Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080230141 | METHODS OF FILLING A LIQUID CONTAINER - A liquid container includes a liquid chamber, and a liquid supply chamber at least partially defined by at least one wall having a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening formed therethrough. A method of filling such a liquid container includes the steps of closing the third opening, positioning the liquid container in a predetermined orientation, and introducing liquid into the liquid supply chamber via the second opening. The method also includes the step of introducing liquid into the liquid chamber after the step of introducing liquid into the liquid supply chamber. | 09-25-2008 |
20080231675 | LIQUID CONTAINERS - A liquid container includes a liquid chamber, a liquid supply chamber, a liquid introduction portion, and a particular liquid path. The liquid chamber is at least partially defined by at least one first wall, the liquid supply chamber is defined by at least one second wall having a first opening and a second opening formed therethrough, and the liquid introduction portion is defined by at least one third wall having a third opening formed therethrough. The particular liquid path extends from the third opening to the second opening, and the liquid introduction portion is configured to introduce fluid from an exterior of the liquid container to the liquid supply chamber via the particular liquid path. The particular liquid path is positioned externally from the liquid chamber. | 09-25-2008 |
20080239033 | LIQUID CONTAINERS - A liquid container includes a case, a translucent portion, an ink supply portion, and a movable member. The case defines a liquid chamber which is configured to store a predetermined amount of liquid. The translucent portion extends away from the liquid chamber in a predetermined direction, and has an inner space formed therein. The ink supply portion has a center line which is parallel to the predetermined direction. The movable member is pivotably positioned within the liquid chamber, and includes a signal blocking portion, a float portion, and an arm portion. At least a portion of the signal blocking portion is configured to be positioned within the inner space. Moreover, when the liquid chamber stores the predetermined amount of liquid, at least a portion of the arm portion is positioned further from the center line than the signal blocking portion is positioned from the center line. | 10-02-2008 |
20080239035 | Ink Cartridges - An ink cartridge includes a case including a front face and a rear face opposite the front face, in which the case has an ink chamber defined therein, and the ink chamber is configured to store ink. The ink cartridge also includes an extension portion extending from the from the front face of the case in a predetermined direction, and the extension portion includes a first end which is coupled to the front face of the case, and a second end opposite the first end. The extension portion also includes an opaque first portion, an opaque second portion positioned adjacent to the first end of the extension portion, and a translucent third portion positioned between the opaque first portion and the opaque second portion in the predetermined direction. | 10-02-2008 |
20080239036 | Storage Device For Storing Liquid Container And Liquid Container For Use With the Same - A storage device includes a case configured to mount a liquid container. The storage device includes: a lever configured to move among a first position, a second position, and a third position between the first position and the second position; a first member movable between a protruding position to restrict an insertion of the liquid container at a particular position, and a retracted position that allows the liquid container to be inserted to a mounted position; a link member configured to change the position of the first member from the protruding position to the retracted position when the lever moves from the first position to the third position; and a second member. When a liquid container which is pre-assigned to the case is inserted into the case, the second member allows a positional change of the lever from the first position to the third position. | 10-02-2008 |
20080259143 | Ink Cartridges - An ink cartridge includes a case including a front face and a rear face opposite the front face, an ink supply portion positioned at the front face of the case, an air intake portion positioned at the case, and a movable member configured to move between a first position and a second position relative to the case. The ink cartridge also includes a resilient member having a first end which is coupled to the front face of the case and a second end which is coupled to the movable member. The movable and member and the resilient member are positioned outside the case. Moreover, the resilient member is configured to expand and to contract to move the movable member relative to the case between the first position and the second position. | 10-23-2008 |
