JP2001253087A - Replaceable ink container for ink jet printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent insertion of an ink supply source unconformable to an ink jet printing system. SOLUTION: The receiving station 14 of a replaceable ink container 12 has a keyed portion 32 indicative of a replaceable ink container parameter of a plurality of replaceable ink container parameters. The replaceable ink container 12 includes a reservoir portion having a leading end and a trailing end relative to an insertion direction into the receiving station 14. Also included is a keying portion disposed on the trailing end and configured to be complementary to the keyed portion 32 thereby allowing the replaceable ink container 12 to be fully inserted into the receiving station 14.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ink container that supplies ink to a printer. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for ensuring that an ink container inserted into a storage mechanism in an ink jet printer is compatible with the ink jet printer.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Ink jet printers are often
It uses an inkjet printhead mounted in a carriage that moves relative to a print medium such as paper. When the printhead moves relative to the print media,
A control system operates the printhead to deposit or eject ink drops onto the print media to form images and characters. Ink is provided to the printhead by an ink supply integrated with the printhead in the case of a disposable print cartridge, or by a replaceable ink supply separate from the printhead.

[0003] One of the printing systems used so far is
One type utilizes an ink supply conveyed by a carriage. This ink supply source is formed integrally with the print head, and when the ink is used up, the entire print head and the ink supply source are exchanged. Alternatively, the ink supply can be transported with the carriage and replaced separately from the printhead. If the ink supply is independently replaceable, the ink supply is replaced when it is empty. The printhead is replaced at the end of its life. Regardless of where the ink supply is located within the printing system, it is extremely important that the ink supply supply ink to the inkjet printhead.

There is a continuing need for ink jet printing systems that utilize replaceable ink containers that are easy to install and remove. Installation of the ink container must create a secure fluid connection to the printer. Such an ink container must have some means of cooperating with the supply mechanism in the printing system to prevent the insertion of an ink supply that is incompatible with the printing system. Ultimately, such an ink container should be relatively easy to manufacture, thereby reducing the cost of the ink supply as well as the cost of printing per page.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One aspect of the present invention is a replaceable ink container for providing ink to an ink jet printing system. An inkjet printing system has a storage mechanism mounted on a scanning carriage. The storage mechanism has a keyed portion that indicates one of the plurality of replaceable ink container parameters. The replaceable ink container includes a reservoir portion having a leading edge and a trailing edge with respect to the direction of insertion into the storage mechanism. Also included is a key portion disposed on the trailing edge and configured to be complementary to the keyed portion, thereby allowing the replaceable ink container to be fully inserted into the receiving mechanism.

Another aspect of the invention is that the key portion is a plurality of tabs projecting outwardly from the reservoir portion. The replaceable ink container has a top surface and a bottom surface with respect to the insertion direction, and the tabs are arranged in a side-by-side relationship toward the bottom surface of the trailing edge.

Another aspect of the invention is that the key portion and the keyed portion cooperate to prevent insertion of a replaceable ink container that is incompatible with the supply mechanism. When the replaceable ink container is inserted horizontally into the storage mechanism when the key portion is located near the keyed portion and the key portion fits into the keyed portion, the replaceable ink container is moved to the pivot shaft. Pivoted around, a fluid outlet located on the reservoir portion is engaged with a fluid inlet located on the supply mechanism.

[0008]

FIG. 1 shows one exemplary embodiment of a printing system 10 including at least one replaceable ink container 12 mounted on a storage mechanism 14 with its cover open. It is a perspective view. When the replaceable ink container 12 is properly mounted in the storage mechanism 14,
Ink is provided from a replaceable ink container 12 to at least one inkjet printhead 16. The inkjet print head 16 deposits ink on a print medium in response to an operation signal from the printer unit 18.
When the ink is ejected from the print head 16, the print head 16 is refilled with ink from the ink container 12. In one preferred embodiment, the replaceable ink container 12, the receiving mechanism 14, and the inkjet printhead 16 are each part of a scanning carriage that moves relative to the print medium 22 to accomplish printing. The printer section 18 includes a medium tray for receiving the print medium 22. As the print medium 22 is stepped through the print zone, the scanning carriage 20 moves
Is moved with respect to the print medium 22. Printer section 18
Selectively activates the printhead 16 to deposit ink on the print medium 22 to achieve printing.

When the scanning carriage 20 moves along the scanning axis, the scanning carriage 20
0 is moved within a print zone on a scanning mechanism that includes a sliding rod 26 which slides. Positioning means (not shown) for accurately positioning the scanning carriage 20
Is used. In addition, as the scanning carriage 20 is moved along the scanning axis, the print medium 22
A paper advance mechanism (not shown) is used in order to advance step by step. The scanning carriage 20 is provided with electrical signals that selectively activate the printhead 16 by electrical coupling, such as a ribbon cable 28.

