Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080297576 | INK CARTRIDGES - An ink cartridge includes a particular wall, a protruding member extending from the particular wall in a particular direction, a protrusion extending from the particular wall in the particular direction, and an ink chamber configured to store ink therein. The ink cartridge also includes a translucent portion defining an enclosure, an ink supply portion configured to supply ink from an interior of the ink chamber to an exterior of the ink chamber, in which the ink supply portion and the translucent portion are each positioned between the protrusion and the protruding member. The ink cartridge further includes a signal blocking member positioned within the enclosure. Moreover, the signal blocking member is configured to move within the enclosure based at least on an amount of ink disposed within the ink chamber, and the signal blocking member is sandwiched between the at least one pair of wall surfaces. | 12-04-2008 |
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 |
20090141105 | INK CARTRIDGES AND INK SUPPLY SYSTEMS - An ink cartridge includes a case having an ink chamber for storing ink, and a face that faces an exterior of the case and has a first opening formed therethrough, and a wall comprising a chamber formed therein. The wall extends from a portion of the face, and the portion surrounds the first opening. The wall supplies ink from the ink chamber to the exterior of the case via the chamber. The ink cartridge also has a cap having a second opening formed therethrough. The cap has an inner surface covering an outer surface of the wall, and a groove formed in the inner surface of the cap and extending to the second opening. The chamber is in fluid communication with the exterior of the case via the second opening. | 06-04-2009 |
20100238241 | LIQUID CONTAINERS - A liquid container includes an air introduction portion including an air introduction chamber, a first path through which the air introduction chamber is configured to communicate with a liquid chamber, a second path extending from the air introduction chamber and is opened to an exterior of an container body, an air communication path through which the air introduction chamber is configured to communicate with the exterior of the container body, a valve member comprising a first valve and a second valve, the valve member being movable, such that when the first valve closes the first path the second valve opens the second path, and when the second valve closes the second path the first valve opens the first path, and an urging member configured to urge the valve member in such a direction that the first valve closes the first path and the second valve opens the second path. | 09-23-2010 |
20100245501 | LIQUID CONTAINERS - A liquid container includes a liquid chamber configured to store liquid, and a float positioned in the liquid chamber and configured to move according to a change in a level of a liquid surface in the liquid chamber. The float includes a liquid-retaining portion configured to retain liquid therein, and at least a portion of the liquid-retaining portion is positioned above the liquid surface when a portion of the float is positioned above the liquid surface. | 09-30-2010 |
20130162729 | CARTRIDGE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THEREOF - A cartridge includes a main body having a chamber formed therein for receiving an imaging material, a circuit board having a first opening and a second opening formed through the circuit board, and an electrode disposed on the circuit board. The main body includes a support surface that supports the circuit board; a first protrusion and a second protrusion protruding from the support surface, such that a portion of the first protrusion is disposed in the first opening of the circuit board and a portion of the second protrusion is disposed in the second opening of the circuit board, and a third protrusion protruding from the support surface. A portion of the third protrusion contacts a first surface of the circuit board facing away from the support surface. A method for manufacturing the cartridge. | 06-27-2013 |
20130162730 | CARTRIDGE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THEREOF - A cartridge includes a main body with a chamber formed therein that receives an imaging material, a circuit board having at least one opening formed through the circuit board; and an electrode disposed on the circuit board. The main body includes a support surface that supports the circuit board, a first protrusion protruding from the support surface and that contacting a first surface of the circuit board. The first surface of the circuit board extends in a direction perpendicular to the support surface. The main body also includes a second protrusion protruding from the support surface and disposed in the at least one opening. The second protrusion includes an end portion that covers a portion of the circuit board. In addition, a method for manufacturing the cartridge. | 06-27-2013 |
20130162731 | CARTRIDGE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THEREOF - A cartridge includes a main body having a chamber formed therein and configured to receive an imaging material, a circuit board having a first opening and a second opening formed through the circuit board, and an electrode disposed on the circuit board. The main body includes a support surface that supports the circuit board, a first protrusion and a second protrusion protruding from the support surface, such that a portion of the first protrusion is disposed in the first opening of the circuit board and a portion of the second protrusion is disposed in the second opening of the circuit board, a third protrusion protruding from the support surface adjacent to the circuit board; and a fixing element that contacts a portion of the circuit board and a portion of the third protrusion to affix the circuit board to the support surface of the main body. | 06-27-2013 |
20140168324 | PRINTING FLUID SUPPLY DEVICE AND PRINTING FLUID CARTRIDGE - A printing fluid cartridge includes a cartridge body, an electric interface, and a support member at which the electric interface is provided. The cartridge body is configured to hold the support member, such that the support member is movable relative to the cartridge body. A cartridge mounting portion includes a sandwiching portion configured to sandwich the support member. | 06-19-2014 |
20140168325 | Ink Cartridge Provided with Air Communication Portion - An ink cartridge includes a cartridge body, an ink supply portion and an air communication portion provided at the cartridge body, a block member and a slider. The air communication portion has an inner peripheral wall defining an air passage, and a communication port for allowing communication between an ink chamber and the air passage. The block member moves from a first position to a second position by contact with the slider sliding in a sliding direction to block and open the air passage. The slider includes: a first cylindrical portion having an upstream through-hole penetrating therethrough; a second cylindrical portion having a downstream through-hole penetrating therethrough and communicating with the upstream through-hole; and a semipermeable membrane closing the upstream through-hole. The slider has a contact portion in close contact with the inner peripheral wall and positioned upstream of the block member at the first position in the sliding direction. | 06-19-2014 |
20140285590 | Print Fluid Cartridge Having Print Fluid Supply Portion, and Print Fluid Supplying Apparatus - A print fluid cartridge has a print fluid supply portion integrally formed with a cartridge body and including a cylindrical side wall protruding outwardly from the cartridge body. At least a portion of a tubular member is disposed in the print fluid supply portion with a gap formed between the cylindrical side wall and a portion of the tubular member disposed in the print fluid supply portion. An elastic member is provided in the print fluid supply portion between a first end of the tubular member and a protruding-end wall of the print fluid supply portion, and is formed with a through-hole. A lid body is disposed in the tubular member to move between a first position and a second position. An urging member is disposed in the tubular member to urge the lid body in a direction toward the first position. | 09-25-2014 |