HK1080802A - Ink cartridge and ink-jet recording apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Ink cartridge and ink jet recording apparatus

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a recording apparatus in which an ink cartridge is loaded into a carriage in the recording apparatus, and ink is supplied to an ink jet recording head mounted in the carriage. The present invention also relates to an ink cartridge suitable for such a recording apparatus.

Background

The recording apparatus includes a holding mechanism for preventing movement of an ink container due to movement of a carriage during printing, and for allowing slight movement of the ink container due to external operation, wherein the ink container is detachably mounted on the carriage on which the ink jet recording head is mounted.

As disclosed in japanese patent application JP- ｃA-10-44451, for example, such ｃA holding mechanism is provided such that ｃA projection that engages with the cartridge holder is formed on one side surface of the ink tank, and ｃA pawl is formed on ｃA rotatable lever on the opposite side surface thereof. In a state where the projection is held in engagement with the cartridge holder, the opposite side surface is moved to rotate about the projection until the pawl is engaged with the cartridge holder.

However, a holding mechanism adapted to mount the ink cartridge by rotation of the ink cartridge is not adapted to an ink container forming an ink flow passage through an ink supply needle communicating with the recording head.

That is, since the supply needle has a predetermined length that enables reliable communication with the ink container, the supply needle may be broken by an external force applied in a direction other than the axial direction. Therefore, the ink container must be moved parallel to the longitudinal (axial) direction of the ink supply needle.

Also, as disclosed in japanese patent JP- ｃA-9-11500, there is proposed an ink cartridge in which two elastically deformable levers are formed on respective opposite surfaces of an ink container, each having ｃA claw for engaging with ｃA cartridge holder, so that the ink cartridge can be inserted into and attached to an ink supply needle.

Further, particularly for a recording apparatus which requires no dissolved air in the ink, that is, for a recording apparatus including a recording head which is pressure-sealed to the ink using a piezoelectric device, the ink cartridge is stored in a gas-impermeable film bag in a state of being decompressed.

In this case, atmospheric pressure may exert a great force on the rod through the bag, and the rod may be pressed against the container. If the force is continued for a longer period of time, the rod may creep and the function of the rod as a fixation device may be lost.

Disclosure of Invention

To overcome these disadvantages, it is an object of the present invention to provide an ink cartridge that can be inserted into or removed from an ink supply needle and can be reliably engaged with a pawl of a lever and a cartridge holder regardless of the application of an external force for a long time.

An object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus suitable for such an ink cartridge.

An ink cartridge according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, which has a container that contains ink therein and an ink supply port that communicates with the inside of the container and through which ink is supplied to a recording head when the ink cartridge is mounted on a cartridge holder of a recording apparatus, includes: a lever pivotally attached to a wall of the container for movement toward and away from the wall of the container; a storage device disposed on a wall of the container; the ink cartridge includes a lever, a pawl on the lever, the pawl engaging the cartridge holder, and a protruding guide portion contacting the cartridge holder to guide the lever in a direction to engage the pawl with the cartridge holder.

When the ink cartridge is mounted to the cartridge holder, the lever in the ink cartridge is forcibly pushed outward, and the user is informed that the claw and the cartridge holder are in a reliably engaged state. Also, the claw of the lever and the cartridge holder maintain engagement with a predetermined strength regardless of the elasticity of the lever.

An ink cartridge according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, which has a container that contains ink therein and an ink supply port that communicates with the inside of the container and through which ink is supplied to a recording head when the ink cartridge is mounted on a cartridge holder of a recording apparatus, includes: a lever pivotally attached to a wall of the container for movement toward and away from the wall of the container; a storage device disposed on a wall of the container; the ink cartridge includes a lever, a pawl on the lever, the pawl engaging the cartridge holder, and a protruding guide provided on the lever and contacting the cartridge holder to guide the lever in a direction to engage the pawl with the cartridge holder.

An ink cartridge according to still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, which has a container that contains ink therein and an ink supply port that communicates with an inside of the container and through which ink is supplied to a recording head when the ink cartridge is mounted on a cartridge holder of a recording apparatus, includes: a rod attached at one end to the wall of the container and at the other end being a free end; a storage device disposed on a wall of the container; an engagement portion on the lever, the engagement portion engaging with the cartridge holder, and a guide portion contacting the cartridge holder and guiding the lever to a predetermined position when the ink cartridge is mounted.