An important aspect of the present invention is a method and apparatus for ensuring that the ink container 12 inserted into the storage mechanism 14 fits into the storage mechanism 14. Ink container 12
Can include several different types of ink or several different colored inks. Such different types of inks may have different chemical or physical properties, such as different viscosities and different water solubilities. An inkjet printhead 16 designed to work with a particular type of ink will fail if a different type of ink is used. Ink colors are generally associated with one of four colors used in color printing and combined on a print medium to obtain the required color output. Ink storage mechanism 14 is in fluid communication with print head 16 for providing ink to print head 16. Because each printhead or printhead section 16 is associated with an ink color, the storage mechanism 1
4 are restricted to use for the same color, so that those colors are not contaminated with other colors.

The ink container 12 of the present invention is formed with a feature that provides an indication of a particular type of ink or color ink contained in the reservoir. Similar features are provided within the receiving mechanism 14. Such features on the ink container 12 and within the receiving mechanism 14 may be such that ink containers 12 other than a single ink supply container 12 having complementary features that combine with corresponding features of the receiving mechanism 14 It is a key component of the system to prevent entry.

The method and apparatus of the present invention are illustrated in FIGS.
As discussed in connection with item 1, it allows the replaceable ink container 12 to be inserted into the storage mechanism 14 such that a secure fluid connection is established between the replaceable ink container 12 and the storage mechanism 14. The characteristic shape is shown. The method and apparatus of the present invention provides that the replaceable ink container 12 fits into a particular bay in the receiving mechanism 14 and that the ink path in the receiving mechanism 14 and the printhead 16 is different or different before establishing a fluid connection. Ensures that it is not contaminated with color inks.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the scanning carriage 20 showing a pair of replaceable ink containers 12 properly mounted on the receiving mechanism 14. FIG. Inkjet printhead 16 is in fluid communication with storage mechanism 14. In a preferred embodiment, the inkjet printing system 10 shown in FIG. 1 has three ink colors, three different colors.
A color ink container and a second ink container containing a single color ink. In this preferred embodiment, to achieve four-color printing, a three-color ink container contains cyan, magenta, and yellow inks, and a single-color ink container contains black ink. The replaceable ink container 12 can be partitioned differently to include less than three colors of ink, or more inks if more colors are needed. For example, for high fidelity printing,
Printing is achieved using six or more colors.

The receiving mechanism 14 shown in FIG. 2 is shown fluidly coupled to one printhead 16 for simplicity. In a preferred embodiment, each of the four inkjet printheads 16 is
4 is fluidly coupled. In this preferred embodiment, each of the four printheads is fluidly coupled to each of the four colors of ink contained in the replaceable ink container. Thus, the cyan, magenta, yellow and black printheads 16 are each coupled to their corresponding cyan, magenta, yellow and black ink supplies. Other configurations utilizing fewer than four printheads are possible.
For example, the print head 16 is
6 so that a first ink color can be provided to a first group of ink nozzles and a second ink color can be provided to a second group of ink nozzles different from the first group. By doing so, it is possible to print a plurality of ink colors. In this manner, multiple ink colors can be printed using a single printhead 16 and four-color printing can be achieved with fewer than four printheads 16. The fluid path between each of the replaceable ink containers 12 and the printhead 16 will be described in more detail in connection with FIG.

Each of the replaceable ink containers 12 includes a latch 30 that secures the replaceable ink container 12 to the receiving mechanism 14. Storage mechanism 14 in preferred embodiment
Is a set of keyed features 32 that interact with corresponding key features (not shown) on replaceable ink container 12.
Contains. The key features on the replaceable ink container 12 interact with the keyed features 32 on the storage mechanism 14 to ensure that the replaceable ink container 12 is compatible with the storage mechanism 14.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the scanning carriage portion 20 shown in FIG. The scanning carriage portion 20 includes the ink container 12 shown properly mounted within the receiving mechanism 14, thereby establishing fluid communication between the replaceable ink container 12 and the printhead 16.

The replaceable ink container 12 includes a reservoir portion 34 for containing one or more quantities of ink. In a preferred embodiment, the three-color replaceable ink container 12 has three separate ink storage reservoirs, each containing a different color of ink. In this preferred embodiment, the single color replaceable ink container 12 is a single ink reservoir 34 for storing a single color ink.

In a preferred embodiment, the reservoir 34
Inside, a capillary storage member (not shown) is arranged.
The capillary storage member is used to transfer the ink container 12 to the printing system 1.
This is a porous member having a capillary phenomenon sufficient to hold the ink in order to prevent the ink from leaking from the reservoir 34 when it is attached to and detached from the reservoir 34. This capillary force must be large enough to prevent ink from leaking from the ink reservoir 34 over various environmental conditions, such as changes in temperature and pressure. In addition, the capillary action of the capillary member is such that the ink reservoir is capable of receiving ink in all orientations of the ink reservoir as well as a reasonable amount of shock and vibration that may be experienced by the ink container during normal operation.
4 is sufficient. A preferred capillary storage member is assigned to the assignee of the present invention and is incorporated herein by reference and filed on Oct. 29, 1999, Ser. No. 09 / 430,400, Attorney Docket No. 1099.
1407 "Ink Reservoir for an Inkjet Printer"
A thermally coupled polymer fiber network described in a U.S. patent application entitled "U.S. Pat.

