JPH09174879A - Key system for ink container - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system for properly directing an exchangeable ink container when the ink container is inserted in an ink-jet printer. SOLUTION: A structure functioning as a key and a key groove is provided in an ink container storing ink. A docking station 132 is formed in a printer. The docking station 132 defines a bay 38 into which the ink container can be inserted. A proper ink feed system is related to a specific kind of ink in each bay 38. The bay 38 has a key 138a-138d and a key groove 140a-140d formed to correspond to the key and key groove of the container. A user inserts into the bay 38 a container other than the container of the proper kind of ink by the key system.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a system for properly orienting a replaceable ink container during insertion into an inkjet printer.

A typical ink jet printer has a pen mounted on a carriage that is moved left and right on a print surface such as a piece of paper. The pen carries the printhead. When the printhead passes the appropriate location on the print surface, the control system activates the inkjets on the print head to eject ink drops onto the print surface and form the desired images and characters.

Some ink jet printers use a fixed ink source mounted away from the carriage and supplying ink to a refillable ink reservoir incorporated into the pen. Ink can be supplied from this container to the pen via a tube extending between the pen and the container.

Color inkjet printers typically combine four color inks to produce multiple colors on the print surface. Such printers may have replaceable supply containers for each color used in the printer (usually black, cyan, yellow and magenta). A group of pens, each dedicated to a particular color, are attached to the printer carriage. A separate ink supply system is required for each color of ink.

That is, the entire path of one color of ink from the supply container to the pen and out of the printhead is used for only one color of ink. Therefore, a four color inkjet printer is configured to incorporate four separate ink supply systems, one for each color.

Some ink jet printing systems can use different grades or types of ink for different models of printers. For example,
Printers designed for very high quality printed output can use inks that have different chemical and physical properties than the inks used in lower cost printer designs or types.

[0007] For example, the quality of color prints may deteriorate due to ink stains caused by the introduction of ink of one color into an ink supply system of another color. In addition, putting one type of ink into another type of supply system causes significant trouble to the printer. For example, if two black inks of different types mix during the replacement of the ink source, the mixture may react to form a precipitate, clogging the ink supply system and causing printer failure. .

The present invention provides a key system that prevents an ink container of a particular type and color of ink supply system from being connected to an ink supply system of a different color or type.

Other objects and aspects of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. In addition, the following description illustrates the present invention and does not limit the present invention.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 20 designates an ink container having one component of the key system of the present invention. The ink container 20 (sometimes referred to simply as the "source" of ink) has a chassis 22 which holds an ink reservoir 24 containing ink. The chassis also has a pump 26 and a liquid outlet 28. Chassis 22 has a hard protective outer shell 30
Fit into the lower open end of the. A cap at the bottom of this shell
32 is attached. The cap 32 is provided with an opening 34 that allows entry into the pump 26 and an opening 36 that allows entry into the liquid outlet 28.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 (and as described in more detail below), the ink source 20 is inserted into a suitable bay 38 of the docking station 132 of the ink jet printer. When the ink source 20 is inserted, the actuator 40 in the docking bay 38 contacts the pump 26 through the opening 34. Additionally, the liquid inlet 42 in the docking bay 38 is coupled to the liquid outlet 28 of the container through the opening 36, thereby forming an ink supply path from the ink source 20 to the corresponding pen on the printer carriage. Actuator 40 is actuated to cause pump 26 to draw ink from the ink fountain and deliver it through the tube through liquid outlet 28 and liquid inlet 42 to the inkjet pen as described below.

When the ink in the ink reservoir 24 becomes empty,
Alternatively, the ink source 20 can be easily removed from the docking bay 38 for any other reason. During this removal, the liquid outlet 28 of the container and the liquid inlet 42 of the docking station are closed to prevent residual ink from leaking into the printer or hitting the user. The ink container can then be discarded or stored and later reattached. Thus, the ink source 20 provides the inkjet printer user with a reliable and easily replaceable ink source for the inkjet printer at low cost.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the chassis 22
Has a body 44. A frame 46 extends upwardly from the top of the chassis body 44 to define and support the ink reservoir 24. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame 46 defines a generally square reservoir 24. A surface 48 is provided on both sides of the frame 46, and a plastic sheet 50 is attached to this surface to seal the side surface of the ink reservoir 24. The illustrated plastic sheet is flexible so that the volume of the ink reservoir decreases as the ink is consumed. As a result, all the ink in the ink reservoir can be taken out and used by minimizing the amount of back pressure generated as the ink in the ink reservoir is consumed. The illustrated ink source 20 is adapted to contain about 30 cubic centimeters of ink when full.

