Incremental printing of symbolic information – Ink jet – Ejector mechanism
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-13
2002-01-08
Le, N. (Department: 2861)
Incremental printing of symbolic information
Ink jet
Ejector mechanism
Reexamination Certificate
active
06336709
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART
The present invention relates to a replaceable ink tank for an ink cartridge that is useable with an ink jet recording apparatus for recording images on recording mediums by means of ejecting ink thereon. It also relates to such an ink jet recording apparatus comprising: an ink container for storing the recording ink; an ink container holder for removably holding the ink container, a carriage which removably holds the recording head, and is moved in a manner of scanning the recording medium, in terms of the relative movement between the carriage and recording medium.
Conventionally, the recording apparatus, which records images on a recording medium (hereinafter, it may be called “recording paper”) such as paper, fabric, plastic sheet, OHP sheet, or the like, has been proposed in the form of an apparatus capable of accommodating recording heads of various systems; for example, the wire-dot system, thermal system, thermal transfer system, and ink jet system.
Among such recording systems, the ink jet system is a quiet non-impact system, which records images on the recording medium by means of ejecting ink from ejection orifices (nozzles) aligned on a recording element. Therefore, recording apparatuses employing this ink jet system (hereinafter, an ink jet recording apparatus) can record with high density at a high speed.
The form of the ink jet recording apparatus is chosen to accommodate specific functions of a system in which the recording apparatus is employed, and also to match the way it is used. Generally speaking, the ink jet recording apparatus comprises: a carriage for mounting the recording ink container; conveying means for conveying the recording medium; and controlling means for controlling these sections.
When recording, a recording head which ejects ink droplets from a plurality of ejection orifices is moved in the direction (primary scanning direction) perpendicular to the direction (secondary scanning direction) in which the recording paper is conveyed, in a manner of serially scanning the recording medium. When not recording, that is, during the intervals between one line of the primary scanning and the following one, the recording medium is moved in the secondary scanning direction by a pitch equivalent to the recording width. Each time the recording head makes a single line of scanning run across the recording medium, a recording is made on the recording medium across a width corresponding to the number of nozzles aligned in the recording head in parallel to the secondary scanning direction.
Further, the ink jet recording apparatus is inexpensive to run, and its size can be easily reduced. In addition, it can be easily used with a plurality of color inks to record color images. Lastly, it can record at a high speed. In particular, when a line-type recording apparatus employing a line-type recording head, in which a large number of ejection orifices are aligned across the entire width of the recording medium, is used, the recording speed can be increased to a higher level.
Thus, the ink jet recording apparatus is used, being commercialized, as output means for information processing systems. For example, it is used as a printer as a peripheral output device for a copying machine, an electric typewriter, a word processor, a work station, and the like, or as a printer (or a portable printer) for a personal computer, a host computer, an optical disc apparatus, a video apparatus, and the like.
In terms of an energy generating element for generating the energy to be used for ejecting the ink from the ejection orifices of the recording head, there are: the ink jet recording heads employing electromechanical transducers such as piezoelectric elements; those employing electromagnetic devices such as a laser that irradiates electromagnetic wave to generate the heat to be used for ejecting the ink droplets; those employing electrothermal transducers comprising heat generating resistors to be used for heating the liquid; and the like.
Among the ink jet recording heads described in the foregoing, those employing the ink jet recording system that uses thermal energy to eject the ink droplets can record with high resolution (bubble jet printers), since the ejection orifices thereof can be aligned with high density. In particular, those employing the electrothermal elements as the energy generating elements enjoy several advantages in that their size can be easily reduced; they can be highly integrated, and their production cost is lower, since they can make full use of the highly advanced, reliable IC and microprocessing technologies, which have been developed in the semiconductor field.
The ink container for supplying the ink to the recording head generally comprises an ink absorbing member, container for storing this ink absorbing member, and a cover member for sealing this container.
The aforementioned recording heads can be classified into two groups: a chip type head integral with the ink container, and a separate type head removably connectable to the ink container. In either type, the positional relationship between the recording head and ink container, or between a recording head cartridge comprising the recording head and ink container integral therewith, and the carriage, is an essential matter in terms of printing quality. One of the means for fixing their relationship comprises a hole, and a pin that engages into the hole, wherein the positional relationship can be accurately fixed as the hole and pin are engaged.
In the case of a small ink jet recording apparatus, a mechanism comprising a lever or the like, which is operated for moving the ink container or recording head cartridge in various directions, has been employed as a mechanism for fixing the aforementioned positional relationship between the recording head and ink container, or between the recording head cartridge and carriage, so that the installation or removal thereof requires a smaller space than otherwise.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The aforementioned mechanism, which moves the ink container or recording head cartridge in various directions during installation or removal thereof, requires only a small space for the installation or removal, and therefore, contributes to the size reduction of the ink jet recording apparatus. However, its operation for installing or removing the ink container or recording head is relatively complicated. Therefore, it is important to obtain a structure which is small, simple to operate, trouble free during the installing or removing operation, and also does not reduce accuracy in the positional relationship.
Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to provide: an ink container, an ink container holder, and a carriage, which have a simple structure, and simplify the operation for mounting or removing the ink container, without reducing the positioning accuracy, and the sizes of which can be easily reduced; and an ink jet recording apparatus comprising such a carriage.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an ink container which is capable of effectively utilizing the available internal space for storing the ink, has a simple structure, can be mounted or removed through a simple operation, and which is more reliable and durable, and the size of which can be further reduced; and an ink jet recording apparatus comprising such an ink container and a holder for such an ink container.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an ink container structure that improves the ink supplying capacity while allowing the ink container size to be reduced.
From a different point of view, the object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus capable of improving operational properties.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a protective member which makes it possible to protect more reliably the ink container produced in accordance with the present invention, while it is sold or stored.
The present invention was made based on the discovery that the internal struc
Hiramatsu Soichi
Inoue Hiroyuki
Iwasaki Takeshi
Kawakami Hideaki
Kida Akira
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Fitzpatrick ,Cella, Harper & Scinto
Le N.
Nghiem Michael P.
LandOfFree
Ink container for ink jet printer, holder for the container... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Ink container for ink jet printer, holder for the container..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Ink container for ink jet printer, holder for the container... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2852850