Patent ID: 6247805
Filing Date: 2001-06-19
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
An ink supply unit for accommodating an ink cartridge, comprising:an ink cartridge receiver having an ink supply needle, the ink cartridge being insertable in said ink cartridge receiver in a direction axial to said ink supply needle so that said ink supply needle is insertable in an ink outlet piece of the ink cartridge; anda movable ink absorption member that is movably mounted in the ink cartridge receiver;wherein said movable ink absorption member is disposed in an ink absorption position for absorbing ink leaking from said ink supply needle when the ink cartridge is absent from said ink cartridge receiver,wherein said ink absorption member includes a recess that prevents contact with said ink supply needle when said ink absorption member is disposed in said ink absorption position, and,wherein said movable ink absorption member is moved in conjunction with insertion of the ink cartridge to a retracted position at which there is an absence of interference with said ink supply needle for insertion into the ink outlet piece of the ink cartridge.