Abstract: A control section of each ink tank detects a difference in voltage value between a voltage value of an output data signal and a voltage value of an input data signal through the differential detector. When a plurality of ink tanks of the same color are mounted, this voltage difference carries a value different from a voltage of the original output data signal. Accordingly, by detecting this voltage difference, it can be detected that the plurality of the ink tanks of the same color are mounted, these ink tanks can be specified and identified, and be controlled individually.

Abstract: An ink tank capable of a stable ink supply to a print head uses a simple valve construction. In one preferred example, an ink path is closed by a lip portion of a valve rubber engaging a flange, and an angle formed by an inner surface of an opening in the lip portion and an engagement surface of the flange is an acute angle.

Abstract: A recording apparatus including a movable carriage, wherein a plurality of mounting positions are arranged in a moving direction of the carriage, a light receiving portion capable of receiving light emitted by a light emitting portion of a plurality of liquid containers, a determining means for determining whether a correct liquid container is mounted at a mounting position based on a light receiving amount received by the light receiving portion, and a specifying means for specifying an incorrectly mounted liquid container based on the light receiving amount received by the light receiving portion, wherein the specifying means stops the carriage such that any mounting position with the incorrectly mounted liquid container is opposite the light receiving portion, and wherein if a plurality of liquid containers are determined to be incorrectly mounted, the light emitting portion of the incorrectly mounted liquid containers emit light in a specific order.

Abstract: A recording apparatus and method for identifying positions of ink tanks within the recording apparatus whereby when an ink tank is correctly mounted within the recording apparatus, detection of the position of the ink tank is performed in a timely manner, and whereby when an ink tank is incorrectly mounted, the incorrect position as well as the color of the incorrectly mounted ink tank are identified using light emitting portions of the ink tanks.

Abstract: A capping unit is detachably mountable to an ink jet recording head. The ink jet recording head has an ejection outlet surface provided with ejection outlets for ejecting ink. The capping unit includes: a liquid-absorbing member provided with a projection contactable to a periphery of an area, in which the ejection outlets are formed, on the ejection outlet surface so as to form a gap between the area and the liquid-absorbing chamber; and a capping member including an engaging portion and an elastic portion for contacting a rear surface opposite from a surface on which the projection of said liquid-absorbing member is formed to press said liquid-absorbing member against the ejection outlet surface.

Abstract: A liquid container that can present various information using illumination of a light-emitting unit includes an IC package having a storage element and the light-emitting unit. The storage element stores information used for controlling the amount of light emitted from an LED included in the light-emitting unit, so that variation in brightness of the light-emitting unit can be reduced and the information can be adequately presented.

Abstract: A recording apparatus and method for detecting the mounting position of an ink tank within the recording apparatus, whereby it is determined whether the ink tank is mounted in the correct position. In addition, it is also determined whether there an abnormality exists with a light receiving portion of the recording apparatus, where the light receiving portion is used in determining whether an ink tank is mounted in the correct position.

Abstract: A liquid storing container having a liquid storing chamber for storing liquid, the liquid container includes a plurality of light-transmissive prisms for forming interfaces with the liquid or gas in the liquid storing chamber; wherein each of the prisms includes at least one surface contactable to the liquid in the liquid storing chamber, wherein each of the prisms includes a surface integral with a surface constituting a part of the liquid storing chamber, and wherein the prisms are substantially diagonally disposed in the liquid storing chamber.

Abstract: A structure for informing a state of the ink tank by a light emitting section such as LED, capable of displaying such information at a position easily visible by the user and favorably sending the emitted light both to the user and a light receiver section on the printer side without needing electric wiring which may disturb the user's visibility or manipulation. The light emitting section is separated from the display section and a light guiding section is provided between the both. A member for suitably limiting the emission of light is provided in the display section. Thereby, it is possible to dispose the display section at the best position without needing the electric wiring on the ink tank and obtain a preferable light volume suitable both for the improvement in user's visibility and the stability of the operation of the light receiving section.

Abstract: A structure for informing a state of the ink tank by a light emitting section such as LED, capable of displaying such information at a position easily visible by the user and favorably sending the emitted light both to the user and a light receiver section on the printer side without needing electric wiring which may disturb the user's visibility or manipulation. The light emitting section is separated from the display section and a light guiding section is provided between the both. A member for suitably limiting the emission of light is provided in the display section. Thereby, it is possible to dispose the display section at the best position without needing the electric wiring on the ink tank and obtain a preferable light volume suitable both for the improvement in user's visibility and the stability of the operation of the light receiving section.

