NZ280046A

NZ280046A - Funnel shaped packing member positioned in the delivery port of an ink tank cartridge

Info

Publication number: NZ280046A
Application number: NZ280046A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Satoshi Shinada; Seiji Mochizuki; Yoshinori Miyazawa; Takao Kobayashi; Hisashi Koike; Yukiharu Suda
Original assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
Priority date: 1994-09-16
Filing date: 1995-09-18
Publication date: 1997-06-24
Also published as: ITTO950733A1; JP3513979B2; ITTO950732A0; HK1071723A1; FR2726503A1; ES2124147A1; CN1473710A; ITTO950734A0; KR100346533B1; NL1001205A1; HK1008422A1; KR100346534B1; ITTO950733A0; CH693265A5; GB9519071D0; ES2124148B1; CN1550341A; CN1286652C; NL1001207C2; CN1133784A

Description

<div class="application article clearfix" id="description"> 280046 Priority Date{s): aft).4rl5^ Completa Specification Filed: Class: Publication Date: P.O. Journal No: .... m 7 Patents Form No. 5 Our Ref: JB205339 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INK-SUPPLIED PRINTER AND INK SUPPLY TANK We, SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION, a Japanese company of 4-1, Nishi-Shinjuku 2-chome, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan, hereby declare the invention, for which We pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: PT0504888 - 1 - (followed by page la) 28 0 046 ink-suppltkp printer and ink supply tank . background of the invention The present invention relates generally to an ink-supplied printer being supplied vith ink from an ink supply tank and more particularly to an ink supply tank which allows for < the continuous supply of ink to the printer head while avoiding adverse effects from temperature, atmospheric changes or vibrations. The present invention allows for a larger volume of ink in the ink supply tank and allows for a greater percentage of the ink in the tank to be transferred to the printer head. Also, the present invention comprises a tank with transparent sides so the user is able to easily deitermine the remaining quantity of ink, and also means for dampening of the unwanted movement of ink within the ink supply tank. This invention also relates to an ink cartridge for an ink jet printer in which an ink jet recording head, and an ink i cartridge are mounted on a movable carriage, and in particular an (followed by pags 2) 280046 2 ink jet cartridge in which upon depletion of the ink from the old cartridge, is replaced with a new ink cartridge. A prior art ink jet printer in which an ink containing unit and an ink jet recording head are mounted on a carriage is disclosed in European Patent Publication No. 581,531. In the disclosed printer, in order to prevent printing failures caused by-variation of the- ink level or air bubbles due to movement of the ink cartridge, which is caused by the movement of the carriage, the ink container is divided into two regions. A first region of the container adjacent the recording head houses ink impregnated in a porous member, and a second region contains liquid ink without a porous member. This structure enables the ink to be conducted to the recording head via the porous member so that the problems arising from movement of the ink in the cartridge are preventh<-from occurring to a certain extent. The porous member is held in fluid communication with the recording head by a projecting member which is inserted through a hole formed in the side portion of the container. However, such i a structure cannot be applied to a recording head in which air bubbles must be stopped from entering a pressure chamber, such as that for an ink jet printer in which a piezoelectric vibrator is used as an actuator for ink ejection. 280 046 Accordingly, a ink jet printer which solves the above-mentioned problems is derived. STTMMARY OF THE INVENTION Generally speaking, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided an ink-supplied printer. Ink is supplied to a printer head by an ink supply system, including an ink tank having an ink supply port and a pair of side walls. An ink absorbing member is contained therein adjacent the ink supply port which occupies less than the total volume of the ink tank. The"walls of the ink supply tank may be transparent so the user can more easily determine the amount of ink remaining in the ink supply tank. An ink receiving and transferring member terminating in an ink port may extend into the ink tank, in which case the ink absorbing member abuts and is locally compressed by the ink receiving and transmitting member. The' ink receiving and transmitting member has a capillary ink path communicating with the printer head and is supplied with ink from the ink absorbing member. More specifically an ink cartridge is formed of a ink chamber for storing ink and a foam chamber for receiving a porous member for absorbing ink. A partition separates the ink chamber from the foam chamber and has a hole therein so that the foam chamber is in fluid communication with the ink chamber. The ink cartridge is also formed with an ink supply port. A funnel shaped packing member is disposed within the supply port and supplies ink to a recording head by generation of a pressure difference through the porous member. The packing member is disposed facing upward in the ink supply port. The packing member is resilient. When an ink supply needle of the recording head is inserted into the ink supply port, the tip of the needle 280046 4 resiliently contacts with the packing member. Since the packing member has a funnel-like shape which opens upward, the packing member is easily deformed so as to follow the ink supply needle. Furthermore, the packing member is caused to closely contact with the needle by its resiliency. Therefore, a relative misalignment between the ink supply needle and the ink supply port can be accommodated so that the ink supply port is securely sealed. Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved ink cartridge for an ink jet printer. It is an object of the present invention to provide a high-quality and highly reliable ink-supplied printer of a simple construction which is capable of supplying a stable and appropriate quantity of ink from an ink tank to a printer head and is less subject to the influence of environmental changes such as temperature or atmospheric variations. It is a further object of the invention to provide a cartridge for an ink jet printer which can be mounted using minimal force and with a large tolerance for misalignment of the ink supply needle, which can cooperate with a ^recording head to attain a sufficient hermetic seal, while producing a dead space as small as possible. Yet another object of the invention is to prevent air bubbles from entering the recording head while maintaining a negative pressure in the chamber containing the porous member. Still other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown by way of illustrative example and not in a limiting sense. The invention accordingly comprises the several steps and relation of one or more of such steps with respect to each of the others, and the apparatus embodying features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangement of parts which are adopted to effect such steps, all as exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims. 280046 5 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a full understanding of the invention, reference is had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 280046 Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing an ink supply system of an ink-jet type recording apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 a cross-sectional view of a multi-color ink jet printer cartridge constructed in accordance a first embodiment of the invention; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment rotated 90° from the view in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the ink cartridge of FIGS. 2 anc} . 