Protector for ink cartridge container

A protector for an ink cartridge container including a containing case body, an ink inlet for a recording head, a cartridge containing part into which an ink cartridge is removably insertable, and a door body capable of opening and closing an opening opposed to the ink inlet with the cartridge containing part sandwiched therebetween, the protector includes a protective cap unit including: a main body; a supporting rod protruded toward the ink inlet from the main body; a guiding funnel formed at a front edge of the supporting rod; and an elastic cap provided at an inner diametrical portion of the guiding funnel and capable of coming into close contact with the ink inlet, wherein: the protective cap unit is removable from and insertable into a containing case body; and the protective cap unit is formed as a different shape than that of the ink cartridge.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is based upon and claims priority from prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-100496 filed on Mar. 31, 2006, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects of the present invention relate to a structure of a protector for an ink cartridge container (e.g. refill unit) provided in an ink-jet recording device (e.g. ink-jet printer).

BACKGROUND

Generally, an ink-jet recording device includes a recording head provided in a carriage. The carriage reciprocatingly moves in a direction (main scanning direction) intersecting with or perpendicular to a recording medium (e.g. recording sheet) to be conveyed. The recording head ejects drops of ink, thereby recording an image on the recording medium. The ink is stored in advance in a cartridge type ink tank (e.g. ink cartridge), and is supplied from the ink cartridge to the recording head.

Generally, ink cartridges are divided broadly into so-called on-carriage types and off-carriage types depending on the arrangement.

The on-carriage type is one in which a case for removably containing an ink cartridge is provided over a carriage movable as described above, and the ink cartridge accommodated and held within the case supplies ink to a recording head.

The off-carriage type is one in which a case is provided somewhere in a housing of an ink-jet recording device except in a position over a carriage, and an ink cartridge is accommodated and held within the case. Ink is supplied from the case to a recording head through an ink supply pipe.

Normally, one of the above-described types is necessary for replacing an ink cartridge with a new one when the remaining amount of stored ink is reduced.

In either of the on-carriage type device and the off-carriage type device, an ink cartridge is first set in a case in order to carry out a print test at a factory. A non-defective ink cartridge, which has been subjected to the test, is detached from the case to remove ink within a recording head, and the recording head is filled with a preservative solution having a property similar to that of ink except in colorant or pigment at the time of factory shipment. Alternatively, ink is allowed to remain within the recording head, and all ink inlets connected to the recording head are covered with a protective cap or a dummy cartridge, which has a shape similar to that of an ink cartridge (and in which no ink is stored), instead of the ink cartridge. According to the above, leakage of a preservative solution or ink (hereinafter, simply called “liquid”) from the ink inlets is prevented. Further, a nozzle face of the recording head is protected by covering the nozzle face with a nozzle cap, as disclosed in JP-A-2002-79690, JP-A-2004-230857, JP-A-2005-238857 and JP-A-2003-54000.

The device is formed so that a lock lever or an engaging part for fixing the ink cartridge to the case is utilized. Thus, an improperly disengagement of the protective cap or dummy cartridge is prevented. Further, sealing property and hermetic property for the ink inlets is maintained.

SUMMARY

However, when a dummy cartridge for an ink-jet recording device, which discharges color ink in addition to black ink for multicolor image recording, is used so as to seal and hermetically close a plurality of ink inlets as disclosed in JP-A-2002-79690 and JP-A-2004-230857, a corresponding number of dummy cartridges have to be prepared. These preparations increase production cost. Moreover, it is necessary to perform an operation of positioning a dummy cartridge for each ink inlet and maintaining the position of each cartridge. Therefore, the operation involves considerable effort and time and increased production cost.

JP-A-2005-238857 and JP-A-2003-54000 disclose a system that uses sealing parts, instead of a dummy cartridge, for hermetically closing a plurality of ink inlets. The plurality of ink inlets are arranged at one side of a single protective cap. The protective cap is detachably attached to a case for containing an ink cartridge and is fixed thereto by a lock lever. The system presents the advantage that a plurality of ink inlets can be sealed at one time. However, since the main body of the protective cap is integrally molded so as to have a volume substantially similar to that of a plurality of ink cartridges, the overall protective cap is increased in size. Therefore, the system also increases production cost.

Aspects of the invention provide a protector for an ink cartridge container, which has a function of reliably covering an ink inlet during shipment, transportation and storage to prevent liquid leakage and drying of ink within an ink-jet recording device, and which reduces trouble in an operation of sealing a single or a plurality of ink inlets although the protector is reduced in size and weight.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an protector for an ink cartridge container, the ink cartridge container including a containing case body, an ink inlet for a recording head, a cartridge containing part into which an ink cartridge connectable to and disconnectable from the ink inlet is removably insertable, and a door body capable of opening and closing an opening opposed to the ink inlet with the cartridge containing part sandwiched therebetween, the protector including a protective cap unit that closes the ink inlet, the protective cap unit including; a main body; a supporting rod protruded toward the ink inlet from the main body; a guiding funnel formed at a front edge of the supporting rod; and an elastic cap provided at an inner diametrical portion of the guiding funnel and capable of coming into close contact with the ink inlet, wherein the protective cap unit is removable from and insertable into a containing case body, and the protective cap unit is formed as a different shape than that of the ink cartridge.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a perspective view of an appearance of a multifunction device according to an aspect of the present invention. The image recording device1is a multifunction device (MFD), which may include a printer function, a copy function, a scanner function and a facsimile function. The multifunction device can be connected to a computer (not shown), and the multifunction device records an image and a text on a recording sheet (recording medium) based on image data and text data transmitted from the computer. The multifunction device can also be connected to an external device such as a digital camera and can record image data outputted from the digital camera on a recording sheet.

