US 8,911,068 B2 · Ink cartridge and image forming apparatus

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device to form an image and an ink cartridge that includes a deformable ink supply bag having an ink supply port; a deformable waste ink collection bag having a fluid gateway; and a cartridge housing to accommodate the deformable ink supply bag and the deformable waste ink collection bag at the same time. A connecting member having a non-return valve is provided to connect the deformable ink supply bag and the deformable waste ink collection bag with each other at a section other than the ink supply port and the fluid gateway. The non-return valve prevents ink from flowing from the waste ink collection bag into the ink supply bag. A non-return valve control mechanism is provided not to operate the non-return valve in an initial state in which the ink supply bag is initially filled with ink.

Claims16

Dependent claims

An ink cartridge comprising:

a deformable ink supply bag having an ink supply port;
a deformable waste ink collection bag having a fluid gateway;
a cartridge housing to accommodate the deformable ink supply bag and the deformable waste ink collection bag together;
and
a connecting member having a non-return valve to connect the deformable ink supply bag and the deformable waste ink collection bag with each other at a section other than the ink supply port and the fluid gateway,
wherein the non-return valve prevents ink from flowing from the waste ink collection bag into the ink supply bag,
wherein the connecting member comprises:
a pressing plate that deforms when contacted by ink;
and
a supporting pin to support the pressing plate closing an opening formed in the non-return valve on a side of the waste ink collection bag, and
wherein the pressing plate that deforms and separates from the connecting member together with the supporting pin when the ink waste contacts the pressing plate.

8 more elements

An image forming apparatus comprising:

an image forming device to form an image;
and
an ink cartridge including:
a deformable ink supply bag having an ink supply port;
a deformable waste ink collection bag having a fluid gateway;
a cartridge housing to accommodate the deformable ink supply bag and the deformable waste ink collection bag together;
and
a connecting member having a non-return valve to connect the deformable ink supply bag and the deformable waste ink collection bag with each other at a section other than the ink supply port and the fluid gateway,
wherein the non-return valve prevents ink from flowing from the waste ink collection bag into the ink supply bag,
wherein the connecting member comprises:
a pressing plate that deforms when contacted by ink;
and
a supporting pin to support the pressing plate closing an opening formed in the non-return valve on a side of the waste ink collection bag,
wherein the pressing plate that deforms and separates from the connecting member together with the supporting pin when the ink waste contacts the pressing plate.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Ink cartridge and image forming apparatus

Life of this patent

Ink cartridge and image forming apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16