3 with the lid removed; FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a single color ink cartridge constructed ' in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; ' FIG. 6(a) is a top plan view of the lid of FIG. 2; FIG. 6(b) is a top plan view showing the lid with a seal affixed thereto; 280046 FIG. 7(a) is a cross-sectional view showing a packing member with an ink supply needle inserted therein in accordance with the invention; FIG. 7 (b) is a cross-sectional view of the packing member prior to insertion; FIG. 8 is a graph showing the relationships of the ink consumption, the pressure level, and the amount of ink remaining in ink chamber; FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge showing the boundary between ink and foam chambers in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention; FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge showing the boundary between ink and foam chambers in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention; FIG. liis a partial cross-sectional view of the boundary between ink and foam chambers of an ink cartridge constructed in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention; FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 33-33 of FIG. 11; FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the boundary between ink and foam chambers of an ink cartridge constructed in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the invention; FIG. is a cross-sectional view taken along line 35-35 of FIG. 13; FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing an ink cartridge constructed in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the invention; FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing an ink cartridge constructed in accordance with a eighth embodiment of the invention; FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing an ink cartridge for an ink jet printer constructed in accordance with a ninth embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the ninth embodiment of the invention rotated 90° from FIG. 17. e 280046 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A printer head according to the present invention may be used in four-color printer plotter or color image printer and has four-color ink systems and ink jets corresponding respectively to four ink colors. The four-color printer plotter employs black, red, green and blue inks, and moves the head or a sheet of print paper or both and then • ejects ink as *n a conventional ink jet print head, corresponding to a desired one of the colors against the print paper at a prescribed position thereon to form an ink dot. Desired characters and figures can thus be recorded by repeating the above cycle. The present invention is applicable to ink jet printers of all varieties, including print heads using heat from heated resistors or the like or the displacement of piezoelectric or with transducers to project a drop of ink from a chamber upon application of a print signal. The ink supply tanks according to the invention can supply ink continuously to said chambers through capillary paths. In a color image printer using inks of four colors, that i is, black, red, green and blue, a sheet of print paper is scanned by a printer head in a direction perpendicular to the direction of feed of the print paper to form one-dot line in one scanning stroke, and the print paper is fed along by line pitches to record images. In seven-color printers, inks of four colors, that is, black, yellow, magenta and cyan, are used, and the colors of red, green and blue are formed on a sheet of print paper by superimposing inks of two out of the three desired colors other than black, thereby recording color images of seven colors. The present invention is concerned primarily with the printer head, and in particular with the ink tanks, and detailed description of the overall printer construction will be given only by way of a single example. « 280046 Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing an ink supply system of an ink-jet type recording apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. A print head unit. 1 of an ink-jet type is connected to an ink tank 3 through a connecting member 2. Ink is supplied from the ink tank 3 to the print head unit 1 through a hollow needle 2a and an ink supply passage 2b of the connecting member 2, so that the print head unit 1 emits ink droplets in accordance with print signals. The apparatus shown in Fig. 1 also includes a cap member 4 disposed at non-printing area, which cap member comes into abutment against the nozzle plate of the print head unit 1 by a drive mechanism (not shown) for preventing the nozzle openings from drying. The cap member 4 is connected through a tube 8 to a suction pump 5 which is operated by a control device 6 to suck ink from the print head unit 1 through the cap member 4. The apparatus shown in Fig. 1 is also provided with an effluent tank 7 connected to an outlet £ort of the suction pump 5 through a tube 9: The recording head may be of any structure such as described in European Patent Publication Nos. 581,531, 609,863, 584,823 and so on. 280046 The ink cartridge is configured so as to be mounted with a small force and with accommodating a misalignment of a certain degree. Reference is first made to FIGS. 2 and 3 which depict an ink cartridge constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. A main container 501, is divided into three compartments 504, 505, and 506 by partitions 502 and 503 as shown in FIG. 3. Each of the three compartments 504, 280046 n 5 05, and 506 is divided by a center partition wall 510 into foam chambers 511, 511' or 511" housing a respective porous member 520, 520' or 520" and ink chambers 512, 512' or 512" which are adapted to contain liquid ink. Foam chambers 511, 511', 511" are dimensioned to receive a respective porous member 520, 520' 520". The volume of each of porous members 520, 520' and 520" is selected so as to be larger than the capacity of each of the respective foam chambers 511, 511' or 511", so as to be compresFe?. while being retained in the respective foam chamber in a preferred embodiment. The ratio of the capacities of each foam chamber 511, 511' or 511" and each ink chamber 512, 512' or 512" is selected so that each foam chamber 511, 511' or 511" is dimensioned to hold 20 to 30% more ink than the respective ink chamber 512, 512' or 512". When inks of three colors are contained within a single cartridge as in FIGS. 2-3, it may be difficult to see if different amounts of ink remain in the chambers, which may be caused by unbalanced consumption of the different color inks. When ink of one color is depleted, and the user wishes to dispose of the cartridge, the user need not unnecessarily worry about any remaining ink of-the other colors in the cartridge leaking. ."When a cartridge of the invention is disposed of, ink is prevented from flowing out of the cartridge because ink of each color is absorbed by each respective porous member, thereby protecting the environment from any leakage of ink. Ink supply ports 513, 513' and 513" (not1 shown), chamber 511 being exemplary of each chamber 511, 511' and 511", are formed in main container 501 within a respective foam chamber 511, 511', 511". Each ink supply port 513, 513' and 513" is adapted to engage with a respective ink supply needle (not shown) of the recording head which are inserted at the lower end of each of the foam chambers 511, 511' and 511". Referring now to FIG. 2 and 3, the upper end of the main container 501 is sealed by a lid 516. Two ink filling ports 514 and 515 are formed at positions on lid 516 corresponding to foam chamber 511. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 6(a), each chamber 511, 280 046 12 514' and 515', and 514" and 515". Projections 516a and 516b, FIG. 2, are integrally formed with the inner surface of lid 516 and are positioned in foam chamber 511, so as to surround filling ports 515 and 514, respectively. Porous member 520 is compressed by projections 516a and 516b against the bottom wall of foam chamber 511 in which ink supply port 513 is formed. Projections 516a' and 516b', and 516a" and 516b" are similarly formed in the inner wall of lid 516, and are positioned in foam chambers 511' and 511", which contain ink supply ports 513' and 513", respectively as shown in FIG. 3, Projection 516a which opposes ink supply port 513 is formed with its lower tip located at a position lower than the lower tip of projection 516b, whereby the portion of porous member 520 in the vicinity of ink supply port 513 is compressed to the greatest extent. Protrusion portions 522, 522' and 522" (collectively "522"), w>)ich cooperate with lid 516 to compress porous members 520, 520' and 520" respectiyely are formed on the bottom of each of foam chambers 511, 511' and 511". Recesses 523, 523' and 523" (collectively "523"), which define spaces having a fixed opening area, are formed at the upper end of respective protrusion portions 522. Through holes 524, 524' and 524" (collectively "524") are disposed within the respective protrusion portions 522. One end of each through hole 524 is in fluid communication with the spaces defined by recesses 523 and the other end with a respective packing (collectively "530") , which will be hereinafter described. Filters 525, 525' and 525" (not shown) (collectively "525") are fixed to the upper end of recesses 523 respectively. Packing members 530 of which only 530 is shown, are disposed at the lower end of ink supply ports 513, 513' and 513" respectively and are made of a resilient material such as rubber. Packing members 530, are configured as a funnel-shaped packing which opens upward. The lower ends of tubular portions 531 are thicker than the other portions. The respective upper peripheral edges 533 of taper portions 532 of respective packing members 530 contact with step portions 513a of respective ink supply-parts 513, 280046 13 513' and 513". Each packing member 530 is formed with protrusions 535 received by groove portion 527 within the inner wall of ink supply port 513. The boundary between tubular portions 531 and taper portions 532, are configured as thin connection portions 534. In this design, packing members 530 are fixed by tubular portions 531 to respective irk supply ports 513. Additionally, upward movement of upper peripheral edges 533 is prevented by respective step portions 513a. Thus, even when the respective ink supply needle is inserted or extracted, packing members 53L are adequately fixed to ink supply ports 513. Since taper portions 532 serve to attain the hermetic seal between the packing member of the respective ink supply port 513 and the ink supply needle by the respective thin connection portions 534, the taper portions can be moved somewhat without causing deformation. Consequently, the air tight seal between the respective packing member and ink supply needle can be maintained while accommodating a relative misalignment between the respective ink supply needle and ink supply port. Communicating holes 519, 519' and 519" are formed in center partition wall-510, which separates foam chambers 511, 511' and 511" from ink chambers 512, 512' and 512" respectively. Slots 519a, 519a' 519a" which extend to a predetermined height are formed to be in communication with communicating holes 519, 519' and 519" respectively for gas-liquid replacement. Between each respective pair of foam and ink chambers 511 and 512, 511' and 512', and 511" and 512", porous members 520, 520' and 520" are housed in the foam chambers 511, 511' and 511" respectively in such a manner that each porous member is held against the respective communicating hole 519, 519' or 519". Ribs 518, 518', and 518" are formed on a back wall 501a of container 501 within a respective ink chamber 512, 512' and 512". An individual communication hole is formed between each respective chamber pair 511, 512, and extend along only a portion of the length of partition 510 formed thereat. In a second embodiment of the invention an ink cartridge is utilized for a single color ink. A cartr idge jyj)J}for - 1 MAY 1337 14 a single color, or black ink can be made smaller in size than that for color inks, but the ink chamber 5112 for black ink would have a larger capacity than each of the corresponding chambers for a color ink. According to the second additional embodiment of the invention, a cartridge for black ink is shown in FIG. 5 having a partition wall 5117 formed within a container 5100 so as to extend between center partition wall 5110 which separates a foam chamber 5111 from a ink chamber 5112 and a side wall 5100a of main container 5100, thereby dividing ink chamber 5112 into two cells 5112a and 5112b. This structure prevents container 5100 from being deformed by a negative pressure produced during the ink filling process which will be hereinafter described, or by an external pressure during usage, thereby preventing any ink from leaking. Cells 5112a and 5112b are retained in fluid communication with foam chamber 5111 via a communicating hole 5119 in center partition 5110 which extends along only a portion of the length of partition 5110. In addition, a communicating hole may be formed in the lower portion of partition wall 5117. On the inner face of wall 5100a, which can easily be seen when the cartridge is. mounted on a carriage, a plurality of ribs 5118 are foruied which extend vertically along inner face 5100a. These ribs allow ink to flow more easily down along wall 5100a, and the user can easily recognize the amount of ink remaining in the cartridge by seeing the ink level. Reference is now made tc FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b) which depict lid 516 constructed in accordance with the first additional embodiment of the invention. Ink filling holes 514, 514' and 514", and 515, 515' and 515" are formed in the regions of lid 516 corresponding to the placement of porous members 520, 520' and 520" within container 501. Air communicating ports 541, 541' and 541" are connected to ink filling holes 514, 514' and 514" via grooves 5 40, 540' and 54 0", respectively. When a seal 542 for covering ink filling holes 514, 514' and 514", 515, 515' and 515" and air vent ports 541, 541' and 541" is fixed to the upperside of lid 516, FIG. 6(b), after ink foam chambers 511, 511' and 511" are filled, grooves 540, 540' and P V / o V- 1 MAY >337 f 230 048 15 540" form capillary tubes with seal 542. A tongue piece 545 of seal 542, which protrudes from lid 516, is formed with a neck portion 543 disposed in seal 542 at a midpoint of the route of a;'.; vent ports 541,- 541' and 541". When tongue piece 545 is peeled fron lid 516, tongue piece 545 is easily separated from seal 542. This in turn exposes air vent ports 541, but no other portions of the underside of seal 542. In a preferred embodiment, seal 542 is formed with patterns such as characters and illustrations printed on its main portion5"44 which permanently seals grooves 540, 540' and 540". Patterns, colors, or other printing different from that printed on main portion 544 of seal 542 may be placed on tongue piece 545 which is connected to main portion 544 of seal 542 via neck portion 543. For example, in a further preferred embodiment, the main portion 544 of seal 