Patent Abstract:
An ink cartridge, ink filling method and apparatus are disclosed. A one valve is disposed in the ink chamber of an ink cartridge and includes a foot support portion, a wall support portion projecting at an angle from the interior side of foot support portion, a shoulder support portion bending towards the interior side of wall support portion, and a head support portion projecting from shoulder support portion with a through hole. A valve sealing assembly being maintained selectively in contact with the head support portion through hole by a pressure difference. A sealing assembly integrally formed with a block portion is disposed at ink outlet port. The cartridge is very sensitive to pressure changes, which enhances printing quality. At the same time, the sealing assembly of the cartridge has an enhanced sealing function in non-usage status and usage status as well.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates to an ink cartridge for storing liquid ink for use with an ink jet head or printer head and supplying ink thereto. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cartridge having a one-way valve for controlling ink supply to the print head. The cartridge also involves a sealing assembly integrally formed with a sealing portion and a block portion.  
           [0002]    This invention still relates to an ink filling method and apparatus for the ink cartridge, which employs a one-way valve to control the ink flow and especially either using positive or negative pressure difference to fill the cartridge.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Conventionally, in an ink jet printer, it is desirable to keep the interior of the ink tank under a suitable negative pressure. Chinese Patent Publication No. 1185379A discloses a device (FIG. 1) used to keep an ink tank in a negative pressure condition. An ink tank 10 is filled with ink 14 and a porous body 12, such as a foam, absorbs the ink. The mechanics of surface energy play a role in retaining ink in the interstices or cells of the foam. Volumetric efficiency, however, in using foam is only about 60-65%. Therefore, these designs are deemed to be less efficient than desired.  
           [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,677,447—Nielsen teaches use of a check valve 22 and an ink tank 20 to control ink flow as shown in FIG. 2. An elastic umbrella-shaped diaphragm 22 selectively seals about an opening 25. In operation, negative pressure acts on the diaphragm valve to allow ink 24 to flow from the reservoir into a small cavity adjacent nozzles of a thermal ink jet print head. The check valve of this structure, however, is not capable of preventing air bubbles. The air bubbles become trapped within the cavity 26, and expand and contract in response to pressure or temperature changes and preclude ink from leaving the cavity. Ink leakage can occur through the nozzles of the print head by an expanding and contracting air bubble forcing ink from the small cavity and through the nozzles.  
           [0005]    For example, Chinese Patent Publication CN1133784A discloses a funnel-shaped packing member 100 being formed with a through hole as shown in FIG. 3A. The packing member is also provided with a tapered surface 102 engaging with the needle 104 for providing ink to an associated printing mechanism. It is necessary to add an additional sealing film 106 in the ink supply port in order to prevent ink from leaking, thus the cost would increase.  
           [0006]    U.S. Pat. No 5,790,158 discloses an ink cartridge, which also possesses a sealing “O” ring 120 with a hole as shown FIG. 3B. This kind of sealing structure plays a good role in sealing but it is also necessary to add a sealing film 124 outside the chamber 122 for purposes of shipping.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,949,458 discloses a sealing member 130 as shown in FIG. 3C. The sealing member 130 is integrally formed with a pierceable sealing septum 132. In application the septum is sometimes not be easily pierced through, as the septum 132 possesses high tenacity.  
           [0008]    Obviously, the above mentioned sealing structures need a seal film welded in the outside surface of the ink cartridge to prevent ink leakage upon the insertion of ink supply needle and there still needs a sealed package during shipping and when the cartridge is out of use.  
           [0009]    It is known how to produce an ink cartridge in mass production and fill ink in the cartridges efficiently in order to increase productivity.  
           [0010]    U.S. Pat. No 5,280,299 discloses an ink cartridge employing a porous material shown in FIG. 4 and method of filling ink as shown in FIG. 5. The porous material 14 is located in the tank and the tank attached to a print head. The process of filling ink in the ink cartridge is shown in FIG. 5. That is, at step 1(p1), the process includes the step of providing an empty ink cartridge; at step2 (p2), putting porous material into the tank; at step 3 (p3), sealing the entrance for the porous material of the tank; at step 4 (p4), checking for leakage; at step 5 (p5), reducing the pressure; at step 6 (p6), filling the ink; at step 7 (p7), removing the residual free ink; and at step 8 (p8), sealing the outlet of the liquid ink.  
           [0011]    The above mentioned method is difficult to operate. There is some space or gap between the porous material and the inside of ink cartridge that stores some liquid ink called “free ink”. “Free ink” could ultimately leak from the cartridge and removing the residual is needed. But the “free ink” may not be located or reserved at the same place and the location of the “free ink” is different according to the different ink cartridges. Especially “free ink” is not always located near the entrance of the liquid ink but appears far away in remote regions of the cartridge. In that case, it is difficult to remove the “free ink”, and it is possible that the liquid ink stored in the porous materials to be removed as “free ink”, may lead to the change of the total input of ink as well as the ink distribution in the porous materials.  
           [0012]    It should be pointed out that the operation of removing the “free ink” is occurring at the print head. The liquid ink is filled near the ink print head and the “free ink” from other areas of the cartridge could be withdrawn together with the stored ink and lead to starvation of liquid ink in operation.  
           [0013]    As mentioned above, it is difficult for the process to fill ink into porous materials of the ink cartridge and it is difficult to remove the “free ink”. As the porous material occupies some space of the ink cartridge, there is some ink remained in the porous materials after printing, which limits the amount of liquid ink which should be provided by the ink cartridge and increases the cost.  
           [0014]    Accordingly, an improved ink cartridge and filling method and apparatus that address these problems and others would be desirable.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0015]    An exemplary embodiment of the invention is an ink cartridge of simple structure, which is easy to handle, easily manufactured, of high mechanical strength, does not mix air with the liquid ink supplied from the cartridge, and prevents ink from leaking from the cartridge.  