20080291251 | LIQUID CARTRIDGE DETERMINATION SYSTEMS AND LIQUID CARTRIDGE DETERMINATION METHODS - A liquid cartridge determination system includes a liquid cartridge including a main body including a first detect portion. The system also includes a movable member positioned outside the liquid chamber and configured to move relative to the main body in a particular direction. The movable member includes a second detect portion. Moreover, the system includes a resilient member having a first end which is coupled to the main body and a second end which is coupled to the movable member, and a mounting portion configured to receive the liquid cartridge thereon. The system further includes a first detector configured to detect the first detect portion when the liquid cartridge is positioned in a first position relative to the mounting portion, a second detector configured to detect the second detect portion when the liquid cartridge is positioned in a second position relative to the mounting portion, and a determiner configured to determine whether the liquid cartridge has a predetermined characteristic associated therewith based on the detection of the first detect portion and the detection of the second detect portion. | 11-27-2008 |
20090021565 | INK CARTRIDGES AND INK SUPPLY SYSTEMS - An ink cartridge includes an ink storing portion configured to store ink therein and a particular wall defining a portion of the ink storing portion. The particular wall has a particular passage formed therethrough. The ink cartridge also includes a pipe extending from an interior of the ink storing portion to an exterior of the ink storing portion via the particular passage. The pipe has an inner passage formed therethrough, and the inner passage is configured to transmit ink from the interior of the ink storing portion to the exterior of the ink storing portion. | 01-22-2009 |
20090058959 | PACKAGING ARRANGEMENTS - A packaging arrangement includes an ink cartridge and a packaging member enclosing the ink cartridge. The ink cartridge includes a body, a movable member, and at least one resilient member disposed between the body and the movable member. The movable member is configured to move between a first position and a second position relative to the body when the at least one resilient member expands and contracts, and a distance between the second position and the body is less than a distance between the first position and the body. A pressure inside the packaging member is less than a pressure outside the packaging member, and the movable member is retained in the second position when the ink cartridge is enclosed within the packaging member. | 03-05-2009 |
20090058960 | INK CARTRIDGES - An ink cartridge includes a frame, and a film connected to the frame. The frame and the film define an ink chamber therein, and the ink chamber is configured to store ink therein. The ink cartridge also includes a supporting member configured to support the film, and a movable member pivotably coupled to the supporting member. The movable member is configured to selectively move within the ink chamber in a first direction and in a second direction opposite the first direction based on an amount of ink within the ink chamber, and the supporting member, the movable member, and the film are aligned in a particular direction which is perpendicular to the first direction and to the second direction. | 03-05-2009 |
20090058962 | INK CARTRIDGES - An ink cartridge includes a frame, a first wall comprising a film connected to the frame, and a second wall opposite the first wall. The frame, the first wall, and the second wall define an ink chamber therein, and the ink chamber is configured to store ink therein. The ink cartridge also includes a movable member positioned within the ink chamber, and a shaft extending between the first wall and the second wall. The movable member is configured to pivot about the shaft. Moreover, the frame includes a first material, and the shaft includes a second material which is different than the first material. A rigidity of the second material is greater than a rigidity for the first material. | 03-05-2009 |
20090058963 | INK CARTRIDGES AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - An ink cartridge includes a frame, and a film connected to the frame. The frame and the film define an ink chamber therein, and the ink chamber is configured to store ink therein. The ink cartridge also includes a movable member configured to selectively move within the ink chamber based on an amount of ink within the ink chamber, and a spring positioned within the ink chamber. The spring is configured to urge the film away from the movable member in a predetermined direction. | 03-05-2009 |
20090058964 | INK CARTRIDGE ASSEMBLIES - An ink cartridge assembly includes an ink cartridge including a body defining an ink chamber therein, and a sealing member. The body has an opening formed therethrough, and an interior of the ink chamber is configured to be in fluid communication with an exterior of the ink chamber via the opening. The sealing member is configured to close the opening. The ink cartridge assembly also includes a cover member including a first portion configured to engage the body, and a second portion. The cover member is configured to cover the opening when the first portion engages the body. When the second portion moves the second portion is configured to apply a force to the sealing member to move the sealing member away from the opening to facilitate fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of the ink chamber, and to disengage the first portion from the body. | 03-05-2009 |