When the ink container 12 is properly attached to the receiving mechanism 14, the ink container 12 is
6 is fluidly coupled to the printhead 16.
When the print head 16 is activated, the ink is discharged
A negative gauge pressure is created in print head 16 which is released from print head 8 and is often referred to as back pressure. This negative gauge pressure in the printhead 16 is applied to the ink reservoir 34.
It is sufficient to overcome the forces of capillary action maintained within the capillary member disposed therein. This back pressure draws ink from the replaceable ink container 12 to the printhead 16. In this manner, printhead 16 is refilled with ink provided by replaceable ink container 12.

The fluid interconnect 36 is preferably an upright ink pipe that extends upward within the ink container 12 and extends downward toward the inkjet printhead 16. Fluid interconnect 36 is shown greatly simplified in FIG. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid interconnect 3
Reference numeral 6 denotes a manifold that allows the print head 16 to be displaced in the scanning axis direction, thereby allowing the print head 16 to be displaced from the corresponding replaceable ink container 12. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid interconnect 36 extends into the reservoir 34 and compresses the capillary member, thereby forming a region of high capillary action near the fluid interconnect 36. This area of high capillary action is
Pulling the ink toward the fluid interconnect 36 works,
This allows ink to flow from the fluid interconnect 36 to the printhead 16. As will be discussed later, it is extremely important that the ink container 12 be properly positioned within the receiving mechanism 14 such that when the ink container 12 is inserted into the receiving mechanism 14, proper compression of the capillary member occurs. is important. Proper compression of the capillary member is required to establish a reliable flow of ink from the ink container 12 to the printhead 16.

The replaceable ink container 12 further comprises a
As discussed in connection with FIGS. 7c and 8a-8b, a secure fluid interconnect with printhead 16 is achieved to provide a secure electrical interconnect between replaceable ink container 12 and scan carriage 20. To form the ink container 12
Includes a guide feature 40, an engagement feature 42, a handle 44 and a latch feature 30 that allow the device to be inserted into the receiving mechanism 14.

The receiving mechanism 14 includes a guide rail 46, an engagement feature 48, and a latch engagement feature 50. Guide rail 46 cooperates with guide rail engagement feature 40 and replaceable ink container 12 to guide ink container 12 into receiving mechanism 14. When the replaceable ink container 12 is fully inserted into the storage mechanism 14, the engagement feature 42 associated with the replaceable ink container engages the engagement feature 48 associated with the storage mechanism 14,
The leading edge or the trailing edge of the replaceable ink container is fixed to the accommodation mechanism 14. Next, the ink container 12 is depressed and the latch engagement feature 50 associated with the storage mechanism 14 engages with the hook feature 54 associated with the latch member 30 to cause the trailing or leading edge of the ink container 12 to move. Housing mechanism 14
Until the spring biasing member 52 associated with the storage mechanism 14 is fixed. The cooperation of the features on the ink container 12 and the features associated with the receiving mechanism 14 allows for proper insertion and functional connection between the replaceable ink container 12 and the receiving mechanism 14. Next, the accommodation mechanism 14 will be discussed in more detail in connection with FIG.

FIG. 4 shows the ink storage mechanism 14 shown alone.
It is a front perspective view of. The storage mechanism 14 shown in FIG. 4 includes a black-and-white bay 56 for receiving an ink container 12 containing monochromatic ink therein, and a three-color bay 58 for receiving ink containers containing three individual color inks. In this preferred embodiment, the black and white bay 56 receives the replaceable ink container 12 containing black ink, and the three color bay 58 contains the ink container 12.
Receiving replaceable ink containers containing cyan, magenta, and yellow inks, respectively, partitioned in separate reservoirs within. The exchangeable ink container 12 also has a storage mechanism 14.
Can also have other configurations of bays 56 and 58 to receive ink containers containing different numbers of individual inks therein. Further, the number of storage bays 56 and 58 of storage mechanism 14 may be at least greater than two. For example, the containment mechanism 14 can have four separate bays that receive four separate single-color ink containers 12 each containing a separate color ink to achieve four-color printing.

Each of the bays 56 and 58 of the accommodation mechanism 14
Opening 6 for receiving upstanding fluid interconnect 36 extending into it
Contains 0. The fluid interconnect 36 connects to the ink container 12
A fluid inlet for ink exiting from a corresponding fluid outlet associated with. Also, an electrical interconnect 62 is included in each of the receiving bays 56 and 58. Electrical interconnect 62
Includes a plurality of electrical contacts 64. In a preferred embodiment, the electrical contacts are in the form of four spring electrical contacts, with the replaceable ink container 12 properly mounted in a corresponding bay of the receiving mechanism 14. Each electrical connector 6
Proper engagement between 2 and fluid interconnect 36 must be established.