           [0016]    The present invention provides an ink cartridge, which employs a one-way valve operatively associated with ink supply port for controlling ink flow. The present invention provides a one-way valve, which is step-shape designed in order to be deformed easily.  
           [0017]    The present invention provides a cartridge in which an outlet is sealed though a sealing assembly integrally formed with a sealing portion and a block portion. This device functions well in sealing the cartridge both during transport and in operation upon the insertion of the printer needle.  
           [0018]    The present invention provides a method of filling liquid ink into an ink cartridge by means of a one-way valve under negative pressure. The present invention provides a device for filling the ink into the cartridge in which the needle is used to withdraw the air to form a negative pressure and fill ink to a predetermined level.  
           [0019]    The present invention provides a method of filling the ink cartridge employing a one-way valve to store and control the liquid ink, directly by positive pressure under normal temperature.  
           [0020]    An ink cartridge for an ink jet recording apparatus, comprises: a cartridge body for accommodating ink provided with at least one ink chamber, wherein the cartridge body comprising  
           [0021]    at least an air vent for providing fluid communication between the ink chamber and outside air;  
           [0022]    at least an ink outlet port for supplying the ink from the ink chamber; and  
           [0023]    at least a sealing member provided within the ink outlet port;  
           [0024]    at least a one-way valve disposed within the ink chamber for controlling ink flow,  
           [0025]    wherein at least one-way valve is integrally provided with  
           [0026]    a foot support portion sealing an interior wall of the ink outlet port;  
           [0027]    a wall support portion projecting from the interior of the foot support portion;  
           [0028]    a shoulder support portion bending toward an interior of the wall support portion;  
           [0029]    a head support portion projecting from the shoulder support portion formed with a through hole; and  
           [0030]    a valve sealing assembly for blocking the through hole of the head support portion.  
           [0031]    According to the ink cartridge, the wall support portion projects at an angle from the foot support portion.  
           [0032]    According to the ink cartridge, the shoulder support portion is provided with a recess formed by the wall support portion bending inwardly.  
           [0033]    According to the ink cartridge, the head support portion projects at an angle from the shoulder support portion.  
           [0034]    According to the ink cartridge, the head support portion is cone-shaped.  
           [0035]    According to the ink cartridge, the sloping angle of the head support portion is dimensioned to be greater than that of the wall support portion.  
           [0036]    According to the ink cartridge, the thickness of the foot support portion is dimensioned to be greater than that of the head support portion and the thickness of the head support portion is dimensioned to be greater than that of the shoulder support portion.  
           [0037]    According to the ink cartridge, a recess is formed by an interior wall of the ink outlet port for receipt of the valve.  
           [0038]    According to the ink cartridge, the recess further includes a stepped circular region defined by the bottom wall of the recess for receipt of a filter member.  
           [0039]    According to the ink cartridge, the head support portion of the one-way valve is in a slightly compressed state with the valve sealing assembly.  
           [0040]    According to the ink cartridge, an ink leakage preventing device is disposed at the air vent to prevent ink leaking from the air vent.  
           [0041]    According to the ink cartridge, an ink leakage preventing device is a protrusion extending outwardly from the air vent to the ink chamber.  
           [0042]    According to the ink cartridge, the ink leakage preventing device is a bending tube surrounding the periphery of the air vent, with one end connecting to the air vent and the other end coming out of the ink.  
           [0043]    According to the ink cartridge, the ink leakage preventing device is a bag-shaped member disposed within the ink chamber comprising an open end, for connecting to the air vent; and  
           [0044]    a tiny hole, provided in a wall of the bag-shaped member.  
           [0045]    According to the ink cartridge, the bag-shaped member is an elastic balloon.  
           [0046]    According to the ink cartridge, a bowl-shaped cap for fixing the elastic balloon comprises  
           [0047]    an opening therethrough, the opening having a wide end dimensioned to engage with the out periphery of the protrusion of the air vent and a narrow end acting as an elongated part of the air vent; and  
           [0048]    a shoulder on which the open end of the elastic balloon is mounted .  
           [0049]    According to the ink cartridge, the bottom wall of the ink chamber leans or slopes to the ink outlet port.  
           [0050]    According to the ink cartridge, at least an ink guide groove is formed in the surface of the bottom wall of the ink chamber.  
           [0051]    According to the ink cartridge, a projection is provided on the bottom wall of the ink chamber to prevent the bag-shaped member from blocking the opening of the valve sealing member.  
           [0052]    According to the ink cartridge, the open end of the bag-shaped member has an opening substantially equal to the wall of cartridge body on which the air vent is provided within.  
           [0053]    According to the ink cartridge, the bag-shaped member has several overlapped layers.  
           [0054]    According to the ink cartridge, the air vent communicates with the outside or atmosphere via the irregular air-guided vent formed in the wall of the cartridge body.  
           [0055]    According to the ink cartridge, part of the air-guided vent is disposed at the interior surface of the wall.  
           [0056]    According to the ink cartridge, an air guide film is provided on the outside surface of the wall on which the air vent is provided .  
           [0057]    According to the ink cartridge, an ink filling hole is provided on a wall of the cartridge body and is sealed by a seal plug.  
           [0058]    According to the ink cartridge, the sealing assembly provided within the ink outlet comprises  
           [0059]    a support portion integrally formed with a chamber inside, supported by the interior wall of the ink outlet port;  
           [0060]    a sealing portion projected from the support portion;  
           [0061]    a block portion connected to the sealing portion; and  
           [0062]    a connection portion surrounding between the sealing portion and the block portion to support the block portion being separated from the connection portion upon a certain pressure.  
           [0063]    According to the ink cartridge, a tapered surface is provided inwardly of the sealing assembly.  
           [0064]    According to the ink cartridge, a circle-shaped groove is provided for placing the support portion of the sealing assembly to facilitate separation of the block portion from the sealing assembly.  
           [0065]    According to the ink cartridge, the thickness of the connection portion is different.  
           [0066]    According to the ink cartridge, the thickness of the connection portion decreases from one side to the other.  