As shown inFIG. 1, a device casing2made of synthetic resin is provided at its lower part with a printer section (recording section)7. A sheet feeding cassette3is located in a cassette containing part (containing space) at a bottom of the device casing2. The sheet feeding cassette3is insertable into and removable from an insertion port (opening)2aopened at a front side of the device casing2. The sheet feeding cassette3can be substantially horizontally put in and taken out from the insertion port2a. Hereinafter, a part of the device casing2at which the insertion port2ais located will be called “front side” or “front part.” Right side, left side and rear side (back) are defined based on the front side. A slot6is provided with the front face of the device casing2. Various storage media such as a memory card can be inserted into the slot6, thereby enabling image data, for example, stored in the storage medium, to be recorded on a recording sheet.

An image reader (scanner section)12for document reading in a copy function and a facsimile function is located at an upper part of the device casing2.

The upper side of the device casing2includes an operation panel14including various operation buttons and a liquid crystal display. The operation panel14is provided in front of the image reader12. The recording section7and a sheet discharge section10are located in a plan view projected area of the image reader12and the operation panel14. A cartridge container15is contained at one side of the sheet discharge section10(at the right side inFIG. 1) and a front part side of the device casing2. A front face side of the cartridge container15is covered by a lid body2b, which is opened and closed by being rotated upward and downward via a hinge at its lower end. The lid body2bcan be rotated between the position in which the lid body2binclines forward as shown inFIG. 1to expose the cartridge container15from an opening2cat the front face of the device casing2, and the position in which the lid body2bcloses the opening2cto cover the cartridge container15.

A glass plate (not shown) at which a document is placeable is provided at the upper face of the image reader12. An image scanner for document reading as a contact image sensor (CIS) (not shown) is provided to be reciprocatingly movable along a direction perpendicular to a sheet face, as shown inFIG. 3. Hereinafter, a main scanning direction will be called “X-axis direction,” and an axis extending in the main scanning direction will be called “X axis”.

A document cover body13for covering the placeable glass plate includes an automatic document conveying mechanism as an auto document feeder (ADF)13a. The document cover body13is attached so as to be opened and closed upward and downward via a hinge at its rear end. The rear end is related to the right back side ofFIG. 1.

As shown inFIG. 3, the sheet feeding cassette3is formed to be able to contain a plurality of stacked and accumulated sheets P, each serving as a recording medium and cut into A4-size, letter-size, legal-size, postcard-size, or other printable sizes so that its short side extends in a direction, which corresponds to the main scanning direction and the X-axis direction. As shown inFIG. 1, the main scanning direction and the X-axis direction is a direction perpendicular to a sheet conveying direction, which corresponds to a sub-scanning direction. Hereinafter, the sub-scanning direction will be called “Y-axis direction.”

An auxiliary cassette3afor supplying a plurality of accumulated small-size sheets (not shown) is attached at an upper part of the sheet feeding cassette3so as to be movable in the Y-axis direction. InFIG. 1, the sheet feeding cassette3and the auxiliary cassette3aare omitted.

At the back of the sheet feeding cassette3(i.e., at the right side inFIG. 3), an inclined separator8for separating sheets is located. On the other hand, at the device casing2side, an arm6awhose upper end is rotatable upward and downward is attached. A sheet feeding roller6provided at a lower end of this arm6acooperates with the inclined separator8, thus separately conveying the sheets P, which serve as recording media and accumulated in the sheet feeding cassette3and the auxiliary sheet feeding cassette3a, one by one. The separated sheet P is fed to the recording section7provided behind and above (i.e., at a position higher than) the sheet feeding cassette3via a U-turn path (feeding path)9extending upwardly and horizontally. The recording section7includes, for example, a reciprocatingly movable carriage5equipped with an ink-jet recording head4for realizing a printer function and the like.

The sheet discharge section10for discharging the sheet P with an upwardly-facing recording surface, on which recording has been performed at the recording section7, is formed above the auxiliary sheet feeding cassette3a. As shown inFIG. 1, a sheet discharge port10a, which is communicated with the sheet discharge section10and located above the insertion port2a, is opened toward the front face of the device casing2.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 4, the recording section7is supported by a pair of left and right lateral plates21aand21bof a main frame21having a frame-like shape opened at its upper face. The recording section7includes: a first guide member22and a second guide member23, each having a horizontally elongated plate shape (plate-like shape) extending in the X-axis direction (the main scanning direction); a carriage5formed to stride over both of these guide members22and23so as to be slidably supported (mounted) and reciprocatingly movable; a timing belt25serving as an endless belt that is wound around a pulley and located at an upper face of the second guide member23so as to be parallel therewith in order to enable the reciprocation of the carriage5equipped with the recording head4; a carriage (CR) motor24for driving this timing belt25(although this motor is a DC motor in an aspect, other motors such as a stepping motor may be alternatively used); a plate-like platen26that supports the sheet P to be conveyed at a lower face side of the recording head4; and a tape scale (not shown) serving as a constituent element of an optical linear encoder for detecting the position and movement speed of the carriage5in the X-axis direction (the main scanning direction), which is located to extend in the main scanning directions. The first guide member22and the second guide member23are located respectively at an upstream side and a downstream side of the sheet conveying direction as the direction indicated by the arrow A ofFIG. 3in a direction in which the sheet P passes through and over the platen26.