Guide rails 46 located on either side of the fluid interconnect in each bay 56 and 58 are provided with ink reservoir 1.
Engagement with corresponding guide features 40 on both sides of the two guide the ink container into the receiving mechanism. When the ink container 12 is fully inserted into the receiving mechanism 14, the engaging features 48 located on the rear wall 66 of the receiving mechanism 14 are replaced by the corresponding engaging features shown on the ink container 12 in FIG. Engage with shape 42. Engagement features 48 are located on both sides of electrical interconnect 62. A biasing means 52 such as a leaf spring is arranged in the housing mechanism 14. The leaf spring 52 provides an urging force for urging the ink container 12 upward from the bottom surface 68 of the storage mechanism 14. As will be discussed with respect to FIGS. 8 and 9 later, the leaf spring helps to latch the ink container 12 to the receiving mechanism 14 and helps to remove the ink container 12 from the receiving mechanism 14.

FIGS. 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d respectively show a front view, a side view, a rear view and a bottom view of the replaceable ink container 12 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5a, the replaceable ink container 12 includes a pair of outwardly projecting guide rail engagement features 40. In a preferred embodiment, each such guide rail engagement feature projects outwardly in a direction perpendicular to the upright side 70 of the replaceable ink container 12. Engagement feature 42 projects outwardly from the front or leading edge of ink container 72. Engagement features 42 are located on opposite sides of electrical interface 74 and are directed toward bottom surface 76 of replaceable ink container 12. The electrical interface 74 includes a plurality of electrical contacts 78, such that
Each electrical contact 78 is electrically connected to an electrical storage device 80.

FIG. 5 c shows the trailing edge 82 opposite the leading edge 72. The trailing edge 82 of the replaceable ink container 12 has a latch feature (latch member) 30 having an engagement hook 54.
Contains. The latch feature 30 is such that the latch feature protrudes outwardly from the trailing edge so that the engagement feature can protrude outward toward a corresponding engagement feature associated with the receiving mechanism 14. It is formed from an elastic material. As will be discussed later, the latch member 30
Is pressed inward toward the trailing edge 82, the latch member exerts a biasing force outwardly so that the engagement feature 54 is associated with the corresponding engagement feature 5 associated with the receiving mechanism 14.
0, and the ink container 12 is securely fixed in the storage mechanism 14.

The replaceable ink container 12 also includes a key feature or key 84 located at the trailing edge of the replaceable ink container 12. These keys are preferably located on both sides of the latch member 30 toward the bottom surface 76 of the replaceable ink container 12. The key 84 interacts with the keyed feature 32 on the storage mechanism 14 to cause the ink container 1 to move.
2 is securely inserted into the appropriate bays 56 and 58 in the receiving mechanism 14. In addition, the key 84 and the keyed feature 32 ensure that the replaceable ink container 12 contains ink that is compatible in both color and chemistry or is compatible with the corresponding receiving bays 56 and 58 in the receiving mechanism 14. I do.

The replaceable ink container 12 has a handle 44 disposed on an upper surface 86 of a rear edge 82 of the replaceable ink container 12. The handle 44 allows the ink container 12 to be inserted into an appropriate bay of the storage mechanism 14 by grasping the rear edge 82.

Finally, the ink container 12 has an opening (fluid outlet) 88 disposed on the bottom surface 76 of the replaceable ink container 12.
Contains. Fluid outlet 88 allows fluid interconnect 36 to extend into reservoir 34 and engage a capillary member disposed therein. In the case of a three-color replaceable ink container 12, there are three fluid outlets 88, each fluid outlet corresponding to a different ink color. For a three-color chamber,
Three fluid interconnects 36 each extend into each fluid outlet 88 to provide fluid communication between each ink chamber and its corresponding printhead of that ink color.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a single color ink container positioned to be inserted into a single color (black and white) bay 56 in the storage mechanism 14 shown in FIG. The single color ink container shown in FIG. 6 is similar to the three color ink container shown in FIGS. 5a to 5d, except that only one fluid outlet 88 is provided on the bottom surface 76. The single-color replaceable ink container 12 contains a single-color ink and therefore receives only one corresponding fluid interconnect 36 to provide ink from the ink container 12 to a corresponding printhead.

FIGS. 7a, 7b and 7c illustrate a series of techniques of the present invention for inserting a replaceable ink container 12 into a receiving mechanism 14 to form a secure electrical and fluid connection with the receiving mechanism 14. FIG.