           [0067]    According to the ink cartridge, an off-gas vent is provided on the wall of the ink outlet port.  
           [0068]    A one-way valve for controlling the ink flow comprises  
           [0069]    a foot support portion;  
           [0070]    a wall support portion projecting from the interior of foot support portion;  
           [0071]    a shoulder support portion bending toward interior of the wall support portion; and  
           [0072]    a head support portion projecting from the shoulder support portion formed with a through hole.  
           [0073]    According to the one-way valve, the shoulder support portion is provided with a recess formed by the wall support portion bending inwardly.  
           [0074]    According to the one-way valve, the head support portion projects at an angle from the shoulder support portion.  
           [0075]    According to the one-way valve, the thickness of the foot support portion is dimensioned to be greater than that of the head support portion and the thickness of the head support portion is dimensioned to be greater than that of the shoulder support portion.  
           [0076]    An ink filling method for filling an ink cartridge, comprises the steps of:  
           [0077]    a) sealing the ink cartridge;  
           [0078]    b) forming a negative pressure in the cavity by drawing the air in both the ink guide cavity and ink chamber;  
           [0079]    c) filling a pre-defined amount of ink into the ink cartridge.  
           [0080]    According to the ink filling method, the step b) comprises the steps of  
           [0081]    d) penetrating an off-gas vent on a wall of the ink guide cavity formed by the one-way valve and the sealing assembly;  
           [0082]    e) inserting a drawing needle at the off-gas vent.  
           [0083]    According to the ink filling method, the method further comprises the steps of  
           [0084]    f) pulling out the drawing needle from the off-gas vent when the air pressure reaches the pre-defined value;  
           [0085]    An ink filling apparatus for filling the ink cartridge, the ink cartridge comprising:  
           [0086]    an air vent for providing fluid communication between the ink chamber and outside air;  
           [0087]    an ink supply port for supplying ink from the ink chamber;  
           [0088]    a sealing assembly disposed at an ink outlet port to seal ink therein;  
           [0089]    a one-way valve coupled with a valve sealing assembly blocking its through hole of a head support portion, disposed at the bottom of the ink tank and forming an ink guide cavity together with sealing assembly for holding and controlling ink; and  
           [0090]    an ink filling apparatus comprising:  
           [0091]    a compressed apparatus, used for sealing the cover of said ink cartridge;  
           [0092]    an ink supply container;  
           [0093]    an ink filling needle, which inserts into said ink cartridge, connects to said ink supply container via a tube;  
           [0094]    a flow control device for controlling ink flow from said ink supply container to said ink cartridge;  
           [0095]    an air pump;  
           [0096]    an absorbing needle which connects to said air pump by one side and penetrating the off-gas vent of said ink cartridge by another side at least one valves is disposed separately at the tubes between said flow control device and said ink supply container, and between said flow control device and said ink filling needle.  
           [0097]    An ink filling method for filling the ink cartridge, comprising:  
           [0098]    putting the ink cartridge in a closed chamber;  
           [0099]    forming a negative pressure in the closed chamber;  
           [0100]    filling a pre-defined amount of ink in said ink cartridge.  
           [0101]    An ink filling method according to claim 40, further comprising:  
           [0102]    pulling out air from the lower part of the one-way valve;  
           [0103]    inserting the sealing assembly within the ink supply port of said ink cartridge.  
           [0104]    a) the flow control device and the ink filling  
           [0105]    b) by the negative  
           [0106]    In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the air bubble will be prevented as there is a small cavity between the valve and the bottom wall and a reserving liquid in the small cavity.  
           [0107]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the air bubble will be prevented as the ink cavity or ink guide chamber is configured small enough, and the air trapped in the ink guide chamber can be drawn out by the cleaning action of the printer operation.  
           [0108]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the liquid ink will fill the small cavity from the tank to support printing as the one-way valve operates in response to very small pressure changes, the valve may be used in a wider range of pressures and adapt well thereto. It is important that the ink be fully used and the cost of making the ink cartridge is reduced, the process of filling is simple and operation control is increased.  
           [0109]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an ink cartridge of the present invention can prevent ink leakage.  
           [0110]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an ink cartridge of the present invention guarantees the seal part both to withstand a certain degree of force and to engage with the needle upon the insertion of the ink supply needle.  
           [0111]    In accordance with further aspect of the present invention, the operation of sealing assembly is easy and the cost is low as the sealing part is designed by integration of the supporting portion, sealing portion, block portion and connection portion. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0112]    The present invention will be obvious by description combined with the following drawings and the preferred embodiments.  
         [0113]    [0113]FIG. 1 shows a prior art ink cartridge which employs a foam in the cartridge.  
         [0114]    [0114]FIG. 2 shows an example of a prior art ink cartridge with a pre-loaded check valve.  
         [0115]    [0115]FIG. 3A shows an example of a funnel-shaped sealing member.  
         [0116]    [0116]FIG. 3B shows an example of an “O” ring as a sealing member.  
         [0117]    [0117]FIG. 3C shows an example of a sealing member provided with a septum.  
         [0118]    [0118]FIG. 4 shows an example of a foam employed in an ink cartridge with “free ink” between the ink chamber and the foam.  
         [0119]    [0119]FIG. 5 shows the ink filling process for filling the ink cartridge of FIG. 4.  
         [0120]    [0120]FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the one-way, bellows valve of the present invention.  
         [0121]    [0121]FIG. 7A is a sectional view of an ink cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0122]    [0122]FIG. 7B is a sectional view of an ink cartridge according to a first embodiment and schematically illustrating operation thereof  
         [0123]    [0123]FIG. 8 is a sectional view of an ink cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention, showing a spring abutting against the bellows valve.  
         [0124]    [0124]FIG. 9 is a sectional view of an ink cartridge according to a third embodiment of the present invention with a separate valve fixing member.  
