EP1559559A2 - Ink cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

Ink cartridge has a housing (12) with at least one ink storage container, a ventilation device (42) on the housing that connects the interior to the surroundings after activation to equalize pressure and a locking device (44) on the housing for locking the cartridge in the holder movable between locking and unlocking positions. The locking device is used simultaneously as an actuation element for activating the ventilation device and comes into interaction with the ventilation device, to activate it when moved into its locking position.

Description

The invention relates to an ink cartridge according to the preamble of claim 1 for Insertion in a cartridge receptacle of an inkjet printer, by a locking device can be locked in the cartridge holder.

Lockable ink cartridges of the type mentioned, in which a pressure equalization with the environment through an integrated in the ink cartridge ventilation takes place, are known from the prior art. With the help of the ventilation device should to be achieved that the discharge of the ink stored in the ink storage chamber evenly and without interruptions during the printing process takes place and preferably all of the ink contained in the ink storage chamber from the ink cartridge is delivered.

So that the ink does not go out before using the ink cartridge in a printer for the first time the ink cartridge can escape, it is common, the ventilation device only immediately before using the ink cartridge.

It is thus known to provide a ventilation opening provided on the ventilation device sealed during transport and storage of the ink cartridge with a foil to hold the immediately before the use of the ink cartridge to activate the Ventilation device is removed. An ink cartridge with one to be activated Ventilation device is described for example in EP 0 803 365 B1.

A disadvantage of this known ink cartridge is that the activation of the ventilation device - and thus the proper functioning of the ink cartridge - of the proper Removing the slide depends.

To facilitate the removal of the film from the vent and to ensure that the film is actually removed, it is also known, the film to be withdrawn to connect with the packaging of the ink cartridge so that the film when opening the Packaging for activating the ventilation device is removed with.

Thus, EP 0 685 340 A1, EP 0 792 749 A2 and JP 11268290 each disclose an ink cartridge in which the package of the ink cartridge so with the deducted Foil of the ventilation device is connected to that at a proper Opening the package at the same time removes the film to be removed from the ink cartridge and thus the aeration device is activated. The disadvantage here is that the film only then properly removed, although the packaging according to the Specifications of the manufacturer is opened.

Finally, it is known in the ink cartridge as a ventilation device, a valve assembly provided by an actuator provided in the cartridge receptacle is opened. However, the ink cartridges designed in this way are in their production due to the valve arrangement used compared to the previously described known ink cartridges very elaborately designed.

It is an object of the invention to provide a simply designed ink cartridge, wherein Proper activation of the ventilation device when first used the ink cartridge is ensured.

This object is achieved by an ink cartridge with the features Claim 1 and in particular solved in that the locking device at the same time serves as an actuator for the activation of the ventilation device and at her Movement in its locking position with the ventilation device in operative connection comes to activate them.

One of the essential ideas on which the invention is based is that of the locking process the ink cartridge in the cartridge holder with the activation of Ventilation device of the ink cartridge is directly coupled. Opening the Ventilation device according to the invention by the locking movement of the Locking device from its rest position to its locking position. By the Coupling the locking of the ink cartridge with the activation of the ventilation is ensured when the user properly places the ink cartridge of the invention in the cartridge holder locks, at the same time the ventilation device properly is put into operation. On the one hand there is the advantage that the ventilation device only activates if proper locking of the ink cartridge takes place in the cartridge receptacle, while on the other hand simultaneously ensured is that the ventilation device is activated without the user for this purpose Must perform operating steps. In particular, by the latter, namely the automatic Activating the ventilation device, operator errors, such as they in the known ink cartridges with tear-off film by an incomplete or incorrect removal of the film often occur, no longer arise. simultaneously Ensures that the ink cartridge in a very simple and elegant way at least can be properly put into operation on their first use. at appropriate design of the ventilation device is - as later in more detail is explained - also possible, the ventilation device of the ink cartridge also when Unlock the ink cartridge using the locking device to disable, so in the event of interruption of use of the ink cartridge or replacement an empty ink cartridge, leakage of ink from the ink storage chamber is effectively prevented.

