Abstract:
A printhead unit is detachably coupled to an ink cartridge. The printhead unit includes an ink passage and a damper member for absorbing a pulsation of ink in the ink passage. The damper member permits the forces created when the ink cartridge receives an impact to be absorbed rather than translated through to the printhead, thereby destroying the meniscuses in the nozzles.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an ink jet printer having an ink cartridge and more particularly to a printhead unit and ink cartridge used in an ink jet printer. 
     A small impact applied to an ink jet printer, for example when the printer drops from a height of about 1 to 2 cm, will destroy the meniscuses in the nozzle plane of the printhead. When the ink jet printer receives an impact, the impact propagates to the printhead unit contained in the printer which causes the ink in the ink passage to begin to pulsate. Because the ink passage is substantially closed by an ink absorbing member (or filter) of the ink cartridge, the pulsation of ink is reflected from the ink cartridge and travels to the nozzles in the printhead thereby destroying the meniscuses in the nozzles. In the ink jet printers currently marketed, the meniscuses may even be destroyed when the printer is merely moved. When the meniscuses are destroyed, a variety of problems may arise including: “nozzle missing” resulting in the improper discharge of ink and the “bending” of the shooting ink drop thus causing the printhead to become soiled from leaking ink thereby affecting performance. As a result, ink jet printer manufacturers generally include in the printer manual instructions on how to manually clean the printhead after the printer has been moved. This problem is more acute for portable ink jet printers that are frequently moved. This forces the user to frequently clean the printhead to maintain acceptable printer performance. 
     The continuous loss of ink and the need to clean the printhead as a result of the meniscus destruction problem will adversely affect the marketability of these printers. One partial solution may be to increase the size of the ink cartridge thus providing the user with additional ink. However, increasing the size of the ink cartridge makes it difficult to meet the market demand for reduced printer size and portability. 
     Accordingly, it is desirable to have a printhead unit for use in an ink jet printer in which the meniscuses of the nozzle plane are not destroyed on impact. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a printhead unit which detachably couples to an ink cartridge. An ink passage extends through the ink cartridge and printhead. A damper member for absorbing a pulsation of ink in an ink passage is disposed in facing relationship with the ink passage. 
     The damper member for absorbing a pulsation of the ink is disposed in the printhead facing the ink passage. With this unique feature, the ink pulsation caused by the impact to the printer is absorbed before it reaches the nozzle plane preserving the meniscus at the nozzle plane. 
     A preferred embodiment of the invention includes a printhead unit of the surface contact type in which the printhead unit is coupled with the ink cartridge in a surface contact fashion. A connection member of the printhead unit is coupled with an ink supplying port of the ink cartridge. A head needle is disposed on the connection member. The head needle is mounted on a printhead and the ink passage of the printhead unit includes a first ink passage in fluid communication with the ink supplying port of the ink cartridge, a second ink passage in fluid communication with the first ink passage, and a third ink passage in fluid communication with the second ink passage of the printhead. 
     In one embodiment, the damper member is provided in the connection member in a position that faces the first ink passage. The damper member is easily formed in the connection member which is separate from the printhead and the head needle because in a connection structure of the surface contact type, the ink passage opening is large. Forming the damper member in the connection member does not have any adverse effect on the supplying of ink, as it would if it was formed in the printhead. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the printhead unit is constructed such that the damper member is provided in the circumferential wall of the connection member. The damper member is formed as a stagnate air recess in fluid communication with the first ink passage allowing air to stagnate therein. The stagnate air recess may easily be formed by boring a long and narrow indentation into the circumferential wall of the connection member extending in a direction perpendicular to the first ink passage. The indentation faces the first ink passage. The stagnate air recess may also include a through-hole passing through the circumferential wall of the connection member and extending in the direction perpendicular to the first ink passage. A sealing member seals both ends of the through-holes. The stagnate air recess may easily be formed by drilling a through-hole in the circumferential wall, the sealing member being a rubber ring. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the stagnate air recess includes a choke passage in fluid communication with the first ink passage so that the surface tension of the ink at the choke passage blocks the inflow of ink into the stagnate air recess, and a buffering space that is contiguous with the choke passage. The damper member constructed in such a manner communicates with the first ink passage through the choke passage and prevents the inflow and outflow of the ink to and from the buffering space. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the damper member includes a flexible sealing film member located in a position facing the first ink passage, and a stagnate air recess located in a position facing the first ink passage with the flexible sealing film member disposed between the first ink passage and the air stagnate recess. In this way, the flexible sealing film member reliably prevents the inflow and outflow of ink to and from the stagnate air recess. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the damper member is provided in the circumferential wall of the connection member, and includes a passage extending from the first ink passage to the outside of the circumferential wall. A flexible sealing film member is disposed on the outer surface of the circumferential wall for sealing the passage opening in the outside of the circumferential wall. In this way, the first ink passage is opened to outside air through the flexible sealing film member. Accordingly, an unlimited amount of force resulting from the pulsation of ink can be absorbed in a reliable manner. 