FIG. 7 a shows the ink container 12 partially inserted into the storage mechanism 14. In a preferred embodiment, the ink container 12 grasps the handle portion 44,
The ink container is inserted into the storage mechanism 14 by inserting the ink container into the storage mechanism with the front edge or front face 72 first. When the leading edge 72 enters the receiving mechanism 14, the outwardly projecting guide member 40 on the ink container is formed by a pair of guide rails 4.
6 with each other. The guide rail 46 guides the ink container 12 straight or horizontally toward the rear wall 66 of the accommodation mechanism 14. Guide rail 46
Then directs the replaceable ink container both horizontally towards the rear wall 66 and vertically towards the bottom of the receiving mechanism 14, so that, as shown in FIG. Engagement features 42 on ink container 12 are received by corresponding engagement features 48 on rear wall 66 of containment mechanism 14. Insertion of the ink container 12 requires only an insertion force that urges the ink container linearly along the guide rail 46. Due to the gravity acting on the ink container 12, the ink container follows the guide rail 46 as the guide rail extends downward and the engagement features 42 and 48
Can be engaged. Guide rail engagement feature shape 40
Is preferably a smooth round surface that slides freely along the guide rails 46.

FIG. 7b shows that the engagement feature 42 is
4 shows the ink container 12 inserted into the storage mechanism 14 so as to be engaged with the engagement feature 48 associated with FIG. A downward force as indicated by an arrow 90 is applied to the ink container 12, the leaf spring 52 is compressed, and the trailing edge 82 of the ink container 12 is urged downward toward the bottom surface 68 of the storage mechanism 14. Is done. The key 84 must properly correspond to the keyed feature 32 on the receiving mechanism 14.
If the key 84 on the ink container 12 does not correspond to the keyed feature 32, the keying system prevents the ink container 12 from being inserted further into the receiving mechanism 14. Key 8
4 and a keyed feature shape 32, the ink container that is not compatible with the accommodation
4 to prevent further insertion. Ink container 12
Is further inserted into the containment mechanism 14, the fluid interconnect 36 will come into contact with the capillary member in the ink container 12, thereby contaminating the fluid interconnect 36 with incompatible ink. Mixing ink that is not compatible with the fluid interconnect 36 can result in deposits and damage to the printhead 16. In addition to chemically incompatible inks, the ink container may have incompatible colors that cause color mixing, thereby reducing the output print quality.

Key 84 on ink container 12 and storage mechanism 1
The keyed feature 32 on 4 ensures that the appropriate ink container 12 is fully inserted into the appropriate storage mechanism 14. The downward force applied to the trailing edge 82 of the ink container 12 causes the ink container 12 to rotate about a pivot and compress the leaf spring 52, thereby causing the trailing edge 82 of the ink container 12 to Will move towards. When the ink container 12 is biased downward within the storage mechanism 14, the elastic latch member 30 is compressed slightly inward toward the trailing edge 82 of the ink container 12. When the ink container 12 is sufficiently urged downward, as shown in FIG.
4 engages the corresponding engagement feature 50 of the receiving mechanism 14, and the ink container 12 is fixed to the receiving mechanism 14.

As shown in FIG. 7c, when the ink container 12 is properly secured to the receiving mechanism 14, the fluid interconnect 3
6 extends into reservoir 34 and compresses the capillary member, thereby forming a region of high capillary action near fluid interconnect 36. This area of high capillary action serves to draw ink toward the fluid interconnect 36 so that ink flows through the fluid interconnect 36 to the printhead 16. In a preferred embodiment, when inserted into the storage mechanism 14, the ink container 12 is oriented in a gravitational coordinate system, whereby gravity acts on the ink in the ink container 12 so that the ink is moved toward the bottom surface 76 of the ink container 12. Pulled out towards. Therefore, the ink container 1
2 is drawn to the bottom surface 76, which ink is drawn toward the fluid interconnect 36 by capillary attraction,
Thereby, the flow of ink in the ink container 12 is reduced or minimized.

FIGS. 8a and 8b show one position in the insertion process shown in connection with FIGS. 7a, 7b and 7c, wherein the leading edge 72 of the ink container 12 is
6. FIG. 8a is a side view,
FIG. 8b is an end view. 8a and 8b, the guide feature 40 is positioned sufficiently low toward the bottom surface 76 of the ink container 12 so that the leading edge 72 of the ink container does not collide with the fluid interconnect 36 during insertion. Ink container 12
It can be seen that it must be placed on top. Another constraint on the positioning of the guide member 40 is the engagement feature 42
The guide member 40 must be positioned sufficiently close to the top surface 86 of the ink container 12 so that the mating member properly engages the corresponding engagement feature 42 on the receiving mechanism 14.

In addition, the outwardly projecting guide member 40 on the ink container must extend sufficiently outward to engage the guide rail 46. However, the guide member 40 protruding outwardly is
0 engages with the upright side surface of the storage mechanism 14, and the ink container 1
The two must not protrude too far to create interference creating frictional and binding forces that prevent insertion into the receiving mechanism 14.

FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C show a method of removing the ink container 12 from the storage mechanism 14. FIG.
The method of removing the ink container 12 of the present invention involves first biasing the latch member 30 toward the rear surface 82 to release the engagement feature from the corresponding engagement feature 50 on the receiving mechanism 14. I do. When the trailing edge of the ink container 12 is released, the leaf spring 52 urges the trailing edge of the ink container upward, as shown in FIG. 9b. If the ink container 12 is grasped by the handle portion 44, the ink container 12 can be taken out in the direction opposite to the insertion direction. When the ink container 12 is removed from the storage mechanism 14, the guide member 40 is lifted out of the ink container along the guide rail 46, thereby preventing interference between the fluid interconnect 36 and the fluid outlet on the bottom surface of the ink container 12. Is done.

The ink container 12 of the present invention includes a storage mechanism 14.
The ink container 12 is configured to engage with and interact with the storage mechanism 14 to make a secure fluid connection and electrical connection with the storage mechanism 14. The techniques of the present invention can make this insertion process relatively simple and easy, and prevent improper insertion of the ink container 12. The customer grips the ink container 12 with the handle portion 44 and slides the ink container 12 in the housing mechanism 14 in the horizontal direction. The guide rail 46 and the guide feature 40 cooperate to form the ink container 1.
2 is appropriately guided into the accommodation mechanism 14. Ink container 1
2 is pressed down, the ink container 12 is latched and an effective interconnection between the ink container 12 and the receiving mechanism 14 is achieved both electrically and fluidically.

FIGS. 10a to 10j are plan views showing the trailing edge 72 of the ink container 12 located near the corresponding storage mechanism 14. FIG. The ink container 12 includes the ink container 1.
2 on key 2 and keyed feature shape 32 on accommodation mechanism 14
In order to better show the complementary relationship between
4 are arranged at a distance from each other. Ink container 12
Is properly inserted into the receiving mechanism 14, a key 84 is inserted into the keyed portion 32, as discussed with respect to FIG.

In the preferred embodiment, the keys 84 of the three-color bay 58 shown in FIG. 4 as represented by FIG.
And the keyed feature shape 32 is the key 8 on the monochrome bay 56.
4 and a configuration or mirror image opposite to the configuration of the keyed feature 32. The configuration of the mirror image or opposing pair of keys 84 and keyed features 32 provides the customer with visible cues to assist in placing the ink container 12 in the appropriate bay within the receiving mechanism 14. To provide benefits. By configuring the key 84 and the keyed feature shape 32 in opposing pairs, it becomes easier for the customer to know which of the bays 56 and 58 should have the ink container 12 attached thereto. With the opposing pair configuration, the customer does not need to carefully check the individual key spacing; instead, the customer only needs to check the overall appearance of the key combination configuration to determine which bay is appropriate .

Further, by arranging the key 84 on the rear edge 72 of the ink container 12, the customer can confirm the configuration of the key 84 when inserting the ink container 12 into the accommodation mechanism 14. By placing the key 84 on the trailing edge 72, the customer sees both the key 84 and the keyed portion 32 of the receiving mechanism 14 and the ink container 12 is inserted into the appropriate bay 56, 58 of the receiving mechanism 14. Can be quickly determined. Finally, the key 84 is connected to the ink container 12.
The key 84 and the key portion 32 cooperate to locate the mismatched ink container 1
2 is prevented from being inserted into the storage mechanism 14, and the ink container 1
Fluid communication between 2 and the receiving mechanism 14 is well established. Thus, the location of the key 84 does not allow different colors or different types of ink to contaminate the fluid path between the storage mechanism 14 and the printhead 16.

FIGS. 10c and 10d, FIGS. 10e and 10
FIGS. 10g and 10h, 10i and 10j show additional opposing pair key combinations. The configurations of the key portion 84 and the keyed portion 32 are respectively as follows.
Utilizing an arrangement having six equally spaced keys on the ink container 12, three are removed to identify the ink type and ink color in the ink container 12. By shaping the six keys 84 and removing three of them, a maximum number of unique key permutations can be created. Further, by using three keys 84,
If any key breaks or breaks, there are two other keys that can provide a keying function so that a broken ink container 12 is not inserted into the wrong receiving mechanism 14.

The opposing pairs of key combinations shown in FIGS. 10a to 10j are connected to the black ink container and the three-color ink container 12 inserted into the corresponding black bay 56 and three-color bay 58 of the storage mechanism 14, respectively. Consider use. The configuration of the opposing pair of this key characteristic shape 84 is the ink container 1
Two other configurations can be used as well. For example, in a seven-color printer, six different colors of ink and black ink are used to form an image. In the case of this type of printer, the ink container 12 can be composed of two three-color ink containers 12 and a black ink container 12. Three
Each of the color ink containers 12 can use an opposing pair of key features 84 to prevent each of the three color ink containers 12 from being inserted into the wrong bay of the receiving mechanism 14.