In the illustrated embodiment, the plastic sheet 50 is heat staking to the surface 48 of the frame in a manner well known in the art. In this embodiment, the plastic sheet 50 comprises a low density polyethylene outer layer, an adhesive layer, a metallized polyethylene terephthalate layer, an adhesive layer, a second metallized polyethylene terephthalate layer, an adhesive layer, and a low density polyethylene inner layer. It is a multilayer sheet having. The low-density polyethylene layer has a thickness of approximately 0.0005 inches, and the metallized polyethylene terephthalate layer has a thickness of approximately
It is 0.00048 inches. The low density polyethylene inside and outside the plastic sheet can be easily heat staken into the frame, and the dual metallized polyethylene terephthalate layer provides a strong barrier to vapor loss and leakage. In another embodiment, a different material, an alternative method of attaching the plastic sheet to the frame,
Alternatively, it goes without saying that other types of ink reservoirs can be used.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the chassis 22
The body 44 has a filling port for filling the ink reservoir 24.
52 are provided. After the ink reservoir is filled, a spherical plug 54 is inserted into the filling port 52 to prevent ink leakage from the filling port. In the illustrated embodiment, this plug is a polypropylene ball and is press fit into the fill port.

A pump 26 on the chassis 22 pumps ink from the ink reservoir and supplies it through a liquid outlet 28 to the printer. In the illustrated embodiment, the pump 26 is a chassis
Includes a pump chamber 56 integrally formed with 22. The pump chamber is defined by a skirt-shaped wall 58 extending downwardly from the body 44 of the chassis 22.

A pump inlet 60 is formed in the upper portion of the chamber 56 and allows the chamber 56 and the ink reservoir 24 to communicate with each other. Further, a pump outlet 62 for discharging ink from the chamber 56 is provided. A valve 64 is located within the pump inlet 60. The valve 64 allows ink to flow from the ink reservoir 24 to the chamber 56, but limits ink backflow from the chamber 56 to the ink reservoir 24. Thus, when the chamber is depressurized, ink is drawn from the ink reservoir and enters the chamber via the pump inlet. When the chamber is pressurized, the ink in the chamber is discharged from the pump outlet.

In the illustrated embodiment, valve 64 is a check flapper valve located at the bottom of the pump inlet. The valve 64 is placed over the bottom of the pump inlet 60 and is a rectangular piece of flexible material that is heat staking to the chassis 22 at the midpoint of its short side (the heat staking area is shown in black in FIG. 7). Is. When the pressure in the chamber drops below the pressure in the ink reservoir, each non-staken side of the valve flexes downwards, causing ink to bypass valve 64 and pump inlet 60.
Through to chamber 56.

A flexible partition 66 encloses the bottom of chamber 56. The partition 66 is slightly larger than the opening at the bottom of the chamber 56 and is sealed around the lower end of the wall 58. The excess material of this larger partition allows the partition to flex up and down to vary the chamber volume.
In the illustrated ink source, displacement of this partition causes the volume of chamber 56 to change by about 0.7 cubic centimeters. When the illustrated chamber 56 is fully expanded, the volume is about 2.
It is between 2 cubic cm and 2.5 cubic cm.

A pressure plate 68 and a spring 70 are arranged in the chamber 56. The pressure plate 68 is arranged in the chamber 56 such that the lower surface 72 is adjacent to the flexible partition 66. The upper end of the spring 70, which is stainless steel in the illustrated embodiment, is held by a dog nail 82 formed in the chassis, and the lower end of the spring 70 is held by a dog nail 78 formed in the pressure plate 68. This causes the spring to bias the pressure plate downward, pushing the septum and increasing the volume of the chamber.