An ink cartridge according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, which has a container that contains ink therein and an ink supply port that communicates with the inside of the container and through which ink is supplied to a recording head when the ink cartridge is mounted on a cartridge holder of a recording apparatus, includes: a rod attached at one end to the wall of the container and at the other end being a free end; a storage device disposed on a wall of the container; an engaging portion on the lever that engages with the cartridge holder, and a guide portion provided on the lever and that contacts the cartridge holder and guides the lever to a predetermined position when the ink cartridge is mounted.

An ink cartridge according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention includes: a container storing therein ink, having a front surface, a rear surface, and a stepped bottom surface having an upper step and a flat lower step; a storage device having at least one electrode disposed on a front surface of the container; an ink supply port connectable to the ink supply needle and located at the bottom surface, the ink supply port extending outwardly away from the upper step portion and having a length such that an exposed end of the ink supply port and the flat lower step portion are located in a single plane; and a holder disposed on the front surface of the container and having at least one side edge, the holder having at least one projection extending outwardly in a direction perpendicular to the side edge, the holder having a movable engagement portion which is movable with the projection into a position relative to the front surface of the container.

An ink cartridge according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention includes: a container storing therein ink, having a front surface, a rear surface, side surfaces, and a bottom surface; a storage device having at least one electrode disposed on a front surface of the container; an ink supply port connectable to the ink supply needle and located at the bottom surface, the ink supply port extending outwardly away from the bottom surface; and a holder disposed on the front surface of the container and having at least one side edge, the holder having at least one projection extending outwardly in a direction perpendicular to the side surface, the holder having a movable engagement portion which is movable with the projection relative to the front surface of the container.

The present invention relates to the subject matter contained in Japanese patent application Nos.2001-104526 (filed on 3.4.2001), 2001-206342 (filed on 6.7.2001), 2001-263779 (filed on 31.8.2001), which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Drawings

FIGS. 1A-1C are top, front, and side views of an ink cartridge according to one embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2A and 2B are perspective views of an example of an ink cartridge holder of a recording apparatus adapted to the ink cartridge;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge holder;

fig. 4 is a schematic view showing a state where the ink cartridge is accommodated in the air-impermeable bag;

FIG. 5A is a schematic view showing the ink cartridge in a state of being mounted to the cartridge holder; FIGS. 5B and 5C are enlarged schematic views of the vicinity of the guide portion;

fig. 6A is a schematic view showing an ink cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention in a state where it is taken out from an air-impermeable bag; FIGS. 6B and 6C are enlarged schematic views of the area near the ink cartridge strut; FIG. 6D is a schematic view showing a state in which the ink cartridge is mounted in the ink cartridge holder;

fig. 7A is a schematic view showing an ink cartridge according to still another embodiment of the present invention in a state where it is taken out from an air-impermeable bag; FIGS. 7B and 7C are enlarged schematic views of the area near the ink cartridge strut; FIG. 7D is a schematic view showing a state in which the ink cartridge is mounted to the ink cartridge holder;

fig. 8A is a schematic view showing an ink cartridge according to still another embodiment of the present invention in a state where it is taken out from an air-impermeable bag; FIG. 8B is a schematic view showing a state where the ink cartridge is mounted to the cartridge holder;

FIGS. 9A-9C are top, front, and side views of an ink cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 10 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below while referring to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1A-1C are diagrammatic views of an ink cartridge according to one embodiment of the present invention. The ink cartridge 1 has an ink supply port 3, and the ink supply port 3 is formed in the lower surface of a flat rectangular container 2, communicates with the inside of the container 2, and can be inserted onto an ink supply needle. Also, levers 8 and 9 are formed on the side surfaces 4 and 5 and utilize both sides of the ink supply port, i.e., the lower end portions thereof, as the rotation (pivot) portions 6 and 7. That is, in this embodiment, the levers 8 and 9 rotate about the rotating portions 6 and 7, respectively. It can be considered here that the pivots 6 and 7 preferably constitute "living hinges", which can be constituted by a thinned portion of the bar material.

