Abstract: An ink cartridge attachment/detachment device (1) includes a cartridge holding mechanism (30) that holds an ink cartridge (11) upon insertion of the ink cartridge (11) by a first predetermined stroke, and a power transmitting and converting mechanism (32) that ensures pressing force required for loading the ink cartridge (11) by using rotation of a lever arm (163) and leverage principle, and converts the rotation of the lever arm (163) into movement of a second predetermined stroke (S) required for loading the ink cartridge (11) held by the cartridge holding mechanism (30). The power transmitting and converting mechanism (32) includes a first cam portion (172) for moving the cartridge holding mechanism (30) by the second predetermined stroke (S).

Abstract: An ink cartridge attachment/detachment device 1 provided with an insertion opening 180 into which an ink cartridge 11 is inserted, and adapted to load the ink cartridge into a recording apparatus 3, includes: a cartridge holding unit 30, holding the ink cartridge 11 inserted from the insertion opening 180 in the recording apparatus; a lever arm 363, movable from a reset position at which the lever arm 363 is positioned when a loading of an ink cartridge 11 is enabled to a set position at which the lever arm 363 is positioned when the loading of the ink cartridge 11 is completed; a power transmitting and converting mechanism 32, converting a rotation of the lever arm 363 into a movement required for loading the ink cartridge 11 held by the cartridge holding unit 30; and an ink cartridge erroneous insertion action preventing unit 181, preventing an insertion action of the ink cartridge 11 when the lever arm 363 is not at the reset position.

Abstract: An ink cartridge 1 is detachably connected to a head of a record apparatus and has a container main body 2 having an ink tank chamber 11 opened to the atmosphere in a state in which the head and the cartridge are connected and a first opening 85 through which ink can be injected into the ink tank chamber (second ink storage chamber 16, etc.,). Such an intermediate wall 301 partitioning the ink tank chamber 11 into two space parts 11a and 11b placed side by side in an ink injection direction is disposed in the ink tank chamber 11 and is formed with a through part 301a through which ink can be injected.

Abstract: A simple, easy, and safe electronic settlement system is provided. A user terminal such as a cellular phone is wirelessly connected to a synchronizing server. A cashier server of a mail order retailer activates a virtual cashier terminal, and connects to the synchronizing server. The synchronizing server sets a transaction identifying number in order to identify the transaction, and sends to the user terminal information about the cashier server and the transaction identifying number. A user confirms the cashier server, and returns the transaction identifying number to the synchronizing server. The synchronizing server completes a transaction between the virtual cashier terminal and the user terminal, both of which are corresponded to each other by the transaction identification number. The user can complete a settlement of mail order without telling his or her personal information such as a credit card number or a password to a mail order retailer. A security of the system is improved.

Abstract: An expandable access device for providing access to a surgical site in the body. The expandable access device comprises a first blade, a second blade and a connection mechanism operable connecting the first and second blades. Each blade may have a first portion, a second portion and an intermediate portion between the first and second portions. The intermediate portions of each blade may be bent such that the first and second portions of each blade may be at an angle with respect to each other. The connection mechanism may have first and second elongated member, which may be in a criss-cross configuration. A first end of the first and second elongated members may be connected to the first blade and a second end of the first and second elongated members may be connected to the second blade. Such a construction may enable the first and second blades to separate and pivot with respect to each other.

Abstract: An ink cartridge has pivotable levers connected to walls of a container, and both pawls and protruded guide portions formed on the levers. The pawls are engageable with an ink cartridge holder. The protruded guide portions contact the ink cartridge holder to move the levers in the opening direction. Further, protruded stopper portions are formed to permit pivoting movement of the levers to such a degree as to disengage the pawls from the ink cartridge holder.

Abstract: A printing material container is detachably attachable to a printing apparatus having apparatus-side terminals. The container includes first and second devices, and a terminal group with first terminals, at least one second terminal and at least one third terminal. The first terminals are connected to the first device and respectively include a first contact portion for contacting a corresponding terminal among the apparatus-side terminals. The second terminal is connected to the second device and includes a second contact portion for contacting a corresponding apparatus-side terminal. The third terminal is for the detection of shorting between the second and third terminals and includes a third contact portion for contacting a corresponding terminal among the apparatus-side terminals. The second contact portion, the first contact portions, and the third contact portion are arranged to form rows. The second contact portion is arranged at an end of one of rows.

Abstract: The invention relates to an artificial intervertebral disc for placement between adjacent vertebrae. The artificial intervertebral disc is preferably designed to restore disc height and lordosis, allow for a natural range of motion, absorb shock and provide resistance to motion and axial compression. Furthermore, the intervertebral disc may be used in the cervical, the thoracic, or the lumber regions of the spine. The artificial intervertebral disc may include either singularly or in combination: an interior at least partially filled with a fluid; a valve for injecting fluid into the interior of the disk; a central region having a stiffness that is preferably greater than the stiffness of the outer regions thus enabling the disc to pivot about the central region. The central pivot may be formed by a center opening, a central chamber, an inner core or a central cable.