542 has a blue background, black characters and other illustrations printed thereon. The background color of tongue piece 545 is a color ,such as yellow or red which contrasts with the background color of main portion 544. Characters and illustrations" are printed on the background in colors which are mainly black or blue. In this way, main portion 544 and tongue piece 545 are distinguished from each other in color and pattern. Consequently, it is possible to call the user's attention to the need for the removal of tongue piece 545. Each of ink supply ports 513, 153' and 513" are sealed by a film 546 (FIG. 2)' anc* in^ filling needles are hermetically inserted into the ink filling holes 514, 514' and 514" and 515, 515' and 515" respectively. The first of filling holes 514, 514' and 514" is connected to evacuating means, and the second of the filling holes 515, 515'and 515" is closed. The evacuating means reduces the pressure in each of foam chambers 511, 511' and 511" and in each of ink chambers 512, 512' and 512". When the pressure is reduced to a predetermined value, the evacuating operation is stopped and the first filling hole is closed. Thereafter, the second filling hole■is placed in fluid communication with a measuring tube filled with ink. Ink contained 16 in the measuring tube is drawn into the evacuated container and is then absorbed by respective porous member 520, 520' and 520" and thereafter flows into ink chamber 512, 512' or 512" via communicating holes 519, 519' or 519" respectively. After the specified amount of ink flows int0 the appropriate ink'chamber, seal 542 is fixed to the outer surface of lid 516 so that the ink filling holes 514, 514' ana 514" and 515, 515' and 515", grooves 540, 540' and 540", and communicating ports 541, 541' and 541" are sealed under reduced pressure. Seal 542 thereafter maintains the reduced pressure states of foam chambers 511, 511' and 511" and ink chambers 512, 512' and 512". Before use of the cartridge, tongue piece 545 of seal 542 is then peeled off so that tongue piece 545 is broken at neck portion 543 and is separated from main portion 544. Thus, ink filling holes 514, 514' and 514" are placed in fluid communication with air vent ports 541, 541' and 541" via grooves 540, 540' and 540". Also, foam chambers 511, 511' and 511" are placed in fluid communication with air vent ports 541, 541' and 541" and therefore i ambient air, via grooves 540, 540' and 540". Thus, while the ink is prevented from evaporating, the ink cartridge is ventilated. Reference is now made to FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b), wherein an ink supply port 513 of the ink cartridge is positioned so as to be aligned with an ink supply needle 550 of the recording head. Thereafter the ink cartridge is pushed toward the recording head upon insertion of the ink cartridge. A taper portion 551 of ink supply needle 550 passes through a film seal 546 and engages the hole of packing member 530 as shown in FIG. 7 (a) . Since packing member 530 opens upward, packing member 530 allows ink supply needle 550 to pass therethrough while packing member 530 is resiliently deformed by taper portion 551 of ink supply needle 550. When the cartridge is used, ink supply needle 550 passes through packing member 530. The resiliency of connection portion 5 34 of packing member 530 enablss taper portion 532 to engage ink supply needle 550. Even if ink supply needle 550 of the recording head and the center of packing 530 are somewhat misaligned, ink supply port 513 and ink supply neadle 550 are hermetically sea^jtesU- 17 To conduct ink into the recording head after the ink cartridge is mounted, or to recover the ink ejection performance a negative pressure is applied-to the recording head and through ink supply needle 550 so that ink in the cartridge flows through ink supply needle 550 and into the recording head. Because of the pressure difference, this high negative pressure applied to the cartridge causes taper portion 532 of packing member 530, which hermetically seals and isolates the cartridge from ambient air, to deform upward in FIG. 7 (a) toward the interior of the ink cartridge. Thus, the pressure difference aids in causing taper portion 532 of packing member 530 to be resiliently pressed against ink supply needle 550, and thereby aids in hermetically sealing the ink cartridge. Even if ink supply needle 550 is not positioned completely through packing member 5 30, the resilient force in taper portion 532 of packing member 530 allows taper portion 532 to remain in contact with ink supply needle 550 as long as the tapered portion 551 of ink supply needle 550 remains in contact with taper portion 532 as shown in FIG. 7 (b). Consequently, it is possible to secure the air tightness of packing member 530 and ink supply needle 550 even if the needle is not properly inserted. Since the tip of ink supply needle 550 is sealed upon contact with packing member 530, the dead space in the cartridge can be made very small, and any air bubbles which may be produced by the piston effect upon insertion of the cartridge onto the recording head are prevented from entering the cartridge. When a negative pressure is applied from the nozzle openings of the recording head, ink absorbed by porous member 520 flows into the recording head via through hole 524 and through holes 552 of ink supply needle 550. When ink cf a predetermined amount is consumed from porous member 520 and the ink level in porous member 520 is reduced, the pressure of ink chamber 512 overcomes the holding force of porous member 520 in the vicinity of communicating hole 519, so that air bubbles enter ink chamber 512 via communicating hole 519. Consequently, the pressure^ in a 281)046 18 ink chamber 512 is increased and ink therefore flows into a foam chamber 511. The ink flowing into foam chamber 511 is absorbed by porous member 520 and causes the ink level in foam chamber 511 to be raised. At the instant when the ink holding force of porous member 520 in the vicinity of communicating hole 519 is balanced with the pressure in ink chamber 512, the flow of ink from ink chamber 512 into foam chamber 511 is stopped. Q The graph of FIG. illustrates this process. In the figure, the letter F indicates the pressure level in; porous member 5 of foam chamber 511', and the letter G indicates the ink level in ink chamber 512. When a predetermined amount of ink wl which was initially contained in porous member 520 is consumed so that the ink level in porous member 520 is reduced to a predetermined value at which the pressure in ink chamber 512 overcomes the ink holding force of porous member 520 in the vicinity of communicating hole 519, .ink gradually flows in a stepwise manner-from ink chamber 512 into the foam chamber 511. This process occurs until the balance i between the pressure of the ink chamber 512 and the ink holding force of porous member 520 in the vicinity of communicating hole 519 is restored. As a result, although the ink level in ink chamber 512 is gradually reduced, the ink level in porous member 5 20 can be maintained at a substantially constant level so that ink is supplied to the recording head by a constant pressure difference at a constant rate. After a predetermined amount of ink w2 is consumed by the recording head, no ink will remain in ink chamber 512, but the amount of ink contained in porous member 5 20 will be at a level equal to the level when ink was intermittently being supplied to foam chamber 511 from ink chamber 512. Therefore, printing can be continued using the amount of ink absorbed in porous member 520, although no further ink is available in ink chamber 512 to replenish the ink supply into porous member 520. After a predetermined amount of ink w3 is consumed