Further advantages and advantageous developments of the ink cartridge according to the invention will become apparent from the following description, the dependent claims and the drawings seen.

Thus, in a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention Ink cartridge proposed on the locking device an actuator provide, in the locking position of the locking device with the Ventilation device is in operative connection. In this way it is ensured that the Ventilation device remains activated at least as long as the locking device is locked with the cartridge holder. Alternatively, it is also possible, the locking device to couple with the ventilation device so that the ventilation device already during the movement of the locking device into its locking position the ventilation device activates the ventilation device in the final locking position however, the locking device no longer with the locking device is in operative connection, but independently in their ventilation position holds.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention Ink cartridge has the aeration device to be opened for their activation Ventilation opening on. To activate the ventilation device is the locking device equipped with an actuator that at least during the Movement of the locking device in its locking position in the ventilation opening is at least partially introduced to open this. By the combination Ventilation opening and actuator used to open the ventilation opening in This is a very safe and trouble-free activation of the ventilation device possible, at the same time the locking process in a conventional manner, for example, by a pivoting movement of a locking lever performed can be.

According to the invention, this is described above in an advantageous development Preferred embodiment, the ventilation opening before the first use of Ink cartridge closed by a foil. Activating the ventilation device then takes place by serving as an actuator actuating mandrel, which at the movement of the locking device in its locking position for opening the ventilation opening pierces the film. The thus designed ink cartridge according to the invention is comparatively easy to manufacture.

The foil closing the ventilation opening is preferred in this development glued or sealed to the housing. Under sealing is in this context either understood the use of a multilayer film whose with the Housing to be connected side is provided with a fusible plastic layer, which is fused with the housing. Alternatively, the film is made by a meltable Adhesive layer connected to the housing. Furthermore, it is possible the ventilation opening in the manufacture of the usually made of plastic, for example polypropylene, manufactured housing by a molded or molded thin plastic skin or plastic layer to close, which serves as a film to be pierced.

In a modified embodiment, the ventilation opening of the ventilation device closed by a valve arrangement. For this purpose, preferably a ball valve used that due to its relatively simple construction with low Effort is to produce and at the same time a fluid-tight sealing of the ventilation opening guaranteed. The actuating element of the locking device activates the Ventilation device in which the actuating element during the movement of the locking device in its locking position with a valve element of the valve arrangement, which between a ventilation opening closing position and a the vent releasing position is movable, engages and this moved to its opening position to open the ventilation opening. Advantageous in this Embodiment is in particular that when unlocking the ink cartridge the Valve assembly closes the vent again, so that a pressure equalization of Ink storage chamber with the environment, and thus an unwanted ink leakage the ink cartridge is effectively prevented after unlocking the ink cartridge.

Especially when using ventilated ink cartridges due to sudden Pressure differences between the ink storage chamber and the environment or even by obliquely holding a taken from the cartridge receptacle ink cartridge with activated aeration device can leak ink from the ink storage chamber is the ventilation device in a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention Ink cartridge with one in fluid communication with the vent standing channel, which through an opening with the housing interior in Flow connection is. The channel serves as a buffer of possibly ink escaping from the ink cartridge, allowing for immediate leakage of ink is prevented from the ink storage chamber with activated ventilation device. Around to get the longest possible channel with the largest possible storage capacity runs the channel preferably meandering.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the embodiment described above with channel is additionally proposed, between the ventilation opening and the channel to provide a compensation chamber through which the duct with the ventilation opening in Connection stands. The additional training of the previously described compensation chamber has the advantage that any out of the channel leaking ink in the compensation chamber is caught without leaving the ventilation opening. The ventilation opening is in this case preferably formed in an upper portion of the compensation chamber, so that the compensation chamber must first be completely filled with ink until ink from the open ventilation opening can escape. Preferably, the channel is on a flat side of the housing, preferably the top of the housing, formed while the Compensation chamber at one to the channeled flat side of the housing adjacent further flat side of the housing is provided, in which the ventilation opening immediately flows.