Handles 10 and 11, which may be contoured, are formed at the upper ends of the levers 8 and 9, and pawls 12 and 13 are formed at the middle portions of the levers 8 and 9 for engagement with a cartridge holder 30 of a recording apparatus, which will be described later. Also, a protruding guide portion 14 is formed between the rotating portion 6 and the jaws 12, and a protruding guide portion 15 is formed between the rotating portion 7 and the jaws 13. The projecting guides 14 and 15 are pushed apart in the opening direction a, a' while engaging with the guides 35, 36 of the cartridge holder 30 (fig. 5). Although other shapes may be used, the protruding guide 14 is preferably drop-shaped in cross-section such that its lower end is slightly tapered, while the other protruding guide 15 is circular in cross-section.

Protruding stops 16 and 17 are formed on the sides 4 and 5 of the container 2 and are in a position opposite the jaws 12 and 13. The amount of projection of the stoppers 16 and 17 is set to have such an angle as to allow the levers 8 and 9 to move toward the container 2, thereby separating the claws 12, 13 from the cartridge holder 30.

In this embodiment, the storage device 20 in which data such as the type of the ink cartridge 1 and the amount of ink is stored is mounted on the side. The memory device 20 is made of a circuit board 22 having an exposed front surface on which electrodes 21 are formed, which contact the contacts of the cartridge holder 30 when the ink cartridge 1 is loaded into the cartridge holder 30. A storage device (not shown) is disposed on the hidden side of the circuit board 22. Other mounting locations may also be used.

Fig. 2A and 2B show a schematic view of an example of the ink cartridge holder 30, the ink cartridge 1 being mounted on the ink cartridge holder 30 with the head unit including the recording head 33 and the ink supply needle 34 (fig. 3) removed. The inside of the cartridge holder 30 is divided into many areas by a plurality of ribs, three ribs 31 in this embodiment. The head unit shown in fig. 3 is provided in the bottom surface 32, and includes a recording head 33 and ink supply needles 34 (four ink supply needles 34 are provided in this embodiment), the ink supply needles 34 and the recording head 33 communicating. The ink supply needles 34 are located in respective areas defined by the ribs 31.

Guides 35 and 36, each in the form of a groove or window, are formed at the upper portion of each region engaged with the protruding guides 14 and 15. Each of the guides 35, 36 is elongated to vertically guide the projecting portions 14, 15 from a position where the projecting guides 14 and 15 of the ink cartridge 1 first come into contact with to a position where the ink supply port 3 is reliably fitted to the ink supply needle 34. The guide 36 is to be engaged with a protruding guide 15 preferably having a circular cross section, which is formed at the upper end of the protruding guide 15, having a slope 36a inclined toward the center of the ink cartridge 1, the slope 36a defining a narrow throat so that the protruding guide 15 can be received when the protruding guide 15 moves downward regardless of the opening angle of the lever 9.

In this embodiment, if the ink cartridge 1 is accommodated in the air-impermeable film bag in a depressurized state (less than atmospheric pressure) to maintain the demagnetized state of the ink contained in the ink cartridge 1, as shown in fig. 4, the atmospheric pressure levers 8 and 9 are pressed toward the container 2 through the air-impermeable bag, but are supported by the protruding stoppers 16 and 17 of the container 2. This arrangement prevents the rods 8 and 9 from bending excessively towards the container 2.

Therefore, when the ink cartridge 1 is taken out of the bag, the levers 8 and 9 are opened outward due to their own elasticity. However, it is possible that the elasticity of the rods 8 and 9 is reduced or lost due to long-term storage, that is, a creep phenomenon is generated, and the rods 8 and 9 are plastically deformed to be in close contact with the protruding stoppers 16 and 17 or to be bent to approach the protruding stoppers 16 and 17.

To mount the ink cartridge 1, the levers 8 and 9 are gripped by the thumb and forefinger, and the ink cartridge 1 is inserted into the cartridge holder 30 so that one side thereof is located at the rear of the holder 30, i.e., the side 4 is aligned parallel to the wall 30a of the cartridge holder 30 in this embodiment. The position of the lever 8 formed on the side surface 4 is determined by the wall 30a of the cartridge holder 30 and the protruding stopper 16 so that the protruding guide 14 is located in close proximity to the guide 35. Further, the tapering of the protruding guide 14 makes it possible to smoothly insert the protruding guide 14 into the guide 35. On the other hand, the protruding guide portion 15 formed on the lever 9 enters the guide portion 36 along the inclined surface 36a formed on the upper portion of the guide portion 36. The turning parts 6 and 7 thus act as fulcrums for the levers, which can be separated from the projecting stops 16 and 17, due to the guide parts 35 and 36 moving the levers 8 and 9 outwards.

