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US 7,029,103 B2Granted
Ink cartridge for ink jet printer
AssigneeSeiko Epson Corporation
InventorYuji Iida
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An ink cartridge for an ink jet printer is provided with a container having at least a first wall. An ink supply port is formed through the first wall for supplying ink to the exterior of the container. An ink chamber and an ink supply chamber are formed by a membrane valve seat made of an elastic thin membrane and formed with a through hole therethrough. A valve body is positioned opposing the through hole formed in the membrane valve seat, the valve body and membrane valve seat adjacent said through hole formed therein being maintained selectively in contact by a pressure difference between said ink chamber and said ink supply chamber.
Claims53
An ink cartridge for detachable mounting to an ink jet recording apparatus, comprising:
- a container for supplying ink to the ink jet recording apparatus, the container having a plurality of outer walls and an internal divider having an opening therethrough, the internal divider dividing the container into an ink chamber and an ink supply chamber, the internal divider having (i) a first side facing toward the ink chamber and (ii) a second side facing toward the ink supply chamber, and an ink supply port through which ink flows to the ink jet recording apparatus;
- and
- an elastically deformable valve seat having therein a movable central portion having a through hole having a perimeter and an outer portion surrounding the central portion, the outer portion contacting and being fixed to a portion of the container, the valve seat being mounted relative to the internal divider so that the perimeter of the through hole contacts and is urged against, and the through hole is obstructed by, a portion of the internal divider, the obstructed through hole being offset from the outer portion of the valve seat,
- wherein the mounted valve seat is deformed because of contact with the portion of the internal divider, and
- wherein the valve seat only contacts the internal divider at the through hole and the outer portion.
2 more elements
An ink cartridge for detachable mounting to an ink jet recording apparatus, comprising:
- a container for supplying ink to the ink jet recording apparatus, the container having a plurality of outer walls and a valve assembly wall having an opening therethrough, the valve assembly wall dividing the container into an ink chamber and an ink supply chamber, the valve assembly wall having (i) a first side facing toward the ink chamber and (ii) a second side facing toward the ink supply chamber, the second side having a projection extending toward the ink supply chamber, and an ink supply port through which ink flows to the ink jet recording apparatus;
- and
- an elastically deformable valve seat having therein a movable central portion having a through hole having a perimeter and an outer portion surrounding the central portion, the outer portion contacting and being fixed to a portion of the container, the valve seat being mounted relative to the valve assembly wall and deformed by the projection so that the perimeter of the through hole contacts and is urged against, and the through hole is obstructed by, the projection, the obstructed through hole being offset from the outer portion of the valve seat,
- wherein the valve seat only contacts the valve assembly wall at the through hole and the outer portion.
1 more element
A method of controlling ink flow in an ink cartridge for detachable mounting to an ink jet recording apparatus, comprising the steps of:
- providing a container for supplying ink to the ink jet recording apparatus, the container having a plurality of outer walls and an internal divider having an opening therethrough, the internal divider dividing the container into an ink chamber and an ink supply chamber, the internal divider having (i) a first side facing toward the ink chamber and (ii) a second side facing toward the ink supply chamber, and an ink supply port through which ink flows to the ink jet recording apparatus;
- mounting, relative to the internal divider, an elastically deformable valve seat having therein a movable central portion having a through hole having a perimeter and an outer portion surrounding the central portion, the outer portion contacting and being fixed to a portion of the container, so that the perimeter of the through hole contacts and is urged against, and the through hole is obstructed by, a portion of the internal divider, the obstructed through hole being offset from the outer portion of the valve seat;
- and
- deforming the mounted valve seat through contact with the portion of the internal dividers,
- wherein the valve seat only contacts the internal divider at the through hole and the outer portion.
2 more elements
A method of controlling ink flow in an ink cartridge for detachable mounting to an ink jet recording apparatus, comprising the steps of:
- providing a container for supplying ink to the ink jet recording apparatus, the container having a plurality of outer walls and a valve assembly wall having an opening therethrough, the valve assembly wall dividing the container into an ink chamber and an ink supply chamber, the valve assembly wall having (i) a first side facing toward the ink chamber and (ii) a second side facing toward the ink supply chamber, the second side having a projection extending toward the ink supply chamber, and an ink supply port through which ink flows to the ink jet recording apparatus;
- mounting, relative to the valve assembly wall, an elastically deformable valve seat having therein a movable central portion having a through hole having a perimeter and an outer portion surrounding the central portion, the outer portion contacting and being fixed to a portion of the container, so that the perimeter of the through hole contacts and is urged against, and the through hole is obstructed by, the projection, the obstructed through hole being offset from the outer portion of the valve seat;
- and
- deforming the valve seat owing to the position of the projection,
- wherein the valve seat only contacts the valve assembly wall at the through hole and the outer portion.