In order to simplify the production of the channel and the compensation chamber, at a Particularly preferred development of the previously described embodiments of Channel and / or the compensation chamber formed directly on the housing, wherein the Channel and / or the compensation chamber to the outside at least partially open are or is. Then the open channel and the open compensation chamber through one on the housing glued or sealed foil closed to the outside.

Another essential aspect on which the invention is based is the use of a Locking lever as a locking device pivotally mounted on the housing Ink cartridge is stored. The formation of a pivotable locking lever than Locking device has the advantage that the pivoting movement of the locking lever when locking the ink cartridge in the cartridge holder without much effort can also be used to activate the ventilation device in which the activating element of the ventilation device, for example the film or the valve element the previously described valve assembly, in the pivoting range of the locking lever is arranged. By the locking lever used, the ventilation device in a very simple and elegant way when locking the ink cartridge in the cartridge receptacle are activated.

The locking lever is preferably mounted by a film hinge on the housing. Such a film hinge is on the one hand very easy to manufacture, since such film hinges easy to train in plastic injection molding and without too much effort are demoulding. On the other hand accounts for additional assembly steps, in training of the locking lever are required as a separate component to the locking lever at a correspondingly formed on the housing bearing pivotally Fasten. In certain cases, such as a complex shape of the locking lever, However, it may well be useful to the locking lever as form a separate component.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the ink cartridge according to the invention the locking lever is designed to be in its first phase around its Swivel axis from a rest position to an intermediate position, in which he with a it formed support surface on the outside of the housing comes to rest, to is pivoting, and in a second phase, in which the locking lever with his Supporting surface supported on the housing, starting from the intermediate position in the direction of Swivel axis is to bend elastically in its locking position. By this kind of Design of the locking lever results in a variety of advantages.

Thus, the production of such a locking lever, for example by plastic injection molding, simplified, since the locking lever at its formation first perpendicular to the housing wall, where it is formed, can protrude, causing the course of the parting plane of the injection mold for demolding the housing can be optimized. Furthermore, the actuating elements described above, such as the actuating mandrel, are easily formed on the locking lever.

Furthermore, by bending the locking lever in the second phase of movement the locking lever during locking elastically biased, creating a corresponding locking or holding force between the locking lever and the Cartridge pickup is created. By specifying the cross section of the locking lever as well as a suitable choice of material can thus the locking force with which the ink cartridge held in the cartridge receptacle, to be defined.

So that the locking lever in a plane perpendicular to the housing surface level can be bent in its second phase of movement, lies the support surface, with the the locking lever on the outside of the housing comes to rest, in a parallel to the Pivot axis of the locking lever extending plane. Should the locking lever in contrast, in a direction other than the previously described vertical direction can be bent, by appropriate design and appropriate course of the Support surface on the locking lever relative to the pivot axis, the bending direction of the Locking lever can be specified in a desired bending direction.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the ink cartridge according to the invention It is proposed to make the support surface so that it lies in a plane which at an angle in a range of about 30 to 60 °, preferably in a range from about 40 to 50 ° inclined to the flat side of the locking lever extends. Since the Locking lever only then elastically deformed when the support surface on the outside the entire surface of the housing, can by defined predetermining the inclination angle the support surface to be adjusted the force with which the locking lever after the Lock with the cartridge holder is elastically biased.