Abstract: A structure for informing a state of the ink tank by a light emitting section such as LED, capable of displaying such information at a position easily visible by the user and favorably sending the emitted light both to the user and a light receiver section on the printer side without needing electric wiring which may disturb the user's visibility or manipulation. The light emitting section is separated from the display section and a light guiding section is provided between the both. A member for suitably limiting the emission of light is provided in the display section. Thereby, it is possible to dispose the display section at the best position without needing the electric wiring on the ink tank and obtain a preferable light volume suitable both for the improvement in user's visibility and the stability of the operation of the light receiving section.

Abstract: A liquid container for accommodating liquid for use with an ink jet recording apparatus includes a light emitting portion; an electric contact for receiving a signal for actuating said light emitting portion from the ink jet recording apparatus; and a light guide portion for guiding the light from said light emitting portion to a display portion which displays information by the light which is emitted from said light emitting portion and which emerges from said display portion.

Abstract: An ink tank provided with a supply port for supplying the ink contained therein and an electric contact for information transmission is smoothly and securely attached to an attachment section of a printing apparatus while achieving secure connection of an electric contact section at the same time. The ink tank is configured to be attachable to the attachment section by positioning a first engagement section at a first fitting section on the attachment section, and then by rotating the ink tank around the positioned first engagement section to lock a second engagement section to a second fitting section on the attachment section. The supply port and a positioning section for the contact are disposed on the bottom face of the ink tank so as to be on the respective two sides of the center line in the width direction of the ink tank therebetween.

Abstract: An ink tank is attachable to the attachment section by positioning first engagement sections at first fitting sections on the attachment section and then locking a second engagement section to a second fitting section of the attachment section by rotating the tank. The multiple supply ports are arranged on a bottom face of the tank such that the supply ports are on both sides of a center line in a width direction of the tank, and that distances between each of abutting centers configured to abut ink receiving parts of the attachment section, and the first engagement section side in a direction along a center line are mutually different. It is possible to avoid reception of a reactive force to the ink receiving parts at one time when rotating and attaching the tank, and to achieve stable attachment while suppressing excessive inclination of the tank at the time of attachment.

Abstract: A control section of each ink tank detects a difference in voltage value between a voltage value of an output data signal and a voltage value of an input data signal through the differential detector. When a plurality of ink tanks of the same color are mounted, this voltage difference carries a value different from a voltage of the original output data signal. Accordingly, by detecting this voltage difference, it can be detected that the plurality of the ink tanks of the same color are mounted, these ink tanks can be specified and identified, and be controlled individually.

Abstract: A liquid container detachably mountable to a mounting portion of an ink jet recording apparatus, the liquid container includes a casing defining a liquid containing chamber; a supply port, provided in the casing, for supplying liquid contained therein to an ink jet head; a first engaging portion engageable with a first locking portion provided in the mounting portion, the first engaging portion being disposed on one side of the casing; a second engaging portion engageable with a second locking portion provided in the mounting portion, the second engaging portion being disposed opposed to another side of the casing, the another side being opposite the one side; a supporting portion for displaceably supporting the second engaging portion; an information storing portion for storing information relating to the liquid container; a contact electrically connectable with a contact provided in the mounting portion; a light emitting portion; a display portion for directing the light emitted from the emitting portion to

Abstract: A liquid container detachably mountable to a mounting portion of an ink jet recording apparatus in a slot-like mounting configuration where the liquid container is supported between a pair of engaging portions that respectively engage with a corresponding pair of locking portions on the mounting portion of the recording apparatus. The liquid container is supported in an upright configuration and includes a display portion on an upper side thereof, and a light emitting portion which emits light for display by the display portion. Because the display portion is disposed on an upper side, a user can confirm the display despite the mounting arrangement of the liquid container in the recording apparatus.

Abstract: An ink tank in which an air communication passage and a pressure regulator valve passage are formed by covering grooves, etc., with a film is fabricated in a simple manufacturing process. Specifically, an atmosphere communication hole and a major part of an air communication passage are formed in the same surface on which a film for forming a valve passage is attached. By virtue of this, the process of attaching a major part of the air communication passage film and the process of attaching the valve film can be performed in a single process step. This simplifies the process of attaching the films.