JP2002019135A - Ink cartridge for recording device and ink jet recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To improve the accuracy of positional alignment of mechanical and electrical connection mechanisms when an ink cartridge is mounted on a cartridge holder. SOLUTION: An ink pack in which ink is sealed is configured such that ink is led out to a recording apparatus side by the action of pressurized air introduced into a cartridge case. Further, a circuit board 53 provided with a data storage unit for managing the ink sealed in the cartridge is disposed in a part of the cartridge case.
On one surface of the case, there is provided a pair of opening holes 51 as positioning means for loading the recording apparatus, an ink outlet 50 from the ink pack, an inlet 52 for pressurized air, and data storage means. The connection terminals of the circuit board 53 are intensively arranged.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink cartridge which is used in an ink jet type recording apparatus and which supplies ink to a recording head by applying air pressure generated by an air pressure pump. The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ink jet recording apparatus is generally mounted on a carriage and moves in the width direction of the recording paper, and relatively moves the recording paper in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the recording head. A paper feeding means for moving the recording paper is provided, and printing is performed on recording paper by discharging ink droplets from a recording head based on print data.

On the other hand, in this type of recording apparatus provided for office use or business use, it is necessary to provide a large-capacity ink cartridge in order to handle a relatively large amount of printing. 2. Description of the Related Art There has been provided a recording apparatus of a type in which a cartridge is loaded into a cartridge holder arranged, for example, on the apparatus main body side. A sub-tank is arranged on the carriage on which the recording head is mounted, supplies ink from each of the ink cartridges to each sub-tank via an ink supply tube, and further supplies ink from each sub-tank to the recording head. Is provided.

[0004]

By the way, recently, it is possible to perform printing on a larger sheet of paper.
There is a demand for a large-sized printing apparatus having a long scanning distance of the carriage. In such a printing apparatus, in order to improve the throughput, the number of nozzles in the printing head is increased more and more. Furthermore, in order to improve the throughput, it is possible to sequentially supply ink from the ink cartridge to each sub-tank mounted on the carriage while performing printing, and to stabilize the ink from each sub-tank to the recording head. There is a demand for a recording device that supplies the data.

In such a recording apparatus, it is necessary to connect an ink supply tube corresponding to each ink from the ink cartridge to the sub tank.
Since the scanning distance of the carriage is large, the drawing distance of the tube necessarily increases. Moreover, as described above, since the number of nozzles in the recording head is increased,
There is a technical problem that a large amount of ink is consumed, a dynamic pressure (pressure loss) of ink is increased in each ink supply tube connected from the ink cartridge to the sub-tank, and the amount of ink supplied to the sub-tank is insufficient.

As one means for solving such a problem, for example, air pressure is applied to the ink cartridge side, a forced ink flow is generated from the ink cartridge to the sub-tank by air pressure, and A configuration in which necessary and sufficient ink is supplied can be employed.

An ink cartridge used in the recording apparatus having the above-described structure is formed by a flexible material in which an outer case is formed so as to be airtight, and ink is sealed therein. A configuration in which a pack is stored can be suitably employed. The ink pack in the ink cartridge having such a configuration acts so that the ink is pushed out by the pressurized air applied to the inside of the case and is sent to the recording head mounted on the carriage.

On the other hand, in recent years, the application range of this type of recording apparatus has been expanded, and diversification has been progressing, such as a demand for higher definition printing image quality. Along with this, the types of inks used in recording apparatuses have been diversified, and operations such as replacing cartridges and executing printing in accordance with print contents have been achieved. Therefore, in order to manage the type and remaining amount of ink in each ink cartridge,
There has also been proposed an ink cartridge equipped with a semiconductor storage device capable of reading and writing data.

Therefore, as described above, when an ink cartridge is used which has a function of sending out ink by introducing pressurized air, and an ink cartridge which is provided with a semiconductor storage means and exchanges data with a recording apparatus main body. When this is loaded into the cartridge holder of the recording apparatus, the ink can be derived at the same time as the introduction of the pressurized air, and the connection of the circuit board and the like is performed at the same time in order to exchange data with the semiconductor storage means. Configuration is required.

In this case, in order to make some mechanical and electrical connections, the positioning accuracy when the cartridge is loaded in the holder is an important issue.
Further, since the ink has a function of forcibly pushing out the ink by pressurized air, even if ink leakage or the like occurs due to some kind of trouble, the problem of contaminating the connection terminal portion of the circuit board is effectively prevented. It is necessary to take measures to avoid this.