To ensure a secure hold of the locking lever in the cartridge holder, is preferably a grid lift, for example in shape on the locking lever a latching nose, is formed, which with inserted ink cartridge with a on the Cartridge receptacle provided latching edge for locking the ink cartridge into engagement can be brought. The locking edge can be designed so that the locking edge during insertion the ink cartridge comes into operative connection with the locking lever and this moved by the insertion movement into its locking position, at the same time the Ventilation device is activated. Once the locking lever with its grid lift engages with the locking edge, so not only the ink cartridge in the cartridge holder securely latched, but also the ventilation device when inserting the ink cartridge simultaneously activated independently.

To simply loosen the locking lever of the previously described developments it is further proposed to provide a release lever on the locking lever, with which of the locked in the cartridge holder locking lever from his Lock is to be solved.

Fig. 1

in perspektivischer Darstellung eine erfindungsgemäße Tintenpatrone mit einer Belüftungseinrichtung, die durch einen Verriegelungshebel aktivierbar ist,

Fig. 2

einen Ausschnitt einer geschnittenen Seitenansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Tintenpatrone aus Fig. 1 unmittelbar nach deren Herstellung mit einem vergrößerten Ausschnitt X eines Details des Verriegelungshebels,

Fig. 3

eine teilweise geschnittene Seitenansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Tintenpatrone beim Einsetzen in eine Patronenaufnahme eines Tintenstrahldruckers,

Fig. 4

eine teilweise geschnittene Seitenansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Tintenpatrone nach dem Verriegeln in der Patronenaufnahme,

Fig. 5

einen der Ansicht nach Fig. 2 entsprechenden Ausschnitt einer geschnittenen Seitenansicht einer abgewandelten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Tintenpatrone, und

Fig. 6

einen der Ansicht nach Fig. 2 entsprechenden Ausschnitt einer geschnittenen Seitenansicht einer weiteren abgewandelten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Tintenpatrone.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows:

Fig. 1

in perspective view of an ink cartridge according to the invention with a ventilation device which can be activated by a locking lever,

Fig. 2

1 shows a detail of a sectioned side view of the ink cartridge according to the invention from FIG. 1 immediately after its production with an enlarged detail X of a detail of the locking lever, FIG.

Fig. 3

a partially sectioned side view of the ink cartridge according to the invention when inserted into a cartridge receptacle of an ink jet printer,

Fig. 4

a partially sectioned side view of the ink cartridge according to the invention after locking in the cartridge receptacle,

Fig. 5

a section corresponding to the view according to FIG 2 a sectional side view of a modified embodiment of the ink cartridge according to the invention, and

Fig. 6

a section corresponding to the view according to FIG. 2 a sectional side view of a further modified embodiment of the ink cartridge according to the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an ink cartridge 10 according to the invention Ink cartridge 10 has a polypropylene housing 12. At the bottom of the Housing 12, a connecting piece 14 is formed, with which the ink cartridge 10 at a correspondingly formed terminal of an ink jet printer, not shown is connectable. As will be explained later, the connecting piece 14 by a Closed film (not shown), while the ink cartridge 10 in the inkjet printer is used by one provided at the terminal of the inkjet printer Connecting pin is pierced. At the left in Fig. 1 side surface 16 of the housing 12 is a receptacle 18 for an authentication chip (also not shown).

The upper side 20 of the housing 12 is closed by a cover 22. About in the Center of the lid 22 is a dashed opening 24 is formed, which with a formed in the housing 12 ink storage chamber 26 (see Fig. 2 to 6) in flow communication in which a porous ink reservoir 28 for storing liquid ink is included. The opening 24 is in a partially meandering running Channel 30 (also shown in dashed lines) in flow communication, which on the lid 22 of the housing 12 is excluded. The channel 30 terminates in a connection opening 32 smaller diameter near the other side surface 34 of the housing 12th

Immediately adjacent to the top 20 of the housing 12 is in the side surface 34th a compensation chamber 36 is formed, which, as shown for example in Fig. 2, at her upper end open and closed by the lid 22. The connection opening 32 on the cover 22 is formed on the lid 22 so that it with the compensation chamber 36 is in fluid communication. In the compensation chamber 36 opens at the Side surface 34 formed ventilation opening 38th

The opening 24, the channel 30, the connection opening 32 and the ventilation opening 38, which are open to the outside and covered by a common film 40, which is glued fluid-tight with the housing 12 or sealed onto this form together with the compensation chamber 38, a ventilation device 42 for venting the Ink storage chamber 26.

