AU689297B2

AU689297B2 - Ink-supplied printer and ink supply tank

Info

Publication number: AU689297B2
Application number: AU31718/95A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Takao Kobayashi; Hisashi Koike; Yoshinori Miyazawa; Seiji Mochizuki; Satoshi Shinada; Yukiharu Suda
Original assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
Current assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
Priority date: 1994-09-16
Filing date: 1995-09-15
Publication date: 1998-03-26
Anticipated expiration: 2015-09-15
Also published as: ES2124148A1; HK1008423A1; HK1071723A1; NL1001205A1; HK1008195A1; CN1125176A; CH690847A5; AU3171295A; CH691364A5; ITTO950733A1; CN1133784A; GB2293140B; NZ280044A; NZ280045A; CN1273303C; CH693265A5; ITTO950732A1; KR100346533B1; AU691021B2; ES2124147A1

Description

S F Ref: 313539

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIRCATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name and Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: .u *0*e 00 a 00 4000 0 a Seiko Epson Corporation 4-1, Nishi-Shinjuku 2-chome Shinjuku-ku Tokyo

JAPAN

Satoshi Shinada, Seiji Mochizuki, Yoshinori Miyazawa, Takao Kobayashi, Hisashi Kolke, Yukiharu Suda Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys Level 33 St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia Ink-Supplied Printer and Ink Supply Tank The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5845 The present invention relates generally to an ink-supplied printer being supplied with ink from an ink supply tank and more particularly to an ink supply tank which allows for the continuous supply of ink to the printer head while avoiding adverse effects from temperature, atmospheric changes or vibrations. The present invention allows for a larger volume of ink in the ink supply tank and allows for a greater percentage of the ink in the tank to be transferred to the printer head. Also, the present invention comprises a tank with transparent sides so the user is able to easily determine the remaining quantity of ink, and also means for dampening of the unwanted movement of ink w'thin the ink supply tank.

This invention also relates to an ink cartridge fce an ink jet printer in which an ink jet rec -rding head, and an ink cartridge are mounted on a movable carriage, and in particular an ink jet cartridge in which upon depletion of the ink from the old cartridge, is replaced with a new ink cartridge.

A prior art ink jet printer in which an ink containing unit and an ink jet recording head are mounted on a carriage is disclosed in European Patent Publication No. 581,531. In the disclosed printer, in order to prevent printing failures caused by variation of the ink level or air bubbles due to movement of the ink cartridge, which is caused by the movement of the carriage, the ink container is divided into two regions.

A first region of the container adjacent the recording head houses ink impregnated in a S• 20 porous member, and a second region contains liquid ink without a porous member.

:°:This structure enables the ink to be conducted to the recording head via the pordus member so that the problems arising from movement of the ink in the cartridge are preventr or occurring to a certain extent.

porous member is held in fluid communication with the recording head by 25 a projecting member which is inserted through a hole formed in the side portion of the container. However, such a structure cannot be applied to a recording head in which air bubbles must be stopped from entering a pressure chamber, such as that for an ink jet printer in which a piezoelectric vibrator is used as an actuator for ink ejection.

Summary of the Invention It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantages.

There is disclosed herein an ink tank cartridge for an ink-jet type recording apparatus, comprising: a first chamber; a second chamber for communicating with said first chamber through a passageway formed within said cartridge between said first and second chambers; an ink supply port extending through a wall of said second chamber to supply i RAt, ink to the exterior of the cartridge; In:\hbddO016I68:GJG;TCW -2o r r r sr o e D o rr o e a o r o s e a vent port for communicating said second chamber with an exterior of said ink tank cartridge; a porous member disposed in said second chamber for transferring ink to said ink supply port, said first chamber being dimensioned to contain ink for transfer to said porous member in said second chamber; and a funnel-shaped packing member provided within said ink supply port, said packing member being formed with an opening therethrough having a wide end and a narrow end and being dimensioned to receive an ink supply needle of an ink-jet recording apparatus and to resiliently abut against an outer periphery of said ink supply needle, said packing member being for preventing the flow of ink. through said ink supply port other than through said ink supply needle when said needle is positioned in said ink supply port, said narrow end of said opening being disposed away from said second chamber.

There is further disclosed herein an ink-jet type recording apparatus for outputting ink onto a recording medium, comprising: a recording head for ejecting ink; an ink supply needle coupled to said recording head and having at least one through hole to allow ink to pass therethrough; and an ink tank cartridge being removably mountable onto said ink supply needle of said ink-jet type recording apparatus, the ink tank cartridge, comprising: a first chamber; a second chamber for communicating with said first chamber through a passageway formed within said cartridge between said first and second chambers; an ink supply port extending through a wall of said second chamber to supply 25 ink to the exterior of the cartridge; a vent port for communicating said second chamber with an exterior of said ink tank cartridge; a porous member disposed in said second chamber for transferring ink to said ink supply port, said first chamber being dimensioned to contain ink for transfer to said porous member in said second chamber; and a funnel-shaped packing member provided within said ink supply port, said packing member being formed with an opening therethrough having a wide end and a narrow end and being dimensioned to receive said ink supply needle of said ink-jet recording apparatus and to resiliently abut against an outer periphery of said ink supply needle, said packing member being for preventing the flow of ink through said ink supply port other than through said ink supply needle when said needle is positioned in said ink supply port, said narrow end of said opening being disposed away from said second chamber.

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0 e ooi s r v- -s i i There is still further disclosed herein a system for mounting an ink tank cartridge onto an ink supply needle of an ink-jet type recording apparatus, said system comprising an ink tank cartridge and an ink-jet type recording apparatus having an ink supply needle, said ink tank cartridge comprising: a first chamber; a second chamber for communicating with said first chamber through a passageway formed within said cartridge between said first and second chambers; an ink supply port extending through a wall of said second chamber to supply ink to the exterior of the cartridge; and a vent port for communicating said second chamber with an exterior of said ink tank cartridge; a porous member disposed in said second chamber for transferring ink to said ink supply port, said first chamber being dimensioned to contain ink for transfer to said porous member in said second chamber; and a funnel-shaped packing member provided within said ink supply port, said packing member being formed with an opening therethrough having a wide end and a narrow end and being dimensioned to receive said ink supply needle of said ink-jet recording apparatus and to resiliently abut against said outer periphery of said ink supply needle, said packing member being for preventing the flow of ink through said ink supply port other than through said ink supply needle when said needle is positioned in said ink supply port, said narrow end of said opening being disposed away from said second chamber.