A pair of resist rollers27is located at the conveyance downstream side with the platen26sandwiched therebetween to send the sheet P to a gap between a nozzle face at the lower face of the recording head4and the platen26. At a downstream side of the platen26, a spur28bwhich comes into contact with an upper face of the sheet P, and a sheet discharge roller28a, driven at a lower face side, are located so that the sheet P, on which recording has been performed, is conveyed to the sheet discharge section10.

Furthermore, an ink receiver29and a maintenance unit30are provided at positions outward of the width of the sheet P (the short side of the sheet P) to be conveyed. The ink receiver29is located at one end side at a region close to the left lateral plate21ainFIGS. 2 and 4. The maintenance unit30is located at the other end side at a region close to the right lateral plate21binFIGS. 2 and 4. Thus, at a flushing position provided at the ink receiver29, the recording head4regularly discharges ink in order to prevent nozzle clogging during recording operation, and the ink receiver receives the ink. At the maintenance unit30portion, the carriage5is put in a standby position, and recovery processes for selectively sucking ink for each color, and for removing bubbles within a buffer tank (not shown) located over the recording head4are performed, for example. Moreover, although not shown in the maintenance unit30, a wiper is provided to perform the cleaning of the nozzle face of the recording head4when the carriage5is moved from the maintenance unit30portion toward an image recording region.

The structure of the cartridge container15will be described. The cartridge container15, in which four colors of inks for full-color recording are accommodated, has a small area in plan view, and includes a containing case body74capable of containing ink cartridges60. The ink cartridges60is related to black (BK) ink, cyan (C) ink, magenta (M) ink and yellow (Y) ink, each formed into an approximately rectangular box shape having a large height dimension, in a manner that the ink cartridges60are arranged in a row along the X-axis direction. The cartridge container15is formed so that a door body76for opening and closing an opening at a front face of the containing case body74is opened to allow the ink cartridge60to be insertable into and removable from the front.

As shown inFIG. 6BandFIGS. 7A to 7C, at the connecting body62serving as a connecting unit attached to a rear end of the containing case body74, four needle-like (tubular) ink inlets63, associated with the respective ink cartridges60, are integrally and protrusively formed so as to penetrate through a vertical plate62a. The device is formed so that ink is supplied from the respective ink cartridges60to the ink-jet recording head4via ink tubes20each having one end connected to a connecting portion at a back face of each of these ink inlets63, as shown inFIGS. 2,4,6B,12B and13. When more than four ink colors (e.g., six through eight colors) are used, the cartridge container15may be formed to be capable of containing a corresponding number of the ink cartridges60, and the number of the ink tubes20may also be increased in accordance with the number of the ink cartridges.

The ink cartridges60each include a cartridge body64made of synthetic resin, and ink contained therein. In an aspect, since the cartridge container15is formed to accommodate the four ink cartridges60, inks of cyan, magenta, yellow and black colors are stored in the respective ink cartridges60. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 5, the structures of the respective ink cartridges60are formed so that only the ink cartridge for storing black ink is slightly larger in the thickness direction than the ink cartridges for storing the other colors of inks. This is because black ink is in greatest demand and is heavily consumed in general. The ink cartridges60for storing color inks other than black color ink all have similar structures.

In an aspect, the cartridge body64is formed into a thin rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, and an ink accommodating space for accommodating ink is defined therein. This cartridge body64is made up of halved right and left tray-like members, and is provided by bonding these two members together by welding or another fixing method.

An air induction valve85is provided at an upper region and a rear face of the cartridge body64. A check valve (not shown) is located at a back portion of this air induction valve85. When the ink cartridge60is accommodated in the containing case body74, a push rod84, which is provided at the air induction valve85and protruded from the ink cartridge60, abuts against a back wall of the containing case body74. Thus, the push rod84is pushed back to an inner portion of the ink cartridge60. As a result, the check valve is opened. Further, an ink supply valve65is provided at a lower region and rear face of the cartridge body64. The ink supply valve65is located at an inner diametrical portion of a guide tube65aprotrusively formed at the rear face of the cartridge body64, as shown inFIG. 6B. A plurality of circular arc guide ribs69shown inFIGS. 7A to 7C, protrusively formed at a surface of the vertical plate62aof the connecting body62, are each fitted to an outer diametrical portion of the guide tube65ato serve as a guide at the time of insertion. When the ink cartridge60is accommodated (set) in the containing case body74, the ink supply valve65is connected with the tubular ink inlet63provided at a rear face of the containing case body74.

The ink within the ink cartridge60is supplied to the recording head4via the ink inlets63and the ink tubes20. The cartridge body64is provided at its rear face with a detected part66for the detection of the liquid level of the ink within the ink cartridge60. A detected body (actuator), (not shown) is moved in accordance with a remaining amount of ink, and is provided inside the ink cartridge60. When the ink cartridge60is accommodated (set) in the containing case body74, a liquid level sensor87such as a photo interrupter provided at the rear face (back face) of the containing case body74via this detected part66adjoins the ink cartridge60to detect presence or absence of the detected body, thus enabling the constant monitoring of the ink liquid level.