On the side surface 34 of the housing 12 is a locking device 44 in the form a locking lever 46 is provided, whose structure is described below with reference 2 is described in more detail.

As shown in FIG. 2, in which a section of the ink cartridge 10 of FIG. 1 in cut Side view is shown, the locking lever 46 by a film hinge 48 at hinged to the outside of the housing 12 and extending transversely to the side surface 34 Swivel axis A (see Fig. 1) pivotally. The locking lever 46 has a Bending section 50, the operation will be explained later in detail, at the free end a parallel to the pivot axis A extending grid elevation 52 formed is. At the bending portion 50, a release lever 54 is formed near the grid elevation 52.

At a short distance from the release lever 54 is remote from the grid elevation 52 Front of the locking lever 46, an actuating mandrel 56 is formed, which is about perpendicular from the front of the locking lever 46 rises and three pointed tapered, triangular surface elements 58 is composed, which on the Locking lever 46 are integrally formed.

As the enlarged section X in Fig. 2 shows, in the enlarged view of Transition of the film hinge 48 between the housing 12 and the bending portion 50th of the locking lever 46, the bending portion 50 forms a right angle to the film hinge 48 extending edge 60, which merges into a support surface 62. The Support surface 62 is located in a parallel to the pivot axis A extending plane and extends at an angle α of about 45 ° inclined to that shown in Fig. 2 above Front of the bending section 50

The operation of the ink cartridge 10 according to the invention will be described below explained in more detail in FIGS. 3 and 4, partially sectioned side views.

The ink cartridge 10 is in a vertical movement in the cartridge receptacle 64th used, as indicated by the arrow to the connecting piece 14 with the To couple connection (not shown) of the printer in a known manner, the on the connecting piece 14 provided film from one at the terminal of the inkjet printer piercing pin is pierced.

As shown in Fig. 3, the lock lever 46 comes in the insertion movement of the ink cartridge 10 with an edge 66 on the cartridge receptacle 64 in contact, through which the Locking lever 46 is pressed in the direction of the side surface 34 of the housing 12. In this case, the locking lever 46 in a first phase on the film hinge 48 to the Swivel axis A pivoted so far until the support surface 62 with the side surface 34 of the Housing 12 comes into contact. The completion of this first phase is shown in FIG.

During the further insertion movement of the ink cartridge 10 into the cartridge receptacle 64 If the locking lever 46 can no longer be pivoted in the film hinge 48, but begins in the bending section 50 in its longitudinal direction transverse to the pivot axis A to bend, as shown in FIG. 4. In this case, the actuating pin 56 is in the ventilation opening 38 fluid-tight closing film 40 is pressed, thereby activating the ventilation device 42 of the ink cartridge 10. At about the same time pierces the connecting pin on Connection of the inkjet printer (not shown) which closes the connecting piece 14 Foil.

As soon as the ridge elevation 52 formed on the bending section 50 passes by the edge 66 is, the locking lever 46 springs back slightly and comes with the as Locking edge serving edge 66 in engagement. In this case, the actuating mandrel 56 is again slightly withdrawn from the vent 38, the film 40 in her pierced and expanded position remains. Especially by the formed between the surface elements 58 recesses 68, air can through the Ventilation opening 36, the compensation chamber 36, the connection opening 32, the channel 30 and the opening 24 between the ink storage chamber 26 and the environment for a pressure equalization flow back and forth.

Should ink from the interior of the housing 12 through the channel 30 from the ink storage chamber 26 arrive, it is caught in the compensation chamber 36 and passes not outward.