The pump outlet 62 is connected to the liquid outlet 28 by a conduit 84.
It is connected to. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper wall of the conduit 84 is formed by the lower member of the frame 46, the lower wall is formed by the chassis body 44, one side is sealed by a portion of the chassis, and the other side is formed of a plastic sheet. It is sealed by one part.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the liquid outlet 28
Is located within a hollow cylindrical boss 99 extending downwardly from the chassis 22. The top of boss 99 is open to conduit 84 to allow ink flow from the conduit to the liquid outlet. A spring 100 and a sealing ball 102 are arranged in the boss 99, and are held by a compliant partition 104 and a crimp cover 106. The septum 104 is inserted into the boss 99 and slightly compresses the spring 100, which biases the sealing balls 102 towards the septum 104 to form a seal. A crimp cover 106 fits over the septum 104 from above and engages an annular protrusion 108 on the boss 99 to retain the entire assembly.

In the illustrated embodiment, the spring 100 and the ball 102.
Is stainless steel. Ceiling ball 102 is boss 99
It is configured to move freely within and allow ink to flow around the ball when not in the sealing position. The septum 104 is formed of polyisoprene rubber and has a concave bottom for receiving a portion of the ball 102 to form a secure seal. The partition wall 104 is provided with a slit 110 so that it can be easily drilled without tearing or coring. This slit is normally closed. A hole 112 is provided so that the crimp cover 106 does not interfere with the opening of the partition wall 104.

Ink reservoir 24 can be filled with ink by pump 26 and liquid outlet 28. When filling the ink reservoir 24, ink can be injected through the filling port 52. When ink is introduced into the ink reservoir,
A needle (not shown) can be inserted into the slit 110 of the partition 104 and the sealing ball 102 can be pushed to release the air in the ink reservoir.

Of course, various other methods can be used to fill the ink source. It may be desirable to flush the entire ink source with carbon dioxide before filling the ink source with ink. In this case, the gas trapped in the ink source during the filling process is carbon dioxide rather than air. This is preferable because unlike carbon, carbon dioxide dissolves in some inks. Typically,
It is desirable to remove the gas from the ink source as much as possible so that air bubbles and the like do not enter the print head or the hanging tube. For that purpose, it is desirable to use degassed ink to prevent bubbles from being generated or present in the ink source.

Although the ink reservoir 24 is an ideal way of containing ink, it can easily be punctured or torn, causing a small amount of water to be lost from the ink. Therefore, the ink reservoir 24 is enclosed within a protective shell 30 to protect the ink reservoir 24 and limit water loss. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer shell 30 is made of polypropylene. Thickness is about 1mm
Then, it has been found that a sufficient protection strength can be obtained and the loss of water from the ink can be prevented. However, the material and thickness of this shell may be different in other embodiments.

The upper portion of the outer shell 30 defines a gripping surface 114 (FIG. 6) having a shape and texture that allows the user to easily grip and manipulate the ink source 20. Vertical ribs 116 having detents 118 formed near their lower ends project laterally from each side of the outer shell 30. The base of the outer shell 30 is open so that the chassis 22 can be inserted. Stoppers 120 from both sides of the wall 58 defining the chamber 56 (FIG. 2)
Stretch laterally outward. These stoppers 120 contact the lower end of the outer shell 30 when the chassis 22 is inserted.

After the ink reservoir is filled, a protective cap 32 is fitted to the bottom of the outer shell 30 to hold the chassis 22. The cap 32 is provided with a slot 128 for receiving the stopper 120 on the chassis 22. In this way,
The stopper is fixed between the cap and the outer shell to hold the chassis. The cap opening 34 allows access to the pump 26 and the opening 36 allows access to the liquid outlet 28. The cap 32 blocks the filling port 52.

In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom of the outer shell 30 has two
There are two circumferential grooves 122, which are cap 3
It engages with two circumferential ribs 124 formed in 2 to secure the cap to the outer shell. Further, in order to more firmly fix the cap to the outer shell, it is desirable to use a technique such as sonic welding. Further, the label can be adhered to both the cap and the outer shell to firmly fix them. A pressure sensitive adhesive is used to adhere the label in a manner that prevents peeling and helps secure the cap to the shell.

The mounting of the shell and cap should preferably be such that the cap is prevented from accidentally coming off the shell and resists ink flow from the shell to prevent leakage from the ink reservoir. I have to. However, it is desirable that this attachment allows air to enter the outer shell little by little as the ink in the ink reservoir is consumed so that the pressure inside the outer shell becomes almost the same as the atmospheric pressure. If this is not done, there is a risk that back pressure will be created inside the outer shell and ink will not flow from the ink reservoir. However, the ingress of air must be limited to maintain high humidity within the shell and to minimize water loss from the ink.