The present invention has been made on the basis of such technical problems, and provides a positioning mechanism for ensuring a mechanical and electrical connection. An object of the present invention is to provide an ink cartridge which can effectively prevent contamination of a connection terminal portion of a circuit board even if leakage occurs, and an ink jet recording apparatus using the same.

[0012]

According to the present invention, there is provided an ink cartridge for a recording apparatus according to the present invention, which is made of a flexible material and has an ink sealed therein. An ink cartridge for a recording apparatus, comprising: a cartridge case containing an ink pack and formed in an airtight state, wherein pressurized air is introduced into the case when the cartridge is loaded into the recording apparatus. A configuration in which a connection terminal of a circuit board having positioning means for loading into a recording apparatus, an ink outlet from an ink pack, an inlet for pressurized air, and a data storage means is arranged on one surface of the cartridge case. Is done.

In this case, the positioning means is preferably constituted by an opening hole formed so as to surround a positioning pin arranged in the recording apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, opening holes constituting the positioning means are arranged at two positions along the longitudinal direction on the one surface of the case, and an ink guide from the ink pack is provided at a substantially intermediate portion of each opening hole. The outlet is arranged. Further, preferably, a connection terminal of the circuit board and an inlet for pressurized air are respectively arranged on both outer sides of each of the opening holes arranged at two places.

According to the ink cartridge constructed as described above, the positioning means for loading the ink cartridge into the recording apparatus is arranged on one surface of the cartridge case, and the ink outlet from the ink pack, the pressurized air And the connection terminals of the circuit board having the data storage means are arranged in a concentrated manner, so that the one surface of the cartridge case is positioned by the positioning means, so that each of the mechanical and electrical connection mechanisms is provided. Is accurately adjusted, and the positioning accuracy can be improved.

The positioning means provided on the cartridge case is constituted by an opening formed so as to surround a positioning pin arranged in the recording apparatus, and the opening is formed on the one surface of the case. Since the cartridge is arranged at two places along the longitudinal direction, three-dimensional positioning of the cartridge can be achieved by the action of the two positioning pins arranged on the recording apparatus.

On the other hand, in the ink jet recording apparatus in which the above-mentioned ink cartridge is loaded, when the ink cartridge is loaded using the positioning means disposed on one surface of the cartridge case, a circuit is provided to the ink outlet. The connection terminal of the substrate is configured to be located at the upper part in the direction of gravity.

Since the cartridge is loaded into the recording apparatus in such a positional relationship, even if ink leakage occurs from the ink outlet of the cartridge due to some kind of obstacle, the connection terminal portion of the circuit board is formed by the leakage ink. Avoid contamination. Therefore, a normal operation of the recording apparatus can be ensured, and it is possible to contribute to providing a highly reliable recording apparatus.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a recording apparatus using an ink cartridge according to the present invention will be described based on an embodiment shown in the drawings. First, FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a basic configuration of a recording apparatus. 1 in FIG.
Indicates a carriage, and the carriage 1 is driven via a timing belt 3 driven by a carriage motor 2.
It is configured to be guided by the scanning guide member 4 and reciprocated in the longitudinal direction of the paper feeding member 5, that is, in the main scanning direction which is the width direction of the recording paper. Although not shown in FIG. 1, an ink jet recording head 6 described later is mounted on a surface of the carriage 1 facing the paper feed member 5.

The carriage 1 is provided with sub-tanks 7a to 7d for supplying ink to the recording head. In this embodiment, four sub-tanks 7a to 7d are provided corresponding to the respective inks in order to temporarily store the respective inks therein. And, in each of these sub-tanks 7a to 7d,
Main tanks 9a to 9d as ink cartridges loaded in a cartridge holder 8 arranged in the apparatus main body
, Black ink, yellow ink, magenta ink, and cyan ink are supplied via flexible ink supply tubes 10, 10,... Respectively.
The main tanks 9a to 9d as the ink cartridges described above have a flat outer configuration as described later in detail, and the flat surfaces of the cartridge holder 8 are perpendicular to each other. It is mounted in a so-called vertical position so as to face.

