Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus for producing a probe carrier, having a configuration capable of supplying a discharge unit with plural probe solutions without increasing the dimensions of the apparatus, as well as a method and apparatus for producing the probe carrier utilizing such liquid discharge apparatus. The arrangement pitch of the supply openings to liquid holding portions from plural liquid discharging portions (which are provided in the liquid discharge apparatus and respectively correspond to the plural probes) is set to be larger than the arrangement pitch of nozzle openings, thereby increasing the freedom in designing the position and capacity of the liquid holding portions for holding the probe solutions.

Abstract: A liquid container having a negative pressure generating member containing chamber containing therein a negative pressure generating member formed of a fiber material and provided with a liquid supplying portion and an atmosphere communicating portion, a liquid containing chamber provided with a communicating portion communicating with the negative pressure generating member containing chamber and forming a substantially hermetically sealed space and storing therein liquid to be supplied to the negative pressure generating member, and a partition wall for partitioning the negative pressure generating member containing chamber and the liquid containing chamber and forming the communicating portion is provided with gas introduction blocking means cooperating with the partition wall and the liquid contained in the negative pressure generating member containing chamber to block the introduction of gas from the communicating portion into the liquid containing chamber except during the supply of the liquid from the

Abstract: An ink container comprising a negative pressure generating member accommodating portion for accommodating a negative pressure generating member for retaining therein pigment ink to be supplied to an ink jet head; an ink supply port for supplying the ink to the ink jet head; an air vent for fluid communication between the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion and an ambient air; and an ink non-transmitting portion for partly blocking flow of the ink in the negative pressure generating member toward the ink supply port, wherein fluid communication is enabled except for the non-transmitting portion, and a sectional area, across a general direction of the flow of the ink toward the ink supply port in the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion, of non-communicating portion is not less than 50%.

Abstract: An ink jet recording head has a plurality of discharge energy generating devices for discharging recording liquid, while being provided with a recording element base plate arranged on the face opposite to the surface where the devices are arranged, having a plurality of recording liquid supply ports for supplying recording liquid to the devices, as well as with a supporting member that holds and fixes the recording element base plate. For the supporting member, a plurality of recording liquid supply paths are arranged to supply recording liquid to each of the supply ports of the recording element base plate, respectively, and then, the flow path width of each supply flow path is formed to be smaller than the opening width of inlet portion of each supply port. Further, the steps to be created between the supply flow path and the supply port is buried by the bonding agent forced out from the bonding face of the recording element base plate and the supporting member.

Abstract: A fiber laminate production method includes a step of controlling an influence of gravity on a fiber absorber during thermoforming.

Abstract: A forming method for a fiber aggregate in which fibers are heated to be welded with each other includes a heating step of applying upward heated air to a bottom of a block of the fibers to pass the heated air therethrough and to cause the block of fibers to float, wherein at least parts of fibers are melted while the block of fibers float, and a compression step of compressing substantially in a vertical direction the heated block of fibers into a desired height. The compressed block of fibers is cooled to solidify melted portions of the fibers at portions where the fibers intersect with each other.

Abstract: A liquid ejection recording head which receives liquid from one or more liquid containers mounted on a carriage, the liquid container having a press-contact member of fibrous material at a liquid outlet, the liquid ejection recording head includes a tubular member for receiving ink from the liquid container, the tubular member being provided with an upstream edge with respect to a direction of flow of the liquid therethrough; a filter provided in the tubular member and having an outer surface press-contactable to the press-contact member, the outer surface being a substantially flat surface and being outward beyond the upstream edge of the tubular member.

Abstract: A liquid ejection recording head includes a plurality of arrays of ejection outlets for ejecting the same liquid; common chambers, provided for respective arrays of the ejection outlets, for supplying the liquid to the arrays of the ejection outlets, respectively; a liquid inlet for receiving the liquid from outside of the liquid recording head; a common passage in fluid communication with the liquid inlet; and branched passages branched from the common passage and in fluid communication with the common chambers, respectively, wherein the branched passages have liquid supply properties which are equivalent to each other.

Abstract: A fiber laminate production method includes a step of controlling an influence of gravity on a fiber absorber during thermoforming.

Abstract: An ink absorbent is contained in the housing of an ink tank for storing ink in the interior thereof, which is provided with a supply port for leading out ink to the outside, and an atmospheric communication port to be communicated with the air outside, and the ink absorbent is formed by fiber material having the surface formed at least by thermoforming. For this ink absorbent, the face which faces the supply port on the inner face of the ink tank is a cut face. With the structure thus arranged, the ink absorbent is prepared to provide cut faces to make the fiber absorbent softer than the thermoformed surface. Then, with the deformability and resiliency of the ink absorbent itself thus obtained, the close contactness with the inner walls of the ink tank is enhanced to prevent not only the ink shortage and ink leakage due to the air pass, but also, prevent the ink absorbent from being deviated when installed.

Abstract: A liquid container has a negative pressure generating member containing chamber receiving a negative pressure generating member formed with a fibrous material and having a liquid supply portion and an atmosphere communicating portion, a liquid containing chamber forming a substantially enclosed space having a communicating portion communicating with the negative pressure generating member containing chamber and storing a liquid to be supplied to the negative pressure generating member, and a partition wall separating the negative pressure generating member containing chamber and the liquid containing chamber and formed with the communicating portion.

