Abstract:
An ink-jet recording device for supplying ink to a recording head from at least one ink cartridge having a bottom wall, and first and second side walls connected to each other through the bottom wall and facing each other, the ink cartridge further having an ink supply port at the bottom wall, a first retaining member extending from the first side wall and a recess provided in the vicinity of the second side wall, the retaining member having a first engagement portion displaceable toward and away from the first side wall. The recording device comprises a carriage having at least one ink cartridge mounting region adapted to receive the ink cartridge, a plurality of one identification members that are protruded from a bottom of the ink cartridge mounting region in a direction parallel to an insertion direction of the ink cartridge into the carriage, and that are positioned and configured so that the identification members are received by the recess of the ink cartridge when the ink cartridge is compatible to the ink cartridge mounting region; an ink supply needle positioned in the bottom of the ink cartridge storage region and configured for connection to the ink supply port of the ink cartridge, and a first engagement portion positioned and configured to engage the engagement portion of the ink cartridge.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/045,933, entitled Ink Jet Recording Device and Ink Cartridge, filed Oct. 19, 2001, presently allowed, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a technique for identifying an ink cartridge which supplies ink at an appropriate negative pressure to a recording head which ejects ink droplets in response to print signals.  
           [0003]    An ink-jet recording device is usually configured so that an ink-jet recording head for ejecting ink droplets in response to print signals is mounted on a carriage which makes reciprocating motion in a direction of the width of a recording sheet, and so that ink is supplied from an external ink tank to the recording head. In the recording head of a small-size type, an ink storage container such as an ink tank or the like is detachably attached to the carriage. On the other hand, in the recording head of a large-size type, the ink storage container is set on a frame or casing of the recording device, and connected to the recording head through an ink supply tube.  
           [0004]    The ink tank mounted on the carriage is usually configured so that a porous member such as sponge or the like is contained in the ink tank and impregnated with ink in order to reduce the change of pressure stemming from waving of ink or the like caused due to the reciprocating motion of the carriage.  
           [0005]    Even in the case where the recording head is supplied with ink from a large-capacity ink bag, set on the frame, through the ink supply tube, ink is supplied to the recording head through a sub-tank having a damping function for preventing the change of ink pressure due to the motion of the carriage, in order to prevent the change of ink pressure from being caused by the bending of the tube due to the reciprocating motion of the carriage.  
           [0006]    Hence, the former has a problem that the size or weight of the ink tank is increased by the volume of the porous member contained in the ink tank in comparison with the volume of ink capable of being contained in the ink tank. The latter has a problem that the recording device is complicated in structure because a mechanism is required for preventing the change of ink pressure owing to vibration.  
           [0007]    Both recording head and ink have been further improved for the purpose of improving print quality, and ink adapted to the recording head is designated by the maker.  
           [0008]    On the other hand, because the ink cartridge is formed as a rectangular parallelepiped container from the point of view of the structure, or the like, of the recording device, there is a problem that the ink cartridge adapted to the recording device can be hardly identified and may be selected by mistake.  
           [0009]    To solve the problem, protruded portions are formed in an ink cartridge holder of the recording device, and recessed portions are formed in the ink cartridge so as to be adapted to the protruded portions. That is, an ink supply needle passes through an ink supply port only when the protruded portions fit into the recessed portions.  
           [0010]    If the weight of the ink cartridge, that is, the capacity thereof is reduced to make high-speed printing possible, there is however a problem that the number of kinds of recessed portions allowed to be formed in the narrow bottom portion of the ink cartridge is limited.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    The present invention is based on this problem, and an object of the invention is to provide an ink-jet recording device in which the number of kinds of shapes for judgment of adaptability can be increased by use of a relatively narrow space, and to provide an ink cartridge adapted to the ink-jet recording device.  
           [0012]    To achieve the foregoing object, the present invention provide, for example, an ink-jet recording device for supplying ink to a recording head from an ink cartridge provided with an ink supply port, wherein: each of three-dimensional space axes is divided into a plurality of sections to provide a plurality of coordinate points, and identification members protruded in a direction of insertion of the ink cartridge are formed to reach the coordinate points selected in accordance with identification items.  
           [0013]    The present invention also provides, for example, an ink cartridge having a container provided with an ink supply port in one of side surfaces of the container and containing ink, and identification fitting portions formed in the one side surface so as to correspond to the identification members of a recording device for receiving the cartridge, wherein; each of three-dimensional space axes containing the one side surface is divided into a plurality of sections to obtain a plurality of coordinate points; and the identification fitting portions are disposed at the coordinate points selected in accordance with identification items so that the identification fitting portions are located to abut on end portions of the identification members.  
           [0014]    Because a space is used three-dimensionally so that identification pieces are disposed in the space, the number of combinations is increased.  
           [0015]    The present disclosure relates to the subject matter contained in Japanese patent application Nos.:  
           [0016]    2001-033074 (filed on Feb. 9, 2001);  
           [0017]    2001-147418 (filed on May 17, 2001);  
           [0018]    2001-149315 (filed on May 18, 2001);  
           [0019]    2001-264896 (filed on Aug. 31, 2001);  
           [0020]    2000-321207 (filed on Oct. 20, 2000); and  
           [0021]    2000-320319 (filed on Oct. 20, 2000),  
           [0022]    which are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0023]    [0023]FIGS. 1A and 1B are views showing the front and rear structures of an ink cartridge according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIGS. 2A and 2B are views showing a state in which side surface-forming members for sealing the ink cartridge of FIG. 1 are removed.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 3 is a view showing the structure of the bottom surface of the ink cartridge of FIG. 1.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 4 is an enlarged explanatory view showing the insertion error prevention-forming region formed in the ink cartridge of FIG. 1.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 5A is a sectional view showing a valve-closed state in an embodiment of the differential pressure valve constituting a negative pressure generating mechanism and FIG. 5B is a sectional view showing a valve-opened state in the embodiment of the differential pressure valve.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 6A is a partly cutaway view showing an ink cartridge holder adapted to the ink cartridge of FIG. 1, and FIG. 6B is a view showing a state in which the ink cartridge is attached.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 7 is a front view mainly showing the filter chamber side ink flow path formed in the ink cartridge of FIG. 1.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 8 is a view showing another embodiment of an ink cartridge according to the present invention.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIGS. 9A and 9B are views showing the external appearance of the front and rear of the ink cartridge according to a further embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIGS. 10A to  10 D are a top view, a front view, a bottom view and a side view of the ink cartridge of FIG. 9.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the carriage to which the ink cartridge of FIG. 9 is attached.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIGS. 12A and 12B are views showing a process in which the ink cartridge is attached to the carriage of FIG. 9.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the structure of the opening surface of the container body constituting the ink cartridge of FIG. 9.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the structure of the bottom surface of the container body constituting the ink cartridge.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 15A is a perspective view showing the structure of the front surface of the container body constituting the ink cartridge of FIG. 9, and FIG. 15B is a view showing a through-hole formed in a communication groove.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 16 is an enlarged view showing the sectional structure of the negative pressure generating mechanism-storing chamber.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 17 is an enlarged view showing the sectional structure of the air communication valve-storing chamber.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIGS. 18A and 18B are a perspective view and a front view showing an embodiment of the identification block, and FIG. 18C is a view showing coordinate points set in the identification block.  
