Abstract: An ink cartridge including: an ink chamber for retaining liquid ink; a foam chamber maintained in fluid communication with the ink chamber through a communication hole. An ink supply port for supplying ink from a porous body accommodated in the foam chamber to a recording head is provided. The portion of the foam body confronting the ink supply port is compressed by the ink supply port. The ratio between the amount of ink initially charged in the ink chamber and that of ink absorbed in the porous body is in the range from 1:1 to 1:3. When a cartridge uses more than one color of ink for printing in color, a plurality of foam and ink cartridges are used. The cartridge is filled under reduced pressure while the interior of the cartridge is further evacuated before filling with ink.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a technique that flexibly determines compatibility of an ink cartridge with a printing apparatus with high accuracy. The ink cartridge has a storage element that stores therein compatible driver information, which is used to specify a printer driver compatible with the ink cartridge. The printing apparatus collates information of a selected printer driver with the compatible driver information and determines compatibility of the ink cartridge with the printer driver. The printer driver changes over the method of generating print data, based on the compatible driver information.

Abstract: An ink cartridge including: an ink chamber for retaining liquid ink; a foam chamber maintained in fluid communication with the ink chamber through a communication hole. An ink supply port for supplying ink from a porous body accommodated in the foam chamber to a recording head is provided. The portion of the foam body confronting the ink supply port is compressed by the ink supply port. The ratio between the amount of ink initially charged in the ink chamber and that of ink absorbed in the porous body is in the range from 1:1 to 1:3. When a cartridge uses more than one color of ink for printing in color, a plurality of foam and ink cartridges are used. The cartridge is filled under reduced pressure while the interior of the cartridge is further evacuated before filling with ink.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a technique that flexibly determines compatibility of an ink cartridge with a printing apparatus with high accuracy.

Abstract: An ink tank cartridge for an ink-jet type recording apparatus being removably mountable onto an ink supply needle of said ink jet type recording apparatus is provided. The ink tank cartridge comprises a first chamber for storing ink and a second chamber for storing a porous member. A partition wall separates the first chamber from the second chamber. A lid is attached to the top of the cartridge and at least a portion of the lid corresponding to at least one of the chambers may be opened to allow for replenishment of ink in the ink tank cartridge. Alternatively, the lid may be permanently fixed to the top on the ink tank cartridge, and an ink replenishment hole may be formed in the lid to allow for replenishment with an ink injection device. The ink tank may also be replenished by placing a self contained ink replenishment pack into said ink tank cartridge.

Abstract: An ink cartridge including: an ink chamber for retaining liquid ink; a foam chamber maintained in fluid communication with the ink chamber through a communication hole. An ink supply port for supplying ink from a porous body accommodated in the foam chamber to a recording head is provided. The portion of the foam body confronting the ink supply port is compressed by the ink supply port. The ratio between the amount of ink initially charged in the ink chamber and that of ink absorbed in the porous body is in the range from 1:1 to 1:3. When a cartridge uses more than one color of ink for printing in color, a plurality of foam and ink cartridges are used. The cartridge is filled under reduced pressure while the interior of the cartridge is further evacuated before filling with ink.

Abstract: An end of paper roll detection assembly for detecting the end or near-end of a paper roll on a hollow core is provided. The end of paper roll detection assembly includes a detecting bar pivotally mounted on a retaining bar biased towards the side face of the paper roll which is supported on an adjustable paper roll retaining member. When paper is consumed the core is lowered towards the retaining member until the core is aligned with the detecting bar which passes into the hollow core thereby actuating a switch for generating a signal indicating that a predetermined amount of paper remains on the roll. The switch may be a reed switch closed by a permanent magnet secured to the retaining bar or a microswitch operated by the retaining bar. The retaining bar pivots towards the paper roll by action of a pulsating electro-magnet or a spring biasing the retaining bar towards the paper roll.

Abstract: A miniature printer especially suitable for use in a small calculator or the like, utilizes the energy released from a spring storage means to power the printing, paper feeding, and inking operations. The energy is stored by the spring from either manual operation or motor power.

Abstract: A web-feeding mechanism for a compact printer which can feed at least one web of paper at selectively variable feeding rates is provided. A pair of rotatably driven web feeding rollers is positioned on a first side of the web of paper to be fed, and cooperates with a pair of selectively displaceable idler rollers correspondingly positioned on the other side of the web. The respective feeding rollers are each capable of being driven at a different rotary speed. The respective idler rollers are selectively displaceable between a first position out of engagement with its associated web feeding roller, at which time web feeding by the feeding roller corresponding thereto is prevented, and a second position in engagement with the paper web and the web feeding roller corresponding thereto for feeding the web therebetween at the feeding rate of the feeding roller.