Abstract: An ink supplying system includes a weight measuring portion that measures at least a weight of the ink, and an ink refilling pump that extracts the ink from a refill container capable of refilling the ink to an ink container and refills the ink to the ink container; the controller controls the ink refilling pump to refill the ink from the refill container to the ink container when the weight of the ink measured by the weight measuring portion becomes smaller than or equal to a predetermined set value; and the set value is changeable.

Abstract: A fluid infuser includes an introduction needle having a projection on a peripheral surface, and an infusion tube configured to cover the introduction needle. The projection of the introduction needle is installed at a position where the introduction needle comes into contact with the infusion tube, and includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is arranged at a picking end side of the introduction needle with respect to the second surface, and an angle of inclination of the first surface is larger than an angle of inclination of the second surface. The fluid infuser is configured to guide an infusion tube to an object of insertion adequately, and allow the introduction needle to be pulled out easily from the infusion tube.

Abstract: A fluid infuser includes an introduction needle having a projection on a peripheral surface, and an infusion tube configured to cover the introduction needle. The projection of the introduction needle is installed at a position where the introduction needle comes into contact with the infusion tube, and includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is arranged at a picking end side of the introduction needle with respect to the second surface, and an angle of inclination of the first surface is larger than an angle of inclination of the second surface. The fluid infuser is configured to guide an infusion tube to an object of insertion adequately, and allow the introduction needle to be pulled out easily from the infusion tube.

Abstract: A fluid infusing apparatus includes: a flow channel member configured to transport a fluid; a cylindrical portion provided on the flow channel member, a measuring unit configured to measure a displacement of the cylindrical portion; a determining unit configured to determine a condition of transport of the fluid on the basis of the displacement of the cylindrical portion.

Abstract: A fluid infusing apparatus includes: a flow channel member configured to transport a fluid; a cylindrical portion provided in the flow channel member and having a film-shaped member; a measuring unit configured to measure a displacement of the film-shaped member; a determining unit configured to determine a condition of transport of the fluid on the basis of the displacement of the film-shaped member.

Abstract: A control method is provided for an ink jet recording apparatus 30 including a recording head 32 for ejecting ink to a medium 31, a heating means 46 for heating the recording head 32, an ink storage part 12 which reserves ink supplied to the recording head 32, and a negative pressure adjusting part 40 which adjusts a pressure in an inside of the ink storage part 12 to be a negative pressure. In the control method, when the ink jet recording apparatus 30 is to be turned off, heating of the recording head 32 by the heating part 46 is turned off but the negative pressure adjusting part 40 is left to be in an “ON” state so that the negative pressure in the inside of the ink storage part 12 is maintained and, after that, the negative pressure adjusting part 40 is turned off.

Abstract: A control method is provided for an ink jet recording apparatus 30 including a recording head 32 for ejecting ink to a medium 31, a heating means 46 for heating the recording head 32, an ink storage part 12 which reserves ink supplied to the recording head 32, and a negative pressure adjusting part 40 which adjusts a pressure in an inside of the ink storage part 12 to be a negative pressure. In the control method, when the ink jet recording apparatus 30 is to be turned off, heating of the recording head 32 by the heating part 46 is turned off but the negative pressure adjusting part 40 is left to be in an “ON” state so that the negative pressure in the inside of the ink storage part 12 is maintained and, after that, the negative pressure adjusting part 40 is turned off.

Abstract: An inkjet printer system includes a print head, a sub tank, and a sensor. The print head is configured to eject ink. The sub tank includes an ink supply chamber and an ink detection chamber. The ink supply chamber has an ink inlet hole and an ink outlet hole connected to the print head. Ink is supplied to the sub tank through the ink inlet hole. Ink is supplied to the print head from the sub tank through the ink outlet hole. The ink detection chamber communicates with the ink supply chamber. The sensor is configured to detect an amount of ink contained in the sub tank and includes a float member provided in the ink detection chamber to float in the ink.

Abstract: An inkjet printer system includes a print head, a sub tank, a pressure controller, and a check valve. The print head is configured to eject ink. The sub tank is connected to the print head and has a pressure control hole. The pressure controller is connected to the pressure control hole to control an inner pressure of the sub tank. The check valve is provided at the pressure control hole to prevent ink in the sub tank from flowing into the pressure control hole from the sub tank.

Abstract: An inkjet printer system includes a print head, a sub tank, a pressure controller, and a check valve. The print head is configured to eject ink. The sub tank is connected to the print head and has a pressure control hole. The pressure controller is connected to the pressure control hole to control an inner pressure of the sub tank. The check valve is provided at the pressure control hole to prevent ink in the sub tank from flowing into the pressure control hole from the sub tank.

Abstract: An inkjet printer system includes a print head, a sub tank, and a sensor. The print head is configured to eject ink. The sub tank includes an ink supply chamber and an ink detection chamber. The ink supply chamber has an ink inlet hole and an ink outlet hole connected to the print head. Ink is supplied to the sub tank through the ink inlet hole. Ink is supplied to the print head from the sub tank through the ink outlet hole. The ink detection chamber communicates with the ink supply chamber. The sensor is configured to detect an amount of ink contained in the sub tank and includes a float member provided in the ink detection chamber to float in the ink.