         [0041]    FIGS.  19 A and  19 A′ to FIGS.  19 F and  19 F′ are perspective views and front views showing the form of the identifiable protruded portions of the identification blocks.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the carriage configured so that a plurality of ink cartridges can be received.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a state in which the direction of the carriage is changed.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIGS. 22A and 22B are enlarged views showing a neighborhood of the ink supply needle in the carriage and a neighborhood of the ink supply port in the ink cartridge.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIGS. 23A to  23 C are views showing shapes suitable for identification pieces, and FIGS. 23D to  23 F are views showing shapes unsuitable for identification pieces.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIGS. 24A to  24 C are views showing the limiting portion which is to be formed in the identification block so that the identification pieces are identified by the identification block.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIGS. 25A to  25 D are views showing another embodiment of the identification pieces.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIGS. 26A to  26 D are views showing the limiting portion which is to be formed in the identification block so that the identification pieces are identified by the identification block.  
         [0049]    [0049]FIGS. 27A to  27 C are perspective views and a bottom view showing an even further exemplary embodiment of the ink cartridge according to the present invention.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIGS. 28A and 28B are views showing the sealing structure of the ink injection port in the ink cartridge of FIG. 27.  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 29 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the identification block. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0052]    The present invention will be described below in detail on the basis of various exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings.  
         [0053]    [0053]FIGS. 1A and 1B show an ink cartridge  1  according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2A and 2B show the front and rear structures of a container body  8  constituting the ink cartridge  1 . FIG. 3 shows the structure of the container body  8  viewed from the bottom surface thereof. The container body  8  is partitioned into upper and lower regions by a wall  2  (FIG. 2B)extended substantially horizontally. A first ink chamber  3  is formed in the lower region. A differential pressure valve-storing chamber  4  (FIG. 2A) which serves as a negative pressure generating mechanism which will be described later, a filter chamber  5  for storing a filter, and second and third ink chambers  15  and  16  are formed in the upper region.  
         [0054]    The differential pressure valve-storing chamber  4  and the filter chamber  5  are separated from each other in a direction of the thickness of the container body  8  by a wall  6 . A valve seat  6   a  (FIG. 2A) constituted by a protruded portion is formed on the differential pressure valve-storing chamber side of the wall  6 , and through-holes  6   b  are formed through the wall  6 . A frame  10  (FIG. 2B) for fixing a filter  18  is formed on the filter chamber side of the wall  6 .  
         [0055]    As shown in FIG. 2B. The upper and lower chambers are communicated with an upper region opening  5   a  of the filter chamber via a circuitous flow passage (a flow passage turning on and along a vertical plane) defined by walls  11   a  and  11   b  extending vertically and walls  11   c  and  11   d  extended horizontally on one side portion of the ink cartridge (see also FIG. 7).  
         [0056]    On the other hand, the differential pressure valve-storing chamber  4  connected to the filter chamber  5  by through-holes  6   b  is communicated with an ink supply port  14  by a flow path  13  which is formed so as to be isolated from the first ink chamber  3 . The ink chambers  15  and  16  are disposed so that the differential pressure valve-storing chamber  4  and the filter chamber  5  are put between the ink chambers  15  and  16 . Air bubbles contained in ink ascending from the first ink chamber  3  are trapped in the ink chambers  15  and  16 .  
         [0057]    A wall  20  extends horizontally such that a slight gap is formed between the wall  20  and the outer wall of the container body  8  to define a space or air flow passage  21 . The wall  20  is formed in the upper portion of the container body  8 . The flow passage (i.e. the space or air flow passage)  21  is communicated with an air-opening port  17  through an air-permeable film  24   a  and a capillary  22  (FIG. 2A) The flow passage  21  is also communicated with the first ink chamber  3  through a cylindrical portion  25 . That is, the first ink chamber  3  is connected to the air-opening port  17  through the cylindrical portion  25 , the air-permeable film  24   a  and the capillary  22 .  
         [0058]    A meandering groove formed in the differential pressure valve-storing chamber ( 4 ) side surface of the container body  8  is sealed with an air-impermeable film (FIG. 1A)  37  to thereby form the capillary  22 . The capillary  22  has one end  22   a  connected to the air-opening port  17 , and the other end communicated, through a groove  23   c,  with a region formed between the air-permeable film  24   a  and the air-impermeable film  24   b.  The air-permeable film  24   a  extends in the middle of the depth of a recessed portion  23  formed in the container body  8 . Specifically, a film support portion  23   a  (FIG. 2A) is formed in the middle portion of the recessed portion  23  so that the air-permeable film  24   a  is bonded onto the film support portion  23   a  in a stretched state. On the other hand, an air-impermeable film  24   b  (FIG. 1A and 1B) is bonded onto the upper surface  23   b  of the recessed portion  23  in a stretched state, so that air inside the container body  8  is insulated from atmosphere at this portion.  
         [0059]    The flow passage  21  is communicated with the first ink chamber  3  through the cylindrical portion  25 . An opening  26  is provided above the upper portion of the cylindrical portion  25  and sealed with an air-impermeable film  27  (FIG. 1A and 1B) which can be deformed elastically. Further, a normally closed type valve not shown is received in the cylindrical portion  25 .  