during printing, the ink supply in porous member 520 will be depleted, and the ink cartridge will no longer support printing. j(*< o a-i &80048 19 During the entire printing operation from when all the ink contained in ink chamber 512 has been absorbed in porous member 520 until the ink is depleted, a constant amount of ink is supplied to the recording head. The depletion of ink from ink chamber 512 indicates the impending depletion of ink in the ink tank cartridge. If a fresh cartridge is inserted at this stage, it is possible to ensure a constant supply of ink to the recording head without interruption. As described above, the inner space of the ink cartridge of the invention must be maintained at a negative pressure during the printing process. In addition to the achievement of the above-described hermetic seal between the ink supply port and the ink supply needle, the transfer of ink from ink chamber 512 to the foam chamber 511 must be performed properly to ensure a constant flow of ink to the recording head. Hereinafter, the structure for controlling the supply of ink from ink chamber 512 to foam chamber 511 will be described. Reference is now' 'made to FIG. 9 which depicts the boundary between foam chamber 511 and ink chamber 512 in a third additional embodiment of the invention. Like numerals are utilized to indicate like structures, the primary difference between this embodiment and the first additional embodiment being a step portion formed in hole 519. A step portion 560 is formed in communicating hole 519. A portion 563 of the base of ink chamber 512 is higher than that of foam chamber 511, step portion 560 being the dividing point. A groove 561 connecting the foam and the ink chamber is formed in the lower part of step portion 560. Porous member 520 is in contact with communicating hole 519 and is received by step portion 56 0 so that the portion of porous member 5 20 in the vicinity of communicating hole 519 is compressed, whereby the required pressure difference between ink chamber 512 and foam chamber 511 via communicating hole 519 can be attained. When the ink level of ink chamber 512 is reduced to a low level, groove 561 enables ink from ink chamber 512 to be collected and then absorbed by porous member 5 20 in foam chamber 511. Consequently, all of the ink in ink chamber V - 1 KAY 1337 J 280046 20 supplied to the recording head for printing without wasting any ink. Reference is now made to FIG. 10 which depicts an ink cartridge constructed in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention. Again, like numerals are used to indicate like structures, the primary difference between this embodiment and the first additional embodiment is the different leveled bottoms of the respective chambers. The bottom face 564 of ink chamber 512 is higher than the bottom face 5 67 of foam chamber 511, thereby forming a step portion 562. Step portionS"62 receives the lower portion of porous member 520 so that the portion of porous member £20 in the vicinity of communicating hole 519 is compressed. When required, a slope 563 which is directed from the ink chamber 512 to the foam chamber 511 may be formed to aid in the supply of ink. Since slope 563 allows ink in ink chamber 512 to flow more easily toward foam chamber 511, irrespective of the inclination of the carriage, ink from ink chamber 512 can be constantly supplied to the recording head. Reference is now made to FIGS. 11 and 12 which depict an ink jet cartridge con'structed in accordance with a fifth additional embodiment of the invention.- Like structures are indicated by like reference numerals, the primary difference between this embodiment and the first additional embodiment is the formation of "a through hole. This embodiment is the same as shown "in FIGS, h and 5. Groove 519a (FIGS. 4 and 5) is formed in the face of center partition 510 separating foam chamber 511 from ink chamber 512. Groove 519a is formed in the face of partition 510 on the side of the foam chamber 511 and is in communication with the upper portion of communicating hole 519 of center partition 510 within the respective chambers 511, 512. In order to allow air to pass from ink chamber 512 to foam chamber 511 and to retain these chambers in fluid communication with each other, a through hole 519b is formed in the lower end of the groove 519a. Thus, the upper portion of porous member 520 which exhibits a relatively small caDillary force is maintained in fluid communication with communicating hole 519 via the space formed by thin jjfao^e r5&: 580046 21 Therefore, ink can be smoothly replaced with air so that ink in ink chamber 512 constantly flows into foam chamber 511, thereby preventing too much or not enough ink from being supplied. Reference is now made to FIGS. 13 and 14 which depict an ink cartridge constructed in accordance with a sixth additional embodiment of the invention. Like numerals are utilized to depict like structures, the primary difference being the use of a projection into foam chamber 511. A horseshoe-shaped projection 565 is formed on the bottom of foam chamber 511 as is shown in FIG. 14. Projection 565 ensures a space in the vicinity of communicating hole 519 so that ink from ink chamber 512 can easily flow into foam chamber 511. As described above, foam chamber 511 and ink chamber 512 are separated from each other by the single center partition 510. In seventh or eighth additional embodiments of a single-color ink cartridge, as shown in FIGS. 15 and- 16 respectively, an ink chamber 571 may be formed so as to surround two or three sides of a foam chamber 570, and a communicating l^ole 573 may be formed in at least one of the walls 572 separating the foam chamber 570 from the ink chamber 571. An exit port 574 is positioned within foam chamber 5 70. An ink cartridge of this design can store an amount of ink which is relatively large as compared with the volume of the whole ink cartridge. Furthermore, because of the location of the chambers, the user can easily see if replacement of the ink cartridge is required because of depletion of the.ink. References is now made to FIGS.. 17 and 18 wherein an ink jet printer cartridge constructed in accordance with a ninth additional embodiment of the invention is provided. This embodiment is similar to the first additional embodiment, the primary difference being the use of a resilient 0-ring 5300 which is retained in contact with the peripheral face of an ink supply needle of the- recording head upon insertion of the ink supply needle into the ink supply cartridge. However, this ink jet printer results in other problems solved by the first additional embodiment. A large frictional force may be produced when mounting 280046 22 into the cartridge. This results in an extra strain on the recording head arid the carriage. Furthermore, O-ring 5300 is supported at its periphery by the body 5302 of the cartridge. If there is a misalignment between the cartridge and the ink supply needle of the recording head upon insertion of the ink supply needle in the ink supply cartridge, it is very difficult to mount the cartridge. Furthermore, when a three color ink cartridge in which tanks 5304, 5306, and 5308 for the three color inks are integrated into one piece as shown in FIG. 18, it is extremely difficult to mount such a cartridge on the recording head if the cartridge and any of the ink supply needles are misaligned. It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in carrying out the above construction and method set forth without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying .drawings shall be ' interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. It is also, to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall there between. </div>

