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US 7,682,007 B2Granted
Ink cartridges
AssigneeBrother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
InventorToyonori Sasaki
Life of this patent
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AssigneeBrother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
InventorToyonori Sasaki
Estimating the term…
An ink cartridge includes a movable member which includes a sliding member and a float portion. The sliding member includes a signal blocking portion, and the signal blocking portion is configured to move in a first direction from a first position within a translucent portion to a second position based on the amount of ink within the ink chamber. Moreover, the float portion is operationally coupled to the sliding member, and the float portion is disposed within the ink chamber. The float portion is configured to move independent of the first portion in a second direction from a third position to a fourth position based on the amount of ink within the ink chamber. For example, the second direction may be substantially perpendicular to the first direction or may be slanted with respect to the first direction.
An ink cartridge, comprising:
An ink cartridge, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
Ink cartridges: inner structure
Mounting within the printer: ink connection
Ink cartridges: outer structure
Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor: ink level or ink residue control
About 1 year 1 month of term left · ends 16 Nov 2027 (estimated)
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to ink cartridges. In particular, the present invention is directed towards ink cartridges which may be used in combination with printers.
2. Description of Related Art
For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the needs satisfied thereby, and the features and technical advantages thereof, reference now is made to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 a perspective view of an ink cartridge, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is side view of the ink cartridge of FIG. 1.
Embodiments of the present invention and their features and technical advantages may be understood by referring to FIGS. 1-6, like numerals being used for like corresponding portions in the various drawings.
Referring to FIG. 1, an ink cartridge 1 may comprise a main body 10 which may have a shallow box shape and may have a bottom with a main opening 11, and a lid 50 which may be configured to close main opening 11 of main body 10. Main body 10 and lid 50 may form a case 60, e.g., a case having a truncated rectangular shape. Ink cartridge 1 also may comprise an ink chamber 61 which may be positioned within case 60 and may store ink therein, and a movable member 70 which may be positioned within ink chamber 61. Main body 10 and lid 50 may comprise a resin material, e.g., polypropylene, and may be manufactured using an injection molding. Moreover, ink cartridge 1 may comprise an ink supply portion 120 for supplying ink from an interior of ink chamber 61 to an exterior of ink chamber 61, and an air intake portion 130 for drawing air into ink chamber 61. Ink supply portion 120 and air intake portion 130 may be formed on the same side surface.
An ink outlet 20 may be formed on the bottom side of wall which faces main opening 11, which may be connected to ink chamber 61, and an air connection path 30 may be formed on the top side, which may be connected to ink chamber 61. Ink outlet 20 and air connection path 30 each may have a tube shape which extends along the longitudinal direction, and a portion of an ink supply mechanism 80 may be inserted within ink outlet 20. Moreover, a portion of an air intake mechanism 90 may be inserted within air connection path 30.