Abstract: A liquid container having a negative pressure generating member containing chamber containing therein a negative pressure generating member formed of a fiber material and provided with a liquid supplying portion and an atmosphere communicating portion, a liquid containing chamber provided with a communicating portion communicating with the negative pressure generating member containing chamber and forming a substantially hermetically sealed space and storing therein liquid to be supplied to the negative pressure generating member, and a partition wall for partitioning the negative pressure generating member containing chamber and the liquid containing chamber and forming the communicating portion is provided with gas introduction blocking means cooperating with the partition wall and the liquid contained in the negative pressure generating member containing chamber to block the introduction of gas from the communicating portion into the liquid containing chamber except during the supply of the liquid from the

Abstract: An ink container comprising a negative pressure generating member accommodating portion for accommodating a negative pressure generating member for retaining therein pigment ink to be supplied to an ink jet head; an ink supply port for supplying the ink to the ink jet head; an air vent for fluid communication between the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion and an ambient air; and an ink non-transmitting portion for partly blocking flow of the ink in the negative pressure generating member toward the ink supply port, wherein fluid communication is enabled except for the non-transmitting portion, and a sectional area, across a general direction of the flow of the ink toward the ink supply port in the negative pressure generating member accommodating portion, of non-communicating portion is not less than 50%.

Abstract: A liquid container includes a negative pressure generating member containing chamber which contains therein a negative pressure generating member formed of a fiber material and provided with a liquid supplying portion and an atmosphere communication portion. A liquid containing chamber, provided with a communicating portion communicating with the negative pressure generating member containing chamber, forms a substantially hermetically sealed space and stores therein liquid to be supplied to the negative pressure generating member.

Abstract: A liquid container having a negative pressure generating member containing chamber containing therein a negative pressure generating member formed of a fiber material and provided with a liquid supplying portion and an atmosphere communicating portion, a liquid containing chamber provided with a communicating portion communicating with the negative pressure generating member containing chamber and forming a substantially hermetically sealed space and storing therein liquid to be supplied to the negative pressure generating member, and a partition wall for partitioning the negative pressure generating member containing chamber and the liquid containing chamber and forming the communicating portion is provided with gas introduction blocking means cooperating with the partition wall and the liquid contained in the negative pressure generating member containing chamber to block the introduction of gas from the communicating portion into the liquid containing chamber except during the supply of the liquid from the

Abstract: Is provided a liquid discharge apparatus for producing a probe carrier, having a configuration capable of supplying the discharge unit with plural probe solutions without increasing the dimension of the apparatus, an apparatus for producing the probe carrier utilizing such liquid discharge apparatus, and a method for producing the probe carrier, utilizing such apparatus.

Abstract: An ink absorbent is contained in the housing of an ink tank for storing ink in the interior thereof, which is provided with a supply port for leading out ink to the outside, and an atmospheric communication port to be communicated with the air outside, and the ink absorbent is formed by fiber material having the surface formed at least by thermoforming. For this ink absorbent, the face which faces the supply port on the inner face of the ink tank is a cut face. With the structure thus arranged, the ink absorbent is prepared to provide cut faces to make the fiber absorbent softer than the thermoformed surface. Then, with the deformability and resiliency of the ink absorbent itself thus obtained, the close contactness with the inner walls of the ink tank is enhanced to prevent not only the ink shortage and ink leakage due to the air pass, but also, prevent the ink absorbent from being deviated when installed.

Abstract: A liquid storage tank having a compartment for accommodating a negative pressure generating member consisting of a fiber material, having a liquid supplying portion and a connecting portion with the atmosphere; a liquid storing compartment for storing liquid to be supplied to the negative pressure generating member, and having a connecting portion with the compartment for accommodating the negative pressure generating member and forming an almost closed space and a separating wall separating the compartment for accommodating the negative pressure generating member from the compartment for storing liquid and forming the connecting portion and an air importing portion for importing air from the compartment for accommodating the negative pressure generating member to the compartment for accommodating the liquid, formed in the vicinity of the connecting portion.

Abstract: A capped liquid container comprises a liquid container for retaining liquid, having a supply opening formed for supplying the liquid to the recording devices of an ink jet recording apparatus, and a cap fixed to the liquid container for closing the supply opening, the cap being removed from the liquid container by rotating the cap. This cap is formed by a rigid member and an elastic member, and the elastic member is provided with a first engagement portion, while a second engagement portion is formed on the edge circumference of the supply opening to engage with the first engagement portion. Then, the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are sealingly pressed together, and at the same time, a part of the rigid member of the cap is fixed to the liquid container.

Abstract: A liquid discharge recording head cartridge comprises a first plate having liquid supply ports opened for supply liquid; a recording element base plate provided with discharge ports for discharging liquid, a member for forming liquid flow paths to conduct liquid to the discharge ports for discharging liquid, and recording elements for generating energy to be utilized for discharging the liquid from the discharge ports, and fixed to aid first plate for inducing liquid from the liquid supply ports; a recording element unit provided with a wiring board for providing signals for the recording element base plate in accordance with recording images; and a liquid supply unit having liquid supply paths formed therefor to conduct liquid supplied from tanks containing liquid to liquid inlet ports.