         [0125]    [0125]FIG. 10 is a sectional view of an ink cartridge according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention with a protrusion valve fixing member and a porous body disposed in an air vent for preventing ink leakage from the cartridge.  
         [0126]    [0126]FIG. 11 is a sectional view of an ink cartridge showing a cylindrical valve element to prevent ink leakage from the air vent.  
         [0127]    [0127]FIG. 12A is an enlarged sectional view of the cylinder valve of FIG. 11.  
         [0128]    [0128]FIG. 12B is a sectional view of the cylinder valve member of FIG. 12A.  
         [0129]    [0129]FIG. 13 is a sectional view of an ink cartridge showing a ball valve element that prevents ink from leaking from the air vent.  
         [0130]    [0130]FIG. 14 is an enlarged sectional view of the ball valve of FIG. 13.  
         [0131]    [0131]FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a preferred embodiment including a U-shaped tube, sloping bottom wall, and sealing assembly provided within the ink supply port.  
         [0132]    [0132]FIG. 16A is a sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention including an elastic bag connected to the air vent for preventing ink leakage.  
         [0133]    [0133]FIG. 16B is a sectional view of the bag fixing cap of FIG. 16A.  
         [0134]    [0134]FIG. 16C is a sectional view of the elastic bag of FIG. 16A,  
         [0135]    [0135]FIG. 16D is a sectional view of of the elastic bag of FIG. 16A.  
         [0136]    [0136]FIG. 16E is a sectional view of an ink cartridge showing an ink guide rib on the bottom wall and labyrinth on the lid.  
         [0137]    [0137]FIG. 16F is a top view of the lid of an ink cartridge showing an air guide film covering the labyrinth.  
         [0138]    [0138]FIG. 17 is a sectional view of an ink cartridge showing a membrane being connected to the lid where the air vent is disposed within the lid.  
         [0139]    [0139]FIG. 18A is a sectional view of an ink cartridge showing a bellows like member being connected to the lid with the bellows like member in its relaxed state.  
         [0140]    [0140]FIG. 18B is a sectional view of an ink cartridge of FIG. 18A, showing a bellows like member being connected to the lid with the bellows like member in its working state.  
         [0141]    [0141]FIG. 18C is a sectional view of the bellows like member of FIG. 18A.  
         [0142]    FIGS.  19 A- 19 E are sectional views of alternative sealing assemblies within the ink supply port provided on the outlet of FIG. 15.  
         [0143]    [0143]FIG. 20A is a sectional view of alternative sealing assemblies integrally formed within a ball-like block portion.  
         [0144]    [0144]FIG. 20B is a sectional view showing the ball-like block portion of FIG. 20A separated from the sealing assembly upon the insertion of a printer needle.  
         [0145]    [0145]FIG. 21A is a sectional view of alternative sealing assemblies integrally formed within a cylindrical block portion.  
         [0146]    [0146]FIG. 21B is a sectional view showing the cylindrical block portion of FIG. 21A separated from the sealing assembly upon the insertion of a printer needle.  
         [0147]    [0147]FIG. 22 is a sectional view of alternative sealing assembly provided with an inwardly tapered surface.  
         [0148]    [0148]FIG. 23A is a preferred embodiment of a connecting portion integrally provided on a sealing assembly, showing that the connection portion possesses average thickness.  
         [0149]    [0149]FIG. 23B is another preferred embodiment of a connecting portion integrally provided on a sealing assembly, showing that the connection portion possesses different thicknesses.  
         [0150]    [0150]FIG. 24 is a sectional view of a still further alternative embodiment of sealing assembly.  
         [0151]    FIGS.  25 A- 25 B are perspective views of a package seal used for sealing the ink cartridge during shipping and handling.  
         [0152]    [0152]FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the ink filling device of the present invention filled under positive pressure.  
         [0153]    [0153]FIG. 27 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the ink filling device filled under negative pressure.  
         [0154]    [0154]FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the ink-filling device according to a further embodiment of the present invention filled under positive pressure.  
         [0155]    [0155]FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the ink-filling device of the present invention filled under negative pressure.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0156]    [0156]FIG. 7A is a first preferred embodiment of the invention. The valve  30  selectively blocks its opening  330  to separate ink in the ink chamber  402  from ink discharge opening  404 .  
         [0157]    Referring to FIG. 6, the bellows valve  30  is preferably formed of a rubber with a Shore degree hardness of 30°˜65°, and a preferred profile of the bellows is a truncated cone. It includes a foot support portion  310 , as shown in FIG. 7A, that abuttingly engages and is supported by an internal wall of the ink chamber  402  adjacent the port  404 . The foot support portion is dimensioned for sealing contact with the wall. The enlarged thickness of the foot support portion  310  is reduced and tapered along wall support portion  322 . That is, the wall thins in cross section and tapers inwardly to a reduced diameter as the bellows merges from the foot support portion toward shoulder portion  324 . At the shoulder portion  324 , the bellows undergoes a reverse curve  325 , the shoulder support portion  324  merging into an inwardly extending support section that defines a well or recess that supports head portion  330 . The head portion has an opening  332 . The shoulder portion  324  bends inwardly along the wall support portion  322  to support shoulder support portion  324 . The contour of the bellows is responsive to subtle pressure differences so that it regulates and controls ink flow to the outlet port  404 .  
         [0158]    When the printer operates, there is a difference of pressure between two sides of the valve, which direction is like the arrows in the FIG. 7B and results in the deformation of the valve. The wall support portion  322  which bends to the inside of the shoulder support portion  324  and forms the sink, guarantees that the supporting head portion  330  moves in response to small pressure changes. In fact , the configuration of the shoulder support portion  324  guarantees that subtle changes result in influence in head support portion  330 . Therefore, The configuration of the shoulder support portion  324  provides for a sensitive releasing of pressure.  
