides of the ink cartridge mounted on the other ink cartridge mounting portion and the sensor indentation. Due to this configuration, for example, when a plurality of different types of ink cartridges are used for printing with ink of different colors, when the ink cartridges are mounted in the wrong positions, the ink cartridges are in the wrong positions because the sensor unit does not correspond to the ink cartridges. Can be prevented.

When the recording apparatus includes protrusions protruding from the ceiling surface to the bottom surface, preferably, the ink cartridge has a height determined by the distance between the protrusions and the bottom surface of the recording apparatus when the ink cartridge is inserted into the opening. Due to this configuration, the ink cartridge may be inserted into the opening without accidentally inserting the top surface of the ink cartridge downward.

Preferably, a fixed wall is provided at the sensor indentation. The fixing wall includes an inner groove extending parallel to the insertion direction into the opening such that the fixing portion is inserted between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion. The groove accommodates the light blocking member in a movable condition. Due to this configuration, the ink remaining amount can be detected reliably and at the same time a flat configuration is achieved.

An ink cartridge according to the sixth aspect of the present invention includes an ink cartridge mounting portion, a connecting portion for supplying ink to the recording head, and a sensor portion including a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion facing each other. The sensor portion projects into the ink cartridge mounting portion.

An ink cartridge according to a sixth aspect of the present invention includes an outer shape portion and a light blocking member. The outer shape substantially coincides with the inside of the ink cartridge mounting portion when the ink cartridge is mounted on the ink cartridge mounting portion. The outer shape includes an outer shape for receiving the sensor part. The light blocking member is disposed in the outer shape of the outer shape portion. The light blocking member moves in correspondence with the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge so as to enter or exit between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion. Due to this configuration, the ink cartridge has a flat configuration in which the light blocking member does not protrude from the ink cartridge. As a result, the ink cartridge is easily mounted to or removed from the recording apparatus.

Preferably, the sensor indentation which accommodates a sensor part is provided in an external shape. Due to this configuration, the ink cartridge can be simply produced in a flat shape.

Preferably, the outer shape further includes a sensor indent that is opened in a direction connecting the connection portion of the ink cartridge mounting portion and the ink supply hole. The light blocking member extends from the sensor indentation in a direction parallel to the direction connecting the ink supply holes. Due to this configuration, the ink cartridge can be simply produced in a flat shape.

Preferably, a fixed wall may be provided in the sensor indentation. The fixing wall includes an inner groove extending in parallel to the insertion direction to the opening so that the fixing portion is inserted between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion. The groove accommodates the light blocking member under movable conditions. Due to this configuration, the light blocking member is blocked from the outside so that there is no risk of ink leaking. In addition, the ink remaining amount can be detected reliably.

An ink cartridge according to the seventh aspect of the present invention includes an opening having an opening that is open in the horizontal direction to the outside, a bottom surface extending in the horizontal direction, a ceiling surface extending in the horizontal direction, and an opening portion and a bottom surface; For use with a recording apparatus comprising an ink cartridge mounting portion defined by a ceiling surface, a connecting portion for supplying ink to the recording head and positioned facing the opening and extending in the axial direction of the connecting portion, and a projection provided at the horizontal end of the ink cartridge mounting portion. It is for. The protrusion projects from the ceiling surface to the bottom surface.

An ink cartridge according to the seventh aspect of the present invention is detachably mounted to an ink cartridge mounting portion and includes a lower surface, a front surface, and an upper surface. The bottom face is configured to abut against the bottom face and slide from the opening to the connection of the recording device. The front face has an ink supply hole connectable with the connection portion. The upper surface extends higher toward the ceiling surface in the portion corresponding between the projections of the recording apparatus than in the portion corresponding to the projection. Due to this configuration, the ink cartridge can be formed into a flatter shape. The ink cartridge can slide more stably across the bottom surface of the ink cartridge mounting portion and thus can be detached more easily. The ink cartridge may be inserted into the opening without accidentally inserting the top surface of the ink cartridge downward.

When the recording apparatus further comprises a spring member provided at a position closer to the connection portion of the ceiling than the projection and downwardly projecting, the ink cartridge is preferably inserted into the ink cartridge mounting portion so as to correspond to the projection and slidably contact the spring member. An upper surface extending in the direction for insertion is provided. Due to this configuration, the ink cartridge can slide more stably across the bottom surface of the ink cartridge mounting portion and thus can be detached more easily.

Preferably, the ink cartridge further includes an ink holder and a flexible film. The ink holding portion is disposed therein corresponding to the portion of the upper surface extending higher toward the ceiling surface. The flexible film covers the ink holding portion. Due to this configuration, a large amount of ink can be stored even if the ink cartridge is flat.

Preferably, the front face has a high protrusion shape at the portion corresponding to the protrusions and a low protrusion portion at the portion corresponding to the protrusions. An ink supply hole is formed in the substantially horizontal center of the high portion of the front face. Since the ink supply hole is large in diameter, the ink supply hole can be easily connected to the recording apparatus.

An ink cartridge according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is for use with a recording apparatus including a hollow needle and an air supply member. The air supply member has an air supply hole adjacent the hollow needle and connected to the air pressure source.

An ink cartridge according to an eighth aspect of the present invention includes a case, a flexible film, an elastic plug member, an opening portion, and a portion in contact with the air supply member. The case is provided with an ink chamber therein. The flexible film forms part of the ink chamber. The elastic plug member blocks the ink chamber. The hollow needle punctures the elastic plug member and supplies ink from the ink chamber to the recording apparatus. The opening is formed in the case at a position adjacent to the plug member. The opening is opened to the ink chamber. The portion in contact with the ink supply member is in contact with the air supply hole covering the supply portion when the ink cartridge is mounted to the recording apparatus. Due to this configuration, the ink cartridge can be formed into a flat shape. Further, the recording head of the recording apparatus can be returned to good working conditions because the positive pressure is applied to the ink when the purging operation is performed by the recording apparatus.

When the recording apparatus further includes an elastic ring type seal member provided at the tip end of the air supply hole in contact with the case of the ink cartridge, the portion of the case in contact with the seal member is preferably substantially flat. Due to this configuration, the air supply hole and the opening of the case can be reliably in fluid communication.

When the recording apparatus further comprises an elastic ring-shaped seal member provided at the tip of the air supply hole in contact with the case of the ink cartridge, a spring means provided on the air supply hole for urging the seal member toward the case, and preferably a lock means. The case of the ink cartridge includes an indentation engaging with the locking means against the pressing force of the spring means. Due to this configuration, the indentation engages the locking means of the recording apparatus when the ink cartridge is mounted on the recording apparatus and the front surface of the ink cartridge is in contact with the air supply hole against the operation of the spring means. As a result, the ink cartridge is held at a predetermined position irrespective of the pressing force of the spring means and the air supply hole and the hollow needle can be kept in the connection condition.

When the recording apparatus further includes locking means for locking the ink cartridge at the mounting position of the ink cartridge mounting portion, preferably, the direction of connecting and disconnecting the ink cartridge to the hollow needle and the air supply hole is such that the hollow needle and the elastic plug member are provided. After being connected, the air supply hole and the opening are in fluid communication and the air supply hole and the opening are separated before the hollow needle and the elastic plug member are separated. Due to this configuration, the air supply hole and the opening are connected after the hollow needle is inserted into the elastic plug member when the ink cartridge is mounted to the recording apparatus. Also, the hollow needle is separated from the elastic plug member after the air supply hole and the opening are separated when the ink cartridge is removed. Even if the ink cartridge is removed while the air source is operating, ink is prevented from leaking when the hollow needle is separated from the elastic plug member.

Preferably, the recording apparatus is defined by an open portion having an opening that is open in the horizontal direction to the outside, a bottom surface extending in the horizontal direction, a ceiling surface extending in the horizontal direction, and an opening portion and a bottom surface and the ceiling surface. An ink cartridge mounting portion, a cover for selectively opening and closing the hollow needle with respect to the opening, and a needle on the bottom surface and parallel to the bottom surface for moving the cover to open the needle and located closer to the opening than the cover A lever protruding into the ink cartridge mounting portion from the bottom at two positions interposed between a virtual extension of the axial needle extending in the needle axial direction and protruding into the ink cartridge mounting portion from a position displaced from the axial direction, and a bottom surface adjacent to the lever And a protruding wall positioned on the needle and extending in the axial direction of the needle, wherein the hollow needle and the air supply hole are opened. When placed in a position facing the portion, the ink cartridge further comprises a bottom surface, a front surface, the protruding wall indentation portion and the operation.

In this case, the lower surface is configured to abut against the bottom surface and to slide from the opening to the hollow needle of the recording apparatus. The front face has an opening and an ink supply hole. The protruding wall indents open to the bottom and front faces to accommodate the protruding wall. The protruding wall indentation is displaced from the ink supply hole in a direction parallel to the lower surface when viewed from the front surface side. The opening is located between the ink supply hole and the protruding wall indentation. The working portion is provided at a position adjacent to the protruding wall indentation and corresponding to the position of the lever and for actuating the lever. Due to this configuration, the ink cartridge can be formed into a flatter shape while the ink cartridge is provided with the working portion, the indentation portion, the opening portion and the elastic plug member. Also, the ink cartridge can slide more stably across the bottom surface of the ink cartridge mounting portion and thus can be detached more easily.

An ink cartridge according to the ninth aspect of the present invention has an opening having an opening that is opened outward in the horizontal direction, a bottom surface extending in the horizontal direction, a ceiling surface extending in the horizontal direction, and substantially the same plane of the bottom surface. It is for use with a recording apparatus including a plurality of ink cartridge mounting portions arranged next to each other on each other on the other hand, and hollow needles that are positioned to face the openings and supply ink to the recording heads.

An ink cartridge according to the ninth aspect of the present invention is detachably mounted to an ink cartridge mounting portion and includes a lower surface, a front surface, and a rear end portion. The lower surface is configured to slide from the opening side along the bottom surface in the direction of connecting the ink supply hole to the connecting portion. The front face has an ink supply hole connected with the hollow needle. The rear end is on the side opposite the front face. The rear end is exposed from the opening when the ink cartridge is in the mounting condition. The rear end has a width narrower than the width of the front face in the aligned direction of the plurality of cartridge mounts. Since the rear end of the ink cartridge has a narrow width, a space is opened between the rear ends of the ink cartridges when a plurality of ink cartridges are mounted. The rear end of one desired ink cartridge can be easily gripped and taken out. Also, when mounting the ink cartridge in the recording apparatus, the user grips the rear end to insert the ink cartridge into the mounting portion and slides the ink cartridge onto the bottom surface to align the ink cartridge between the other ink cartridges.

When the bottom surface of the recording apparatus extends further than the ceiling surface in the direction opposite to the hollow needle side, the rear end is preferably located at a portion of the bottom surface extending beyond the ceiling surface. Due to this configuration, when the ink cartridge is inserted into the opening of the ink cartridge mounting portion, the ink cartridge can be easily slid into the opening by sliding against the bottom surface and touching a portion of the bottom surface extending beyond the opening.

An ink cartridge according to the tenth aspect of the present invention supplies ink to an opening portion having an opening opened in a horizontal direction to the outside, a bottom surface extending in the horizontal direction, a ceiling surface extending in the horizontal direction, and a recording head. And for use with a recording device which is located facing the opening and which comprises a connection. The bottom surface extends more than the opening portion in the direction opposite to the connecting portion side.

An ink cartridge according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is detachably mounted to an ink cartridge mounting portion, and includes a lower surface, a front surface, and a rear end portion. The lower surface is configured to slide along the bottom surface from the opening in the direction of connecting the ink supply hole to the connecting portion. The front face has an ink supply hole connected with the hollow needle. The rear end is on the side opposite the front face. The rear end is located on a portion of the bottom surface protruding from the opening. At the rear end, an upwardly protruding rib is formed on the upper surface thereof for the user to grasp with a finger. Due to this configuration, when mounting the ink cartridge, the user can remove the ink cartridge by pressing the rib and sliding its lower surface over the bottom surface.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a multifunction apparatus equipped with an ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the multifunction device of FIG. 1 with the top cover of the flat search device open; FIG.

3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the multifunction device of FIG.

4 is a perspective view of the multifunction device of FIG. 1 with the flatbed search device removed;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the lower side of the cover body of the multifunctional device.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the multifunction device with the cover body open.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the multifunctional device with the flat search unit and the cover body removed.

Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view of the configuration of the printer engine of the multifunction device.

Fig. 9 is a plan view showing the construction of an ink cartridge accommodating portion of the multifunction apparatus.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of one ink cartridge mounting portion of the ink cartridge receiving portion.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing the structure of a mechanism provided under the bottom surface of the ink cartridge mounting portion as a mechanism for protecting the needle, locking the condition where the needle is protected, and preventing the ink cartridge from falling out of the ink cartridge mounting portion.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing the ink cartridge according to the embodiment from the rear end.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing the ink cartridge according to the embodiment from the front end.

Figure 14 is a perspective view showing the ink cartridge with the lid separated from the main case.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing a main case to which a flexible film is attached.

Fig. 16 is an exploded perspective view showing a sensing mechanism provided in the indentation portion of the main case.

FIG. 17 is a work diagram instructing work of the sensing mechanism of FIG. 16; FIG.

18 is a bottom view of the main case.

Fig. 19 is a plan view showing the ink cartridge of this embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a view taken from arrow A of FIG. 19;

Figure 21 is a sectional view of the ink cartridge taken along the line B-B in Figure 19;

FIG. 22 is a sectional view of the ink cartridge taken along the line C-C in FIG. 19; FIG.

FIG. 23 is a sectional view of the ink cartridge taken along the line D-D in FIG.

Figure 24 is a sectional view of the ink cartridge taken along the line E-E in Figure 19.

Figure 25 is a sectional view of the ink cartridge taken along the line F-F in Figure 19;

FIG. 26 is a sectional view of the ink cartridge taken along the line G-G in FIG.

Figure 27 is a sectional view of the ink cartridge taken along the line H-H in Figure 19;

Figure 28 is a sectional view of the ink cartridge taken along the line I-I in Figure 19;

Figure 29 shows the relationship between the inflation portion formed on the partition of the mounting portion of the ink cartridge when the ink cartridge is inserted into the mounting opening, the height of the ink cartridge and the curved convex wall formed on the ceiling surface of the ink cartridge mounting portion. drawing.

Figure 30 is a plan view showing a condition in which the ejection lock projection is recovered by the ink cartridge front face when the ink cartridge is inserted into the mounting opening of the ink cartridge mounting portion.

FIG. 31 is a sectional view of the condition shown in FIG. 30; FIG.

Figure 32 shows a condition in which the needle protection lock member releases the locked condition of the needle guard plate by the lock release portion that strikes the needle protection lock release lever when the guide groove of the ink cartridge engages the guide guard wall and the ink cartridge slides. One section.

Fig. 33 is a sectional view showing a condition in which the needle plate is recovered after the front face of the ink cartridge presses the needle guard plate and the ink introducing hollow needle is inserted into the ink supply hole and the needle guard plate is unlocked.

Fig. 34 is a sectional view showing a condition in which the front face of the ink cartridge is in contact with the rubber cap of the positive pressure applying member with respect to the engagement of the pull holding lock protrusion into the pull holding lock indentation after the ink introducing hollow needle is inserted into the ink supply hole;

FIG. 35 is a plan view of the conditions shown in FIG. 34; FIG.

Fig. 36 is a sectional view of the ink cartridge in vacuum packing condition.

FIG. 37A is a side view illustrating a process of a method for attaching a flexible film to an open periphery according to this embodiment. FIG.

FIG. 37B is a side view illustrating a process of a method of producing an expanded shape of a flexible film. FIG.

FIG. 38 is a side view showing a modification of the process of producing an expanded shape of a flexible film; FIG.

Fig. 39A shows a process of fully inserting a rubber plug having a rear flow prevention valve into the ink supply hole and partially inserting the rubber plug for ink injection into the ink injection hole, and removing air from the ink receiving portion and the injection ink; One section.

Fig. 39B is a view showing the plug peak portion of the ink rubber plug for ink injection inserted in the corner of the ink injection hole.

Fig. 40 is a sectional view showing the positional relationship between a spherical edge (ink receiving periphery), an inner edge of the open periphery, and a flexible film on the outside of the curved portion of the lid;

Fig. 41 is a perspective view showing an ink cartridge according to a first modification of the present embodiment, with guide grooves and sensor receiving grooves open toward the side wall;

Fig. 42 is a plan view showing a recording apparatus changed for use with the ink cartridge of Fig. 41 in which the position of the needle protection lock release lever of the ink cartridge mounting portion changes in correspondence with the ink cartridge changed.

Fig. 43A is a plan view showing an ink cartridge according to a second modification of this embodiment.

Figure 43B is a perspective view of the ink cartridge of Figure 43A.

Figure 44A is a plan view showing an ink cartridge according to a third modification of the present embodiment.

Figure 44B is a perspective view of the ink cartridge of Figure 44A.

Fig. 45A is a plan view showing an ink cartridge according to a fourth modification of the present embodiment.

Figure 45B is a perspective view of the ink cartridge of Figure 45A.

Fig. 46A is a plan view showing an ink cartridge according to a fifth modification of this embodiment.

Figure 46B is a perspective view of the ink cartridge of Figure 46A.

Fig. 47A is a plan view showing an ink cartridge according to a sixth modification of this embodiment.

Figure 47B is a side view of the ink cartridge of Figure 47A.

48A is a plan view showing an ink cartridge according to a seventh modification of this embodiment;

Figure 48B is a side view of the ink cartridge of Figure 48A.

49A is a plan view showing an ink cartridge according to an eighth modification of this embodiment;

Figure 49B is a side view of the ink cartridge of Figure 49A.

50A is a plan view showing an ink cartridge according to a ninth modification of this embodiment;

Figure 50B is a side view of the ink cartridge of Figure 50A.

