Abstract: An ink tank of the foam type which is provided with a detected portion capable of exactly and surely detecting the amount of ink used by the printer or remaining in the ink tank. The ink tank includes a sub ink chamber that is diposed or formed between a main ink chamber and an ink outlet of an ink tank of a foam type. When an amount of air flowing into the sub ink chamber increases, one or more reflecting surfaces of a right-angled prism, which function as ink interfaces, resume their original function of reflecting surfaces, thereby enabling the detection of an ink end. Air bubbles having entered the sub ink chamber are surely led onto the one or more reflecting surfaces by a bubble storage part. At an ink passage having a narrow width, which is defined by the one or more reflecting surfaces, air bubbles are pressed against the one or more reflecting surfaces to be put to a crushed state and in surface contact with the latter.

Abstract: A printer and an ink tank for the printer capable of precisely detecting that ink has run out in a foam type ink tank. The ink chamber and an ink passage are formed in this order between the foam containing portion and the ink outlet of a foam-type ink tank. A first filter is installed between the foam containing portion and the ink passage and used to pass bubbles therethrough, whereas a second filter having a pore diameter smaller than the pore diameter of the first filter is installed between the ink chamber and the ink passage. A rectangular prism for detecting an ink end is formed on the side of the ink chamber. When the reflective surface of the rectangular prism is exposed from an ink liquid level as bubbles are gathered in the ink chamber with ink that is running short, light is reflected from the reflective surfaces and is detected by a reflection type optical sensor on the ink-jet printer side, so that the ink end can be determined.

Abstract: An ink chamber is formed with a vent port allowing atmospheric air to enter therein and an ink outlet from which ink is taken out. An optical member has an ink contact face capable of contacting with ink contained in the ink chamber. The ink contact face includes a detection face at which a remaining amount of ink in the ink chamber is optically detected in accordance with an amount of air entered into the ink chamber via the vent port. A first ink absorbing member is disposed in the vicinity of the ink contact face, and capable of absorbing the ink in the ink chamber.

Abstract: A printer and an ink tank for the printer capable of precisely detecting that ink has run out in a foam type ink tank. The ink chamber and an ink passage are formed in this order between the foam containing portion and the ink outlet of a foam-type ink tank. A first filter is installed between the foam containing portion and the ink passage and used to pass bubbles therethrough, whereas a second filter having a pore diameter smaller than the pore diameter of the first filter is installed between the ink chamber and the ink passage. A rectangular prism for detecting an ink end is formed on the side of the ink chamber. When the reflective surface of the rectangular prism is exposed from an ink liquid level as bubbles are gathered in the ink chamber with ink that is running short, light is reflected from the reflective surfaces and is detected by a reflection type optical sensor on the ink-jet printer side, so that the ink end can be determined.

Abstract: An ink tank of the foam type which is provided with a detected portion capable of exactly and surely detecting the amount of ink used by the printer or remaining in the ink tank. The ink tank includes a sub ink chamber that is diposed or formed between a main ink chamber and an ink outlet of an ink tank of a foam type. When an amount of air flowing into the sub ink chamber increases, one or more reflecting surfaces of a right-angled prism, which function as ink interfaces, resume their original function of reflecting surfaces, thereby enabling the detection of an ink end. Air bubbles having entered the sub ink chamber are surely led onto the one or more reflecting surfaces by a bubble storage part. At an ink passage having a narrow width, which is defined by the one or more reflecting surfaces, air bubbles are pressed against the one or more reflecting surfaces to be put to a crushed state and in surface contact with the latter.

Abstract: An ink jet printer including an optical detector attached to a carriage on which a head chip is mounted, and one or more detected parts that can be detected by the detector formed on sides of ink cartridges placed in an ink cartridge holder. Each of the detected parts may be implemented as a right-angle prism. The one or more detected parts are operable to detect the presence or absence of ink and the corresponding ink cartridge being placed, among other features. Since the common optical detector and the one or more detected parts can detect a plurality of pieces of information, the ink jet printer is extremely advantageous for cost reduction and miniaturization as compared with the case where dedicated detection mechanisms are provided in a one-to-one correspondence with pieces of information to be detected as in a related art.