The cartridge body64is provided at its lower face with a guide groove67elongated along a direction in which the cartridge body64is inserted into the containing case body74. As shown inFIGS. 8 and 9, the guide groove67is concavely provided at a corner of the boundary between a lateral face and a bottom face of the cartridge body64. As shown inFIG. 8, this guide groove67is extending in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge body64.

In an aspect, the guide groove67is symmetrically provided at both right and left sides of the cartridge body64. This guide groove67includes a shallow groove portion67a, a boundary groove portion67band a deep groove portion67c. The shallow groove portion67ais opened at the rear face of the cartridge body64and is extended toward the front face of the cartridge body64continuously from the rear face. The boundary groove portion67bis continuous with the shallow groove portion67aand is gradually increased in groove depth, as shown by the vertical dimension ofFIGS. 8 and 9. The deep groove portion67cis continuous with the boundary groove portion67b. The deep groove portion67cis shielded by an engaging piece64aformed integrally with the front face of the cartridge body64, so as not to be opened toward the front face.

In an aspect, a flat bottom plate64bof the cartridge body64is placed onto upper faces of a pair of flat guide rails80aformed at a bottom plate portion80of the containing case body74. Thus, the cartridge body64is linearly guided at the time of insertion and removal of the ink cartridge60, as disclosed inFIGS. 5,6A,6B,8and9. A groove80b, which has a concave cross section and is located between a pair of the flat guide rails80a, serves as a groove through which leaked ink escapes.

The cartridge body64is also provided at its upper face with a groove68. This groove68is concavely provided at a corner of the boundary between a lateral face and an upper face of the cartridge body64. This groove68extends in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge body64, and is continuous with the front and rear fates of the cartridge body64. A concave portion68ais provided at a midway point along the longitudinal direction of the upper face of the cartridge body64. This concave portion68ais approximately V-shaped, and includes a front-side inclined surface and a rear-side inclined surface.

The containing case body74is made of resin, for example, and is formed into an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole. The containing case body74includes: the bottom plate portion80; a pair of lateral plate portions81vertically provided at both right and left sides of this bottom plate portion80; a top plate portion82located so as to serve as a bridge between the lateral plate portions81; and a rear plate portion79provided adjacent to the top plate portion82to connect the right and left lateral plate portions81. Furthermore, the containing case body74has a front face opening74a, and the containing case body74is provided with dividing walls75within for defining accommodating chambers78each serving as a cartridge containing part in which each ink cartridge60is accommodated and held. The dividing walls75are located in accordance with the number of the ink cartridges60accommodated in the containing case body74, as disclosed inFIGS. 9,11and12B.

In an aspect, the containing case body74includes the four accommodating chambers78, and is formed so that the four ink cartridges60are insertable into and removable from the respective accommodating chambers78through the front face opening74a. An inner wall face of each accommodating chamber78is formed into a shape corresponding to that of an outer circumferential face of each ink cartridge60. Therefore, each ink cartridge60is securely and reliably held in the containing case body74. Naturally, these dividing walls75do not have to be provided to perfectly define the respective accommodating chambers78, but may each be formed into a rib-like shape, by which the adjacent accommodating chambers78are partitioned, at least at the back of the containing case body74, in other words, at its portion close to the rear plate portion79. The bottom plate portion80, the lateral plate portions81, the top plate portion82, the rear plate portion79and the dividing walls75may be integrally formed.

The guide rail80aserving as a placement surface, on which the ink cartridge60is placed so as to be slidable along the longitudinal direction thereof, is formed at an upper face of the bottom plate portion80, as shown inFIG. 6B. When the ink cartridge60is inserted into the accommodating chamber78, the height of each guide rail80ais set so that the needle-like (tubular) ink inlet63is inserted into the ink supply valve65of the ink cartridge60, the air induction valve85of the ink cartridge60is opened by the push rod84, and the liquid level sensor87can be fitted to the detected part66of the ink cartridge60. According to the above structure, air can flow into the inside of the ink cartridge60through the air induction valve85, and the ink within the ink cartridge60is smoothly sent toward the recording head4.

As shown inFIGS. 5 and 11, at the front face opening74aof the containing case body74, the door bodies76are provided so as to be associated with the respective accommodating chambers78. In other words, the accommodating chambers78are each defined inside the containing case body74so as to be continuous with the front face opening74a. The four ink cartridges60are each insertable into and removable from the respective accommodating chambers78from the front faces thereof through the front face opening74a.

The door body76made of synthetic resin or the like is pivoted, via a horizontal shaft94formed at its lower end, on a front lower end of the containing case body74so as to be rotatable upward and downward. The door body76is changed in position between a position (closing position) for closing the front face opening74aand a position (opening position) for opening the front face opening74a, as shown inFIG. 5. When the door body76assumes the closing position, the ink cartridge60is reliably held in the accommodating chamber78. When the door body76assumes the opening position, the ink cartridge60is easily insertable into and removable from the accommodating chamber78.

As shown inFIGS. 5,6B,8,9,11,12A and12B, the door body76includes a door main body89, a pressing and holding member90provided thereto, a lock member91and an unlock lever92, which are each made of resin.