         [0159]    The movement of the head support portion  330  is greater when there is a large negative pressure difference in order to both control the flow of ink and to reset the head support portion  330  quickly. Therefore the thickness of the foot support portion  310  is greater than that of the head support portion  330  and the supporting shoulder  324  of the valve. It is easy to understand that the head support portion  330  may respond to a small negative pressure and the thickness of a shoulder support portion  324  is designed less than the thickness of the head support portion  330 , especially in the shoulder support portion  324  which is 0.15-0.5 mm. The hole  332  of the wall support portion  322  is designed cone-shaped. The head support portion  330  slopes inwardly at an angle θ1 which is less than the slope angle of the foot support portion  310  represented by θ2. An equilibrium condition is obtained when the sloping angle θ1 is reduced in response to negative pressure in the ink chamber as shown in FIG. 6.  
         [0160]    The bellows valve  30  is designed inside in the ink cartridge  40  to reserve the liquid ink and control ink flow. Back to FIG. 7A, the bellows valve  30  is located above the outlet of the ink chamber  402 , and its supporting foot is connected to the bottom  406 . In order to maintain the stability of the valve  30 , the bottom wall of the cartridge is provided with a sinking or recessed part  408 . The valve sealing device  340  protrudes from the lid  410  of the cartridge directly and seals the supporting head portion  330  and presses it slightly. The preferred method is to provide an elastic shield  342  covering the periphery of the sealing device  340  and that elastically seals with the supporting head portion  330  .  
         [0161]    There are various choices of the sealing device  340 , such as a design combined as shown in FIG. 7A or simply fixing the sealing device in the wall  410 . According to the demand, for example, where there is a need for a high degree of stability, a cylinder body  416  is fixed above the recess  408 . The valve sealing device  340  is a cylinder body with cap and trough  418  shown in FIG. 9, and fixes the valve  30  as well as the valve sealing device  340 . Through the trough  418 , the ink is provided from the ink chamber  402  to ink guide chamber  412 . Alternatively, the valve fixing device may be cylinder pole  416  extending from the wall of tank.  
         [0162]    As shown in FIG. 7A, an ink guide chamber  412  is formed by the bellows valve  30  and the recess parts  408  of the wall of the tank  406 , its diameter is less than of the supporting foot  310 . The ink guide chamber  412  is prefilled with ink, and the head of the printer is supplied with sufficient ink during the printing operation. The needle  50  of the head of the printer is inserted at an external end of the ink discharge opening through an elastic sealing member  52 . When in operation, there is negative pressure in the ink guide chamber and there is the pressure difference between the ink chamber and ink guide chamber. So the head support portion  330  of the bellows valve moves down when the degree of pressure reaches a predetermined level, e.g., 120 mm water, and the opening  332  is opened as the valve separates from the sealing device  340 , the liquid ink is filled into the ink guide chamber  412  as indicated by the direction of arrow and ink is provided to the print head. According to the valve  30  of this invention, the opening pressure is −200 to 0 mm water and optimum opening pressure is −150 to −30 mm water.  
         [0163]    When the operation stops, the bellows valve  30  restores to its initial position, and the bellows valve  30  controls ink flow from the ink chamber  402 .  
         [0164]    When in use, an air vent must be exposed to balance the air pressure inside and outside of the cartridge. If the negative pressure within the ink chamber increases as the ink chamber is consumed, air communicates into the ink chamber  402  through the air vent  414  to maintain a substantially constant negative pressure. But the residual ink will leak from the air vent when the ink cartridge is moved. Therefore, to prevent ink leaks from air vent  414 , the air vent  414  extends into the ink chamber  402  approximately one-third to one-half of the depth of the chamber. This is suitable to prevent ink leakage through the air vent. The extended length can be provide by a rubber tube or soft tube connected to the air vent  414 .  
         [0165]    A filter  56  is disposed within the ink outlet port for preventing the air and impurity from the needle and improving quality.  
         [0166]    In FIG. 8, a spring  54  is interposed between the bellows and the lower wall of the cartridge. The spring  54  urges the bellows valve  30  into sealing engagement with the valve sealing member  340  to adjust the pressure sensitivity. A soft tube  420  extends inside to one third of the depth of the ink chamber to prevent ink from leaking.  
         [0167]    Meanwhile an air vent  414  may be designed to extend into ink chamber  402  approximately one-third of the depth of the ink chamber.  
         [0168]    In order to prevent the ink from leaking, there is a porous material  436  located in the air vent  414  for reserving or retaining the ink as shown in FIG. 10.  
         [0169]    In order to prevent the ink from leaking while the ink cartridge is removed from the printer, it is best to locate a one-way valve  428  in the air vent  414 , as shown in FIG. 11. Welding a cylinder block  428  with mouth  426  into the chamber of valve  422 , results in the trough  430  increasing in size from the end A of the block to the end B, as shown in FIGS.  12 A-B. The size of the end A of the cylinder block  428  is greater than the diameter of the air vent  414 . But the size of the end B of the cylinder block  428  being less than the block with the mouth  426  provides for both the smooth flow of air, and sealing the air vent  414  with the block  428  when the ink cartridge is removed from the printer head. If a one-way valve  428  is located in the air vent  414  for preventing the ink from leaking, it is necessary to open an ink filling hole  440  for filling ink and to seal it by a stopper  438  as shown in FIG. 11. By leaving the stopper  438  in position, you can refill ink in the ink cartridge conveniently.  
         [0170]    As shown in FIG. 13, there is a one-way valve  428  located in the air vent  414 , which also can be seen in the enlarged sectional view in FIG. 14. The one-way valve  428  is a ball block and is supported by an elastic flat  434  with a blowhole for smooth air flow between the air vent  414  and the chamber  402 .  