Abstract: A printer and an ink tank for the printer capable of precisely detecting that ink has run out in a foam type ink tank. The ink chamber and an ink passage are formed in this order between the foam containing portion and the ink outlet of a foam-type ink tank. A first filter is installed between the foam containing portion and the ink passage and used to pass bubbles therethrough, whereas a second filter having a pore diameter smaller than the pore diameter of the first filter is installed between the ink chamber and the ink passage. A rectangular prism for detecting an ink end is formed on the side of the ink chamber. When the reflective surface of the rectangular prism is exposed from an ink liquid level as bubbles are gathered in the ink chamber with ink that is running short, light is reflected from the reflective surfaces and is detected by a reflection type optical sensor on the ink-jet printer side, so that the ink end can be determined.

Abstract: An ink jet printer including an optical detector attached to a carriage on which a head chip is mounted, and one or more detected parts that can be detected by the detector formed on sides of ink cartridges placed in an ink cartridge holder. Each of the detected parts may be implemented as a right-angle prism. The one or more detected parts are operable to detect the presence or absence of ink and the corresponding ink cartridge being placed, among other features. Since the common optical detector and the one or more detected parts can detect a plurality of pieces of information, the ink jet printer is extremely advantageous for cost reduction and miniaturization as compared with the case where dedicated detection mechanisms are provided in a one-to-one correspondence with pieces of information to be detected as in a related art.

Abstract: A printer that can be used in a plurality of orientations provides easy connection of external cables to the printer regardless of the position in which the printer is used. The printer housing 11 has a substantially triangular shape in cross-section, three sides of which function as printer sitting surfaces 11b, 11c, and 11d. Roll paper 20 is stored in a roll paper compartment 30 at substantially the printer's center of gravity. A paper exit 12 for the roll paper 20 is located at one of the three vertices C, D, and E of the triangular shape. The location of a printing mechanism unit 31, control unit 32, and power supply unit 33 are distributed among the three vertices C, D, and E.

Abstract: An image reader includes a main unit having a plate-like document holder on which an original document is to be placed, and an image reading section for reading an image carried by the original document. The image reader further has a cover secured to the main unit. The cover can be turned to open and close a space on the document holder. The cover is turnable about a first axis defined by a straight line extending in a first direction substantially on the plane of the document holder. At least part of the cover is turnable about a second axis defined by a straight line extending in a second direction which is substantially orthogonal to the first direction. The image reader can be placed on, for example, a desk top selectively either in a horizontal posture in which the document holder extends substantially parallel to the desk top plane or a vertical posture in which the document holder extends substantially vertically to the desk top plane.

Abstract: In an ink jet recording apparatus, when the time since a last head maintenance process was executed exceeds a second period of time but is less than a first period of time, the printing status of the apparatus is monitored. During this time frame, a non-print period is measured and if that period exceeds a third period of time, a head maintenance drive controller causes another head maintenance process to be executed. However, when the time since the last head maintenance process was executed exceeds the first period of time, the head maintenance process is executed without regard to the printing status. Alternatively, the execution of the head maintenance process can be based on a print amount, such as the number of lines printed, since the last head maintenance process was executed. In this case, when the number of lines printed since the last head maintenance process was performed exceeds a second number of lines but is less than a first number of lines, the printing status is monitored.

Abstract: An ink jet printer reliably prevents printing defects resulting from bubbles remaining in the ink path after ink priming. An ink suction mechanism of the ink jet printer performs a post-priming head recovery process for suctioning ink from the nozzles when an hour passes after the ink priming process. This process suctions a large volume of ink from the ink nozzles, and can thus reliably expel bubbles from the ink path. By performing this process at a sufficiently long specific period of time after ink priming, enough time has elapsed for bubbles that are formed by the ink path filter during ink priming and collect in offsets in the ink path to grow to a size where the bubbles protrude from the offset into the ink path. Bubbles that are thus freed into the ink path can therefore be reliably expelled from the nozzles. Printing defects resulting from bubbles left by ink priming can thus be reliably prevented.