     The sealing film member may be replaced by a combination of a sealing cap provided at the opening of the outer end of the passage, and an urging means for urging the sealing cap in the sealing direction. 
     The damper member may be a flexible film member being filled with a gas, for example air, and located in the first ink passage. To form the damper member for absorbing the ink pulsation, the film member is put in the first ink passage without requiring any modifications to the connection member. The film member is bonded onto the inner wall of the first ink passage so that it remains stationary. 
     The film member may be replaced by a flexible foam member. In this case, the plurality of pores included in the foam member absorb the pulsation of ink. 
     The damper member may be placed in the head needle in a location facing the second ink passage. In this case, the damper member may easily be formed in the major part (tubular part) or the expanded part (ink reservoir) of the head needle. Placing the damper member in the head needle does not have any adverse effect on the ink passage as in the case of placing the damper member in the connection member. 
     In another embodiment, the printhead unit of the needle connection type is coupled with the ink cartridge in a needle contact type. A head needle is coupled with an ink supplying port of the ink cartridge. The head needle is mounted on the printhead. A passage includes a fourth ink passage formed in the head needle and coupled with the ink supplying port. A fifth ink passage is formed in the printhead and communicates with the fourth ink passage. In this case, the damper member is preferably provided in the head needle so as to not adversely affect the supplying of ink. 
     Under the present invention, an ink jet printer is provided with any of the printhead units previously defined. An ink jet printer thus constructed has a good impact resistance performance and therefore can be made portable or otherwise frequently moved. 
     Further, under the present invention there is provided an ink cartridge for use in an ink jet printer, the ink cartridge being selectively attachable to a printhead unit contained in the printer body of the ink jet printer, the ink cartridge having a member positioned facing an ink reservoir of an ink supplying port for absorbing the pulsation of ink. In this construction, because the damper member is positioned facing an ink reservoir of an ink supplying port, the ink pulsation can be absorbed without having to alter the structure of the printer body. This enables any conventional ink jet printer to include the pulsation absorbing function. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the damper member is provided in the circumferential wall of the ink supplying port. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the ink cartridge is constructed such that a sealing member is provided in the ink supplying port, the sealing member sealing the ink reservoir and a head needle of the printhead being thrust into the sealing member, and the damper member being provided in the sealing ember. In this way, the damper member may be provided more easily than if it is formed in the circumferential wall of the ink supporting port. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the damper member is a sealing member formed with a flexible foam member. In this case, the damper member may be provided in a simple and easy manner and at a low cost. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the damper member is a flexible film member being filled with a gas, for example air, and located in the ink reservoir or a flexible, foam member located in the ink reservoir. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a printhead unit and ink cartridge in which the meniscuses in the nozzle plane are not destroyed on impact. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide an impact resistant ink cartridge for use in conventional ink jet printers. 
     Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification. 