         [0171]    As shown in FIG. 15, the direction of the bottom of the ink cartridge is inclined or sloped to the outlet for guiding ink to the outlet. The valve  30  and the valve sealing device  340  are located in the sinking or recessed part  408 . There is a step  442  in the wall of the recessed part  408 . There is a blowhole  418  and a flange  334  in the top of the valve sealing device  340 . The flange  344  conforms to the step  442 . The material of U-shaped tube is rust resistant steel and one end of the tube connects the air vent  414  and another end is over the level of liquid and reaches the inside of the fixed trough  446 . A round trough  444  forms at the bottom of the sinking part  408  near the outlet. The mesh filter  56  is welded at the bottom of the round trough  444  for preventing impurities and air bubbles into the outlet  404 . The integrated sealing part  52  with the block  528  seals the outlet  404 .  
         [0172]    For providing the ink steadily, the hardness of the rubber of the sealing assembly is SHORE degree of 25 to 65, preferably 30 to 55. The preferred materials are the following: SBR, EPM, EPDM, butyl rubber, chloroprene rubber, urethane rubber, ethylene rubber, acrylic rubber, and SBP rubber.  
         [0173]    As seen in the FIG. 16B, the fixing cap of the bowl  490  has a chamber  494 , the ring of shoulder  492  and the blowhole  496  in the middle.  
         [0174]    As seen in the FIGS. 16A, 16C and  16 D, the air vent  414  is located in the middle of the top cap  410  of the ink cartridge. The fixing cap  490  covers the air vent. The balloon  450  is located by the shoulder  492  of the fixing cap  490  by the open mouth  452 . The blowhole  496  is connected to the air vent  414  and forms the expanding parts of the air vent  414 . There is a blowhole  454  in the wall of the balloon  450 , which is made by a needle of a diameter of approximately 0.12 mm. The diameter of the open mouth  452  is about 6 mm. The volume of the ball is about about 1.8 ml; the thickness of the balloon is about 0.1 mm. The one-way valve  330  is located near the outlet  404 . The sealing cap  340  seals the opening of the one-way valve. There are three troughs  418  in the sealing cap of the valve to allow the ink to flow from the ink chamber  402  to the ink guide chamber  412  under the valve  330 , and flow through the mesh filter  56  and to outlet  404 . There are two ink troughs  470  in the bottom  406  of the ink cartridge  400  for supporting enough ink. Especially when the balloon is expanded, the bottom of the balloon may contact the bottom of the ink cartridge and prevent ink passage but by providing the groove  470  sufficient ink is provided. In order to easily fill ink into the ink chamber, there is a hole  440  in the right side of the top cap  410 . When filling is finished, the stopper  438  seals the hole  440 . There is a block  526  located in middle of the sealing member  52 . The needle of printer head pushes away the block  526  and lets the ink flow through the needle into the printer when the printer operates.  
         [0175]    [0175]FIG. 16E shows the case according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In order to provide the liquid ink, the bottom  406  of the ink chamber is inclined or sloped to the outlet  404 . The balloon expands and can possibly block the hole  418  of the valve sealing device to stop the flow of the ink; therefore there is an ink guide rib  409  in the bottom to support the balloon  450  and prevent its blocking of the hole  418 .  
         [0176]    When the printer is in operation, the balloon  450  expands gradually with the continual ink flow. When the balloon enlarges to a certain volume, the hole  454  in the wall of the balloon is opened and air is supplemented into the ink chamber for the balance of pressure as well as to guarantee the quality of printing. When the operation is finished, the hole is closed by means of the elastic nature of the balloon and prevents the ink from flowing into the chamber of the balloon. The hole  454  in the wall of the balloon  450  plays a certain role like a one-way valve and opens or closes according to the needs of printing. Meanwhile, as the temperature of the environment changes, the air in the ink cartridge will expand with the increased temperature and press on the balloon. As the result, the air in the balloon is squeezed out in order to retain the balance of the pressure in the ink cartridge and prevent ink leakage. Especially when the ink cartridge is thrown away after being used up or for other reasons, where there are more amounts of ink remaining in the ink cartridge in the latter situation, the ink cartridge may be placed upside down. In above situation, according to the principle, if the volume of the ink cartridge is 14 ml and the temperature rises up by 30 degrees and the enlarged ratio is 10% of original one, then the air enlarges to 1.4 ml but the volume of balloon is 1.8 ml.  
         [0177]    That means the enlarged volume of the balloon is enough to cancel the volume of the expanding air in the ink chamber. Thus, the air expanded in the ink chamber presses the air out of the balloon in order to balance the pressure in the ink chamber and prevent ink leakage.  
         [0178]    There are some irregular labyrinth grooves  484 ,  485  and  486  provided in the wall of the cartridge, that individually connect with the air vent  414 . When operating, air flows from the labyrinth groove  486  to groove  484 , and from the hole  485  to the inside of balloon  456 . The labyrinth grooves  484 ˜ 486  are located on the surface of the cover  410 , therefore the surface of the irregular labyrinth grooves  484 ,  465  and  486 , are individually sealed by the package seal  491  and  495  for transport, as shown in FIG. 16F. Before usage, the package seal  495  is peeled off to expose part of the labyrinth groove. The film seal  96  will be pierced by the ink supply needle.  
         [0179]    There is a circular protrusion  405  in the wall of the chamber for supporting the sealing parts  520 . The inside of the protrusion  405  engages with the upper or top side  524  of the sealing parts to strengthen the stiffness and to facilitate the separation of the block portion from the sealing member.  
         [0180]    As a part of the filling process there is a hole  470  in the wall of the outlet. The hole connects with the top chamber of the sealing part and is sealed by plug  472 .  
         [0181]    [0181]FIG. 17 is another example of the device of preventing ink from leaking according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The device is an elastic membrane  480  which connects to the cap  410  of the cartridge  400  by the mouth  481 . There is a blowhole  484  in the bottom of the elastic membrane  480 . The principle of the ink cartridge and preventing the ink leakage are both the same as described with reference to the embodiment of FIG. 16.  