Abstract: In an ink jet recording apparatus comprising an ink jet recording head 3 for receiving supply of ink from an ink cartridge 4 provided with a storage device 7 storing data for determining compatibility to a recording apparatus, and a print controller 10 for determining compatibility of ink based on the data in the storage device 7 and executing the print operation, when an ink cartridge 4 is mounted, if compatibility to the ink cartridge 4 cannot be confirmed, a caution is given and the recording apparatus awaits an input of a continuation instruction by a user to execute a subsequent operation. Even if a cartridge whose compatibility cannot be confirmed is mounted, printing is enabled as much as possible without incurring damage to the recording apparatus.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus comprises: at least one recording head having a face on which a plurality of nozzle orifices are formed, the recording head mounted on a carriage to be moved reciprocatively in the widthwise direction of a recording sheet; a capping device disposed in a non-print region of the recording head, the capping device including at least one cap unit for sealing the nozzle-formed surface of the recording head in cooperation with the movement of carriage; and a plurality of suction pumps for applying negative pressure in the interior space of the cap unit via suction tubes while the cap unit seals the nozzle-formed surface in cooperation with at least one drive source. The number of the suction pumps is at least equal to the number of the cap unit.

Abstract: A printing apparatus arranged to perform printing while a monochrome printing head and a color printing head are moved in a direction in which the two heads are moved, the printing apparatus being arranged to print a plurality of patterns in which the relative quantity of deviation of printing timings of the two heads is changed in a stepped manner to cause a user to select a pattern having the smallest quantity of deviation among the plural patterns. Then, the selected pattern is used as a central value when a plurality of patterns in which the relative quantity of deviation of the printing timings of the two heads is changed in a stepped manner are furthermore printed to cause the user to select a pattern having a smallest quantity of deviation from the plural patterns. The above-mentioned process is repeated as necessary. As a result, the operation which is performed by the user to adjust the printing position can simply and easily be performed.

Abstract: A sheet end detector comprising a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element for detecting changes in the amount of light associated with movement of a piece of a recording medium is provided. A standard value calculator detects the difference between the sheet end detector platen voltage Vp corresponding to light reflected only from said platen and said sheet end detector paper saturation voltage Vm corresponding to light reflected only from the recording medium. The amount necessary to feed the paper for platen voltage Vp to reach paper saturation voltage Vm is a constant value, irrespective of recording medium characteristics, which is when all of the light is reflected by the recording medium and the entire end portion of a piece of a recording medium has reached a predetermined position relative to the position of the sheet end detector.

Abstract: A paper detection device for a printer, includes: a support member; a main lever pivotably mounted on the support member, wherein the main lever has a self-resetability to an upright position and is pivotable only in a sheet-feed-direction; an auxiliary lever pivotably mounted on the main lever, including a free end protruding into a sheet passage, wherein the auxiliary lever has a self-resetability and moves the main lever in the sheet-feed direction when the free end thereof is urged in the sheet-feed direction, but does not move the main lever in a reverse-sheet-feed direction when the free end of the auxiliary lever is urged in a reverse-sheet-feed direction.

Abstract: A ribbon mask for use with a impact dot matrix printer is provided. The ribbon mask comprises a head confronting surface and a pair of opposed side plates each positioned on an opposite side of the head confronting surface. An obtuse angle is formed between said head confronting surface each of the opposed side plates. A pair of fitting tabs are also provided. Each fitting tab is positioned on one of the pair of opposed side plates. An acute angle is formed between each of the fitting tabs and a plane parallel to a plane in which the head confronting surface lies. As a result of this construction, when the ribbon mask comes in contact with a sheet of a recording medium, the ribbon mask is deformed so that a portion of the head confronting surface comes into contact with an end of a recording head, which in turn prevents the ribbon mask from interfering with the sheet of the recording medium.

Abstract: A method of printing on a printing medium is provided, including providing a printing head for printing on a recording medium and conveying the recording medium in a first direction with a conveyer. A detector is positioned on the upstream side of the print head, the detector then detecting a trailing edge of the recording medium. The amount of recording medium conveyance by the conveyer upon the detection of said trailing edge is computed and it is determined whether the recording medium is of a standard size. Thereafter, a printing region on the recording medium is defined in accordance with the size of the recording medium if the recording medium is a standard size. A printer for printing on a printing medium which employs the above method is also provided wherein a detector is positioned upstream of the print head for detecting a trailing edge of the recording medium which is being conveyed.

Abstract: A printing method of playing out piled sheets of paper one by one, feeding the played-out sheet of paper to the position of a platen, and printing the sheet of paper, the printing method includes the steps of: (a) feeding the sheet of paper played out from the piled position thereof at a first speed until the sheet of paper approaches a platen which is stopping; (b) feeding the sheet of paper at a second speed lower than the first speed until a required short time passes from a time when the sheet of paper is engaged with the stopping platen, for performing a sheet flexing and a sheet skew removing; and (c) driving the platen at the second speed to feed the sheet of paper to a printing position. And the printing apparatus performs the printing method.

Abstract: An automatic platen gap adjusting apparatus is provided with (i) a stepping motor for moving a carriage provided with a recording head in the direction of a platen, (ii) a rotary encoder for producing a plurality of pulse signals proportional to the rotational speed of the motor, the rotary encoder being equipped with a detection mark on its circumference, (iii) a time difference integrating device for obtaining the integrated value of the time difference between the pulse signal from the rotary encoder and the driving pulse of the stepping motor, while moving the carrier from a reference position in the direction of the platen, and (iv) an abutment decision device for detecting whether the value thus obtained has reached a predetermined value. The thickness of the paper is calculated by a paper thickness calculation device according to the number of pulses produced up to the moment the signal is produced from the abutment decision device.