To solve the ink cartridge 10 again, the locking lever 46 must only with Help the trigger lever 54 briefly bent so in the direction of the ink cartridge 10 until the ratchet 52 on the locking lever 56 detaches from the edge 66. Subsequently, the ink cartridge 10 in the opposite direction again from the Cartridge receptacle 64 are removed. If there is still ink in the ink cartridge 10 is included, the user can the vent 38 and, where appropriate, the Connecting piece 14 by sticking a supplied with the ink cartridge 10, self-adhesive film to be closed again.

The ink cartridge 10 according to the invention has the advantage that the opening of the ventilation device 42 and the locking of the ink cartridge 10 by means of the locking device 44 coupled and runs in a predetermined defined order. So the opening of the vent opening 42 takes place immediately before the ink cartridge 10th is locked with the edge 66. This has the advantage that a pressure equalization of Ink storage chamber 26 takes place only when the connecting piece 14 of the Ink cartridge 10 in the last movement phase of its Ankoppelvorgang to the Connection of the inkjet printer is located, leaving no ink at the port of the inkjet printer can escape from the ink cartridge 10 over.

In Figs. 5 and 6, variations of the ink cartridge 10 are shown, which are merely differ by the way in which the vent 38 before activating the Ventilation device 42 is closed.

Thus, Fig. 5 shows a modification of the ink cartridge 10, wherein the ventilation opening 42nd instead of with the film 40 by a in the vent 38 in the manufacture of the Housing 12 injected plastic skin 70 is closed. Again, the plastic skin 70 pierced by the action of the actuating mandrel 56 and on this The ventilation device 42 is activated.

In the modification of the ink cartridge 10 shown in FIG. 6, the ventilation opening 38 is the 38th closed by a valve arrangement in the form of a ball valve 72. The ball valve 72 has for this purpose a valve ball 74, which by a in the compensation chamber 36th supporting compression spring 76 against the inner circumferential edge of the ventilation opening 38th is biased and closes this fluid-tight. Furthermore, in this modification the actuating mandrel 56 on the locking lever 46 by an actuator 78 in Replaced shape of a molded cylinder.

Now, the modified ink cartridge 10 shown in Fig. 6 in the cartridge receptacle Used 64, the locking lever 46 is in its locking position in the above described manner, wherein the actuating element 78 with the valve ball 74th the ball valve 72 comes into contact and pushes them into the compensation chamber 36, whereby the ventilation opening 38 is opened. Will the ink cartridge 10 back off taken from the cartridge receptacle 64, the actuator 78 is again out of the Ventilation 38 withdrawn, the valve ball 74 by the force of Compression spring 76 is moved back into its closed position, in which they the ventilation opening 38 closes fluid-tight.

In addition to the modifications already described above are still further embodiments and modifications of the ink cartridge 10 according to the invention conceivable. For example, the locking lever 46 may be formed as a separate component, that is mounted on a corresponding bearing on the outside of the housing 12 is. It is also conceivable, the locking lever 46 mechanically with a ventilation opening 38 closing valve assembly, for example in the form of a Ventilation opening 38 closing slide to mechanically couple.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

ink cartridge

12

casing

14

connecting branch

16

side surface

18

admission

20

top

22

cover

24

opening

26

Ink storage chamber

28

ink reservoir

30

channel

32

connecting opening

34

side surface

36

compensation chamber

38

ventilation opening

40

foil

42

aerator

44

locking device

46

locking lever

48

film hinge

50

bending section

52

Rast collection

54

sear

56

actuating mandrel

58

surface elements

60

edge

62

support surface

64

cartridge receiver

66

edge

68

recesses

70

skin

72

ball valve

74

valve ball

76

compression spring

78

actuator

A

Schwenkache

α

tilt angle

Claims (16)