Fig. 51A is a plan view showing an ink cartridge according to a tenth modification of this embodiment.

Figure 51B is a side view of the ink cartridge of Figure 51A.

52A is a plan view showing an ink cartridge according to an eleventh modification of this embodiment;

Figure 52B is a side view of the ink cartridge of Figure 52A.

Fig. 53A is a plan view showing an ink cartridge according to a twelfth modification of this embodiment.

Figure 53B is a side view of the ink cartridge of Figure 53A.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

1: multifunction device

10: search unit

12: control panel

14: search unit case

15: document glass

16: contact image sensor

17: top cover

20: ink jet recording unit

22: sheet feed tray

24: telephone

26: antenna

28: media substrate device

29: media slot

30: housing

34: sheet discharge tray

40: cover

42: engine cover

46: sheet discharge port

60: printer engine

200: ink cartridge

Hereinafter, the multifunction device 1 using the ink cartridge 200 and the ink cartridge 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 40.

First, the multifunction device 1 using the ink cartridge 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 shows a multifunctional device 1 according to the present embodiment. The multifunction apparatus 1 includes a scanner function, a copy function, and a facsimile function. The multifunction apparatus 1 has a thin and compact configuration including the retrieval unit 10 and the ink jet recording unit 20. The ink jet recording unit 20 is disposed on the retrieval unit 10. The control panel 12 is provided on the retrieval unit 10. The ink jet recording unit 20 is provided with a sheet supply tray 22. The multifunction device 1 is provided with a telephone 24 and an antenna 26. The phone 24 can communicate wirelessly with a wireless cellular phone (not shown) using the antenna 26. The telephone 24 can be connected to a public telephone circuit and function as a transmission point for a wireless cellular phone (not shown) while the wireless cellular phone is in use for a telephone call.

A power source, a main substrate, an NCU substrate, and two medium substrate devices 28 shown in Fig. 7 are provided in an ink jet recording unit together with a recording medium for performing a recording operation. The main substrate is for controlling the operation of the multifunction apparatus 1. The NCU board is for controlling the connection with public telephone circuits for facsimile and telephone functions. Two medium slots 29 are provided in the front face of the ink jet recording unit 20. By inserting the external memory medium into any of the medium slots 29, the external medium can be freely detachably mounted corresponding to one of the medium substrate devices 28. The media substrate device 28 retrieves data such as data taken by a digital camera from an external memory medium, and this data is used for printing or the like.

As shown in Fig. 2, the search unit 10 is a flat type search unit and includes a search unit case 14. The retrieval unit case 14 includes a document glass 15 on which the document to be scanned is located. The contact image sensor 16 is disposed below the document glass 15. A configuration is provided for generating a scanning movement of the contact image sensor 16. An upper cover 17 for covering the upper surface of the document glass 16 is provided to be opened and closed with respect to the retrieval unit case 14.

The control panel 12 is provided on the upper surface in front of the search unit case 14. The user inputs a command for the operation of the multifunctional device 1 such as a copy job, facsimile job or scanner job via the control panel 12.

Attachment means (not shown) are provided for allowing the flatbed retrieval unit 10 to be detached from the ink jet recording unit 20.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ink jet recording unit 20 below the retrieving unit 10 includes a housing 30. As shown in FIG. The sheet feed tray 22 protrudes from the inside of the housing 30 onto the rear portion of the housing 30. The sheet feed roller 23 is provided in the sheet feed tray 22 so that one sheet can be fed per hour. The printer engine 60 is provided as a recording section at a position where the sheet is received from the sheet supply tray 22. The sheet discharge part D is provided in front of the printer engine 60. The sheet recorded by the printer engine 60 is discharged from the sheet discharge part D. FIG. The sheet discharge tray 34 can be freely attached to and detached from the sheet discharge unit D. FIG. The sheet discharge tray 34 serves as part of the sheet transport path. The ink cartridge holding portion P on which the ink cartridge 200 (Fig. 12) is mounted is disposed between the sheet discharge portion D and the base of the housing 30. As shown in FIG. In this way, the ink cartridge holder P is disposed at a lower position than the print head 60.

As shown in FIG. 4, the housing 30 is covered from above by a cover 40. The cover 40 has an engine cover portion 42 and a cartridge holding cover portion 44. The engine cover portion 42 covers the printer engine 60 from above. The cartridge holding cover portion 44 is provided below the sheet discharge portion D and covers the ink cartridge holding portion P from above. The front face of the engine cover 42 is opened to form a seat discharge port 46. The cartridge holder 44 is located under the path where the sheet recorded by the printer engine 60 is transported, that is, under the sheet discharge tray 34.

As shown in Fig. 3, the cartridge holding cover portion 44 functions as the ceiling surface of the ink cartridge holding portion P. As shown in Figs. As will be described later, the ink cartridge holding portion P includes the cartridge holding cover portion 44 and the cartridge so that the ink cartridge 200 can be inserted into the rear side of the ink cartridge holding portion P from the front opening O. FIG. It is formed between the holding base wall (32). The front cover 50 is provided to selectively open and close the front opening O (FIGS. 4 and 6). The front cover 50 includes a top wall 52 and a front wall 54. When the front cover 50 is closed as shown in Fig. 4, the top wall 52 is aligned on the same virtual plane as the cartridge retaining cover 44 and the front wall 54 is the top wall. It extends downward from 52 in the vertical direction.

As shown in Fig. 5, four curved protruding ribs 47 are formed on the lower surface of the cartridge holding cover 44. Figs. The curved shape of the curved protruding rib 47 is formed to follow the shape of the top surface of the four ink cartridges 200 mounted to the ink cartridge holding portion P. As shown in FIG. In addition, a pair of notches 48 are formed at the left and right ends of the cartridge holding cover portion 44.

As shown in Fig. 6, the pair of arms 56 provided on the front cover 50 are received by the notches 48 when the front cover 50 is opened. As will be described later, the five partition walls 110 are aligned on the base wall 32 of the ink cartridge holding portion P. As shown in FIG. Pivot shaft 57 protrudes from two end position bulkheads 110. Arm pairs 56 of the front cover 50 are pivotally attached to the pivot shaft 57 so that the user can freely open and close the front cover 50.

Seven vertical ribs 58 are formed on the rear side of the front cover 50 so as to extend in the vertical direction when the cover 50 is closed. Vertical ribs 58 extend from the front wall 54 of the front cover 50 to a portion of the top wall 52. Four of the seven vertical ribs 58 are formed at positions corresponding to the widthwise centers of the mounted ink cartridges 200. Thus, when the front cover 50 is closed from the opening condition shown in Fig. 6, the corresponding vertical ribs 58 automatically move any partially inserted ink cartridge 200 into the ink holder recording sheet P. As shown in FIG. By pressing deeply, the ink cartridge 200 is correctly inserted even when one of the ink cartridges 200 is incompletely inserted into the ink cartridge holder P. FIG. Although not shown in the figure, a plurality of lateral ribs are also formed on the rear surface of the front cover 50. The lateral ribs extend in the horizontal direction intersecting the seven vertical ribs 58 and are for reinforcing the seven vertical ribs 58.

The cartridge retainer base wall 32 extends further forward than the cartridge retainer cover 44 to guide the ink cartridge 200 toward the front opening O. As shown in FIG. An indentation 102 is formed in a portion corresponding to the partition wall 110 in a portion of the cartridge retainer base wall 32 that extends further forward than the cartridge retainer cover 44. The indent 102 has a quadrant or semicircle shape in plan view. The indentation portion 102 is a grip portion of the ink cartridge 200 embedded in the ink cartridge holding portion P so that a user can easily grip the ink cartridge built into the ink cartridge holding portion P using his or her fingers. It has a narrower width than 202.

7 shows the multifunction apparatus 1 in which the cover 40 and the front cover 50 are removed from the ink jet recording unit 20. As shown in FIG. As shown in Fig. 7, the housing 30 has an open upper side and the front open portion O of the ink cartridge holding portion P is the front side of the housing 30. As shown in Figs. Two media substrate devices 28 are disposed in positions corresponding to media slots 29. In addition, a hydrostatic pump 36 to be described later is disposed behind the media substrate device 28.

The black (K) ink cartridge compartment (Sk), cyan (C) ink cartridge compartment (Sc), yellow (Y) ink cartridge compartment (Sy) and magenta (M) ink cartridge compartment (Sm) are the ink cartridge holder (P). ) Is aligned in the left and right direction. The black (K) ink cartridge mounting portion Sk is for mounting the black (K) ink cartridge 200k and the cyan (C) ink cartridge mounting portion Sc is for mounting the cyan (C) ink cartridge 200c. The yellow (Y) ink cartridge mounting portion Sy is for mounting the yellow (Y) ink cartridge 200y and the magenta (M) ink cartridge mounting portion Sm is for mounting the magenta (M) ink cartridge 200m. .

Hereinafter, the black (K) ink cartridge 200k, the cyan (C) ink cartridge 200c, the yellow (Y) ink cartridge 200y, and the magenta (M) ink cartridge 200m may be collectively referred to as the ink cartridge 200. It will be referred to. In addition, below, a black (K) ink cartridge mounting part (Sk), a cyan (C) ink cartridge mounting part (Sc), a yellow (Y) ink cartridge mounting part (Sy), and a magenta (M) ink cartridge mounting part (Sm) collectively It will be referred to as an ink cartridge mounting portion (S).

The ink cartridge holding portion P is formed under the ceiling plate forming the cartridge holding cover portion 44 of the cover 40 and under the sheet discharge tray 34 serving as part of the sheet conveying path. 32) formed from ink cartridge mounting portions S arranged in the left and right directions on the same imaginary surface. Thus, the ink cartridge holding portion P has an overall flat and substantially parallelepiped shape. Therefore, the overall configuration of the multifunction apparatus 1 can be formed thinly and compactly.

The ink supply mechanism 80, the positive pressure applying mechanism 90, and the cartridge mounting mechanism 100 are provided in the ink cartridge mounting portion S. As shown in FIG. Each cartridge mounting mechanism 100 is for mounting a corresponding ink cartridge 200 described later. The static pressure application mechanism 90 is for applying a static pressure to the ink of the mounting ink cartridge 200 from the static pressure pump 36. The ink supply mechanism 80 is for supplying ink of the mounting ink cartridge 200 to the printer engine 60. An ink supply tube T for supplying ink to the printer engine 60 extends from the ink supply mechanism 80. That is, the black (K) ink supply tube Tk extends from the black (K) ink cartridge mounting portion Sk, and the cyan (C) ink supply tube Tc extends from the cyan (C) ink cartridge mounting portion Sc. The yellow (Y) ink supply tube Ty extends from the yellow (Y) ink cartridge mount Sy, and the magenta (M) ink supply tube Tm extends from the magenta (M) ink cartridge mount Sm do. Hereinafter, the black (K) ink supply tube (Tk), the cyan (C) ink supply tube (Tc), the yellow (Y) ink supply tube (Ty), and the magenta (M) ink supply tube (Tm) are collectively ink. It will be referred to as a supply tube (T).

Although not shown in the figure, a waste ink absorber is disposed in the housing 30 under the printer engine 60 behind the ink cartridge holder P. FIG. The printer engine 60 includes an engine housing 62. Although not shown in the figure, a seat transport slot is formed in the rear face of the engine housing 62. The sheet transport slot is for receiving a sheet supplied from the sheet supply tray 22. The engine side seat discharge slot 64 is formed in the front face of the engine housing 62. The engine side sheet discharge slot 64 is for discharging the sheet recorded by the printer engine 60 toward the sheet discharge part D. FIG. The seat transport path is further defined in the engine housing 62 from the seat transport slot to the engine side seat ejection slot 64. The printed sheet is discharged toward the seat discharge part D because the engine side seat discharge slot 64 faces the seat discharge port 46 while the cover 40 covers the housing 30 (FIG. 4). KC tube opening 66 and YM tube opening 68 are formed in the front face of engine housing 62. The KC tube opening 66 is for introducing the black (K) ink supply tube Tk and the cyan (C) ink supply tube Tc into the printer engine 60. The YM tube opening 68 is for introducing a yellow (Y) ink supply tube Ty and a magenta (M) ink supply tube Tm into the printer engine 60. Although not shown in the figure, a cable opening for introducing cables connected to the main circuit board to the printer engine 60 is also formed in the front face of the engine housing 62.

As shown in Fig. 8, a seat transport mechanism 76 is provided inside the engine housing 62. The sheet conveying mechanism 76 is made of a plurality of pairs of rollers for conveying a sheet from the sheet feed roller 23 to the engine side sheet discharge slot 64 along the sheet conveying path. The carriage scan shaft 72 extends from above in a direction intersecting the sheet conveying direction. The carriage 74 is provided on the carriage scan shaft 72 so as to be able to reciprocate along the carriage scan shaft 72. The piezoelectric ink jet head 70 is mounted to the lower surface of the carriage 74. Although not shown in the figure, a group of nozzles is formed for each of the plurality of ink colors described above. Each nozzle faces downward so that the nozzle discharges ink downward onto the recording sheet. Four ink supply tubes T (Tk, Tc, Ty, Tm) and cables to supply four inks (black, cyan, yellow, magenta) and to respond to drive signals with the piezoelectric ink jet head 72 Connected to the nozzle group. The carriage 74 scans along the carriage scan shaft 72 and the piezoelectric ink jet head 70 and writes in a band of width corresponding to the width of the nozzle group. At each time one scan is completed, the sheet transport mechanism 76 supplies the sheet by a length corresponding to the width of the recording band. Purification unit 78 is provided on the carriage scan shaft 72 and at a position displaced from the sheet transport path. Although not shown in the figure, the purification unit 78 includes a known cap and pump. In some situations, such as when the piezoelectric ink jet head 70 is not moving, the piezoelectric ink jet head 70 is transported to a position facing the purification unit 78, with the cap covering the nozzle and the pump removing the cap from the nozzle. Afterwards, a purge operation for sucking ink is performed.

Only the piezoelectric ink jet head 70 is mounted on the carriage 74. Ink from the ink cartridge 200 embedded in the ink cartridge holding unit P is supplied to the piezoelectric ink jet head 70 via the tube T. In addition, since the piezoelectric ink jet head 70 is disposed vertically on the ink cartridge holding portion P, a pressure head difference is generated between the piezoelectric ink jet head 70 and the ink cartridge 200. Thus, a negative pressure, i.e., a back pressure that prevents ink (not shown) from flowing out of the nozzle of the piezoelectric ink jet head 70, acts on the ink of the nozzle of the piezoelectric ink jet head 70.

As shown in Fig. 9, the ink supply mechanism 80, the positive pressure applying mechanism 90, and the cartridge mounting mechanism 100 have substantially the same configuration for each of the four ink cartridge mounting portions S. As shown in Figs.

As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, each ink supply mechanism 80 is formed of an ink introducing hollow needle 82 and a buffer tank 84 connected to the ink supply tube T. The ink introducing hollow needle 82 extends toward the front face opening O. As shown in FIG. The hollow needle 82 is hollow and has a pair of holes formed inwardly connected on the sides of the tip portion in a known hollow needle manner. When the ink cartridge 200 is mounted in the corresponding cartridge mounting portion S, the ink introduction hollow needle 82 is inserted into the ink cartridge 200 so that ink is supplied to the buffer tank 84. The buffer tank 84 temporarily holds the ink supplied by the ink introducing hollow needle 82 and filters foreign matter from the ink. The ink filtered in this manner is then supplied to the piezoelectric ink jet head 70 via the corresponding ink supply tube T.

The static pressure applying mechanism 90 is for applying a static pressure to the ink of the ink cartridge 200. The positive pressure applying mechanism 90 is formed of the positive pressure applying member 91 connected to the positive pressure pump 36. All four positive pressure applying members 91 provided in the four ink cartridge mounting portions S are directly connected to the positive pressure pump 36 via the positive pressure applying tube 92. There is a relief valve (not shown) between the constant pressure pump 36 and the constant pressure application tube 92. When the positive pressure applying pump 36 is driven, air flows from the four positive pressure applying members 91 through the positive pressure applying tube 92 to the ink cartridge 200 at substantially the same pressure.

As shown in Fig. 10, each of the positive pressure applying members 91 is made of a ring-shaped elastic member 93 and a supporting member 96. The support member 96 supports the ring-shaped elastic seal member 93 while the spring 94 presses the ring-shaped elastic seal member 93 toward the front opening O. As shown in FIG. The ring-shaped resilient seal member 93 includes a static pressure hole 98 positioned centrally in fluid communication with the static pressure application tube 92 from the static pressure pump 36. The positive pressure hole 98 faces the front opening O. As shown in FIG.

The cartridge mounting mechanism 100 includes the partition wall 110, the indentation portion 102 on the cartridge holder base wall 32, the guide protruding wall 120, the needle guard plate 130, and the needle guard plate 130. The lock member 180 (FIG. 11), the lock release operation rib 150, the extraction lock protrusion 160, and the residual ink detection optical sensor 170 are included.

The partition wall 110 is formed on both sides of each ink cartridge mounting portion S so as to protrude upward from the cartridge holder base wall 32 and extend from the front opening O toward the ink cartridge holder P. FIG. The partition wall 110 defines the width of the ink cartridge mounting portion S. The partition wall 110 located between the adjacent ink cartridge mounts S also serves to isolate the ink cartridge mounts S. FIG.

The width of each ink cartridge mounting portion S is a size appropriate for the width of the corresponding ink cartridge 200 so that the corresponding ink cartridge 200 is mounted therein. As will be described later, the widths of the cyan (C) ink cartridge 200c, the yellow (Y) ink cartridge 200y, and the magenta (M) ink cartridge 200m are the same. The width of the black (B) ink cartridge 200k in which internal black ink is used more frequently during printing is cyan (C) ink cartridge 200c, yellow (Y) ink cartridge 200y, and magenta (M) ink cartridge ( Greater than 200 m) and has a large internal capacity. For this reason, the widths of the cyan (C) ink cartridge mounting portion Sc, the yellow (Y) ink cartridge mounting portion Sy, and the magenta (M) ink cartridge mounting portion Sm are the same, and the black (B) ink cartridge mounting portion Sk is the same. ) Is larger than the width of the other ink cartridge mounting portion.