         [0060]    In this configuration, the film  27  is elastically deformed by an operating rod which comes in to contact with the same when the ink cartridge  1  is attached to the recording device, so, that the valve is opened. As a result, the first ink chamber  3  is put in communication with the flow passage  21 .  
         [0061]    As shown in FIGS. 2A and 3, a recessed portion  30  is formed just below the differential pressure valve-storing chamber  4 , and opened to the lower surface side in which the ink supply port  14  is provided. Identification protruded portions  31  for identifying the ink cartridge are formed in the recessed portion  30 . Ink injection ports  33  and  34  for charging ink at the time of manufacture of the ink cartridge are also formed in the lower surface of the container body  8 .  
         [0062]    As shown in FIG. 4, in the recessed portion  30 , the direction X of the length of the container is divided into three, the direction Y of the width of the container is divided into two, and the direction Z of the height of the container is divided into six to thereby form coordinate points. A plurality of identification protruded portions  31 - 1 ,  31 - 2 ,  31 - 3  and  31 - 4  are disposed at coordinate points (X 1 , Y 2 , Z 1 ), (X 1 , Y 1 , Z 6 ), (X 3 , Y 2 , Z 3 ) and (X 3 , Y 1 , Y 2 , Z 5 ),respectively, by selecting an appropriate combination from the coordinate points, to thereby constitute the identification fitting portions. It is a matter of course that when the coordinate points are set and selected to correspond one-by-one to, for example, a kind of ink cartridge and/or a kind of ink, an ink cartridge different in the kind of ink can be prevented from being attached to the recording device by mistake.  
         [0063]    [0063]FIGS. 5A and 5B show an example of the differential pressure valve serving as a negative pressure generating mechanism. FIG. 5A shows a state in which the valve is closed. FIG. 5B shows a state in which the valve is opened. A membrane valve  40  has an annular thick portion  40   a  in its outer circumference, a thick portion  40   c  provided with a through-hole  40   b  in its center, and an approximately S-shaped bent portion  40   d  provided near the thick portion  40   a.  The membrane valve  40  is fixed to a cylindrical holder  41 , which is fitted into the differential pressure valve-storing chamber  4 . A coiled spring  42  is inserted into between the center thick portion  40   c  and the container body  8  (in this embodiment, between the center thick portion  40   c  and the cylindrical holder  41 ). The elastic force of the coiled spring  42  is adjusted so that the membrane valve  40  can be separated from the valve seat  6   a  at the point of time when predetermined negative pressure due to ink consumption in the recording head acts on the ink supply port  14  (FIG. 5B), and the membrane valve  40  can be made to contact the valve seat  6   a  elastically at the point of time when the ink supply to the recording head is terminated (FIG. 5A).  
         [0064]    The container body  8  configured as described above is formed into a sealed container by sealing the filter chamber side surface thereof with a cover  36  and by sticking the air-impermeable film  37  onto the differential pressure chamber side surface thereof. In the condition that the ink supply port  14  is sealed with a film which can be broken by insertion of an ink supply needle, an ink injection device is connected to the ink injection ports  33  and  34  in the bottom surface and the sealed container is filled with ink. After the sealed container is filled with ink, the ink injection ports  33  and  34  are sealed with a plug(s) or an air-impermeable film(s). Thus, the sealed container is finished as an ink cartridge  1 .  
         [0065]    [0065]FIG. 6A shows an example of a cartridge holder  50  adapted to the aforementioned ink cartridge  1 . The cartridge holder  50  has a base portion  51 , walls  52 ,  53  and  54  provided on the base portion  51  so as to correspond to the front surface of the ink cartridge and the two side surfaces thereof adjacent to the front surface, a protruded portion (or identification fitting portion)  55  provided on the base portion  51  and located in position corresponding to a vertical recessed portion of the ink cartridge, and identification pieces (or identification members)  56  extending in an insertion/removal direction of the ink cartridge for detecting the kind of the ink cartridge.  
         [0066]    Specifically, the identification pieces  56  are constituted by a plurality of pieces  56 - 1 ,  56 - 2  and  56 - 3  which are selected to have lengths to reach the lower surfaces of the identification protruded portions  31 - 1 ,  31 - 2 ,  31 - 3  and  31 - 4  formed in the recessed portion  30  of the ink cartridge from the surface of the carriage, that is, to have sizes to prevent collision of the identification pieces  56  with the identification protruded portions  31 - 1 ,  31 - 2 ,  31 - 3  and  31 - 4  which are identification fitting portions, when an adapted ink cartridge is received.  
         [0067]    Hence, when the ink cartridge adapted to the carriage (the holder  50 ) is to be attached to the holder  50 , the identification pieces  56  allow the ink cartridge to be fitted to the holder  50 . On the contrary, when an incompatible ink cartridge is to be attached to the holder  50 , the identification pieces  56  of the carriage (the holder  50 ) cooperate with the identification protruded portions  31  of the cartridge to prevent the ink supply needle from moving more into the ink supply port  14 . In addition, an ink supply needle is not illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, but the ink supply needle is provided on the base portion  51  of the holder  50  and located in a region surrounded by the walls  52 ,  53  and  54 , i.e. in a region opposite the protruded portion  55  with respect to the identification pieces  56 .  
         [0068]    In this embodiment, when the ink cartridge  1  is attached to the ink cartridge holder  50 , the front side three surfaces of the ink cartridge  1  and the recessed portion C (FIG. 6B) of the ink cartridge  1  are guided by the walls  52 ,  53  and  54  and the protruded portion  55  respectively so that the ink cartridge  1  is positioned to a predetermined location as shown in FIG. 6D. Further, the film  27  is pressed by the operating rod (not shown) of the recording device to open the valve member installed in the cylindrical portion  25 . Hence, the first ink chamber  3  is opened to the air through the flow passage  21 , the air permeable seal  24   a,  the capillary  22 , etc  
         [0069]    When ink is consumed by the recording head in this condition so that negative pressure acts on the ink supply port  14 , the membrane valve  40  receives differential pressure and is separated from the valve seat  6   a  against the urging force of the coiled spring  42 . The ink in the first ink chamber  3  passes through the filter  18  and flows through the through-holes  6   b  into the differential pressure valve-storing chamber  4 . The ink further passes through the through-hole  40   b  of the membrane valve  40  and flows into the ink supply port  14  via the flow passage  13 .  