20090073199 | INK CARTRIDGE DETERMINATION SYSTEMS AND INK CARTRIDGES - An ink cartridge determination system includes a cartridge mounting portion, an optical sensor positioned at the cartridge mounting portion, at least one ink cartridge configured to be inserted into the cartridge mounting portion, and a determiner. The optical sensor includes a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element. The optical sensor is configured to selectively output a first signal and a second signal based on an intensity of the light received by the light-receiving element. The at least one ink cartridge includes a first light altering portion, a second light altering portion, and a light passing portion, which are configured to sequentially intersect a optical path of the optical sensor when the at least one ink cartridge is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion, and the determiner is configured to determine a type of the at least one ink cartridge based on a time profile of a signal outputted from the optical sensor. | 03-19-2009 |
20090079805 | INK CARTRIDGES AND INK SUPPLY SYSTEMS - An ink cartridge has a case which has an ink chamber, a first wall facing an exterior of the case, and a translucent portion at the first wall and having an inner space formed therein continuously with the ink chamber. The ink cartridge has a first movable member positioned in the case, and a second movable member coupled to the case. The first movable member moves relative to an amount of ink stored in the ink chamber, and has a signal blocking portion positioned in the inner space. The second movable member has a second wall that faces the first wall and that has an opening therethrough. The second movable member moves between a first position and a second position. The second wall is closer to the first wall when the second movable member is in the second position than when the second movable member is in the first position. | 03-26-2009 |
20090096848 | INK CARTRIDGES - An ink cartridge includes a frame and a movable member. At least the frame defines an ink chamber therein, and the ink chamber is configured to store ink therein. The movable member is configured to move within the ink chamber in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. The movable member includes a plurality of projections, and each of the plurality of projections extend from a surface of the movable member in one of the first direction and the second direction. | 04-16-2009 |
20090096849 | INK CARTRIDGES AND INK SUPPLY SYSTEMS - An ink cartridge includes an ink tank which includes an ink chamber formed in an interior of the ink tank, and a first wall separating the interior of the ink tank and an exterior of the ink tank, in which the first wall has a first opening formed therethrough. The ink tank also includes a partition wall connected to the first wall. The partition wall defines a first chamber formed therein, and the first chamber is continuous with the first opening. Moreover, the ink tank includes a divider. The first chamber and the ink chamber are in fluid communication via the divider, and when ink flows through the divider from the first chamber to the ink chamber, the divider is configured to divide a first air bubble contained in the ink into a plurality of second air bubbles. Specifically, a size of the first air bubble is greater than a size of each of the plurality of second air bubbles. The ink cartridge also includes a pump configured to selectively force ink into and out of the interior of the ink tank. | 04-16-2009 |
20090135237 | Ink Supply Device - An ink supply device including an ink cartridge for storing an ink; a mounting portion which includes an opening from which the ink cartridge is removable in a direction; an elastic member which urges the ink cartridge accommodated in the mounting portion to the direction; and a lock member. The lock member includes a lock arm including an operating lever provided at a first end thereof, and a lock portion provided at a second end thereof; a supporting mechanism which movably supports the lock arm between a first posture in which the lock portion is disengaged from the engaged portion and a second posture in which the lock portion is engaged with the engaged portion to regulate a movement of the ink cartridge to the direction; and a stopper which is provided in the lock arm and contacts the ink cartridge when the lock arm takes the first posture. | 05-28-2009 |
20090141097 | INK SUPPLY DEVICE - An ink supply device includes a cartridge mounting portion for an ink cartridge. The ink cartridge includes: an ink chamber including a hole; and a cover configured to cover the hole. The cartridge mounting portion includes a cylinder extending in a horizontal direction and is configured to mount thereon the ink cartridge while opening the cover by the cylinder. The cylinder includes a tip surface including: a first contact surface provided in at least an entire first region of the tip surface and configured to contact the cover, the first region being located above an upper end of an inner surface of the cylinder and; a second contact surface provided in a second region of the tip surface other than the first region and configured to contact the cover, and a passage provided in the second region of the tip surface to extend in a radial direction of the cylinder to allow an inner space of the cylinder to communicate with an outside. | 06-04-2009 |