The cartridge holder base wall 32 of the ink cartridge mounting portion S extends further forward from the hollow needle 82 than the front opening O. As shown in FIG. Since the ceiling surface, i.e., the cartridge holding cover 44 has a length up to the position of the front opening O, the cartridge holding base 32 extending further forward than the cartridge holding base 32 The portion of is open from above while the front cover 50 is in the open condition and serves to guide the ink cartridge 200 toward the front opening O while the ink cartridge 200 is mounted.

All the cartridge mounting mechanisms 100 have substantially the same configuration, and therefore, the representative cartridge mounting mechanism 100 will be described below with reference to FIG. 10 for convenience of description. The needle guard plate 130, the residual ink detection light sensor 170, the unlocking operation rib 150, and the ejection lock protrusion 160 are formed with the ink introducing hollow needle ( It is located in order from the side of 82 to the front of the ink introduction hollow needle 82. The guide protrusion wall 120, the unlocking operation rib 150, and the residual ink detection optical sensor 170 sandwich the longitudinally extending axis of the ink introducing hollow needle 82, where the guide protrusion wall 120 and The unlocking operation rib 150 is on one width direction side and the residual ink detection light sensor 170 is on the other width direction side. The guide protrusion wall 120 extends in the front-rear direction. The unlocking working rib 150 is located between the front end and the rear end of the guide protrusion wall 120 in the front-rear direction. The needle guard plate 130 is located between the front end and the rear end of the guide protrusion wall 120 in the front-rear direction and is located further rearward than the unlocking working rib 150. The residual ink detection light sensor 170 is also positioned between the front end and the rear end of the guide protruding wall 120 in the front-rear direction and is located deeper than the unlocking work rib 150.

In Fig. 9, the guide protrusion wall 120 and the closest partition wall 110 are separated by the same distance La in the left and right directions at all the cartridge mounting parts Sc, Sy, Sm, and Sk. In addition, the guide protrusion wall 120 and the residual ink detection light sensor 170 may include the cyan (C) ink cartridge mounting portion Sc, the yellow (Y) ink cartridge mounting portion Sy, and the magenta (M) ink cartridge mounting portion Sm. Are separated by the same distance Lb1 in the left and right directions. However, the guide protruding wall 120 and the residual ink detection light sensor 170 in the black (K) ink cartridge mounting portion Sk are longer than the guide sensor interposition distance Lb1 for the other ink cartridge mounting portion by a longer distance Lb2. Are separated.

6 again, the partition wall 110 extends upward from the cartridge holder base wall 32 to the bottom surface of the cover 40. As shown more clearly in FIG. 10, three extensions 112 are formed on top of each partition wall 110. As can be seen in FIG. 10, the extension 112 projects from the cartridge retaining cover 44 toward the cartridge retaining base wall 32. As shown in FIG. The expansion unit 112 adjusts the vertical tilt and position of the ink cartridge after the ink cartridge is inserted. At the front end portion O side end of each partition wall 110, a tapered shape is formed at the lower side for facilitating insertion of the ink cartridge. An extension 112 formed at the front and rear centers of each partition wall 110 includes a spring 114 for pressing down the ink cartridge 200 and adjusting the vertical movement of the inserted ink cartridge 200.

Referring again to the representative example of FIG. 10, the guide protrusion wall 120 protrudes upward from the cartridge holder base wall 32 at a position adjacent to the unlocking work rib 150. The distance La between the guide protrusion wall 120 and the adjacent partition wall 110 is determined by the average user's finger to prevent the user from contacting the unlocking work rib 150 and releasing the locking condition of the needle guard plate 130. It is smaller than the thickness. In addition, the guide protrusion wall 120 serves to guide the ink cartridge 200 inserted in the front-rear direction from the front surface opening portion O side to the ink cartridge mounting portion S while positioning the ink cartridge 200 in the left-right direction. do. The guide protrusion wall 120 is formed with a front side end portion and a rear end portion thicker than its center portion so that the guide protrusion wall 120 substantially contacts the ink cartridge 200 at two points corresponding to the thickness portion. Placement in the left and right directions can be performed precisely. Guiding and positioning the ink cartridge 200 may also be performed by the partition wall 110 or may be performed by a mutual cooperative operation of the partition wall 110 and the guide protrusion wall 120.

The residual ink detection light sensor 170 is made of the infrared light emitting unit 172 and the infrared light receiving unit 174 and is for detecting the remaining amount of the ink in the ink cartridge 200. The residual ink detection light sensor 170 is connected to a circuit board disposed under the cartridge holder base wall 32. The residual ink detection light sensor 170 protrudes from the circuit board onto the cartridge holder base wall 32. The sensor guard 176 for protecting the infrared light emitting portion 172 and the infrared light receiving portion 174 from the ink cartridge 200 when the ink cartridge is inserted into the infrared light emitting portion close to the front opening O 172 and upwardly protrude from the cartridge holder base wall 32 from the sides of the infrared light-receiving portion 174. The sensor guard 176 is formed with a curved surface at a portion of the opposite surface of the sensor guards closest to the front opening O. FIG.

The needle guard plate 130 is located at the front opening O side of the ink introducing hollow needle 82 with a space between the needle guard plate and the ink introducing hollow needle 82. The needle guard plate 130 is for covering the tip end portion of the ink introducing hollow needle 82 from a side facing the front face opening portion O. As shown in FIG. Fig. 11 shows a configuration related to the needle guard plate 130, the unlocking working rib 150, and the takeout lock protrusion 160 of the representative cartridge mounting mechanism 100 of Fig. 10. Figs. The needle guard plate 130 is pivotally supported below the cartridge retainer base wall 32 around the needle guard pivot shaft 132 that intersects the front-rear direction. The needle guard plate 130 is movable between the cover position and the release position. In the cover position, the needle guard plate 130 projects above the cartridge retainer base wall 32 from an opening 104 formed in the cartridge retainer base wall 32. In the unlocked position, the needle guard plate 130 is withdrawn within the opening 104. The needle guard plate 130 is continuously pressed toward the cover position by the spring 183. The lock member 180 is pivotally supported around the shaft 184 under the cartridge retainer base wall 32. The pressure plate 140 rises from one end of the lock member 180. The operation of the spring 182 moves the lock member 180 in the direction of moving the pressure plate 140 to face the surface of the ink introduction hollow needle 82 side of the needle guard plate 130. The lock member 180 integrally includes the unlocking work rib 150 between the shaft 184 and the pressure plate 130. The pressing force of the spring 182 projects the unlocking working rib 150 from the opening 106 formed in the cartridge holder base wall 32 between the guide protrusion wall 120 and the partition wall 110.

In this condition, when the ink cartridge 200 is inserted from the front opening O, as will be described later, the lower side of the ink cartridge 200 is first pivoted by the lock member 180 and the pressure plate 140 by the needle. The unlocking work rib 150 is pressed so as to recover downward from the back surface of the protection plate 130. When the ink cartridge 200 is further moved in the front-rear direction of the mounting portion S, the front surface of the ink cartridge 200 presses the needle guard plate 130. However, since the pressure plate 140 is recovered below the back surface of the needle guard plate 130, the pivoting operation of the needle guard plate 130 is not blocked, so that the ink cartridge 200 can be connected with the ink introduction hollow needle 82. Lower toward opening 104.

In the reverse operation, namely to remove the ink cartridge 200 from the ink cartridge mounting portion S, the spring 183 moves the needle guard plate 130 vertically in a position covering the ink introducing hollow needle 82. Subsequently, the lower surface of the ink cartridge 200 is separated from the unlocking working rib 150 and the spring 182 returns the pressure plate 140 to the rear surface of the needle guard plate 130.

If the unlocking operation rib 150 is not pressed downward, the back surface of the needle guard plate 130 is in contact with the pressure plate 140, so that the ink introduction hollow even if an external force is applied from the front opening O of the needle guard plate 130 The needle 82 is not exposed to the front opening O.

The leak-proof lock member 190 is for applying elasticity to the pressing force by the spring 94 of the positive pressure applying member 91 for pressing the mounted ink cartridge 200 in the pulling direction from the ink cartridge mounting portion S. FIG. . The leak proof lock member 190 includes a takeout lock protrusion 160 that can protrude above the cartridge retainer base wall 32 from an opening 108 formed in the cartridge retainer base wall 32. The leak proof lock member 190 is pivotally supported around the shaft 192 under the cartridge retainer base wall 32. The leak proof lock member 190 is urged upward by the spring 182. Generally, the protrusion 160 projects upwardly from the opening 108 onto the cartridge holder base wall 32, and the leak-proof lock indentation 246, which will be described later, of the ink cartridge 200 in the mounting position (FIG. 18). Is fitted on. However, as will be described later, when the ink cartridge 200 comes into contact with the protrusion 160 by the force generated when the ink cartridge 200 is attached or detached, the leak preventing lock member 190 has the protrusion 160 downward. And pivot around shaft 192 to allow ink cartridge 200 to be detached.

The cyan, yellow, magenta and black ink cartridges 200 of this embodiment all have the shape shown in FIG. That is, all of them are manufactured from the main case 230 and the lid 210 made of substantially transparent resin. The entire ink cartridge 200 has a flat and substantially parallelepiped shape. The cyan, yellow and magenta ink cartridges 200 (color ink cartridges) have substantially the same size. The black ink cartridge 200 has a length substantially the same as that of the color ink cartridge 200. However, the width of the black ink cartridge is wider than that of the color ink cartridge.

Next, the ink cartridge 200 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the representative examples shown in FIGS. 12 to 39. FIG. The main case 230 includes flat sidewalls 232 on both sides in left and right directions. The distance between the side walls, that is, the width of the main case 230, corresponds to the distance between the partition walls 110 provided on both sides of the ink cartridge mounting portion S. FIG.

The lead 210 has a substantially flat shape with a spherical outwardly curved portion 212 that is spherically outwardly curved in a substantially central portion. The flat protrusion 213 is formed from the raised front end of the lid 210 except for the left and right ends. Flat portions 214 are formed on the left and right sides of the protrusion 213 and around the spherical outwardly curved portion 212 of the lid 210. The portions of the flat portion 214 of the spherical outwardly curved portion 212 and located to the left and right of the protrusion 213 extend in the length (front and rear) direction of the ink cartridge 200. When the ink cartridge 200 is inserted into the ink cartridge mounting portion S, the front and rear extensions of the flat portion 214 slide against the spring 114 facing the lower side of the expansion portion 112. The curved portion 212 and the protrusion 213 protrude in the direction of the lower surface of the cartridge holding cover 44, and are formed on both sides of the curved portion 212 and the lower surface of the extension 112 positioned on the protrusion 213. It is closer to the bottom surface of the cartridge holding cover portion, that is, the ceiling surface. The curved portion 212 and the protrusion 213 extend higher toward the cartridge holding cover portion 44 than the flat portion 214. When the ink cartridge 200 is mounted on the recording apparatus, the cover portion 212 and the protrusion portion 213 are the height of the ink cartridge 200 when the ink cartridge 200 is inserted through the front opening O. FIG. Adjust the direction position.

The ink cartridge 200 is sufficiently longer than the length of the front and rear direction of the cartridge holding cover 44 so that the rear end thereof protrudes from the cartridge holding cover 44 when the ink cartridge 200 is in the mounting position of the mounting portion S. FIG. Is formed. The rear end of the ink cartridge 200 is a grip portion 202 that is slightly narrower than the other areas. As shown in Fig. 6, when a plurality of ink cartridges 200 are embedded in the ink cartridge holding unit P, one desired ink cartridge 200 can be easily gripped and taken out. On the contrary, the ink cartridge 200 can be gripped and easily mounted even when the ink cartridge 200 is embedded adjacently in the ink cartridge holding unit P. FIG. The rib 217 is formed close to the rear end of the lid 210 to extend linearly in the left and right directions. Thus, as the user pulls the ink cartridge 200 forward by placing his finger on the rib 217, the user can pull the ink cartridge 200 from the ink cartridge holding portion P with one finger.

As shown in FIG. 13, a protrusion 235 is formed on the front wall 234 of the main case 230. The protrusion 235 protrudes upward in the left and right center regions of the front wall 234. An ink supply hole 260 is formed substantially in the center of the front wall 234. The ink supply hole 260 is a hole for supplying ink outward from the ink containing portion 300 (Fig. 14) provided in the main case 230. The ink supply rubber plug 262 (FIG. 39A) is forcibly fitted to the ink supply hole 260. As shown in FIG. The ink injection hole 270 is opened after the ink supply hole 260. An ink injection rubber plug 272 (FIG. 39A) is forcibly fitted to the ink injection hole 270. As shown in FIG. The atmospheric connection hole 280 also opens to the front wall 234. The atmospheric connection hole 280 is a small diameter long thin hole, and is in fluid communication with the positive pressure hole 98 of the positive pressure applying member 91 when the ink cartridge 200 is mounted in the ink cartridge mounting portion S. FIG. In addition, the guide groove 236 and the sensor receiving groove 240 are formed in the front wall 234 across the lower wall of the main case 230 so as to be open at the front and bottom surfaces. The guide groove 236 is an indented portion for engaging with the guide protrusion wall 120 when the ink cartridge 200 is mounted to the ink cartridge mounting portion S. The unlocking portion 238 is defined by the lower rear surface of the ink cartridge 200 between the guide groove 236 and the proximal sidewall 232. The guide groove 236 and the unlocking portion 238 are provided in proximity to the portion of the ink cartridge 200 corresponding to the expansion portion 112 of the recording apparatus. The unlocking portion 238 functions to press the unlocking work rib 150 when the ink cartridge 200 is mounted to the ink cartridge mounting portion S. FIG. The sensor accommodating groove 240 is an indented portion of the outer shape of the ink cartridge 200 and accommodates the residual ink detection light sensor 170 when the ink cartridge 200 is mounted in the ink cartridge mounting portion S. FIG.

As shown in Fig. 14, the main case 230 includes an ink accommodating portion 300 therein and is opened at an upper side thereof. More specifically, main case 230 includes front wall 234 and sidewall 232 and rear wall 237. Side walls 232 are on the left and right sides of main case 230. Sidewall 232 connects front wall 234 and back surface wall 237. The grip 202 is formed behind the rear face wall 237. The ink receptacle 300 is surrounded by the front wall 234, the side wall 230, and the back surface wall 237. In the ink containing portion 300, a flexible film 302 is formed in the ink holding portion 310 (FIG. 15) to be described later. The ink holding part 310 is formed inside the main case 230. The flexible film 302 is welded on the open peripheral edge 312 of the ink holder 310. Ink is retained between the flexible film 302 and the ink holder 310. While the ink cartridge 200 is filled with ink, the flexible film 302 expands upward into the curved surface. The ink supply hole 260 and the ink injection hole 270 are in fluid communication with the inside of the ink container 300. In more detail, the ink supply hole 260 is in fluid communication with the ink receiving portion 300 via a small diameter ink supply connection path 268. The ink injection hole 270 is in fluid communication with the ink receiving portion 300 by passing through the small diameter ink supply connection path 268 from the ink injection hole 270.

In fact, a rectangular plate-shaped tension plate 306 is provided on the flexible film 302 such that its longitudinal direction extends in parallel with the longitudinal (front and rear) direction of the ink cartridge 200. The tension plate 306 is bonded at the central portion in the longitudinal direction to the substantially central portion of the flexible film 302 by a double-sided adhesive tape.

The longitudinal cross-sectional shape of the case body (Fig. 21) is the same for both the black ink cartridge and the color ink cartridge. Since the tension plate 306 is bonded in the longitudinal direction, the same tensile force can be applied by preparing and bonding the tension plate 306 having the same length to all the color ink cartridges. The length of the tension plate 306 is formed to be shorter than the dimension of the ink containing portion 300 in the longitudinal direction. The material of the tension plate is a film made of a resin such as a PET film. The detailed operation of the tension plate 306 will be described later.

An atmospheric chamber 290 in fluid communication with the atmospheric connection hole 280 is formed at the periphery of the ink containing portion 300. In more detail, the partition 282 is formed on the rear side of the front wall 234. The partition 282 connects the side walls 232. In addition, an outer protruding wall 211 is formed from the lid 210. The outer protruding wall 211 is for engaging with the partition wall 282, the side wall 232, and the rear surface wall 237 of the main case 230. When the lid 210 is attached to the main case 230 and the outer protruding wall 211 is combined with the partition wall 282, the side wall 232, and the rear wall 237, the atmospheric chamber 290 is partition wall 282. ), Which is surrounded by sidewall 232 and backside wall 237 and also defines an area (covered by lead 210) surrounding ink receptacle 300. The atmospheric chamber 290 is in a virtually sealed condition that only communicates with the outside through the atmospheric connection hole 280. Here, the atmospheric connection hole 280 is a through hole extending between the front wall 234 and the partition wall 282 and open to the front wall 234 and the partition wall 282. In addition, the ink supply connection path 268 and the ink injection connection path 278 penetrate the partition wall 282 and are in fluid communication with the ink receiving portion 300. When the lid 210 is attached on the main case 230 and covers the opening of the main case 230, the atmospheric chamber 290 is in fluid communication with the atmosphere only through the atmospheric connection hole 280. By applying atmospheric pressure or static pressure to the atmospheric chamber 290, the pressure is such that the ink in the ink container 300 can be supplied to the outside of the ink cartridge 200 through the ink supply hole 260. It can be applied toward the flexible film 302 of the ink containing portion 300 from the outside of the.

As the plurality of ribs 292 (FIG. 15) are formed inside the atmospheric chamber 290, the strength of the main case 230 increases.