At a lower end of the door main body89, a pair of right and left pullout members77is integrally molded. The pullout members77are each formed into an approximate L-shape (hook-like shape) and have an extended portion77aand a curved portion77b. As shown inFIG. 8, the extended portion77ais extended backward from the lower end of the door main body89in a state where the door body76assumes the closing position. On the other hand, the curved portion77bis continuous with a rear end of the extended portion77aand is extended upward at an angle of about 90°. When the door body76assumes the closing position, a front edge of the curved portion77bis protruded upwardly from the placement surface (guide rail)80a. By causing the pullout members77to be rotated together with the door main body89, the front edge of the curved portion77bpushes the engaging piece64aof a front lower end of the ink cartridge60in the pullout direction, thereby pulling out the ink cartridge60from the accommodating chamber78by only a slight distance W1, as the alternating long and short dashed lines shown inFIG. 8.

As shown inFIG. 8, when the position of the door body76is changed to the opening position, the curved portion77bof each pullout member77is rotated around the horizontal shaft (rotating shaft)94in a counterclockwise direction. At this time, due to the rotation of the curved portion77b, an outer wall face (outer end face)110thereof is changed from an approximately vertically erected state to an approximately horizontal state (seeFIG. 8). The length of the extended portion77aof each pullout member77is set at a predetermined length. Thus, when the curved portion77bis rotated, the outer wall face110thereof is located slightly higher than the placement surface (guide rail)80aof the containing is case body74, and is extended forward and backward. Further, when the door body76assumes the opening position, this outer wall face110functions as a guide face for guiding the ink cartridge60onto the placement surface80awithin the accommodating chamber78. The pullout members77each function as a member for pulling out the ink cartridge60from the accommodating chamber78, and also function as a guiding member during the insertion of the ink cartridge60into the accommodating chamber78.

As shown inFIGS. 5,6B,8,9,11and12B, the pressing and holding member90is attached to an inner lateral face of the door main body89so as to be movable forward and backward. Furthermore, due to a compression coil spring (not shown) interposed between the pressing and holding member90and the door main body89, the pressing and holding member90, formed into a plate-like shape for example, is elastically biased so as to constantly assume the above-described protruding position. Accordingly, when the door body76assumes the closing position, the pressing and holding member90abuts against the front face of the ink cartridge60, and is held in a state where the position of the ink cartridge60is determined with respect to the containing case body74.

The lock member91is attached to an upper end of the door main body89so as to be vertically movable by a predetermined distance. The lock member91includes a collar portion91aprotruded upward at an inner side of the containing case body74. Further, due to a bias spring that is not shown, the lock member91is elastically biased so that the collar portion91aconstantly protrudes upward from the door main body89. Furthermore, an upper face of the collar portion91aof the lock member91provides an inclined surface that is inclined downward. As shown inFIG. 5andFIG. 65, when the position of the door body76is changed from the opening position to the closing position, the upper face of the collar portion91aof the lock member91abuts against an upper edge74bat the front face opening74aof the containing case body74. When the door body76is rotated further toward the closing position, the lock member91recedes toward the inside of the door main body89while being relatively pressed by the upper edge74b. If the collar portion91ais fitted into an engaging hole74cat the back of the upper edge74b, the closing position of the door body76is maintained. As shown inFIG. 6A, only the rightmost door body76is shown, and the door bodies76in front of the three left accommodating chambers78are omitted.

As shown inFIGS. 5 and 6B, the unlock lever92is formed into a rectangular plate-like shape and is attached to an upper outer lateral face of the door main body89. The unlock lever92is formed so as to be rotatable, via a support pin92aprovided at a lower end thereof, with respect to the door main body89. In an aspect, the unlock lever92is formed so as to be freely rotatable to assume the following positions: an erected position in which the unlock lever92is erected as shown inFIGS. 8 and 12Band is thus approximately parallel with the outer lateral face of the door main body89; a neutral position in which the unlock lever92is inclined forward at an angle of about 40° with respect to the vertical plane, as shown inFIG. 6B; and a lying position in which the unlock lever92is lying approximately horizontally, as shown inFIG. 5.

As shownFIG. 6B, when the position of the unlock lever92is changed from the neutral position to the lying position, the lock member91is pushed downward to carry out unlocking by a cam portion92bformed at the lower end of the unlock lever92. The unlocking means disengages the collar portion91afrom the engaging hole74c.

It should be noted that a swing arm (not shown), which is provided at the top plate portion82of the containing case body74and is approximately L-shaped in side view to face an upper portion of the accommodating chamber78via a through hole, is biased by a tension bias spring96so as to be rotated in a direction in which the ink cartridge60is constantly pressed. When a lower end of the swing arm is abutted against an upper face of the ink cartridge60inserted into the accommodating chamber78, the swing arm resists an elastic force of the tension bias spring96and receives a reactive force from the ink cartridge60. Accordingly, if the door body76is opened widely as described above to pull out the ink cartridge60to the position indicated by the alternating long and short dashed lines inFIG. 8, upon fitting of the lower end of the swing arm into the approximately V-shaped concave portion68aprovided at the upper face of the ink cartridge60, the ink cartridge60can be forcedly pushed out to a state shown inFIG. 9due to the rotation of the swing arm that has received the reactive force.

