Abstract: An ink jet head for discharging a plurality kinds of inks includes a discharge port surface provided with a plurality of discharge ports for discharging ink, the discharge ports being arranged into different groups for ejecting discharging different kinds of inks. The groups of the discharge ports each for discharging different kind of ink are provided in a line, and the discharge port surface has a central water-repellent area provided with the discharge port groups and a hydrophilic belt is provided adjacent to the central water-repellent area and along an array of the discharge ports. The hydrophilic belt is separately provided for each of the groups of the discharge ports.

Abstract: An ink jet head has a substrate on which ejection energy generating elements are provided, and a ceiling plate having a plurality of grooves for forming ink passages. The ceiling plate is pressed against the substrate by a pressing member, i.e., a spring. To improve the ejection performance of the ink jet head, the contact portion of the ceiling plate pressed by the pressing member is divided into a plurality of portions.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus having a recording head includes an ink storage tank for storing ink to be supplied to the recording head, an ink path between the recording head and the ink storage tank, and an ink remain detector provided in the ink path. The ink remain detector has ink inflow and outflow ports and an ink chamber communicating therewith; at least a portion of a wall of the chamber is formed of a flexible film member. A separation of the flexible film member is detected by a detector means, responsive to a pressure decrease in the ink chamber. The flexible film member is biased so that it is not apart from the detector means. The displacement of the flexible film is limited so that the film is not displaced over a predetermined amount, and is limited when enough ink flows from the inflow port to the outflow port in the ink chamber.

Abstract: An ink jet recording head includes a first substrate having energy generating elements for generating energy for ejecting liquid; a second substrate connected with the first substrate; discrete electrodes electrically connected with the energy generating elements, respectively; and a common electrode electrically connected with the energy generating elements; wherein the discrete electrodes are on the first substrate, and the common electrode is on the second substrate.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus comprises a recording head for recording on a recording medium, which recording head includes a head body member having a plurality of thermal energy generating elements to discharge liquid for recording and an orifice plate having a plurality of discharge ports for discharging liquid therethrough in response to the thermal energy generated by the generating elements. The orifice plate includes a junction portion attached to the head body member, extension portions protruding from two ends of the junction portion and positioning openings in the extension portions, which positioning openings are precisely located relative to the discharge ports. The apparatus includes positioning pins flanking a head-mounting opening in the apparatus that accepts the head body member, and the positioning pins cooperate with the positioning openings to accurately position the discharge ports in the apparatus when the head body member is inserted in the head-mounting opening.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a recording head which is scanned, a supply system containing an amount of ink and a detector for the residual ink quantity in the supply system. The residual ink quantity is detected by detecting deviation of a deviation member; this deviation occurs upon a change in pressure in an ink supply path in the ink supply system. The detection is performed after a predetermined time delay with respect to a signal relating to a change of scan direction or with respect to operation of a pump.

Abstract: A replaceable ink tank for an ink cartridge used in a bubble jet printer comprises a container formed by two side walls providing major surfaces of the container, and back, front, top and bottom walls. At least one ink supply port is provided in the bottom wall of container and is disposed for supplying ink from at least one ink chamber in the container to a corresponding ink tapping pipe in the ink cartridge. The container is configured for insertion into an opening in the top and front of the ink cartridge with the bottom wall of the container facing downward and a back wall facing a back wall of the ink cartridge, the container being constructed for engaging a camming shoe located at the back inside of a top wall of the cartridge and securing the container in place in the ink cartridge with the ink supply port connecting with the corresponding ink tapping pipe.

Abstract: A cleaning device for an ink jet recording head, having at least one discharge port for ejecting recording liquid, includes a cap member for facing a region of the recording head having the discharge port therein, a supply path for supplying a fluid medium to the cap member for flow along the discharge port region and a discharge path for discharging the medium from the cap member. The flow of the medium inside the cap member from the supply path to said discharge path is constricted by a protruding portion in the cap member, which protruding portion is disposed in the cap member such that the discharge port is spaced opposite the protruding portion when the discharge port region faces the cap member, and the medium flows along the discharge port region such that a negative pressure is generated for drawing recording liquid from the discharge port into the flow of the medium.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus includes a detachable ink cartridge for storage of the ink to be supplied to a recording head. A joint of an ink supply line in the ink jet recording apparatus to be coupled with an ink outlet portion of the ink cartridge for delivering the ink is loosely fitted to be slidable in a direction crosswise to an axis of the supply line toward a coupling position with the ink outlet portion.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a liquid jet recording head comprises the steps of coating a path wall forming member on a solid layer disposed on a substrate plate and having a liquid path pattern communicating with liquid discharge openings, binding a lid plate to the substrate plate via the path wall forming member, and removing the solid layer, thereby forming liquid paths. In the binding step the lid plate is bound to the substrate plate via spacer means having a thickness greater than that of the solid layer and disposed at an area which does not correspond to the path pattern and via the path wall forming member, while applying a pressure toward a binding position.

Abstract: A liquid jet recording apparatus has a full-line type recording head with discharge ports across a recording medium, a liquid path communicating with the discharge ports and having a thermal energy generating member for generating energy utilized to discharge recording liquid, a common liquid chamber for storing liquid to be supplied to the liquid path, the energy generating member, liquid path and common liquid chamber being disposed on one side of a substrate, and a storing tank for storing the recording liquid to be supplied to the recording head. Another liquid chamber is disposed on the other side of the substrate and is independent of the common liquid chamber. A temperature sensor detects the temperature of the recording head and recording liquid is circulated in the chamber when the temperature of the recording head exceeds a predetermined limit. A fan supplies cooling air in response to the circulation of recording liquid.

Abstract: This specification discloses an ink cartridge provided with a recording liquid containing portion containing recording liquid therein, a supply port for directing the recording liquid in the recording liquid containing portion therethrough to the outside, a vent path for communicating the recording liquid containing portion with the atmosphere, and an opening-closing member having a magnetic member for opening and closing the vent path. A liquid injection recording apparatus, includes a magnetic imparting member for imparting a magnetic force for operating the opening-closing member. The magnetic force is imparted to the opening-closing member through movement of a carriage to thereby effect opening-closing of the vent port.

Abstract: A residual ink quantity detecting apparatus for detecting a residual quantity of ink in a supply source of ink for supplying ink to an ink-jet printer comprises a deviation member, which is connected to an ink supply path extending from the supply source, constitutes part of the path and can be deviated upon change in pressure in the path, an adjusting member for adjusting a deviation of the deviation member in order to set a pressure at which the deviation member is deviated and a detection unit for detecting the deviation of said deviation member.

Abstract: An ink jet apparatus comprises an ink jet head having plural discharge openings for discharging ink and plural liquid channels communicating with respective discharge openings. A partial cap member, which can cover at least one of the discharge openings, is connected to a pressure source that can supply sufficient pressure through the covered discharge openings to force any foreign matter in the corresponding liquid channels into a common liquid chamber communicating with all of the channels. A liquid flow can then be created in the common chamber to flush the foreign matter from the ink jet head.