         [0182]    [0182]FIG. 18A and FIG. 18B is another embodiment of the present invention, in which the like reference numerals are used for like elements as in FIG. 16A. The plastic balloon  460  is made by nonelastic materials and is provided with folded layers. The plastic balloon  460  connects to the lid  410  of the tank  400  by the opening  462 . The ink filling hole  440  is located at the wall of ink cartridge  400 . When working, the ink flows from the outlet  404  and air enters the plastic balloon  460  through the hole  414  and lets the plastic balloon stretch slowly until the folded layers  464  are fully opened which stretches the plastic balloon  460 . The mouth of the plastic balloon  460  is a rectangle, with its length 47 mm and width 14 mm as shown in the FIG. 18. If the folded layers are fully opened and the ink is not used up, a slit  468  is required in the bottom of the plastic balloon  460  in order to supply some air to balance the pressure in the ink tank for continued printing. The principle of the ink cartridge and preventing the ink leakage are both the same as in FIG. 16A.  
         [0183]    FIGS.  19 A- 19 E disclose additional, alternative embodiments for sealing assemblies received in the ink supply port  404 . Thus, it will be understood that the remainder of the structure is substantially identical to that shown and described with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 16A. Although the sealing assemblies of FIGS.  19 A- 19 E are differently shaped and configured, each sealing assembly basically functions and operates in the same manner. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 19A, a plastic sealing piece  64  is fused with a plastic ring  66  provided between first and second O-rings  62 . In FIG. 19B, a plastic sealing piece  68  is disposed in the outer opening of the ink supply port  404 . In FIG. 19C, a uniform-shaped sealing member  70 , with a septum  72  is disposed within the ink supply port  404 . In FIG. 19D, a cap-like sealing member  74  is provided with a septum  72  and disposed in the ink supply port  404 . Last, FIG. 19E shows a cap-like sealing member  76  provided with a steel ring  78  disposed within the ink supply port  404  that includes a septum  72 .  
         [0184]    [0184]FIG. 20A is still another preferred embodiment according to the present invention which includes a seal assembly  52  having a block portion  526  that is selectively separated via a frangible connection  528 . The seal assembly  52  is made of an elastic material with Shore hardness 30˜50 degree. When an ink supply needle is inserted through sealing portion  524 , the block portion of the seal assembly at least partially separates from the remainder of the seal assembly.  
         [0185]    Preferably, the block portion  526  has a generally planar surface for engagement by the ink supply needle making it easy to push. The sealing portion  524  is horizontally dimensioned to maintain the block portion upon insertion of ink supply needle  50 . As shown in FIG. 20B, the seal assembly  52  allows the ink supply needle to pass therethrough by breaking the frangible web  528 . Thus, the outer diameter of the ink supply needle is engaged in sealed manner by seal portion  524 . The preferred width value for the connection portion is between 0˜0.3 mm and the preferred thickness of the connection portion is between 0.15˜0.4 mm.  
         [0186]    In FIG. 21A, connection portion  528  is thinner on one side than the other side. This assures that the block portion  526  is separated along the thinner web and remains connected to the sealing portion by the thicker web, as illustrated in FIG. 21B. In FIG. 22, a major distinction when compared to the other seal assembly embodiments is the configuration of the block portion, here, the block portion has a generally cylinder shape. Again, the block portion is connected to the seal assembly by a thin frangible web portion  528  on one side and a thicker web portion on the other side which retains the cylindrical block once it is punctured by the needle. A tapered surface  525  is provided inwardly of the sealing assembly to facilitate separation of the block portion  526  from the thin web. The tapered surface  525  is to facilitate the block portion being pushed upward, the sloping angle formed between the tapered surface  525  and the lateral direction is preferably around 30˜45 degrees. The configuration of FIG. 23A shows the connection portion  528  is an average thickness and FIG. 23B illustrates that the web can be thinner on one side  529  than on the other side  529 ′. The thickest portion  529  is between 0.3˜0.4 mm and the thinnest portion is between 0.15˜0.25 mm.  
         [0187]    Sealing portion  524  in the embodiment of FIG. 24 is elongated in the needle insertion direction. A gate portion  526  has a generally cylindrical shape and is provided in closing relation at one end of the sealing portion  524 . Again, a connection portion or thin frangible web  528  is thinner on one side than on the other side to allow the sealing portion to hinge along section  524 . As an ink supply needle (not shown) is advanced through the seal assembly, the thin frangible web is broken and seal portion pivots about the hinge  524 ′. In addition, the elongated sealing portion  524  engages with the outer diameter of the ink supply needle in sealed manner.  
         [0188]    The sealing part is designed integrally and meets the different demand, such as assembly and transport as well as in operation, therefore the sealing film for the ink supply needle to pierce in the outlet is reduced, and the difficulty of piercing through the septum of the sealing member of the traditional ink cartridge has been overcome.  
         [0189]    Referring to FIG. 25A, air vent opening  414  is spaced from ink port  404 . Thus, package seal  96  is configured to cover both the air vent opening  414  and the ink port  404  to prevent ink leakage during shipment. A portion of the package seal as represented by arrows as shown in the figure, is to be removed once the cartridge is ready for insertion by lifting upwardly on the tongue before the cartridge is inserted . The remainder of this foil seal strip then proceeds toward the ink supply port  404  which is also opened by removal of the package seal. Removing the package seal exposes the air vent  414  and the ink supply port  404 . Thus, the ink chamber is placed in fluid communication with the air vent. The ink supply port  404  is then positioned for alignment with the ink supply needle (not shown).  
         [0190]    The embodiment of FIG. 25B illustrates an arrangement where the air vent and the ink supply port are both closed at the same vertical side of the cartridge. The foil seal  98  is provided to permanently seal the fill hole  440  provided in a cover or lid  410  of the ink cartridge. The package seal  96  coupled with a connection portion  94  is fixed to the ink cartridge during shipment but is intended for removal by pulling upwardly.  