In the illustrated embodiment, the shell 12 and the flexible ink reservoir 14 contained therein have a capacity to hold about 30 cubic centimeters of ink. The outer shell is about 73 mm wide and about 15 m thick
m, height about 60mm. Of course, other sizes and shapes can be used depending on the needs of the printer.

The outer shell 30 is substantially symmetrical with respect to its vertical central axis. Therefore, the shell can be coupled to the cap in either of two orientations, which can simplify the assembly process of the container.

According to the present invention, the components of the ink container other than the protective cap 32 can be used to contain a number of different types of ink. Ink types can be divided into two subcategories, eg type and color.
The ink type refers to the chemical and physical characteristics of the ink, such as viscosity and solubility in water. Inkjet pens and printheads designed to use one particular type of ink will malfunction if a different type of ink is used. Ink color refers to one of the four colors commonly used for color printing and combined on the print medium to produce the desired color output. Here, the ink supply system that supplies ink to the printhead is limited to using only one color and, therefore, must not be contaminated with other colors of ink.

The protective cap 32 of the present invention is formed with a structure showing one type and color of ink contained in the ink reservoir. A similar structure is provided in the docking station bay. These structures of ink containers and docking station bays are a major component of the system that prevent the insertion of ink containers other than ink containers that have a properly structured cap that engages the corresponding structure of a particular bay.

According to the present invention, one end of the cap 32 is provided with a structure consisting of a protruding key 130 for identifying the type of ink contained in the ink source. For example, if the ink source only contains ink that is suitable for a particular printer or a printer of a certain type, you will see a selected number and interval of inks of that type A cap with keys (three equally spaced keys 130 are shown in the illustrated embodiment) is used. Cyan on the other end of the cap,
A key groove 131, which is a structure showing magenta and other ink colors, is provided. As will be explained later, the docking station in the printer has a structure for engaging a structure on the cap to restrict the insertion of a container into this station.

It will be appreciated that the chassis 22 and outer shell 30 can be manufactured, assembled and stored regardless of the type of ink contained therein. Next, after the ink reservoir is filled,
A cap having a structure that indicates the type of ink in the ink reservoir is attached to the outer shell. This allows the empty shell and chassis to be stocked, thus reducing manufacturing costs. When a particular type of ink is needed, it can be placed in the ink source and a suitable cap secured to the ink source. Thus, this method can reduce the need to stock large amounts of ink sources containing all types of ink.

An alternative or supplementary ink content display may be provided on the cap. For example, if the ink source contains ink of a particular color, a cap colored to match that color can be used.
The color of the cap can also be used to indicate the type of ink that has entered the ink source.

The illustrated ink source 20 is ideal for insertion into a docking station 132 as shown in FIGS. The docking station 132 shown in FIG. 4 is used for a color printer. Therefore, four docking bays 38 are juxtaposed in this station, which can receive ink containers 20 of different colors. The illustrated ink source structure allows the width of the ink source to be relatively small. by this,
The four ink sources can be arranged side by side in a small docking station without increasing the "footprint" of the printer.

The docking bay 38 is located between the opposing walls 134, 136 of the station. Each of these walls is 4
Two inwardly facing vertical grooves 138a-138d and 140a-140d are defined. Each bay (the boundary above one bay is shown in dashed lines in FIGS. 4-6) receives one ink source 20.

A leaf spring 142 having an engagement prong 144 is provided in the groove 13.
It is arranged at the bottom of each of 8a-138d and 140a-140d. The engagement prongs 144 of each leaf spring 142 engage the docking bay 38.
It extends inwardly inward and is biased inward by a leaf spring.

Grooves 138a-138d formed in one wall 134 of the station (referred to herein as the left wall for convenience) each define a structure for engaging a key groove 131 formed in the protective cap 32. The structure of the structure within the left wall 134 is best shown in FIG. 5, where the individual grooves 138a-138d are shown.
Have different key characteristics.