On the other hand, in a non-printing area (home position) on the moving path of the carriage 1, a capping means 11 capable of sealing the nozzle forming surface of the recording head is arranged.
A cap member 11a made of a flexible material such as rubber capable of sealing the nozzle forming surface of the recording head is disposed on the upper surface of the recording head 1. When the carriage 1 moves to the home position, the cap member 11a
Thereby, the nozzle forming surface of the recording head can be sealed.

This cap member 11a seals the nozzle forming surface of the recording head during the period when the recording apparatus is at rest,
It functions as a lid that prevents drying of the nozzle openings. Although not shown in the drawing, one end of a tube of a suction pump (tube pump) is connected to the cap member 11a, and a negative pressure generated by the suction pump is applied to the recording head so that ink is discharged from the recording head. The cleaning operation for sucking and discharging is performed.
A wiping member 12 made of an elastic material such as rubber is arranged adjacent to the printing area side of the capping means 11 so that the nozzle forming surface of the recording head can be wiped and cleaned as necessary. It is configured.

Next, FIG. 2 schematically shows the configuration of an ink supply system mounted on the recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1. In this ink supply system, corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. FIG. 1 and 2, reference numeral 21 denotes an air pressurizing pump. The air pressurized by the air pressurizing pump 21 is supplied to a pressure regulating valve 22, and furthermore, a pressure detector 2
The main tanks 9a to 9d (represented by reference numeral 9 in FIG. 2 and may be simply represented by reference numeral 9 in the following) may be supplied to the main tanks 9a to 9d, respectively. It is configured. The pressure regulating valve 22 has a function of releasing the pressure and maintaining the air pressure applied to each of the main tanks 9a to 9d in a predetermined range when the air pressure pressurized by the air pressurizing pump 21 reaches a predetermined value or more. have.

Further, the pressure detector 23 functions to detect the air pressure pressurized by the air pressurizing pump 21 and control the driving of the air pressurizing pump 21. That is, when it is detected that the air pressure pressurized by the air pressurizing pump 21 has reached a predetermined pressure, the driving of the air pressurizing pump 21 is stopped, and the air pressure is determined by the pressure detector 23. When it is detected that the pressure has become equal to or lower than the pressure, control is performed so that the air pressurizing pump 21 is driven. Therefore, the air pressure applied to each of the main tanks 9a to 9d by this repetition is maintained in a predetermined range.

The detailed configuration of the ink cartridge as the main tank 9 will be described later. As shown in FIG. 2, the schematic configuration is such that its outer case is formed in an airtight state, and An ink pack 24 formed of a flexible material in which ink is sealed is housed. The space formed by the main tank 9 and the ink pack 24 constitutes a pressure chamber 25, and the pressure chamber 25 is supplied with pressurized air via the pressure detector 23. Have been.

With this structure, each of the main tanks 9a to 9
Each of the ink packs 24 accommodated in the sub tanks d is pressurized by the pressurized air to generate an ink flow from the main tanks 9a to 9d to the sub tanks 7a to 7d at a predetermined pressure. .

The ink pressurized in each of the main tanks 9a to 9d is supplied to each of the ink supply valves 26, 26,.
The sub-tanks 7a to 7d mounted on the carriage 1 (represented by reference numeral 7 in FIG. 2 and denoted by reference numeral 7 in FIG.
In some cases. ).

As shown in FIG. 2, a float member 31 is disposed inside the sub-tank 7, and a permanent magnet 32 is attached to a part of the float member 31.
And magneto-electric conversion elements 33a, 33 represented by Hall elements
3 b is mounted on the substrate 34 and is attached to the side wall of the sub tank 7. With this configuration, the ink is generated by the Hall elements 33a and 33b to generate an electric output in accordance with the permanent magnet 32 disposed on the float member 31 and the magnetic force dose by the permanent magnet 32 according to the floating position of the float member. It constitutes an amount detecting means.

Therefore, for example, when the amount of ink in the sub-tank 7 decreases, the position of the float member 31 housed in the sub-tank moves in the direction of gravity, and accordingly the position of the permanent magnet 32 also changes in the direction of gravity. Go to Therefore, the Hall elements 33a, 33b due to the movement of the permanent magnet
Can be sensed as the amount of ink in the sub tank 7, and the ink supply valve 26 is opened by the electric output obtained by the Hall elements 33a and 33b.