         [0070]    As shown in FIG. 7, when ink flows out of the ink supply port  14  so that negative pressure acts on the filter chamber  5 , ink in the first ink chamber  3  is sucked into the upper region of the filter chamber  5  via a flow passage A formed by the wall  11  so as to extend substantially vertically, a flow passage B extending horizontally in the uppermost portion, a flow passage C formed by the wall forming the filter chamber  5  and the wall  2  extending horizontally, a vertical flow passage D and a horizontal flow path E. In this manner, the ink in the first ink chamber  3  flows out of the bottom portion of the first ink chamber  3  via the two ink chambers  15  and  16 . Hence, air bubbles contained in the ink are trapped (i.e. stay) in the upper portions of the ink chambers  15  and  16 , and are removed from the ink as much as possible before the ink flows into the filter chamber  5 .  
         [0071]    When ink is consumed in the aforementioned manner, ink in the first ink chamber  3  located in the lower section is sucked up to the filter chamber  5  located in the upper section, and is then supplied to the ink supply port  14  through the differential pressure valve mechanism.  
         [0072]    When ink in the ink cartridges is consumed and the ink cartridge  1  is removed because ink in the ink cartridge is consumed completely or because of exchange with a different kind of ink, the valve member in the cylindrical portion  25  for communication of the first ink chamber  3  with the flow passage  21  loses support by the operating rod of the recording device, so that the valve is closed. Further, the membrane valve  40  is urged to contact the valve seat  6   a  elastically by the spring  42 . Consequently, ink is prevented from being leaked from the ink supply port  14 .  
         [0073]    In the aforementioned embodiment, identification protrusions are formed to be integrated with the ink cartridge. As shown in FIG. 8, alternatively, a recessed portion  60  may be formed in the container body  8  constituting the ink cartridge  1 , and a frame  61  capable of being inserted and fixed to the inner circumference of the recessed portion  60  may be formed as a discrete member. Further, the identification protruded portions  31  may be formed in the inner surface of the frame  61  so that the frame  61  forms an identification block  62 .  
         [0074]    According to this example of an ink cartridge according to the present invention, by preparing the identification blocks  62  having the identification protruded portions  31  different in positions in accordance with kinds of the ink cartridges  1 , the container bodies  8  per se can be used commonly for various kinds of ink.  
         [0075]    [0075]FIGS. 9A and 9B and FIGS. 10A to  10 D show the external appearance of a further exemplary embodiment of an ink cartridge according to the present invention. The ink cartridge  71  mainly has a flat rectangular box type container body  72  having a closed side and an opposite opening side, and a cover  73  for sealing the opening side. An ink supply port  74  is provided on the leading end side in the direction of insertion of the ink cartridge into a carriage (i.e. on the bottom surface of the container body  72  in this embodiment), and is offset in the lengthwise direction. Retaining members  75  and  76  are formed on respective sides of the upper portion of the container body  72 .  
         [0076]    A memory device  77  with electrodes  77   a  is provided in a recessed portion  72   b  below the retaining member  75  located on the ink supply port side. A valve-storing chamber  78  is formed below the other retaining member  76 . A slit portion  79 , extending in the insertion/removal direction of the ink cartridge  71  is formed near the ink supply port  74  and in the center region of the container body  72 .  
         [0077]    As shown in FIG. 11, a carriage  200  to which the ink cartridge  71  is attached is configured so that a recording head  201  is provided in the bottom surface. An ink supply needle  202  is provided to the carriage  200  to be communicated with the recording head  201 . A cartridge pressing member is provided in a region far from a region in which the ink supply needle  202  is provided. In this embodiment, a leaf spring or plate spring  203  is provided as the cartridge pressing member. A positioning protruded piece  204  is formed between the ink supply needle  202  and the leaf spring  203  to extend in the insertion/removal direction of the ink cartridge  71 .  
         [0078]    Electrodes  206  are disposed in a side wall  205  on the ink supply needle  202  side. A recessed portion  207  for engagement with the protrusion  75   a  of the retaining member  75  are formed above the electrodes  206 . A recessed portion  209  for engagement with the protrusion  76   a  of the retaining member  76  of the ink cartridge  71  is formed in a side wall  208  opposite to the side wall  205 .  
         [0079]    In the aforementioned structure employed, when the ink cartridge  71  is inserted with the ink supply port  74  located at the deep side and pushed against the plate spring  203  as shown in FIG. 12A, the slit portion  79  is restricted by the protruded piece  204 . Hence, even in the case where a rotating force (the arrow A in FIG. 12A) is given by the plate spring  203  provided an offset position so that the ink supply port  74  side is turned downward, the posture of the ink cartridge is restricted to be parallel with the specified insertion/removal direction, that is, in a direction parallel with the vertical direction in this embodiment.  
         [0080]    When the ink cartridge  71  is further pushed in against the urging force of the plate spring  203  the protrusion  75   a  of the retaining member  75  is dropped and fitted into the recessed portion  207  by the total elasticity of the retaining member  75  as shown in FIG. 12B. Also, the retaining member  76  is fitted into the recessed portion  209 .  
         [0081]    On the other hand, to remove the ink cartridge  71  from the carriage  200  for exchange or the like, when the retaining member  75  is pressed elastically toward the container body  72 , the protrusion  75   a  of the retaining member  75  is separated from the recessed portion  207 . Hence, when the ink cartridge  71  is pulled out in this condition, the ink cartridge  71  can be removed without bending force or the like acting on the ink supply needle  202 .  
         [0082]    [0082]FIGS. 13 and 14 show an example of a flow passage formed in the container body  72  constituting the ink cartridge  71 . The container body  72  is partitioned into upper and lower sections by a wall  80  which extends substantially horizontally and, more specifically, extends in such a manner that the ink supply port  74  side is located slightly lower.  
         [0083]    A first ink chamber  81  is formed in the lower section region. The upper section is partitioned by a frame  84  such that the wall  80  serves as a bottom surface and that the frame  84  is spaced at a predetermined space, gap or distance from a wall  82  of the container body  72  to define an air communication passage  83 . The interior of the frame  84  is divided by a vertical wall  85  having a communication port  85   a  formed in its bottom portion, so that one region is formed as a second ink chamber  86  and the other region is formed as a third ink chamber  87 .  