Taking the groove 138d of the left wall 134 as an example, it can be seen that the groove 138d has a protruding key 133 defined between its sidewalls 135. As shown in FIG. 6, the protruding keys 133 are generally elongated members that extend vertically between the parallel sidewalls 135 of the groove 138d. In one embodiment, the key 133
Consists of two parts, an upper part located at the upper end of the wall 134 and a lower part extending from the bottom part of the wall 134 to a position just below the prong 144 in the groove 138d.

The thickness of the key 133 (measured vertically in FIG. 5) and the spacing between the sidewalls 135 of the groove 138d are set to engage the key groove 131 formed at the end of a particular protective cap 32. To be done. In this regard, please refer to FIG. 3D, which is a bottom view of the cap 32 shown in FIG. One end of this cap (the left end in FIG. 3D) is configured such that the width of that end between the sidewalls 139 is slightly less than the spacing between the sidewalls 135 of the groove 138d. Furthermore, the width of the key groove 131 is 1
It is slightly larger than the thickness of the key 133 in 38d. In other words, the figure
The configuration of the cap end shown in 3D is basically a mirror image of the configuration of the groove 138d (FIG. 3D is a bottom view and FIG. 5 is a plan view). Therefore, the left end of the cap 32 shown in FIG. 3D engages only the groove 138d in the left wall 134.

The right end of the cap has three evenly spaced protruding keys 130 which indicate the particular type of ink used in the illustrated docking bay as previously described. The top and bottom of the grooves 140a-140d (see FIG. 4) of the wall 136 of the docking station are configured to define three equally spaced keyways 143 for engaging the cap type keys 130. That is, the key groove 143 is defined as a space between the upper and lower protrusions extending between the sidewalls of the grooves 140a-140d. Similar to the keys 133 on the opposite wall 134, these projections consist of two parts, the top and the bottom of the groove, as shown in FIG.

From FIGS. 3A-3C and 5, according to the above description, another groove 138 in the left wall 234 of the docking station.
It can be seen that the configuration of a-138c defines a structure that engages only the container cap that has a structure corresponding to the corresponding end. For example, the end of the cap shown in FIG. 3A (sometimes referred to as the "black ink cap") has a sidewall 139 at that end.
Is smaller than the size of the same portion of the other cap. The end of the black ink cap (Fig. 3A) has a corresponding narrow groove 138a on the left wall 134 of the docking station.
Fit snugly on. This black ink cap has no key groove at the end of the cap 32, and no key is provided in the groove 138a.

The ends of the cap shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C are grooved.
FIG. 6A illustrates an alternative cap configuration including a keyway 131 arranged and configured to engage only 138b or 138c, respectively.

More than four different caps corresponding to four different colors can be used in the key system of the present invention. In this case, the width of the corresponding end of the cap and the keyway (and cap) of the cap, provided that the key system can align the liquid outlet 28 of the ink source 20 and the pump 26 with the liquid inlet 42 of the docking bay and the actuator 40, respectively. The location of the dock bay key) can be designed in any of a number of configurations.

It will be appreciated that in addition to limiting the performance of a particular ink container into its correspondingly engaging bay, the key structure described above also serves to guide the container in and out of the bay. . In this regard, the vertical lengths of the keys and keyways limit the movement of the container as it enters the bay to sliding translational motion, facilitating precise interconnection of liquid outlet 28 and liquid inlet 42. Selected to get done.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the upper end of each actuator 40 is the opening of the substrate 146 of the station 132.
Extend up through 148 into docking bay 38. The lower part of the actuator 40 is located below this board and the
4 is pivotally connected to one end of a lever 152 supported on. The other end of the lever 152 is biased downward by a compression spring (not shown). This causes the force of the compression spring to push up the actuator 40. A cam 158 attached to the rotating shaft 160 is arranged such that when the shaft rotates to the engaged position, the cam overcomes the force of the compression spring and moves the actuator 40 downward. This movement of the actuator causes the pump 26 to draw ink from the ink reservoir 24 and supply it to the printer via liquid outlet 28 and liquid inlet 42.

As shown in FIG. 7, the liquid inlet 42 has a substrate 146.
Located in a housing 150 carried by the. The illustrated liquid inlet 42 includes an upwardly extending needle 162 having a closed, rounded upper end 164, a blind hole 166 and a side hole 168 near the rounded end. To the lower end of the needle 162, a blind hole (166) and a hanging pipe (not shown) that is in fluid communication are connected. The depending tube 169 is connected to a print head (not shown).