As a result, the ink pressurized in the main tank 9 is individually sent into each of the sub-tanks 7 in which the amount of ink has been reduced. Then, when the ink amount in the sub tank 7 reaches a predetermined capacity,
The ink supply valve 26 is closed based on the electrical outputs of the Hall elements 33a and 33b. By such repetition, the ink acts to intermittently replenish the ink from the main tank to the sub-tank, and a substantially constant range of ink is always stored in each sub-tank.

Then, a valve 35 is provided from each sub tank 7.
And ink is supplied to the recording head 6 via a tube 36 connected to the recording head 6. Based on print data supplied to an actuator (not shown) of the recording head 6, the recording head 6 The ink droplets are ejected from the nozzle openings 6a formed on the nozzle forming surface of the nozzle. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 11 denotes the above-described capping means, and a tube connected to the capping means 11 is connected to a suction pump (tube pump) not shown.

FIGS. 3 to 5 show examples of the main tank 9 as an ink cartridge used in the ink jet recording apparatus having the above-described structure. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the entire configuration of the main tank, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main tank viewed from the line AA shown in FIG. Also,
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the ink pack 24 housed in the outer case shown in FIG. First, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the outer case includes an upper case 41 and a lower case 42. The lower case 42 is formed in a flat box shape, and the ink pack 24 in which the upper surface is open and the ink is sealed therein is formed.
(See FIG. 5).

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, in order to hold down the four sides of the ink pack 24 housed in the lower case 42, a quadrangular inner lid having a window opening at the center is provided. 43, and the lower case 42
The film member 44 is heat-welded at the flange 42a formed at the opening edge of the lower case 4 as shown by the thick line.
2 is closed so as to be airtight. An upper case 41 having a flat box shape is mounted from the upper part.

The upper case 41 has intermittently formed wedge-shaped claws 41a along its inner surface. When the upper case 41 is pushed into the lower case 42, the claws 41a are lowered. Engage with the flange 42a formed at the opening edge of the case 42, and both are integrally connected. With this configuration, when pressurized air is introduced into the lower case 42 closed by the film member 44, the film member 44 is positioned so as to be in contact with the inner surface of the upper case 41. Film member 44 receiving air
Can be prevented from bulging outward.

FIG. 5 shows the structure of the ink pack 24 housed in the outer case formed as described above. The ink pack 24 is made of two flexible materials formed in a rectangular shape, for example, a polyethylene film, and is laminated on its surface with, for example, aluminum to improve gas barrier properties. A plug 50 constituting an ink outlet is attached to a substantially central portion of the side end in the longitudinal direction.

A side end to which the plug 50 is attached;
The three sides at both ends in the longitudinal direction orthogonal to this are first joined by heat welding to form a bag. Note that reference numeral 2
4b shows the heat-welded portions applied to the three sides. And
The ink is introduced into the ink pack 24 using the opening on the remaining one side of the ink pack 24 formed in the bag shape as described above, and finally, the remaining one side is joined by heat welding. Is filled with ink. Reference numeral 24c indicates a heat-welded portion applied to the remaining one side.

As shown in FIG. 3, the main tank 9 as an ink cartridge configured as described above
On one surface of the cartridge case, a pair of opening holes 51 is formed as positioning means used when the cartridge case is loaded into a recording apparatus. The pair of opening holes 51 are spaced apart from each other at two places along the longitudinal direction on the one surface of the case. When the lower case 42 is injection-molded, for example, it is formed integrally at the same time. I have. Further, the stopper 50 constituting an ink outlet from the ink pack is attached to a substantially intermediate portion of the positioning opening holes 51 arranged at the two places in a state where an O-ring (not shown) for airtightness is bitten. Have been.

At both outer sides of each of the openings 51 arranged at the two locations, an inlet 52 for pressurized air and a circuit board 53 described later in detail are arranged. In addition, when the lower case 42 is formed, the pressurized air inlet 52 is simultaneously formed integrally in a hollow shape, through which the pressurized air can be introduced into the lower case 42 closed by the film member 44. It is configured as follows.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an end portion of the main tank 9 as an ink cartridge formed as described above on the one surface side, and shows a connection disposed in the cartridge holder 8 on the recording apparatus side. The state where the main tank 9 is mounted on the mechanism 55 is shown. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the connection mechanism 55 arranged on the cartridge holder 8 side. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a pair of cylindrical positioning pins 56 are disposed on the cartridge holder 8 side, and the pair of positioning opening holes 51 formed on the main tank 9 side are provided. ,
The positioning pins 56 are configured to be mounted so as to surround them.