Claims

<div class="application article clearfix printTableText" id="claims"> 23 what we claim is: 280046

1. An ink tank cartridge for an ink-jet type recording apparatus, comprising: a first chamber; a second chamber for communicating with said first chamber through a passageway formed within said cartridge between said first and second chambers; an ink supply port extending through a wall of said second chamber to supply ink to the exterior of the cartridge; and a funnel-shaped packing member provided within said ink supply port, said packing member being formed with an opening therethrough having a wide end and a narrow end and being dimensioned to receive an ink supply needle of an ink jet recording apparatus and to resiliently abut against an outer periphery of said ink supply needle, said packing member being for preventing the flow of ink through said ink supply port other than through said ink supply needle when said needle is positioned in said ink supply port, said .narrow end of said opening being disposed away from said second chamber.

2. The ink tank cartridge of claim 1, wherein said ink supply port includes a passage therethrough defined by an interior wall, said packing member including a support portion supported by said interior wall of said ink supply port coupled at a region thereof close to .said second chamber to the wide end of said packing member.

3. The ink tank cartridge of claim 2, wherein said passage through said ink supply port includes a stepped region between a region of smaller cross sectional area closer to the second chamber and a region of larger cross-sectional area and abutting said stepped region.

4. The ink tank cartridge of claim 3, wherein said region of larger cross-sectional area of said'passage includes a lateral groove, said support portion'including a projection for receipt in said groove. E ,y 24 280046

5. The ink tank cartridge of claim 4, wherein said support portion is essentially tubular in shape.

6. The ink tank cartridge of claim 1, and including a porous member in said second chamber for transferring ink to said ink supply port, said first chamber being dimensioned to contain ink for transfer to said porous member in said second chamber.

7. The ink tank cartridge of claim 1 .-wherein said first and second chambers form an integrated unit.

8. The ink tank cartridge of claim 7, wherein said ink tank cartridge comprises a plurality of said integrated units forming a single integrated tank, each unit containing a respective different kind of ink.

9 . The ink tank cartridge of claim 6, said ink supply port including a protrusion portion projecting into said second chamber and formed with an entrance opening to said ink supply port, and said protrusion portion engaging against and locally compressing a part of said porous member in the region of the entrance opening to said ink supply port.

10. The ink tank cartridge of "claim 7, said ink supply port including a protrusion portion projecting into said second chamber and formed with an entrance opening to said ink supply port, and said protrusion portion engaging against and locally compressing a part of said porous member in the region of the entrance opening to said ink supply port.

11. The ink tank cartridge of claim 6, further ncluding a projection for pressing said porous member against said ink supply port, said projection being formed on an inside portion of said second chamber essentially opposite said ink supply port.