14 shows the inner surface of the lid 210 attached to the ink cartridge 200. As evident in the figure, the lid 210 is substantially flat. The spherical outwardly curved portion 212 formed at the center of the lead 210 has a shape surrounding the inflation portion of the flexible film 302. The annular portion of the flat portion 214 has a predetermined width surrounding the spherical outwardly curved portion 212 and defines the ink receiving peripheral portion 216 described later. A groove-shaped notch 218 is formed to cut the ink containing perimeter 216. When the lid 210 is coupled to the main case 230, a space occurs between the ink receiving perimeter 216 and the flexible film 302 attached to the open peripheral edge 312. When the ink cartridge is vacuum packed in the manner described below, the lid 210 and main case 230 are flexibly deformed with respect to each other. Although the lead side of the ink containing periphery 216 is in close contact with the flexible film 302, the protruding wall notches 219 and the groove-shaped notches 218, which will be described later, may have a spherical outwardly curved portion 212 and a flexible film 302. The space between the fluid and the atmospheric chamber 290 serves to communicate. Further, the protruding wall 215 is formed on the inner side of the outer protruding wall 211 outside of the ink containing peripheral portion 216. The protruding wall 215 extends and protrudes from the lid 210 to surround the ink containing periphery 216. The protruding wall 215 is positioned to surround the outer circumference of the open circumferential edge 312, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 27 when the lid 210 is mounted to the main case 230. The protruding wall 215 is discontinuous at the portion along the sidewall 232 and approaching and connecting the outer protruding wall 211. These discontinuous portions of the protruding wall 215 define the protruding wall notches 219. One protruding wall notch 219 is positioned adjacent to the groove-shaped notch 218 and the other protruding wall notch 219 is positioned opposite the groove-shaped notch 218 in the lateral direction. The protruding wall notch 219 also communicates the space between the spherical outwardly curved portion 212 and the flexible film 302 with the air chamber 290 and the positive pressure from the air connection hole 280 is caused by the protruding wall 215. Functions to prevent blocking.

As shown in Figure 15, the ink holding portion 310 is surrounded by an open peripheral edge 312 and includes a tub portion 320. Tub 320 is open at the upper surface. The shape of the open peripheral edge 312 is oval or circular, expanding outwardly at a portion 328. The tub portion 320 includes a curved surface portion 324 that curves downward in a substantially curved shape from the circular (or elliptical) surrounding edge 322. Enclosure edge 322 is located at the same height as open peripheral edge 312. The virtual center of the curved surface portion 324 is the lowest position. Curved surface portion 324 includes flat (uncurved) inclined surface portion 326. A horizontally extending flat shoulder 328 that extends outward of the open peripheral edge 312 is formed between the open peripheral edge 312 and the circular (or elliptical) surrounding edge 322. Since the flexible film 302 is attached to the open peripheral edge 312 to cover the tub portion 320, the ink is curved surface portion 324 including the flexible film 302 and the inclined surface portion 326. ) And the flat shoulder 328.

The height of the flat shoulder 328 substantially matches the height of the open peripheral edge 312 so that the flexible film 302 expands only a small amount above the flat shoulder 328. Due to this configuration, while the lid 210 is mounted on the main case 230, the user can view the color of the ink accumulated between the flat shoulder 328 and the flexible film 302 on the lid 210. You can visually check the color of the ink. In other words, when the tub 320 is filled with ink, the ink color of the tub 320 appears virtually black because the layer of ink is thick. However, the actual color of the ink can be observed in the thin ink layer between the flat shoulder 328 and the flexible film 302.

The flexible film 302 is preformed into a curved shape in close contact with the inner surface of the ink holder 310 when little ink remains in the ink holder 310. Hereinafter, a method of manufacturing the flexible film 302 of this shape will be described. Since the flexible film 302 is formed in this manner, the flexible film has no ink remaining in the ink holding portion 310 from when the ink is completely filled between the flexible film 302 and the ink holding portion 310. It can be smooth and gradually deformed along the amount of ink until it is not. There is little pressure on the ink from the flexible film itself, for example elastic recovery.

An air removal / ink supply groove 332 is formed in the base surface of the tub portion 320. The air removal / ink supply groove 332 is an ink injection groove 330 and an ink supply hole 260 (ink supply connection path 268) in fluid communication with the ink injection hole 270 (ink injection connection path 268). ) In fluid communication. The sensing mechanism 340 is further provided on the base surface of the tub portion 320. The detection mechanism 340 is for detecting the remaining amount of ink on the tub portion 320.

As shown in FIG. 16, the sensing mechanism 340 is manufactured from the sensor lever receiving groove 350, the sensor lever 360, and the suppression film 342. As shown in FIG. The sensor lever 360 is disposed in the sensor lever receiving groove 350. The suppression film 342 has a T shape. The sensor lever receiving groove 350 is opened at the base surface of the tub part 320. The sensor lever receiving groove 350 has a base surface 352 along the lower surface (Fig. 18) of the main case 230. The sensor lever receiving groove 350 extends in a direction shifted by 45 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction of the case body from the center position of the curved surface portion 324 of the tub portion 320, and is circular (or elliptical) of the tub portion 320. ) Is bent 45 degrees at the end of the surrounding edge 322 and then formed to extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the case body. The portion of the sensor lever receiving groove 350 extending in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the case body is called the groove portion 354 and is open upward from the flat shoulder 328. In this manner, the sensor lever receiving groove 350 extends in a direction shifted by 45 degrees from the longitudinal direction of the case body at a position from the center of the curved surface portion 324 of the tub portion 320 to the inclined surface portion 326. Open and open to extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the case body at the upper surface of the flat shoulder 328. The depth of the sensor lever receiving groove 350 is substantially fixed at the curved surface portion 324, sharply increased at the inclined surface portion 326 and again substantially fixed at the flat shoulder 328. The groove portion 354 of the sensor lever receiving groove 350 extends to the outside of the tub portion 320, follows a wall protruding into the sensor lever receiving groove 350, and is inside of the sensor lever receiving groove 350. By reaching, the protrusion 372 shown in Fig. 18 is formed. In addition, the sensor lever receiving groove 350 has a groove 351 that crosses in the longitudinal direction.

The sensor lever 360 has a specific gravity higher than that of ink and is formed of a black color resin that can block infrared light. The sensor lever 360 is disposed in the sensor lever receiving groove 350. The sensor lever 360 is an elongated plate member having a pivot support 362, a working arm portion 364, and a sensing arm portion 366. Pivot receiving portion 362 has a triangular prism shape. The working arm portion 364 and the sensing arm portion 366 extend from opposite sides of the pivot base 362. A hemispherical pivot 365 (ink remaining amount detection point) is provided at the end of the working arm portion 364. The sensor lever 360 is disposed in the sensor lever receiving groove 350 such that the hemispherical pivot 365 is disposed at the center of the curved surface portion 324 of the tub 320. As a result, the hemispherical pivot 365 is disposed at the lowest position of the curved surface portion 324. The sensing arm portion 366 is bent at an angle of 45 degrees close to its end, thereby forming a bent end located in the sensor lever receiving groove 350 (the open portion in the flat shoulder 328) and functioning as a sensing point. . The pivot support part 362 is disposed inside the cross groove 351 of the sensor lever receiving groove 350. The vertices of the triangular cross section of the pivot support 362 are immersed in ink to contact the bottom of the cross groove 351. As a result, the sensor lever 360 can pivot as the pivot support 362 as a pedestal. Here, the weight of the sensing arm portion 366 is greater than the weight of the working arm portion 364. In this example, the weight of the sensing arm portion 366 is five times greater than the weight of the working arm portion 364. For this reason, when sufficient ink remains, the sensing point 367 of the sensor lever 360 is located on the base surface 352 of the sensor lever receiving groove 350 as indicated by the solid line in FIG. In the hemispherical pivot 365 (ink remaining amount detection gum), ink floats up from the base surface and projects above the bottom of the tub portion 320. On the other hand, when the ink is depleted and the flexible film 302 moves downward toward the tub portion 320, the flexible film 302 is indicated by the dashed dashed line in Fig. 17 so that the bent end 367 (detection point) rises. As shown, the hemispherical pivot 365 (ink remaining amount detection sword) is pushed down. Since the sensor lever 360 is accommodated in this way in the sensor lever receiving groove 350 extending from the tub part 320 to the outside from below the tub part 320, the sensor lever 360 is the flexible film 302. The flexible film 302 does not block when deformed toward the tub part 320. Therefore, ink remaining amount detection can be performed more reliably.

In addition, the length L1 of the sensing arm portion 366 of the sensor lever 360 is longer than the length L2 of the working arm portion 364. In this example, the length L1 of the sensing arm portion 366 is about four times the length L2 of the working arm portion 364. Therefore, even if the flexible film 302 lowers only the hemispherical pivot 365 (ink remaining amount detection gum) by a small amount, the bent end 367 is large so that detection using the remaining amount detection sensor 70 described later can be reliably performed. To rise.

The PET film tension plate 306 ensures that the sensor lever 360 works reliably when ink is not used to maximum use and there is little ink left. That is, if the tension plate 306 is not provided, the flexible film 302 is lowered in connection with the reduction of ink and the flexible film 302 is brought into intimate contact with the tub portion 320. A portion of the) may be formed wrinkles. In this case, the sensor lever 360 will be operated while the ink is not used by the ink remaining between the wrinkle portion and the tub portion 320 so that the ink is not depleted.

However, in this embodiment, only the center of the tub portion 320, that is, the portion facing the hemispherical pivot 36 of the sensor lever 360, is connected to the center of the flexible film 302. The tension plate 306 is placed on top of the flexible film 302 expanding as indicated by the solid line in FIG. 17 when a large amount of ink is in the tub portion 320. The tension plate 306 moves downward with respect to the reduction of ink. However, when a small amount of ink remains, both ends of the tension plate 306 are lower than the open peripheral edge 312 and higher than the lowest position of the tub portion 320 so that the tension plate 306 is further suppressed from moving downward. In contact with the inner peripheral surface of the tub 320 in position. As a result, although the periphery of the flexible film 302 is in close contact along the inner periphery of the tub 320, the central portion of the flexible film 302 is raised due to the tension plate 306. At this time, the center of the raised flexible film 302 faces the hemispherical pivot 365 of the sensor lever 360 with an open space therebetween.

When the amount of ink is further reduced, the center of the flexible film 302 moves further down against the elasticity of the tension plate 306. However, once the amount of ink in the tub portion is reduced to less than the predetermined amount range and almost no ink remains, the flexible film 302 exceeds the pressing force of the tension plate so that the center of the flexible film 302 is the sensor lever 360. Press the hemispherical pivot (36). At this time, the surface area of the peripheral portion of the flexible film 302 in close contact along the inner peripheral surface of the tub portion 320 gradually increases until the central portion of the flexible film 302 presses the sensor lever 360. do. That is, the tension plate 306 thus prevents the formation of wrinkles in the flexible film 302. In addition, the flexible film 302 moves down while ink is collected in the center of the tub portion 320. Thus, the sensor lever 360 operates reliably under conditions where there is little ink left unused.

The tension plate 306 need not be formed in the substantially rectangular shape described above, and the shape of the tension plate is hemispherical pivot 36 of the flexible film 302 and the sensor lever 360 when downward movement is suppressed as described above. It may be triangular, star-shaped, circular or any optional shape as long as space is allowed between). In addition, the outer periphery of these other shaped members need not be in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the tub portion 320 but may be located between the open peripheral edges 312.

Preferably, the tension plate 306 has elasticity and weight that do not affect the pressure of the ink containing portion 300. However, the pressure of the ink containing portion 300 can be adjusted by appropriately setting the elasticity and the weight. When there is a large amount of ink, since the tension plate 306 only touches the center of the flexible film 302, the weight of the tension plate 306 applies a positive pressure inside the ink receiving portion 300. When only a small amount of ink remains, the tension plate 306 functions as a beam that raises the center of the flexible film 302. As a result, negative pressure is applied to the ink containing portion 300. The spring force (related to the negative pressure when no ink remains), the weight of the tension plate 306 (related to the positive pressure when much ink remains) and the length (related to the timing of switching from the positive pressure application to the negative pressure application) By adjusting, a pressure appropriate to the consumption condition of the ink can be applied to the ink containing portion 300.

In this embodiment, the tension plate 306 is connected to the flexible film 302 to move along the flexible film 302 until only a small amount of ink remains. On the other hand, the tension plate 306 is suppressed from moving downward by the tub part 320 when only a small amount of ink remains, and the flexible film 302 in a direction away from the pivot (ink remaining amount detection point) 365. It has elasticity to press). The tension plate 306 allows a portion of the flexible film 302 to follow the tub portion 320 other than the portion facing the pivot (ink remaining amount detection point) 365 after at least a small amount of ink remains. However, the tension plate 306 presses a portion of the flexible film 302 facing the pivot (ink remaining amount detection point) 365 in a direction away from the pivot (ink remaining amount detection point) 365. Further, in connection with the reduction of the ink after a small amount of ink remains, the tension plate 306 approaches the pivot (ink remaining amount detection point) 365 against the pressing of the tension plate 306. In this way, the ink can all be used reliably.

As shown in Fig. 16, the T-shaped suppression film 342 is made from PET, and is provided to press the sensor lever 360 downward from the sensor lever 360 into the sensor receiving groove. In more detail, the suppression film 342 has an integral fixing portion 342a and an elastic plate portion 342b. The elastic plate portion 342b presses the sensing arm portion 366. A level difference is formed in the groove 351 that accommodates the pivot support 362 of the sensor lever accommodation groove 350. A pair of holes 344 are formed in the fixing portion 342a. By fitting the pair of protrusions 356 into the pair of holes 344 and compressing the pair of protrusions 356, the fixing part 342a may be fixed to the tub part 320. Thus, the pivot support 362 is supported in the cross groove 351 with an open space between the pivot support and the T-shaped suppression film 342. The sensor lever 360 can be freely pivoted by the pivot base 362 as a pedestal. The elastic plate portion 342b is inserted into the sensor lever accommodating groove 350 so as to extend from the fixing portion 342a toward the sensing arm portion 366. As a result, the sensing arm portion 366 is moved downward by the elastic plate portion 342b. That is, since the hemispherical pivot 365 is pressed to protrude above the bottom surface of the tub part 320, the hemispherical pivot 36 is the base of the tub part 320 even if the top surface of the ink cartridge goes down during transportation of the ink cartridge. It can protrude reliably over the face. The elasticity of the elastic plate portion 342b is large enough to block further upward movement of the sensing arm portion 366 with respect to ink reduction.

A portion of the sensor lever receiving groove 350 which receives the sensing arm portion 366 is formed in the inclined surface portion 326. Since the inclination of the inclined surface portion 326 is greater than the inclination of the spherical surface portion, the sensing arm portion 366 can move up by a sufficient amount without contacting or disturbing the flexible film 302.

As shown in FIG. 18, the lower surface of the main case 230 includes a flat smooth surface 242 that can slide relative to the cartridge mounting portion S. As shown in FIG. The flat smooth surface 242 is connected by side walls 232 on both sides. A guide groove 236 and a sensor accommodating groove 240 are formed on the lower surface of the main case 230. As shown in Fig. 30, the distance Lac between the guide groove 236 and the sidewall 232 closest in the width direction corresponds to the guide-bulk wall distance La in the ink cartridge mounting portion S. As shown in Figs. As shown in Fig. 35, the guide groove 236 is formed with only a length Lcc capable of receiving the guide protrusion wall 120 in the longitudinal direction from the front wall 234. As shown in Figs. In particular, the guide groove 236 is longer than or at least the length Lc between the positive pressure applying member 91 in the ink cartridge mounting portion S and the side end of the front opening O of the guide protrusion wall 120. As long as the length is formed. For this reason, the guide groove 236 can accommodate the guide protrusion wall 120 when the ink cartridge 200 is mounted to the ink cartridge mounting portion S. FIG. As shown in Fig. 30, the distance Lbc between the guide groove 236 and the guide protrusion wall 120 corresponds to the distance between the guide and the sensor of the ink cartridge mounting portion S. As shown in Figs. As shown in Fig. 30, the sensor accommodating groove 240 has a positive pressure in the longitudinal direction from the wall so that the residual ink detection light sensor 170 can be accommodated when the ink cartridge 200 is mounted in the ink cartridge mounting portion S. As shown in Figs. A length Ldc corresponding to the distance Ld between the applying member 91 and the residual ink detection light sensor 170 is formed.

The plurality of ribs 243 are formed on the lower surface of the main case 230. The rib 243 is for supporting the strength of the tub portion 320 from the bottom surface of the tub portion 320. The bottom central axis rib 244 is formed at a center position in the width direction of the main case 230 so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the main case 230. The bottom central axis rib 244 continuously recovers the takeout lock protrusion 160 (retrieving unit 10 in the drawing) below the bottom surface when the ink cartridge 200 slides on the bottom surface of the ink cartridge mounting portion S. FIG. do. When the ink cartridge 200 is mounted in the ink cartridge mounting portion S, the ejection lock protrusion 160 engages with the leak-proof lock indentation 246, so that the ink cartridge 200 is pulled out of the ink cartridge mounting portion S. FIG. I do not lose.

The sensor lever accommodating part 370 forms the inside of the sensor lever accommodating groove 350. The sensor lever accommodating part 370 is formed on the lower surface of the main case 230 to protrude from the tub part 320. The portion of the sensor lever receiving portion 370 (sensor lever receiving protrusion 372) corresponding to the base surface 352 of the sensor lever receiving groove 350 is longitudinally from the center in the width direction of the sensor lever receiving groove 350. Extrude The curved surface formed on the facing fronts of the sensor guard 176 is formed by the projection 372 between the infrared light emitting portion 176 and the infrared light receiving portion 174 of the sensor guard 176 and the residual ink detection light sensor 170. To facilitate insertion. As shown in Fig. 35, when the ink cartridge 200 is mounted in the ink cartridge mounting portion S and the residual ink detection light sensor 170 is built in the sensor accommodating groove 240, the detection accommodating protrusions detect the residual ink. The infrared light emitting unit 176 and the infrared light receiving unit 174 of the optical sensor 170 are positioned. The sensing arm end 367 (detection point) of the sensor lever 360 located in the groove 354 of the protrusion 372 is eventually located between the infrared light emitting portion 176 and the infrared light receiving portion 174. At least the protrusion 372 of the main case is made of a material transparent to infrared light.