There is yet further disclosed herein a method for removably mounting an ink tank cartridge for an ink-jet type recording apparatus onto an ink supply needle of said ink-jet type recording apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: storing ink in a first chamber; storing a porous member being impregnated with ink in a second chamber, said second chamber communicating with said first chamber through a passage connecting said chambers; extending an ink supply port from a wall of said second chamber in said ink tank cartridge to supply ink to the ink-jet recording apparatus; inserting said ink supply needle of the ink-jet type recording apparatus into a funnel-shaped packing member provided within said ink supply port, said packing member being formed with an opening therethrough having a wide end and a narrow end and being dimensicned to receive said ink supply needle, said narrow end of said opening being dispesed away from said second chamber; abutting said packing member against an outer periphery of said ink supply needle of the ink-jet type recording apparatus for preventing the flow of ink through La' i Nc 'i r [n.\hbdd]00168:GJGTCW 3a said ink supply port other than through said ink supply needle when said needle is positioned in said ink supply port; and communicating said second chamber with an exterior of said ink tank cartridge.

There is yet further disclosed herein an ink tank cartridge for an ink-jet type recording apparatus, comprising: a housing formed with a chamber therein; an ink supply port extending through a wall of said housing, said ink supply port having a first opening directed toward said chamber of said housing and a second opening directed away from said wall of said housing; a vent port for communicating said chamber with an exterior of said ink tank cartridge; a porous member disposed in said chamber for transferring ink to said ink supply port; and a funnel-shaped packing member provided within said ink supply port, said .*packing member being formed with an opening therethrough having a wide end and a narrow end and being dimensioned to receive an ink supply needle of an ink-jet ooo.i recording apparatus and to resiliently abut against an outer periphery of said ink supply needle, said packing member being for preventing the flow of ink through said ink .,eooi S 20 supply port other than through said ink supply needle when said needle is positioned in S.said ink supply port, said narrow end of said opening being disposed away from said chamber.

There is yet further disclosed herein an ink-jet type recording apparatus for outputting ink onto a recording medium, comprising: 25 a recording head for ejecting ink; an ink supply needle coupled to said recording head and having at least one through hole; and an ink tank cartridge being removably mountable onto the ink supply needle, said ink tank cartridge comprising: a housing formed with a chamber therein; an ink supply port extending from a wall of said housing, said ink supply port having first opening directed towards said chamber of said housing and a second opening directed away from said wall of said housing; a vent port for communicating said chamber with an exterior of said ink tank cartridge; a porous member disposed in said chamber for transferring ink to said ink supply port; and 0~ In:\hbddI001 68:GJG:TCW 3b a funnel-shaped packing member provided within said ink supply port, said packing member being formed with an opening therethrough having a wide end and a narrow end and being dimensioned to receive an ink supply needle of an ink-jet recording apparatus and to resiliently abut against an outer periphery of said ink supply needle, said packing member being for preventing the flow of ink through said ink supply port other than through said ink supply needle when said needle is positioned in said ink supply port, said narrow end of said opening being disposed away from said chamber.

Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an ink supply system of an ink-jet type recording apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a multi-color ink jet printer cartridge s constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment rotated 90 0 C from the S. view if FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the ink cartridge of Figs. 2 and 3 with the lid removed; S 20 FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a single color ink cartridge constructed S• in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; FIG. 6(a) is a top plan view of the lid of FIG. 2; FIG. 6(b) is a top plan view showig the lid with a seal affixed thereto; FIG. 7(a) is a cross-sectional vi'w showing a packing member with an ink 25 supply needle inserted therein in accordance with the invention; FIG. 7(b) is a cross-sectional view of the packing member prior to insertion; FIG. 8 is a graph showing the relationships of the ink consumption, the pressure level, and the amount of ink remaining in an ink chamber; FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge showing the boundary between ink and foam chambers in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention; FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge showing the boundary between ink and foam chambers in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention; FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the boundary between ink and foam chambers of an ink cartridge constructed in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention; FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 33-33 of FIG. 11; [n:\bddldOO168;GJG:TCW 3c FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the boundary between ink and foam chambers of an ink cartridge constructed in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the invention; ee ee e• [n i\hbddl00168:.GJG:TCW -4- FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line _5-35 of FIG. 13; FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing an ink cartridge constructed in accordance with a seventh embcdiment of the invention; FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing an ink cartridge constructed in accordance with a eighth embodiment of the invention; FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing an ink cartridge for an ink jet printer constructed in accordance with a ninth embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the ninth embodiment of the invention rotated 90* from FIG. 17.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments A printer head according to the present invention may be used in four-color printer plotter or color image printer and has four-color ink systems and ink jets corresponding respectively to four ink colors. The four-color printer plotter employs black, red, green and blue inks, and moves the head or a sheet of print paper or both and then ejects ink as in a conventional ink jet print head, corresponding to a desired one of the colors against the print paper at a prescribed position thereon to form an ink dot. Desired characters and figures can thus be recorded by repeating the above cycle.

The present invention is applicable to ink jet printers of all varieties, including print heads using heat from heated resistors or the like or the displacement of piezoelectric or with transducers to project a drop of ink from a chamber upon application of a print signal. The ink supply tanks according to the invention can supply ink continuously to said chambers through capillary paths.

In a color image printer using inks of four colors, that is, black, red, green and blue, a sheet of print paper is scanned by a printer head in a direction perpendicular to 25 the direction of feed of the print paper to form one-dot line in one scanning stroke, and the print paper is fed along by line pitches to record images. In seven-color printers, inks of four colors, that is, black, yellow, magenta and cyan, are used, and the colors of red, green and blue are formed on a sheet of print paper by superimposing inks of two out of the three desired colors other than black, thereby recording color images of 30 seven colors.

S' The present invention is concerned primarily with the printer head, and in particular with the ink tanks, and detailed description of the overall printer construction will be given only by way of a single example.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an ink supply system of an ink-jet type recording apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

A print head unit 1 of an ink-jet type is connected to an ink tank 3 through a connecting member 2. Ink is supplied from the ink tank 3 to the print head unit 1 tnAXibdd1OO168:AHT through a hollow needle 2a and an ink supply passage 2b of the connecting member 2, so that the print head unit 1 emits ink droplets in accordance with print signals.