A notch 88 is formed in the receiving mechanism 14 corresponding to the latch feature 30 on the ink container 12. The latch feature 30 is shown partially removed in FIGS. 10a-10j for simplicity.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the ink container 12 attached to the storage mechanism 14. The ink container 12 is shown having a key arrangement 84 and a corresponding keyed feature 32 as shown in FIG. 10a. The key 84 and the keyed feature 32 cooperate to ensure that the proper ink container 12 and its corresponding ink type and color are inserted into the corresponding receiving mechanism 14.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of the inkjet printing system of the present invention shown with the cover open to show a plurality of replaceable ink containers of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of a scanning carriage showing the replaceable ink container of the present invention positioned within a storage mechanism that provides fluid communication between the replaceable ink container and one or more printheads. is there.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a portion of the scanning carriage showing the guide and latch features associated with each replaceable ink container and a storage mechanism that secures the replaceable ink container and thereby allows fluid communication with the printhead. It is.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a storage mechanism independently shown for storing one or more replaceable ink containers of the present invention.

FIGS. 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d are isometric views of the three-color replaceable ink container of the present invention shown alone.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a single-color replaceable ink container of the present invention.

FIGS. 7a, 7b and 7c are side views showing a method of inserting a replaceable ink container into a supply mechanism.

FIGS. 8a and 8b are side and end views, respectively, showing the passage of the replaceable ink container above the upright fluid inlet of the storage mechanism.

FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C are side views showing a method of removing a replaceable ink container from a storage mechanism.

FIGS. 10a-j are separate top views of various configurations of the key portion of the ink container shown away from the corresponding keyed portion associated with the storage mechanism.

FIG. 11 fully inserted into the corresponding receiving mechanism
It is a top view showing the ink container of a.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 printing system 12 replaceable ink container 14 ink storage mechanism 16 inkjet printhead 18 printer unit 20 scanning carriage 22 print medium 32 keyed portion 84 keyed portion 72 trailing edge 76 bottom surface

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Scott De Sturgen 98683, Washington, United States of America, Vancouver, Seventeens Way, SE 17004 (72) Inventor David C. Johnson 97212, Oregon, United States of America Portland, 30th Avenue, N. 3902 (72) Inventor Jeffrey T. Hendrix 98607, Washington, USA Two Hands Thirty Second Avenue, N. 2900

Claims (30)

