PL1800872T3

Printing material container and board mounted on printing material container

Abstract

This record has no abstract on file.

PL1800872T3, drawing sheet 1 — Sheet 1 of 49

Term

0.2 yearsto projected expiry

Projected expiry 22 December 2026, counted from filing; an application has no term until it is granted.

66 claims: 49 independent, 17 dependent

1
Zastrzeżenia patentowe 1. Pojemnik substancji drukującej (100), odłączalny i przyłączalny do urządzenia drukuj ącego (1000) posiadającego grupę bocznych złączy, obejmujący:urządzenie pierwsze (203) i zespół złączy, który zawiera grupę złączy pierwszych (220,230, 260, 270, 280), przy czym grupa złączy pierwszych jest podłączana do urządzenia pierwszego i posiada odpowiednio element stykowy („cp) pierwszy służący kontaktowi z odpowiadającym mu złączem wśród bocznych złączy urządzenia drukującego, znamienny tym, że obejmuje dalej urządzenie drugie (104);oraz obejmuje dalej grupę złączy drugich (250, 290) oraz co najmniej jedno złącze trzecie (210, 240) w zespole złączy, przy czym: grupa złączy drugich jest podłączana do urządzenia drugiego i posiada odpowiednio element stykowy drugi służący kontaktowi z odpowiadającym mu złączem wśród bocznych złączy urządzenia drukującego, grupa złączy drugich jest przystosowana do otrzymywania wyższych napięć zewnętrznych niż grupa złączy pierwszych, wspomniane co najmniej jedno złącze trzecie służy wykrywaniu zwarcia pomiędzy wspomnianym złączem drugim a co najmniej jednym złączem trzecim i posiada element stykowy trzeci służący kontaktowi z odpowiadającym mu złączem wśród bocznych złączy urządzenia drukującego, ΕΡ 1 800 872 elementy stykowe drugie są tak rozmieszczone, że wraz z częścią grupy elementów stykowych pierwszych stanowią rząd pierwszy, elementy stykowe drugie są rozmieszczone odpowiednio na każdym końcu rzędu pierwszego, wspomniany co najmniej jeden element stykowy trzeci oraz pozostała część grupy elementów stykowycń pierwszycń są tak rozmieszczone, że stanowią rząd drugi, a wspomniany co najmniej jeden trzeci element stykowy jest umieszczony na jednym z dwócń końców rzędu drugiego.
2
Pojemnik substancji drukującej według zastrz. 1, znamienny tym, że wspomniany co najmniej jeden element stykowy trzeci przylega do co najmniej jednego elementu stykowego drugiego.
3
Pojemnik substancji drukującej, według dowolnego z powyższych zastrz., posiadający grupę złączy trzecich, znamienny tym, że elementy stykowe trzecie z grupy złączy trzecich są rozmieszczone odpowiednio na każdym końcu rzędu drugiego.
4
Pojemnik substancji drukującej według dowolnego z powyższych zastrz., znamienny tym, że pojemnik substancji drukującej jest przyłączalny do urządzenia drukującego poprzez wstawienie go w zalecanym kierunku wstawiania, znamienny tym, że rząd pierwszy oraz rząd drugi są rozmieszczone generalnie w sposób ortogonalny w stosunku do kierunku wstawiania, ΕΡ 1 800 872 oraz znamienny tym, że rząd pierwszy jest umieszczony w kierunku wstawiania dalej niż rząd drugi.
5
Pojemnik substancji drukującej według dowolnego z powyższych zastrz., znamienny tym, że pojemnik substancji drukującej jest przyłączalny do urządzenia drukującego poprzez wstawienie go w zalecanym kierunku wstawiania, znamienny tym, że rząd pierwszy oraz rząd drugi są rozmieszczone generalnie w sposób ortogonalny w stosunku do kierunku wstawiania, oraz znamienny tym, że elementy stykowe rozmieszczone tak, by tworzyć rząd pierwszy, oraz elementy stykowe rozmieszczone tak, by tworzyć rząd drugi, są rozmieszczone w porządku przestawnym.
6
Pojemnik substancji drukującej według dowolnego z powyższych zastrz., znamienny tym, że pojemnik substancji drukującej jest przyłączalny do urządzenia drukującego poprzez wstawienie go w zalecanym kierunku wstawiania, oraz znamienny tym, że co najmniej jeden element stykowy trzeci zawiera element umieszczony dalej od środka grupy złączy w kierunku zasadniczo ortogonalnym w stosunku do kierunku wstawiania aniżeli sąsiadujący z nim drugi element stykowy.
7
Pojemnik substancji drukującej według dowolnego z powyższych zastrz., znamienny tym, że złącza zawierają elementy uformowane na zewnątrz odpowiednich rzędów, w których uformowane są odpowiednie elementy stykowe. ΕΡ 1 800 872
8
Pojemnik substancji drukującej według dowolnego z powyższych zastrzeżeń, znamienny tym, że co najmniej jeden trzeci element stykowy znajduje się bliżej co najmniej jednego elementu stykowego drugiego niż którykolwiek ze złączy pierwszych.
9
Pojemnik substancji drukującej według dowolnego z powyższych zastrz., znamienny tym, że co najmniej jeden element stykowy trzeci jest umieszczony bliżej w kierunku poprzecznym bliżej krawędzi pojemnika substancji drukującej niż co najmniej jeden element każdego ze złączy pierwszych.
10
Pojemnik substancji drukującej według dowolnego z powyższych zastrz., znamienny tym, że istnieją co najmniej dwa wspomniane złącza drugie oraz że co najmniej jeden element każdego ze złączy pierwszych jest umieszczony poprzecznie pomiędzy dwoma wspomnianymi złączami drugimi.
11
Pojemnik substancji drukującej według dowolnego z powyższych zastrz., znamienny tym, że pierwsze urządzenie stanowi pamięć służąca przechowywaniu informacji dotyczących substancji drukującej zawartej w pojemniku substancji drukującej.
12
Pojemnik substancji drukującej według dowolnego z powyższych zastrz., znamienny tym, że drugie urządzenie stanowi czujnik służący określaniu ilości substancji drukującej zawartej w pojemniku substancji drukującej.
13
Pojemnik substancji drukującej według dowolnego z powyższych zastrz., znamienny tym, że drugie urządzenie jest zasilane wyższym napięciem niż pierwsze urządzenie. ΕΡ 1 800 872
14
15
16
17
18