The apparatus shown in FIG. 1 also includes a cap member 4 disposed at nonprinting area, which cap member comes into abutment against the nozzle plate of the print head unit 1 by a drive mechanism (not shown) for preventing the nozzle openings from drying. The cap member 4 is connected through a tube 8 to a suction pump which is operated by a control device 6 to suck ink from the print head unit 1 through the cap member 4. The apparatus shown in FIG, 1 is also provided with an effluent tank 7 connected to an outlet port of the suction pump 5 through a tube 9.

The recording head may be of any structure such as described in European Patent Publication Nos. 581,531, 609,863, 584,823 and so on.

The ink cartridge is configured so as to be mounted with a small force and with accommodating a misalignment of a certain degree. Reference is first made to Figs. 2 and 3 which depict an ink cartridge constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. A main container 501, is divided into three compartments 504, 505 and 506 by partitions 502 and 503 as shown in FIG. 3. Each of the three compartments 504, 505 and 506 is divided by a center partition wall 510 into foam chambers 511, 511' or 511" housing a respective porous member 520, 520' or 520" and ink chambers 512, 512' or 512" which are adapted to contain liquid ink.

Foam chambers 511, 511', 511" are dimensioned to receive a respective porous member 520, 520' 520".

:The volume of each of porous members 520, 520' and 520" is selected so as to be larger than the capacity of each of the respective foam chambers 511, 511' or so as to be compressed while being retained in the respective foam chamber in a preferred embodiment. The ratio of the capacities of each foam chamber 511, 511' or 511'' and each ink chamber 512, 512' or 512"'' is selected so that each foam chamber 511, 511' or 511" is dimensioned to hold 20 to 30% more ink than the respective ink chamber 512, 512' or 512".

When inks of three colors are contained within a single cartridge as in Figs. 2 S: 30 4, it may be difficult to see if different amounts of ink remain in the chambers, which may be caused by unbalanced consumption of the different color inks. When ink of one color is depleted, and the user wishes to dispose of the cartridge, the user need not unnecessarily worry about any remaining ink of the other colors in the cartridge leaking. When a cartridge of the invention is disposed of, ink is prevented from flowing out of the cartridge because ink of each color is absorbed by each respective porous member, thereby protecting the environment from any leakage of ink.

Ink supply ports 513, 513' and 513" (not shown), chamber 511 being exemplary of each chamber 511, 511' and 511", are formed in main container 501 (n:\libdd00168:AHT -6within a respective foam chamber 511, 511', 511". Each ink supply port 513, 513' and 513" is adapted to engage with a respective ink supply needle (not shown) of the recording head which are inserted at the lower end of each of the foam chambers 511, 511' and 511".

Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3, the upper end of the main container 501 is sealed by a lid 516. Two ink filling ports 514 and 515 are formed at positions on lid 516 corresponding to foam chamber 511. Similarly, as shown in Fig each chamber 511, 511' and 511" includes corresponding ink filling ports 514 and 515, 514' and 515', and 514" and 515". Projections 516a and 516b, FIG. 2, are integrally formed with the inner surface of lid 516 and are positioned in foam chamber 511, so as to surround filling ports 515 and 514, respectively. Porous member 520 is compressed by projections 516a and 516b against the bottom wall of foam chamber 511 in which ink supply port 513 is formed. Projections 516a' and 516b', and 516a" and 516b" are similarly formed in the inner wall of lid 516, and are positioned in foam r.Xrmi ers 511' and 511", which contain ink supply ports 513' and 513", respectively shown in FIG. 3.

Projection 516a which opposed ink supply port 513 is formed with its lower tip located at position lower than the lower tip of projection 516b, whereby the portion of poro,.j member 520 in the vicinity of ink supply port 513 is ccmp. ssed to the greatest extent.

Protrusion portions 522, 522' and 522" (collectively which cooperate with lid 516 to compress porous members 520, 520' and 520" respectively are formed on the bottom of each of foam chambers 511, 511' and 511". Recesses 523, 523' and 523" (collectively which define spaces having a fixed opening area, are formed 25 at the upper end of respective protrusion portions 522. Through holes 524, 524' and 524" (collectively are disposed within the respective protrusion portions 522.

":One end of each through hole 524 is in fluid communication with the spaces defined by recesses 523 and the other end with a respective packing (collectively which will be hereinafter described. Filters 525, 525' and 525" (not shown) (collectively S 30 "525") are fixed to the upper end of recesses 523 respectively.

Packing members 530 of which only 530 is shown, are disposed at the lower end of ink supply ports 513, 513' and 513" respectively and are made of a resilient material such as rubber. Packing members 530, are configured as a funnel-shaped packing which opens upward. The lower ends of tubular portions 531 are thicker than the other portion. The respective upper peripheral edges 533 of taper portions 532 of respective packing members 530 contact with step portions 513a of respective ink supply ports 513, 513' and 513". Each packing member 530 is formed with protiusions ,eceived by groove portion 527 within the inner wall of ink supply port In:\libddl0016B:AHT -7- 513. The boundary between tubular portions 531 and taper portions 532, are configured as thir 'onnection portions 534.

In this design, packing members 530 are fixed by tubular portions 531 to respective ink supply ports 513. Additionally, upward movement of upper peripheral edges 533 is prevented by respective step portions 513a. Thus, even when the respective ink supply needle is inserted or extracted, packing members 530 are adequately fixed to ink supply ports 513. Since taper portions 532 serve to attain the hermetic seal between the packing member of the respective ink supply port 513 and the ink supply needle by the respective thin connection portions 534, the taper portions lo can be moved somewhat without causing deformation. Consequently, the airtight seal between the resper:tive packing member and ink supply needle can be maintained while accommodating a relative misalignment between the respective ink supply needle and ink supply port.

Communicating holes 519, 519' and 519" are formed in center partition wall 510, which separates foam chambers 511, 511' and 511" from ink chambers 512, 512' and 514" respectively. Slots 519a, 519a' 519a" which extend to a predetermined height are formed to be in communication with communicating holes 519, 519' and 519" respectively for gas-liquid replacement. Between each respective pair of foam and ink chambers 511 and 512, 511' and 512', and 511" and 512", porous members ;20, 520' and 520" are housed in the foam chambers 511, 511' and 511" respectively in such a manner that each porous member is held against the respective communicating hole 519, 519' or 519". Ribs 518, 518' and 518" are formed on a back wall 501a of container 501 within a respective ink chamber 512, 512' and 512". An individual ,communication hole is formed between each respective chamber pair 511, 512, and 25 extend along only a portion of the length of partition 510 formed thereat.

