# US 7,607,771 B2 · Ink cartridges > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,607,771 B2 - Document ID: US7607771B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/016,861 - Filed: 2008-01-18 - Published: 2008-05-01 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2005-11-28 - Assignees: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Wataru Sugiyama; Noritsugu Ito; Naokazu Tanahashi; Shingo Ito - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7607771B2 ## CPC - B41J 2/17513: {Inner structure} - B41J 2/17523: {Ink connection} - B41J 2/17553: {Outer structure} - B41J 2/17566: {Ink level or ink residue control} - B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS ## Abstract An ink cartridge includes a first wall, a second wall opposite the first wall, and an ink supply portion positioned at the first wall. The ink cartridge also includes at least one third wall which is substantially perpendicular to each of the first wall and the second wall, a fourth wall which is substantially perpendicular to each of the first wall, the second wall, and the at least one third wall, and a fifth wall opposite the fourth wall. The at least one third wall has a first recess formed therein which is adjacent to and intersects the fourth wall, and the first recess extends from the first wall towards the second wall. Moreover, the at least one third wall has a second recess formed therein which is adjacent to and intersects the fifth wall, and the second recess extends from the first wall towards the second wall. In addition, the fifth wall has a concavity formed therein, and the concavity intersects a portion of the second recess. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An ink cartridge, comprising: a first wall; a second wall opposite the first wall; an ink supply portion positioned at the first wall, wherein the ink supply portion is configured to dispense an ink from an interior of an ink chamber to an exterior of the ink chamber; an air intake portion positioned at the first wall and configured to draw air into the interior of the ink chamber, such that the air contacts the ink within the ink chamber; at least one third wall which is substantially perpendicular to each of the first wall and the second wall; a fourth wall which is substantially perpendicular to each of the first wall, the second wall, and the at least one third wall; and a fifth wall opposite the fourth wall, wherein an area of the at least one third wall is greater than each of an area of the first wall, an area of the second wall, an area of the fourth wall, and an area of the fifth wall, wherein a first recess is formed between the at least one third wall and the fourth wall, and the first recess extends from the first wall towards the second wall, wherein a second recess is formed between the at least one third wall and the fifth wall, and the second recess extends from the first wall towards the second wall, wherein the fifth wall has a concavity formed therein, and an exposed base surface of the concavity intersects and is flush with an exposed base surface of the second recess. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein the at least one third wall has a first length from a first end of the at least one third wall to a second end of the at least one third wall, and at least a portion of the first recess has a second length which extends from the first end of the at least one third wall adjacent to the first wall towards the second end of the at least one third wall adjacent to the second wall, wherein the first length is greater than the second length. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The ink cartridge of claim 2, wherein a width of the first recess at the first end of the at least one third wall is less than a width of the recess adjacent to the second end of the at least one third wall. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The ink cartridge of claim 3, wherein the concavity is V-shaped. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein the concavity is V-shaped. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein the second recess extends from the first wall up to the second wall. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The ink cartridge of claim 1, further comprising a translucent portion positioned at the first wall. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The ink cartridge of claim 7, further comprising a signal blocking portion, wherein the translucent portion has an inner space formed therein, and the signal blocking portion is disposed within the inner space of the translucent portion, wherein the signal blocking portion is configured to move within the inner space of the translucent portion based at least on an amount of ink disposed within the ink chamber. ### Claim 9 An ink cartridge, comprising: a first wall; a second wall opposite the first wall; an ink supply portion positioned at the first wall, wherein the ink supply portion is configured to dispense an ink from an interior of an ink chamber to an exterior of the ink chamber; an air intake portion positioned at the first wall and configured to draw air into the interior of the ink chamber, such that the air contacts the ink within the ink chamber; at least one third wall which is substantially perpendicular to each of the first wall and the second wall; a fourth wall which is substantially perpendicular to each of the first wall, the second wall, and the at least one third wall; and a fifth wall opposite the fourth wall, wherein an area of the at least one third wall is greater than each of an area of the first wall, an area of the second wall, an area of the fourth wall, and an area of the fifth wall, wherein the at least one third wall comprises a protrusion extending therefrom adjacent to the fourth wall, and a particular recess is formed between the at least one third wall and the fifth wall, wherein the particular recess extends from the first wall towards the second wall, and the fifth wall has a concavity formed therein, wherein an exposed base surface of the concavity intersects and is flush with an exposed base surface of the particular recess. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The ink cartridge of claim 9, wherein the at least one third wall has a further recess formed therein which is adjacent to and intersects the fourth wall, and the further recess extends from the first wall towards the second wall, wherein the protrusion extends from the further recess. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The ink cartridge of claim 10, wherein the at least one third wall has a first length from a first end of the at least one third wall to a second end of the at least one third wall, and at least a portion of the further recess has a second length which extends from the first end of the at least one third wall adjacent to the first wall towards the second end of the at least one third wall adjacent to the second wall, wherein the first length is greater than the second length. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The ink cartridge of claim 11, wherein a width of the further recess at the first end of the at least one third wall is less than a width of the further recess adjacent to the second end of the at least one third wall. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The ink cartridge of claim 12, wherein the concavity is V-shaped. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The ink cartridge of claim 9, wherein the concavity is V-shaped. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The ink cartridge of claim 9, wherein the particular recess extends from the first wall up to the second wall. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The ink cartridge of claim 9, further comprising a translucent portion positioned at the first wall. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The ink cartridge of claim 16, further comprising a signal blocking portion, wherein the translucent portion has an inner space formed therein, and the signal blocking portion is disposed within the inner space of the translucent portion, wherein the signal blocking portion is configured to move within the inner space of the translucent portion based at least on an amount of ink disposed within the ink chamber.