Further, in the cartridge holder 30, second walls 30b and 30c are formed perpendicular to the wall 30a to define a space having a width substantially equivalent to that of the lever 8. Therefore, during insertion of the ink cartridge 1, the lever 8 moves along a predetermined path while being restricted by the walls 30b and 30c in the width direction.

The cartridge holder 30 is preferably provided with a protruding identification member 39 that allows only the insertion of the ink cartridges 1 suitable for the respective areas of the cartridge holder 30. In that case, each ink cartridge 1 has a corresponding recess (not shown) capable of receiving the protruding identification member 39, thereby allowing further insertion of the ink cartridge 1 only when the ink cartridge 1 is suitable for that area.

For non-limiting example, a "suitable" cartridge may be of a particular color, ink type, capacity, or mode. Such a device may be used to avoid connection to an ink cartridge that is not of the proper color or type of ink.

When the ink cartridge 1 is further inserted, the projecting guide portions 14 and 15 on the ink cartridge 1 are guided by the guide portions 35, 36 of the cartridge holder 30 to move to a predetermined position where the inclined surfaces 12a and 13a formed on the pawls 12 and 13 of the levers 8 and 9 come into contact with the upper surfaces of the engaging portions 37 and 38 of the cartridge holder 30, thereby generating resistance to further insertion.

When the ink cartridge 1 is further pressed down in this state, as shown in fig. 5A, the pawls 12 and 13 of the levers 8 and 9 pass the engaging portions 37 and 38 due to the presence of the inclined surfaces 12a and 13a, and are snapped into position below the lower surfaces of the engaging portions 37 and 38. At this time, the user is made aware of a click sound due to the elastic energy of the released levers 8 and 9, so that the user feels that the ink cartridge 1 is correctly moved into its specified position, and the user stops unnecessary further depression.

In the state where the ink cartridge 1 is mounted to the cartridge holder 30, the levers 8 and 9 are constantly pushed away outward by the guides 35 and 36, so that the engaged state is maintained even when a small external force is applied to the levers 8 and 9.

If the ink in the ink cartridge 1 has been completely consumed, the user can grip the levers 8 and 9 with the thumb and forefinger to elastically deform the levers 8 and 9 around the protruding guides 14 and 15 supported by the guides 35 and 36, so that the pawls 12 and 13 can be moved inward from the engaging portions 37 and 38 of the cartridge holder 30. When the levers 8 and 9 are pulled up in this state, the ink supply port 3 is removed from the supply needle 34, and the ink cartridge 1 can be detached from the cartridge holder 30.

In this embodiment, two levers 8 and 9 provided on the ink cartridge 1 are each for engagement with the cartridge holder 30. However, as long as at least the lever 8 on the side of the storage device 20 is provided for engagement with the cartridge holder 30, it is possible to maintain both the connection state between the ink cartridge 1 and the supply needle 34 and reliable contact between the electrode 21 of the storage device 20 and the contact of the cartridge holder 30.

Fig. 6A and 6C show schematic views of an ink cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention. The levers 50 and 51 are formed on the side surfaces 4 and 5 of the container 2 in the same manner as the above-described embodiment, and the jaws 56 and 57 of the levers 50 and 51 are supported by the movable stays 52 and 53 extending from the rear (inner) surfaces of the levers 50 and 51, respectively, so that the jaws 56 and 57 are maintained at proper intervals from the side surfaces 4 and 5 of the container 2.

The movable struts 52 and 53 are configured such that they can deflect upwardly to allow the rods 50 and 51 to move. In this regard, it is preferred to provide each of struts 52 and 53 with a "living hinge" so that struts 52 and 53 can flex about the living hinge. Even more preferably, the living hinge is provided at the point, i.e. where the strut is in contact with the inner surface of the rod, or at the point, i.e. where the strut is in contact with the wall of the cartridge 1.