Pojemnik substancji drukującej według dowolnego z powyższych zastrz., znamienny tym, że pojemnik zawierający substancję drukującą przeznaczoną do dostarczania do urządzenia drukującego. Pojemnik substancji drukującej według dowolnego z powyższych zastrz., znamienny tym, że wspomniane złącze trzecie przypada na każde wspomniane złącze drugie w ilości „jeden na jeden. Pojemnik substancji drukującej według dowolnego z powyższych zastrz., znamienny tym, że złącza grupy złączy są rozmieszczone tak, by tworzyć jeden lub wiele rzędów złączy, oraz znamienny tym, że wspomniane złącze drugie jest odpowiednio umieszczone na każdym końcu jednego rzędu złączy spośród jednego lub wielu rzędów złączy. Pojemnik substancji drukującej według dowolnego z powyższych zastrz., znamienny tym, że złącza grupy złączy są rozmieszczone tak, by tworzyć pierwszy rząd złączy oraz drugi rząd złączy, znamienny tym, że wspomniane złącze drugie jest odpowiednio umieszczone na każdym końcu pierwszego rzędu złączy, oraz znamienny tym, że co najmniej jedno złącze trzecie jest umieszczone na co najmniej jednym z dwócń końców drugiego rzędu złączy. Pojemnik substancji drukującej według zastrz. 17, znamienny tym, że istnieje grupa złącz trzecich oraz że złącza trzecie są odpowiednio rozmieszczone na każdym końcu drugiego rzędu złączy. ΕΡ 1 800 872
19
Pojemnik substancji drukującej według zastrz. 17 albo zastrz. 18, znamienny tym, że pojemnik substancji drukującej jest przyłączalny do urządzenia drukującego poprzez wstawienie go zgodnie z zalecanym kierunkiem wstawiania, znamienny tym, że pierwszy rząd złączy oraz drugi rząd złączy są generalnie rozmieszczone ortogonalnie w stosunku do kierunku wstawiania, oraz znamienny tym, że pierwszy rząd złączy jest umieszczony dalej w kierunku wstawiania niż drugi rząd złączy.
20
Pojemnik substancji drukującej według dowolnego z zastrz. od 17 do 19, znamienny tym, że pojemnik substancji drukującej jest przyłączalny do urządzenia drukującego poprzez wstawienie go zgodnie z zalecanym kierunkiem wstawiania, znamienny tym, że pierwszy rząd złączy oraz drugi rząd złączy są generalnie rozmieszczone ortogonalnie w stosunku do kierunku wstawiania, oraz znamienny tym, że złącza rozmieszczone, aby tworzyć pierwszy rząd złączy oraz złącza rozmieszczone, aby tworzyć drugi rząd złączy, są rozmieszczone w porządku przestawnym.
21
Pojemnik substancji drukującej według dowolnego z zastrz. od 1 do 16, znamienny tym, że złącza w grupie złączy są rozmieszczone tak, by tworzyć pojedynczy rząd złączy, EP 1 800 872 znamienny tym, że co najmniej jedno złącze drugie jest umieszczone na końcu pojedynczego rzędu złączy, oraz znamienny tym, że co najmniej jedno złącze trzecie jest umieszczone tak, by znajdować się w położeniu sąsiadującym i do wewnątrz od strony co najmniej jednego złącza drugiego umieszczonego na końcu.
22
Pojemnik substancji drukującej według dowolnego z powyższych zastrz., znamienny tym, że co najmniej jedno złącze trzecie otacza co najmniej jedno złącze drugie.
23
Pojemnik substancji drukującej według dowolnego z powyższych zastrz., znamienny tym, że istnieją przynajmniej dwa wspomniane złącza drugie, a każde ze złączy pierwszych jest umieszczone poprzecznie pomiędzy dwoma wspomnianymi złączami pierwszymi.
24
Pojemnik substancji drukującej według dowolnego z powyższych zastrz., znamienny tym, że co najmniej jedno złącze trzecie służy również wykrywaniu tego, czy pojemnik substancji drukującej jest przyłączony do urządzenia drukującego.
25
Pojemnik substancji drukującej według zastrz. 24, znamienny tym, że grupa złączy pierwszych zawiera złącze uziemienia, oraz znamienny tym, że złącze trzecie służące wykrywaniu tego, czy pojemnik substancji drukującej jest przyłączony do urządzenia drukującego, jest zwarte do złącza uziemienia.
26
Pojemnik substancji drukującej według zastrz. 25, znamienny tym, że złącze uziemienia oraz złącze trzecie służące wykrywaniu tego, czy pojemnik substancji ΕΡ 1 800 872 drukującej jest przyłączony do urządzenia drukującego, są zintegrowane w jednym komponencie w pojedynczym rzędzie.
27
Pojemnik substancji drukującej według zastrz. 24 albo zastrz. 25, znamienny tym, że grupa złączy zawiera jedno lub grupę wielu złączy trzecich służących wykrywaniu tego, czy pojemnik substancji drukującej jest przyłączony do urządzenia drukującego, oraz znamienny tym, że typ pojemnika substancji drukującej może być określony przez urządzenie drukujące, na podstawie liczby i położenia jednego lub grupy złączy trzecich służących wykrywaniu tego, czy pojemnik substancji drukującej jest przyłączony do urządzenia drukuj ącego.
28
Pojemnik substancji drukującej według dowolnego z powyższych zastrz., obejmujący:obudowę zawierającą substancję drukującą;oraz płytkę zainstalowaną na obudowie;znamienny tym, że zespół złączy jest umieszczony na płytce.
29
Pojemnik substancji drukującej według dowolnego z zastrz. od 1 do 27, obejmujący:obudowę zawierającą substancję drukującą;oraz płytkę zainstalowaną na obudowie;znamienny tym, że złącza pierwsze oraz co najmniej jedno złącze trzecie w zespole złączy są umieszczone na płytce, oraz ΕΡ 1 800 872 znamienny tym, że złącza co najmniej jedno złącze drugie w zespole złączy jest umieszczone na obudowie.
30
Pojemnik substancji drukującej według zastrz. 28 albo zastrz. 29, znamienny tym, że pierwsze urządzenie jest zainstalowane na płytce.
31
Pojemnik substancji drukującej według dowolnego z powyższych zastrz., znamienny tym, że pomiędzy złączem drugim a innym złączem sąsiadującym ze złączem drugim znajduje się nisza.
32
Pojemnik substancji drukującej według dowolnego z powyższych zastrz., znamienny tym, że pomiędzy złączem drugim a innym złączem sąsiadującym ze złączem drugim znajduje się element porowaty.
33
Płytka (200), montowalna na pojemniku substancji drukującej (100), odłączalnym i przyłączalnym do urządzenia drukującego (1000), które posiada grupę wielu złączy bocznych urządzenia, znamienna tym, że pojemnik substancji drukującej (100) posiada drugie urządzenie (104), płytkę obejmującą:pierwsze urządzenie (203);oraz zespół złączy który zawiera grupę wielu złączy pierwszych (220, 230, 260, 270, 280), grupę wielu złączy drugich (250, 290) oraz co najmniej jedno złącze trzecie (210, 240) , przy czym: ΕΡ 1 800 872 grupa wielu złączy pierwszych jest połączona z pierwszym urządzeniem i zawiera odpowiednio element stykowy pierwszy, służący połączeniu z odpowiadającym mu złączem w grupie wielu złączy bocznych urządzenia, grupa wielu złączy drugich jest podłączalną do drugiego urządzenia i zawiera odpowiednio element stykowy drugi, służący połączeniu z odpowiadającym mu złączem w grupie wielu złączy bocznych urządzenia, grupa wielu złączy drugich jest tak skonfigurowana, że napięcie, które jest podawane do niej z zewnątrz, jest wyższe niż w przypadku grupy wielu złączy pierwszych, co najmniej jedno złącze trzecie służy wykrywaniu zwarć pomiędzy wspomnianym złączem drugim i co najmniej jednym złączem trzecim oraz zawiera element stykowy trzeci, służący połączeniu z odpowiadającym mu złączem w grupie wielu złączy bocznych urządzenia, elementy stykowe drugie są rozmieszczone z częścią grupy wielu elementów stykowych pierwszych tak, by tworzyć rząd pierwszy, elementy stykowe drugie są rozmieszczone odpowiednio na każdym końcu rzędu pierwszego, oraz
