INK CARTRIDGES

Abstract

An ink cartridge includes an ink chamber including a wall, a translucent portion positioned at the wall, in which the translucent portion has an inner space formed therein, and a movable member. The movable member includes a first portion disposed within the inner space of the translucent member, and the first portion includes a first protrusion portion formed on a first surface of the first portion. The movable member also includes a second portion disposed within the ink chamber, and a portion of the first portion of the movable member has a surface having a first surface roughness, and portion of the second portion of the movable member has a surface with a second surface roughness. Moreover, the first surface roughness is greater than the second surface roughness, and the first protrusion portion extends further towards a first interior surface of the translucent portion than the portion of the first portion having the first surface roughness.

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 a perspective view of an ink cartridge, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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

FIG. 3 is a drawing of an ink storage element of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 4( a)-4(c) are drawings of an area adjacent to a translucent portion o FIG. 3.

FIGS. 5( a) and 5(b) are drawings of a movable member of FIG. 3; and FIGS. 5(c) and 5(d) are drawings of a second arm according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 6( a) and 6(b) are drawings of a diffusion surface of FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b).

FIG. 7( a)-7(c) are drawings depicting a method of installing the ink cartridge of FIG. 1 in a printer.

FIG. 8( a) and 8(b) are drawings depicting a method of detecting the amount of ink in an ink reservoir of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a drawing of an ink cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1. An ink cartridge, comprising: an ink chamber comprising a wall;a translucent portion positioned at the wall, wherein the translucent portion has an inner space formed therein; anda movable member comprising: a first portion disposed within the inner space of the translucent member, wherein the first portion comprises at least one first protrusion portion formed on a first surface of the first portion; anda second portion disposed within the ink chamber, wherein at least a portion of the first portion of the movable member has a surface having a first surface roughness, and at least a portion of the second portion of the movable member has a surface with a second surface roughness, wherein the first surface roughness is greater than the second surface roughness, and the at least one first protrusion portion extends further towards a first interior surface of the translucent portion than the portion of the first portion having the first surface roughness.

2. The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first portion further comprises at least one second protrusion portion formed on a second surface of the first portion, wherein the at least one second protrusion portion extends further towards a second interior surface of the translucent portion opposite the first interior surface of the translucent portion than the portion of the first portion having the first surface roughness.

3. The ink cartridge of claim 2, wherein each of the at least one first protrusion portion and the at least one second protrusion portion comprises at least one pin.

4. An ink cartridge, comprising: an ink chamber comprising a wall;a translucent portion positioned at the wall, wherein the translucent portion has an inner space formed therein; anda movable member comprising: a first portion disposed within the inner space of the translucent member; anda second portion disposed within the ink chamber, wherein at least a portion of the first portion of the movable member and at least a portion of the second portion of the movable member comprises a roughened surface.