12. The ink tank cartridge of claim 10, further including a projection for pressing said porous member against said ink supply port, said projection being formed on an inside portion of said foam chamber essentially- opposite said ink supply port. *;280046;13. The ink tank cartridge of claim S, wherein said porous member has a volume before insertion in said second chamber greater than the volume of said second chamber.;14. The ink tank cartridge of claim 10, wherein said porous member has a volume before insertion in said second chamber greater than the volume of said foam chamber.;15. The ink tank cartridge of claim 12, wherein said porous member has a volume before insertion in said second chamber greater than the volume of said foam chamber.;16. The ink tank cartridge of claim 9, further including a recessed portion formed on said protrusion portion and defining the entrance opening to said ink supply port, said ink supply port including an ink passage extending from said recessed portion away from said porous member, said recessed portion having a cross-sectional area greater than a cross-sectional area of said ink passage adjacent said recessed portion of said protrusion portion, and a filter disposed on said recessed portion between said porous member and said ink passage.;17. The ink tank cartridge of-claim 1, further comprising at least one partition wall disposed within said first chamber to define a plurality of subchambers within said first chamber.;18. The ink tank cartridge of claim 1, further comprising a rib disposed within said first chamber, said rib being vertically elongated and positioned on an inner face of Said first chamber.;19. The ink tank cartridge of claim 1, said ink supply port including an exit opening spaced from said second chamber and further including a sealing member separate from said packing member positioned to seal said ink supply port at about said exit opening and constructed to be penetrated by said ink supply needle when said ink tank cartridge is mounted on said ink supply needle.;20. The-ink tank cartridgeof claim 1, wherein said;26 28 00 46;recording apparatus so that an ink .supply needle of said apparatus is received in said ink supply port.;21. An ink-jet-type recording apparatus for outputting ink onto a recording medium, comprising:;a recording head for ejecting ink;;an ink supply needle coupled to said recording head and having at least one through hole to allow ink to pass therethrough; and an ink tank cartridge being removably mountable onto said ink supply needle of said ink-jet type recording apparatus, the ink tank cartridge, comprising:;a first chamber;;a second chamber for communicating with said first chamber through a passageway formed within said cartridge between said first and second chambers;;an ink supply port extending through a wall of said second chamber to supply ink to the exterior of the cartridge;;and a funnel-shaped packing member provided within said ink supply port, said packing member being formed with an opening therethrough having a wide end and a narrow end and being dimensioned to receive said ink supply needle of said ink jet recording apparatus and to resiliently abut against an outer periphery of said ink supply needle, said packing member being for preventing the flow of ink through said ink supply port other than through said ink supply needle when said needle is positioned in said ink supply port, said narrow end of said opening being disposed away from said second chamber.;22. The ink-jet type recording apparatus of claim 21, wherein said ink supply port includes a passage therethrough defined by an interior wall, said packing member including a support portion supported by said interior wall of said ink supply port coupled at a region thereof close to said second chamber to the wide end of said packing member.;23. The ink-jet type recording apparatus of claim 22, wherein said passage through said ink supply port includes a;28 00 46;stepped region between a region of smaller cross sectional area closer to the second chamber and a region of larger cross-sectional area and abutting said stepped region.;24. The ink-jet type recording apparatus of claim 23, wherein said region of larger cross-sectional area of said passage includes a lateral groove, said support portion including a projection for receipt in said groove.;25. The ink-jet type recording apparatus of claim 24, wherein said support portion is essentially tubular in shape.;26. The ink-jet type recording apparatus of claim 21, and including a porous member in said second chamber for transferring ink to said ink supply port, said first chamber being dimensioned to contain ink for transfer to said porous lember in said second chamber.;27. The ink-jet type recording apparatus of claim 21, wherein said first and second chambers form an integrated unit.;28. The ink-jet type recording apparatus of claim 27, wherein said ink tank cartridge comprises a plurality of said integrated units forming a single integrated tank, each unit containing a respective different kind of ink.;29. The ink-jet type recording apparatus, of claim 26, said ink supply port including a protrusion portion projecting into said second chamber and formed with an entrance opening to said ink supply port, and said protrusion portion engaging against and locally compressing a part of said porous member in the region of the entrance opening to said ink supply port..;30. The ink-jet type recording apparatus of claim 27, said ink supply port including a protrusion portion projecting into said second chamber and formed with an entrance opening to said ink supply port, and said protrusion portion engaging against and locally compressing a part of said porous member in the region of the entrance opening to said ink supply port.;31. The ink-jet type recording apparatus of claim 26, further including a projection for pressing said porous member against said ink supply port, said projection being formed on an;ocr • •;28;280046;inside portion of said second chamber essentially opposite said ink supply port.;32. The ink-jet type recording apparatus of claim 30, further including a projection for pressing said porous member against said ink supply port, said projection being formed on an inside portion of said foam chamber essentially opposite said ink supply port.;33. The ink-jet type recording apparatus of claim 26, wherein said porous member has a volume before insertion in said second chamber greater than the volume of said second chamber.;34. The ink-jet type recording apparatus of claim 30, wherein said porous member has a volume before insertion in said second chamber greater than the volume of said foam chamber.;35. The ink-jet type recording apparatus of claim 32, wherein said porous member has a volume before insertion in said second chamber greater than the volume of said foam chamber.;36. The ink-jet type recording apparatus of claim 29, further including a recessed portion formed on said protrusion portion and defining the entrance opening to said ink supply port, said ink supply port including an ink passage extending from said recessed portion away from said porous member, said recessed portion having a cross-sectional area greater than a cross-sectional area of said in)^ passage adjacent said recessed portion of said protrusion portion, and a filter disposed on said recessed portion between said porous member and said ink . passage.;37. The ink-jet type recording apparatus of claim 21, further comprising at least one partition wall disposed within said first chamber to define a plurality of subchambers within said first chamber.;38. The ink-jet type recording apparatus of claim 21, further comprising a rib disposed within said first chamber,;said rib being vertically elongated and positioned on an inner face of said first chamber.;39. The ink-jet type recording apparatus of claim 21, said ink supply port including an exit opening spaced from said;29;280046;second chamber and further including a sealing member separate from said packing member positioned to seal said ink supply port at about said exit opening and constructed to be penetrated by said ink supply needle when said ink tank cartridge is mounted on said ink supply needle.;40. A system for mounting an ink tank cartridge onto ah ink supply needle of an ink-jet type recording apparatus, the ink tank cartridge comprising:;a first chamber;;a second chamber for communicating with said first chamber through a passageway formed within said cartridge between said first and second chambers;;an ink supply port extending through a wall of said Second chamber to supply ink to the exterior of the cartridge; and a funnel-shaped packing member provided within said ink supply port, said packing member being formed with an opening therethrough having a wide end and a narrow end and being dimensioned to receive said ink supply needle of said ink jet recording apparatus and to resiliently abut against said outer periphery of said ink supply needle, said packing member being for preventing the flow of ink through said ink supply port other than through said ink supply needle when said needle is positioned in said ink supply port, said narrow end of said opening being disposed away from said second chamber.;41. The system of claim 40, wherein said ink supply port includes a passage therethrough defined by an interior wall, said packing member including a support portion supported by said interior wall of said ink supply port coupled at a region thereof close to said second chamber to the wide end of said packing member.;42. The system of claim 41, wherein said passage through said ink supply port includes a stepped region between a region of smaller cross sectional area closer to the second chamber and a region of larger cross-sectional area and abutting said stepped region.;2800;43. The system of claim 42, wherein said region of larger cross-sectional area of said passage includes a lateral groove, said support portion including a projection for receipt in said groove.;44. The system of claim 43, wherein said support portion is essentially tubular in shape.;45. The system of claim 40, and including a porous member in said second chamber for transferring ink to said ink supply port, said first chamber being dimensioned to contain ink for transfer to said porous member in said second chamber.;46. The system of claim *0» wherein said first and second chambers form an integrated unit.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein said ink tank cartridge comprises a plurality of said integrated units forming a single integrated tank, each unit containing a respective different kind of ink.

