Waste ink receiving cartridge and ink recording apparatus using said cartridge

Claim 2

A waste ink receiving cartridge detachable from an ink recording apparatus and having internally a waste ink receiving member for receiving waste ink from the recording apparatus, and a communicating portion to the atmosphere, characterized by comprising a waste ink absorbing member, a liquid non-absorbing film disposed between said waste ink absorbing member and an inner wall of the cartridge and having an area in a substantially close contact state with the inner wall of the cartridge, and an ink storage body directly disposed on an upper portion of said waste ink absorbing member and containing the ink for use in recording by the ink recording apparatus and a delivery portion for delivering the ink externally.

Claim 3

A waste ink receiving cartridge detachable from an ink recording apparatus and internally provided with a liquid absorbing member, extending in a longitudinal direction and having an external surface, for receiving waste ink from the recording apparatus, characterized by comprising a liquid non-absorbing sheet member for dispersing waste ink at least in the longitudinal direction of said liquid absorbing member along the external surface of said liquid absorbing member.

Claim 4

A waste ink receiving cartridge detachable from an ink recording apparatus and internally provided with a liquid absorbing member, extending in a longitudinal direction and having an external surface, for receiving waste ink from the recording apparatus, characterized by comprising a liquid non-absorbing sheet member for dispersing waste ink at least in the longitudinal direction of said liquid absorbing member along the external surface of said liquid absorbing member.

Claim 5

A waste ink receiving cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that said sheet member is interposed along a bottom surface of said cartridge between said liquid absorbing member and said bottom surface.

Claim 6

A waste ink receiving cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that said waste ink receiving cartridge comprises an ink storage portion for storing the ink to be supplied to the recording apparatus which is directly disposed upon said liquid absorbing member within said waste ink receiving cartridge, thereby pressing said sheet member against the bottom surface of said cartridge.

Claim 7

A waste ink receiving cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that said liquid absorbing member, said sheet member and a bottom surface of said cartridge are separated from each other, and wherein said liquid absorbing member is a porous body expansible with the absorption of the waste ink, and said sheet member is longer in the longitudinal direction than said liquid absorbing member in an initial state before said liquid absorbing member absorbs the waste ink.

Claim 8

A waste ink receiving cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that said waste ink receiving cartridge comprises a projection portion for forming a minute space exhibiting capillary action between the bottom surface of said cartridge and said sheet member.

Claim 9

A waste ink receiving cartridge according to claim 4, characterized in that said liquid absorbing member is expansible toward the ink storage portion, and can maintain said ink storage substantially portion at a substantially fixed position.

Claim 10

A waste ink receiving cartridge according to claim 2, characterized by further comprising a waste ink diffusion layer for diffusing waste ink on a lower surface of said liquid non-absorbing sheet member.

Claim 11

A waste ink receiving cartridge according to claim 8, characterized in that said waste ink diffusion layer is made of a water soluble, low molecule weight compound, having a viscosity substantially within the range of 50 cp to 300 cp.

Claim 12

A waste ink receiving cartridge detachable from an ink recording apparatus and internally provided with a liquid absorbing member, extending in a longitudinal direction and having an external surface, for receiving waste ink from the recording apparatus, characterized by comprising a liquid non-absorbing sheet member for dispersing waste ink at least in a longitudinal direction of said liquid absorbing member along an external surface of said liquid absorbing member, and wherein said sheet member first receives waste ink from the ink recording apparatus prior to said liquid absorbing member.

Claim 13

A waste ink receiving cartridge detachable from an ink recording apparatus and internally provided with a liquid absorbing member, extending in a longitudinal direction and having an external surface, for receiving waste ink from the recording apparatus, characterized by comprising a liquid non-absorbing sheet member for dispersing waste ink at least in a longitudinal direction of said liquid absorbing member along an external surface of said liquid absorbing member, and wherein said sheet member first receives waste ink from the ink recording apparatus prior to said liquid absorbing member.