Semicircular projections 54 and 55 or "dimples" 54 and 55 are formed on sides 4 and 5 of container 2 at locations where they contact the ends of struts 52 and 53. One or more raised rings may be provided. Alternatively, the tips of struts 52 and 53 may surround and fit in matching small recesses in the walls of container 2.

According to this embodiment, when the ink cartridge 1 is shipped from the factory, the ink cartridge 1 is accommodated in the air-impermeable film bag in a depressurized state, with the stays 52 and 53 engaged with the semicircular projections 54 and 55. Thus, since the struts 52 and 53 remain substantially perpendicular to the sides 4 and 5, the jaws 56 and 57 of the rods 50 and 51 are prevented from being excessively forced inwardly toward the container 2.

When the ink cartridge 1 is inserted into the cartridge holder 30, in this insertion process, as shown in fig. 6D, unlocking protrusions 40 and 41 are formed on the cartridge holder 30, which push up the support bars 52 and 53 of the ink cartridge 1. Thus, the ends of struts 52 and 53 move past semi-circular projections 54 and 55 and struts 52 and 53 are lifted upward so that they no longer limit the movement of jaws 56 and 57.

When the ink cartridge 1 is further pressed down in this state, since the levers 50 and 51 are no longer supported by the support bars 52 and 53, plus the presence of the slopes 56a and 57a, the pawls 56 and 57 pass the engaging portions 37 and 38 and catch outward below the lower surfaces of the engaging portions 37 and 38. At this time, the user senses a click sound due to the elastic energy of the released levers 8 and 9 so that the user can feel that the ink cartridge 1 is correctly moved into its specific position. Thus, the user stops unnecessary further depression.

Fig. 7A and 7C show schematic views of an ink cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which the support rods 62 and 63 located behind the claws 66 and 67 of the levers 60 and 61 are integrally formed with the container 2.

Rotatable struts 62 and 63 are formed on sides 4 and 5 of container 2, substantially facing jaws 66 and 67 of rods 60 and 61. Further, semicircular protrusions 64 and 65 are formed on the rear surfaces of the bars 60 and 61, opposite to the sides 4 and 5 of the container 2, behind the jaws 66 and 67.

According to this embodiment, when the ink cartridge 1 is shipped from the factory, the ink cartridge 1 is accommodated in the air-impermeable film bag in a depressurized state, and the free ends of the stays 62 and 63 are engaged with the semicircular projections 64 and 65 of the levers 60 and 61. Since the struts 62 and 63 are supported substantially perpendicularly to the sides 4 and 5 by the semicircular projections 64 and 65, the jaws 66 and 67 of the rods 60 and 61 cannot be pressed inwards towards the container 2 beyond the length of the struts 62 and 63.

When the ink cartridge 1 is inserted into the cartridge holder 30, during the insertion, as shown in fig. 7D, the unlocking protrusions 42 and 43 formed on the cartridge holder 30 push the support bars 62 and 63 of the ink cartridge 1 upward. As a result, the ends of the struts 62 and 63 move over the semi-circular projections 64 and 65, and the struts 62 and 63 are displaced upward.

When the ink cartridge 1 is further pressed down in this state, since the levers 60 and 61 are released from the support of the support bars 62 and 63, together with the slopes 66a and 67a, the pawls 66 and 67 pass the engaging portions 37 and 38 and catch outward below the lower surfaces of the engaging portions 37 and 38. At this time, the user senses a clicking sound due to the elastic energy of the released levers 60 and 61 so that the user can feel that the ink cartridge 1 is correctly moved into its specific position. Thus, the user stops unnecessary further depression.

FIG. 8A shows a schematic view of an ink cartridge according to yet another embodiment of the invention. Rods 70 and 71 are formed on sides 4 and 5 of container 2 and are rotatably supported by struts 72 and 73 at approximately the center along the entire length of the rods. The lower ends of the rods 70 and 71 are free. The portions of rods 70 and 71 below struts 72 and 73 act as short ribs 74 and 75.

According to this embodiment, if the ink cartridge 1 is accommodated in the air-impermeable film bag in a depressurized state, the handles 78 and 79 of the levers 70 and 71 are pressed inward toward the container 2 and the deformation is large, but since the ribs 74 and 75 are short, rigid, creep hardly occurs in the ribs 74 and 75.