         [0191]    Referring now to FIG. 26 and FIG. 16E, it shows the ink filling to the cartridge  400  under a positive source of pressure. First, ink is reserved in a vessel  618 , the vessel  618  connecting to the one side of the pump  614  through the ink tube  616 ; the other end connects to the ink cartridge  400  through the tube  610 . There is a flow meter  612  in the middle of the tube  610  for controlling the amount. When filling up to a predetermined level in the ink cartridge, the filling is stopped. Then a needle  604  is inserted into the hole  470  while another end of the needle connects to the pump  602  through the soft tube  606 . There is an air and liquid separator  608  in the connecting part between the soft tube  606  and a needle  604  for separating the air and liquid. When the pump works, air in the ink guide chamber  402  will be withdrawn, at that time there is the difference of pressure on opposite sides of the valve  30  and it causes the valve  30  to separate from valve sealing cap  340 . As a result, the ink is withdrawn from the ink chamber  402  and fills the ink guide chamber  412  through the hole  418  of the valve sealing cap  340  and the hole  332  of the valve  30 . Inserting the plug  438  into the ink filling hole  440  finishes the filling operation.  
         [0192]    As shown in the FIG. 27, the ink cartridge  400  is placed with the ink supply port upside down. The ink container  618  is connected to the ink cartridge  400  by a tube  616  in a sealed state. There is an ink flow control device  612  in the middle of the tube  616  for controlling the amounts. In the hole  470  of the ink cartridge  400 , the needle with a tube  606  sticks into the rubber stopper  472  and connects the tube and the ink guide chamber  412  of the ink cartridge. The other end of the tube connects to an air pump  602 . There is an air and liquid separator  608  connected to the tube  606 . When air in the ink chamber  412  of the ink cartridge  400  is withdrawn and the difference of pressure between the opposite side of the valve is changed, the valve is open and the air of the chamber  402  also is withdrawn and the ink flows into the chamber  402 . The ink cartridge  400  is placed upside down, which lets the ink of the chamber  402  flow in quickly and fill the ink guide chamber. When the ink reaches a predetermined volume, filling is stopped. In practice, the ink cartridge may be put in a side face and the process is the same.  
         [0193]    As shown in FIG. 7A, when the large diameter of the valve  30  is less than 11 millimeters and the volume of air trapped in the ink guide chamber  412  is less than 0.4 cubic millimeters, it is unnecessary to fill ink in the ink guide chamber  412 . Air trapped in the ink guide chamber must be drawn out, for example, by the cleaning operation of the printer. The remainder of the ink cartridge can be filled under normal atmospheric pressure or under a pressure sufficiently low relative to atmospheric pressure.  
         [0194]    Under the circumstances of negative pressure, the pressure of the small cavity under the valve  30  is −700 mPa to −750 mPa, while the pressure above the valve is increasing as the amount of ink increases in the ink tank. When a predetermined value is reached, the valve  30  opens and allows ink flows to the lower part of the tank. The volume of the lower part of the valve is so small that it can be filled almost at the same time the valve  30  is opened. Then the valve closes by its elastic nature and the upper part fills fully until the filling process is finished.  
         [0195]    As shown in FIG. 28, the maximum diameter of supporting foot is 9 mm and there is no need to preserve the ink and to locate the hole in the wall of the outlet but there is a need to locate the filling hole in the cover of the cartridge. There is also no need to withdraw air in the process . The vessel  618  connects to one side of the liquid pump  614  by a tube  616 ; and the other side connects to the hole of the ink cartridge  400  by an ink tube  610 . There is an ink flow control device  612  in the middle of the tube  610  for controlling amounts of ink. In filling ink, the ink flows from the ink filling hole  440  to the ink chamber  402  directly and destroying the meniscus of the ink formed in the ink filling hole  440  by positive pressure.  
         [0196]    Negative pressure could also be used for filling ink in the ink cartridge of the invention as can be see in the FIG. 16E and FIG. 29. When filling ink, first the assembled ink cartridge  400  is inserted upright or on its side and the needle  506  is inserted into the ink filling hole  440  of the cover  410  of cartridge. The other end of the needle  506  connects to a tube  508  which connects to the vessel of ink supply container  502 . The level of the vessel of ink supply container  502  is higher than the level of the ink cartridge  400 . An air hole  470  in the wall of the outlet  404  is plugged by the stopper  472 . The air needle  560  sticks to the stopper  472  at one end and connects to the air-liquid separator  580  by an electromagnetic valve  540 . The air and liquid separator  580  connects to the vacuum pump  590  by the ink flow control device  570 . When filling, the pressure device  510  seals the cover of the cartridge  400  and the switch of the vacuum pump  590  is turned on at the same time. When the vacuum pump  590  is operating, electromagnetic valve  540  is open and electromagnetic valve  520  is closed and the air of the lower part of the valve  30  is withdrawn out. The valve  30  is opened in response to the pressure difference ,and as a result the air in the upper part of the valve  30  is withdrawn out too. At that time the air of the balloon chamber  456  is withdrawn as there is a hole  454  in the wall of balloon  450 . When the vacuum meter  570  is −700 to −750 mPa, electromagnetic valve  540  is closed and electromagnetic valve  520  and electromagnetic valve  530  are open. There is negative pressure in the ink cartridge and the ink is withdrawn from the ink supply container  502  to the tank of the ink cartridge. As the amount of the ink increases in the ink cartridge, the pressure of the upper part of the valve increases to a certain value, while the pressure of the ink guide chamber is still negative (around 700 to 750 mPa), and the valve  30  opens and allows ink flow to the ink guide chamber. The lower part of the valve can be filled almost at the same time as valve  30  opens. Then the valve closes by its elastic capability and the upper part completely fills and the filling process is finished.  
         [0197]    According to the invention, the vacuum meter  570  connects to the vacuum pump  590  in one side and to the electromagnetic valve  540  in the other. When the vacuum meter  570  is at the negative 700 to 750 mPa level, electromagnetic valve  540  is closed and separates the air needle  534  from the stopper  472  of the air hole  470 .  
         [0198]    The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obviously, modification and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of the present application. It is intended to include such modifications and alterations.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1