Patent ID: 8079689
Filing Date: 2011-12-20
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. An ink cartridge comprising: a first member configured to alter a path of a first signal originating at a first position; a second member configured to alter a path of a second signal when the second member is aligned with each of a second position and a third position, wherein the second signal originates at the second position and has a first intensity, and when the second member alters the path of the second signal, the second member prevents at least a first portion of the second signal from reaching the third position, wherein the first portion of the second signal has a second intensity, and a difference between the first intensity and the second intensity is less than a predetermined intensity value; a third member configured to alter a path of the second signal when the third member is aligned with each of the second position and the third position; an ink chamber configured to store ink therein; and an ink supply portion configured to dispense ink from an interior of the ink chamber to an exterior of the ink chamber, wherein the second member and the third member are aligned in a first direction and are unaligned in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a width of each of the first member and the second member in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and to the second direction is less than a width of the ink chamber, wherein the second member is positioned between the first member and the ink supply portion, wherein a first plane intersects each of the ink supply portion, the first member, and the second member, and the first plane extends in the first direction and in the second direction, wherein a second plane intersects each of the second member and the third member, and the second plane is perpendicular to the first plane, wherein the ink supply portion is offset from the second plane, wherein when the third member alters the path of the second signal, the third member prevents either at least the first portion of the second signal or at least a second portion of the second signal from reaching the third position, wherein the second portion of the second signal has a third intensity, and a difference between the first intensity and the third intensity is less than the predetermined intensity value, wherein an intermediate portion is formed between the second member and the third member, and the intermediate portion is configured to permit at least a third portion of the second signal to reach the third position, wherein the third portion of the second signal has a fourth intensity which is equal to the predetermined intensity value.