The used ink cartridge60is replaced as follows. When the used ink cartridge60is taken out of the containing case body74, the door body76is first opened. When the position of this door body76is changed from the closing position to the opening position, a pair of the pullout members77catch the engaging piece64aof the lower end of the ink cartridge60to pull out the ink cartridge60toward the opening. Thus, it becomes easy for an operator to pull out the ink cartridge60through the front face opening74a. Further, when the ink cartridge60is accommodated in the accommodating chamber78, the ink cartridge60is inserted into the accommodating chamber78through the front face opening74ain a state where the door body76is opened. At this time, a front lower face of the ink cartridge60, which is to be inserted into the accommodating chamber78, is supported in advance by a pair of the pullout members77, and the ink cartridge60is inserted into the accommodating chamber78while being guided by the pullout members77. Furthermore, a rear (back) lower face of the ink cartridge60is placed on the flat placement surface80aand is slid thereon. Accordingly, the ink cartridge60is simply, reliably and smoothly insertable into and removable from the accommodating chamber78.

In a state where the new ink cartridge60is accommodated in the containing case body74, an operator may change the position of the door body76to the closing position again. When the position of the door body76is changed to the closing position, the pressing and holding member90abuts against the front face of the ink cartridge60, and when the door body76perfectly assumes the closing position, the pressing and holding member90elastically biases the ink cartridge60toward the back of the accommodating chamber78of the containing case body74. At the same time, the collar portion91aof the lock member91is fitted into the lock member fitting hole74cprovided at the containing case body74, and the closing position of the door body76is maintained.

In this state, if the ink cartridge60is accommodated (set) in the containing case body74, the ink supply valve65, provided at the lower region of the rear face of the cartridge body64, is connected with the tubular ink inlet63provided at the rear face (back face) of the containing case body74. Thus, ink is supplied to the recording head4via this ink inlet63and the ink tube20. The air induction valve85provided at the upper region of the rear face of the cartridge body64is pressed by the containing case body74. The check valve at the back of the air induction valve85is opened by the push rod84, which has been pushed back inside the ink cartridge60, to cause atmospheric pressure to act on the ink within the cartridge body64, thus realizing smooth ink supply.

Description will be made of the structure of a protective cap unit40to be attached during shipment and transportation of the image recording device1, instead of the ink cartridge60being connected to the ink inlet63of the cartridge container15.

A first aspect of the protective cap unit40is shown inFIGS. 10A to 10D. The protective cap unit40is associated with a set of the four ink cartridges60. In other words, a set of the four tubular ink inlets63is substantially horizontally protruded toward the front face opening74afrom the back of the containing case body74.

This protective cap unit40includes a flat main body41, four supporting rods42extending parallelly toward the front edges of the ink inlets63from a rear face of this main body41, trumpet-shaped (flared) guiding funnels43formed at front edges of the respective supporting rods42, and elastic caps44attached to inner diametrical sides of the guiding funnels43. Further, the overall shape of the protective cap unit40is formed into a flat shape having a different form from that of a set of the four ink cartridges60or that of each ink cartridge. Furthermore, the main body41is also formed into a flat shape having a different form from that of a set of the four ink cartridges60or that of each ink cartridge.

The main body41, the supporting rods42and the guiding funnels43are integrally formed by subjecting a flexible material, e.g., a synthetic resin material, to injection molding. The elastic cap44, having an approximately tubular shape consisting of a soft elastic body such as synthetic rubber, is provided at its front edge with an attachment concave portion44athat is to be closely fitted to the front edge of the ink inlet63. The base end of the elastic cap44is integrally molded with a large-diameter collar portion44b.

As described above, the overall shape of the protective cap unit40has a different form from that of a set of the four ink cartridges60or that of each ink cartridge60. Therefore, unlike the case where each link cartridge60is guided along a lateral face of the dividing wall75serving as a partition rib during the insertion of each ink cartridge60into the containing case body74, the front edges of the ink inlets63are fitted into the attachment concave portions44aof the elastic caps44via the respective guiding funnels43by only pushing in the protective cap unit40so as to cover the target ink inlets63with the guiding funnels43. Since the front face side of the protective cap unit40is pressed by the door body76(door main body89) that is rotated upward and closed, the main body41of the protective cap unit40, which is reduced in weight, is maintained at a substantially horizontal position while being lifted from the placement surface80a. The elastic caps44will not be disengaged from the ink inlets63, thus making it possible to securely maintain the hermetically-closed state.

Further, in order to form the protective cap unit40that is reduced in weight and has flexibility, the main body41and the supporting rods42are each formed into a thin shape. Specifically, the main body41is formed into a downwardly opened casing-like shape by a top plate41a, right and left lateral plates41b, a front plate41dand a back plate41e, as shown inFIGS. 10A to 10D. Furthermore, the top plate41ais provided at a midway point thereof with a concave portion41finto which an operator's finger can be inserted, and an outer circumference of this concave portion41fis connected to respective inner faces of the right and left lateral plates41b, the front plate41dand the back plate41eby reinforcing ribs41g. The supporting rods42are each formed into a semicylindrical shape.

Accordingly, when the main body41is pressed by the closed door body76and the elastic caps44, each serving as a front end of the protective cap unit40, are fitted to the ink inlets63, the hermetic property (sealing property) of the elastic caps44for the ink inlets63is further improved due to the flexibility of the protective cap unit40itself.