     The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the constructions hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a tape printing device incorporating a printhead unit and an ink cartridge constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a printhead unit and an ink cartridge used in the tape printing device of FIG. 1 showing surface contact construction; 
     FIG.  2 ( a ) is an enlarged sectional view of an ink supply port of the needle type connection; 
     FIG.  2 ( b ) is an enlarged sectional view of an ink supply needle; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a printhead unit and ink cartridge of the surface contact type constructed in accordance to the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a printhead unit and an ink cartridge of the needle connection type constructed in accordance to the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a printhead unit of the surface contact type constructed in accordance to the present invention; 
     FIG.  5 ( a ) is an enlarged view of the damper member of FIG. 5 constructed in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a printhead unit and ink cartridge of the needle connection type constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is an alternative embodiment of the printhead unit and ink cartridge of the needle connection type constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the printhead unit constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the printhead unit constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a printhead unit of the surface connection type constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG.  10 ( a ) is an enlarged view of the damper member of FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the printhead unit and ink cartridge of the needle connection type constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of the printhead unit and ink cartridge constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the printhead unit constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the printhead unit constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a printhead unit of the surface connection type constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG.  15 ( a ) is an enlarged sectional view of the damper member of FIG. 15; 
     FIG. 16 a cross sectional view of a printhead unit and ink cartridge constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view of a printhead unit constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 18 is a cross sectional view of printhead unit of the surface connection type constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 19 is a cross sectional view of a printhead unit and an ink cartridge constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 20 is a cross sectional view of a printhead unit constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 21 a cross sectional view of a printhead unit and ink jet cartridge of the needle connection type constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 22 is a cross sectional view of a damper member constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 23 is a cross sectional view of a damper member constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 24 is a cross sectional view of a damper member constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 25 is a cross sectional view of a damper member constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 26 is a cross sectional view of a damper member constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 27 is a cross sectional view of a damper member constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 28 is a cross sectional view of a damper member constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 29 is a cross sectional view of a damper member constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 30 is a cross sectional view of a damper member constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 31 is a cross sectional view of another alternative embodiment of a damper member constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 32 is an enlarged cross sectional view of another embodiment of a damper member constructed in accordance to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a cross sectional view of a tape printing device, generally indicated as  1 . As shown, tape printing device  1  includes a device body  2 , defined by a case  5 . A printhead unit  10  is mounted within case  5  along with an ink cartridge  3 . Ink cartridge  3  is filled with three color inks I. A tape cartridge  4  containing a tape T is detachably attached to case  5 . A keyboard  6  including various keys  6   a  is arranged on the front upper surface of device case  5 . An LCD (not shown) is arranged on the rear upper surface of device body  2 . 
     A selectively openable first door  8  is disposed on the rear side of device case  5  so that it closes a tape cartridge setting portion  7  in which tape cartridge  4  is set. First door  8  is opened to provide access for removing tape cartridge  4  from tape cartridge setting portion  7 . A tape exit port  9  is disposed on the rear side of device case  5  at a location above first door  8 . Printed tape T is discharged through tape exit port  9 . A second door  11  is provided on the lower side of device case  5  adjacent printhead unit  10 . Second door  11  is selectively openable so that ink cartridge  3  may be inserted into or removed from tape printing device  1 . 
     An information processor unit (not shown) is disposed in the front portion of device case  5 . The center portion of device case  5  contains printhead unit  10 . An ink cartridge  3  is removeably attached to printhead unit  10 . A head driver unit  12 , mounted within case  5 , is coupled to printhead unit  10  for driving printhead unit  10  (for scanning) when the printing is performed. The rear portion of device case  5  contains a tape supplying unit  13  for withdrawing tape T from tape cartridge  4  and supplying it to printhead unit  10  and a tape exit portion  14  for feeding printed tape T to the tape exit port  9 . Printhead unit  10 , head driver unit  12 , tape supplying unit  13  are formed as a unitary structure, mounted on a base frame  14  and placed into device body  2 . 
     During operation the desired information is entered into printing device  1  using a plurality of keys  6   a . The user then ascertains that the entered information is correct and a print command is issued to printing device  1 . In response, tape supplying unit  13  withdraws tape T from tape cartridge  4  and supplies it to printhead unit  10 . Then, tape T passes in front of printhead unit  10  and head driver unit  12  reciprocally moves printhead unit  10  along tape T. During this reciprocate motion, printhead unit  10  receives ink  5  from ink cartridge  3  and ejects inks I onto moving tape T thereby printing on tape T. The movement of printhead unit  10  along tape T is a fast scan direction, and the direction of the movement of tape T through case body  5  is a slow scan direction. After printing is completed, tape T is cut and discharged out of tape printing device  1  through tape exit port  9  and used as a label. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, there are two types of connection structures that connect a printhead unit to an ink cartridge: a surface contact type using ink cartridge  3  and printhead unit  10  (FIG.  2 ), and a needle connection type which employs ink cartridge  3 ′ and printhead unit  10 ′ (FIGS.  2 ( a) ,  2 ( b )). The surface contact type will first be described in detail, and afterwards the needle connection type will then be described highlighting the structural differences between the two. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown ink cartridge  3  of the surface contact type formed with a cartridge case  21  which includes a case body  221  and a case cover  222  for covering the opened end of case body  221 . Cartridge case  21 , which is also called an ink tank, contains an ink holding member  22  for holding ink I. The ink tank includes three ink chambers (not shown) for containing inks I of three colors: cyan, magenta and yellow. An ink supplying port  23  for supplying ink I to printhead  10  is disposed at the bottom of case body  221  in a downwardly protruding direction. Ink cartridge  3  is detachably coupled to printhead unit  10  at ink supplying port  23 . A filter  24  is placed below ink holding member  22 . 