34
co najmniej jeden element stykowy trzeci oraz pozostała część grupy elementów stykowycń pierwszycń są rozmieszczone tak, aby tworzyć rząd drugi, a co najmniej jeden element stykowy trzeci jest umieszczony na jednym z dwóch końców rzędu drugiego. Płytka według zastrz. 33, znamienna tym, że co najmniej jeden element stykowy trzeci jest umieszczony w położeniu sąsiadującym z co najmniej jednym elementem stykowym drugim. ΕΡ 1 800 872
35
Płytka według dowolnego z zastrz. od 33 do 36, posiadająca grupę złączy trzecich, znamienna tym, że elementy stykowe trzecie z grupy złączy trzecich są rozmieszczone odpowiednio na każdym końcu rzędu drugiego.
36
Płytka według dowolnego z zastrz. od 33 do 35, znamienna tym, że pojemnik substancji drukującej jest przyłączalny do urządzenia drukującego poprzez wstawienie zgodnie z zalecanym kierunkiem wstawiania, znamienna tym, że rząd pierwszy oraz rząd drugi są generalnie położone ortogonalnie w stosunku do kierunku wstawiania, oraz znamienna tym, że rząd pierwszy jest umieszczony dalej w kierunku wstawiania niż rząd drugi.
37
Płytka według dowolnego z zastrz. od 33 do 36, znamienna tym, że pojemnik substancji drukującej jest przyłączalny do urządzenia drukującego poprzez wstawienie zgodnie z zalecanym kierunkiem wstawiania, znamienna tym, że rząd pierwszy oraz rząd drugi są generalnie położone ortogonalnie w stosunku do kierunku wstawiania, oraz znamienna tym, że elementy stykowe rozmieszczone, aby tworzyć rząd pierwszy oraz elementy stykowe rozmieszczone, aby tworzyć rząd drugi, są rozmieszczone w porządku przestawnym.
38
Płytka według dowolnego z zastrz. od 33 do 37, ΕΡ 1 800 872 znamienna tym, że pojemnik substancji drukującej jest przyłączalny do urządzenia drukującego poprzez wstawienie zgodnie z zalecanym kierunkiem wstawiania, oraz znamienna tym, że co najmniej jedno złącze trzecie obejmuje element umieszczony dalej od środka zespołu złączy w kierunku zasadniczo ortogonalnym w stosunku do kierunku wstawiania niż sąsiadujący element stykowy drugi.
39
Płytka według dowolnego z zastrz. od 33 do 38, znamienna tym, że złącza zawierają elementy utworzone na zewnątrz odpowiednich rzędów, w których utworzone są odpowiednie elementy stykowe.
40
Płytka według dowolnego z zastrz. od 33 do 39, znamienna tym, że co najmniej jedno złącze trzecie znajduje się bliżej co najmniej jednego złącza drugiego niż którekolwiek ze złączy pierwszych.
41
Płytka według dowolnego z zastrz. od 33 do 40, znamienna tym, że co najmniej jedno złącze drugie znajduje się bliżej, w kierunku poprzecznym, krawędzi płytki niż co najmniej element każdego ze złączy pierwszych.
42
Płytka według dowolnego z zastrz. od 33 do 41, znamienna tym, że istnieją co najmniej dwa wspomniane złącza drugie, a co najmniej jeden element każdego ze złączy pierwszych jest umieszczony poprzecznie pomiędzy dwoma wspomnianymi złączami drugimi.
43
Płytka według dowolnego z zastrz. od 33 do 42, znamienna tym, że pierwsze urządzenie służy przechowywaniu informacji dotyczących substancji drukującej zawartej w pojemniku substancji drukującej.
44
Płytka według dowolnego z zastrz. od 33 do 43, znamienna tym, że drugie urządzenie to czujnik służący określaniu ΕΡ 1 800 872 ilości substancji drukującej zawartej w pojemniku substancji drukującej.
45
Płytka według dowolnego z zastrz. od 33 do 44, znamienna tym, że drugie urządzenie jest sterowane napięciem wyższym niż pierwsze urządzenie.
46
Płytka według dowolnego z zastrz. od 33 do 45, pojemnik zawierający substancję drukującą w celu jej dostarczania do urządzenia drukującego.
47
Płytka według dowolnego z zastrz. od 33 do 46, znamienna tym, że wspomniane złącze trzecie przypada na każde wspomniane złącze drugie w ilości „jeden na jeden.
48
Płytka według dowolnego z zastrz. od 33 do 47, znamienna tym, że złącza grupy złączy są rozmieszczone tak, by tworzyć jeden lub wiele rzędów złączy, oraz znamienna tym, że wspomniane złącze drugie jest odpowiednio umieszczone na każdym końcu jednego rzędu złączy spośród jednego lub wielu rzędów złączy.
49
Płytka według dowolnego z zastrz. od 33 do 48, znamienna tym, że złącza grupy złączy są rozmieszczone tak, by tworzyć pierwszy rząd złączy oraz drugi rząd złączy, znamienna tym, że wspomniane złącze drugie jest odpowiednio umieszczone na każdym końcu pierwszego rzędu złączy, oraz znamienna tym, że co najmniej jedno złącze trzecie jest umieszczone na co najmniej jednym z dwócń końców drugiego rzędu złączy.
50
Płytka według zastrz. 49, ΕΡ 1 800 872 znamienna tym, że istnieje grupa złączy trzecich oraz że złącza trzecie są odpowiednio rozmieszczone na każdym końcu drugiego rzędu złączy.
51
Płytka według zastrz. 49 albo zastrz. 50, znamienna tym, że pojemnik substancji drukującej jest przyłączalny do urządzenia drukującego poprzez wstawienie go zgodnie z zalecanym kierunkiem wstawiania, znamienna tym, że pierwszy rząd złączy oraz drugi rząd złączy są generalnie rozmieszczone ortogonalnie w stosunku do kierunku wstawiania, oraz znamienna tym, że pierwszy rząd złączy jest umieszczony dalej w kierunku wstawiania niż drugi rząd złączy.
52
Płytka według dowolnego z zastrz. od 49 do 51, znamienna tym, że pojemnik substancji drukującej jest przyłączalny do urządzenia drukującego poprzez wstawienie go zgodnie z zalecanym kierunkiem wstawiania, znamienna tym, że pierwszy rząd złączy oraz drugi rząd złączy są generalnie rozmieszczone ortogonalnie w stosunku do kierunku wstawiania, oraz znamienna tym, że złącza rozmieszczone, aby tworzyć pierwszy rząd złączy oraz złącza rozmieszczone, aby tworzyć drugi rząd złączy, są rozmieszczone w porządku przestawnym.
53
Płytka według dowolnego z zastrz. od 33 do 48, znamienna tym, że złącza w grupie złączy są rozmieszczone tak, by tworzyć pojedynczy rząd złączy, EP 1 800 872 znamienna tym, że co najmniej jedno złącze drugie jest umieszczone na końcu pojedynczego rzędu złączy, oraz znamienna tym, że co najmniej jedno złącze trzecie jest umieszczone tak, by znajdować się, w położeniu sąsiadującym, do wewnątrz od strony co najmniej jednego złącza drugiego umieszczonego na końcu.