In a second. embodiment of the invention an ink cartridge s utilized for a single color ink. A cartridge 5100 for a single color, or black ink can be made smaller *in size than that for color inks, but the ink chamber 5112 for black ink would have a larger capacity than each of the corresponding chambers for a color ink. According to S 30 the second additional embodiment of the invention, a cartridge for black ink is shown in FIG. 5 having a partition wall 5117 formed within a container 5100 so as to extend bcbtween center partition wall 5110 which separates a foam chamber 5111 from a ink chamber 5112 and a side wall 5100a of main container 5100, thereby dividing ink .i chamber 5112 into two cells 5112a and 5112b. This structure prevents container 5100 from being deformed by a negative pressure produced during the ink filling process which will be hereinafter described, or by an external pressure during usage, thereby preventing any ink from leaking. Cells 5112a and 5112b are retained in fluid communication with foam chamber 5111 via a communicating hole 5119 in center n;\lAibddOO0168:AHT Y I partition 5110 which extends along only a portion of the length of partition 5110. In addition, a communicating hole may be formed in the lower portion of partition wall 5117.

On the inner face of wall 5100a, which can easily be seen when the cartridge is mounted on a carriage, a plurality of ribs 5118 are formed which extend vertically along inner face 5100a. These ribs allow ink to flow more easily down along wall 5100a, and the user can easily recognize the amount of ink remaining in the cartridge by seeing the ink level.

Reference is now made to Figs. 6(a) and 6(b) which depict lid 516 constructed in accordance with the first additional embodiment of the invention. Ink filling holes 514, 514' and and 515, 515' and 515" are formed in the regions of lid 516 corresponding to the placement of porous members 520, 520' and 520" within container 501. Air communicating ports 541, 541' and 541'' are connected to ink filling holes 514, 514' and 514" via grooves 540, 540' and 540", respectively.

When a seal 542 for covering ink filling holes 514, 514' and 514", 515, 515' and 515", and air vent ports 541, 541' and 541'' is fixed to the upperside of lid 516, FIG. after ink foam chambers 511, 511' and 511" are filled, grooves 540, 540' and 540"'' form capillary tubes with seal 542. A tongue piece 545 of seal 542, which protrudes from lid 516, is formed with a neck portion 543 disposed in seal 542 at a midpoint of the route of air vent ports 541, 541' and 541". When tongue piece 545 is peeled from lid 516, tongue piece 545 is easily separated from seal 542. This in turn exposes air vent ports 541, but not other portions of the underside of seal 542.

In a preferred embodiment, seal 542 is formed with patterns such as characters and illustrations printed on its main portion 544 which permanently seals grooves 540, 540' and 540". Patterns, colors, or other printing different from that printed on main portion 544 of seal 542 may be placed on tongue piece 545 which is connected to main portion 544 of seal 542 via neck portion 543.

o For example, in a further preferred embodiment, the main portion 544 of seal 542 has a blue background, black characters and other illustrations printed thereon.

30 The background color of tongue piece 545 is a color such as yellow or red which contrasts with the background color of main portion 544. Characters and illustrations are printed on the background in colors which are mainly black or blue. In this way, main portion 544 and tongue piece 545 are distinguished from each other in color and pattern. Consequently, it is possible to call the user's attention to the need for the removal of tongue piece 545.

Each of ink supply ports 513, 513' and 513" are sealed by a film 546 (FIG.

and ink filling needles are hermetically inserted into the ink filling holes 514, 514' and 514" and 515, 515' and 515" respectively. The first of filling holes 514, 514' and (n:\libddl0018:AHT 514" is connected to evacuating means, and the second of the filling holes 15, 515' and 515" is closed.

The evacuating means reduces the pressure in each of foam chambers 511, 51 1' and 511" and in each of ink chambers 512, 512' and 512". When the pressure is reduced to a predetermined value, the evacuating operation is stopped and the first filling hole is closed. Thereafter, the second filling hole is placed in fluid communication with a measuring tube filled with ink. Ink contained in the measuring tube is drawn into the evacuated container and is then absorbed by respective porous member 520, 520' and 520" and thereafter flows into ink chamber 512, 512' or 512" via communicating holes 519, 519' or 519" respectively.

After the specified amount of ink flows into the appropriate ink chamber, seal 542 is fixed to the outer surface of lid 516 so that the ink filling holes 514, 514' and 514" and 515, 515' and 515", grooves 540, 540' and 540", and communicating ports 541, 541' and 541" are sealed under reduced pressure. Seal 542 thereafter maintains the reduced pressure states of foam chambers 511, 511' and 511"'' and ink chambers 512, 512' and 512".

Before use of the cartridge, tongue piece 545 of seal 542 is then peeled off so that tongue piece 545 is broken at neck portion 543 and is separated from main portion 544. Thus, ink filling holes 514, 514' and 514" are placed in fluid communication with air vent ports 541, 541' and 541" via grooves 540, 540' and 540". Also, foam chambers 511, 511' and 511"'' are placed in fluid communication with air vent ports 541, 541' and 541" and therefore ambient air, via grooves 540, 540' and 540". Thus, while the ink is prevented from evaporating, the ink cartridge is ventilated.

Reference is now made to Figs. 7(a) and wherein an ink supply port 513 of the ink cartridge is positioned so as to be aligned with an ink supply needle 550 of the recording head. Thereafter the ink cartridge is pushed toward the recording head upon insertion of the ink cartridge. A taper portion 551 of ink supply needle 550 passes through a film seal 546 and engages the hole of packing member 530 as shown in FIG. Since packing member 530 opens upward, packing member 530 allows 30 ink supply needle 550 to pass therethrough while packing member 530 is resiliently deformed by taper portion 551 of ink supply needle 550.

When the cartridge is used, ink supply needle 550 passes through packing member 530. The resiliency of connection portion 534 of packing member 530 enables taper portion 532 to engage ink supply needle 500. Even if ink supply needle 550 of the recording head and the center of packing 530 are somewhat misaligned, ink supply port 513 and ink supply needle 550 are hermetically sealed.

To conduct ink into the recording head after the ink cartridge is mounted, or to recover the ink ejection performance, a negative pressure is applied to the recording [n:\libddlO0168:AHT

I

head and through ink supply needle 550 so that ink in the cartridge flows through ink supply needle 550 and into the recording head. Because of the pressure difference, this high negative pressure applied iW the cartridge causes taper portion 532 of packing member 530, which hermetically seals and isolates the cartridge from ambient air, to s deform upward in FIG. 7(a) toward the interior of the ink cartridge. Thus, the pressure difference aids in causing taper portion 532 of packing member 530 to be resiliently pressed against ink supply needle 550, and thereby aids in hermetically sealing the ink cartridge.