     Printhead unit  10  of the surface contact type includes a printhead  31  with a plurality of nozzles  31  a arrayed on its top face. A head needle  32  located within tape printing device  1  is formed on printhead  31 . A connection cap  33  (connection member) for covering head needle  32  receives head needle  32  therein. A cartridge holder  34  receives ink tank cartridge  21 . Printhead unit  10  is then mounted on a carriage  35 , which is coupled with head driver unit  12 . After ink cartridge  3  is attached to cartridge holder  34  a press cover  36  presses ink cartridge  3  against printhead  31 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown an enlarged connection cap  33  which is cylindrically shaped. A first ink passage  37  is formed between filter  24  and head needle  32 , i.e. in close proximity to ink cartridge  3  within connection cap  33 . The tip of head needle  32  protrudes into first ink passage  37 . A pair of rings  38  are disposed within connection cap  33  and form a tension fit with head needle  32  adjacent a narrowed portion  338  of connection cap  33  which defines the bottom of first ink passage  37 . Narrowed portion  338  of connection cap  33  and head needle  32  seal first ink passage  37 . A seal ring  39  is disposed between the outer circumferential surface of connection cap  33  and the inner circumferential surface of ink supplying port  23  of ink cartridge  3 . 
     Head needle  32  is dimensioned and shaped like an inverse T having a flattened base and a thinned rod with a wedge-like tip, which extends upwardly from a central part of the flattened base. A second ink passage  40  is formed within head needle  32  and includes a pair of thin passages  40   a  disposed at the upper end of second ink passage  40  and extending through the tip of head needle  32  and into first ink passage  37 , a main passage  40   b  that extends from the lower ends of thin passages  40   a  to a reservoir  40   c  disposed at the base of head needle  32 . Reservoir  40   c  is flared in a downstream direction from the direction of ink flow. A filter  41 , which is disposed on head needle  32  thereby closing the bottom of reservoir  40   c.    
     Printhead  31  includes a third ink passage  42  the upper end of which is in fluid communication with second ink passage  40 , while the lower end of third ink passage  42  is branched into a plurality of thin passages. The distal ends of the branched thin passages are in fluid communication with nozzles  31   a . First ink passage  37 , second ink passage  40  and third ink passage  42  form a continuous ink passage  141  through printhead unit  10 . The ink passage is formed in each of the three ink chambers of the ink tank under discussion, as a matter of course. 
     Ink cartridge  3 ′ and printhead unit  10 ′ of the needle connection type will be described with reference to FIGS.  2 ( a ),  2 ( b ) and  4 . A rubber seal  25  is disposed within the inner side of ink supplying port  23 . When ink cartridge  3 ′ is attached to printhead unit  10 ′ (FIG.  2 ( b )), head needle  32  is thrust through rubber seal  25  (FIG. 4) so that an ink reservoir  26  in ink cartridge  3 ′ is in fluid communication with fourth ink passage  43  in printhead unit  10 ′. 
     As shown in FIG. 4, printhead unit  10 ′ includes printhead  31  with nozzles  31  a arrayed on its tip. A head needle  32  is disposed on printhead  31  and printhead  31  is mounted on cartridge holder  34 . Unlike printhead unit  10 , connection cap  33  is not included in printhead unit  10 ′. Similar to printhead unit  10  of the surface contact type, a fourth ink passage  43  is formed in head needle  32 , and a fifth ink passage  44  is formed in printhead  31 . A filter  28  is provided in the ink cartridge  3 ′. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 5-21, there is shown a damper member  16  constructed in accordance with the present invention. In each of the embodiments discussed herein, damper member  16  absorbs a pulsation of ink I that results when tape printing device  1  receives an impact. Damper member  16  is located facing ink passage  37  or ink reservoir  26 . As explained below, damper member  16  may be formed in a variety of ways and disposed in various locations within the printhead unit ink passage. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 5,  5 ( a ), a damper member  16  is formed in circumferential wall  51  of connection cap  33  of printhead unit  10  of the surface contact type. Damper member  16  includes a stagnate air recess  52  which opens into first ink passage  37  and allows air to stagnate therein. To form stagnate air recess  52 , a hole may be bored in the inner side of circumferential wall  51  by means of a small diameter drill. When first ink passage  37  is filled with ink I, air is sealed in stagnate air recess  52 . 
