Ink cartridge storage structure and method

• US 6,786,583 B2
• Filed: 08/30/2002
• Issued: 09/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Suda, Yukiharu, Koike, Hisashi, Shinada, Satoshi, Tsukahara, Michinari, Ota, Mutsuhiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Anh T. N.
• Application Number:
  US10/231,455
• Publication Number:
  US 20030085967A1
• Time in Patent Office: 739 Days
• Field of Search: 347/85, 347/86, 347/87, 347/108, 206/205, 206/461, 206/469, 206/479
• US Class Current: 347/86
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/175 Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17533 Storage or packaging of ink cartridges

Abstract

An ink cartridge storage structure and method provide consistent print density and quality by mixing the ink when the cartridge is removed from the packaging and installed to a printer for use. An ink-filled ink cartridge with an ink supply port installable to the head of a printer is stored inside an individual box made to hold the ink cartridge. The ink cartridge is stored inside the individual box so that the ink supply port is at the top when the box is in the normal upright position.

Claims

1. An ink cartridge storage structure comprising:

an ink-filled ink cartridge having an ink supply port, and an ink storage part for holding only ink; and

a packaging for storing the ink cartridge, wherein the ink is stored in an orientation different from a position in which the ink cartridge is used,

wherein the ink cartridge is stored in the packaging so that the ink supply port is positioned at a top side, and wherein the ink inside the ink cartridge is a pigment ink.

2. The ink cartridge storage structure according to claim 1, wherein the ink storage part comprises an ink tank chamber and an ink end chamber.

3. The ink cartridge storage structure according to claim 1, wherein the packaging is a vacuum pack.

4. The ink cartridge storage structure according to claim 1, wherein the packaging comprises an individual box.

5. The ink cartridge storage structure according to claim 1, wherein the packaging includes a hanging part with a hangar hole therein.

6. The ink cartridge storage structure according to claim 1, wherein the packaging is packaging enabling storage in an external box for shipping.

7. The ink cartridge storage structure according to claim 1, wherein the packaging has a label part formed thereon for identifying top and bottom parts of the packaging.

8. The ink cartridge structure according to claim 1, wherein said ink cartridge comprises:

an ink path configured to release ink when said cartridge is installed to said recording head; and

an air path that releases air into said ink path based on a negative pressure in said ink path.

9. The ink cartridge structure according to claim 8, wherein said air path comprises an air valve that permits air intake via an air hole when said cartridge is installed to said recording head.

10. The ink cartridge structure according to claim 8, wherein said air flows into a storage chamber of said ink path, based on said negative pressure, to displace discharged ink.

11. The ink cartridge structure according to claim 8, wherein said air path of said cartridge comprises:

an airflow channel within said cartridge, configured to increase airflow resistance;

a wide, recessed channel connected to said airflow channel; and

an air permeable film stretched over said air path to form an air permeable chamber in said cartridge.

12. The ink cartridge structure according to claim 11, wherein said airflow channel comprises a zigzag channel.

13. An ink cartridge storage method comprising:

positioning an ink-filled ink cartridge having an ink supply port and an ink storage part for holding only ink in a packaging for storing the ink cartridge, wherein the ink cartridge is stored in an orientation different from a position in which the ink cartridge is used,

wherein the ink cartridge is stored in the packaging so that the ink supply port is positioned at a top side, and wherein the ink inside the ink cartridge is a pigment ink.

14. The ink cartridge storage method according to claim 13, wherein the packaging is a vacuum pack.

15. The ink cartridge storage method according to claim 13, wherein the packaging is an individual box.

16. The ink cartridge storage method as described in claim 13, further comprising placing the ink cartridge in the packaging with reference to a label part previously formed on the packaging.

17. The method according to claim 13, further comprising:

an ink path releasing ink when said cartridge is installed co said recording head; and

an air path releasing air into said ink path based on a negative pressure in said ink path.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein said air path releasing comprises an air valve permitting air intake via an air hole when said cartridge is installed to said recording head.

19. The method according to claim 17, said air path releasing comprising said air flowing into a storage chamber of said ink path, based on said negative pressure, to displace discharged ink.

20. The method according to claim 17, wherein said air path releasing comprises:

increasing airflow resistance via an airflow channel within said cartridge; and

transporting air through a wide, recessed channel connected to said airflow channel, wherein an air permeable film is stretched over said air path to form an air permeable chamber in said cartridge.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein said increasing airflow resistance comprises channeling air through a zigzag channel.

22. An ink cartridge storage method comprising a step of positioning an ink-filled ink cartridge having an ink supply port and an ink storage part for holding only ink in a packaging for storing the ink cartridge, wherein the ink cartridge is stored with the ink supply port positioned on a first side and wherein when the ink cartridge is installed for usage, the ink supply port is positioned on a second side opposite of said first side.

23. The ink cartridge storage method of claim 22, wherein the first side is a top side of the ink cartridge and the second side is a bottom side of the ink cartridge and wherein when fitting the ink cartridge into a recording head, the ink inside the ink cartridge is mixed.