Even if ink supply needle 550 is not positioned completely through packing member 530, the resilient force in taper portion 532 of packing member 530 allows taper portion 532 to remain in contact with ink supply needle 550 as long as the tapered portion 551 of ink supply needle 550 remains in contact with the taper portion 532 as shown in FIG. Consequently, it is possible to secure the air tightness of packing member 530 and ink supply needle 550 even if the needle is not properly inserted.

Since the tip of ink supply needle 550 is sealed upon contact with packing member 530, the dead space in the cartridge can be made very small, and any air bubbles which may be produced by the piston effect upon insertion of the cartridge onto the recording head are prevented from entering the cartridge.

When a negative pressure is applied fioam the nozzle openings of the recording head, ink absorbed by porous member 520 flows into the recording head via through hole 524 and through holes 552 of ink supply needle 550. When ink of a predetermined amount is consumed from porous member 520 and the ink level in porous member 520 is reduced, the pressure of ink chamber 512 overcomes the holding force of porous member 520 in the vicinity of communicating hole 519, so that air bubbles enter ink chamber 512 via communicating hole 519. Consequently, the pressure in a ii- :hamber 512 is increased and ink therefore flows into a foam chamber 511.

The ink flowing into foam chamber 511 is absorbed by porous member 520 and causes the ink level in foam chamber 511 to be raised. At the instant when the ink 30 holding force of porous member 520 in the vicinity of communicating hole 519 is balanced with the pressure in ink chamber 512, the flow of ink from ink chamber 512 into foam chamber 511 is stopped.

The graph of FIG. 8 illustrates this process. In the figure, the letter F indicates the pressure level in porous member 520 of foam chamber 511, and the letter G indicates the ink level in ink chamber 512. When a predetermined amount of ink wl which was initially contained in porous member 520 is consumed so that the ink level in porous member 520 is reduced to a predetermined value at which the pressure in ink chamber 512 overcomes the ink holding force of porous member 520 in the vicinity of [n\llbddlOO1 68:AHT -11 communicating hole 519, ink gradually flows in a stepwise manner from ink chamber 512 into the foam chamber 511. This process occurs until the balance between the pressure of the ink chamber 512 and the ink holding trce of porous member 520 in the vicinity of communicating hole 519 is restored. As a result, although the ink level in ink chamber 512 is gradually reduced, the ink level in porous member 520 can be maintained at a substantially constant level so that ink is supplied to the recording head by a constant pressure difference at a constant rate.

After a predetermined amount of ink w2 is consumed by the recording head, no ink will remain in ink chamber 512, but the amount of ink contained in porous member 520 will be at a level equal to the level when ink was intermittently being supplied to foam chamber 511 from ink chamber 512. Therefore, printing can be continued using the amount of ink absorbed in porous member 520, although no further ink is available in ink chamber 512 to replenish the ink supply into porous member 520. After a predetermined amount of ink w3 is consumed during printing, the ink supply in porous member 520 will be depleted, and the ink cartridge will no longer support printing.

During the entire printing operation front when all the ink contained in ink chamber 512 has been absorbed in porous member 520 until the ink is depleted, a .:ooei constant amount of ink is supplied to the recording head. The depletion of ink from ink 20 chamber 512 indicates the impending depletion of ink in the ink tank cartridge. If a eoooo S" fresh cartridge is inserted at this stage, it is possible to ensure a constant supply of ink S to the recording head without interruption.

As described above, the inner space of the ink cartridge of the invention must o0~ be maintained at a negative pressure during the printing process. In addition to the achievement of the above-described hermetic seal between the ink supply port and the ink supply needle, the transfer of ink from ink chamber 512 to the foam chamber 511 must be performed properly to ensure a constant flow of ink to the recording head.

Hereinafter, the structure for controlling the supply of ink from ink chamber 512 to So. foam chamber 5i I will be described.

30 Reference is now made to FIG. 9 which depicts the boundary between the foam chamber 511 and ink chamber 512 in a third additional embodiment of the invention. Like numerals are utilized to indicate like structures, the primary difference between this embodiment and the first additional embodiment being a step portion formed in hole 519.

A step portion 560 is formed in communicating hole 519. A portion 563 of the base of ink chamber 512 is higher than that of foam chamber 511, step portion 560 being the dividing point. A groove 561 connecting the foam and the ink chamber is formed in the lower i.-rt of step portion 560.

InAllbdd100168AHT 12- Porous member 520 is in contact with communicating hole 519 and is received by step portion 560 so that the portion of porous member 520 in the vicinity of communicating hole 519 is compressed, whereby the required pressure difference between ink chamber 512 and foam chamber 511 via communicating hole 519 can be attained. When the ink level of ink chamber 512 is reduced to a low level, groove 561 enables ink from ink chamber 512 to be collected and then absorbed by porous member 520 in foam chamber 511. Consequently, all of the ink in ink chamber 512 can be supplied to the recording head for printing without wasting any ink.

Reference is now made to FIG. 10, which depicts an ink cartridge constructed in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention. Again, like numerals are used to indicate like structures, the primary difference between this embodiment and the first additional embodiment is the different leveled bottoms of the respective chambers.

The bottom face 564 of ink chamber 512 is higher than the bottom face 567 of foam chamber 511, thereby forming a step portion 562. Step portion 562 receives the lower portion of porous member 520 so that the portion of porous member 520 in the vicinity of communicating hole 519 is compressed. When required, a slope 563 which is directed from the ink chamber 512 to the foam chamber 511 may be formed to aid in the supply of ink. Since slope 563 allows ink in ink chamber 512 to flow more easily •toward foam chamber 511, irrespective of the inclination of the carriage, ink from ink 20 chamber 512 can be constantly supplied to the recording head.

oe.eoi Reference is now made to FIGS. 11 and 12 which depict an ink jet cartridge S "constructed in accordance with a fifth additional embodiment of the invention. Like structures are indicated by like reference numerals, the primary difference between this embodiment and the first additional embodiment is the formation of a through hole.