19 is a schematic plan view of the ink cartridge 200 according to the embodiment having the above-described configuration. 19 illustrates a situation in which the lid 210 is mounted to the main case 230. The internal configuration is indicated by dashed lines. 20 is a view taken in the direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. 19, that is, a front view showing the front surface of the ink cartridge 200. FIG. 21 through 28 are cross-sectional views taken along lines B-B, C-C, D-D, E-E, F-F, G-G, H-H and I-I, respectively. For the sake of clarity, the flexible film 302 and the ribs 243 and 292 will not be indicated in the drawings. However, bottom central axis rib 244 is shown in some figures.

As shown in Figs. 15 and 27, a peripheral wall 231 is formed in the main case 230. The peripheral wall 231 extends integrally and continuously from the open peripheral edge 312 defining the opening of the tub portion 320 to the bottom surface side (depth direction of the tub portion 320) of the main case 230. The peripheral wall portion 233 supports the tub 320 from the peripheral edge of the tub 320. The peripheral wall portion 233 is formed by being connected to the peripheral wall 231, the side wall 232, and the flat smooth surface 242. The peripheral wall 231 and the side wall 232 are separated by an interposed space and are connected to each other by a plurality of wall ribs 292. The flat portion 214 of the lid is coupled to the upper end of the peripheral wall portion 233 and acts as an outer peripheral portion facing the peripheral wall portion 233. Therefore, the lower surface of the ink receiving portion 300 is stabilized by the flat smooth surface 242 even though it is formed in a substantially spherical shape. Detaching to the multifunctional apparatus 1 is easy. Since the flexible film 302 is attached to the open peripheral edge 312 and the lid 210 is connected to the upper end of the peripheral wall portion 233, the ink is attached to the lead 210 of the flexible film 302. It can be reliably sealed without colliding with). The peripheral wall portion 233 has a two-layer configuration made of the peripheral wall 231 and the side wall 232, and uses the configuration in which the peripheral wall portion 233 and the peripheral wall 231 are connected by a plurality of ribs 292. Therefore, the peripheral wall portion 233 can be prevented from being deformed even when the ink cartridge 200 is subjected to the vacuum packing process described later. 18, the plurality of ribs 243 are formed to connect the lower surface of the tub portion 320 with the peripheral wall portion 233. As shown in FIG. For this reason, the rib 243 prevents the tub portion 320 and the peripheral wall portion 233 from being deformed even when the ink cartridge 200 is subjected to the vacuum packing process described later.

The ink cartridge 200 having the above-described configuration has a flat lower surface. As shown in Fig. 29, the upper surface has a curved shape that is higher than the height at both ends (side walls 232) in the width direction. The height 112 at the both ends in the width direction (height from the flat smooth surface 242 to the flat portion 214) is formed on the upper part of the front side opening portion O side end portion of the partition wall 110. Is substantially equal to the distance between and base wall 32. Therefore, the ink cartridge 200 can be inserted into the ink cartridge mounting portion (S). In addition, the height of the spherical outward curved portion 212 and the protrusion 213 is higher than the height at both sides in the width direction and the curved protrusion wall 47 of the ceiling surface of the mounting portion S is the spherical outward curved portion of the ink cartridge 200. Since it is formed along the 212, the top surface of the ink cartridge 200 can be prevented from being inserted downward.

Since the lower surface of the main case 230 is smooth and there is formed a peripheral wall portion 233 extending in the longitudinal direction, the ink cartridge 200 can only be used while the ejection lock protrusion 160 is in the recovery condition. 200 can be mounted by inserting it into the ink cartridge mounting portion S and sliding it over the bottom surface. In addition, the width of the ink cartridge 200 corresponds to the length between the partition walls 110 of the ink cartridge mounting portion S, and the distance Lac between the guide groove 236 and the sidewall 232 closest to the width direction is Corresponding to the guide partition wall distance La of the ink cartridge mounting portion S, the distance Lbc between the guide groove 236 and the sensor accommodating groove 240 is the distance Lb between the guide sensors of the ink cartridge mounting portion S. ) Accordingly, by sliding the cartridge such that the guide groove 236 is guided by the guide protruding wall 120 when the ink cartridge 200 is inserted into the ink cartridge mounting portion S, the residual ink detection light sensor 170 receives the sensor. It is reliably embedded in the groove 240 and the bent end 367 of the sensor accommodating groove 240 is inserted between the infrared light emitting portion 172 and the infrared light receiving portion 174.

As shown in Figs. 9 and 30, the position of the end portion on the front surface opening portion O side of the guide protrusion wall 120 of the ink cartridge mounting portion S is the front surface opening of the residual ink detection optical sensor 170. It is located in a position closer to the front face opening portion O than the position of the end portion (sensor guard 176) on the side O side. The end of the guide groove 234 opposite the front wall 234 is located farther from the front wall 234 than the end of the sensor receiving groove 240 opposite the front wall 234. Therefore, when the ink cartridge 200 is inserted into the ink cartridge mounting portion S and slides over the retaining base wall 32, the sensor receiving groove 240 has the guide groove 236 receiving the guide protrusion wall 120. After that, the remaining ink detection light sensor 170 is reached. Since the main case 230 reaches the residual ink detection optical sensor 170 after being positioned in the width direction of the ink cartridge 200 by the coupling between the guide protrusion wall 120 and the guide groove 236, the sensor accommodating the sensor The bent end 367 of the groove 240 is inserted between the infrared light emitting portion 172 and the infrared light receiving portion 174.

Since the guide protrusion wall 120 is close to the unlocking operation rib 150 in the width direction of the ink cartridge mounting portion S, and the guide groove 236 is close to the unlocking portion 238 in the width direction of the ink cartridge 200. The lock release portion 238 reliably contacts the unlocking operation rib 150 and recovers it when the ink cartridge 200 is mounted on the ink cartridge mounting portion S. FIG. In addition, since the spring 114 member presses the ink cartridge 200 down from above the partition 110 in the vicinity of the guide protrusion wall 120, the operation for recovering the unlocking operation rib 150 is more reliable. have.

As shown in Figs. 29 and 35, the ink cartridge 200 has the front wall 234 and the bottom surface in positions disposed on both sides of the ink supply hole 260 when viewed from the front wall 234 side. The sensor receiving groove 240 and the guide groove 236 as the opening of the. The sensor accommodating groove 240 is for accommodating the residual ink detection light sensor 170. The guide groove 236 is for receiving the guide protrusion wall 120. The sensing arm end 367 is inserted between the infrared light emitting portion 172 and the infrared light receiving portion 174 and is movably embedded in the protrusion 372. Since the protrusion 372 protrudes into the sensor accommodating groove 240 and the lock release portion 238 is provided adjacent to the guide groove 236, the ink cartridge 200 may be flat and the ink cartridge mounting portion S It can be moved smoothly and stably across the base wall (32) of the. The ink cartridge 200 can be easily attached and detached. Also, the ink remaining amount can be detected reliably only by mounting the ink cartridge 200 in the ink cartridge mounting portion S. FIG.

The ink cartridge 200 of this embodiment is mounted in the ink cartridge mounting portion S as shown in Figs. The user pivots the front cover 50 which is open to expose the ink cartridge holder P. FIG. Then, the user inserts the ink cartridge 200 into the front opening O of the ink cartridge mounting portion S and slides the lower surface of the ink cartridge 200 over the cartridge holder base wall 32. As a result, first, as shown in Figs. 30 and 31, the front wall 234 recovers the takeout lock protrusion 160. Figs. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 32, the takeout lock protrusion 160 is continuously recovered by the bottom central shaft rib 244 while the cartridge slides forward. The guide groove 236 engages with the guide protrusion wall 120 and slides further. When the unlocking portion 238 of the front wall 234 strikes the unlocking work rib 150, the locking member 180 releases the lock of the needle guard plate 130 (lowers the pressure plate 140). ). Then, as shown in FIG. 33, the needle guard plate 130 is recovered when the front wall 234 of the ink cartridge 200 presses the needle guard plate 130. As shown in FIG. When the ink cartridge 200 is moved further forward and fully inserted into the ink cartridge mounting portion S, the ink introducing hollow needle 82 moves the ink supply rubber plug 262 of the ink supply hole 260 (Fig. 39A). Perforate. 34 and 35, the front wall 234 abuts the rubber cap 93 of the positive pressure applying member 91. As shown in FIG. The cartridge is pressed against the force of the spring 94 of the positive pressure applying member 91 until the cartridge advances further. At this time, preferably, the front face of the cartridge abuts against the stopper wall (not shown) such that the forward movement of the cartridge is blocked. Thereafter, although the cartridge moves back slightly by the force of the spring 94, the ejection lock protrusion 160 is coupled to the leak-proof lock indentation 246 at the bottom surface of the cartridge. As a result, the cartridge is locked in place and prevented from being pulled out. In this way, the ink cartridge 200 is mounted in the ink cartridge mounting portion S. FIG. Since the front wall 234 of the ink cartridge 200 abuts the ring-shaped elastic seal member 93 as a substantially flat portion, the atmospheric connection hole 280 and the static pressure hole 98 of the ring-shaped elastic seal member 93 It ensures reliable fluid communication without any air leaks.

Since the black ink cartridge has a wider width than other color ink cartridges, the black ink cartridge cannot be accidentally inserted into the ink cartridge mounting portion S for the color ink cartridge. On the other hand, it is conceivable that another color ink cartridge may be inserted into the mounting portion for the black ink cartridge by mistake. However, the widthwise distance Lb1 between the guide groove 236 and the sensor accommodating groove 240 is the widthwise distance between the guide protrusion wall 120 of the housing portion for the black ink cartridge and the residual ink detection light sensor 170. Narrower than Lb2). Thus, the front face of the cartridge is in contact with the sensor guard 176 even if the guide groove 176 engages with the guide protrusion wall 120 and the ink cartridge slides, and does not go any further forward. Although the width of the color cartridge is large enough to be inserted between the guide protrusion wall 120 of the housing portion for the black cartridge and the partition 110 on the side far from the guide protrusion wall 120, the unlocking work rib 150 is guided. If the groove 236 is not engaged with the guide protrusion wall 120, it cannot be recovered. Thus, the needle guard plate 130 cannot be recovered and thus the front face of the cartridge abuts against the needle guard plate 130 and the ink introducing hollow needle 82 cannot be inserted into the ink supply hole 260.

When the ink cartridge 200 is mounted in the ink cartridge mounting portion S, the ink introducing hollow needle 82 supplies ink to the buffer tank 84 from inside the ink containing portion 300. From the buffer tank 84 Ink is supplied to the ink jet head 70 via the ink supply tube T in connection with the recording operation.

Although the static pressure pump 36 is stopped during the normal printing operation and during the waiting time, the pump 36, the positive pressure applying tube 92, the positive pressure applying member 91 and the atmospheric connection hole 280 inside the ink cartridge 200 Atmospheric pressure of the atmospheric chamber 290 inside the ink cartridge 200 is applied. For this reason, the flexible film 302 is deformed in connection with the reduction of ink without applying pressure to the ink, and the preformed shape of the flexible film 302 substantially follows the tub portion 320 and the tub portion ( In close contact with 320). Therefore, the pressure of the ink supplied to the ink jet head 70 can be kept very fixed and the ink ejection from the ink jet head 70 can be stabilized. Since the flexible film 302 ends in intimate contact with the tub portion 320, the ink remaining amount can be substantially reduced along the tub portion 320. At least a portion of the tub portion 320 is also a curved surface portion 324 whose cross-sectional area decreases with respect to the distance from the top (open side) of the tub portion 320. Thus, the flexible film 302 can easily follow the tub portion 320 when only a small amount of ink remains. The ink remaining amount can be reduced and the pressure of the supplied ink is kept substantially fixed until the end.

The ink cartridge mounting portion S on which the ink cartridge 200 is mounted is located below the ink jet head 70 in the vertical direction. For this reason, the difference in the pressure head (in Fig. 3) continues to apply negative pressure to the ink of the nozzle of the piezoelectric ink jet head 70 in the same manner as a normal ink jet recording apparatus. However, under normal conditions the surface tension of the ink meniscus of the nozzle keeps the ink of the nozzle against negative pressure. After the operation of the known purification unit 78, i.e., using the cap to cover the nozzle and using the pump to suck the ink out of the nozzle, the ink with bubbles in the cap is stopped when the suction operation by the pump is stopped. 70) enters the nozzle by the difference. Incomplete ejection may occur later when the print job is performed by the ink jet head 70. In this embodiment, the static pressure pump 36 is operated after the purging operation until the cap is opened. The work of the constant pressure pump 36 can be started even during the purging work. As a result, the constant pressure air flow is supplied to the atmospheric chamber 290 of the cartridge. Positive pressure is applied to the ink via the flexible film 302. As a result, the positive pressure can be applied to the ink of the nozzle of the ink jet head 70 from the cartridge side and the bubbles can be prevented from attracting to the nozzle. At this time, the pressure applied by the positive pressure pump 36 may be sufficient pressure so that bubbles do not enter the nozzle. Although it is not necessary to apply a pressure large enough to actually press the ink out of the nozzle, such a large pressure can be used.

When the ink cartridge 200 is mounted in the ink cartridge mounting portion S, the standby connection hole 280 is formed by the ink introduction hollow needle 82 boring the ink supply rubber plug 262 of the ejection lock protrusion 160. After that, it is in contact with the positive pressure applying member 91. (Detailed in detail, as shown in Fig. 35, the distance of the ink cartridge mounting portion S between the needle hole of the ink introducing hollow needle 82 and the front surface of the rubber cap 93 of the positive pressure applying member 91). (A) is larger than the distance B from which the ink supply rubber plug 262 blocks the inside of the ink supply hole 260 from the front surface of the ink cartridge 200.) The ink cartridge 200 is an ink cartridge mounting portion ( When pulled out from S), the ink introducing hollow needle 82 is pulled out of the rubber plug 262 inside the ink supply hole 260 after the atmospheric connection hole 280 is separated from the static pressure applying member 91. Therefore, even if the ink cartridge is pulled from the ink cartridge mounting portion S while the positive pressure pump 36 applies the positive pressure to the ink cartridge 200, the air connection hole (while the ink introduction hollow needle 82 is in the punctured state) 280 will be separated from the positive pressure applying member 91 for the first time. Thus, leakage of ink from the ink cartridge 200 can be prevented.

When the ink cartridge 200 is mounted in the ink cartridge mounting portion S, the infrared light emitting portion 172 and the infrared light receiving portion 174 of the residual ink detection light sensor 170 are then sensor as shown in FIG. It is accommodated in the sensor accommodating groove 240 so as to interpose a projection 372 that receives the sensing arm portion 367 (sensing point) of the lever 360. Accordingly, the sensing arm end 367 (detection point) of the sensor lever 360 is located between the infrared light emitting portion 172 and the infrared light receiving portion 174. By doing so, an ink detection mechanism for detecting a condition when the ink is depleted in the ink cartridge 200 is completed. That is, the sensor unit 170 (light emitting unit 172 + light receiving unit 174) of the ink detection mechanism of this embodiment is provided in the ink cartridge mounting unit S. As shown in FIG. The lever (black resin sensor lever 360) for detecting whether the sensor unit 170 is ON or OFF can be completed by the ink detecting mechanism mounting the ink cartridge to the ink cartridge mounting unit S. FIG. So that the ink cartridge 200 is provided.

As described above, the sensor lever 360 moves the sensing arm end 367 (detection point) in the vertical direction in accordance with the ink remaining amount. When a sufficient amount of ink remains, the sensing arm end 367 is positioned between the infrared light emitting portion 172 and the infrared light receiving portion 174 and blocks infrared light. When the ink is almost exhausted, the sensing arm end 367 is pulled from between the infrared light emitting portion 172 and the infrared light receiving portion 174 so that the infrared light receiving portion 174 receives the infrared light. As a result, those skilled in the art can easily convert the presence or absence of ink into electrical signals and control the operation of the recording apparatus. The sensor 170 can be used to detect whether an ink cartridge is mounted, but not just the presence of ink.

The ink cartridge 200 of this embodiment may be formed only of resin. The basic configuration of the ink cartridge 200 is a film covered on a resin case holding ink therebetween. That is, a single sheet of film is covered across the tub portion 320 of the main case 230 and ink is filled between the main case 230 and the film. By mounting the lid 210 on the main case 230, the user is prevented from directly touching the film or breaking the film.

In more detail, the main case 230 is made from a resin having high resistance to weakening the properties of the ink. In this example, main case 230 is made of non-added polypropylene (PP) without additives interposed therein. When the additive is interposed in the polypropylene, the ink dissolves the additive because the main case 230 (ink holder 310) is in direct contact with the ink. On the other hand, the lead 210 is made of additive polypropylene (PP) to which additives for maintaining strength are added because the lead 210 is in direct contact with the ink. In this way, since the main case 230 and the lid 210 are both made from the same resin material PP, they can be joined to each other using ultrasonic welding.

In this embodiment, the ink containing portion 300 is defined between the tub portion 320 and the flexible film 302. The ink can be consumed completely because no blowing agent is used to hold the ink. Since the ink cartridge 200 is made from resin only without using any foaming agent, dioxin is not produced when the ink cartridge 200 is incinerated after the ink is depleted. This reduces the adverse effects on the environment due to waste materials. In addition, it is not necessary to provide a tab portion or trough, which may be necessary if the ink containing portion 300 is a bag shape. Thus, a large amount of ink can be accommodated in a case of only a small volume. According to this embodiment, the ink containing portion 300 can be provided in a simple configuration which merely provides a concave holding container and covers it with a film. This simple configuration can be easily redesigned as needed.