As shown inFIG. 13, at a connected portion (connection) between the supporting rod42and the guiding funnel43, a semi-annular groove45, which is engaged with an approximately half circumferential part of the large-diameter collar portion44bof the elastic cap44, is formed, and a fitting hole46, into which the elastic cap44is insertable from the supporting rod42side, is provided at an inner diametrical portion of the guiding funnel43. Due to this structure, even if the elastic cap44is pressed by the ink inlet63in the axial direction thereof at the time of the above-described sealing, the large-diameter collar portion44bis engaged with the semi-annular groove45. Therefore, the elastic cap44will not bed is engaged from the connection between the supporting rod42and the guiding funnel43. Further, in the case where the protective cap unit40is detached, even when an operator pulls out the protective cap unit40from the inside of the containing case body74by pinching only the main body41with fingers, the disadvantage that the elastic cap44is disengaged (comes off) from the inner diametrical portion of the guiding funnel43can be eliminated due to the large-diameter collar portion44b.

Each supporting rod42has a semicylindrical shape, and the fitting hole46of the connected portion (connection) between the supporting rod42and the guiding funnel43is formed to penetrate therethrough. Thus, even if the large-diameter collar portion44bexists at the base end side, the elastic cap44can be easily inserted into the guiding funnel43.

At the front plate41dof the main body41, guide protrusions47aand47b, having width dimensions (L1) and (L2) each equivalent to an inner width dimension of a pair of the associated pullout members77when the rightmost and the leftmost ink cartridges of the four ink cartridges60are inserted into the accommodating chambers78, are integrally provided, as disclosed inFIGS. 10C,10D and11. Due to this structure, even if only one of the two door bodies76is first rotated in the closing direction, it is possible to push in the main body41approximately parallelly by guiding the guide protrusion47aor47bof the main body41with a pair of the associated pullout members77. It should be noted that an operator may sequentially close the four door bodies76after having inserted the main body41into the containing case body74by pinching the main body41with fingers and fitting all the elastic caps44to all the ink inlets63, as disclosed inFIG. 11. When the door bodies76are closed, the guide protrusions47aand47bare each preferably pressed by an inner face of the door main body89.

As shown inFIGS. 10A to 10Dand11, fins48, each having an appropriate height, are protrusively provided at both right and left ends of an upper face of the main body41so as to be protruded upward. Thus, when the protective cap unit40is inserted, assuming an improper position in which the fins48each serving as a restraining plate are downwardly protruded, the fins48get caught in the placement surfaces80awithin the accommodating chambers78. Therefore, the axis of each supporting rod42is located higher than that of each ink inlet63. Accordingly, it becomes impossible to fit each elastic cap44to each ink inlet63while the protective cap unit40is assuming the improper position in which the guiding funnel43side is positioned to face downward. Thus, an erroneous operation will be prevented. If regions of upper end faces of the fins48, located close to the supporting rods42, are reduced in height or rounded at the corners, the protective cap unit40is placed onto the placement surfaces80awithin the accommodating chambers78while the guiding funnel43side is positioned to face downward, thus allowing the in proper position condition to be easily visible.

When an operator inserts the main body41into the containing case body74by pinching the main body41with fingers, the operator can pinch the main body41by putting the index, middle and ring fingers into the concave portion41fand abutting a thumb against the front plate41dof the main body41. The front plate41dis located closer to a front edge of the concave portion41fthan the guide protrusions47aand47bprotruded at both right and left ends of the front plate41d, and a flat face portion of the front plate41dcan be increased, thus making it easy to pinch the main body41with fingers.

By protrusively providing only one fin48, which serves as a restraining plate, at a position appropriately deviated toward one side from the horizontal center of the upper face of the main body41, the center of gravity of the main body41is horizontally deviated when this fin48is abutted against the placement surface80a. Therefore, the protective cap unit40is inclined so that one side thereof is located at a higher position and the other side thereof is located at a lower position. Also in this case, even if the protective cap unit40is inserted while the protective cap unit40is assuming an improper position, it is impossible to fit each elastic cap44to each ink inlet63.

As shown inFIG. 12BandFIG. 13, in a hermetically closed position (sealed position) in which the ink inlet63is inserted into the attachment concave portion44aof the elastic cap44, an aspect is implemented so that a gap having an appropriate dimension H1is formed between a front end of the guiding funnel43or a substantially cone-shaped inner diametrical face thereof and a front edge of the guide rib69. To this end, the diameter of the flared enlarged-side inner diametrical portion of each guiding funnel43is made larger than the outer circumferential diameter of the cylindrical guide rib69, or the flared enlarged-side inner diametrical portion of each guiding funnel43is formed into a vertically elongated elliptical shape or oval shape with respect to the cylindrical guide rib69and is formed to be deviated upward with respect to the diametrical center of the guide rib69.

By forming the gap as described above, ink attached to the guide rib69can be prevented from moving to the guiding funnel43.

FIGS. 14A to 16Bshow a protective cap unit50of second aspect. This protective cap unit50is a single type provided for each location of each of the ink cartridges60to be accommodated in the containing case body74. The protective cap unit50includes a main body51elongated forward and backward, a supporting rod52provided continuously with a rear end of the main body51and elongated forward and backward similarly thereto, a guiding funnel53provided continuously with a front edge of the supporting rod52, and an elastic cap54detachably attached to an inner diametrical portion of the guiding funnel53. Accordingly, the overall shape of the protective cap unit50has a different form from that of each ink cartridge, and is formed into a slender shape elongated forward and backward.