25 This embodiment is the same as shown in FIGS 4 and Groove 519a (FIGS. 4 and 5) is formed in the face of center partition 510 separating foam chamber 511 from ink chamber 512. Groove 519a is formed in the face of partition 510 on the side of the foam chamber 511 and is in communication with the upper portion of communicating hole 519 of center partition 510 within the S 30 respective chambers 511, 512. In order to allow air to pass from ink chamber 512 to foam chamber 511 and to retain these chambers in fluid communication with each other, a through hole 519b is formed in the lower end of the groove 519a. Thus, the upper portion of porous member 520 which exhibits a relatively small capillary force is maintained in fluid communication with communicating hole 519 via the space formed by thin groove 519a. Therefore, ink can be smoothly replaced with air so that ink in ink chamber 512 constantly flows into foam chamber 511, thereby preventing too much or not enough ink from being supplied.

n:\llbddl00168AHT 13- Reference is now made to FIGS. 1.3 and 14 which depict an ink cartridge constructed in accordance with a sixth additional embodiment of the invention. Like numerals are utilized to depict like structures, the primary difference being the use of a projection into foam chamber 511.

A horseshoe-shaped projection 565 is formed on the bottom of foam chamber 511 as is shown in FIG. 14. Projection 565 ensures a space in the vicinity of communicating hole 519 so that ink from ink chamber 512 can easily flow into foam chamber 511.

As described above, foam chamber 511 and ink chamber 512 are separated from each other by the single center partition 510. In seventh or eighty additional embodiments of a single-color ink cartridge, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 respectively, an ink chamber 571 may be formed so as to surround two or three sides of a foam chamber 570, and a communicating hole 573 may be formed in at least one of the walls 572 separating the foam chamber 570 from the ink chamber 571. An exit port 574 is positioned within foam chamber 570. An ink cartridge of this design can store an amount of ink which is relatively large as compared with the volume of the whole ink cartridge. Furthermore, because of the location of the chambers, the user can easily see if replacement of the ink cartridge is required because of depletion of the ink.

iReferences is now made to FIGS. 17 and 18 m ink jet printer 20 cartridge constructed in accordance with a ninth additional embod ?vnt, the invention as provided. This embodiment is similar to the first additional embodiment, the primary difference being the use of a resilient O-ring 5300 which is retained in contact with the peripheral face of an ink supply needle of the recording head upon insertion of the ink supply needle into the ink supply cartridge. However, this ink jet printer results 25 in other problems solved by the first additional embodiment. A large frictional force may be produced when mounting the cartridge on the carriage and inserting the ink supply needle into the cartridge. This results in an extra strain on the recording head and the carriage. Furthermore, O-ring 5300 is supported at its periphery by the body 5302 of the cartridge. If there is a misalignment between the cartridge and the ink supply needle of the recording head upon insertion of the ink supply needle in the ink supply cartridge, it is very difficult to mount the cartridge. Furthermore, when a three color ink cartridge in which tanks 5304, 5306 and 5308 for the three color inks are integrated into one piece as shown in FIG. 18, it is extremely difficult to mount such a cartridge on the recording head if the cartridge and any of the ink supply needles are misaligned.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in carrying out the above coi.sitruction and method set forth without departing 1n:\libddJ00168:AHT 14from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall there between.

ln:\IibddIO0168:AHT

Claims

1. An ink tank cartridge for an ink-jet type recording apparatus, comprising: a first chamber; a second chamber for communicating with said first chamber through a passageway formed within said cartridge between said first and second chambers; an ink supply port extending through a wall of said second chamber to supply ink to the exterior of the cartridge; a vent port for communicating said second chamber with an exterior of said ink tank cartridge; a porous member disposed in said second chamber for transferring ink to said ink supply port, said first chamber being dimensioned to contain ink for transfer to said porous member in said second chamber; and a funnel-shaped packing member provided within said ink supply port, said packing member being formed with an opening therethrough having a wide end and a narrow end and being dimensioned to receive av ink supply needle of an ink-jet recording apparatus and to resiliently abut against an outer periphery of said ink supply needle, said packing member being for preventing the flow of ink through said ink supply port other than through said ink supply needle when said needle is positioned in 20 said ink supply port, said narrow end of said opening being disposed away from said second chamber.

2. The ink tank cartridge of claim 1, wherein said ink supply port includes a passage therethrough defined by an interior wall, said packing member including a support portion supported by said interior wall of said ink supply port 25 coupled at a region thereof close to said second chamber to the wide end of said packing member.

3. The ink tank cartridge of claim 2, wherein said passage through said ink supply port includes a stepped region between a region of smaller cross-sectional area closer to the second chamber and a region of larger cross-sectional area and abutting said stepped region.

4. The ink tank cartridge of claim 3, wherein said region of larger cross- sectional area of said passage includes a lateral groove, said support portion including a projection for receipt in said groove. The ink tank cartridge of claim 4, wherein said support portion is essentially tubular in shape.

6. The ink tank cartridge of claim 1, wherein said first and second chambers form an integrated unit. 'I T00 jo3~a-i InlitiddIOO1 68:GJG -16-

7. The ink tank cartridge of claim 6, wherein said ink tank cartridge comprises a plurality of said integrated units forming a single integrated tank, each unit containing a respective different kind of ink.

8. The ink tank cartridge of either one of claims 1 and 6, said ink supply port including a protrusion portion projecting into said second chamber and formed with an entrance opening to said ink supply port, and said protrusion portion engaging against and locally compressing a part of said porous member in the region of the entrance opening to said ink supply port.

9. The ink tank cartridge of either one of claims 1 and 8, further including a projection for pressing said porous member against said ink supply port, said projection being formed on an inside portion of said second chamber essentially opposite said ink supply port. The ink tank cartridge of any one of claims 1, 8 and 9, wherein said porous member has a volume before insertion in said second chamber greater than the volume of said second chamber.

11. The ink tank cartridge of claim 8, further including a recessed portion formed on sad protrusion portion and defining the entrance opening to said ink supply o.. port, said ink supply port including an ink passage extending from said recessed portion S away from said porous member, said recessed portion having a cross-sectional area S 20 greater than a cross-sectional area of said ink passage adjacent said recessed portion of said protrusion portion, and a filter disposed on said recessed portion between said porous member and said ink passage.

12. The ink tank cartridge of claim 1, further comprising at least one o• partition wall disposed within said first chamber to define a plurality of subchambers 25 within said first chamber.