According to this embodiment, the flexible film 302 has a two-layer configuration. That is, the flexible film 302 is provided by attaching each other an inner layer made of polypropylene having a heat melting property (30 μm thick) and an outer layer made of nylon having heat resistance and impact resistance. Polypropylene (30 μm thick) is a non-additive with little additives therein. Since the inner layer is in contact with the ink, the inner layer can be dissolved in the ink when the inner layer is through the additive. However, polypropylene (30 μm thick) is extremely weak against mechanical impact. For this reason, nylon outer layers are provided to absorb shocks. The two-layer construction, made from an inner layer made of polypropylene (30 μm thick) and an outer layer made of nylon, has the property of unfolding when heat is applied and also permeability to air or other gases. As will be described later, this material is extremely desirable to be used for the flexible film 302 of this embodiment.

According to this embodiment, the above-described two-layer flexible film 302 is formed in a manner described below to expand outward when attached to the ink holding portion 310. The flexible film 302 is made of an inner layer 302a made of polypropylene (30 μm thick) and an outer layer 302b made of nylon.

As shown in FIG. 37A, the flexible film 302 is disposed to cover the opening of the tub portion 320 while the flexible film 302 is in a flat condition. Thereafter, heat is applied to the open peripheral edge 312 through the flexible film 302. As a result, only the inner layer 302a is dissolved and heat fused to the open perimeter 312. Next, as shown in FIG. 37B, a vacuum apparatus, not shown, is connected to the ink supply hole 260 in fluid communication with the tub portion 320. As shown in FIG. The vacuum apparatus is used to exhaust air and other gases between the flexible film 302 and the tub 320 to create vacuum conditions in the space. Atmospheric pressure applied to the flexible film 302 from the outside moves the flexible film in close contact with the tub 320. At the same time as the vacuum is applied, heat is applied to the entirety of the flexible film 302 by an external heat source (not shown) provided over the flexible film 302. As a result, the flexible film 302 is plastically deformed into a shape along the tub 320. As a result, the flexible film 302 is formed to exactly adhere to the tub 320. As a result, the flexible film 302 is formed in a shape that is molded on the base surface of the tub portion 320. When ink is introduced between the tub portion 320 and the flexible film 302, the flexible film 302 includes a flexible film so that twice as much ink as the volume of the tub portion 320 can be accommodated. In the direction of separation. When ink is used, the flexible film 302 approaches the tub 320. When the ink is fully used, the flexible film 302 clings to the tub portion 320. Thus, the ink can be used completely.

Although the nylon of the outer layer 302b is located at a location close to an external heat source (not shown), the nylon does not dissolve because it is heat resistant. On the other hand, since the polypropylene layer of the inner layer 302a is located away from the external heat source, it does not dissolve but only plastically deforms. Thus, the flexible film 302 does not dissolve due to external heat sources, which can be a potential problem if the flexible film 302 is made of single layer polypropylene.

Had to press the flexible film 302 by pressure rolling, there would have been a potential risk of pleating on the flexible film 302 and leakage of ink and air. However, these problems do not arise when the method described above is used.

In addition, the present embodiment uses a method in which the curved surface portion 324 itself is used as a mold and the flexible film 302 is elongated to transfer the shape of the curved surface portion 324 to the flexible film 302. Accordingly, the curved surface portion 324 can be formed in any optional blowing agent and the flexible film 302 can be easily formed to follow the optional blowing agent. Therefore, the shape change of the tub part 320 can be easily processed. The sticking of the flexible film 302 to the curved surface portion 324 during the above-described heat treatment forms a plurality of ink injection grooves 330 and ink supply grooves 332 which will be described later, or crystallization on the curved surface portion 324. Can be prevented by forming

In addition, fewer processes are required than when the plurality of flexible films 302 are pressed into the expanded shape and attached to the open peripheral edge 312. Therefore, the risk of the foreign matter entering the ink container 300 is reduced. In addition, a simple installation is sufficient because no separate mold is required for processing operations.

The inner layer 302a and the outer layer 302b are made of two types of polypropylene having different characteristics by making the outer layer 302b from additive polypropylene which is difficult to dissolve in place of nylon and the inner layer 302a from non-added polypropylene. Can be.

As shown in FIG. 38, the mold 400 may be provided on the tub part 320. The mold 400 is provided separately and has a concave shape that is symmetric to the shape of the tub 320. In this case, if the flexible film 302 is thermally fused to the open peripheral edge 312 in a flat condition, while the mold 400 is heated, pressurized air passes through the ink supply hole 260 to the flexible film 302. ) And tub portion 320 is pushed in. As a result, the flexible film 302 expands and the indentation shape of the mold 400 transitions to the flexible film 302. The pressure in the space between the flexible film 302 and the mold 400 is reduced instead of increasing the pressure inside the interior space between the flexible film 302 and the tub 320 by forcing air into the space. Can be.

Next, a method of injecting ink between the flexible film 302 formed in the expanded shape and the tub portion 320 (the ink holding portion 300) will be described with reference to FIGS. 39A and 39B.

As shown in Fig. 39A, a back flow preventing valve 264 and an ink supply rubber plug 262 (silicon rubber bush) are provided inside the ink supply hole 260. An ink injection rubber plug 272 (silicon rubber bush) is provided inside the ink injection hole 270. The ink injection rubber plug 272 is connected to the ink supply rubber plug 262 by the ink portion 266. The ink injection needle insertion indentation 274 and the plug peak 276 are formed in the ink injection rubber plug 272 at positions offset from each other. Although the rubber plugs 262, 272 are perforated by the needles in the manner described below, the rubber plugs 262, 272 have the property of closing the perforated positions by their elasticity after the needles are pulled out.

First, as shown in Fig. 39A, the ink supply rubber plug 262 and the ink injection rubber plug 272 are coupled to the ink supply hole 260 and the ink injection hole 270. The ink injection rubber plug 272 is partially fitted into the ink injection hole 270 with the plug peak 276 separated from the ink injection connection path 278. While the front wall 234 of the main case 230 is in a vertically upward facing position, the air removal hollow needle 502 until the needles 502, 504 are exposed to the internal indentation of the corresponding rubber plug. Silver perforates ink supply rubber plug 262 and ink injection needle 504 perforates ink injection rubber plug 272. The air removal hollow needle 502 is in fluid communication with an air removal vacuum pump, not shown, and the ink injection needle 504 is in fluid communication with the ink pump. Air is drawn from the inside of the ink receiving unit 300 via the ink supply hole 260 to achieve a vacuum inside the ink containing unit 300. The ink pump is then operated to inject ink into the ink injection holes 270. Because the ink injection needle insertion indentation 274 is narrow, it is impossible to remove all remaining air in the ink injection needle insertion indentation 274 regardless of how high the vacuum is achieved. In addition, when air is mixed in the ink containing portion 300, the air expands, causing erroneous residual amount detection and preventing ink supply to the head. For this reason, the ink injection rubber plug 272 is fully pressed into the ink injection hole 270 after the ink injection is completed. As shown in Fig. 39B, the plug peak 276 eventually blocks the ink injection connection path 278 completely. Thus, a small amount of ink remaining in the ink injection insertion indentation 274 is prevented from entering the ink receiving portion 300 inside.

As shown in Fig. 15, the ink injection groove 330 is in fluid communication with the ink injection hole 270 (ink injection connection path 278) and is formed to properly follow the curved surface portion 324 so that the ink is formed into the tub portion. Flows around 320. When ink is injected, the ink enters the tub portion 320 along the ink injection groove 330. Thus, air removal is improved. The air removal / ink supply groove 332 is in fluid communication with the ink supply hole (ink supply connection path 278), is formed to properly follow the curved surface portion 324, and is also in fluid communication with the ink injection groove 330. do. Thus, air is more easily removed during air removal. That is, even if the flexible film 302 adheres closely to the curved surface portion 324 during air removal, since the air removal space is opened by the air removal / ink supply groove 332, the air is kept in the entire ink containing portion. May be removed from 300. Any valley shaped surface can improve the ability to remove air from the ink receptacle 300. For example, instead of or in addition to the air removal / ink supply groove 332, the tub portion 320 may be formed with a crystal surface in which the valley portion is formed between the crystals of the crystal surface. The valley is in fluid communication with the ink injection groove 330 and thus improves air removal. In addition, the surrounding edge 322 or bumps extend around the lowest position of the curved surface portion 324, ie, the hemispherical pivot 365, so that ink flow can be actively controlled when ink is supplied to the ink jet head. Can be. For example, the ink can be easily attracted from a lower position even if a small amount of ink remains and the force that the flexible film 302 and the curved surface portion 324 stick to each other is reduced so that an increase in back pressure can be prevented. Can be.

After the ink is introduced into the ink receptacle 300, the lid 210 is mounted on the main case 230 and the ink cartridge 200 is completed. Thereafter, the ink cartridge 200 is packaged in a vacuum pack. That is, as shown in Fig. 36, the entire ink cartridge 200 is surrounded by a sheet of resin film material, and then exhausted under vacuum conditions. Since the ink jet head 70 ejects ink using pressure waves, any bubbles in the ink absorb pressure so that the ink cannot be ejected properly. Bubbles form and grow over time from air dissolved in the ink. Therefore, the ink cartridge 200 is vacuum packed to suppress the amount of dissolved air in the ink filling the ink cartridge 200.

In the ink injected into the ink containing portion 300, air is already removed to a predetermined range. That is, the amount of air components of the ink is about 30 to 35% of the saturation amount. The ink containing portion 300 is filled with ink and the entire ink cartridge 200 is surrounded in the film material. Then, when the vacuum condition is achieved in the film material, the air in the ink passes through the wall of the main case provided from the flexible film 302 formed from polypropylene and nylon and the resin made of polypropylene, into the vacuum package. Induced. Air is further removed from the ink in the ink cartridge. After several days have elapsed, the air component of the ink in the ink cartridge may drop to about 20% of saturation conditions. Therefore, the ink having a high level of air removal can be provided to the user by providing the user with a vacuum packed ink cartridge.

When the ink cartridge 200 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion S, the ink introduction hollow needle 82 is inserted into the ink supply rubber plug 262 of the ink supply hole 260. The ink introducing hollow needle 82 is in fluid communication with the ink jet head 70 via the buffer tank 84 and the ink supply tube T. The air dissolved in the ink grows as a bubble over time and sticks to the inner walls of the buffer tank 84 and the ink supply tube T. Bubbles can grow larger during changes in temperature and the like. The back flow prevention valve 264 of the ink supply hole 260 is designed to block the ink supply hole 260 even when a slight external pressure is applied. Thus, the back flow prevention valve 264 is closed even when bubbles grow in the buffer tank 84 and the ink supply tube T so that a small pressure is applied to the back flow prevention valve 264. On the other hand, the backward flow prevention valve 264 moves freely against the pulling of the ink by the piezoelectric ink jet head 70. For this reason, although the back flow prevention valve 264 can supply any amount of ink, the back flow prevention valve 264 allows the bubble to prevent the bubble from entering the ink receiving portion 300 of the ink cartridge. It is closed due to the pressure applied by it. Thus, problems such as bubbles entering into the ink cartridge and bubbles entering the head from the ink cartridge and causing incomplete ejection can be prevented.

In this embodiment, the ink injection holes 270 and the ink supply holes 260 are provided separately so that they can be provided to be openly aligned in the left-right direction on the front face of the ink cartridge. Only one hole is provided in the front face of the ink cartridge. In the case of vacuum operation, ink injection and ink supply all performed through this hole, the same rubber plug mounted in the hole need not be drilled three times by the needle. The hole diameter itself would need to be expanded to ensure that the needle drilled three different positions. According to the present invention, each hole may have a small diameter because the holes for ink injection and ink supply are separately separated. The ink cartridge can be formed thin because the ink holes are aligned in the left and right directions.

The position where the air removal hollow needle 502 punctures the ink supply rubber 262 so that the ink supply hole 260 may be used to generate a vacuum during ink injection, the ink cartridge 200 is provided with the ink cartridge mounting portion S. The ink introduction hollow needle 82 must be different from the position at which the ink supply love plug 262 is punctured when mounted in the. According to this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 20, an ink supply hole 260 is formed in the front wall 234 in substantially the height direction and the width direction center. Since the protrusion 235 is formed approximately in the center of the width direction of the front wall 234, the height (thickness) of the ink cartridge 200 is larger at the protrusion 235 than at the widthwise end. Thus, the ink supply hole 260 can be formed with a larger diameter and the ink supply rubber plug 262 can be formed with a larger diameter. Can be easily inserted into the position of the ink supply rubber plug 262 that is different from the perforated position.

The ink cartridge 200 according to this embodiment is sealed in a vacuum package. At this time, a pressure pushing the main case and the lid 210 to each other is applied. In order to resist this pressure, according to the present embodiment, the spherical outwardly curved portion 212 of the lead 210 is formed in an approximately curved shape and a configuration reinforced by ribs is used.

As shown in Fig. 40, according to the present embodiment, the spherical outwardly curved portion 212 of the lid 210 has the ink receiving perimeter 216 at the periphery of the spherical outwardly curved portion 212 with an open peripheral edge ( It is formed to be located slightly outside from the inner edge of 312). That is, the inner peripheral edge portion 216a of the ink receiving edge portion 216 faces the outer edge of the open peripheral edge portion 312 and the middle portion of the inner edge portion. If the inner circumferential edge 216a is positioned inside the inner circumference of the open circumferential edge 312, the inner circumferential edge 216a may be closed when the lead 210 and the tub portion 320 approach each other under pressure from the vacuum pack. There is a risk of damaging the flexible film 302 in contact with the flexible film 302. However, according to this embodiment, the lead 210 abuts slightly outside the inner edge of the open peripheral edge 312, ie above the open peripheral edge 312. The flexible film 302 is firmly welded on the open peripheral edge 312 and coalesces with the resin of the main case 230. Thus, the ink receiving perimeter 216 of the lid 210 does not damage the flexible film 302 even if it directly contacts the flexible film 302 on the open peripheral edge 312.

Next, the ink cartridge according to the first to twelfth modifications of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 41 to 53B.

Fig. 41 shows the ink cartridge 200 according to the first modification of this embodiment in the shape where the guide groove 236 and the sensor accommodating groove 240 are open to the side wall 232. Figs. In this case, the ink cartridge 200 is guided by sliding the guide groove notch indentation 236 ′ along the side surface corresponding to the guide protrusion wall 120. FIG. 42 shows the configuration of the recording apparatus 1 modified for the ink cartridge 200 of FIG. The unlocking operation rib 150 is provided in close proximity to the guide protrusion wall 120 on the side where the ink introducing hollow needle 82 is disposed. The portion of the front wall 234 of the ink cartridge 200 corresponding to the position below the atmospheric connection hole 280 functions as the unlocking portion 238.

43A and 43B show an ink cartridge 200 according to the second modification of this embodiment in which a plurality of ribs 243 are arranged in a turtle shell configuration.

44A and 44B show the ink cartridge 200 according to the third modification of this embodiment in which a plurality of ribs 243 are arranged in a circle concentric with the surrounding edge 322.

45A and 45B show an ink cartridge 200 according to a fourth modification of this embodiment in which a plurality of ribs 243 are arranged in a diamond shape.

46A and 46B show the ink cartridge 200 according to the fifth modification of this embodiment in which the lower surface of the ink cartridge 200 is smooth without any ribs.

47A and 47B show an ink cartridge 200 according to a sixth modification of this embodiment in which the gripping portion 202 and the side wall 232 have a shape different from this embodiment.

48A and 48B show an ink cartridge 200 according to the seventh modification of this embodiment in which the gripping portion 202 and the side wall 232 have a shape different from this embodiment.

49A and 49B show an ink cartridge 200 according to an eighth modification of this embodiment in which the gripping portion 202 and the side wall 232 have a shape different from this embodiment.

50A and 50B show the ink cartridge 200 according to the ninth modification of this embodiment in which the grip portion 202 and the side wall 232 have a shape different from this embodiment.

51A and 51B show an ink cartridge 200 according to a tenth modification of this embodiment in which the gripping portion 202 and the side wall 232 have a shape different from this embodiment.

52A and 52B show an ink cartridge 200 according to the eleventh modification of this embodiment in which the portion 212 has a turtle shell pattern that is not spherical outwardly curved.

53A and 53B show the ink cartridge 200 according to the twelfth modification of this embodiment in which the portion 212 has a spherical shape rather than a spherical outwardly curved shape.

Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to specific embodiments and variations thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims. .

For example, the configuration of the needle guard plate 130, the lock member 180 and the leak-proof lock member 190 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG.

The following combinations of components are particularly valid. For example, in the first combination, the ink cartridge includes an ink holder, a flexible film, and a sensor lever. The ink holding portion has an indentation surface portion and an opening portion. The flexible film covers the opening of the ink holding portion and can be deformed toward the indentation surface portion with respect to the ink amount reduction at the indentation surface portion. The sensor lever has two ends. One end functions as an ink remaining amount detection point and is arranged to protrude upward over the indentation surface portion of the ink holding portion. The other end extends from the ink holding portion. The flexible film presses the ink remaining amount detection point of the sensor lever when the flexible film is deformed toward the indentation surface portion.

Due to this configuration, when the ink remaining amount of the ink holding portion decreases, the flexible film is deformed toward the indented surface portion of the ink holding portion. Since the ink remaining amount detection portion of the sensor lever is disposed on the indentation surface portion of the ink holder, the sensor lever can detect when the flexible film reaches the indentation surface portion of the ink holder, in which case the ink cartridge is almost completely filled with ink. It is empty. Therefore, the ink of the ink holding portion can be used up to the maximum amount.

Preferably, the indentation surface portion of the ink holding portion has a curved shape and the ink remaining amount detection point is disposed at the lowest position of the indentation surface portion.

