Ink cartridge for use with recording apparatus and ink jet recording apparatus

• US 7,380,909 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2005
• Issued: 06/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Kobayashi, Atsushi, Ishizawa, Taku, Kimura, Hitotoshi, Aruga, Yoshiharu
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo; Anh T. N.
• Application Number:
  US11/090,894
• Publication Number:
  US 20060028517A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,163 Days
• Field of Search: 347/7, 347/19, 347/50, 347/85, 347/86, 347/49
• US Class Current: 347/49
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/175 Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17509 Whilst mounted in the printer
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1752 Mounting within the printer
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17523 Ink connection
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17526 Electrical contacts to the cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17546 electronically
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17553 Outer structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17556 Means for regulating the pressure in the cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17566 Ink level or ink residue control
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17596 Ink pumps, ink valves
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2002/17573 using optical means for ink level indication
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2002/17576 using a floater for ink level indication

Abstract

An ink cartridge including a cartridge case that contains an ink pack, on one surface of the cartridge case having an ink outlet port from the ink pack, a pressurized air inlet port and a connection terminal of a circuit board having a data storage means that stores ink information of the cartridge therein, a cartridge side compatibility detection mechanism and a positioning means used in case that the ink cartridge is attached to an ink jet recording apparatus. The cartridge is exactly positioned and fixed to a holder three-dimensionally by the positioning means, a mechanical positional adjustment and electrical connection can be exactly performed, so that operation reliability of the recording apparatus can be improved and even if ink leaks from the ink outlet port, the connection terminal can be prevented from being stained with the ink.

Claims

1. An ink cartridge that is inserted into to a cartridge holder of a recording apparatus and is attached to the cartridge holder during a recording operation to supply ink to the recording apparatus, comprising:

an ink cartridge case having an ink chamber containing the ink;

an ink outlet port that is in fluid communication with the ink chamber and that is disposed at a first side of the ink cartridge case;

a first structure, which is at least partially formed at the first side of the ink cartridge case; and

a first positioning opening formed on the first side of the ink cartridge case, the first positioning opening receiving a first positioning pin formed on the cartridge holder when the ink cartridge is inserted into the cartridge holder;

wherein, when a first characteristic of the ink is compatible with a second compatible structure formed on the cartridge holder, the first structure is adapted to accept the second compatibility structure to enable the ink cartridge to be attached to the cartridge holder,

wherein the second compatibility structure depends on the first characteristic of the ink.

2. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first structure depends on the first characteristic of the ink.

3. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 1, wherein a position of the second compatibility structure depends on the first characteristic of the ink.

4. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first characteristic of the ink comprises a color of the ink.

5. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first structure comprises a first compatibility structure, and

wherein, when the first characteristic of the ink is not compatible with the cartridge holder, the first compatibility structure is adapted to reject the second compatibility structure formed on the cartridge holder to prevent the ink cartridge from being attached to the cartridge holder.

6. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 5, wherein a position of the second compatibility structure depends on the first characteristic of the ink.

7. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 6, wherein a position of the first compatibility structure depends on the first characteristic of the ink.

8. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first characteristic of the ink comprises a color of the ink.

9. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first compatibility structure comprises a first shape and the second compatibility structure comprises a second shape,

wherein, when the ink is compatible with the cartridge holder, the first shape mates with the second shape when the ink cartridge is inserted into the cartridge holder, and

wherein, when the ink is not compatible with the cartridge holder, the first shape cannot mate with the second shape when the ink cartridge is inserted into the cartridge holder.

10. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first shape comprises a protrusion and the second shape comprises a recess that mates with the protrusion when the ink cartridge is inserted into the cartridge holder.

11. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first shape comprises a recess and the second shape comprises a protrusion that mates with the recess when the ink cartridge is inserted into the cartridge holder.

12. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 5, wherein, when the first characteristic of the ink is not compatible with the cartridge holder and the ink cartridge is inserted into the cartridge holder, the first compatibility structure rejects the second compatibility structure to prevent the ink outlet port from creating a fluid communication path between the ink chamber and an ink inlet tube of the cartridge holder.

13. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 1, wherein, when the first characteristic of the ink is not compatible with the cartridge holder and the ink cartridge is inserted into the cartridge holder, the first positioning opening receives a portion of the first positioning pin before the first compatibility structure prevents the ink outlet port from creating a fluid communication path between the ink chamber and an ink inlet tube of the cartridge holder.

14. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a second positioning opening,

wherein the second positioning opening in formed on the first side of the ink cartridge case, and

wherein the second positioning opening receives a second positioning pin formed on the cartridge holder when the ink cartridge is inserted into the cartridge holder.

15. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 14, wherein the ink outlet port is formed between the first positioning opening and the second positioning opening on the first side of the ink cartridge case.

16. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 14, wherein, when the first characteristic of the ink is not compatible with the cartridge holder and the ink cartridge is inserted into the cartridge holder, the second positioning opening receives a portion of the second positioning pin before the first compatibility structure prevents the ink outlet port from creating a fluid communication path between the ink chamber and an ink inlet tube of the cartridge holder.

17. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 13, further comprising:

a flexible sheet that separates an interior of the ink cartridge case into the ink chamber and a pressure chamber; and

an air inlet port that is in fluid communication with the pressure chamber and that is formed on the first side of the ink cartridge case.

18. An ink cartridge that is inserted into to a cartridge holder of a recording apparatus and is attached to the cartridge holder during a recording operation to supply ink to the recording apparatus, comprising:

an ink cartridge case having an ink chamber containing the ink;

an ink outlet port that is in fluid communication with the ink chamber and that is disposed at a first side wall of the ink cartridge case;

a first structure which is formed on the ink cartridge case; and

a first positioning opening formed on the first side wall of the ink cartridge case, the first positioning opening receiving a first positioning pin formed on the cartridge holder when the ink cartridge is inserted into the cartridge holder;

wherein, when a first characteristic of the ink is compatible with a second compatibility structure formed on the cartridge holder, the first structure is adapted to accept the second compatibility structure to enable the ink cartridge to be attached to the cartridge holder,

wherein a structure of the second compatibility structure depends on the first characteristic of the ink,

wherein the first structure is located between the ink outlet port and a second side wall of the ink cartridge case when viewed along a longitudinal axis of the first side wall.

19. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 18, wherein a structure of the first structure depends on the first characteristic of the ink.

20. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 18, wherein the structure of the second compatibility structure comprises a position of the second compatibility structure with respect to an insertion direction of the ink cartridge.

21. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 18, wherein the first characteristic of the ink comprises a color of the ink.

22. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 18, wherein the first structure comprises a first compatibility structure, and

wherein, when the first characteristic of the ink is not compatible with the second compatibility structure formed on the cartridge holder, the first compatibility structure is adapted to reject the second compatibility structure formed on the cartridge holder to prevent the ink cartridge from being attached to the cartridge holder.

23. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 22, wherein the structure of the second compatibility structure comprises a position of the second compatibility structure with respect to an insertion direction of the ink cartridge.

24. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 23, wherein a position of the first compatibility structure depends on the first characteristic of the ink.

25. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 24, wherein the first characteristic of the ink comprises a color of the ink.

26. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 22, wherein the first compatibility structure comprises a first shape and the second compatibility structure comprises a second shape,

wherein, when the first characteristic of the ink is compatible with the second compatibility structure, the first shape mates with the second shape when the ink cartridge is inserted into the cartridge holder, and

wherein, when the first characteristic of the ink is not compatible with the second compatibility structure, the first shape cannot mate with the second shape when the ink cartridge is inserted into the cartridge holder.

27. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 26, wherein the first shape comprises a protrusion and the second shape comprises a recess that mates with the protrusion when the ink cartridge is inserted into the cartridge holder.

28. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 26, wherein the first shape comprises a recess and the second shape comprises a protrusion that mates with the recess when the ink cartridge is inserted into the cartridge holder.

29. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 22, wherein, when the first characteristic of the ink is not compatible with the second compatibility structure of the cartridge holder and the ink cartridge is inserted into the cartridge holder, the first compatibility structure rejects the second compatibility structure to prevent the ink outlet port from creating a fluid communication path between the ink chamber and an ink inlet tube of the cartridge holder.

30. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 18, wherein, when the first characteristic of the ink is not compatible with the second compatibility structure of the cartridge holder and the ink cartridge is inserted into the cartridge holder, the first positioning opening receives a portion of the first positioning pin before the first compatibility structure prevents the ink outlet port from creating a fluid communication path between the ink chamber and the ink inlet tube of the cartridge holder.

31. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 30, further comprising a second positioning opening,

wherein the second positioning opening in formed on the first side wall of the ink cartridge case, and

wherein the second positioning opening receives a second positioning pin formed on the cartridge holder when the ink cartridge is inserted into the cartridge holder.

32. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 31, wherein the ink outlet port is formed between the first positioning opening and the second positioning opening on the first side wall of the ink cartridge case.

33. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 31, wherein, when the first characteristic of the ink is not compatible with the second compatibility structure of the cartridge holder and the ink cartridge is inserted into the cartridge holder, the second positioning opening receives a portion of the second positioning pin before the first compatibility structure prevents the ink outlet port from creating a fluid communication path between the ink chamber and the ink inlet tube of the cartridge holder.

34. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 30, further comprising:

a flexible sheet that separates an interior of the ink cartridge case into the ink chamber and a pressure chamber; and

an air inlet port that is in fluid communication with the pressure chamber and that is formed on the first side wall of the ink cartridge case.

35. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 18, wherein the first positioning opening is formed between the ink outlet port and a portion of the first structure that is closest to the second side wall when viewed along the longitudinal axis.

36. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 18, wherein the first structure comprises a recess and the second compatibility structure comprises a protrusion,

wherein the recess receives the protrusion as the ink cartridge is attached to the cartridge holder.

37. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 36, wherein the recess receives the protrusion when the first characteristic of the ink is compatible with the second compatibility structure.

38. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 36, wherein the recess comprises a groove and the protrusion comprises a rib.

39. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 18, wherein the first structure comprises a protrusion and the second compatibility structure comprises a recess,

wherein the recess receives the protrusion as the ink cartridge is attached to the cartridge holder.

40. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 39, wherein the recess receives the protrusion when the first characteristic of the ink is compatible with the second compatibility structure.

41. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 39, wherein the recess comprises a groove and the protrusion comprises a rib.

42. An ink cartridge that is inserted into to a cartridge holder of a recording apparatus and is attached to the cartridge holder during a recording operation to supply ink to the recording apparatus, comprising:

an ink cartridge case having an ink chamber containing the ink;

an ink outlet port that is in fluid communication with the ink chamber and that is disposed at a first side wall of the ink cartridge case;

a first structure which is formed on the ink cartridge case;

a first positioning opening formed on the first side wall of the ink cartridge case, the first positioning opening receiving a first positioning pin formed on the cartridge holder when the ink cartridge is inserted into the cartridge holder;

wherein the first structure is adapted to accept a second compatibility structure formed on the cartridge holder to enable the ink cartridge to be attached to the cartridge holder,

wherein a structure of the second compatibility structure depends on the first characteristic of the ink,

wherein the first structure is located between the ink outlet port and a second side wall of the ink cartridge case when viewed along a longitudinal axis of the first side wall.

43. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 42, wherein the first structure comprises a recess and the second compatibility structure comprises a protrusion,

wherein the recess receives the protrusion as the ink cartridge is attached to the cartridge holder.

44. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 43, wherein the recess receives the protrusion when the ink is compatible with the cartridge holder.

45. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 43, wherein the recess comprises a groove and the protrusion comprises a rib.

46. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 42, wherein the first structure comprises a protrusion and the second compatibility structure comprises a recess,

wherein the recess receives the protrusion as the ink cartridge is attached to the cartridge holder.

47. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 46, wherein the recess receives the protrusion when the first characteristic of the ink is compatible with the second compatibility structure.

48. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 46, wherein the recess comprises a groove and the protrusion comprises a rib.

49. An ink cartridge mountable to a cartridge holder of a recording apparatus, the cartridge holder having an ink inlet tube, first and second positioning pins that are located opposite from each other with respect to the ink inlet tube, and an ink kind identification structure that is shaped to identify a kind of ink to be supplied to the ink inlet tube and that is located closer to the first positioning pin than to the second positioning pin, the ink cartridge comprising:

an ink outlet port connectable to the ink inlet tube;

first and second positioning openings that are located opposite from each other with respect to the ink outlet port and that are respectively connectable to the first and second positioning pins;

a recess that is located closer to the first positioning opening than to the second positioning opening and that receives the ink kind identification structure when the ink cartridge is mounted to the cartridge holder.

50. The ink cartridge according to claim 49, wherein the recess is shaped to identify a kind of ink contained in the ink cartridge.

51. The ink cartridge according to claim 50, wherein the recess receives the ink kind identification structure only when the kind of ink contained in the ink cartridge is compatible with the kind of ink to be supplied to the ink inlet tube.

52. The ink cartridge according to claim 49, wherein the cartridge holder further comprises a terminal mechanism located closer to the second positioning pin than to the first positioning pin, and the ink cartridge further comprises a circuit board that is located closer to the second positioning opening than to the first positioning opening and that is electrically connected to the terminal mechanism when the ink cartridge is mounted to the cartridge holder.

53. The ink cartridge according to claim 49, wherein the cartridge holder further comprises a pressurized air outlet port located closer to the first positioning pin than to the second positioning pin, and the ink cartridge further comprises a pressurized air inlet port that is located closer to the first positioning opening than to the second positioning opening and that is connected to the pressurized air outlet port when the ink cartridge is mounted to the cartridge holder.

54. The ink cartridge according to claim 52, wherein the cartridge holder further comprises a pressurized air outlet port located closer to the first positioning pin than to the second positioning pin, and the ink cartridge further comprises a pressurized air inlet port that is located closer to the first positioning opening than to the second positioning opening and that is connected to the pressurized air outlet port when the ink cartridge is mounted to the cartridge holder.

55. An ink cartridge that is inserted and attached to a cartridge holder of a recording apparatus during a recording operation, the cartridge holder having a first compatibility structure constructed to depend on a characteristic of a first ink, and first and second positioning pins, the ink cartridge comprising:

an ink cartridge case having an ink chamber containing a first ink;

an ink outlet port that is in fluid communication with the ink chamber and that is disposed at a first side wall of the ink cartridge case;

first and second positioning openings that are respectively connectable to the first and second positioning pins; and

a second compatibility structure that is formed on the ink cartridge case and that is adapted to accept the first compatibility structure formed on the cartridge holder to enable the ink cartridge to be attached to the cartridge holder,

wherein the second compatibility structure is located between the ink outlet port and a second side wall of the ink cartridge case when viewed along a longitudinal axis of the first side wall.

56. The ink cartridge according to claim 55, wherein the second compatibility structure comprises a recess for receiving the first compatibility structure when the ink cartridge is attached to the cartridge holder.

57. The ink cartridge according to claim 55, wherein the second compatibility structure is constructed to depend on a characteristic of a second ink.

58. The ink cartridge according to claim 57, wherein the second compatibility structure accepts the first compatibility structure when the characteristic of the second ink is the same as the characteristic of the first ink.