13. The ink tank cartridge of claim 1, further comprising a rib disposed within said first chamber, said rib being vertically elongated and positioned on an inner face of said first chamber. S. 14. The ink tank cartridge of claim 1, said ink supply port including an exit opening spaced from said second chamber and further including a sealing member separate from said packing member positioned to seal said ink supply port at about said exit opening and constructed to be penetrated by said ink supply needle when said ink tank cartridge is mounted on said ink supply needle. The ink tank cartridge of claim 1, wherein said cartridge is constructed to be removably mounted on said recording apparatus so that an ink supply needle of said apparatus is received in said ink supply port.

16. An ink-jet type recording apparatus for outputting ink onto a recording 14;4 ,medium, comprising: [n:\hibddI00t 68,GJG

17- a recording head for ejecting ink; an ink supply needle coupled to said recording head and having at least one through hole to allow ink to pass therethrough; and an ink tank cartridge being removably mountable onto said ink supply needle of said ink-jet type recording apparatus, the ink tank cartridge, comprising: a first chamber; a second chamber for communicating with said first chamber through a passageway formed within said cartridge between said first and second chambers; an ink supply port extending through a wall of said second chamber to supply ink to the exterior of the cartridge; a vent port for communicating said second chamber with an exterior of said ink tank cartridge; a porous member disposed in said second chamber for transferring ink to said ink supply port, said first chamber being dimensioned to contain ink for transfer to said porous member in said second chamber; and ~a funnel-shaped packing member provided within said ink supply port, said packing member being formed with an opening therethrough having a wide end and a narrow end and being dimensioned to receive said ink supply needle of said ink-jet recording apparatus and to resiliently abut against an outer periphery of said ink supply .oooo needle, said packing member being for preventing the flow of ink through said ink supply port other than through said ink supply needle when said needle is positioned in said ink supply port, said narrow end of said opening being disposed away from said second chamber. 17. The ink-jet type recording apparatus of claim 16, wherein said ink 25 supply port includes a passage therethrough defined by an interior wall, said packing member including a support portion supported by said interior wall of said ink supply port coupled at a region thereof close to said second chamber to the wide end of said packing member.

18. The ink-jet type recording apparatus of claim 17, wherein said passage through said ink supply port includes a stepped region between a region of smaller cross-sectional area closer to the second chamber and a region of larger cross-sectional area and abutting said stepped region.

19. The ink-jet type recording apparatus of claim 18, wherein said region of larger cross-sectional area of said passage includes a lateral groove, said support portion including a projection for receipt in said groove. The ink-jet type recording apparatus of claim 19, wherein said support portion is essentially tubular in shape. nAi\lbddIQl168:GJG -18-

21. The ink-jet type recording apparatus of claim 16, wherein said first and second chambers form an integrated unit.

22. The ink-jet type recording apparatus of claim 21, wherein said ink tank cartridge comprises a plurality of said integrated units forming a single integrated tank, each unit containing a respective different kind of ink.

23. The ink-jet type recording apparatus of either one of claims 16 and 21, said ink supply port including a protrusion portion projecting into said second chamber and formed with an entrance opening to said ink supply port, and said protrusion portion engaging against and locally compressing a part of said porous 1 0o member in the region of the entrance opening to said ink supply port.

24. The ink-jet type recording apparatus of either one of claims 16 and 23, further including a projection for pressing said porous member against saie ink supply port, said projection being formed on an inside portion of said second chamber essentially opposite said ink supply port. 1 5 25. The ink-jet type recording apparatus of any one of claims 16, 23 and 24 wherein said porous member has a volume before insertion in said second chamber greater than the volume of said second chamber. r 26. The ink-jet type recording apparatus of claim 23, further including a •recessed portion formed on said protrusion portion and defining the entrance opening to said ink supply port, said ink supply port including an ink passage extending from said recessed portion away from said porous member, said recessed portion having a cross- sectional area greater than a cross-sectional area of said ink passage adjacent said recessed portion of said protrusion p?,rtion, and a filter disposed on said recessed portion between said porous member and said ink passage. 25 27. The ink-jet type recording apparatus of claim 16, further comprising at least one partition wall disposed within said first chamber to define a plurality of subchambers within said first chamber.

28. The ink-jet type recording apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a rib disposed within said first chamber, said rib being vertically elonga d and positioned on an inner face of said first chamber.

29. The ink-jet type recording apparatus of claim 16, said ink supply port including an exit opening spaced from said second chamber and further including a sealing member separate from said packing member positioned to seal said ink supply port at about said exit opening and constructed to be penetrated by said ink supply needle when said ink tank cartridge is mounted on said ink supply needle. A system for mounting an ink tank cartridge onto an ink supply needle of an ink-jet type recording apparatus, said system comprising an ink tank cartridge ;ntd -,IiddI t6: 19- an ink-jet type recording apparatus having an ink supply needle, said ink tank cartridge comprising: a first chamber; a second chamber for communicating with said first chamber through a passageway formed within said cartridge between said first and second chambers; an ink supply port extending through a wall of said second chamber to supply ink to the exterior of the cartridge; and a vent port for communicating said second chamber with an exterior of said ink tank cartridge; a porous member disposed in said second chamber for transferring ink to said ink supply port, said first chamber being dimensioned to contain ink for transfer to said porous member in said second chamber; and a funnel-shaped packing member provided within said ink supply port, said packing member being formed with an opening therethrough having a wide end and a narrow end and being dimensioned to receive said ink supply needle of said ink-jet recording apparatus and to resiliently abut against said outer periphery of said ink supply needle, said packing member being for preventing the flow of ink through said ink supply port other than through said ink supply needle when said needle is a positioned in said ink supply port, said narrow end of said opening being disposed away S 20 from said second chamber.

31. The systm of claim 30, wherein said ink supply port includes a passage therethrough defined by an interior wall, said packing member including a S support portion supported by said interior wall of said ink supply port coupled at a o• region thereof close to said second chamber to the wide end of said packing member. 25 32. The system of claim 31, wherein said passage through said ink supply port includes a stepped region between a region of smaller cross-sectional area closer to the second chamber and a region of larger cross-'nctional area and abutting said stepped region.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein said region of larger cross-sectional area of said passage includes a lateral groove, said support portion including a projection for receipt in said groove.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein said support portion is essentially tubular in shape. The system of claim 30, wherein said first and second chambers form an integrated unit.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein said ink tank cartridge comprises a plurality of said integrated units forming a single integrated tank, each unit containing a respective different kind of ink. n isbddIOOI GJG n ,bdtfl01 BGJ G a o a a a a

37. The system of either one of claims 30 and 35, said ink supply port including a protrusion portion projecting into said second chamber and formed with an entrance opening to said ink supply port, and said protrusion portion engaging against and locally compressing a part of said porous member in the region of the entrance opening to said ink supply port.