         [0084]    The second ink chamber  86  and the bottom surface  72   a  of container body  72  are connected to each other by a suction flow passage  88  which has a lower end communicated with the first ink chamber  81 , and an upper end communicated with the bottom portion of the second ink chamber  86 .  
         [0085]    A wall  89  having communication ports  89   a  and  89   b  is formed in the lower portion of the suction flow passage  88 . An opening  90  for injecting ink from the outside into the container body  72  and an opening  91  communicated with the first ink chamber  81  for discharging air at the time of injection of ink or injecting ink into the interior of the ink cartridge  71  are formed in a region opposite to the lower end of the suction flow passage  88 .  
         [0086]    The third ink chamber  87  is partitioned by a wall  92  at a predetermined gap from the upper surface  84   a  of the frame  84  and by walls  94 ,  96  and  85 . A fourth ink chamber  93  is partitioned by walls  94 ,  96  and  97 . A filter chamber  104  is partitioned by the wall  94  continuous to the wall  92  for storing a filter  125  (FIG. 16), and a differential pressure valve-storing chamber  103  (FIG. 15A) is partitioned on the other surface side opposite to the filter chamber  125  by a wall  95 . Through-holes  95   a  are provided through the wall  95  so that ink passed through the filter  125  is led to the differential pressure valve-storing chamber  103 . The filter chamber  104  and the differential pressure valve-storing chamber  103  are located opposite each other with respect to the common wall  95 .  
         [0087]    The partition wall  96  having the communication port  96   a  between the walls  80  and  96  is provided in the lower portion of the wall  94 . The partition wall  97  having a communication port  97   a  in the lower portion is provided to define an ink flow passage  98  between the wall  97  and the frame  84 . The upper portion of the ink flow passage  98  is communicated with the front surface side of the ink cartridge  71  through the through-hole  99 .  
         [0088]    The through-hole  99  is separated by a wall  100  continuous to the wall  97  as shown in FIG. 14, and is communicated via a recessed portion  100   a  (FIG. 1A) of the wall  100  with the upper portion of the filter chamber  104 . In more detail, the through-hole  99  is communicated with a region  101  partitioned by the walls  100 ,  94  and  92  through the recessed portion  100   a  and is further communicated with the upper portion of the filter chamber  104  through the communication port  94   a  formed in the upper portion, of the wall  94  for partitioning the filter chamber  104 .  
         [0089]    As shown in FIG. 15A, the lower portion of the differential pressure valve-storing chamber  103  and the ink supply port  74  are connected to each other by a flow passage constituted by a recessed portion  105  formed in a surface of the container body  72 , and an air-impermeable film covering the recessed portion  105 . In FIG. 15A, the reference numeral  105   a  designates a deep portion which comes into the ink supply port side.  
         [0090]    A narrow groove  106  which meanders so that flow path resistance is made as high as possible, a wide groove  107  around the narrow groove  106 , and a rectangular recessed portion  108  in a region opposite to the second ink chamber  86  are formed in the front surface of the container body  72 . A frame  109  and ribs  110  are formed in the rectangular recessed portion  108  so as to be located in a position lowered by one step from an opening edge of the recessed portion  108 . An air-permeable film having ink repellent property and air permeability is bonded to the frame  109  and the ribs  110  in a stretched state to thereby define an air communication chamber. The narrow groove  106  is communicated with a surface side region of the recessed portion  108  with respect to the air-permeable film. A through-hole  111  is formed in the bottom surface of the recessed portion  108 , and communicated with one end of a slender region  113  (FIG. 13) partitioned by a wall  112  of the second ink chamber  86 . The other end of the slender region  113  is communicated via a through-hole  114 , a communication groove  115  and a through-hole  116  with the valve-storing chamber  78 .as shown in FIG. 15B.  
         [0091]    At a leading end of the valve-storing chamber  78  in the insertion direction of the ink cartridge, i.e. at the lower portion of the valve-storing chamber  78  in this embodiment, a window  78   a  is formed and opened as shown in FIG. 14. An identification block  140  to be described later is mounted to a recessed portion  150  of the container body  72  so that the plural identification pieces  210 ,  211  and  212  (FIG. 11) and the valve-operating rod, which are provided on the carriage  200  of the recording device body, can enter through the window  78   a.    
         [0092]    [0092]FIG. 16 shows the sectional structure of vicinities of the differential pressure valve-storing chamber  103 . A spring  120  and a membrane valve  122  are stored in the differential pressure valve-storing chamber  103 . The membrane valve  122  is formed from an elastically deformable material such as elastomer or the like, and has a through-hole  121  in its center. The membrane valve  122  has an annular thick portion  122   a  provided in its circumference, and a frame portion  124  integral with the thick portion  122   a.  The membrane valve  122  is fixed to the container body  72  through the frame portion  124 . The spring  120  has one end supported by a spring receiving portion  122   b  of the membrane valve  122 , and the other end supported by a spring receiving portion  123   a  of a cover  123  for closing the chamber  103 .  
         [0093]    In FIG. 16, the reference numeral  125  designates a filter, provided in the filter chamber  104 ; and  126  and  127 , air-impermeable films stuck to the front surface of the container body  72  and the opening surface side thereof respectively. The film  126  is bonded to the frame  84  and the walls  80 ,  85 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  97 ,  100  and  112  as shown in FIG. 14, by welding or the like, so that the upper section ink chambers  86 ,  87  and  93  are formed.  
         [0094]    In the aforementioned configuration, ink passing through the filter  125  passes through the ink flow ports  95   a  but is blocked by the membrane valve  122 . When the pressure of the ink supply port  74  is reduced in this condition, the membrane valve  122  is separated from the valve seat portion  95   b  against the urging force of the spring  120 . Hence, the ink passes through the through-hole  121  and flows into the ink supply port  74  via the flow passage formed by the recessed portion  105 .  
         [0095]    When the ink pressure of the ink supply port  74  is increased to a predetermined value, the membrane valve  122  is moved by the urging force of the spring  120 . Hence, the membrane valve  122  is brought into elastic contact with the valve seat portion  95   b,  so that a flow of ink is blocked. When the aforementioned operation is repented, ink can be supplied into the ink supply port  74  while the ink pressure is kept at a constant negative pressure value.  