As described above, since the positioning opening holes 51 are arranged at two positions along the longitudinal direction on the one surface of the case on the cartridge side, two positioning holes 51 arranged on the recording device side are provided. The three-dimensional positioning of the main tank 9 as a cartridge can be achieved by attaching the positioning pin 56 to the base end of the main tank 9. When the main tank 9 is attached to the positioning pins 56, a hollow ink outlet pipe 57 arranged substantially at the center of the pair of positioning pins 56 constitutes an ink outlet from the ink pack. It is inserted into the stopper 50 so that the ink can be discharged from the cartridge.

When the main tank 9 is mounted, the pressurized air inlet 52 is connected to the pressurized air outlet 58 disposed on the holder 8 side, and pressurized air is introduced into the main tank 9 side. Be prepared to be able to. Further, a terminal mechanism 59 having a plurality of contact pieces is connected to the circuit board 53 arranged on the main tank 9 side, and the circuit board 5
3. Data is exchanged with the semiconductor storage means described later provided in 3. When the main tank 9 is mounted on the cartridge holder 8, as shown in FIG. 6, the circuit board 53 disposed on the main tank 9 side is mounted in a vertically placed state located at the top in the direction of gravity. .

FIG. 8 shows that when the main tank 9 is mounted, the hollow ink outlet pipe 57 arranged on the holder side is inserted into the stopper 50 constituting the ink outlet from the ink pack, and the ink is discharged from the cartridge. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which it can be derived. FIG. 8A shows a state before both are connected,
FIG. 8B shows a state in which both are connected.
An annular rubber packing 50a is fitted into an outlet portion of the plug 50 on the ink pack side. On the other hand, a movable body 50b adapted to be movable in the axial direction is accommodated in the stopper 50. The movable body 50b is configured to close an annular central portion of the rubber packing 50a by the urging force of the coil-shaped spring member 50c. An opening 57a is formed in a side surface near the tip of the hollow ink outlet tube 57 disposed on the holder 8 side.

Therefore, in the state of FIG. 8A in which the main tank 9 as a cartridge is not mounted on the recording apparatus side, the movable body 50b is formed into an annular shape in the rubber packing 50a by the urging force of the coil-shaped spring member 50c. The plug 50 is closed so as to close the central portion, so that leakage of ink from the ink pack can be prevented. When the main tank 9 is mounted on the recording apparatus, as shown in FIG. 8B, the distal end of the ink outlet pipe 57 is moved against the movable body 50b against the urging force of the spring member 50c.
, An ink flow path indicated by an arrow is formed, and ink is led out.
In this case, the annular inner diameter portion of the rubber packing 50a is in close contact with the outer shape portion of the ink outlet tube 57, so that leakage of ink from the portion can be prevented.

Next, FIG. 9 shows a mounted state of the circuit board 53 arranged on the cartridge side.
0 indicates the external configuration of the circuit board 53. FIG.
0A shows a perspective view of the circuit board 53 viewed from the front side, and FIG. 0B shows a perspective view of the circuit board 53 viewed from the back side. As shown in FIG. 9, the circuit board 53 is attached to the inner bottom of the lower case 42 of the cartridge in which two orthogonal surfaces are open. One of the opened surfaces is adapted to connect the circuit board 53 to a terminal mechanism 59 arranged on the cartridge holder 8 side. It is used when mounting on a case.

That is, as shown in FIG. 10, a through hole 53a and a notch hole 53b for mounting the circuit board 53 in the lower case 42 are formed in the circuit board. The lower case 42 is formed in advance with heat welding projections 42c and 42d that are inserted into the through holes 53a and the notch holes 53b as indicated by phantom lines in FIG. When the substantially rectangular circuit board 53 is mounted on the lower case 42, the circuit board 53 is fitted into a concave portion 42b formed for positioning the circuit board as shown in FIG. Then, a heater chip (not shown) is brought into contact with the tops of the projections 42c and 42d for thermal welding indicated by imaginary lines in FIG. 10 (A) and thermally fused, so that the circuit board 53 is shown in FIG. It can be attached to the lower case 42 as described above.