20090244127 | INK-JET PRINTER - An ink-jet printer performs the ordinary jetting operation in which the printing is performed on a printing area of the recording paper while transporting the recording paper frontwardly by transport rollers and the marking jetting operation in which a marking is formed at an edge portion of the recording paper. A control unit of the ink-jet printer allows nozzles to jet liquid droplets therefrom in the marking jetting operation, the liquid droplets having larger volumes as compared with those jetted in the ordinary jetting operation. Therefore, in the marking jetting operation, a larger amount of the ink liquid droplets can be permeated in the thickness direction of the recording paper as compared with the ordinary jetting operation. Accordingly, the marking, which can be easily confirmed from the side of the printing medium, is formed. | 10-01-2009 |
20090244250 | HANDY PRINTER AND MOBILE PHONE PROVIDED WITH THE SAME - A handy printer and a mobile phone based on the use of the same are provided, wherein the printing can be performed on recording paper sheets having various sizes. The handy printer comprises a cover member which is movable between an exposure position at which an ink discharge surface of an ink discharge head is exposable to the outside and a cover position at which the discharge surface is hidden from the outside. When the cover member is positioned at the cover position, the recording is permitted on a recording paper sheet accommodated in a recording paper-accommodating mechanism. When the cover member is positioned at the exposure position, the recording is permitted on a recording medium disposed outside a handy-printer body casing. | 10-01-2009 |
20090256894 | INK CARTRIDGES - A cartridge includes a first member that prevents a first signal, having first intensity, from passing entirely therethrough, wherein one portion of the first signal has a second intensity. A second member either prevents a second signal having a third intensity from entirely passing therethrough, or allows one first portion of the second signal to pass therethrough. The first portion of the second signal has a fourth intensity. The third intensity is greater than the fourth intensity. The first intensity is greater than the second intensity. A third member either prevents the second signal from passing entirely therethrough, or allows either the first portion of the second signal or one second portion of the second signal to pass therethrough. The second portion of the second signal has a fifth intensity. The third intensity is greater than the fifth intensity. An intermediate portion is formed between the second and third member. | 10-15-2009 |
20090256895 | INK CARTRIDGES - An ink cartridge includes a first member that alters a path of a first signal originating at a first position, a second member that alters a path of a second signal when the second member is aligned with each of a second position and a third position, and when the second member alters the path of the second signal, the second member prevents at least a first portion of the second signal from reaching the third position. The second signal originates at the second position and has a first intensity, and the first portion of the second signal has a second intensity. A difference between the first intensity and the second intensity is less than a predetermined intensity value. A third member alters a path of the second signal when the third member is aligned with the second position and the third position. | 10-15-2009 |
20090267986 | LIQUID JETTING APPARATUS - A plurality of ink cartridges are installed to be arranged in a vertical direction. A carriage reciprocates in the vertical direction. An ink-jet head has nozzle rows arranged, in a row in the vertical direction, to be parallel mutually, and the ink cartridge is connected to the nozzle row via a tube. There is provided a vertically long and a stylish liquid jetting apparatus which can be installed vertically even in a narrow area. | 10-29-2009 |
20090322834 | CONTAINER ARRANGEMENTS - A container arrangement includes a packaging arrangement including an ink tank defining an ink chamber therein, in which the ink chamber is configured to store ink therein, and a packaging bag enclosing the ink tank therein. A pressure of an interior of the packaging bag is less than a pressure of an exterior of the packaging bag. The container arrangement also includes an adapter configured to be coupled to the ink tank, and a container enclosing each of the packaging arrangement and the adapter. The adapter is positioned outside the packaging bag. | 12-31-2009 |
20090322835 | INK CARTRIDGES - An ink cartridge includes an ink tank defining an ink chamber therein, in which the ink chamber is configured to store ink therein, and an adapter configured to be coupled to the ink tank. The adapter and the ink tank are separate members, and the adapter includes a main body, and an operation portion extending from the main body in a particular direction. When the adapter is coupled to the ink tank, the operation portion extends toward the ink tank and extends further in the particular direction than the ink tank. | 12-31-2009 |
20090322836 | INK CARTRIDGES - An ink cartridge includes an ink tank defining an ink chamber therein, in which the ink chamber is configured to store ink therein, and an adapter configured to be coupled to the ink tank. The adapter and the ink tank are separate members, and the adapter includes a main body having a main body opening formed therein. The main body opening is configured to receive at least a portion of the ink tank therein. The ink cartridge also includes at least one resilient member coupled to the adapter. When the adapter is coupled to the ink tank, the ink tank extends from a first face of the main body in a first direction, and the at least one resilient member extends from a second face of the main body in a second direction opposite the first direction. | 12-31-2009 |