2 more elements
An ink cartridge for detachable mounting to an ink jet recording apparatus, comprising:
- a container for supplying ink to the ink jet recording apparatus, the container having a plurality of outer walls and a valve assembly wall having an opening therethrough, the valve assembly wall dividing the container into an ink chamber and an ink supply chamber, the valve assembly wall having (i) a first side facing toward the ink chamber and (ii) a second side facing toward the ink supply chamber, and an ink supply port through which ink flows to the ink jet recording apparatus, the second side having an integral projection;
- and
- an elastically deformable valve seat having therein a movable central portion having a through hole having a perimeter and an outer portion surrounding the central portion, the outer portion contacting and being fixed to a portion of the container, the valve seat being mounted relative to the valve assembly wall and deformed by the integral projection so that the perimeter of the through hole contacts and is urged against, and the through hole is obstructed by, the second side, the obstructed through hole being offset from the outer portion of the valve seat,
- wherein the valve seat only contacts the valve assembly wall at the through hole and the outer portion.
1 more element
A method of controlling ink flow in an ink cartridge for detachable mounting to an ink jet recording apparatus, comprising the steps of:
- providing a container for supplying ink to the ink jet recording apparatus, the container having a plurality of outer walls and a valve assembly wall having an opening therethrough, the valve assembly wall dividing the container into an ink chamber and an ink supply chamber, the valve assembly wall having (i) a first side facing toward the ink chamber and (ii) a second side facing toward the ink supply chamber, and an ink supply port through which ink flows to the ink jet recording apparatus, the second side having an integral projection;
- mounting, relative to the valve assembly wall, an elastically deformable valve seat having therein a movable central portion having a through hole having a perimeter and an outer portion surrounding the central portion, the outer portion contacting and being fixed to a portion of the container, so that the perimeter of the through hole contacts and is urged against, and the through hole is obstructed by, the integral projection, the obstructed through hole being offset from the outer portion of the valve seat;
- and
- deforming the mounted valve seat owing to the position of the integral projection,
- wherein the valve seat only contacts the valve assembly wall at the through hole and the outer portion.
2 more elements
An ink jet recording apparatus, comprising:
- a print head unit;
- an ink cartridge comprising;
- a container for supplying ink to the print head, the container having a plurality of outer walls and an internal divider having an opening therethrough, the internal divider dividing the container into an ink chamber and an ink supply chamber, the internal divider having (i) a first side facing toward the ink chamber and (ii) a second side facing toward the ink supply chamber, and an ink supply port through which ink flows to the ink jet recording apparatus;
- and
- an elastically deformable valve scat having therein a movable central portion having a through hole having a perimeter and an outer portion surrounding the central portion, the outer portion contacting and being fixed to a portion of the container, the valve seat being mounted relative to the internal divider so that the perimeter of the through hole contacts and is urged against, and the through hole is obstructed by, a portion of the internal divider, the obstructed through hole being offset from the outer portion of the valve seat,
- wherein the mounted valve seat is deformed because of contact with the portion of the internal divider, and
- wherein the valve seat only contacts the internal divider at the through hole and the outer portion, and
- a connecting member placing said print head unit in fluid communication with said ink cartridge,
- wherein ink in the ink cartridge can flow through the connecting member to the print head unit.
6 more elements
An ink jet recording apparatus, comprising:
- a print head unit;
- an ink source for supplying ink to the ink jet recording apparatus, the ink source including;
- an ink cartridge comprising;
- a container for supplying ink to the print head, the container having a plurality of outer walls and an internal divider having an opening therethrough, the internal divider dividing the container into an ink chamber and an ink supply chamber, the internal divider having (i) a first side facing toward the ink chamber and (ii) a second side facing toward the ink supply chamber, and an ink supply port through which ink flows to the ink jet recording apparatus;
- and
- an elastically deformable valve seat having therein a movable central portion having a through hole having a perimeter and an outer portion surrounding the central portion, the outer portion contacting and being fixed to a portion of the container, the valve seat being mounted relative to the internal divider so that the perimeter of the through hole contacts and is urged against, and the through hole is obstructed by, a portion of the internal divider, the obstructed through hole being offset from the outer portion of the valve seat,
- wherein the mounted valve seat is deformed because of contact with the portion of the internal divider, and
- wherein the valve seat only contacts the internal divider at the through hole and the outer portion;
- and
- a connecting member placing said print head unit in fluid communication with said ink cartridge,
- wherein ink in the container can flow through the connecting member to the print head unit.
8 more elements
An ink jet recording apparatus, comprising:
- a print head unit;
- an ink supply;
- an ink cartridge mounted in the ink jet recording apparatus, the ink cartridge comprising;
- a container for supplying ink to the print head, the container having a plurality of outer walls and an internal divider having an opening therethrough, the internal divider dividing the container into an ink chamber and an ink supply chamber, the internal divider having (i) a first side facing toward the ink chamber and (ii) a second side facing toward the ink supply chamber, and an ink supply port through which ink flows to the ink jet recording apparatus;
- and
- an elastically deformable valve seat having therein a movable central portion having a through hole having a perimeter and an outer portion surrounding the central portion, the outer portion contacting and being fixed to a portion of the container, the valve seat being mounted relative to the internal divider so that the perimeter of the through hole contacts and is urged against, and the through hole is obstructed by, a portion of the internal divider, the obstructed through hole being offset from the outer portion of the valve seat,
- wherein the mounted valve seat is deformed because of contact with the portion of the internal divider, and
- wherein the valve seat only contacts the internal divider at the through hole and the outer portion;
- and
- a connecting member placing said print head unit in fluid communication with said enclosure,
- wherein ink in the container can flow through the connecting member to the print head unit.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.