In order to mount the circuit board 53 on the lower case 42 in this manner, the above-described heater chip is used as a mounting jig, and the heater chip is opened from one surface opened on the upper surface side of the circuit board 53. Is made to be inserted. In addition, as shown in FIG.
On the front side of the circuit board 53, an electrode contact 53c as a connection terminal that is electrically contacted with the terminal mechanism 59 on the holder 8 side when mounted on the cartridge holder is formed. A check electrode contact 53d formed in a circular shape is also formed on the same surface.

Then, these electrode contacts 53c, 53d
Is connected to a semiconductor storage means 54 arranged on the back surface of the circuit board 53 and capable of reading and writing data. In a state where the main tank 9 is mounted on a cartridge holder of the recording apparatus, for example, Data such as the type of ink, the remaining amount of ink, the serial number, the expiration date, and the like are exchanged.

[0047]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the ink cartridge for a recording apparatus of the present invention, the positioning means for loading the recording apparatus is arranged on one side of the cartridge case. Since the ink outlet from the ink pack, the inlet for pressurized air, and the connection terminals of the circuit board having the data storage means are arranged in a concentrated manner, the one surface of the cartridge case is positioned by the positioning means. Thus, the alignment of the mechanical and electrical connection mechanisms is also accurately performed. As a result, the positioning accuracy can be improved, and the reliability of the operation of this type of recording apparatus can be improved.

According to the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, when the ink cartridge is loaded using the positioning means disposed on one surface of the cartridge case, the connection terminal of the circuit board is connected to the ink outlet. Is located at the upper part in the direction of gravity, so that even if ink is leaked from the ink outlet due to some obstacle, the connection terminal portion of the circuit board can be prevented from being contaminated by the leaked ink. Therefore, normal operation of the recording apparatus can be ensured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a top view showing an example of an ink jet recording apparatus which can use an ink cartridge according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an ink supply system from an ink cartridge to a print head in the printing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of an ink cartridge according to the present invention.

4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge when viewed in the direction of the arrow from line AA shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of an ink pack housed in the cartridge illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a connection mechanism disposed on an end portion on one surface side of the ink cartridge and a cartridge holder.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a connection mechanism arranged on the cartridge holder.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a configuration of an ink outlet plug on the cartridge side and an ink outlet tube on the cartridge holder side.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view showing a mounted state of a circuit board mounted on a cartridge side.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a further enlarged appearance of the circuit board shown in FIG. 9;

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 carriage 6 recording head 7 (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) sub tank 8 cartridge holder 9 (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) main tank (ink cartridge) 10 ink supply tube 21 air pressurizing pump 22 pressure regulating valve 23 pressure Detector 24 Ink pack 25 Pressure chamber 26 Ink supply valve 41 Upper case 42 Lower case 42c, 42d Heat welding protrusion 50 Plug body (ink outlet) 51 Opening hole (positioning means) 52 Pressurized air inlet 53 Circuit board 53a Through hole 53b Notch hole 53c Electrode contact (connection terminal) 55 Connection mechanism 54 Semiconductor storage means 56 Positioning pin 57 Ink outlet tube 58 Pressurized air outlet 59 Terminal mechanism

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An ink pack formed of a flexible material and filled with ink therein, and a cartridge case accommodating the ink pack and formed in an airtight state. 2. An ink cartridge for a recording apparatus, wherein pressurized air is introduced into the case according to 1., wherein positioning means for loading the recording apparatus on one surface of the cartridge case, an ink outlet from an ink pack , Pressurized air inlet,
And an ink cartridge for a recording apparatus, in which connection terminals of a circuit board provided with data storage means are arranged. 2. The ink cartridge for a recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said positioning means is constituted by an opening hole formed so as to surround a positioning pin arranged in the recording apparatus. 3. An opening hole constituting the positioning means,
3. The ink cartridge for a recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the ink cartridge is arranged at two positions along the longitudinal direction on the one surface of the case. 4. An ink cartridge for a recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an ink outlet from an ink pack is disposed substantially at an intermediate portion of each of the two opening holes. 5. The recording device according to claim 3, wherein connection terminals of a circuit board and an inlet for pressurized air are respectively arranged on both outer sides of each of the opening holes arranged at the two locations. Ink cartridge for device. 6. An ink-jet recording apparatus to which the ink cartridge according to claim 1 is mounted, wherein the ink cartridge is positioned by using a positioning means disposed on one surface of the cartridge case. An ink jet recording apparatus configured such that a connection terminal of a circuit board is positioned above the ink outlet in a gravity direction in a loaded state.