54
Płytka według dowolnego z zastrz. od 33 do 53, znamienna tym, że co najmniej jedno złącze trzecie otacza co najmniej jedno złącze drugie.
55
Płytka według dowolnego z zastrz. od 33 do 54, znamienna tym, że istnieją przynajmniej dwa wspomniane złącza drugie, a każde ze złączy pierwszycń jest umieszczone poprzecznie pomiędzy dwoma wspomnianymi złączami pierwszymi.
56
Płytka według dowolnego z zastrz. od 33 do 55, znamienna tym, że co najmniej jedno złącze trzecie służy również wykrywaniu tego, czy pojemnik substancji drukującej jest przyłączony do urządzenia drukującego.
57
Płytka według zastrz. 56, znamienna tym, że grupa złączy pierwszych zawiera złącze uziemienia, oraz znamienna tym, że złącze trzecie służące wykrywaniu tego, czy pojemnik substancji drukującej jest przyłączony do urządzenia drukującego, jest zwarte do złącza uziemienia.
58
Płytka według zastrz. 57, znamienna tym, że złącze uziemienia oraz złącze trzecie służące wykrywaniu tego, czy pojemnik substancji ΕΡ 1 800 872 drukującej jest przyłączony do urządzenia drukującego, są zintegrowane w pojedynczym komponencie w pojedynczym rzędzie.
59
Płytka według zastrz. 56 albo zastrz. 57, znamienna tym, że grupa złączy zawiera jedno lub grupę złączy trzecich służących wykrywaniu tego, czy pojemnik substancji drukującej jest przyłączony do urządzenia drukuj ącego, oraz znamienna tym, że typ pojemnika substancji drukującej może być określony przez urządzenie drukujące, na podstawie liczby i położenia jednego lub grupy złączy trzecich służących wykrywaniu tego, czy pojemnik substancji drukującej jest przyłączony do urządzenia drukuj ącego.
60
Płytka (200), montowalna na pojemniku substancji drukującej (100) odłączalnym i przyłączalnym do urządzenia drukującego (1000), które posiada wiele złączy bocznych urządzenia, znamienna tym, że pojemnik substancji drukującej posiada drugie urządzenie (104), płytkę obejmującą:pierwsze urządzenie (203);oraz zespół złączy, który zawiera przynajmniej grupę złączy pierwszych (220, 230, 260, 270, 280), grupę wyciętych części (NT1, NT2), w które mogą zostać włożone odpowiadające im złącza drugie (150, 190) zamontowane na pojemniku substancji drukującej, oraz przynajmniej jedno złącze trzecie (210, 240), przy czym: grupa złączy pierwszych jest podłączalna z pierwszym urządzeniem i zawiera odpowiednio element stykowy pierwszy, służący połączeniu z odpowiadającym mu złączem w grupie złączy bocznych urządzenia, ΕΡ 1 800 872 grupa złączy drugich jest podłączalna do drugiego urządzenia i zawiera odpowiednio element stykowy drugi, służący połączeniu z odpowiadającym mu złączem w grupie złączy bocznych urządzenia, grupa złączy drugich jest tak skonfigurowana, że napięcie, które jest podawane do nich z zewnątrz, jest wyższe niż w przypadku grupy złączy pierwszych, co najmniej jedno złącze trzecie służy wykrywaniu zwarć pomiędzy wspomnianym złączem drugim oraz co najmniej jednym złączem trzecim i zawiera element stykowy trzeci, służący połączeniu z odpowiadającym mu złączem w grupie złączy bocznych urządzenia, w razie zamontowania na pojemniku substancji drukującej, elementy stykowe drugie są rozmieszczone wraz z częścią grupy elementów stykowych pierwszych tak, by tworzyć rząd pierwszy, elementy stykowe drugie są rozmieszczone odpowiednio na każdym końcu rzędu pierwszego, oraz co najmniej jeden element stykowy trzeci oraz pozostała część grupy elementów stykowycń pierwszycń są rozmieszczone tak, aby tworzyć rząd drugi, a co najmniej jeden element stykowy trzeci jest umieszczony na jednym z dwóch końców rzędu drugiego.
61
Pojemnik substancji drukującej posiadający zamontowaną na nim płytkę, według dowolnego z zastrz. od 33 do 60.
62
Urządzenie drukujące posiadające przyłączony do niego pojemnik substancji drukującej, według dowolnego z zastrz. od 1 do 32 oraz 61. ΕΡ 1 800 872
63
Urządzenie drukujące według zastrz. 62, urządzenie drukujące posiadające zespół bocznych złączy urządzenia, zawierający grupę złączy pierwszych bocznych urządzenia, grupę złączy drugich bocznych urządzenia oraz grupę złączy trzecich bocznych urządzenia, znamienne tym, że złącza w zespole złączy bocznych urządzenia są rozmieszczone tak, by tworzyć rząd pierwszy i rząd drugi, znamienne tym, że grupa złączy drugich bocznych urządzenia jest rozmieszczona odpowiednio na każdym końcu rzędu pierwszego, a grupa złączy trzecicń bocznycń urządzenia jest rozmieszczona odpowiednio na każdym końcu rzędu drugiego, znamienne tym, że każde ze złączy drugicń bocznycń urządzenia jest w położeniu sąsiadującym z którymkolwiek ze złączy trzecicń bocznycń urządzenia, oraz znamienne tym, że złącza pierwsze, drugie i trzecie boczne urządzenia są połączone z odpowiadającymi im złączami spośród złączy pierwszych, drugich i trzecich pojemnika substancji drukującej.
64
Sposób przygotowywania pojemnika substancji drukującej obejmujący:zamontowanie płytki według dowolnego z zastrz. od 33 do 60 do pojemnika substancji drukującej.
65
Sposób przygotowywania pojemnika substancji drukującej obejmujący:napełnienie pojemnika substancji według dowolnego z zastrz. od 1 do 32 oraz 61 substancją drukującą, znamienny tym, że drugie urządzenie posiada zdolność wykrycia substancji drukującej w pojemniku substancji drukującej.
66
Sposób według zastrz. 64 albo zastrz. 65, znamienny tym, że substancją drukującą jest tusz. ΕΡ 1 800 872 EP 1 800 872 EP 1 800 872 ΕΡ 1 800 872 ΕΡ 1 800 872 CD σ ΕΡ 1 800 872 Rys.7 VDD45 500 EP 1 800 872 Rys.8 EP 1 800 872 Rys.9 ΕΡ 1 800 872 ΕΡ 1 800 872 Rys. 11 EP 1 800 872 Wysoki- ΕΡ 1 800 872 Fig,13 200 cp ΕΡ 1 800 872 200b Fig.14A cp Fig.14B 200c cp Fig,14C Fig.14D op 200e cp ΕΡ 1 800 872 ορ ΕΡ 1 800 872 Fig.16A Fig.16C Fig.16D ΕΡ 1 800 872 Fig.17B 200m Fig.17D 210 220 230 240 210 220 230 240 ΕΡ 1 800 872 Rys.18A Rys.18B PRZEKRÓJ POPRZECZNY A-A PRZEKRÓJ POPRZECZNY B-B DE NT1 DE DE HL 200m 1θΛ /777////// Rys.18C PRZEKRÓJ POPRZECZNY C-C Rys.18D PRZEKRÓJ POPRZECZNY D-D PO PO HL ΕΡ 1 800 872 Rys.19A Rys.19B Rys.19C PRZEKRÓJ POPRZECZNY E-E Rys.19D PRZEKRÓJ POPRZECZNY F-F ΕΡ 1 800 872 Fig. 20 o ui a 1030 1020 ΕΡ 1 800 872 Fig.21 EP 1 800 872 Fig .22 ΕΡ 1 800 872 Fig.24 χ WOb