A sliding collar 170 surrounds the needle 162 and is biased upward by a spring 172. The sliding brim 170 has an exposed upper surface 176 and an exposed lower surface 17 in direct contact with the spring 172.
It has a compliant sealing portion 174 with eight. In addition, the illustrated sliding collar extends downward to extend the spring 172.
Has a substantially rigid portion 180 that houses a portion of the. An annular stopper 182 extends outwardly from the lower end of this generally rigid portion 180. The annular stopper 182 is formed on the substrate 146.
Is placed under the base plate 146 so as to restrict the movement of the sliding collar 170 onto the sliding collar 170 and form the upper position of the sliding collar on the needle 162. In this upper position, the lateral hole 168 is enclosed and sealed by the collar sealing portion 174, and the rounded end 164 of the needle is approximately level with the upper surface 176 of the collar.

When mounting the ink source 20 in the docking bay 38, the user places the lower end of the mating ink container between the opposing walls 134 and 136 defining the mating bay 38 (FIG. 6). Just enough. Next, when the ink source is pushed down to the mounting position shown in FIG. 7, the bottom portion of the cap 32 contacts the substrate 146 at this position. When the ink source is depressed, liquid outlet 28 and liquid inlet 42 automatically engage and open, forming a liquid flow path from the ink source to the printer. When the ink source is attached, the actuator enters the opening 34 in the cap 32 to pressurize the pump.

Engaging prongs 144 on either side of the docking station engage detents 118 formed on the shell 30 to retain the ink source. A leaf spring 142, which allows movement of the ink source out of the engagement prongs during insertion, biases the engagement prongs inward to actively hold the ink source in the installed position. During the mounting process and in the mounting position, the ends of the ink source 20 are held in vertical grooves 138 and 140, which laterally support and stabilize the ink source. The aforementioned key elements formed at the bottom of the grooves 138a-138d and 140a-140d are configured to provide clearance for the detent 118 and the central vertical ribs 116 formed on either side of the shell. In one embodiment, this depth (measured from left to right in FIG. 5) is sufficient to provide clearance for detents 118 and ribs 116 that project slightly outward from the end of cap 32. . Similarly, the one central depth of the three keyways 143 in the right station wall 136 is the depth that allows clearance to the detents 118 and ribs 116 on that side of the container.

To remove the ink source 20, the user simply grasps the ink source using the grasping surface 114 and pulls it up against the force of the leaf spring 142. After removal, the liquid outlet 28 and the liquid inlet 42 are automatically disconnected, the seal is released with almost no residual ink, and the pump
26 is depressurized to reduce the possibility of ink leakage from the ink source.

This detailed description is given for the purpose of illustrating examples of the invention only and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. It will be apparent that various additions, substitutions and other changes may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims and their equivalents.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ink container having components according to an embodiment of a key system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the ink container of FIG.

FIG. 3A is a bottom view of an ink container showing various keys and keyway elements of an embodiment of the key system of the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a bottom view of an ink container showing various keys and keyway elements of an embodiment of the key system of the present invention.

FIG. 3C is a bottom view of an ink container showing various keys and keyway elements of an embodiment of the key system of the present invention.

FIG. 3D is a bottom view of an ink container showing various keys and keyway elements of an embodiment of the key system of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of a printer docking station including other components of an embodiment of the key system of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial plan view of one of the walls of the docking station showing in detail some of the key systems of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a view showing that the ink source of FIG. 1 is inserted into a docking bay of a docking station.