     Stagnate air recess  52  is dimensioned and shaped as a long and narrow indentation. The surface tension of ink I prevents air from going into and out of stagnate air recess  52 . The magnitude of the pulsation of ink I that results from an impact to tape printing device  1  is determined by the magnitude of the impact and the quantity of ink I in ink passage  37 . If the magnitude of the pulsation of ink I is such that ink I is not sufficiently absorbed by a simple stagnate air recess, a plurality of stagnate air recesses  52  may be formed. 
     Damper member  16  may be modified as shown in FIG.  22 . In this embodiment, damper member  16  includes a choke passage  53  in fluid communication with first ink passage  37  and a buffering space  54  which extends from choke passage  53  further into circumferential wall  51 . When ink passage  37  is filled with ink I, air is sealed in buffering space  54 . The volume of buffering space  54  for absorbing the ink pulsation may be increased while blocking an inflow of ink I into the buffering space  54 . 
     A second embodiment of damper member  16  is shown in FIG.  23 . In this embodiment, a flexible film  55  is provided at the open end of stagnate air recess  52 , i.e. the end that is adjacent to first ink passage  37 , so that the flow of air into and out of stagnate air recess  52  is more reliably blocked. 
     Because stagnate air recess  52  and buffering space  54  are formed in the inner side of circumferential wall  51 , construction of damper member  16  according to the previous embodiments is difficult. Another embodiment of damper member  16  as shown in FIG. 24 overcomes this problem. In this embodiment, stagnate air recess  52  is formed in connection cap  33  by drilling through-holes from the outer side of connection cap  33  to first ink passage  37 . The ends of the through-holes which open to the outside of cartridge holder  4 , are sealingly closed with a sealing member, such as a film  56  (FIG. 24) welded on connection cap  33 , a rubber hosepipe  57  (FIG. 25) connected to connection cap  33 , or an O-ring  58  (FIG.  26 ). 
     Another embodiment of damper member  16  is shown in FIG. 6 where damper member  16  is formed in the ink cartridge  3 ′ of the needle connection type. In this embodiment, damper member  16  is formed in rubber seal  25 . Damper member  16  includes a stagnate air recess  52  formed in rubber seal  25  which opens into ink reservoir  26 . Because rubber seal  25  is a component that is formed separately from cartridge case  21 , it is easy to form damper member  16  in rubber seal  25  before rubber seal  25  is attached to cartridge case  21 . 
     Yet another embodiment of damper member  16  formed in ink cartridge  3 ′ of the needle connection type is shown in FIG.  7 . In this embodiment, damper member  16  is a stagnate air recess  52  formed in circumferential wall  59  of ink supplying port  23  which opens into ink reservoir  26 . 
     Still another embodiment of damper member  16  is shown in FIG.  8 . Damper member  16  includes a stagnate air recess  52  formed in head needle  32  of printhead unit  10  of the surface contact type or printhead unit  10 ′ of the needle connection type. In this embodiment, damper member  16  is formed in the main body  60  of head needle  32 . Damper member  16  includes an stagnate air recess  52  opened into second ink passage  40  in the case of printhead unit of the surface contact type or fourth ink passage  43  in the case of printhead unit  10 ′ of the needle connection type. 
     As shown in FIG. 9 damper member  16  includes a recess  52 . Recess  52  is formed in the base  61  of head needle  32  of the printhead unit  10  of the surface contact type or printhead unit  10 ′ of the needle connection type. Recess  52  opens into either second ink passage  40  (surface connection type) or fourth ink passage  43  (needle connection type). Because head needle  32  is used for both the surface contact type and the needle connection type printhead units, by placing damper member  16  in head needle  32  the damping function can be easily incorporated into either of the printhead connection structure types. 
     Reference is now made to FIGS. 10-14 which illustrate a damper member constructed in accordance with another embodiment, the primary difference being that the recess fills with ink. Second damper member  16 ′ includes a passage  62 . Passage  62  is formed in circumferential wall  51  of connection cap  33  of printhead unit  10  of the surface contact type. Passage  62  connects first ink passage  37  to the outside of the connection cape  33 . One end of passage  62 , the end on the outer circumference of connecting cap  33 , is sealed with a flexible sealing film  63 . When pulsation of ink I enters passage  62 , first ink passage  37  is opened to the air through flexible sealing film  63  which absorbs most of the pulsation of ink I. 