         [0096]    [0096]FIG. 17 shows the sectional structure of the air communication valve-storing chamber  78 . A through-hole  130  is formed in a wall partitioning the valve-storing chamber  78 . A pressing member  131  formed from an elastic member such as rubber is movably inserted into the through-hole  130  while the periphery of the pressing member  131  is supported by the container body  72 . A valve body  135  is supported by an elastic member such a leaf spring  132  having a lower end fixed by a protrusion  133  and a center portion restricted by a protrusion  134 , so that the valve body  135  is always urged toward the through-hole  130 . The valve body  135  is disposed at the entering side front end of the pressing member  131 .  
         [0097]    The identification block  140  as shown in FIGS. 18A to  18 C is attached to the container body  72  so that the identification block  140  is located adjacent to the air communication valve-storing chamber  78  and that the pressing member  131  of the valve member  135  can be displaced. The identification block  140  has a base body that is fixed to the recessed portion  150  (FIG. 15A) of the container body  72  by claws  140   a  and  140   b.    
         [0098]    The base body of the identification block  140  is formed with a plurality of grooves (for example, three grooves  141 ,  142  and  143  in this embodiment), each parallel with the insertion direction of the ink cartridge  71  and having a predetermined width in the width direction of ink cartridge  71 . Further, an arm  144  for displacing the pressing member  131  is integrally formed in a predetermined position within a specific one of the grooves (within the groove  142  in this embodiment).  
         [0099]    An opening portion is widened as indicated by D on the identification piece-entrance side (lower portion in FIGS. 18A to  18 C) of the groove  142  in which the arm  144  is disposed, so that the opening portion of the groove  142  is integrated with one of adjacent grooves (for example, the groove  141  in this embodiment). Hence, even in the case where the position of the operating rod  213  (FIG. 21) changes slightly when the ink cartridge  71  is attached to the carriage  200 , the operating rod  213  can be received and guided by the wide opening portion D so as to enter the groove  142 .  
         [0100]    The arm  144  can be rotated about a rotational fulcrum  144   a  so as to be located slightly inward. The arm  144  is formed so that the pull-out side, i.e. the upper side in this embodiment, of the arm  144  is protruded obliquely into the entrance path of the operating rod  213  (FIG. 21). Further, identification protruded portions  141   a,    142   a  and  143   a  are formed in the grooves  141  to  143  respectively so as to be opposite to leading ends of the identification pieces  210 ,  211  and  212  of the carriage  200 .  
         [0101]    With the aforementioned configuration, the position of the arm  144  is kept constant, and the positions of the protruded portions  141   a,    142   a  and  143   a  are changed within the grooves  141 ,  142  and  143  respectively as shown in FIGS.  19 A and  19 A′ through FIGS.  19 F and  19 F′. Further, the positions of leading ends of the identification pieces  210 ,  211  and  212  are set correspondingly in accordance with the protruded portions  141   a,    142   a  and  143   a  of the ink cartridge  71  allowed to be attached. As a result, the ink cartridge  71  storing incompatible ink therein can be prevented from being attached to the carriage  200 .  
         [0102]    Because the positions of the protruded portions  141   a,    142   a  and  143   a  can be changed not only in the insertion/removal direction of the ink cartridge  71  but also in the thickness direction of the ink cartridge  71 , the protruded portions  141   a,    142   a  and  143   a  can be arranged three-dimensionally. Accordingly, a lot of kinds of ink can be identified without enlargement of the identification region-forming area. If the depth of each groove  141 ,  142  and  143  (a length in the thickness direction of the container body  2 ) is set to be such a size that a plurality of identification pieces  210 ,  211 ,  212  can be inserted into each groove, a larger number of kinds of ink can be identified.  
         [0103]    [0103]FIGS. 20 and 21 show an embodiment of the carriage to which ink cartridges are attached. A plurality of ink cartridges can be attached. This embodiment is configured so that one black ink cartridge and three color ink cartridges can be attached. The color, as with all of the embodiments, may include dense and light inks (e.g., dense cyan and light cyan), and clear ink.  
         [0104]    That is, a first attachment region  220  which is slightly wider is provided on one side. Second, third and fourth attachment regions  221  to  223  which have the same width are partitioned by ribs  224  to  226  and ribs  227  to  229  at opposite ends so as to be adjacent to the first attachment region  220 .  
         [0105]    As described above with reference to FIG. 11, each of the ink cartridge attachment regions has an ink supply needle  202  communicated with a recording head  201 , a pressing member, i.e. a leaf or plate spring  203  in this embodiment, provided in a region far from the region in which the ink supply needle  202  is provided, and a positioning protruded piece  204  formed between the leaf spring  203  and the ink supply needle  202  so as to extend in the insertion/removal direction of the ink cartridge.  
         [0106]    Further, electrodes  206  are disposed on a side wall  205  on the ink supply needle  202  side. Recessed portions  207  fitted to the protrusions  75   a  of the retaining members  75  are formed above the electrodes  206 .  
         [0107]    In this embodiment, the positioning protruded piece  204  is formed with a side portion  204   a  extending in parallel with the front surface of the ink cartridge  71  as shown in FIG. 22A to ensure the reliable positioning of the ink cartridge and reinforce the strength of the thin and long protruded piece  204 . In order to cope with this structure, the leading end of the slit portion  79  of the ink cartridge  71  in the insertion direction of the ink cartridge  71  is extended to the front surface side while a recessed portion  79   a  is formed at least in a region opposite to the side portion  204   a  as shown in FIGS. 9A, 10B and  22 B. That is, at least the cartridge insertion leading end of the slit portion  79  is formed with the recessed portion  79   a  to present a substantially L-shape in section to match with the protruded piece  204  and the side portion  204   a.    
         [0108]    A pair of ribs  74   a,    74   a,  each U-shaped in section are formed in the ink cartridge  71  to interpose the ink supply port  74  therebetween as shown in FIG. 22B, whereas mating ribs  202   a  for engagement with the ribs  74   a,    74   a  are formed around the ink supply needle  202  (FIG. 22A). These ribs can keep the ink supply needle  202  in a state in which the ink supply needle  202  is inserted into the ink supply port  74 .  