Ink cartridge for insertion into a cartridge receptacle of an inkjet printer, with
a housing (12) in which at least one ink storage chamber (26) is formed, provided on the housing (12) ventilation means (42) which connects after activation of the housing interior for pressure equalization with the environment, and
a locking device (44) provided on the housing (12) for locking the ink cartridge (10) in the cartridge receptacle (64) movable between a locking position in which it is locked to the cartridge receptacle (64) and an unlocking position,
characterized in that the locking device (44) simultaneously serves as an actuator for the activation of the ventilation device (42) and in its movement into its locking position with the ventilation device (42) comes into operative connection to activate them. Ink cartridge according to Claim 1, characterized in that the locking device (44) has an actuating element (56, 78) which is in operative connection with the ventilation device (42) in the locking position of the locking device (44). Ink cartridge according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the ventilation device (42) has a ventilation opening (38) to be opened for its activation, and that an actuating element (56, 78) provided on the locking device (44) at least during the movement the locking device (44) is at least partially inserted into its locking position in the ventilation opening (38) in order to open it. Ink cartridge according to claim 3, characterized in that the vent opening (38) before the first use of the ink cartridge (10) by a film (40, 70) is closed, and that serves as an actuating element actuation mandrel (56), which in the movement of the Locking device (44) in its locking position for opening the ventilation opening (38) pierces the film (40, 70). Ink cartridge according to claim 4, characterized in that the film (40, 70) closing off the ventilation opening (38) is glued or sealed onto the housing (12) or molded onto the housing (12). Ink cartridge according to claim 3, characterized in that the ventilation opening (38) is closed by a valve arrangement, preferably by a ball valve (72), and in that the actuating element (78) in the locking position with the movement of the locking device (44) with a valve element (74) which is movable between a position closing the ventilation opening (38) and a position releasing the ventilation opening (38), and moves it into its release position to open the ventilation opening (38). Ink cartridge according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aeration device (42) has a, preferably meandering, channel (30) in fluid communication with the ventilation opening (38), which extends through an opening (28) with the housing interior of the ink cartridge ( 10) is in fluid communication. Ink cartridge according to claim 7, characterized in that the channel (30) on a flat side (20) of the housing (12), preferably the top (20) of the housing (12) is formed, and is in fluid communication with a compensation chamber (36) which is provided on a further flat side (34) of the housing (12) adjacent to the flat side (20) of the housing (12) provided with the channel (30), and in that the ventilation opening (38) directly into the compensation chamber (36) empties. Ink cartridge according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the channel (30) and / or the compensation chamber (36) are at least partially open towards the outside and / or by a on the housing (12) glued or sealed foil ( 40) are closed or is. Ink cartridge according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking device (44) as a locking lever (46) is formed, which is pivotally mounted on the housing (12) of the ink cartridge (10). Ink cartridge according to claim 10, characterized in that the locking lever (46) by a film hinge (48) on the housing (12) is pivotally mounted. Ink cartridge according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the locking lever (46) in a first phase about a pivot axis (A) from a rest position to an intermediate position in which it forms with a support surface formed on it (62) on the outside of the Housing (12) comes to rest, is to pivot, and in a second phase, in which the locking lever (46) with its support surface (62) on the housing (12) is supported, starting from the intermediate position in the direction of the pivot axis (A) is to bend elastically in its locking position. Ink cartridge according to claim 12, characterized in that the support surface (62) lies in a plane parallel to the pivot axis (A) of the locking lever (46). Ink cartridge according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the support surface (62) lies in a plane inclined at an angle (α) in a range of about 30 to 60 °, preferably in a range of about 40 to 50 ° Flat side of the locking lever (46) extends. Ink cartridge according to at least one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that on the locking lever (46) has a raster elevation (52) is formed, which with inserted ink cartridge (10) provided on the cartridge receptacle (64) locking edge (66) for locking the Ink cartridge (10) is engageable. Ink cartridge according to at least one of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that on the locking lever (46) a release lever (54) is provided, with which in the cartridge receptacle (64) locked locking lever (46) is released from its locking.

Images