Claim 14

A waste ink receiving cartridge according to claim 10, characterized in that said sheet member is interposed along a bottom surface of said cartridge between said liquid absorbing member and said bottom surface, and said liquid absorbing member is contained except for a region where said cartridge receives waste ink.

Claim 15

A waste ink receiving cartridge according to claim 10, characterized in that said sheet member comprises opening portions opposed to said liquid absorbing member.

Claim 16

A waste ink receiving cartridge according to claim 10, characterized in that said sheet member is located along the bottom surface of said cartridge under a lower surface of said liquid absorbing member, and provided with a plurality of opening portions opposed to said liquid absorbing member.

Claim 17

A waste ink receiving cartridge according to claim 13, characterized in that said liquid absorbing member is a porous body which substantially evenly expands with the adsorption said waste ink through the opening portions of said sheet member, and supports an ink storage portion disposed on said liquid absorbing member from the underside.

Claim 18

A waste ink receiving cartridge detachable from an ink recording apparatus and internally provided with a waste ink receiving member for receiving waste ink from the recording apparatus, characterized by comprising a waste ink absorbing member, and a liquid non-absorbing film disposed between said waste ink absorbing member and an inner wall of the cartridge and having an area in a substantially contact state with the inner wall of the cartridge.

Claim 19

A waste ink receiving cartridge detachable from an ink recording apparatus and internally provided with a waste ink receiving member for receiving waste ink from the recording apparatus, characterized by comprising a waste ink absorbing member, and a liquid non-absorbing film disposed between said waste ink absorbing member and an inner wall of the cartridge and having an area in a substantially contact state with the inner wall of the cartridge.

Claim 20

A waste ink receiving cartridge according to claim 15, further comprising a thin ink guide layer said non-absorbing film.

Claim 21

A waste ink receiving cartridge detachable from an ink recording apparatus, internally having a liquid absorbing member, extending in a longitudinal direction and having an external surface, for receiving waste ink from the recording apparatus, characterized by comprising a liquid non-absorbing sheet member for dispersing waste ink at least in the longitudinal direction of said liquid absorbing member along an external surface of said liquid absorbing member, and which is interposed along a bottom surface of said cartridge between said liquid absorbing member and said bottom surface, in order to distribute waste ink from said recording apparatus between said bottom surface and said sheet and over said sheet surface into said liquid absorbing member.

Claim 22

A waste ink receiving cartridge detachable from an ink recording apparatus, internally having a liquid absorbing member, extending in a longitudinal direction and having an external surface, for receiving waste ink from the recording apparatus, characterized by comprising a liquid non-absorbing sheet member for dispersing waste ink at least in the longitudinal direction of said liquid absorbing member along an external surface of said liquid absorbing member, and which is interposed along a bottom surface of said cartridge between said liquid absorbing member and said bottom surface, in order to distribute waste ink from said recording apparatus between said bottom surface and said sheet and over said sheet surface into said liquid absorbing member.

Claim 23

A recording apparatus characterized by comprising recording means containing an electricity-heat conversion body generating heat energy for discharging an ink in accordance with a recording signal, recovery means for stabilizing the recording capability of said recording means, and a waste ink receiving cartridge detachable from the recording apparatus and internally comprising a liquid absorbing member, extending in a longitudinal direction and having an external surface, for receiving waste ink from said recovery means, and a liquid non-absorbing sheet member for dispersing waste ink at least in the longitudinal direction of said liquid absorbing member provided along an external surface of said liquid absorbing member, and which is interposed along a bottom surface of said cartridge between said liquid absorbing member and said bottom surface, in order to distribute waste ink from said recording apparatus between said bottom surface and said sheet and over said sheet surface into said liquid absorbing member.

