Ink jet recording unit having an ink tank section containing porous material and a recording head section

An ink jet recording head comprising:

• an ink jet recording head section including an ink discharge port for discharging ink, an ink passage communicating with said ink discharge port and an energy generation element for generating energy utilized for the discharge of ink;
• and
• an ink storage section including an ink holding member for holding ink to be supplied to said ink jet recording section, said ink storage section having a vent hole communicating with atmospheric air, said ink holding member substantially entirely occupying an ink storage space and consisting of a first ink holding member and a second ink holding member, said first ink holding member having a lower porosity and a higher ink holding force than those of said second ink holding member, said first and second ink holding members being disposed in the mentioned order from the side of an ink supply passage for supplying ink from said ink storage section to said ink jet recording head section.

In combination in an ink jet recording apparatus, a carriage and an ink jet recording head, said carriage scanning said ink jet recording head in a main scanning direction according to a recording signal, said ink jet recording head comprising:

• an ink jet recording head section including an ink discharge port for discharging ink, an ink passage communicating with said ink discharge port and an energy generation element for generating energy utilized for the discharge of ink;
• and
• an ink storage section including an ink holding member for holding ink to be supplied to said ink jet recording section, said ink holding member substantially entirely occupying an ink storage space and being comprised of a first ink holding member and a second ink holding member, said first ink holding member having a lower porosity and a higher ink holding force than those of said second ink holding member, said first and second ink holding members being disposed in the mentioned order from the side of an ink supply passage for supplying ink from said ink storage section to said ink jet recording head section.

An ink jet recording head comprising:

• an ink jet recording head section including an ink discharge port for discharging ink, an ink passage communicating with said ink discharge port and an energy generation element for generating energy utilized for the discharge of ink;
• and
• an ink storage section for storing ink to be supplied to said ink jet recording head section, said ink storage section including an ink-repellent member repellent to ink provided in contact with a vent hole and an ink holding member provided on the side of an ink supply port for holding ink, said ink holding member substantially entirely occupying an ink storage space, wherein said ink holding member comprises a first ink holding member and a second ink holding member, said first ink holding member having a lower porosity and a higher ink holding force than those of said second ink holding member, said first and second ink holding members being disposed in the mentioned order from the side of an ink supply passage for supplying ink from said ink storage section to said ink jet recording head section.

An ink jet recording head comprising:

• an ink jet recording head section including an ink discharge port for discharging ink, an ink passage communicating with said ink discharge port and an energy generation element for generating energy utilized for the discharge of ink;
• and
• an ink storage section for storing ink to be supplied to said ink jet recording head section, said ink storage section accommodating an ink-repellent member repellent to ink, a second ink holding member having a high porosity for carrying ink and a first ink holding member having a lower porosity than that of said second ink holding member, said ink-repellent member, second ink holding member and first ink holding member being disposed in the mentioned order from the side of a vent hole communicating the interior of said ink storage section with atmospheric air to an ink supply passage leading to said ink jet recording head, said first ink holding member being in contact with said ink supply passage.

In combination in an ink jet recording apparatus, a carriage and an ink jet recording head, said carriage scanning said ink jet recording head in a main scanning direction according to a recording signal, said ink jet recording head comprising:

• an ink jet recording head section including an ink discharge port for discharging ink, an ink passage communicating with said ink discharge port and an energy generation element for generating energy utilized for the discharge of ink;
• and
• an ink storage section for storing ink to be supplied to said ink jet recording head section, said ink storage section accommodating an ink-repellent member repellent to ink, a second ink holding member having a high porosity for carrying ink and a first ink holding member having a lower porosity than that of said second ink holding member, said ink-repellent member, second ink holding member and first ink holding member being disposed in the mentioned order from the side of a vent hole communicating the interior of said ink storage section with atmosphere to an ink supply passage leading to said ink jet recording head section, said first ink holding member being in contact with said ink supply passage.

An ink jet recording head comprising:

• an ink jet recording head section including an ink discharge port for discharging ink, an ink passage communicating with said ink discharge port and an energy generation element for generating energy utilized for the discharge of ink;
• and
• an ink storage section including an ink holding member for carrying ink, said ink holding member substantially entirely occupying an ink storage section, an ink supply port with ink being supplied therefrom to said ink jet recording head section and a vent hole communicating with atmosphere, said ink storage section having an inner wall surface, said inner wall surface and said ink holding member defining a space therebetween, said inner wall surface being provided with a rib in contact with said ink holding member, said rib extending along the entire periphery of said inner wall surface to divide said space between said inner wall surface and said ink holding member into two divisions, one of said divisions adjacent said vent hole.

In combination in an ink jet recording apparatus, an ink jet recording head and a carriage, said carriage scanning said ink jet recording head in a main scanning direction according to a recording signal, said ink jet recording head comprising:

• an ink jet recording head section including an ink discharge port for discharge ink, an ink passage communicating with said ink discharge port and an energy generation element for generating energy utilized for the discharge of ink;
• and
• an ink storage section including an ink holding member for holding ink, said ink holding member substantially entirely occupying an ink storage region, an ink supply port with ink being supplied therefrom to said ink jet recording head section and a vent hole communicating with atmosphere, said ink storage section having an inner wall surface, said inner wall surface and said ink holding member defining a space therebetween, said inner wall surface being provided with a rib in contact with said ink holding member, said rib extending along the entire periphery of said inner wall surface to divide said space between said inner wall surface and said ink holding member into two divisions, one of said divisions adjacent said ink supply port and the other adjacent said vent hole.

An ink jet head cartridge comprising:

• a recording head section having a discharge port for discharging ink, an ink path communicating with said discharge port and an energy generating element for generating energy utilized for discharging ink;
• and
• an ink containing section having an ink containing member for containing ink to be supplied to said recording head section, wherein said ink containing member is provided in the whole of an ink containing area of said ink containing section and comprises a first ink containing element and a second ink containing element, the porosity of said first ink containing element being lower than that of said second ink containing element and said first ink containing element and said second ink containing element being sequentially arranged in said ink containing section from a side of said ink containing section where ink is supplied to said recording head section.

An ink tank for use in an ink jet recording apparatus comprising a recording head having a discharge port for discharging ink, said ink tank being connected to said recording head to record by supplying ink contained in said ink tank to said recording head and comprising an ink containing member provided along substantially the whole ink containable area of said ink tank, wherein:

• said ink containing member comprises a first ink containing element and a second ink containing element, the porosity of said first ink containing element being lower than that of said second ink containing element;
• and
• said first ink containing element and said second ink containing element are sequentially arranged in said ink tank from a side of said ink tank where ink is supplied to said recording head.