Due to this configuration, the flexible film is deformed toward the lowest position of the indentation surface portion of the ink holding portion when the ink remaining amount decreases in the ink holding portion. Since the ink remaining amount detection point is at the lowest position of the indentation surface portion of the ink holder, the sensor lever can detect when the flexible film reaches the lowest position of the indentation surface portion of the ink holder and thus when the ink is almost completely consumed. . Therefore, the ink in the ink holding portion can be used up to the maximum amount.

Preferably, the ink holding portion is formed of a resin and includes a groove extending outwardly from the indenting surface portion under the indentation surface portion. In this case, the sensor lever is located in the groove. Since the sensor lever is located in a groove formed below the indent, the sensor lever does not collide with the flexible film when the flexible film is deformed toward the indent surface. Therefore, the ink remaining amount can be detected reliably.

Preferably, the sensor lever includes a pivot point, a working arm portion, and a sensing arm portion. The working and sensing arm portions extend to both sides of the pivot point. An ink remaining amount detection point is provided on the working arm portion. The end of the sensing arm portion extends from the ink cartridge so as to face the sensor on the outside.

Since the flexible film is bent toward the indentation surface portion of the ink holding portion in connection with the reduction of ink, the flexible film pushes the ink remaining amount detection point when the ink is completely depleted. As a result, the sensor lever pivots around the pivot rest and the end of the sensing arm is raised. When a sensor provided externally from the ink cartridge detects the upward movement of the end portion, it may be determined that the ink is depleted. Thereby, the ink remaining amount can be reliably detected using a simple configuration.

Preferably, the length of the sensing arm portion of the sensor lever is longer than the length of the working arm portion. As a result, the amount by which the sensing arm rises in correspondence with the amount by which the flexible film presses the ink remaining amount detection point is increased. Thus, when a small amount of ink remains, a small change in position of the flexible film can be amplified so that it can be detected by the sensor. The sensor can detect when the ink is completely depleted. Because of this, the detection of the empty condition can be delayed close to the maximum limit so that the ink of the indentation surface portion can be used up to the maximum amount.

Preferably, the weight of the sensing arm portion of the sensor lever is heavier than the weight of the working arm portion. As a result, the ink remaining amount detection point generally projects above the indentation surface so that the flexible film presses the ink remaining amount detection point when the ink is depleted. Incorrect operation of the sensor lever can be prevented.

Preferably, the pressing member is further provided on the sensing arm portion of the sensor lever. The pressing member urges the sensor lever so that the ink remaining amount detection point projects above the indentation surface portion. Due to this configuration, the ink remaining amount detection point is appropriately projected even if the top surface of the ink cartridge goes downward, for example, during transportation. This enables stable sensor lever operation.

Preferably, the suppression member is further fixed to the indentation surface portion and a main case is further provided for supporting the ink holding portion. The pivot point of the sensor lever is pivotally interposed between the suppression member and the main case. Since the pivot point is pivotably interposed, the work is precise.

Preferably, the suppressing member is formed integrally with the elastic plate which presses the sensing arm portion of the sensor lever so that the ink remaining amount detection point projects above the indentation surface portion. Due to this configuration, the ink remaining amount detection point constantly projects above the indentation surface so that the detection can be performed precisely.

Preferably, the pressing means for pressing the facing portion in a direction of separating the facing portion from the ink remaining amount detection point while allowing a portion of the flexible film, which is not the facing portion, to substantially follow the shape of the indenting surface portion when a small amount of ink remains in the indentation surface portion. This is further provided. In this case, the flexible film overcomes the pressing force of the pressing means when almost no ink remains in the tube portion to press the ink remaining amount detection point. Due to this configuration, the portion of the flexible film that does not face the ink remaining amount detection point follows the indentation surface with respect to the ink used. The facing portion of the flexible film reaches the ink remaining amount detection point only when there is little ink left in the indentation portion, whereby the ink in the ink holding portion can be used to the maximum.

Preferably, the pressing means moves along the flexible film when more than a predetermined amount of ink remains in the indentation surface portion and is capable of holding the ink retainer when the predetermined amount of ink remains in the indentation surface portion. Is connected to. The pressing means has the flexibility to press the flexible film so as to separate from the ink remaining amount detection point while the ink in the predetermined amount range remains in the indentation surface portion. The pressing means allows the portion of the flexible film that does not face the ink remaining amount detection point to follow the indentation surface portion so that the ink of the ink holding portion can be used to the maximum.

Preferably, the pressing means is a leaf spring with both ends free and the central part fixed to the flexible film. The ends of the leaf springs contact the indentation surface before the portion of the flexible film connected to the center of the leaf springs reaches the ink remaining amount detection point. The portion of the flexible film connected to the center of the leaf spring moves toward the ink remaining detection point against the resistance from the leaf spring after the ends of the leaf spring contact the indentation surface. Due to this configuration, the flexible film moves as described above and the ink in the ink holding portion can be used to the maximum.

Preferably, the indentation surface portion is formed such that the cross-sectional area is reduced with the distance from the opening to the deepest portion of the indentation surface portion. The ink remaining amount detection point is located at the deepest part of the indentation surface portion. Both ends of the leaf spring contact the indentation between the opening and the deepest portion when a predetermined amount of ink remains in the indentation surface. Due to this configuration, the ink in the ink holding portion can be used to the maximum.

In a second combination, the ink cartridge includes a main case and a flexible film. The main case includes an ink holding portion for holding ink. The ink holding portion has an indented surface portion and an open side. The flexible film covers the open side of the ink holding portion. The flexible film has a shape that substantially follows the shape of the indentation surface portion when no ink is substantially retained in the ink holding portion.

Due to this configuration, the flexible film is deformed in connection with the reduction of ink without applying pressure to the ink. Therefore, the pressure for supplying ink to the ink jet head is kept substantially stable and the ink ejection operation can be performed stably by the ink jet head. The ink remaining amount (the amount of ink that cannot be supplied to the ink jet head) can be reduced.

Preferably, at least a portion of the indentation surface portion has a hemispherical shape having a cross-sectional area that decreases with distance from the open side of the ink holding portion. For this reason, the flexible film can easily follow the indentation when only a small amount of ink remains. The amount of unused ink can be reduced and the pressure applied to the ink for the supply of ink can be maintained at a substantially fixed level until almost all of the ink is used. Since the ink supply is more stable, the ink jet head connected to the ink cartridge can stably discharge ink.

Preferably, the opening side of the ink holding portion has a circular or elliptical shape so that the flexible film easily deforms toward the indentation portion when the ink remaining amount decreases. In addition, the pressure applied to the ink for ink supply can be kept constant at a fixed level.

Preferably, the main case includes a wall in which a vacuum hole is formed. The vacuum hole is in fluid communication with the ink holder and is for applying a vacuum inside the ink holder. The indentation surface includes a valley shape along at least a portion of the indentation surface and in fluid communication with the vacuum hole. The air may be removed from the ink holder via the vacuum hole before the ink is introduced into the ink holder. When air is removed, the flexible film moves and contacts the indentation surface. If the flexible film is bent unevenly at this time, the flexible film is not in intimate contact with the indentation surface portion, whereby air remains between the flexible film and the indentation surface portion. However, since the valley shape of the indentation surface portion is in fluid communication with the vacuum hole, the air can be completely removed from the ink holding portion even if the flexible film is bent irregularly. The flexible film can be brought into full contact with the indentation surface so that ink can be injected without air remaining in the ink holding portion. The valley features may be, for example, loop shaped grooves in the indentation surface or crystallized surfaces in the indentation surface such that air can be almost completely removed.

In a third combination, the ink cartridge includes an ink holder and a rigid top surface. The ink holding portion includes a rigid indented surface portion and a flexible film. The indentation surface portion has an open side on one side of the indentation surface portion covered by the flexible film. Ink is received between the indentation surface and the flexible film. The top surface is positioned opposite the indented surface portion with respect to the flexible film. The upper surface is formed into a substantially hemispherical shape that expands in a direction away from the indentation surface portion.

Due to this configuration, the top surface of the ink cartridge bends in a direction away from the indentation surface portion in response to the expansion of the flexible film due to ink filling between the indentation surface portion and the flexible film. Therefore, even if the size of the ink cartridge is compact, a large volume of ink can be accommodated. In addition, the upper surface is sufficiently strong because the upper surface is formed in a substantially hemispherical shape that expands in a direction away from the indentation surface portion. Thus, the ink cartridge has sufficient durability against bending and bending and does not clump.

Preferably, the main case and the lid are further provided. The main case includes an indentation surface portion of the ink holding portion, and a flexible film is attached so that the open side of the indentation surface portion is covered. The lid is provided as a main case and a separate member and includes an upper surface. The upper surface has a curved portion at a position facing the indented surface portion of the main case, with the flexible film positioned therebetween. The curved portion is curved in a substantially hemispherical shape in a direction extending away from the indentation surface portion. Due to this configuration, the ink cartridge can be easily produced by simply engaging the main case and the lead so that the curved portion faces the indentation surface portion with the flexible portion interposed therebetween.

Preferably, the indentation surface portion of the main case is formed from a wall curved substantially in a hemispherical shape in a direction away from the bend of the lid. Due to this configuration, the wall forming the indented surface portion is curved in a substantially hemispherical shape in a direction away from the curved portion of the lid so that the wall has sufficient strength. Thus, the ink cartridge has sufficient durability against bending and bending and does not clump.

Preferably, the ink holding portion includes a surrounding edge defining an open side of the indented surface portion. The flexible film is attached to the surrounding edge. The main case has a peripheral wall extending in the depth direction of the ink holder from the upper edge of the main case to the lower edge of the main case so as to surround the ink holder. The lower edge of the peripheral wall substantially defines the outer peripheral edge of the lower surface of the main case. The lid has an outer edge facing the peripheral wall and engaged with the upper edge of the peripheral wall.

Due to this configuration, even if the lower face of the ink holding portion has a substantially hemispherical shape, the ink cartridge is stabilized by the lower edge of the peripheral wall of the main case when the ink cartridge is located, for example, on the table top. Also, the ink cartridge can be easily attached and detached from the recording apparatus. Since the flexible film is attached to the surrounding edge of the ink holding portion and the lid is attached to the upper edge of the peripheral wall, the ink can be reliably sealed in the ink cartridge without colliding the lead with the portion of the attached flexible film.

Preferably, the main case has a main case opening side peripheral edge portion surrounding the open side of the ink holding portion. The main case opening side peripheral edge portion has an inner edge defining a boundary between the indentation surface portion of the ink holding portion and the opening side. The flexible film is attached to the peripheral edge of the main case opening side so as to cover the open side of the ink holding portion. The lid has a lead open perimeter surrounding the bend. The lead opening peripheral portion is formed at a position facing the area outside of the inner edge of the main case opening side peripheral edge portion.

Due to this configuration, the flexible film is attached to the peripheral edge of the main case opening side. Further, since the main case opening side peripheral edge portion is located inside the lead opening peripheral portion, it faces the lead curved portion. Thus, the lead opening peripheral edge portion does not come into contact with the flexible film where it is attached to the main case opening side peripheral edge even if the main case and the lead are pressed to approach each other. Thus, the edges of the flexible film are not damaged. Ink does not leak.

Preferably, the main case has a plurality of ribs connecting the peripheral wall of the main case to the lower surface of the wall. The plurality of ribs connect the peripheral wall of the main case to the bottom surface of the wall. Due to this configuration, the ribs effectively prevent the hemispherical wall from being deformed.

Preferably, the peripheral wall of the main case includes a first peripheral wall, a second peripheral wall, and a plurality of walls connecting the first and second peripheral walls to each other. The first peripheral wall extends in the depth direction of the ink holding portion and is integrally formed with the surrounding edge defining the open side of the indentation surface portion. The second circumferential wall is located on the opposite side of the first circumferential wall than the ink holding portion with the space between the first circumferential wall interposed therebetween. Due to this configuration, the peripheral wall of the main case has a two-layer configuration so that the peripheral wall can be prevented from being deformed.

Preferably, an ink supply hole and an air connection path are formed in the main case. The ink supply hole is for attracting ink from the ink holding portion to the outside of the ink cartridge. The atmospheric connection path connects the space between the lid and the flexible film and the outside of the ink cartridge to apply atmospheric pressure from the outside of the ink holder to the flexible film. Due to this configuration, since the atmospheric pressure is applied to the flexible film via the air connection path, the ink in the ink holding portion can be attracted through the ink supply hole.

Preferably, the main case includes a wall portion defining the ink supply hole and the atmospheric connection hole. The ink supply hole is for removing ink from the indented surface portion of the ink holding portion to the outside of the ink cartridge. Atmospheric connection holes connect the space between the lid and the flexible film and the outside of the ink cartridge to apply atmospheric pressure from the outside of the ink holder to the flexible film. The lid is provided with a groove for fluidly communicating the space defined between the curved portion of the lid and the flexible film with the atmospheric connection hole at at least one portion facing the main case opening side peripheral edge portion.

Due to this configuration, since the air entering through the atmospheric connection hole applies pressure to the flexible film toward the indentation surface portion of the ink holding portion, the ink of the indentation surface portion can be supplied to the outside of the ink cartridge. When the upper surface of the main case opening side peripheral edge is deformed to some degree, the upper surface of the main case opening side peripheral edge comes into close contact with the flexible film so that the sealed space is flexible with the outer edge surrounding the bent portion of the lid. There is a risk of formation between the films. In this situation, since the sealed space is not in fluid communication with the atmospheric connection hole such that pressure cannot be applied to the flexible film, ink cannot be properly supplied to the outside of the ink cartridge. However, since the groove is formed where the lid faces the peripheral edge of the main case opening side, the space between the bent portion and the flexible film is in fluid communication with the atmospheric connection hole even if the main case opening side peripheral edge is in close contact with the flexible film. Can be maintained. Thus, the ink supply function can be properly maintained.

Preferably, the flexible film is formed of an inner layer and an outer layer. The inner layer is hot melt and is in contact with the upper edge of the peripheral wall of the main case. The outer layer has heat resistance and impact resistance and is in contact with the curved portion of the lid. Only the inner layer having thermal meltability is thermally melted and attached to the peripheral wall of the main case. On the other hand, the outer layer has impact resistance so that the flexible film does not easily rupture, so that ink leakage can be prevented.

Preferably, the outer layer is formed of additive polypropylene having heat resistance and impact resistance and the inner layer is formed of non-added polypropylene. Due to this configuration, the flexible film can be easily attached to the main case and is difficult to rupture.

Preferably, a main case and a lead are further provided. The main case includes an indented surface portion of the ink holding portion and is formed from a resin. The lid includes an upper surface and is formed from a resin different from the resin of the main case. Since the ink holding portion of the main case is in direct contact with the ink, the ink holding portion can be formed of, for example, additive polypropylene. On the other hand, the upper surface of the lid is not in direct contact with the ink, and thus can be made of non-added polypropylene without addition of additives in order to maintain the strength. The ink cartridge can be easily produced by melting the joining portions of the main case and the lead integrally with each other using ultrasonic welding.

Preferably, at least the main case is formed from a resin having high resistance to ink. The ink holding portion is in direct contact with the ink. However, since the ink holding portion is formed from a resin having high resistance to ink, the ink holding portion can be prevented from being corroded by the ink.

Preferably, the flexible film has gas permeability. When the ink cartridge is packaged in a vacuum pack, air or other gas dissolved in the ink may be exhausted via the flexible film. Thus, the ink contains a low level of dissolved gas such that only a small amount of bubbles are produced.

In a first method of producing an ink cartridge, a main case is provided that includes an ink holding portion for holding ink. The ink holding portion has an indented surface portion and an open side. The open side of the ink holding portion is covered with a flexible film. Finally, the flexible film is heated from the side opposite the ink holder while the gas is exhausted between the ink holder and the flexible film. As a result, the flexible film deforms along the surface shape of the indentation surface portion.

The method facilitates forming the flexible film to match the shape of the indentation surface portion. An ink cartridge including a main case having an ink holding portion whose open side is covered with a flexible film can be produced easily and reliably.

Preferably, the hemispherical indentation surface portion is formed so that the flexible film can be unevenly deformed along the surface of the hemispherical indentation surface portion. No part of the flexible film is easily deformed.

Preferably, the flexible film used in the present method includes a heat resistant layer and a hot melt layer. The hot melt layer is located on the corner portion of the main case surrounding the open side of the ink holding portion of the case. The corners are then heated to thermally fuse the hot melt layer to the corners. In addition, the flexible film is heated from the heat-resistant side of the flexible film. As a result, the heat resistant layer does not dissolve during heating of the flexible film to deform the flexible film. The flexible film is deformed into a predetermined shape to follow the shape of the indentation surface portion.

Preferably, the main case is formed with a through hole for fluidly communicating the ink holding portion with the outside of the main case. In addition, gas such as air is removed from the ink holder from the through hole to create a vacuum condition between the flexible film and the ink holder. As a result, the space between the flexible film and the ink holding portion can be easily reduced to a vacuum.

In a second method of producing an ink cartridge, a main case is provided that includes an ink holding portion for holding ink. The ink holding portion has an indented surface portion and an open side. The open side of the ink holding portion is covered with a flexible film. The mold is positioned facing the ink holding portion covered with the flexible film. The facing surface of the mold has the desired shape. The flexible film is heated to follow the surface shape of the mold while the pressure between the ink holder and the flexible film is reduced or while a vacuum is created between the mold and the flexible film. The flexible film covering the open side of the ink holding portion can be formed into a desired shape easily and reliably.

Preferably, the mold is formed in a shape symmetric to the shape of the indentation surface portion. The flexible film covering the open side of the ink holding portion can be formed into a desired shape easily and reliably so as to follow the shape of the indentation surface portion.