Independent claims66

223 paragraphs in 6 sections, as filed

Description:

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a printing material container, including a printing material and a plate installed on a printing material container, and more particularly to the arrangement of a group of terminals provided on these components.

State of the art

[0002] In recent years, it has become common practice to provide ink cartridges used in inkjet printers or other printing devices with a device, e.g., a memory, for storing information relating to ink. Another device also placed on such ink cartridges is, for example, a high voltage system (e.g. remaining ink level sensor using a piezoelectric component) applied to a voltage higher than the memory supply voltage. In such cases, there are solutions in which the ink cartridge and the printing device are electrically connected via connectors. A construction has been proposed to protect the information carrier against short-circuit and damage caused by a drop of liquid that would be on the connectors connecting the printing device with the data carrier, which is equipped with the ink cartridge.

[0003] The technologies cited above, however, do not envisage the use of an ink cartridge having a plurality of devices, e.g., memory and high voltage circuitry, with connectors for one device and connectors for another device. With this type of cartridge, there was a risk of a short circuit between the connector for one device and the connector for another device. Such a short circuit caused the problem of possible damage

• 1,800,872 of the ink cartridge or of a printing device to which the ink cartridge is attached. This problem is not only limited to ink cartridges, but is a problem commonly associated with receiving devices containing other printing materials, such as toner.

EP1219437 discloses a printed circuit board for an ink cartridge in which the circular test terminal is at the top and the other terminals are arranged in a row of rows below. The grounding terminals are located at the end of the lower row, respectively.

US 2004/0155913 discloses an ink cartridge containing a sensor.

Disclosure of the Invention

An advantage with certain aspects of the present invention is that it provides a printing material container having a plurality of devices characterized in that it eliminates or limits damage to the printing material container and the printing apparatus due to a short circuit between the terminals.

[0005] The present invention includes printing material containers detachable and attachable to a printing apparatus, a board connectable to a printing material container, a board connectable to a printing apparatus, and methods as defined in the claims.

[0006] The second contacts of the second terminals connected to the second device are arranged at their ends, the number of remaining contacts adjacent to the second contacts is smaller, and consequently the probability of a short circuit of the second terminals with the terminals containing the remaining contacts is lower. Accordingly, it is possible to eliminate or reduce damage to the container

ΕΡ 1,800,872 printing material or printing device caused by such a short circuit.

[0007] The above and remaining objects, characteristics, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the description of the preferred embodiments of the invention set forth below together with the accompanying figures.

Brief description of the drawing

[0008]

<td rowspan="4">Figure</td><td rowspan="4"> 1</td><td>shows a perspective view</td>

<td>design of the printing device in</td>

<td>with regard to this implementation</td>

<td>invention;</td>

<td>Figure</td><td> 2</td><td>shows a perspective view of the structure of the ink cartridge according to the present embodiment;</td>

<td>Fig. 3?</td><td>iB</td><td>show a board construction diagram in relation to the present embodiment;</td>

<td>Figure</td><td> 4</td><td>shows an illustration showing attachment of the ink cartridge to the holder;</td>

<td>Figure</td><td> 5</td><td>is an illustration showing an ink cartridge attached to the holder;</td>

<td>Figure</td><td>6A-B</td><td>show the construction diagram contact mechanism;</td>

<td>Figure</td><td> 7</td><td>shows a concise schematic diagram of the electrical circuit of the ink cartridge and the printing device;</td>

<td>Figure</td><td> 8</td><td>presents a concise diagram of the solution</td>

electrical circuit, focusing on the cartridge presence / short detection circuit;

EP 1 800 872

<td>Figure</td><td> 9</td><td>shows a block diagram describing cartridge identification process algorithm;</td>

<td>Figure</td><td>10 AC</td><td>show illustrations describing three types of connector paths on the board;</td>

<td>Figure</td><td> 11</td><td>is a block diagram describing an algorithm of the process of detecting the remaining ink level;</td>

<td>Figure</td><td>12 AC</td><td>show timing charts describing the time change in the short circuit detection enabling signal and the sensor voltage during the execution of the remaining ink level detection process;</td>

<td>Figure</td><td> 13</td><td>shows an illustration of a short circuit course;</td>

<td>Figure</td><td>14 AD</td><td>show first diagrams depicting boards pertaining to variations;</td>

<td>Figure</td><td>15 AC</td><td>show second diagrams depicting boards pertaining to variations;</td>

<td>Figure</td><td>16 AD</td><td>show third diagrams depicting boards pertaining to variations;</td>

<td>Figure</td><td>17 AD</td><td>show diagrams depicting construction around the plates of ink cartridges pertaining to variations;</td>

<td>Figure</td><td>18 AD</td><td>show cross sections AA through DD in FIG. 17;</td>

<td>Figure</td><td>19 AD</td><td>show fourth diagrams depicting boards pertaining to variations;</td>

<td>Figure</td><td> 20</td><td>shows a perspective view of the structure of the ink cartridge in one embodiment;</td>

<td>Figure</td><td> 21</td><td>shows an image of the ink cartridge in one embodiment being connected to the printer;</td>

<td>Figure</td><td> 22</td><td>shows a first diagram of the construction of an ink cartridge in one embodiment;</td>

<td>Figure</td><td> 23</td><td>shows the diagram of the second structure an ink cartridge in one embodiment;</td>

EP 1 800 872

Figure 24 shows a third diagram of the construction of the ink cartridge in one embodiment.

Best Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawing.

A. Implementation

Location of the Printing Device and Ink Cartridge

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the structure of the printing apparatus in the present embodiment of the invention. The printing apparatus 1000 has a subscan orientation feeding mechanism, a main scan orientation feeding mechanism, and a printhead drive mechanism. Orientation of the feed mechanism according to the paper direction (orig. subscan) conveys the printing paper P in the sub-scan direction using a paper feed roll 10 driven by a paper feed motor (not shown). The subscan feed mechanism uses the power to the carriage motor 2 to move back and forth in the direction of the print head's main scan (original carriage scan) 3 attached to the drive belt. The head drive mechanism drives the print head 5 mounted on the carriage 3 so that it ejects ink and forms dots. The printing apparatus 1000 further includes a main control system 40 for controlling various of the above-mentioned mechanisms. The main control system 40 is connected to the carriage 3 via a wire 37.

