Ink cartridge

• US 7,614,732 B2
• Filed: 02/21/2007
• Issued: 11/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Kanaya, Munehide, Seino, Takeo, Miyazawa, Hisashi, Shinada, Satoshi, Owaki, Hiroshige, Sakai, Yasuto, Shimomura, Masaki, Koizumi, Yoshihiro, Nakata, Satoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Do; An H
• Application Number:
  US11/677,348
• Publication Number:
  US 20070182793A1
• Time in Patent Office: 993 Days
• Field of Search: 347/86, 347/87
• US Class Current: 347/86
• 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 2/17526 Electrical contacts to the cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1753 Details of contacts on the cartridge, e.g. protection of contacts
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17546 electronically
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1755 mechanically
• 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 2/17563 Ink filters
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17596 Ink pumps, ink valves

Abstract

An ink cartridge having a container for storing ink therein and having an ink supply port formed at a leading end side in an insertion direction of the container, a memory device disposed on a first of two opposite surfaces parallel to the insertion direction of the container, the memory device having an electrode for electrical connection to the recording device; a retaining member disposed on the first surface and located at a trailing end side relative to the memory device in the insertion direction, the retaining member serving to selectively engage with the recording device; and another retaining member disposed on the second surface and which also serves to selectively engage with the recording device.

Claims

1. An ink cartridge adapted to be detachably mounted on a recording apparatus which is provided with an apparatus electrode, an apparatus engagement portion, and an ink supply needle, the ink cartridge comprising:

an ink supply port adapted to be connected with the ink supply needle when the ink cartridge is mounted on the recording apparatus, the ink supply port having an axis;

a memory device having a cartridge electrode adapted to be electrically connected to the apparatus electrode when the ink cartridge is mounted on the recording apparatus; and

a cartridge engagement portion being movable and adapted to be engaged with the apparatus engagement portion when the ink cartridge is mounted on the recording apparatus,

wherein the cartridge electrode is located on the axis as viewed from a first direction normal to a surface on which the cartridge electrode is provided.

2. An ink cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising:

a container body having a first wall, wherein;

the cartridge electrode is fixed relative to the first wall;

the cartridge engagement portion is provided on the first wall, and is movable relative to the first wall; and

the cartridge engagement portion is configured to be located above the cartridge electrode when the ink cartridge is mounted on the recording apparatus.

3. An ink cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the cartridge engagement portion is substantially aligned with the electrode in a direction that the ink cartridge is mounted onto the recording apparatus.

4. An ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the ink supply port is configured to be located below the cartridge engagement portion when the ink cartridge is mounted on the recording apparatus.

5. An ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge engagement portion is configured to serve as a guide member when the ink cartridge is mounted on the recording apparatus.

6. An ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge engagement portion is located on the axis of the ink supply port as viewed from the first direction.

7. An ink cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising:

a first side wall and a second side wall opposing each other,

wherein a guide recess is formed at a substantial center part of the first side wall and extends in a direction that the ink cartridge is mounted onto the recording apparatus.

8. An ink cartridge adapted to be detachably mounted on a recording apparatus which is provided with an apparatus electrode, an apparatus engagement portion, and an ink supply needle, the ink cartridge comprising:

an ink supply port adapted to be connected with the ink supply needle when the ink cartridge is mounted on the recording apparatus;

a memory device having a cartridge electrode adapted to be electrically connected to the apparatus electrode when the ink cartridge is mounted on the recording apparatus; and

a cartridge engagement portion being movable and adapted to be engaged with the apparatus engagement portion when the ink cartridge is mounted on the recording apparatus,

wherein a first surface part on which the cartridge electrode is disposed is one of flush with and recessed from a second surface part on which the cartridge engagement portion is provided.

9. An ink cartridge according to claim 8, further comprising:

a first side wall and a second side wall opposing each other,

wherein a guide recess is formed at a substantial center part of the first side wall and extends in a direction that the ink cartridge is mounted onto the recording apparatus.