Abstract: An ink jet printer reliably prevents printing defects resulting from bubbles remaining in the ink path after ink priming. An ink suction mechanism of the ink jet printer performs a post-priming head recovery process for suctioning ink from the nozzles when an hour passes after the ink priming process. This process suctions a large volume of ink from the ink nozzles, and can thus reliably expel bubbles from the ink path. By performing this process at a sufficiently long specific period of time after ink priming, enough time has elapsed for bubbles that are formed by the ink path filter during ink priming and collect in offsets in the ink path to grow to a size where the bubbles protrude from the offset into the ink path. Bubbles that are thus freed into the ink path can therefore be reliably expelled from the nozzles. Printing defects resulting from bubbles left by ink priming can thus be reliably prevented.

Abstract: An ink cartridge 2 with a waste ink absorbing function includes a division room 70 formed in the interior portion of a cartridge case 30 for storing a waste ink absorbing member 20, and a plastic film 60 forming at least part of the division room 70. By cutting or peeling off the plastic film 60, the waste ink absorbing member 20 stored within can be replaced, which simplifies the replacement of the waste ink absorbing member 20. After replacement, the plastic film 60 may be mounted onto the cartridge case 30. Use of the plastic film is economical when compared with a structure in which a plastic plate is mounted onto a cartridge case. Also, the ink cartridge 2 can be reduced in size and weight as a whole.

Abstract: An ink cartridge employable for an ink jet type recording apparatus includes a case (4) having a front plate (4a) with at least one position determining hole (4h/4g) formed therein. An ink bag (1) containing a supply of ink is received in the case (4) in a manner such that the position determining hole (4h/4g) allows the insertion of a position determining shaft (16/17) projecting from an inner end of a cartridge holder (90) through the position determining hole (4h/4g) to guide and properly locate the ink cartridge (80) relative to the cartridge holder (90) without establishing communication between the ink bag (1) and the position determining shaft (16/17).

Abstract: A compact printer efficiently performs a sequence of processes to front and back sides of a print medium, typically a personal check. The printer has a transportation path for transporting a check P from the insertion opening thereof to the ejection opening by drive rollers, moving the check P through the transportation path. An image scanner captures an image of the print medium as it moves through the transportation path. A print head prints to the print medium. A reverse feed mechanism disposed on the upstream side of the ejection opening reverse feeds a print medium transported in the downstream direction back to the upstream side of the transportation path by way of a form return path for guiding the reversed print medium.

Abstract: A connection unit for an inkjet head whereby an ink supply passage is formed by bonding an inkjet head component to a case member such that ink ejection problems do not occur, ink does not leak, reliability is high, and manufacturing is simple. A bonding channel 218e encircling an ink supply opening 218h is provided between the bonding surfaces of the head component 210 and head case 218. Adhesive is then injected from an adhesive injection opening 218d to fill the bonding channel to an vent hole 218f.

Abstract: To provide a highly reliable and easy-to-manufacture ink jet head connection unit, in which ink supply paths are formed by gluing a substrate on which head component is formed to other components, that is free of ink ejection failure and ink leakage. A head component and case component 240 equipped with opening 241 on the bottom of which supply port 257 for supplying ink to head component 210 and concave area 243 to be filled with an adhesive are formed, are provided. Space 248 to be filled with an adhesive for joining head component 210 and case component 240 when case component 240 and head component 210 are coupled, is formed inside the joined case.

Abstract: To provide a highly reliable and easy-to-manufacture ink jet head connection unit, in which ink supply paths are formed by gluing a substrate on which head component is formed to other components, that is free of ink ejection failure and ink leakage. A head component and case component 240 equipped with opening 241 on the bottom of which supply port 257 for supplying ink to head component 210 and concave area 243 to be filled with an adhesive are formed, are provided. Space 248 to be filled with an adhesive for joining head component 210 and case component 240 when case component 240 and head component 210 are coupled, is formed inside the joined case.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus and printer whereby air bubbles in the ink supply path are easily expelled even where a stagnation point or flow boundary is formed within the ink jet recording apparatus in which air bubbles tend to collect inside the ink supply path. Even when the air bubbles are not completely expelled, occlusion of the ink supply path by an air bubble is also prevented. In particular, the ink jet recording apparatus includes a capillary member which defines plural capillary paths disposed within the ink supply path upstream of the stagnation point or flow boundary occurring at the connection of the recording head to ink supply tube. These capillary paths are separated a distance away from the flow boundary and included angled walls and cross sections to enable fractionation of larger, potentially ink occluding bubbles.