         [0109]    When the ink cartridge  71  is attached to the carriage  200  configured as described above, the identification pieces  210 ,  211  and  212  of the carriage  200  enter the grooves  141 ,  142  and  143  respectively in the identification block  140 . Further, the operating rod  213  enters the groove  142 . When the ink cartridge  71  is suitable to the attachment region, the ink supply port  74  of the ink cartridge  71  is moved to a position where the ink supply port  74  can be fitted to the ink supply needle  202  in this process, the operating rod  213  presses the arm  144  of the identification block  140  to thereby open the valve member  135  of the air communication valve-storing chamber  78 . Hence, the first ink chamber  81  of the ink cartridge  71  is communicated with the air so that ink can be supplied to the recording head as described above.  
         [0110]    On the other hand, when an ink cartridge not suitable for the attachment region is attached, any one of the identification protruded portions  141   a,    142   a  and  143   a  in the grooves  141 ,  142  and  143  of the identification block  140  collides with any one of the identification pieces  210 ,  211  and  212  of the carriage  200 , to thereby inhibit the movement of the ink cartridge  71  before the ink supply port  74  is fitted to the ink supply needle  202 . Hence, the mistaken attachment can be found before the ink supply port  74  is fitted to the ink supply needle  202  and before the operating rod  213  presses the arm  144  of the identification block  140 .  
         [0111]    The function of the identification block will be described in detail.  
         [0112]    Assuming, for example, that three identification piece insertable regions, i.e. three grooves  141 ,  142  and  143  are prepared as in the case of the identification block  140  shown in FIGS.  19 A and  19 A′ through FIGS.  19 F and  19 F′, and that the number of identifiable regions, i.e. the number of coordinate points, in each of the insertable regions, is three as shown in FIG. 18C, 27 different patterns can be set for identification as shown in Table 1.  
                                                         TABLE 1                                   pattern   a   b   c                                        1   1   1   1           2   1   1   2           3   1   1   3           4   1   2   1           5   1   2   2           6   1   2   3           7   1   3   1           8   1   3   2           9   1   3   3           10   2   1   1           11   2   1   2           12   2   1   3           13   2   2   1           14   2   2   2           15   2   2   3           16   2   3   1           17   2   3   2           18   2   3   3           19   3   1   1           20   3   1   2           21   3   1   3           22   3   2   1           23   3   2   2           24   3   2   3           25   3   3   1           26   3   3   2           27   3   3   3                      
 
         [0113]    Incidentally, in Table 1, the reference characters a, b and c designate three identification piece insertable regions (i.e., the grooves  141 ,  142  and  143  in this embodiment), and the numerical values 1, 2 and 3 designate the relative positions of the identification pieces in the insertion/removal direction of the cartridge (i.e., the coordinate points  1  to  3  in FIG. 18C).  
         [0114]    In the aforementioned embodiment, the arm  144  for displacing the pressing member  131  of the air opening valve is disposed on the frontmost end side in one of the identification piece insertable regions, that is, in the groove  142 . Therefore, the coordinate points which can be set in the groove  142  are two. Hence, in this case, 18 patterns can be set for identification as shown in Table 2. That is, in this case, as shown in Table 2, the coordinate point  3  can not be set in the insertable region b.  
                                                         TABLE 2                                   pattern   a   b   c                                        1   1   1   1           2   1   1   2           3   1   1   3           4   1   2   1           5   1   2   2           6   1   2   3           7   1   X   1           8   1   X   2           9   1   X   3           10   2   1   1           11   2   1   2           12   2   1   3           13   2   2   1           14   2   2   2           15   2   2   3           16   2   X   1           17   2   X   2           18   2   X   3           19   3   1   1           20   3   1   2           21   3   1   3           22   3   2   1           23   3   2   2           24   3   2   3           25   3   X   1           26   3   X   2           27   3   X   3                      
 
         [0115]    As to the configuration of each of the identification pieces  210 ,  211  and  213  for the aforementioned identification block  140 , the following three patterns are conceivable as shown in FIGS. 23A to  23 C:  
         [0116]    pattern A in which the relative height H is 1 and the relative length L of the deep side of the groove is 3;  
         [0117]    pattern B in which the relative height H is 2 and the relative length L of the deep side of the groove is 2 or pattern B′ in which the relative height H is 2, the relative length L1 of the lower deep side of the groove is 2 and the relative length L2 of the upper deep side of the groove is 1; and  
         [0118]    pattern C in which the relative height H is 3 and the relative length L of the deep side of the groove is 1.  
         [0119]    Selected one of these patterns A to C is used as each of the identification pieces  210 ,  211  and  213  to correspond to a respective one of the grooves  141 ,  142  and  143 . This makes it possible to identify 18 different types of cartridges one from the others. With specific reference to FIG. 23A, there is shown an exemplary illustration of an end portion E 1  of an identification piece in a first direction, an end portion E 2  of the identification piece in a second direction, and a location where the identification piece is formed E 3  in a third direction.  
         [0120]    In addition, in case of identification piece patterns as shown in FIGS. 23D to  23 F, since these patterns are smaller than the patterns A to C and thus can enter the grooves designed for identifying the patterns A to C, an unsuitable ink cartridge cannot be excluded surely. However, these patterns may be used if an appropriate pattern combination is applied.  
         [0121]    Further, in each of the identification block grooves  141 ,  142  and  143 , not only the protruded portion ( 141   a  in FIGS. 24A to  24 C) for restricting the relative height of the identification piece pattern but also a portion ( 141   b  in FIGS. 24A to  24 C) for restricting the relative length of the identification piece pattern are provided to correspond to the selected one of the identification piece patterns A to C. That is, the coordinate points ( 141   b  in FIGS. 24A to  24 C) represented by cross hatching are also restricted so that the depth of the identification block groove  141 ,  142 ,  143  is set to have a relative length L′ of 3 for the pattern A, a relative length L′ of 2 for the patterns B and B′ and a relative length L′ of 1 for the pattern C. This makes it possible to surely identify the three kinds of patterns A to C one from the other with the groove  141 ,  142 ,  143 . Accordingly, the ink cartridge  71  can be prevented from being inserted by mistake. (In addition, in this case, since the identification piece pattern B and the identification piece pattern B′ are different in shape from each other, but can be properly inserted into the same identification block groove, either one of the patterns B and B′ can be used in combination with the other patterns A and C. That is, in this case, the pattern B cannot be distinguished from the pattern B′.)  