[Claims] 1. A replaceable ink container for providing ink to an ink jet printing system, the ink jet printing system having a storage mechanism mounted on a scanning carriage, wherein the storage mechanism includes a plurality of replaceable ink containers. A reservoir portion having a keyed portion indicating one of the replaceable ink container parameters among the parameters, a reservoir portion having a leading edge and a trailing edge with respect to the insertion direction into the storage mechanism; and A key portion configured complementary to the key portion, thereby allowing the replaceable ink container to be fully inserted into the receiving mechanism. 2. The replaceable ink container according to claim 1, wherein said key portion indicates ink parameters of ink contained in said replaceable ink container. 3. The replaceable ink container according to claim 1, wherein said key portion is a plurality of tabs protruding outward from said reservoir portion. 4. The ink container of claim 3, wherein the replaceable ink container has a top surface and a bottom surface with respect to the insertion direction, and the tabs are arranged in a side-by-side relationship toward the bottom surface of the trailing edge. A replaceable ink container as described. 5. The replaceable ink container according to claim 1, wherein the key portion indicates one of an ink color and ink compatibility. 6. The replaceable ink container according to claim 1, wherein the key portion and the keyed portion cooperate to make the replaceable ink container compatible with the supply mechanism. 7. The key portion is a plurality of tabs projecting outward from the reservoir portion, wherein the key portion is configured to selectively remove at least one of the plurality of tabs from the keyed portion. 2. The replaceable ink container according to claim 1, wherein the ink container is configured to be complementary to each other. 8. The replaceable ink container of claim 1, wherein the key portion and the keyed portion cooperate to prevent insertion into a replaceable ink container that is incompatible with the supply mechanism. 9. When the replaceable ink container is inserted horizontally into the storage mechanism and the key portion is positioned near the keyed portion and the key portion fits the keyed portion, The replaceable ink container according to claim 1, wherein the replaceable ink container is pivoted about a pivot axis, and a fluid outlet disposed in the reservoir portion is engaged with a fluid inlet disposed on the supply mechanism. 10. The key portion, wherein fluid communication is established between the replaceable ink container and the supply mechanism.
2. The replaceable ink container according to claim 1, wherein the replaceable ink container is disposed on the replaceable ink container so as to engage with a corresponding keyed portion on the supply mechanism. 11. A replaceable ink container for providing ink to an ink-jet printing system, the ink-jet printing system comprising a scanning carriage having a receiving mechanism therein for receiving the replaceable ink container, wherein the receiving mechanism is provided. A fluid outlet configured to connect to the fluid inlet associated with the containment mechanism, having a rear wall, a bottom surface on which the fluid inlet is located, and a front wall on which the keyed feature is located; A key feature configured to be disposed on the replaceable ink container, whereby the replaceable ink container is inserted in a first linear direction toward the rear wall and the fluid outlet is When aligned with the fluid inlet, if the key feature is complementary to the keyed feature, the key feature coupling engages the keyed feature toward the bottom surface. To allow further insertion, thereby replaceable ink container between the receiving mechanism and the replaceable ink container is in fluid communication. 12. The replaceable ink container according to claim 11, wherein the key portion is a plurality of tabs projecting outward from the replaceable ink container. 13. The ink container of claim 11, wherein the replaceable ink container has a top surface and a bottom surface with respect to the insertion direction, and the tabs are arranged in a side-by-side relationship toward the bottom surface of the trailing edge. Replaceable ink container. 14. The replaceable ink container according to claim 11, wherein said key portion indicates one of ink color and ink compatibility. 15. The replaceable ink container of claim 11, wherein the key portion and the keyed portion cooperate to ensure that the replaceable ink container is compatible with the supply mechanism. 16. The key portion is a plurality of tabs protruding outward from the replaceable ink container, and wherein the key portion is configured to be keyed by selective removal of at least one of the plurality of tabs. 12. The replaceable ink container of claim 11, wherein the container is configured to be complementary to the portion. 17. The replaceable ink container according to claim 11, wherein the key portion and the keyed portion cooperate to prevent insertion into a replaceable ink container that is incompatible with the supply mechanism. 18. The replaceable ink container is pivoted about a pivot axis when the key portion matches the keyed portion by further insertion in the direction of the bottom surface, and is disposed in the reservoir portion. The fluid outlet is engaged with a fluid inlet located in the supply mechanism.
2. The replaceable ink container according to 1. 19. The key portion engages with the corresponding keyed portion on the supply mechanism before the fluid communication is established between the replaceable ink container and the supply mechanism. The replaceable ink container according to claim 11, wherein the replaceable ink container is disposed on the replaceable ink container. 20. A method for inserting a replaceable ink container into a storage mechanism of an inkjet printing system, the storage mechanism being disposed on a scanning carriage and being fluidly coupled to an ink discharge portion mounted on the scanning carriage. The method for inserting the ink container may include the steps of: mounting the replaceable ink container on the rear wall of the housing mechanism such that a key feature shape on the replaceable ink container is aligned with a keyed feature shape on the supply mechanism. Biasing the replaceable ink container toward the bottom of the storage mechanism so that the key feature and the keyed feature cooperate. Operably coupling a fluid outlet on the replaceable ink container with a fluid inlet near a bottom surface of the containment mechanism to permit further insertion of a compatible replaceable ink container; The method comprising. 21. The key feature and the keyed feature cooperate to prevent further insertion of an incompatible replaceable ink container, thereby providing a fluid outlet and fluid inlet on the replaceable ink container. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein coupling between the two is prevented. 22. A method of manufacturing a replaceable ink container configured to be inserted into a storage mechanism of an inkjet printing system, the storage mechanism adapted to a plurality of replaceable ink container types. Forming a reservoir having a keyed portion corresponding to the type and having a bottom surface and a top surface with a fluid outlet therein, wherein the reservoir further comprises a reservoir in a direction in which the reservoir is inserted into the storage mechanism. A leading edge and a trailing edge, wherein the trailing edge has a plurality of key features disposed toward the bottom surface, and corresponding to a compatible replaceable ink container type. Removing at least one key feature. 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising filling the reservoir with ink, the ink corresponding to the compatible replaceable ink container type. 24. The method of claim 22, wherein the plurality of key features are a plurality of tabs protruding outward from the ink reservoir. 25. One of a pair of replaceable ink containers for insertion into a storage mechanism of an inkjet printing system, wherein the storage mechanism includes a selected replacement of the pair of replaceable ink containers. A pair of bays, each configured to receive a type ink container, a reservoir containing a volume of ink, and a reservoir disposed in the reservoir corresponding to a first one of the pair of bays. A plurality of key features, wherein the plurality of key features are opposite to a corresponding key feature associated with a replaceable ink container configured for a second one of the plurality of bays. Replaceable ink container that is located at 26. The plurality of key features are configured as mirror images of corresponding key features associated with a replaceable ink container configured for the second bay of the plurality of bays. 26. The replaceable ink container according to 25. 27. The replaceable ink container of claim 25, wherein the plurality of key features are three long tabs selectively positioned in spaced relation to the replaceable ink container. 28. The pair of replaceable ink containers include a single color replaceable ink container containing black ink and a three color replaceable ink container containing three different color inks, and the pair of bays. 26. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising a single color bay configured to receive the single color replaceable ink container and a three color bay configured to receive the three color replaceable ink container.
2. The replaceable ink container according to claim 1. 29. The first bay is a single-color bay, the second bay is a three-color bay, and the plurality of key features of the single-color bay are in opposition associated with the three-color bay. 29. The replaceable ink container of claim 28 having a corresponding plurality of key feature shapes. 30. The first bay is a three-color bay, the second bay is a single-color bay, and the plurality of key features for the three-color bay are oppositely associated with the single-color bay. 29. The replaceable ink container of claim 28, wherein said ink container has a plurality of key features.