20100110120 | Liquid Jetting Apparatus - A liquid jetting apparatus includes a head having a nozzle which jets a liquid; a drive mechanism which reciprocately moves the head in a vertical direction to move the nozzle in the vertical direction; a nozzle protective member which is arranged in a moving area for the head and which protects the nozzle of the head; a controller which controls the drive mechanism to stop the head at a standby position which faces the nozzle protective member; a liquid container which contains the liquid; and a liquid tube which supplies the liquid to the head, and the liquid container is arranged such that, when the liquid container is filled with the liquid at a maximum capacity thereof, a liquid level of the liquid in the liquid container is same as or lower than a lowermost point of the nozzle in the head stopped at the standby position. | 05-06-2010 |
20120206537 | LIQUID EJECTION APPARATUS - A capping mechanism, which causes an ejection space opposing ejection openings of a liquid ejection head to take either one of a sealed state and a non-sealed state, includes an annular component which surrounds the ejection space in the sealed state and an opposing member which opposes the ejection openings with the ejection space interposed therebetween. A mechanism for supplying humidified air generates humidified air and includes a supply opening and a discharging opening. The supply opening and the discharging opening are positioned to form a humidifying passage such that the humidified air having flown along an inner circumferential surface of a first region of the annular component passes through a gap between the ejection openings and the opposing member and flows along an inner circumferential surface of a second region of the annular component, which opposes the first region. | 08-16-2012 |
20130120493 | Liquid Ejection Apparatus - A liquid ejection apparatus includes a cap, an opposing member opposing an ejection surface of a liquid ejection head which is elongated in one direction, and a cap moving mechanism arranged to move the cap. The cap includes a lip component, a diaphragm, and a holder having a lower linear expansion coefficient and higher rigidity than the lip component. On the elongated portions of the lip component, either first hooks or first receiving portions hooked on the first hooks are formed, whereas the other first hooks or first receiving portions are formed at parts of the holder which parts oppose the elongated portions. The lip component is connected with the holder such that the first hooks hook the first receiving portions in a direction orthogonal to the ejection surface. In the one direction, gaps are formed between the first hooks and the first receiving portions. | 05-16-2013 |
20130293614 | INK-JET PRINTER - An ink-jet printer including: an ink supply portion; a transport mechanism; an ink-jet head; an inverting mechanism; and a controller is provided. The controller is configured to control the ink-jet head to perform an ordinary jetting operation and a marking jetting operation, and is configured to control the ink-jet head and the inverting mechanism such that only the ordinary jetting operation is performed on the one surface of the printing medium without performing the marking jetting operation, and the marking jetting operation is performed on the other surface of the printing medium after inverting the printing medium with the inverting mechanism. | 11-07-2013 |
20140063117 | LIQUID EJECTION APPARATUS - A liquid ejection apparatus includes: a head having an ejection face; a capping mechanism including: a separator having a lip member enclosing the head; a facing member facing the ejection face to form an ejection space; and a moving mechanism for moving the lip member between a contact position and a distant position; and a humidifying mechanism including: a humid air producer; a first projecting portion extending along a first side face of the head and extending in a direction away from the first side face; a supply opening defined by the first projecting portion and the separator, for supplying humid air into the ejection space; and an air discharger disposed on an opposite side of the ejection face from the supply opening and configured to discharge air from the ejection space. At least one cutout is formed in an edge portion of the first projecting portion. | 03-06-2014 |
20140292887 | LIQUID EJECTION APPARATUS - A liquid ejection apparatus includes a plurality of liquid ejection heads each comprising a channel member having a plurality of ejection openings, a plurality of channels communicated with the plurality of ejection openings, and a heat body, and a plurality of radiators each provided for each of the plurality of liquid ejection heads. The liquid ejection apparatus further includes a plurality of temperature sensors each provided for each of the plurality of liquid ejection heads and outputting a signal indicating a temperature of the channel member, a heat-resistance change device changing a heat resistance between one of the plurality of radiators and one of the plurality of liquid ejection heads corresponding to the one of the plurality of radiators, and a controller controlling the heat-resistance change device based on the signal outputted from at least one of the plurality of temperature sensors. | 10-02-2014 |