The main body51, the supporting rod52and the guiding funnel53are integrally formed by subjecting a flexible material, e.g., a synthetic resin material, to injection molding. The elastic cap54has the substantially same shape as in the first aspect, i.e., an approximately tubular shape consisting of a soft elastic body such as synthetic rubber, and the elastic cap54is provided at its front edge with an attachment concave portion54athat is to be closely fitted to the front edge of the ink inlet63, and is integrally molded at its base end with a large-diameter collar portion54b.

Further, in order to form the protective cap unit50that is reduced in weight and has flexibility, the main body51and the supporting rod52are each formed into a thin shape as shown inFIG. 14A to 14D. Specifically, the main body51is formed into a solid shaft shape, and integrally includes small-diameter ribs51aand a hook-like large-diameter rib51bwhich prevent slipping when an operator pushes the protective cap unit50toward the front edge of the ink inlet63by pinching the protective cap unit50with fingers. Furthermore, at a front edge of the main body51, an abutment portion51c, whose front edge with a convexedly curved face abuts against the door main body89, is integrally formed. The supporting rod52is approximately H-shaped in cross section at its front half portion, and is formed into a semicylindrical shape at its rear half portion.

As described above, the protective cap unit50of the second aspect is attached to each ink inlet63. Therefore, the protective cap unit50of the second aspect can be further reduced in size as compared with the first aspect. Moreover, if an operator inserts the protective cap unit50so that the front edge of the ink inlet63is fitted into the attachment concave portion54aof the elastic cap54via the rear-end guiding funnel53and then releases his or her hand, the large-diameter rib51babuts against the placement surface80a, and the axis of the protective cap unit50can be maintained at a position substantially parallel with the plane of the placement surface80a. Thereafter, if the door body76is rotated in the closing direction, the front face side of the protective cap unit50is pressed by the door body76(door main body89) that is rotated upward and closed. Therefore, the main body51of the protective cap unit50, which is reduced in weight, is maintained at a substantially horizontal position while being lifted from the placement surface80a. The elastic cap54will not be disengaged from the ink inlet63. Thus, the hermetically-closed state is securely maintained, as shown inFIG. 16B.

In addition, the protective cap unit50of the second aspect is formed into a slender shape corresponding to each ink inlet63. The protective cap unit50is substantially thinner than the width dimension of each ink cartridge60. Therefore, the protective cap unit50can be inserted into and attached to the ink inlet63at any position around the axis of the protective cap unit50, thus making it possible to execute this attachment operation remarkably simply without error.

Thus, also in the second aspect, the protective cap unit50has an original function of covering and reliably protecting the ink inlet63during shipment, transportation and storage, and reduces trouble in an operation of sealing a single or a plurality of ink inlets although the protective cap unit is reduced in size and weight.

As shown inFIGS. 14C and 16B, a semi-annular groove55is formed at a connected portion (connection) between the supporting rod52and the guiding funnel53. The semi-annular groove55is engaged with an approximately half circumferential part of the large-diameter collar portion54bof the elastic cap54. The fitting hole56, into which the elastic cap54is insertable from the supporting rod52side, is provided at the inner diametrical portion of the guiding funnel53. Therefore, even if the elastic cap54is pressed by the ink inlet63in the axial direction thereof at the time of the above-described sealing, the large-diameter collar portion54bis engaged with the semi-annular groove55. And therefore, the elastic cap54will not be disengaged from the connection between the supporting rod52and the guiding funnel53. Further, in the case where the protective cap unit50is detached, even when an operator pulls out the protective cap unit50from the inside of the containing case body74by pinching only the main body51with fingers, the disadvantage that the elastic cap54is disengaged (comes off) from the inner diametrical portion of the guiding funnel53can be eliminated due to the large-diameter collar portion54b.

The supporting rod52has a semicylindrical shape, and the fitting hole56of the connected portion (connection) between the supporting rod52and the guiding funnel53is formed to penetrate therethrough. Thus, even if the large-diameter collar portion54bexists at the base end side, the elastic cap54can be easily inserted into and attached to the guiding funnel53.

As shown inFIG. 16B, a gap having an appropriate dimension H1is formed between a front end of the guiding funnel53or a substantially cone-shaped inner diametrical face thereof and a front edge of the guide rib69, in a hermetically closed position (sealed position) in which the ink inlet63is inserted into the attachment concave portion54aof the elastic cap54. To this end, the diameter of the flared enlarged-side inner diametrical portion of the guiding funnel53is made larger than the outer circumferential diameter of the cylindrical guide rib69, or the flared enlarged-side inner diametrical portion of the guiding funnel53is formed into a vertically elongated elliptical shape or oval shape with respect to the cylindrical guide rib69, and is formed to be deviated upward with respect to the diametrical center of the guide rib69.

By forming the gap as described above, ink attached to the guide rib69can be prevented from moving to the guiding funnel53.

Furthermore, in aspects of the present invention, “different form” refers to a small form in which the overall shape of the protective cap unit40or50occupies only a part of a space of the accommodating chamber78serving as a cartridge containing part of the containing case body74, and in particular refers to a form in which the shapes of the main body41(51) and the supporting rod42(52) are considerably smaller than (less than about half) the shape space of one ink cartridge60or a set of a plurality of the ink cartridges60.

In an aspect of the present invention in which an opening is formed at an upper face of a containing case body of a cartridge container, and an ink inlet is upwardly opened at a bottom part of the containing case body, the protective cap unit40or50of aspects of the present invention may be inserted from above. Moreover, naturally, the present invention is not only applicable to the off-carriage type of the aspects, but also applicable to the on-carriage type.