         [0122]    Similarly, in case where four grooves are provided to the identification block  140 , each of the grooves  141 ,  142  and  143  is set to have a relative length of 4 in the depth direction and a relative height of 4 in the cartridge insertion/removal direction. As to the corresponding identification pieces, as shown in FIGS. 25A to  25 D, there are prepared:  
         [0123]    pattern E in which the relative height H is 1 and the relative length L is 4;  
         [0124]    patterns F to F″ in which the relative height H is 2 and the relative length L is 3;  
         [0125]    patterns G to G″ in which the relative height H is 3 and the relative length L is 2; and  
         [0126]    pattern J in which the relative height H is 4 and the relative length L is 1.  
         [0127]    Hence, as described above, by restricting at least the relative height H′ and the relative length (depth) L′ of the groove as shown by cross hatching in FIGS. 26A to  26 D, the identification pieces can be identified one from the other.  
         [0128]    That is, if a number N (N is an integer not smaller than 3) of coordinate points are provided in each of the directions parallel to the insertion direction of the ink cartridge and the depth direction of the ink cartridge, the identification pieces may be preferably formed so that:  
         [0129]    the first pattern identification piece has an end portion that reaches the first coordinate point in a coordinate axis direction parallel with the insertion direction of the ink cartridge, and an end portion that reaches the n-th coordinate point in a coordinate axial direction parallel to the depth of the ink cartridge;  
         [0130]    the i-th (i is an integer satisfying the relation 2≦i≦(n−1)) pattern identification piece has an end portion that reaches the i-th coordinate point in the coordinate axis direction parallel with the insertion direction of the ink cartridge, and an end portion that reaches the (n−i+1)-th coordinate point in the coordinate axis direction parallel to the depth of the ink cartridge; and  
         [0131]    the n-th pattern identification piece has an end portion that reaches the n-th coordinate point in the coordinate axis direction parallel with the direction of insertion of the ink cartridge, and an end portion that reaches the first coordinate, point in the coordinate axis direction parallel to the depth of the ink cartridge.  
         [0132]    Incidentally, the ink cartridge  71 ′ (FIG. 27A to C) attached to the wide attachment region  220  is basically the same in structure as the ink cartridges  71  attached to the second to fourth attachment regions  221 ,  222 ,  223  and shown in FIGS. 10 through 17. As shown in FIG. 27, the container body  72 ′ of the ink cartridge  71 ′ is however formed so that the shape of the opening surface is not changed but only the depth W is increased. Hence, the quantity of ink allowed to be stored in the ink cartridge  71 ′ can be increased by simply changing the depth W of the container body  72 ′.  
         [0133]    The arrangement center of the ink supply port  74 , and the memory device  77 ′ is set to be located at a constant position W 1  from the front surface, i.e. the closed side, of the container body  72 ′ in the same manner as in other exemplary ink cartridges  71 . Because the identification block  140 ′ (FIG. 28A and B) is attached to the front surface side of the container body  72 ′, it is a matter of course that the distance of the identification block  140 ′ from the front surface of the container body  72 ′ is the same as those in the other ink cartridges  71 .  
         [0134]    The retaining member  75 ′ is located offset to the side of the container body  72 ′ in the same manner as the offset location of the ink supply port  74 ′ as shown in FIG. 27C so that pressing force surely acts on the ink supply port  74 ′ at the time of attachment of the ink cartridge  71 ′.  
         [0135]    A decorative film  230  may be further bonded to the container body  72 ,  72 ′ as shown in FIGS. 28A. The decorative film  230  maybe formed with a tongue portion  230   a  in a region corresponding to ink injection ports  90 ,  90 ′,  91 ,  91 ′ so that the ink injection ports  90 ,  90 ′,  91 ,  91 ′ are sealed with the tongue portion  230   a  as shown in FIG. 28B.  
         [0136]    Although in the aforementioned embodiment the identification protruded portions are integrally formed in the identification block, the present invention may be applied also to the case where holes are formed in the identification block and pins are inserted into the holes. For example, holes are arrayed in the height direction in each identification piece insertable groove, and a pin is inserted into a selected one of the holes to extend at least partially across the groove, to thereby constitute the height restricting portion. Of course, holes may be arrayed in the depth direction. Further, a protruded length of each pin may be selected appropriately.  
         [0137]    Although in the aforementioned embodiment a plurality of grooves are formed in the identification block so that the identification protruded portions are formed in the grooves, the same effect as described above can be obtained even in the case where the identification block is formed as a block  220  having recessed portions coincident with the external shapes of the identification pieces A, B and C as shown in FIG. 49. In this case, if a gap, through which the operating rod  213  can enter for opening the valve member  135 , is formed between the block  220  and the ink cartridge  71 , or if a recessed portion or a through-hole may be formed in the block per se, the block can be disposed near the valve member.  
         [0138]    If the identification block need not be disposed near the opening/closing valve member, identification pieces constituted by protruded pieces may be provided to the container constituting the ink cartridge, and the identification block may be attached and fixed to a corresponding place of the carriage.  
         [0139]    Further, the identification pieces/the identification block and the memory device of the ink cartridge maybe used in combination for identification of the ink cartridge. Between ink cartridges that do not cause attachment error, the ink cartridge may be judged, based on information stored in the memory device, as to whether the ink cartridge is adaptable or not.  
         [0140]    Further, the identification fitting portions (the identification protruded portions) need not abut against the identification pieces. That is, a clearance may be set between the fitting portion and the identification piece to such a degree that one identification piece can be discriminated from another identification piece.  
         [0141]    Although the aforementioned embodiment uses the differential pressure valve as a negative pressure generating mechanism, the same effect as described above can be obtained even in the case where a porous member such as sponge is impregnated with ink so that negative pressure is kept by the capillary force of the fine pores of the porous member.  
         [0142]    The kind of ink or item(s) to be identified includes at least one of an ink color, a type of colorant and a type of solvent.  
         [0143]    As described above, in accordance with the present invention, a space is used such that identification limiting portions are disposed three-dimensionally. Hence, the number of combinations for identification purpose is increased, and therefore various kinds of ink cartridges adapted to the recording device can be attached without mistake.