     Other embodiments of second damper member  16 ′ are shown in FIGS. 27-29. In FIG. 27, sealing film  63  expands when it receives a pressure from ink I pulsating through passage  62 . In FIG. 28, sealing film  63  is previously slackened so it can expand further under pressure. In yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 29, the tip of sealing film  63  is formed to be balloon-shaped. 
     Another embodiment damper member  16 ′ is shown in FIG. 11 where second damper member  16 ′ is formed in ink cartridge  3 ′ of the needle connection type. Specifically, second damper member  16 ′ includes a passage  62  formed through a portion of rubber seal  25  so that one end of second passage  62  opens into ink reservoir  26  while the other end opens into the inner part of rubber seal  25 . The end of passage  62  away from ink reservoir  37  is also covered with a sealing film  63 . 
     Yet another embodiment of second damper member  16 ′ is shown in FIG.  12 . In this embodiment, damper member  16 ′ is also formed in the ink cartridge  3 ′ of the needle connection type. Specifically, damper member  16 ′ includes a through-hole passage  62  passing through circumferential wall  59  of ink supplying port  23 . A sealing film  63  is disposed on the outer surface of circumferential wall  59  across passage  62 . 
     Still another embodiment of damper member  16 ′ is shown in FIG.  13 . In this embodiment damper member  16 ′ includes a passage  62  which passes through the main body of head needle  32  (of either the needle connection type or the surface contact type). One end of the passage is opened into second ink passage  40  (surface connection type) or fourth ink passage  43  (needle connection type). The opposite end is covered with a sealing member  63 . 
     A further embodiment damper member  16 ′ is shown in FIG.  14 . In this embodiment damper member  16 ′ includes a through-hole passage  62  extending through base  61  of head needle  32 . One end of the passage  62  is opened into either second ink passage  40  (surface connection type) or fourth ink passage  43  (needle connection type). The opposite end of passage  62  is covered by film  63  as discussed above. 
     Reference is made to FIGS. 30-32 in which another embodiment of the damper generally indicated as  16 ″ is shown. These embodiments differ from damper member  16 ′ in that a sealing cap is used in place of sealing film  63  to tightly seal the end of the passage that is opened to the outside. Specifically referring to FIG. 30, damper member  16 ″ includes cylindrical member  65  mounted on circumferential wall  51  across a passage  62 . A sealing cap  64  is T-shaped with the cross bar of T-shaped sealing cap  64  slidably movable in cylindrical member  65 . The vertical portion of T-shaped sealing cap  64  is slidably received in passage  62  so that its tip reaches approximately the mid point of passage  62 . A coil spring  66  is disposed within cylindrical member  65  to bias sealing cap  64  into passage  62 . Usually when ink I is consumed, a negative pressure is created within passage  62  so that the vertical portion sealing cap  64  moves into passage  62  without the aid of a coiled spring  66 . To secure the reliable insertion of sealing cap  64 , coiled spring  66  can be used to constantly urge sealing cap  64  towards passage  62 . When ink I is pulsated thereby applying pressure to sealing cap  64 , sealing cap  64  undergoes a piston-like motion; moving against the urging force of spring  66  while a portion of the vertical bar portion remains within the passage  62 . Thus, the pulsation of ink I is absorbed through the motion of sealing cap  64 . 
     In another embodiment shown in FIG. 31, a damper member  16 ″ includes a passage  62  extending through circumferential wall  59 . A housing  72  mounted on circumferential wall  59  extends across an opening passage  62 . A sealing cap  64  slidably mounted within housing  72  is pressed against the opening of passage  62  thus sealing passage  62 . In yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 32, sealing cap  64  is pivotably mounted about a support shaft  68  within housing  72 . A torsion coiled spring  69  is mounted about shaft  68 . Sealing cap  64  pivots to open and close the opening of passage  62  and is urged in the sealing direction by torsion coiled spring  69 . In damper member  16 ″ of FIGS. 31 and 32, ink I may leak out of passage  62 . To absorb the leaked ink I, sealing cap  64  may be covered with suitable ink absorbing means. 