ΕΡ 1 800 872

[0011] The carriage 3 comprises a holder 4, the above-mentioned printhead 5, and a carriage system described below. The holder 4 is designed to attach a plurality of ink cartridges (described later) and is located on the top surface of the printhead 5. In the example described in FIG. 1, the holder 4 is designed to attach four ink cartridges, e.g. connection of four types of ink cartridge individually, containing black, yellow, magenta and cyan ink respectively. The handle 4 has four openable and closable covers 11 for each attached ink cartridge. Also disposed on the upper surface of the print head 5 are the ink supply needles 6 from the ink cartridges to the print head 5.

[0012] A description of the construction of the ink cartridge in the present embodiment of the invention is made to FIG. 2-5. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the structure of the ink cartridge according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is an illustration showing attachment of the ink cartridge to the holder. FIG. 5 is an illustration showing an ink cartridge attached to the holder. The ink cartridge 100 attached to the holder 4 consists of a housing 101 containing ink, a cover 102 for closing the housing 101 when opened, a plate 200, and a sensor 104. On the lower surface of the housing 101 there is an ink supply port 110 for receiving the above-mentioned the ink-supply needle 6 as the ink cartridge 100 is inserted into the holder 4. At the upper edge of the surface FR of the housing 101 is a downwardly widening section 103. On the lower side of the center of the front surface FR of the housing 101 is a niche 105, fastened by the upper and lower ribs 107, 106. The aforementioned plate 200 fits into this niche 105. The sensor 104 is located in the area behind the plate 200. The sensor 104 is

ΕΡ 1 800 872 used to detect the remaining ink level as described below.

[0013] In FIG. 3A shows the arrangement of the elements on the surface of the board 200. This surface is the exposed side when the board 200 is installed on the ink cartridge 100. FIG 3B describes the board 200 as seen from the side. At the upper edge of the plate 200, a groove is formed for the tab 201, and at the lower edge of the plate 200, an opening for the tab 202 is formed. As shown in FIG. 1, with the board 200 installed in the recess 105 of the housing 101, the tabs 108 and 109 formed on the lower surface of the recess 105 fit into slot 201 and the opening 202, respectively. The distal ends of the tabs 108 and 109 collapse into compression. Thereby, the plate 200 is secured in the niche 105.

[0014] The following description of attaching the ink cartridge 100 refers to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. As described in FIG. 4, the cover 11 is designed to be able to rotate about the rotating shaft 9. In the case of the cover 11 pivoted from its top to the open position, when the ink cartridge 100 is being attached to the mounting fixture, it expands. downwardly section 103 of the ink cartridge is received by the projecting part of the cover 11. When the lid 11 is closed from this initial position, the protruding portion 14 pivots downward and the ink cartridge descends downward (toward the Z direction in FIG. 4). When the lid is fully closed, the latch 18 of the lid 11 locks with the latch 16 of the handle 4. With the lid 11 fully closed, the ink cartridge 100 is secured by pressing against the holder 4 by the flexible member 20. Moreover, with the cover 11 fully closed, the ink-supply needle 6 enters the ink supply port 110 of the ink cartridge 100, and the ink in the ink cartridge 100 is supplied to the printing apparatus.

ΕΡ 1,800,872 thanks to the ink supply needle 6. As can be seen from the previous description, the ink cartridge 100 is inserted into the holder by inserting it or advancing along the Z axis in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. The forward direction of the Z axis in FIG. 4 and FIG 5 will also be referred to as the direction of insertion of the ink cartridge 100.

[0015] Returning to FIG. 3, the board 200 will be described further. The arrow R in FIG. 3 (a) indicates the above-discussed direction of insertion of the ink cartridge 100. As described in FIG. 3, the board 200 includes a memory 203 arranged on its rear side and a terminal assembly consisting of nine terminals 210-290 arranged on its front side. Memory 203 stores information related to ink contained in the ink cartridge 100. The connectors 210-290 are generally rectangular in shape and are arranged in two rows generally orthogonal to the insertion direction R. From both rows, the row on the R side of the insertion direction, ie, the row on the lower side in FIG. 3 (a) will be referred to as the bottom row and the row on the opposite side to the R insertion direction, i.e. the row on the top side in FIG. 3 (a) will be referred to as the top row. The joints arranged to form the top row fold in the following order from the left side in FIG. 3 (a), of: the first short detection terminal 210, the ground terminal 220, the electrical supply terminal 230, and the second short detection terminal 240. The connectors arranged to form the bottom row consist, in the following order from the left in FIG. 3 (a), from: the first sensor control terminal 250, the reset terminal 260, the clock terminal 270, the data terminal 280, and the second sensor control terminal 290. As described in FIG. 3, each of the connectors 210-290 includes in its central portion a contact element for contacting the respective connector among the series of side terminals of the device described later.

ΕΡ 1 800 872

[0016] The connectors 210-240 that make up the top row and the connectors 250290 that make up the bottom row are disposed differently from each other to form a so-called staggering arrangement in which the connector centers are not aligned with each other in the insertion direction of R. As a result, the connector contact members 210-240 forming the top row and the contact elements of the connectors 250-290 forming the bottom row are also arranged differently from each other to form a so-called staggered arrangement.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3A, the first sensor control terminal 250 is adjacent to two other terminals (reset terminal 260 and the first short detection terminal 210), of which the first short detection terminal 210 for short detection is located closest to the first sensor control terminal 250. Likewise, the second sensor control terminal 290 is adjacent to two other terminals (the second short detection terminal 240 and the data terminal 280), of which the second short detection terminal 240 for short detection is located closest to the second sensor control terminal 290.

[0018] With respect to the relationship between the contact elements, the contact element of the first sensor control terminal 250 is adjacent to the contact elements of two other terminals (reset terminals 260 and the first short detection terminal 210). Similarly, a contact element of the second sensor control connector 290 is adjacent to the contact elements of two other connectors (second short detection connector 240 and data connector 280).

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3A, the first sensor control terminal 250 and the second sensor control terminal 290 are located at the ends of the bottom row, i.e., the outermost positions of the bottom row. The bottom row consists of more joints than the top row, and the length of the bottom row in the direction orthogonal to the direction of insertion R is greater than

ΕΡ 1,800,872 the length of the top row, so that of all connectors 210-290 included in the top and bottom rows, the first sensor control connector 250 and the second sensor control connector 290 are at their outermost positions when viewed orthogonal to the insertion R.

With respect to the relationship between the contact members, the contact member of the first sensor control connector 250 and the contact member of the second sensor control connector 290 are respectively located at the ends of the bottom row formed by the connector contact members, i.e. at the outermost positions in the bottom row. . Of the contact elements of all the connectors 210-290 included in the top and bottom rows, a first sensor control connector contact member 250 and a second sensor control connector contact member 290 are located at their outermost positions when viewed in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction R.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3A, the first short detection terminal 210 and the second short detection terminal 240 are located respectively at the ends of the top row, i.e., the outermost positions in the top row. As a result, the contact element of the first short detection terminal 210 and the contact element of the second short detection terminal 240 are similarly located at the ends of the top row formed by the terminal contact elements, i.e. in their outermost positions. The consequence of this is, as will be discussed later, the position of the terminals 220, 230, 260, 270 and 280 connected to the memory 203 between the first short detection terminal 210 and the first sensor control terminal 250, and the second short detection terminal 240 and the second sensor control terminal 290. on one of the two sides.