Claim 24

A recording apparatus characterized by comprising recording means containing an electricity-heat conversion body generating heat energy for discharging an ink in accordance with a recording signal, recovery means for stabilizing the recording capability of said recording means, and a waste ink receiving cartridge detachable from the recording apparatus and internally comprising a liquid absorbing member, extending in a longitudinal direction and having an external surface, for receiving waste ink from said recovery means, and a liquid non-absorbing sheet member for dispersing waste ink at least in the longitudinal direction of said liquid absorbing member provided along an external surface of said liquid absorbing member, and which is interposed along a bottom surface of said cartridge between said liquid absorbing member and said bottom surface, in order to distribute waste ink from said recording apparatus between said bottom surface and said sheet and over said sheet surface into said liquid absorbing member.

Claim 25

A waste ink receiving cartridge detachable from an ink recording apparatus and internally provided with a liquid absorbing member for receiving waste ink from the recording apparatus, characterized in that said liquid absorbing member is constituted of a porous material expansible with the content of said waste ink, and comprising an ink storage portion for storing the ink to be supplied to the apparatus on said liquid absorbing material, wherein said liquid absorbing material is disposed so as to support said ink storage portion at a substantially fixed portion upon expansion of said liquid absorbing material; and a liquid non-absorbing sheet member between an external surface of said liquid absorbing member and said cartridge, wherein waste ink is passed over said liquid non-absorbing member and absorbed into said liquid absorbing member, and wherein said ink storage portion is supported by expansion of said liquid absorbing member and maintained almost at a fixed position.

Claim 26

A waste ink receiving cartridge detachable from an ink recording apparatus and internally provided with a liquid absorbing member for receiving waste ink from the recording apparatus, characterized in that said liquid absorbing member is constituted of a porous material expansible with the content of said waste ink, and comprising an ink storage portion for storing the ink to be supplied to the apparatus on said liquid absorbing material, wherein said liquid absorbing material is disposed so as to support said ink storage portion at a substantially fixed portion upon expansion of said liquid absorbing material; and a liquid non-absorbing sheet member between an external surface of said liquid absorbing member and said cartridge, wherein waste ink is passed over said liquid non-absorbing member and absorbed into said liquid absorbing member, and wherein said ink storage portion is supported by expansion of said liquid absorbing member and maintained almost at a fixed position.

Claim 27

An ink receiving cartridge detachable from an ink recording apparatus and internally having an ink storage member for storing an ink to be supplied to the recording apparatus, and a liquid absorbing member, extending in a longitudinal direction and having an external surface, for receiving waste ink from the recording apparatus, characterized by comprising a liquid non-absorbing sheet member for dispersing waste ink at least in the longitudinal direction of said liquid absorbing member along an external lower surface of said liquid absorbing member, and an information medium used for transmitting a characteristic of the stored ink in a portion of an upper surface of the cartridge body.

Claim 28

An ink receiving cartridge detachable from an ink recording apparatus and internally having an ink storage member for storing an ink to be supplied to the recording apparatus, and a liquid absorbing member, extending in a longitudinal direction and having an external surface, for receiving waste ink from the recording apparatus, characterized by comprising a liquid non-absorbing sheet member for dispersing waste ink at least in the longitudinal direction of said liquid absorbing member along an external lower surface of said liquid absorbing member, and an information medium used for transmitting a characteristic of the stored ink in a portion of an upper surface of the cartridge body.

Claim 29

An ink receiving cartridge according to claim 20, wherein the area for receiving said waste ink and the area for containing said information medium are located in left and right regions of the cartridge separated by the ink delivery portion for delivering the ink from said ink storage member to the apparatus.

Claim 30

An ink receiving cartridge according to claim 20, wherein said ink delivery portion is formed with a recess on an upper surface of cartridge.