     Reference is now made to FIGS. 15-17 in which another embodiment of the damper member, generally indicated as  16 ′″ is shown. As shown in FIGS. 15,  15 ( a ) damper member  16 ′″ is formed in connection cap  33  of printhead unit  10  (the surface contact type) and consists of a flexible film member  71  filled with a gas, for example, air. Film member  71  is bonded onto the inner wall of first ink passage  37 . When a pressure caused by the pulsation of ink I acts on film member  71 , film member  71  contracts to absorb the pressure. Because this does not require any modification to connection cap  33 , construction of damper member  16 ′″ according to this embodiment is greatly simplified. Another embodiment of damper member  16 ′″, shown in FIG. 16, is formed in ink cartridge  3 ′ of the needle connection type. In this embodiment film member  71  is bonded onto the inner wall of ink reservoir  26 . In yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 17, damper member  16 ′″ includes film member  71  bonded in head needle  32  of printhead unit  10  (the surface contact type) of printhead unit  10 ′ (the needle connection type). In this embodiment, damper member  16 ′″ consists of film member  71  which is bonded on the inner wall of reservoir  40   c.    
     Reference is now made to FIGS. 18-21 in which another embodiment of the damper member, generally indicated as  16 ′″, is shown. The difference between damper member  16 ′″ and damper member  16 ′″ is the use of a foam member. Referring now to FIG. 18, damper member  16 ′″ consists of a ring-shaped foam member  72  formed on connection cap  33  of printhead unit  10  of the surface contact type. Foam member  72  is dimensioned and shaped to be disposed on the inner wall of first ink passage  37 . Foam member  72  includes a plurality of pores. When the pulsation of ink I exerts pressure on foam member  72 , the pores of foam member  72  are compressed thereby absorbing the pressure. Because no modification of connection cap  33  is required for damper member  16 ′″ in this embodiment, construction is greatly simplified. 
     Another embodiment of damper member  16 ′″, shown in FIG. 19 is provided in ink cartridge  3 ′ of the needle connection type. In this embodiment foam member  72  is disposed on the inner wall of ink reservoir  26 . Yet another embodiment of damper member  16 ′″, shown in FIG. 20, includes foam member  72  disposed in head needle  32  of the printhead unit  10  (the surface contact type) or printhead unit  10 ′ (the needle connection type). Specifically, foam member  72  is disposed on the inner wall of main passage  40   b . In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 21, damper member  16 ′″ is provided in ink cartridge  3 ′ of the needle connection type. Damper member consists of a rubber seal  25 ′ formed from foam. Foam member  72  need only be on the portion of rubber seal  25 ′ that faces ink reservoir  26 . When a pressure caused by ink pulsation is exerted on foam member  72 , the pores of foam member  72  are compressed to absorb the pressure. 
     As described above, the present invention provides damper member  16  in printhead unit  10  or ink cartridge  3 , that properly absorbs a pulsation of ink I caused by impact to tape printing device  1 . Therefore, if tape printing device  1  receives an impact, the meniscuses in the nozzle plane are not destroyed, thus greatly improving tape printing device  1  impact resistance. 
     Damper member  16  may be provided in printhead unit  10  or ink cartridge  3 . However, in the surface contact type of printhead where ink I is stagnated in ink cartridge  3 , the damper member  16  is preferably provided in connection cap  33  of printhead unit so that head needle  32  and the printhead  31  may be used without any design modifications and damper member  16  operation is simplified. On the other hand, in order to improve the impact resistance of tape printing device  1 . 
     While the present invention was described in reference to the tape printing device  1 , it is evident that the invention is applicable to ink jet printers in general. 
     As seen from the foregoing description, a printhead unit constructed according to the present invention absorbs a pulsation of the ink caused by an impact applied to a printing device before the pulsating ink propagates to the nozzle plane and breaks the meniscuses. In this way the meniscuses in the nozzle plane are protected from breakage and the impact resistance of the printing device is greatly improved. 
     Likewise, in an ink jet printer constructed according to the present invention, the impact resistance of its printhead unit is greatly improved. In this way, the ink jet printer can be made portable or otherwise frequently moved and still avoid the adverse consequences of broken meniscuses. 
     In an ink cartridge constructed according to the present invention, where damper member  16  properly absorbs a pulsation of ink, merely attaching the ink cartridge to the printer improves the printer&#39;s impact resistance without any design modifications. 
     It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, and those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above constructions without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.