Abstract: First internal electrode layers and second internal electrode layers are alternately laminated in a substrate while sandwiching piezoelectric material layer therebetween. The first internal electrode layers are exposed to a first end face of the substrate, and the second internal electrode layers are exposed to a second end face of the substrate which is opposite to the first end face. A first external electrode layer is formed on the first end face and a third end face connecting the first end face and the second end face. A second external electrode layer is formed on the second end face and the third end face. The second external electrode layer is electrically independent from the first external electrode layer. The first external electrode layer and the first internal electrode layers are to be divided by slits extending from the first end face to form a plurality of piezoelectric elements arrayed in a first direction.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of controlling an ink jet recording apparatus on which a liquid container is to be detachably mounted, the liquid container having a piezoelectric device for detecting the liquid. The method includes the steps of: detecting a characteristic value of the piezoelectric device by a detection section provided inside or outside of the ink jet recording apparatus; judging whether or not the characteristic value satisfies a predetermined condition by a judging section provided inside or outside of the ink jet recording apparatus; and controlling the ink jet recording apparatus so that the ink jet recording apparatus is set in an operable or a non-operable state based on a result of the judging step.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of controlling an ink jet recording apparatus on which a liquid container is to be detachably mounted, the liquid container having a piezoelectric device for detecting the liquid. The method includes the steps of: detecting a characteristic value of the piezoelectric device by a detection section provided inside or outside of the ink jet recording apparatus; judging whether or not the characteristic value satisfies a predetermined condition by a judging section provided inside or outside of the ink jet recording apparatus; and controlling the ink jet recording apparatus so that the ink jet recording apparatus is set in an operable or a non-operable state based on a result of the judging step.

Abstract: A connection part is attached to an end of a liquid delivery tube, the connection part being provided with a flow path for changing the flowing direction of a liquid.

Abstract: While performing main scanning in which a head having a plurality of nozzles that eject ink is moved in prescribed forward and reverse main scanning directions relative to a print medium, print images are printed on the print medium by forming dots in each pixel aligned in the main scanning direction in accordance with print data. The dot formation position misalignment amount for each nozzle is corrected using image pixel value data indicating the existence of image pixels comprising images and adjustment pixel value data indicating the existence of adjustment pixels in which dots are not formed.

Abstract: A liquid container, comprising: a housing containing therein liquid; a liquid supply opening formed in the housing for withdrawing the liquid from the housing; a liquid sensor mounted on the housing for detecting a level of the liquid which is variable in accordance with a consumption of the liquid; and a first partition wall extending in an interior of the housing and defining the interior of the housing into at least two liquid accommodating chambers which communicate with each other, the liquid accommodating chambers comprising: an air-communication side liquid accommodating chamber which communicates with ambient air; and a detection side liquid accommodating chamber in which the liquid sensor is disposed at an upper portion thereof.

Abstract: An ink cartridge having a container for storing ink therein and having an ink supply port formed at a leading end side in an insertion direction of the container, a memory device disposed on a first of two opposite surfaces parallel to the insertion direction of the container, the memory device having an electrode for electrical connection to the recording device; a retaining member disposed on the first surface and located at a trailing end side relative to the memory device in the insertion direction, the retaining member serving to selectively engage with the recording device; and another retaining member disposed on the second surface and which also serves to selectively engage with the recording device.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention has a translationally movable member configured to be connected to a liquid container inserted in a container mounting unit, in link motion with a straight operation of the liquid container when inserting a liquid feed needle through a liquid feed port of the liquid container, translationally advance in the direction parallel with the straight operation, an apparatus side fixing structure for releasably restricting the movement of the liquid container in the mounting state in the pull-out direction, having a stopper pin to be stopped in a guide groove of a container side fixing structure formed in the liquid container, and apparatus side positioning structures installed in the translationally movable member, in cooperation with a container side positioning structure formed in the liquid container, for positioning the liquid container in a predetermined position to the translationally movable member.

Abstract: Flushing regions for receiving ink droplets to be ejected when flushing signal is supplied to a recording head are provided in both of non-print regions situated at both sides of print region in order to prevent throughput during the flushing operation from deteriorating. A guide member having a slant surface is disposed between the recording head and an ink absorbing member to which the ink landed on the slant surface flows in order to reduce in size of the ink absorbing member. A porous sheet member closely faced to nozzle orifices of the recording head for receiving the ink droplets ejected therefrom is provided in order to prevent undesired mist of fine ink droplets from generating. A plurality of plate members closely faced to the nozzle orifices are provided at a predetermined angle with respect to the flight direction of the ink droplets in order to prevent the undesired mist from generating. The flushing operation is performed so as to prevent solidification of the ejected ink.

Abstract: An ink cartridge having a container for storing ink therein and having an ink supply port formed at a leading end side in an insertion direction of the container, a memory device disposed on a first of two opposite surfaces parallel to the insertion direction of the container, the memory device having an electrode for electrical connection to the recording device; a retaining member disposed on the first surface and located at a trailing end side relative to the memory device in the insertion direction, the retaining member serving to selectively engage with the recording device; and another retaining member disposed on the second surface and which also serves to selectively engage with the recording device.