Claim 31

An ink recording apparatus comprising: ink recording means for discharging ink onto a recording member; conveying means for conveying the recording medium on which ink is discharged from said ink recording means to form an image; an ink cartridge including an ink containing member for storing ink to be supplied to said ink recording means and a liquid absorbing member, extending in a longitudinal direction and having an external surface, for collecting ink which is exhausted from said ink recording means and is not used for recording; and ink supply means for connecting said ink cartridge with said ink recording means to supply ink to said ink recording means, wherein said ink cartridge has a non-absorbing sheet member for directing exhausted ink with respect to at least the longitudinal direction of said liquid absorbing member and an exhausted ink guiding tube for guiding said exhausted ink to said non-absorbing sheet member prior to said liquid absorbing member.

Claim 32

An ink recording apparatus comprising: ink recording means for discharging ink onto a recording member; conveying means for conveying the recording medium on which ink is discharged from said ink recording means to form an image; an ink cartridge including an ink containing member for storing ink to be supplied to said ink recording means and a liquid absorbing member, extending in a longitudinal direction and having an external surface, for collecting ink which is exhausted from said ink recording means and is not used for recording; and ink supply means for connecting said ink cartridge with said ink recording means to supply ink to said ink recording means, wherein said ink cartridge has a non-absorbing sheet member for directing exhausted ink with respect to at least the longitudinal direction of said liquid absorbing member and an exhausted ink guiding tube for guiding said exhausted ink to said non-absorbing sheet member prior to said liquid absorbing member.

Claim 33

An ink recording apparatus according to claim 23, characterized in that an end portion of said exhausted ink guiding tube is positioned at an exhausted ink receiving region where said liquid absorbing member is not opposed within said sheet member disposed along a bottom surface of said cartridge between said liquid absorbing member and said bottom surface.

Claim 34

An ink recording apparatus according to claim 23, characterized in the said ink recording means for said ink recording apparatus comprises an electricity-heat conversion body for causing film boiling by applying the heat energy to the ink, and recording signal issuing means for said electricity-heat conversion body.

Claim 35

An ink recording apparatus comprising: a housing; ink recording means for discharging ink onto a recording medium, said ink recording means having an electrothermal converting element for applying thermal energy to effect film boiling causing ink to be discharged from an ink discharge port; conveying means for conveying a recording medium on which ink is discharged from said ink recording means to form an image; an ink cartridge including an ink containing member for storing ink to be supplied to said ink recording means and a liquid absorbing member for collecting ink which is exhausted from said ink recording means and is not used for recording, said ink cartridge having a non-absorbing sheet member between said housing of said cartridge and an outer surface of said liquid absorbing member; and ink supply means for connecting said ink cartridge with said ink recording means to supply ink to said ink recording means.

Claim 36

An ink recording apparatus comprising: a housing; ink recording means for discharging ink onto a recording medium, said ink recording means having an electrothermal converting element for applying thermal energy to effect film boiling causing ink to be discharged from an ink discharge port; conveying means for conveying a recording medium on which ink is discharged from said ink recording means to form an image; an ink cartridge including an ink containing member for storing ink to be supplied to said ink recording means and a liquid absorbing member for collecting ink which is exhausted from said ink recording means and is not used for recording, said ink cartridge having a non-absorbing sheet member between said housing of said cartridge and an outer surface of said liquid absorbing member; and ink supply means for connecting said ink cartridge with said ink recording means to supply ink to said ink recording means.

Claim 37

A recording apparatus according to claim 26, characterized in that said ink containing member is directly disposed upon said liquid absorbing member for receiving exhausted ink, and further comprising an atmosphere communicating portion, wherein said sheet member is pressed against a bottom surface of said cartridge.

Claim 38

A recording apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said liquid absorbing member is a porous body expansible with waste ink absorbed through opening portions of said sheet member.

Claim 39

A recording apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said sheet member comprises opening portions opposed to said liquid absorbing member, so that waste ink absorbed through said opening portions is almost evenly dispersed over said liquid absorbing member, and wherein said liquid absorbing member expands uniformly the waste ink substantially evenly dispersed, therein and supports an ink storage portion from the underside to maintain the ink storage portion at a substantially fixed position.