FIG. 7: FIG. 1 fully inserted in the docking bay
FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the ink source of

[Explanation of symbols]

 20: Ink container 22: Chassis 24: Ink reservoir 26: Pump 28: Liquid outlet 30: Protective shell 32: Cap 34, 36: Cap opening 38: Bay 40: Actuator 42: Liquid inlet 44: Chassis 22 body 46: Frame 48: Face of Frame 46 50: Plastic Seat 52: Fill Port 54: Plug 56: Pump Chamber 58: Pump Chamber Wall 60: Pump Inlet 62: Pump Outlet 64: Valve 66: Flexible Septum 68: Pressure plate 70: Spring 72: Lower surface of pressure plate 68 82: Dog nail 84: Conduit 99: Hollow cylindrical boss 100: Spring 102: Sealing ball 104: Partition 106: Crimp cover 110: Slit 112: Hole 114: Grip surface 116: Vertical rib 118: Detent 120: Stopper 122: Circumferential groove 124: Rib 128: Slot 130: Key 131: Key groove 132: Docking station 133: Key 134, 136: Opposite wall 135: Side of station 138a-138d, 140a-140d: Groove 139: Side wall 142: Leaf spring 143: Key groove 144: Engaging prong 146: Station 132 board 148: Board 146 opening 150: Housing 152: Lever 154: Axial point 158: Cam 160: Rotating shaft 162: Needle 164: Upper end of liquid inlet 42 166: Blind hole 168: Side hole 169: Hanging pipe 170: Sliding brim 172: Spring 174: Sealing part 176: Sealing part upper surface 178: Sealing part Lower surface 180: Rigid part of sliding collar 182: Annular stopper

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Glenn E. Schmid, Northwest Genis Place, 4736, Corvallis, Oregon, United States 4736 (72) Inventor, John A. Underwood, Bancoaver, Washington, USA, Northeast 113 Suth Street 3415 (72) Inventor Mark Jay Green 3317 (72) Inventor Thomas Cocklin, Corvallis, Oregon United States Thomas Cocklin, Northeast 164 Stree, Ridgefield, WA, USA 2506

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. An ink container for containing an ink of a specific color and type, wherein an outer shell and a first structure attached to the outer shell and showing the type of ink to be contained in the container at one end thereof. And a cap that defines a first structure for indicating the color of the ink to be contained in the container, is provided at the other end. 2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the first
The container of the above item (1) is provided with at least one key, and the second structure is provided with a keyway. 3. The container according to claim 1, wherein the cap is provided on the outer shell, and the outer shell is provided with respect to the cap.
A container characterized by being attachable in one of two orientations. 4. The container according to claim 1, further comprising a detent member formed on the outer shell adjacent to the first and second structures. 5. A system for positioning an ink container within an inkjet printer, the docking station having a plurality of ink containers and a wall member connected to the printer and defining a plurality of bays, each docking station comprising: A docking station configured to engage with a container containing a color ink corresponding to the particular bay, the bay being inserted into the bay; a first key element attached to the station; A second key attached to the container defining a system with the first key element that limits insertion of the container into the bay to only the mating container containing ink of a color corresponding to the mating bay. A system characterized by having elements and. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein each bay of the docking station has an inlet and each container has an outlet that is connectable to the inlet. Two key elements are arranged to guide the insertion of the engaging container into the engaging bay such that the inlet of the engaging bay is connected to the outlet of the engaging container. System to do. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the first and second key elements are elongated to limit movement of the mating container within the mating bay to sliding translational motion. A system having a member. 8. The system of claim 5, wherein the key system further comprises a detent member on each container and a prong member on each bay, the prong member being the detent member. A system for engaging and resisting disengagement of the container from the bay. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the position and configuration of the detent member of each container and the prong member of each bay is such that the positions of the first and second key elements are A system characterized by being approximately the same between each container and bay regardless of configuration. 10. A method of assembling an ink container having an outer shell and a cap coupled together, wherein an ink reservoir inside said outer shell can contain any one of a number of types of ink. The step of providing an outer shell, the step of inserting an ink reservoir into the outer shell, the step of providing a group of caps having different shapes, but all of which can be interchangeably coupled to the outer shell, and A method comprising: selecting a cap having a shape that represents a type of ink contained in the ink reservoir; and coupling the outer shell to the selected cap. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the combining step is performed after the step of filling the ink reservoir with ink. 12. A method of manufacturing an ink container having a structure indicating the type of ink contained in the container, the method comprising the steps of: providing a cap; A step of providing a structure at a predetermined position; an outer shell for containing the ink reservoir, the outer shell having no identifiable indication of the type of ink to be contained in the ink reservoir; Attaching to the outer shell. 13. The method of claim 12, including forming a second structure in the cap that indicates the type of ink to be contained in the container. 14. The method according to claim 12, wherein in the attaching step, the cap covers a port used for filling the ink reservoir.