48. The system of claim 45, said ink supply port including a protrusion portion projecting into said second chamber and formed with an entrance opening to said ink supply port, and said protrusion portion engaging against and locally compressing a part of said porous member in the region of the entrance opening to said ink supply port. 49.' The system of claim 46, said ink supply port including a protrusion portion projecting into said second chamber and formed with an entrance opening to said ink supply port, and said protrusion portion engaging against and iocally compressing a part of said porous member in the region of the entrance opening to said ink supply port.

50. The system of claim 45, further including a projection for pressing said porous member against said ink supply port, said projection being formed on an inside portion of said second chamber essentially opposite said ink supply port.

51. The system of claim 49, further including a projection for pressing said porous member against said ink 2800 46 supply port, said projection being formed on an inside portion of said foam chamber essentially opposite said ink supply port.

52. The system, of claim 45, wherein said porous member has a volume before insertion in said second chamber greater than the volume of said second chamber.

53. The system of claim 49, wherein said porous member has a vjlume before insertion in said second chamber greater than the volume of said foam chamber.

54. The system of claim 51, wherein said porous member has a volume before insertion in said second chamber greater than the volume of said foam chamber.

55. The system of claim 48, further including a recessed portion formed on said protrusion portion and defining The entrance opening to said ink supply port, said ink supply port including an ink passage extending from said recessed portion away from said porous member, said recessed portion having a cross-sectional area greater than a cross-sectional area of said ink passage adjacent said recessed portion of said protrusion portion, and a filter disposed on said recersed portion between said porous member and said ink passage."

56. The system of claim 40, further comprising at least one partition wall .disposed within said first chamber to define a plurality of subchambers within said first chamber.

57. The system of claim 40, further comprising a rib disposed within said first chamber, said rib being vertically elongated and positioned on an inner face of said first chamber.

58. The system of claim 40, said ink supply port including an exit opening spaced from said second chamber and further including a sealing member separate from said packing member positioned to seal said ink supply port at about said exit opening and constructed to be penetrated by said ink supply needle when said ink tank cartridge is mounted on said ink supply needle.

59. A method for removably mounting an ink tank cartridge for an ink-jet type recording apparatus onto an ink 2800 supply needle of said ink jet type recording apparatus, the method for comprising the steps of: storing ink in-a first chamber; storing a porous member being impregnated with ink in a second chamber, said second chamber communicating with said first chamber through a passage connecting said chambers; extending an ink supply port from a wall of said second chamber in said ink tank cartridge to supply ink to the ink-jet recording apparatus; inserting said ink supply needle of the ink jet type recording apparatus into a funnel-shaped packing member provided within said ink supply port, said packing member being formed with an opening therethrough having a wide end and a narrow end and being dimensioned to receive said ink supply needle, said narrow end of said opening being disposed away from said second chamber; and abutting said packing member against an outer periphery of said ink supply needle of the ink jet type recording apparatus for preventing th'.-j flow of ink through said ink supply port other than through said ink supply needle when said needle is positioned in said ink supply port.

60. An ink tank cartridge for an ink-jet type recording apparatus, comprising: a housing formed with a chamber therein; an ink supply port extending through a wall of said housing, said ink supply port having a first opening directed toward said chamber of said housing and a second opening directed away from said wall of said housing; and a funnel-shaped packing member provided within said ink supply port, said packing member being formed with an opening therethrough having a wide end and a narrow end and being dimensioned to receive an ink supply needle of an ink jet recording apparatus and to resiliently abut against an outer periphery of said ink supply needle, said packing member being for preventing the flow of ink through said ink supply port other than through said ink supply needle when said needle is 28004$ positioned in said ink supply port, said narrow end of said opening being disposed away from said chamber. sealing member separate from said packing member positioned to seal said ink supply port before said ink tank cartridge is mounted on said ink supply needle, said sealing member being penetrated by said ink supply needle when said ink tank cartridge is mounted on said ink supply needle.

62. An ink-jet type recording apparatus for outputting ink onto a recording medium, comprising: a recording head for ejecting ink; an ink supply needle coupled to said recording head and having at least one through hole; and an ink tank cartridge being removably mountable onto the ink supply needle, said ink tank cartridge comprising; a housing formed with a chamber therein; an ink supply port extending from a wall of said housing, said ink supply port having first opening directed towards said chamber of said housing and a second opening directed away from said wall of said housing; and port, said packing member being formed with an opening therethrough having a wide end and a narrow end and being dimensioned to receive an ink supply needle of an ink jet recording apparatus and to resiliently abut against an outer periphery of said ink supply needle, said packing member being for preventing the flow of ink through said ink supply port other than through said ink supply needle when said needle is positioned in said ink supply port, said narrow end of said opening being disposed away from said chamber. a sealing member from said packing member positioned to seal said ink supply port before said ink tank cartridge is mounted on said ink supply needle, said sealing member being penetrated by said ink supply needle when said ink tank cartridge is mounted on said ink supply needle.

61. The ink tank cartridge of claim 60, further including a a funnel-shaped packing member provided within said ink supply

63. An ink-jet recording apparatus of claim 62, further including END OF CLAIMS </div>