INK CARTRIDGES

Abstract

An ink cartridge includes an ink chamber, and a movable member disposed within the ink chamber. The movable member includes a signal blocking portion, and a float portion. The ink cartridge also includes a guide, and the movable member is configured to move between a first position and a second position based at least on an amount of ink disposed within the ink chamber. Moreover, when the moveable member moves from the first position to the second position the moveable member slides along the guide.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the needs satisfied thereby, and the features and technical advantages thereof, reference now is made to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is perspective view of an ink cartridge, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an expanded, perspective view of the ink cartridge of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an ink reservoir unit of the ink cartridge of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of the area in the vicinity of the float portion as seen from the IV direction of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of the area in the vicinity of the float portion as seen from the V direction of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a partial, expanded view of the diagram of FIG. 3.

FIGS. 7( a)-7(c) are diagrams showing a method of installing the ink cartridge of FIG. 1 into a printer, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a of an ink reservoir unit, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view of an ink reservoir unit, according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of the area in the vicinity of a float portion, according to yet another embodiment of the present invention as seen from the same direction as FIG. 4.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of the area in the vicinity of a float portion, according to yet another embodiment of the present invention as seen from the same direction as FIG. 5.

FIG. 12 is a side view of an ink reservoir unit when an amount of ink in an ink chamber is greater than a predetermined amount of ink, according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a side view of an ink reservoir unit of FIG. 12 when the amount of ink in the ink chamber is less than the predetermined amount of ink.

FIG. 14 is a side view of an ink reservoir unit when an amount of ink in an ink chamber is greater than a predetermined amount of ink, according to still yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a side view of the ink reservoir unit of FIG. 14 when the amount of ink in the ink chamber is less than the predetermined amount of ink.

FIG. 16 is a diagram of the area in the vicinity of a float portion of FIGS. 14 and 15, as seen from the same direction as in FIG. 4.

FIG. 17 is a diagram of the area in the vicinity of the float portion of FIGS. 14 and 15, as seen from the same direction as in FIG. 5.

FIG. 18 is a side view of an ink reservoir unit when an amount of ink in an ink chamber is greater than a predetermined amount of ink, according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a side view of an ink reservoir unit of FIG. 18 when the amount of ink in the ink chamber is less than the predetermined amount of ink.

FIG. 20 is a diagram of the area in the vicinity of a float portion of FIGS. 18 and 19, as seen from the same direction as in FIG. 4.

FIG. 21 is a diagram of the area in the vicinity of the float portion of FIGS. 18 and 19, as seen from the same direction as in FIG. 5.

Claims

1. An ink cartridge, comprising: an ink chamber comprising a wall having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;a translucent portion extending from the wall, wherein the translucent portion has an inner space formed therein, and the inner space is configured to be in fluid communication with the ink chamber;an ink supply portion having an opening formed therethrough, wherein the ink supply portion is positioned at the wall adjacent to the second end of the wall, and the translucent portion is positioned between the first end of the wall and the ink supply portion;a movable member, comprising: a signal blocking portion, wherein the signal blocking portion is disposed within the inner space of the translucent portion; anda float portion disposed within the ink chamber; andat least one guide, wherein the movable member is configured to move between a first position and a second position based at least on an amount of ink disposed within the ink chamber, wherein when the moveable member moves from the first position to the second position at least a portion of the moveable member slides on and along the at least one guide.

2. The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein the movable member comprises at least one protrusion which slidably engages the at least one guide.

3. The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein the float portion comprises a plurality of protrusions which slidably engage the at least one guide.

4. The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein the at least one guide extends in a single direction.

5. The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein the at least one guide comprises at least one curved portion.

6. The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein when the movable member moves from the first position to the second position each of the float portion and the signal blocking portion moves in a same direction.

7. The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein as the ink within the ink chamber is dispensed from the interior of the ink chamber to the exterior of the ink chamber a surface of the ink within the ink chamber moves in a predetermined direction, and when the moveable member moves from the first position to the second position the movable member moves in a direction which is slanted with respect to the predetermined direction.

8. The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein when the movable member moves from the first position to the second position, each portion of the movable member moves.

9. An ink cartridge, comprising: an ink chamber comprising: a first wall having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; anda second wall;a translucent portion extending from the first wall, wherein the translucent portion has an inner space formed therein, and the inner space is configured to be in fluid communication with the ink chamber;an ink supply portion having an opening formed therethrough, wherein the ink supply portion is positioned at the first wall adjacent to the second end of the first wall, and the translucent portion is positioned between the first end of the first wall and the ink supply portion;a movable member comprising: a signal blocking portion, wherein the signal blocking portion is disposed within the inner space of the translucent portion; anda float portion disposed within the ink chamber, wherein the movable member has at least one of a groove and a hole formed therein or therethrough; andat least one protrusion extending from the second wall into the ink chamber, wherein the at least one protrusion slidably engages the at least one of the groove and the hole, and the movable member is configured to move between a first position and a second position based at least on an amount of ink disposed within the ink chamber, wherein when the moveable member moves from the first position to the second position the at least one protrusion slides within the at least one of the groove and the hole.

10. The ink cartridge of claim 9, wherein the at least one protrusion comprises a plurality of protrusions.

11. The ink cartridge of claim 10, wherein the plurality of protrusions are arranged on a curved line.

12. The ink cartridge of claim 9, wherein the hole is formed through the movable member, the ink chamber further comprises a third wall positioned opposite to the second wall, and the at least one protrusion contacts the third wall.

13. The ink cartridge of claim 9, wherein when the movable member moves from the first position to the second position, each of the float portion and the signal blocking portion moves in a same direction.

14. The ink cartridge of claim 9, wherein when the movable member moves from the first position to the second position each portion of the movable member moves.

15. The ink cartridge of claim 9, wherein as the ink within the ink chamber is dispensed from the interior of the ink chamber to the exterior of the ink chamber a surface of the ink within the ink chamber moves in a predetermined direction, and when the moveable member moves from the first position to the second position the movable member moves in a direction which is slanted with respect to the predetermined direction.

16. An ink cartridge, comprising: an ink chamber;a movable member, wherein at least a portion of the moveable member is disposed within the ink chamber, and the movable member comprises: a signal blocking portion; anda float portion; andat least one guide, wherein the movable member is configured to move between a first position and a second position based at least on an amount of ink disposed within the ink chamber, when the moveable member moves from the first position to the second position at least a portion of the moveable member slides along the at least one guide.