Means for and method of detecting the state of ink remain in a cartridge having containing portions differing in ink containing state
US5712667A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 18, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jan 27, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 18, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2002/17569
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention has as its object to detect the termination of ink reliably and highly accurately in an ink jet recording apparatus. An ink cartridge 2 has an opening 5 for connection to a recording head 1, and is comprised of a negative pressure generating member containing portion 14 containing a negative pressure generating member 13 and having an atmosphere communicating port 10, and an ink containing portion 16 which is adjacent to the negative pressure generating member containing portion 14 and communicates therewith at the bottom 11 of the ink cartridge. Ink detecting means 3 is provided below the ink containing portion 16. When the detecting means 3 detects a reduction in the remain in the ink containing portion 16, ink remains only in the negative pressure generating member containing portion 14 and the remainder can be substantially estimated. For the remaining ink, the amount of use is calculated by the counting of discharge pulses or the like and is compared, whereby the remain of the ink can be detected accurately and easily.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.