Abstract: The invention relates to an artificial intervertebral disc for placement between adjacent vertebrae. The artificial intervertebral disc is preferably designed to restore disc height and natural disc curvature, allow for a natural range of motion, absorb shock and provide resistance to motion and axial compression. Furthermore, the intervertebral disc may be used in the cervical, the thoracic, or the lumbar regions of the spine. The artificial intervertebral disc may include either singularly or in combination: an interior including at least one spring member preferably incorporating a arcuate surface member, a flexible core, the flexible core preferably being a slotted core, a ring spring, a winged leaf spring, or a leaf spring, or The articulating member preferably being attached to one of the endplate by an intermediate shock absorbing element.

Abstract: Liquid packs 34 provided with liquid leading members 42 are stored in a container case 31 that is constituted by fitting a case main body portion 32 and a lid case 33 in fitting portions 27 and 28, support portions 13, which positions the liquid leading members 42 so as to be opposed to liquid introducing members 71 attached to a cartridge inserting portion 13, are provided on a front surface 32a of the container case 31, the fitting portions 27 and 28 are arranged in a state in which the fitting portions 27 and 28 traverses the support portions 43, and space portions 29 and 30 having a gap larger than a gap formed in the fitting portions 27 and 28 are formed near the support portions 43 in the fitting portions 27 and 28. In this way, liquid flowing through the fitting portions 27 and 28 due to the capillarity is retained by the space portions 29 and 30 and never flows to the fitting portions 27 and 28 further extending from the space portions 29 and 30.

Abstract: Ink maintained at a negative pressure state is supplied to an ink-jet recording head via an ink supply mechanism constructed as a differential pressure valve having a coil spring 51 and a movable membrane 54 normally contacted elastically with a valve seat by the coil spring 51.

Abstract: To enable a coupling terminal member of an ink cartridge and a coupling terminal of a printing apparatus to be in certain and increase a degree of freedom on installation position of a coupling terminal member of the cartridge, a cartridge installed in a printing apparatus for supplying the printing apparatus with ink includes an ink cartridge body for containing ink, an ink supply section on which an ink supply opening placed on or near a first sidewall of the ink cartridge body is formed, a memory for storing information on ink in the ink cartridge body, a contact terminal member on a second sidewall of the ink cartridge body coupled to the memory and a positioning member, which protrudes from the second sidewall, for positioning the ink cartridge properly with respect to the printing apparatus when the ink cartridge is installed in the printing apparatus.

Abstract: A circuit board (32) has a board main body (32M), a pair of first electrodes (32d) for contact with and electrical connection to electrodes (91c) of a liquid consuming apparatus, the first electrodes (32d) being formed on a first surface of the board main body (32M), and a pair of second electrodes (32e) for contact with and electrical connection to terminal plates (45) of a sensor unit (35), the second electrodes (32e) being formed on an opposite, second surface of the board main body (32M) and electrically connected respectively to the first electrodes (32d).

Abstract: An apparatus on a net of a basketball hoop for displaying advertisement, making sounds and creating eye catching visual effects when a basketball passes through the net, which comprises a plurality of components and a structure for securing the components to the net. The components will make contact with the basketball when the basketball passes through the net.

Abstract: A fluid delivery adapter for use with a wire bar lid is provided. Embodiments can comprise a support base having an aperture defined therein, the aperture being shaped and dimensioned to accept a fluid delivery valve. The support base can be adapted to be disposed on top of the wire bar lid to facilitate providing fluid from a fluid bag supported by the wire bar lid. The fluid delivery adapter can further comprise one or more displaceable side portions extending away from the support base, the side portions providing lateral support for the fluid bag.

Abstract: A liquid container has an air open passage for causing a liquid chamber to communicate with an outside and introducing outside air into the liquid chamber as liquid in the liquid chamber is consumed, and an air chamber provided in a portion of the air open passage and capable of storing the liquid entering the air open passage. The air open passage includes a lower open passage having one end opened to the liquid chamber at a position close to an internal surface of a bottom wall of the liquid chamber and the other end opened to the air chamber at a position close to an internal surface of a bottom wall of the air chamber, and an upper open passage having one end opened to the air chamber at a position close to an internal surface of a ceiling wall of the air chamber and the other end capable of being opened to the outside.

Abstract: A guiding device guides, in a main body of a liquid ejection apparatus, a flexible passage forming member having a passage therein in a predetermined routing direction while curving the passage forming member. The guiding device includes a holding member. The holding member is engaged with a curved section of the passage forming member, and holds the curved section in an undeformable manner in the apparatus main body. The holding member guides the passage forming member in the routing direction. Thus, the guiding device is capable of efficiently routing passage forming members while bending the members in a body of a liquid ejection apparatus.

Abstract: An implant, in particular an intervertebral implant, comprising (A) two articulating parts (4; 5) having each a central axis (1; 26), each a curved slide surface (6; 7) intersecting the central axes (1; 26), and each an axially outermost end (14; 15) that can be connected to a bone, where (B) the slide surfaces (6; 7) are curved and displaceable one on the other, where (D) the second articulating part (5) is rotatable about two mutually skewed axes of rotation (10; 11) relative to the first articulating part (4).