EP 1 800 872

[0022] In the present embodiment, the plate 200 has a width of approximately 12.8 mm in the insertion direction R, a width of approximately 10.1 mm in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction R, and a thickness of approximately 0.71 mm. Each of the connectors 210-290 has a width of approximately 1.8 mm in the R insertion direction and a width of approximately 1.05 mm in the direction orthogonal to the R insertion direction. The dimension values given herein are purely exemplary, allowing for variations of, for example, +/- 0.5 mm. The spacing between adjacent terminals in a given row (lower row or upper row), for example, the gap K between the first short detection terminal 210 and the ground terminal 220 is, for example, 1 mm. In the case of joint spacing, differences within the limits of, for example, + / - 0.5 mm are allowed. The gap J between the lower row and the upper row is approximately 0.2 mm. In the case of row spacing, differences within the limits of, for example, +/- 0.3 mm are allowed.

[0023] As described in FIG. 5, if the ink cartridge is fully attached to the holder 4, the terminals 210-290 of the board 200 are electrically connected to the carriage system 500 via a contact mechanism 400 disposed in the holder 4. The contact mechanism 400 will be described briefly with reference to FIG. 6A-B.

[0024] FIG. 6A-B show diagrams of the construction of the contact mechanism 400. The contact mechanism 400 has a plurality of grooves 401, 402 of two types that differ in depth and are given an alternating shape while maintaining a substantially constant depth corresponding to the connectors 210-290 on the board 200. For each groove 401, 402 matches the contact element 403, 404, which is electrically conductive and resistive. Of the two ends of each contact element 403 and 404, the internally exposed end of the mounting fixture remains in the

ΕΡ 1,800,872 of elastic contact with a corresponding connector of the connectors 210-290 on the board 200. FIG. 6A shows contact elements 410-490, which are contact elements for making contact between elements 403 and 404 that come into contact with connectors 210-290. Specifically, the contact members 410-490 that contact the connectors 210290 function as device side connectors to electrically connect printing device 1000 to connectors 210-290. The contact members 410-490 that contact the connectors 210-290 will hereinafter be referred to as the device side connectors 410-490. When the ink cartridge 100 is attached to the holder 4, the side terminals of the device 410-490 respectively make contact with the above-described terminal contact portions 210-290 (FIG. 3A).

[0025] On the other hand, of the two ends of each contact element 403 and 404, an end that is exposed to the outside of the fixture 4 is in elastic contact with a corresponding connector among the connectors 510-590 provided with the electrical system 500.

[0026] The following description will refer to an arrangement of the electrical system of the ink cartridge 100 and the printing apparatus, focusing on the ink cartridge related portion 100 with reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. FIG. 7 shows a brief schematic diagram of the electrical circuit of the ink cartridge and the printing device. FIG. 8 shows a concise schematic diagram of the electrical circuit, focusing on the cartridge presence / short detection circuit.

[0027] First, arrangements of the electrical system of the ink cartridge 100 will be described. Of the terminals of the board 200 described with reference to FIG. 3, ground connector 220, electrical power connector 230, reset connector 260,

ΕΡ 1 800 872 clock connector 270 and data connector 280 are electrically connected to memory 203. Memory 203 is, for example, an EPROM, containing serial access memory cells and performing data read / write operations in sync with the clock signal. The ground terminal 220 is grounded via a terminal 520 on the side of printing apparatus 1000. Reset connector 260 is electrically connected to connector 560 of carriage circuit 500, and is used to provide an RST reset signal to memory 203 of carriage circuit 500. Clock connector 270 is electrically connected to connector 570 of carriage circuit 500, and is used to provide a signal. C LK clock to memory 203 from carriage chip 500. Data connector 280 is electrically coupled to connector 580 of the carriage circuit 500, and is used to exchange SDA data signals between the carriage circuit 500 and the memory 203.

[0028] Of the terminals of the board 200 described with reference to FIG. 3, either the first short detection terminal 210, the second short detection terminal 240, or both are electrically connected to the ground terminal 220. As can be seen from the example depicted in FIG. 7, the first short detection terminal 210 is electrically connected to the ground terminal 220. The first short detection terminal 210 and the second short detection terminal 240 are electrically connected to the terminals 510, 540 of the carriage system 500, respectively, for carriage detection and short circuit detection described below.

[0029] In the present embodiment, a piezoelectric element is used as the sensor 104. The level of remaining ink can be detected by applying a driving voltage to the piezoelectric element to oscillate the piezoelectric element through the reverse piezoelectric effect, and measuring the oscillation frequency of the voltage produced by the piezoelectric residual vibration effect. In particular, that

ΕΡ 1,800,872 the vibration frequency indicates the cnaracteFIGtical frequency for the surrounding structures (e.g. housing 101 and ink) that vibrate together with the piezoelectric element. The cnaracteFIGtical frequency varies with the amount of ink remaining inside the ink cartridge, so the level of ink remaining can be detected by measuring this vibration frequency. Of the terminals of the board 200 depicted with reference to FIG. 3, the second sensor control terminal 210 is electrically coupled to one electrode of the piezoelectric element used as sensor 104, and the first sensor control terminal 250 is electrically coupled to the second electrode. These terminals 250,190 are used to exchange sensor driving voltage and sensor outputs 104 between carriage system 500 and sensor 104.

[0030] The carriage circuit 500 includes a memory control circuit 501, a cartridge presence / short detection circuit 502, and a sensor drive 503. The memory control circuit 501 is a circuit connected to terminals 530, 560, 570, 580 of the carriage circuit 500, and serves to control the memory. 203 of the ink cartridge 100 to perform data read / write operations. Memory control 501 and memory 203 are low voltage circuits powered by relatively low voltage (in the case of the present embodiment, a maximum of about 3.3 V). Memory control system 501 may use known designs and as such does not need to be described in detail herein.

[0031] Sensor driver 503 is a system coupled to terminals 590 and 550 of carriage system 500, and serves to control output control voltage from terminals 590 and 550 to control sensor 104 allowing sensor 104 to detect remaining ink levels. as described below, the control voltage takes the generally trapezoidal shape i

ΕΡ 1,800,872 contains a relatively high voltage (in the case of the present embodiment, a maximum of about 36 V). In particular, sensor control 503 and sensor 104 are high voltage circuits that use relatively high voltage through terminals 590 and 550. Sensor control 503 consists of, for example, logic, but does not need to be described in detail herein.

[0032] The cartridge detection / short detection circuit 502 is, similar to the memory control 501, a low voltage circuit powered by a relatively low voltage (in the case of the present embodiment, a maximum of about 3.3 V). As described in FIG. 8, the cartridge detection / short detection circuit 502 includes a first detection circuit 5021 and a second detection circuit 5022. The first detection circuit 5021 is connected to connector 510 of the carriage circuit 500. The first detection circuit 5021 has a cartridge presence detection function to detect whether there is a contact between the terminal 510 and the first short detection terminal 210 of the board 200, and a short detection function to detect a short circuit from terminal 510 to terminals 550 and 590 from which high voltage is exiting. .

