Ink jet head cartridge and ink tank therefor

• US 5,512,925 A
• Filed: 12/28/1993
• Issued: 04/30/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Ohashi, Tetsuyo
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, NANCY V
• Application Number:
  US08/174,459
• Time in Patent Office: 854 Days
• Field of Search: 347/85, 347/86, 347/87, 347/49
• US Class Current: 347/86
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1752 Mounting within the printer

Abstract

An ink container detachably connectable with an ink inlet of an ink jet head for ejecting ink includes an ink supply port for supplying the ink to the ink jet head; a connecting portion for connection with the ink jet head; wherein the connecting portion is directed in a plurality of directions to permit connection with the ink jet head in a plurality of directions.

Claims

1. An ink jet head, usable with an ink container to supply ink thereto, for ejecting ink, comprising:

an ink ejection outlet for ejecting ink;

an ink passage in communication with said ink ejection outlet;

an ink ejecting pressure generating element provided corresponding to said ink passage; and

a plurality of selectively usable ink inlets, provided in different sides of said ink jet head, for receiving ink for supplying it to said ink passage from said ink container.

2. An ink jet head according to claim 1, wherein said ejecting pressure generating element includes an electrothermal transducer element for ejecting ink by generating pressure by creation of a bubble by applying thermal energy to the ink.

3. An ink jet head according to claim 1, wherein said ejecting pressure generating element includes a piezoelectric element.

4. An ink jet head according to claim 1, wherein said different sides form an angle of about 90 degrees.

5. An ink jet head according to claim 1, wherein one of said inlets is connectable with said ink container, and an other of said inlets is connectable with an other ink jet head.

6. An ink jet cartridge comprising:

an ink jet head including an ink ejection outlet for ejection ink an ink passage in communication with said ink ejection outlet;

an ink ejecting pressure generating element provided corresponding to said ink passage;

a plurality of selectively usable ink inlets, provided in different sides of said ink jet head, for receiving ink for supplying it to said ink passage, from an ink container; and

said ink container for containing ink to be supplied to said ink jet head, said ink container having an ink discharging port which is selectively connectable with one of said ink inlets.

7. An ink jet cartridge according to claim 6 wherein said ejecting pressure generating element includes an electrothermal transducer element for ejecting ink by generating pressure by creation of a bubble by applying thermal energy to the ink.

8. An ink jet cartridge according to claim 6, wherein said ejecting pressure generating element includes a piezoelectric element.

9. An ink jet cartridge according to claim 6, wherein said different sides form an angle of about 90 degrees.

10. An ink cartridge according to claim 6, wherein one of said of inlets is connectable with said ink container, and an other of said inlets is connectable with an other ink jet head.

11. An ink jet cartridge according to claim 6, wherein said ink inlets not connected with said ink container are closed.

12. An ink jet apparatus comprising:

a ink jet head including an ink ejection outlet for ejection ink onto a recording material;

an ink passage in communication with said ink ejection outlet;

an ink ejecting pressure generating element provided corresponding to said ink passage;

a plurality of selectively usable ink inlets, provided in different sides of said ink jet head, for receiving ink for supplying it to said ink passage, from in ink container; and

feeding means for feeding said recording material.

13. An ink jet apparatus comprising:

a ink jet head including an ink ejection outlet for ejection ink;

an ink passage in communication with said ink ejection outlet;

an ink ejecting pressure generating element provided corresponding to said ink passage;

a plurality of selectively usable ink inlets, provided in different sides of said ink jet head, for receiving ink for supplying it to said ink passage, from in ink container; and

driving means for driving said ink jet head.