Claims (34)

Recording device, An opening having an opening that is open in the horizontal direction outward, A bottom surface extending in the horizontal direction, The ceiling extending in the horizontal direction, An ink cartridge mounting portion defined by an opening, a bottom surface and a ceiling surface, A hollow needle which supplies ink to the recording head and is positioned facing the opening and extending in the needle axial direction, A cover for selectively opening and closing the hollow needle with respect to the opening; A lever moved to cover the needle and positioned closer to the opening than the cover, A protruding wall positioned on the bottom surface adjacent to the lever and extending in the needle axial direction, It includes a sensor unit having a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit facing each other, The lever and the sensor portion project from the bottom into the ink cartridge mounting portion at two positions interposed between the virtual extension of the axial needle extending in the needle axial direction, The ink cartridge which was attached to the ink cartridge attaching part detachably, A lower surface abutting against the bottom surface and configured to slide from the opening into the hollow needle of the recording apparatus, A front face having an ink supply hole into which the hollow needle is inserted, A protruding wall indent to accommodate the protruding wall, A working portion adjacent to the protruding wall indentation and provided at a position corresponding to the position of the lever and for actuating the lever, A sensor indentation to accommodate the sensor, And a light blocking member provided correspondingly to the sensor portion so as to move in correspondence with the amount of ink remaining in the ink cartridge and to protrude into the sensor indentation when the ink cartridge is mounted in the ink cartridge mounting portion and to be interposed between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion, A combination of a recording apparatus and an ink cartridge, wherein the sensor indentation portion and the protruding wall indentation portion are formed open at the front side and the lower side at positions interposed between both sides of the ink supply hole when viewed from the front side. A combination of a recording apparatus and an ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus includes a plurality of ink cartridge mounting portions arranged on the bottom surface in substantially the same virtual surface. The combination of a recording apparatus and an ink cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the ink cartridge mounting portion is located below a transport path for the sheet recorded by the recording head. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a projection provided at the horizontal end of the ink cartridge mounting portion, the projection protruding from the ceiling surface toward the bottom surface, The ink cartridge further includes an upper surface extending higher toward the ceiling surface in a portion corresponding between the protrusions of the recording apparatus than a portion corresponding to the protrusion, The projection portion adjusts the position in the height direction of the ink cartridge when the ink cartridge is inserted into the opening portion, and the projection wall indentation portion and the working portion are provided adjacent to the portion of the ink cartridge corresponding to the projection portion of the recording apparatus. And ink cartridges. A combination of a recording apparatus and an ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the bottom surface extends further from the hollow needle than the ceiling surface. An opening having an opening opened in the horizontal direction to the outside, a bottom surface extending in the horizontal direction, a ceiling surface extending in the horizontal direction, an ink cartridge mounting portion defined by the opening portion and the bottom surface and the ceiling surface, and recording A hollow needle positioned to face the opening and facing the opening and extending in the needle axial direction, a cover for selectively opening and closing the hollow needle with respect to the opening, and moving the cover to open the needle, A sensor portion having a lever positioned proximately, a protruding wall positioned on a bottom surface adjacent to the lever and extending in the needle axial direction, and a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion facing each other, the lever and the sensor portion extending in the needle axial direction; With the recording device protruding from the bottom into the ink cartridge mounting portion at two positions interposed between the virtual extension of the axial needle. And for an ink cartridge, Ink cartridge, Removably mounted in the ink cartridge compartment, A lower surface abutting against the bottom surface and configured to slide from the opening into the hollow needle of the recording apparatus, A front face having an ink supply hole into which the hollow needle is inserted, A protruding wall indent to accommodate the protruding wall, A working portion adjacent to the protruding wall indentation and provided at a position corresponding to the position of the lever and for actuating the lever, A sensor indentation to accommodate the sensor, And a light blocking member provided correspondingly to the sensor unit so as to move corresponding to the remaining ink level of the ink cartridge and protrude to the sensor indentation when the ink cartridge is mounted in the ink cartridge mounting unit, and interposed between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit, An ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the sensor indentation and the protruding wall indentation are formed open at the front face and the bottom face at positions interposed between both sides of the ink supply hole when viewed from the front face side. 7. The ink cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the ink cartridge further comprises an upper surface facing the ceiling surface of the recording apparatus when the ink cartridge is mounted to the recording apparatus, the upper surface being at the horizontal end of the ink cartridge mounting portion than the portion corresponding to the projection. An ink cartridge corresponding to between the protrusions provided on the ceiling surface and extending higher toward the ceiling surface in a portion protruding toward the bottom surface. 8. The front face of claim 7, wherein the front face has a higher protrusion at a portion corresponding to the protrusion and a lower protrusion at a portion corresponding to the protrusion, and the ink supply hole is formed at a substantially horizontal center of the high portion of the front face. Ink cartridge. 7. The projection wall indentation portion of the sixth aspect of claim 6, wherein when the recording device is formed such that the open portion side tip of the protruding wall is located closer to the open portion than the open portion side tip portion of the protruding wall, And the end portion is located farther from the front face than the end of the sensor indent, opposite the end of the sensor indent opening to the front face. An opening having an opening opened in the horizontal direction to the outside, a bottom surface extending in the horizontal direction, a ceiling surface extending in the horizontal direction, an ink cartridge mounting portion defined by the opening portion and the bottom surface and the ceiling surface, and recording A hollow needle positioned to face the opening and extending in the needle axial direction, supplying ink to the head, a cover for selectively opening and closing the hollow needle with respect to the opening, and moving the cover to open the needle, A sensor portion including a lever positioned in close proximity, a protrusion wall positioned on a bottom surface adjacent to the lever and extending in the needle axial direction, and a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion facing each other, the lever and the sensor portion extending in the needle axial direction For use with a recording device projecting from the bottom into the ink cartridge mounting portion at two positions interposed between a virtual extension of the axial needle And a print cartridge, Ink cartridge, Removably mounted in the ink cartridge compartment, A lower surface abutting against the bottom surface and configured to slide from the opening into the hollow needle of the recording apparatus, A front face having an ink supply hole into which the hollow needle is inserted, A protruding wall indent to accommodate the protruding wall, A sensor indentation for receiving a sensor portion, An ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the sensor indentation portion and the protruding wall indentation portion are formed open at the front surface and the lower surface at positions interposed between both sides of the ink supply hole when viewed from the front surface side. The ink cartridge according to claim 10, wherein when the recording apparatus includes a projection protruding from the ceiling surface toward the bottom surface, the projection adjusts the height direction position of the ink cartridge when the ink cartridge is inserted into the opening. An opening having an opening opened in the horizontal direction to the outside, a bottom surface extending in the horizontal direction, a ceiling surface extending in the horizontal direction, an ink cartridge mounting portion defined by the opening portion and the bottom surface and the ceiling surface, and recording A hollow needle positioned to face the opening and extending in the needle axial direction, supplying ink to the head, a cover for selectively opening and closing the hollow needle with respect to the opening, and positioned closer to the opening than the cover and opening the needle Two interposed between the virtual extension of the axial needle protruding into the ink cartridge mount and extending in the needle axial direction from a position on the bottom surface and displaced from the needle axial direction in a direction parallel to the bottom surface for moving the cover. Lever protrudes from the bottom into the ink cartridge compartment in position, and the needle is located on the bottom surface adjacent to the lever An ink cartridge for use with a recording apparatus including a projecting wall of the extension, Ink cartridge, Removably mounted in the ink cartridge compartment, A lower surface abutting against the bottom surface and configured to slide from the opening into the hollow needle of the recording apparatus, A front face having an ink supply hole connected to the hollow needle, A protruding wall indent that is opened to the lower face and the front face to receive the protruding wall and displaced from the ink supply hole in a direction parallel to the lower face when viewed from the front face side, And a work portion adjacent to the protruding wall indentation and provided at a position corresponding to the position of the lever and for actuating the lever. 13. The ink cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the ink cartridge further comprises an upper surface facing the ceiling surface of the recording apparatus when the ink cartridge is mounted to the recording apparatus, the upper surface being the horizontal end of the ink cartridge mounting portion than in the portion corresponding to the projection. An ink cartridge corresponding to between the protrusions provided on the ceiling surface and extending higher toward the ceiling surface in a portion projecting toward the bottom surface. 14. The front face of claim 13, wherein the front face has a higher protrusion at the portion corresponding to the protrusion and a lower protrusion at the portion corresponding to the protrusion, and the ink supply hole is formed at a substantially horizontal center of the high portion of the front face. Ink cartridge. An opening having an opening opened in the horizontal direction to the outside, a bottom surface extending in the horizontal direction, a ceiling surface extending in the horizontal direction, an ink cartridge mounting portion defined by the opening portion, the bottom surface and the ceiling surface, and a floor Left and right sides extending from the surface to the ceiling surface, a hollow needle positioned to face the opening and supplying ink to the recording head and extending in the needle axial direction, a cover for selectively opening and closing the hollow needle with respect to the opening; Protruding walls located on the bottom surface and extending in the needle axial direction, protruding into the ink cartridge mounting portion from the bottom surface at a position displaced from the needle axial direction in a direction parallel to the bottom surface and including a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion facing each other; In the ink cartridge mounting portion from the bottom surface at two positions interposed between a virtual extension of the axial needle extending in the axial direction of the needle An ink cartridge for use with a recording apparatus including a projecting sensor, Ink cartridge, Removably mounted in the ink cartridge compartment, A lower surface abutting against the bottom surface and configured to slide from the opening into the hollow needle of the recording apparatus, A front face having an ink supply hole to which the hollow needle is connected, A sensor indent that is opened to the front face and the bottom face to receive the sensor portion and is displaced from the ink supply hole in a direction parallel to the bottom face when viewed from the front face side, And a light blocking member provided correspondingly to the sensor unit so as to move in correspondence with the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge and to protrude to the sensor indentation when the ink cartridge is mounted in the ink cartridge mounting unit and to be interposed between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit. . 16. The ink cartridge mounting portion of claim 15, wherein when the recording apparatus includes a plurality of ink cartridge mounting portions, the distance between the left and right sides of one ink cartridge mounting portion and the distance between the left and right sides of the other ink cartridge mounting portion is different from each other. Wherein the distance between one of the left and right sides of the ink cartridge and the sensor indentation is different from the distance between the one and the left and right sides of the ink cartridge mounted in the other ink cartridge mounting portion and the sensor indentation. 17. The ink cartridge according to claim 16, wherein when the recording apparatus includes protrusions protruding from the ceiling surface toward the bottom surface, the ink cartridge has a height determined by the distance between the protrusions and the bottom surface of the recording apparatus when the ink cartridge is inserted into the opening. Having an ink cartridge. The method of claim 16, wherein the fixing wall is provided in the sensor indentation, the fixing wall includes an inner groove extending in parallel to the insertion direction into the opening so that the fixing portion is inserted between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion, the groove is movable An ink cartridge containing a light blocking member under conditions. An ink cartridge used in a recording apparatus including an ink cartridge mounting portion, a connecting portion for supplying ink to the recording head, a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion facing each other, and a sensor portion protruding into the ink cartridge mounting portion, Ink cartridge, An outer shape having an outline which substantially matches the inside of the ink cartridge mounting portion when the ink cartridge is mounted on the ink cartridge mounting portion and which houses the sensor portion, And a light blocking member disposed on an outer shape of the outer shape and moving in correspondence with the ink remaining amount of the ink cartridge so as to enter or exit between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion. 20. The ink cartridge according to claim 19, wherein a sensor indentation for accommodating the sensor portion is provided in the outer shape. 20. The sensor indentation according to claim 19, wherein the outer shape further comprises a sensor indentation opened in a direction connecting the ink supply hole to the connection portion of the ink cartridge mounting portion, and the light blocking member is a sensor indentation in a direction parallel to the direction connecting the ink supply hole. An ink cartridge, characterized in that extending from. 22. The fixed wall of claim 21, wherein a fixing wall is provided in the sensor indentation portion, and the fixing wall includes an inner groove extending in parallel to the insertion direction to the opening so that the fixing portion is inserted between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion, and the groove is movable. And a light blocking member. An opening having an opening opened in the horizontal direction to the outside, a bottom surface extending in the horizontal direction, a ceiling surface extending in the horizontal direction, an ink cartridge mounting portion defined by the opening portion and the bottom surface and the ceiling surface, and recording Ink for use with a recording device including ink supplied to the head and positioned facing the opening and extending in the axial direction of the connecting portion, and projections provided at the horizontal ends of the ink cartridge mounting portion and protruding from the ceiling surface to the bottom surface. Cartridges, Ink cartridge, Removably mounted on the ink cartridge compartment A lower surface in contact with the bottom surface and configured to slide from the opening to the connection of the recording device, A front face having an ink supply hole connectable with the connecting portion, And an upper surface extending higher toward the ceiling surface in a portion corresponding between the projections of the recording apparatus than in the portion corresponding to the projection. 25. The ink cartridge mounting portion according to claim 23, wherein when the recording apparatus further comprises a spring member provided at a position closer to the connection portion of the ceiling than the projection and downwardly projecting, the ink into the ink cartridge mounting portion to correspond to the projection and slidably contact the spring member. An ink cartridge, characterized in that an upper surface extending in the direction for inserting the cartridge is provided. 24. The ink holding apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising: an ink holding portion disposed therein corresponding to a portion of the upper surface extending higher toward the ceiling surface; An ink cartridge, further comprising a flexible film covering the ink holding portion. The ink according to claim 23, wherein the front face has a high protrusion shape at a portion corresponding to the protrusions and a low protrusion shape at a portion corresponding to the protrusion, and the ink supply hole is formed in a substantially horizontal center of the high portion of the front face. cartridge. An ink cartridge for use with a recording apparatus including a hollow needle and an air supply member adjacent to the hollow needle and having an air supply hole connected to an air pressure source, Ink cartridge, A case having an ink chamber therein, A flexible film forming a portion of the ink chamber, An elastic plug member for blocking the ink chamber; An opening formed in the case and open to the ink chamber at a position adjacent the plug member; A portion in contact with the ink supply member so that the air supply hole covers the opening when the ink cartridge is mounted to the recording apparatus, The hollow needle perforates the elastic plug member and supplies ink from the ink chamber to the recording apparatus. 28. The ink cartridge according to claim 27, wherein when the recording apparatus further comprises an elastic ring-shaped seal member provided at the tip of the air supply hole in contact with the case of the ink cartridge, the portion of the case in contact with the seal member is substantially flat. 28. The recording apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the recording apparatus further comprises an elastic ring seal member provided at a tip end portion of the air supply hole in contact with the case of the ink cartridge, a spring means provided on the air supply hole for pressing the seal member toward the case, and a lock means. Wherein the case of the ink cartridge comprises an indentation engaging with the locking means against the biasing force of the spring means. 28. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein when the recording apparatus further comprises a locking means for locking the ink cartridge at a mounting position of the ink cartridge mounting portion, the direction in which the ink cartridge is connected to and separated from the hollow needle and the air supply hole is defined by the hollow needle. And the air supply hole and the opening are in fluid communication after the elastic plug member is connected, and the air supply hole and the opening are separated before the hollow needle and the elastic plug member are separated. 28. The recording apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the recording apparatus has an opening having an opening that is open in the horizontal direction to the outside, a bottom surface extending in the horizontal direction, a ceiling surface extending in the horizontal direction, and an opening portion, a bottom surface and the ceiling surface. An ink cartridge mounting portion defined by: a cover for selectively opening and closing the hollow needle with respect to the opening; and located closer to the opening than the cover and parallel to the bottom surface for moving the cover to open the needle A lever projecting into the ink cartridge mounting portion from the bottom surface at two positions interposed between a virtual extension of the axial needle extending in the needle axial direction from the position displaced from the needle axial direction in the direction; Further comprising a protruding wall located on an adjacent bottom surface and extending in the needle axial direction, wherein the hollow needle and the air supply hole When placed in a position facing the preservative, Ink cartridge, A lower surface abutting against the bottom surface and configured to slide from the opening into the hollow needle of the recording apparatus, A front face having an opening and an ink supply hole, A protruding wall indent that is opened to the lower face and the front face to receive the protruding wall and displaced from the ink supply hole in a direction parallel to the lower face when viewed from the front face side, A work portion adjacent the protruding wall indentation and provided at a position corresponding to the position of the lever and for actuating the lever, And the opening is located between the ink supply hole and the protruding wall indentation. An opening having an opening opening in the horizontal direction to the outside, a bottom surface extending in the horizontal direction, a ceiling surface extending in the horizontal direction, and a plurality of mutually aligned next to each other on substantially the same plane of the floor surface An ink cartridge for use with a recording apparatus including an ink cartridge mounting portion and a hollow needle positioned to face the opening and supplying ink to the recording head, Ink cartridge, Removably mounted in the ink cartridge compartment, A lower surface configured to slide along the bottom surface from the opening side in the direction of connecting the ink supply hole to the connecting portion, A front face having an ink supply hole connected to the hollow needle, That the ink cartridge is on the side opposite to the front face and is exposed from the opening when the ink cartridge is in the mounting condition, and the plurality of cartridge mount portions include a rear end having a width narrower than the width of the front face. Ink cartridge characterized in that. 33. The ink cartridge according to claim 32, wherein when the bottom surface of the recording apparatus extends further than the ceiling surface in the direction opposite the hollow needle side, the rear end portion is located at a portion of the bottom surface extending beyond the ceiling surface. An opening having an opening opened in the horizontal direction to the outside, a bottom surface extending in the horizontal direction, a ceiling surface extending in the horizontal direction, and a connecting portion positioned to face the opening and supplying ink to the recording head; The bottom surface is an ink cartridge for use with a recording apparatus which extends further than the opening portion in a direction opposite to the connecting portion side, Ink cartridge, Removably mounted on the ink cartridge compartment A lower surface configured to slide along the bottom surface from the opening in the direction of connecting the ink supply hole to the connecting portion, A front face having an ink supply hole connected to the hollow needle, An ink cartridge comprising a rear end on a side opposite the front face and located on a portion of the bottom surface protruding from the opening and having an upwardly protruding rib formed on the upper surface for the user to grasp with a finger.