38. The system of either of claims 30 and 37, further including a projection for pressing said porous member against said ink supply port, said projection being formed on an inside portion of said second chamber essentially opposite said ink supply port.

39. The system of any one of claims 30, 37 and 38, wherein said porous r..,nber has a volume before insertion in Paid second chamber greater than the volume of said second chamber. The system of claim 37, further including a recessed portion formed on said protrusion portion and defining the entrance opening to said ink supply port, is said ink supply port including an ink passage extending from said recessed portion away fromn said porous member, said recessed portion having a cross-sectional area greater than a cross-sectional area of said ink passage adjacent said recessed portion of said protrusion portion, and a filter disposed on said recessed portion between said porous member and said ink passage. 20 41, The system of claim 30, further comprising at least one partition wall disposed within said first chamber to define a plurality of subchambers within said first chamber.

42. The system of claim 30, further comprising a rib disposed within said first chamber, said rib being vertically elongated and positioned on an inner face of said 25 first chamber,

43. The system of claim 30, said ink supply port including an exit opening spaced from said second chamber and further including a sealing member separate from said packing member positioned to seal said ink supply port at about said exit opening and constructed to be penetrated by said ink supply needle when said ink tank cartridge is mounted on said ink supply needle.

44. A method for removably mounting an ink tank cartridge for an ink-jet type recording apparatus onto an ink supply needle of said ink-jet type recording apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: storing ink in a first chamber; storing a porous member being impregnated with ink in a second chamber, said second chamber communicating with said first chamber through a passage S connecting said chambers; S, T OF\ Cn.\IibddlGO165 JG -21- extending an ink supply port from a wall of said second chamber in said ink tank cartridge to supply ink to the ink-jet recording apparatus; inserting said ink supply needle of the ink-jet type recording apparatus into a funnel-shaped packing member provided within said ink supply port, said packing member being formed with an opening therethrough having a wide end and a narrow end and being dimensioned to :;ceive said ink supply needle, said narrow end of said opening being disposed away from said second chamber; abutting said packing member against an outer periphery of said ink supply needle of the ink-jet type recording apparatus for preventing the flow of ink through said ink supply port other than through said ink supply needle when said needle is positioned in said ink supply port; and communicating said second chamber with an exterior of said ink tank cartridge. An ink tank cartridge for an ink-jet type recording apparatus, comprising: a housing formed with a chamber therein; an ink supply port extending through a wall of said housing, said ink supply a port having a first opening directed toward said chamber of said housing and a second I opening directed away from said wall of said housing; S 20 a vent port for communicating said chamber with an exterior of said ink tank cartridge; a porous member disposed in said chamber for transferring ink to said ink supply port; and a funnel-shaped packing member provided within said ink supply port, said 25 packing member being formed with an opening therethrough having a wide end and a narrow end and being dimensioned to receive an ink supply needle of an ink-jet recording apparatus and to resiliently abut against an outer periphery of said ink supply needle, said packing member being for preventing the flow of ink through said ink supply port other than through said ink supply needle when said needle is positioned in said ink supply port, said narrow end of said opening being disposed away from said chamber.

46. The ink tank cartridge of claim 45, further including a sealing member separate from said packing member positioned to seal said ink supply port before said ink tank cartridge is mounted on said ink supply needle, said sealing member being penetrated by said ink supply needle when said ink tank cartridge is mounted on said ink supply needle.

47. An ink-jet type recording apparatus 'or outputting ink onto a recording medium, comprising: fJnAI:bddlO0168:OJG -22- a recording head for ejecting ink; an ink supply needle coupled to said recording head and having at least one through hole; and an ink tank cartridge being removably mountable onto the ink supply needle, said ink tank cartridge comprising: a housing formed with a chamber therein; an ink supply port extending from a wall of said housing, said ink supply port having first opening directed towards said chamber of said housing and a second opening directed away from said wall of said housing; a vent port for communicating said chamber with an exterior of said ink tank carEridge; a porous member disposed in said chamber for transferring ink to said ink supply port; and a funnel-shaped packing member provided within said ink supply port, said packing member being formed with an opening therethrough having a wide end and a narrow end and being dimensioned to receive an ink supply needle of an ink-jet recording apparatus and to resiliently abut against an outer periphery of said ink supply needle, said packing member being for preventing the flow of ink through said ink V, supply port other than through said ink supply needle when said needle is positioned in 20 said ink supply port, said narrow end of said opening being disposed away from said chamber.

48. An ink-jet recording apparatus of claim 47, further including a sealing member separate from said packing member positioned to seal said ink supply port :,:before said ink tank cartridge is mounted on said ink supply needle, said sealing 25 member being penetrated by said ink supply needle when said ink tank cartridge is mounted on said ink supply needle.

49. An ink tank cartridge for an ink-jet type recording apparatus :0,8 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. An ink-jet type recording apparatus for outputting ink onto a recording medium substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

51. A system for mounting an ink tank cartridge onto an ink supply needle of an ink-jet type recording apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. InA\ibd7iJG Inl~libddI00168:GJG .23

52. A method for removably mounting an ink tank cartridge for an ink-jet type recording apparatus onto an ink supply needle of said ink-jet type recording apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated 29 January, 1998 Seiko Epson Corporation Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON FERGUSON ofS 0*00 [n\IftddIOl 68iGJG CIII~ Ink-Supplied Printer and Ink Supply Tank Abstract An ink tank cartridge ifr an ink-jet type recording apparatus, comprising a first chamber (512); a second chamber (511) for communicating with said first chamber through a passageway (519) formed within said cartridge between said first and second chambers; an ink supply port (513) extending through a wall of said second chamber to supply ink to the exterior of the cartridge; and a finnel-shaped packing member (530) provided within said ink supply port, said packing member being formed with an opening therethrough having a wide end and a narrow end and being dimensioned to receive an ink supply needle (550) of an ink jet recording apparatus and to resiliently abut against an outer periphery of said ink supply needle, said packing member being for preventing the flow of ink through said ink supply port other than through said ink supply needle when said needle is positioned in said ink supply port, said narrow end of said opening being disposed away from said second chamber. S. *c S S S. S S Sb., S S. FIG. 7(a) [N:\LIBC]01079:AHT I -r II~-