When the ink cartridge 1 is pressed down into the cartridge holder 30, as shown in fig. 8B, the ribs 74 and 75 of the levers 70 and 71 are first put into contact with the side walls 44 and 45 of the cartridge holder 30 and guided by the side walls 44 and 45, so that the levers 70 and 71 rotate around the roots of the support rods 72 and 73 until they stand substantially upright.

Therefore, even when the handles 78 and 79 are deformed by creep, the claws 76 and 77 are located outside the engagement portions 37 and 38 of the cartridge holder 30.

Thus, since the ink cartridge 1 is accommodated in the air-impermeable film bag in a depressurized state, even if the grips 78 and 79 of the levers 70 and 71 are creep-deformed toward the container 2, the claws 76 and 77 can reliably contact the lower portions of the engaging portions 37 and 38. As a result, the user is made to perceive a click sound due to the elastic energy of the released levers 60 and 61, so that the user can feel that the ink cartridge 1 is correctly moved into its specified position. Thus, the user stops unnecessary further depression.

Fig. 9A-9C are diagrammatic views of an ink cartridge 1 according to another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, tabs 82 and 83 are formed to project from the front and/or back of the container 2, adjacent to the jaws 86 and 87 of the rods 80 and 81. In addition, struts 84 and 85 are formed on tabs 82 and 83 opposite rods 80 and 81 so that they are positioned outside rods 80 and 81.

According to this embodiment, if the ink cartridge 1 is housed in the airtight film bag in a depressurized state, the levers 80 and 81 are protected by the aforementioned support levers 16 and 17, thereby preventing them from being deformed by creep toward the container 2. The struts 84 and 85 of the tabs 82 and 83 also prevent unwanted opening of the rods 80 and 81.

In particular, since the tabs 82 and 83 and the support rods 84 and 85 serve as the protective members for the levers 80 and 81, the claws 86 and 87 are prevented from being deformed by collision with other members, thereby enabling the claws 86 and 87 to be reliably engaged with the ink cartridge holder 30.

Fig. 10 is a schematic view showing an ink cartridge 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention. A strut 92 is formed on at least one of the rods 90 and 91 (i.e., at least on rod 90, rod 90 is disposed on a surface of container 2 on which storage device 20 is disposed). The strut 92 is arranged substantially at the upper end, i.e. the movable free end, of the surface of the rod 90, which surface is opposite to the container 2.

According to this embodiment, even if the ink cartridge 1 is accommodated in the air-impermeable film bag in a depressurized state, creep deformation of the rod 90 is prevented by supporting the upper end of the rod 90 with the support rod 92. Therefore, when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted to the cartridge holder 30, at least the lever 90 is not deformed by creep, so that the lever 90 is elastically deformed outward by the protruding stopper 16 to reliably engage the pawl 93 with the engagement portion 37 of the cartridge holder 30.

Therefore, the electrode 21 of the storage device 20 can be reliably brought into contact with the contact of the cartridge holder 30, and the contact state can be maintained.

As described above, according to the present invention, when the ink cartridge is mounted to the cartridge holder, the levers on both sides of the ink cartridge are forcibly pushed outward by the cartridge holder. Therefore, not only can the user be made aware of the exact time when the claw of the lever has been reliably engaged with the cartridge holder, but also, regardless of the elasticity of the lever, the state in which the claw and the cartridge holder are engaged with a predetermined strength can be maintained.

Claims (20)

1. An ink cartridge having a container which contains ink therein and an ink supply port which communicates with the inside of the container and through which ink is supplied to a recording head when the ink cartridge is mounted on a cartridge holder of a recording apparatus, the ink cartridge comprising:

a lever pivotally attached to a wall of the container for movement toward and away from the wall of the container;

a storage device disposed on a wall of the container;

a pawl on the lever, the pawl engaging the cartridge holder, an

A protruding guide portion that contacts the cartridge holder to guide the lever in a direction to engage the pawl with the cartridge holder.

2. The ink cartridge of claim 1, further comprising:

a protruding stop that allows the lever to pivot to a position from which the pawl can be disengaged from the cartridge holder.

3. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protruding guide is formed on a side surface of the lever.

4. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 1, wherein a lower end side of the protruding guide portion is tapered.

5. The ink cartridge of claim 1, further comprising:

a tab formed on the container for covering a side of the stem; and

a protective strut for limiting outward opening of the rod.

6. The ink cartridge of claim 1, further comprising:

a support strut located on a movable free end of a surface of the rod, the surface of the rod being opposite the container.

7. An ink cartridge as claimed in claim 1, having two said levers, one on each of two opposite walls of the container.

8. The ink cartridge as in claim 1, wherein the protruding guide is an integral protrusion extending outwardly from the lever.

9. An ink cartridge having a container which contains ink therein and an ink supply port which communicates with the inside of the container and through which ink is supplied to a recording head when the ink cartridge is mounted on a cartridge holder of a recording apparatus, the ink cartridge comprising:

a lever pivotally attached to a wall of the container for movement toward and away from the wall of the container;

a storage device disposed on a wall of the container;

a pawl on the lever, the pawl engaging the cartridge holder, an

A protruding guide portion is provided on the lever and contacts the cartridge holder to guide the lever in a direction to engage the pawl with the cartridge holder.

10. An ink cartridge having a container which contains ink therein and an ink supply port which communicates with the inside of the container and through which ink is supplied to a recording head when the ink cartridge is mounted on a cartridge holder of a recording apparatus, the ink cartridge comprising:

a rod attached at one end to the wall of the container and at the other end being a free end;

a storage device disposed on a wall of the container;

an engagement portion on the lever, the engagement portion engaging with the cartridge holder, an

A guide portion that contacts the cartridge holder when the ink cartridge is mounted, and guides the lever to a predetermined position.

11. The ink cartridge of claim 10, further comprising:

a protruding stop that allows the lever to pivot to a position where the pawl can be disengaged from the cartridge holder.

12. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 10, wherein the protruding guide is formed on a side surface of the lever.

13. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 10, wherein a lower end side of the protruding guide is tapered.

14. The ink cartridge as in claim 10, wherein the guide is an integral protrusion extending outwardly from the lever.

15. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 10, wherein the engaging portion engages with the cartridge holder when the lever is guided to a predetermined position.

16. An ink cartridge having a container which contains ink therein and an ink supply port which communicates with the inside of the container and through which ink is supplied to a recording head when the ink cartridge is mounted on a cartridge holder of a recording apparatus, the ink cartridge comprising:

a rod attached at one end to the wall of the container and at the other end being a free end;

a storage device disposed on a wall of the container;

an engagement portion on the lever, the engagement portion engaging with the cartridge holder, an

A guide portion provided on the lever and contacting the cartridge holder when the ink cartridge is mounted and guiding the lever to a predetermined position.

17. An ink cartridge, comprising:

a container storing therein ink, having a front surface, a rear surface, and a stepped bottom surface having an upper step and a flat lower step;

a storage device having at least one electrode disposed on a front surface of the container;

an ink supply port connectable to the ink supply needle and located at the bottom surface, the ink supply port extending outwardly away from the upper step portion and having a length such that an exposed end of the ink supply port and the flat lower step portion are located in a single plane; and

a holder disposed on the front surface of the container and having at least one side edge, the holder having at least one projection extending outwardly in a direction perpendicular to the side edge, the holder having a movable engagement portion which is movable with the projection relative to the front surface of the container.

18. An ink cartridge, comprising:

a container storing therein ink, having a front surface, a rear surface, side surfaces, and a bottom surface;

a storage device having at least one electrode disposed on a front surface of the container;

an ink supply port connectable to the ink supply needle and located at the bottom surface, the ink supply port extending outwardly away from the bottom surface; and

a holder disposed on the front surface of the container and having at least one side edge, the holder having at least one projection extending outwardly in a direction perpendicular to the side surface, the holder having a movable engagement portion which is movable with the projection relative to the front surface of the container.

19. The ink cartridge of claim 18, wherein the at least one projection extends outwardly from the at least one side edge.

20. The ink cartridge of claim 18, further comprising:

a second retaining member disposed on the rear surface of the container and having at least one side edge, the second retaining member having at least one tab extending outwardly in a direction perpendicular to the side edge of the second retaining member.