Incremental printing of symbolic information – Ink jet – Fluid or fluid source handling means
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-24
2001-06-19
Le, N. (Department: 2861)
Incremental printing of symbolic information
Ink jet
Fluid or fluid source handling means
Reexamination Certificate
active
06247805
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ink jet printer in which an ink cartridge is used as an ink reservoir from which ink is supplied for printing, and relates particularly to a mechanism for inserting an ink cartridge to such an ink jet printer.
2. Description of the Related Art
One common mechanism for inserting an ink cartridge to an ink jet printer (“ink cartridge insertion mechanism” below) requires sliding an ink cartridge into position on a holder such that an ink outlet piece in the ink cartridge is pierced though by an ink supply needle disposed in the ink cartridge holder of the ink jet printer.
An ink cartridge insertion mechanism of this type is disclosed in, for example, Japan Unexamined Patent Publication (kokai) H5-16378 (1993-16378), which was also filed by the present inventors. The ink cartridge used with the ink cartridge insertion mechanism disclosed in the cited publication comprises a flexible ink bag filled with ink, an ink outlet piece formed in the ink bag, and a rectangular, rigid plastic case for holding the ink bag. The ink outlet piece of the ink bag is exposed at one side, more specifically at the front end, of the plastic case. The ink cartridge is thus slid horizontally into the ink cartridge holder so that the ink supply needle in the holder is inserted to the ink outlet piece.
When an ink cartridge is not mounted on the holder with this type of ink cartridge insertion mechanism, the ink supply needle is exposed in the opening in the holder through which the ink cartridge is inserted.
A potential problem with this construction, however, is that exposure of the unprotected tip of the ink supply needle can be dangerous because the tip is typically sharp, and can also subject the needle to damage when something is dropped thereon from the insertion opening in the holder.
To prevent the above-noted problems, the above-cited document teaches an ink cartridge insertion mechanism having a shutter disposed to the ink cartridge holder. This shutter opens when an ink cartridge is inserted to the opening, and closes again when the ink cartridge holder is removed such that when the ink cartridge is not installed the shutter isolates and protects the ink supply needle.
Ink jet printers that supply ink from an ink cartridge to the ink jet head after the ink cartridge has been loaded with the ink supply needle on the holder inserted to the ink outlet piece of the cartridge are generally factory tested for normal printer operation by actually loading an ink cartridge and printing. When the printing test is completed, the ink cartridge is removed and printers that have passed the test are then shipped.
It will be obvious that this test method leaves an amount of ink in the ink supply path after the initial printing test. There is thus the possibility that this residual ink will leak from the tip of the ink supply needle during shipping. Such leakage can soil the area around the needle which is not desirable, and this soiling can lead to customer complaints.
There is therefore a need for an ink cartridge insertion mechanism for an ink jet printer whereby residual ink leaked from the ink supply needle when an ink cartridge is not installed can be collected.
There is a further need for an ink cartridge insertion mechanism for an ink jet printer whereby residual ink leaked from the ink supply needle when an ink cartridge is not installed can be collected, and the ink supply needle can also be protected.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, it is an object of the invention to overcome the aforementioned problems.
An object of the present invention is to provide an ink cartridge insertion mechanism for an ink jet printer wherein the ink cartridge insertion mechanism has a movable ink absorption member for absorbing ink leaking from an ink supply needle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, an ink jet printer is provided in which the ink cartridge insertion mechanism is typically used commonly has an ink cartridge receiver to which an ink cartridge is installed by inserting the ink cartridge axially to an ink supply needle so that the ink supply needle is inserted to an ink outlet piece in the ink cartridge.
The ink absorption member of the ink cartridge insertion mechanism is normally held in an ink absorption position when an ink cartridge is not installed. When an ink cartridge is inserted and installed, the ink absorption member moves in conjunction with the ink cartridge insertion operation to a retracted position at which there is no interference with ink cartridge insertion.
With an ink cartridge insertion mechanism for an ink jet printer according to the present invention, the ink absorption member is positioned to absorb any ink that leaks from the ink supply needle whenever an ink cartridge is not installed in the printer. Ink leaking from the ink supply needle is thus collected by the ink absorption member, and the area around the ink supply needle will not be soiled by leaking ink. When an ink cartridge is inserted, the ink absorption member is moved in conjunction with ink cartridge insertion to a retracted position whereat the ink absorption member does not interfere with ink cartridge insertion. Providing an ink absorption member therefore does not create any inconvenience or problem with inserting and installing an ink cartridge.
The ink absorption member of the present invention is preferably also used as a means for protecting the ink supply needle so that the ink supply needle cannot be directly touched when an ink cartridge is not installed.
The ink absorption member further preferably comprises an ink absorption material and a pivot plate for supporting the ink absorption material. The pivot plate is pivotally mounted in the ink cartridge receiver so that it can pivot between the ink absorption position and the retracted position.
A spring is preferably provided there for applying a resilient force to the pivot plate as a means of constantly urging and holding the pivot plate to the ink absorption position. When an ink cartridge is inserted using an ink cartridge insertion mechanism thus comprised, the ink cartridge pushes the pivot plate against the force of the spring, and thereby moves the ink absorption material attached to the pivot plate to the retracted position.
The pivot plate further preferably has a slit through which the ink supply needle can pass when the pivot plate moves to the ink absorption position, and the ink absorption material is attached to a back side of the pivot plate. The ink absorption material also has a recessed channel at a position corresponding to the slit for accepting an ink supply needle passed through the slit.
When thus comprised, the ink supply needle is effectively protected from the outside by the pivot plate and ink absorption material when it is inserted to the recessed channel in the ink absorption material. As a result, the ink absorption material can both absorb any ink that leaks from the tip of the ink supply needle, and can protect the ink supply needle, when an ink cartridge is not installed.
To move the ink absorption member in conjunction with insertion of an ink cartridge, the pivot plate further preferably comprises at a leading edge thereof an engaging part that is pushed toward the retracted position by an ink cartridge when the ink cartridge is being inserted.
Other objects and attainments together with a fuller understanding of the invention will become apparent and appreciated by referring to the following description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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patent
Le N.
Nghiem Michael
Seiko Epson Corporation
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