Abstract: An ink cartridge having a container for storing ink therein and having an ink supply port formed at a leading end side in an insertion direction of the container, a memory device disposed on a first of two opposite surfaces parallel to the insertion direction of the container, the memory device having an electrode for electrical connection to the recording device; a retaining member disposed on the first surface and located at a trailing end side relative to the memory device in the insertion direction, the retaining member serving to selectively engage with the recording device; and another retaining member disposed on the second surface and which also serves to selectively engage with the recording device.

Abstract: First internal electrode layers and second internal electrode layers are alternately laminated in a substrate while sandwiching piezoelectric material layer therebetween. The first internal electrode layers are exposed to a first end face of the substrate, and the second internal electrode layers are exposed to a second end face of the substrate which is opposite to the first end face. A first external electrode layer is formed on the first end face and a third end face connecting the first end face and the second end face. A second external electrode layer is formed on the second end face and the third end face. The second external electrode layer is electrically independent from the first external electrode layer. The first external electrode layer and the first internal electrode layers are to be divided by slits extending from the first end face to form a plurality of piezoelectric elements arrayed in a first direction.

Abstract: First internal electrode layers and second internal electrode layers are alternately laminated in a substrate while sandwiching piezoelectric layers therebetween. The first internal electrode layers are exposed to at least a first end face of the substrate, and the second internal electrode layers are exposed to at least a second end face of the substrate which is opposite to the first end face. A first external electrode layer is formed on the first end face and a third end face connecting the first end face and the second end face. The first external electrode layer is electrically connected to the first internal electrode layers A second external electrode layer is formed on at least the second end face and the third end face. The second external electrode layer is electrically connected to the second internal electrode layers, and is electrically independent from the first external electrode layer.

Abstract: A liquid detection device attached on a liquid container for detecting a liquid consumption status of the liquid contained in the liquid container, the liquid detection device including a vibrating section symmetrical about a center thereof, and at least one electrode electrically connecting with said vibrating section.

Abstract: A liquid container, including a housing containing therein liquid, a liquid supply opening formed in the housing through which liquid is supplied to the outside of the housing, and a detection device having a piezoelectric element and attached on the housing, the detection device detects a consumption degree of level of liquid contained in the housing.

Abstract: A liquid sensor (802) composed of a piezoelectric device is provided on an ink cartridge (800). An actual consumption detection processing section (816) of a recording apparatus control section (810) detects an actual consuming state by detecting an oscillating state corresponding to an ink consuming state using a piezoelectric device. An estimate consumption calculation processing section (814) finds an estimate consuming state by calculating an ink consuming state based on printing amount when printing using ink. For example, a consuming volume is calculated by adding up and multiplying the number of printing dots. An estimate consumption calculation processing for finding a consuming volume in detail and an actual consumption detection processing capable of detecting precisely are used in combination. Preferably, the passage of liquid level is detected as detection of an actual consumption. Consuming volumes prior to and after it are estimated by adding up and multiplying the number of dots.

Abstract: A detector of liquid consumption condition includes a vibrating part that can vibrate relatively to a containing space that can be filled and refilled with a liquid. At least a portion of the vibrating part is exposed to the containing space. A piezoelectric device can cause the vibrating part to vibrate based on a driving signal and can generate a counter electromotive force signal by a vibration of the vibrating part. A liquid consumption condition detecting part can detect a liquid consumption condition, based on the counter electromotive force signal from the piezoelectric device. The containing space can contain only a predetermined volume of the liquid. The vibrating part is provided in a vicinity of a liquid surface in the containing space when the containing space contains the predetermined volume of the liquid.

Abstract: An ink container which includes an ink supply port for supplying ink to a recording head, and is formed with a flexible member shaped like a bag, which deforms in accordance with an amount of remaining ink contained therein, the ink container comprising: a sensor module serving as vibration activating and detecting unit, provided on one of the surfaces of the ink container, for emitting a vibration to the ink; and a rigid member provided on a location of the other surface of the ink container, which is opposed to the sensor module; wherein an amount of remaining ink is detected based on a vibration characteristic of the vibration activating and detecting unit which depends on a distance between the vibration activating and detecting unit and the rigid member.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting head includes a flow passage formation section and a sealing section. The flow passage formation section includes a plurality of nozzle openings, ejecting liquid therefrom, a plurality of pressure generation parts, corresponding to the nozzle openings respectively, a plurality of liquid supply passages, communicating with the pressure generation parts respectively for supplying liquid thereto, and a plurality of partition wall parts, each separating one liquid supply passage and its corresponding pressure generation part from another liquid supply passage and its corresponding pressure generation part. The sealing section seals the flow passage formation section. The partition wall parts respectively include liquid supply passage partition wall parts which separate adjacent liquid supply passages. The sealing section has a thick part and a thin part.

Abstract: A head cover of a recording head includes an opening portion for exposing a nozzle face of the liquid ejection nozzle of a flow path unit, a frame portion provided at a surrounding of the opening portion to cover a peripheral edge portion of the flow path unit to be supported by the mounting face, protective wall portions erected integrally from the frame portion to be formed to cover side faces of the head case, and support portions formed integrally with the protective wall portions and bent from the protective wall portions to extend in surrounding directions for fixing to the head case and the protective wall portion is formed to widen a width thereof toward a side of the support portion.