Patent · US Expired

Ink tank coupling method, ink jet recording apparatus, and ink tank

US6293662A · kind A · utility

50Cited by
6References
36Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 15, 1999
Grant dateSep 25, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 15, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB41J2/17553
  • WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Disclosed is an ink tank coupling method for an ink jet recording apparatus including a recording head, an ink supply needle, and a moving unit for moving the ink supply needle to a predetermined position, the recording apparatus being able to detachably mount an ink tank containing ink supplied to the recording head. The method includes a step of holding and fixing the ink tank to a predetermined position by releasing a movement preventing unit which prevents movement of the ink supply needle caused by the moving unit, and pressing the ink tank to abut a reference surface with an operation of attaching the ink tank to the recording apparatus, and a step of inserting the ink supply needle to the predetermined position in the ink tank by the moving unit after the holding and fixing step. Disclosed also is an ink jet recording apparatus and an ink tank adapted for carrying out the ink tank coupling method with a relatively simple construction and with higher reliability of the coupling, while allowing users to recognize the proper coupling of the ink tank.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.