[0033] To describe it in more detail, the first detection circuit 5021 has a reference voltage V_refl applied to one end of the series-connected resistors R2, R3, the other end being grounded, thus maintaining the potential at points P1 and P2 in FIG. 4, with V_refl and V_ref2 respectively. In this case, V_refl will be referred to as short circuit detection voltage and V_ref2 will be referred to as cartridge detection voltage. In the present embodiment, the short circuit detection voltage V_refl is set to 6.5V, and the cartridge detection voltage V_ref2 is set to 2.5 V. The values are set.

ΕΡ 1,800,872 by layouts and are not limited to the values given herein.

[0034] As described in FIG. 8, the short-circuit detection voltage V_refl (6.5V) is applied to the negative input of the first op amp 0P1, while the cartridge detection voltage V_ref2 (2.5V) is applied to the negative input of the second op-amp 0P2. A potential of the connector 510 is applied to the positive input pins of the first op amp 0P1 and the second op amp 0P2. Both of these op-amps function as a comparator that feeds a signal high when the potential input signal to the negative pin of the input signal is higher than the potential input signal to the positive pin of the input signal, and conversely gives a signal low when the potential signal input to the negative pin of the input signal input signal is lower than the potential input signal to the positive pin of the input signal.

[0035] As described in FIG. 8, connector 510 is connected to a 3.3V VDD 3.3 power source through a TRI transistor. Due to this arrangement, in the event that junction 510 is free, i.e. not in contact with junction 510, the potential of junction 510 will be set to about 3 V. As noted, in the case where ink cartridge 100 is attached, junction 510 enters. in contact with the above-described first short detection terminal 210 of the board 200. Here, as described in FIG. 7, in the case where the first short detection terminal 210 and the ground terminal 220 are electrically connected (shorted) on the board 200, when the terminal 510 makes contact with the first short detection terminal 210 (this is referred to herein as staying in contact), terminal 510 has a continuous electrical connection to the grounded junction 520 and the potential of junction 510 drops to 0.

ΕΡ 1 800 872

[0036] Consequently, when the terminal 510 is free, the High signal from the second op amp OP2 is provided as the cartridge detection signal CS1. While the terminal 510 is in contact, the Low signal from the second op amplifier OP2 is provided as the cartridge detection signal CS1. On the other hand, if terminal 510 is shorted to adjacent terminal 550, there are occasions when a sensor driving voltage (45V max) will be applied to terminal 510. As shown in FIG. 8, in the event that a voltage greater than the short-circuit detection voltage V_refl (6.5V) is applied to terminal 510 due to a short circuit, the signal High from the op amp OP1 will be fed to AND AA.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 8, the short detection enable signal EN is supplied from main control 40 to a second input pin in AND AA. Consequently, only during the time interval in which the High signal is provided as the short detection enable signal EN, the first short detection circuit 5021 will take the signal High from the op amp OP1 as the short detection enable signal AB1. In other words, the execution of the short detection function of the first short detection circuit 5021 is controlled by the short detection enable signal EN of the main control circuit 40. The short detection signal AB1 from AND circuits AA is provided to both the main control circuit 40 and the base pin of transistor TRI. through R1 resistance. As a result, the TRI enables high voltage to be prevented from the power source VDD3,3 via terminal 510 when a short is detected (when short detection signal AB1 is HIGH).

[0038] The second short detection circuit 5022 includes a cartridge detection function to detect whether there is contact between the terminal 540 and the second detection terminal.

A short circuit 240 of the board 200, and a short circuit detection function to detect a short circuit of connector 540 with connectors 550 and 590 which are energized. Since the second short detection circuit 5022 has the same architecture as the first short detection circuit 5021, it does not require detailed illustration or description herein. The cartridge detection output from the second short detection circuit 5022 will hereinafter be abbreviated as CS2 and the short circuit detection signal as AB2.

[0039] The architecture of the carriage system 500 corresponding to a single ink cartridge 100 has been described above. In the present embodiment, due to the fact that four ink cartridges 100 are attached, the four cartridge detection / short detection systems 502 described above will be used at each attachment point of the four ink cartridges 100. At the same time, only a single sensor control 503 is used, and a single sensor control 503 may be connected to each of the sensors 104 of the ink cartridge 100 connected at the four attachment points by a switch (not shown). Memory control circuit 501 is a single circuit responsible for the processes attended by the four ink cartridges.

The main control system 40 is a computer of known structure including a central execution unit (CPU), read-only memory (ROM), and random access memory (RAM). As noted, main control 40 controls the entire printer; however, FIG. 8 illustrates selectively only those elements necessary for describing the present embodiment, and the following description relates to the illustrated system. Main control circuit 40 includes a cartridge determining module M50 and a remaining ink level determining module M60. Based on the received signals

ΕΡ 1 800 872 for identifying the cartridge CS1, CS2, the cartridge determining module M50 performs the following cartridge identification process. The remaining ink level determining module M60 controls the sensor control 503 and performs the remaining ink level detection process described later.

Cartridge identification process:

[0041] The cartridge determining process performed by the cartridge determining module M50 of the main control circuit 40 will be described with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 10. FIG. 9 is a block diagram describing an algorithm of the cartridge identification process. FIG. 10A-C show illustrations depicting the three types of connection paths for connectors on board 200.

[0042] Before discussing the cartridge identification process, the board 200 will be described further with reference to FIG. 10. The aforementioned board 200 comes in three types, depending on the wiring model of the first short detection connector 210, the second short detection connector 240, and the ground connector 220. These three types are designated Type A, Type B, and Type C, respectively. in FIG. 10A, the Type A board 200 is a common circuit with the first short detection terminal 210 and the ground terminal 220 electrically coupled through the conductive track 207, while the second short detection terminal 240 and the ground terminal 220 are not electrically connected. As described in FIG. 10B, the Type B board 200 is a common circuit with both the first short detection terminal 210 and the second short detection terminal 240 electrically connected to the ground terminal 220 via the conductive track 207. As described in FIG. 10C, the Type C board 200 is a common system with a second short detection terminal 240 and a ground terminal 220 electrically coupled through a conductive track 207.

ΕΡ 1,800,872 while the first short detection terminal 210 and the ground terminal 220 are not electrically connected. A board 200, the type of which is predetermined, for example selected for the type of ink or the amount of ink contained in the ink cartridge 100, is disposed on the ink cartridge 100. Specifically, depending on the amount of ink that the ink cartridge 100 contains, a Type A board 200 could be disposed on an L-size cartridge containing a large amount of ink; a Type B board 200 could be disposed on an M size cartridge containing a standard amount of ink; and a Type C board 200 could be disposed on an S-size cartridge containing a small amount of ink.

The cartridge determining module M50 of the main control circuit 40 continuously receives from the cartridge detection / short detection circuit 502 the cartridge detection signals CS1, CS2 for each of the four attachment points of the mounting jig 4, and using these signals performs the cartridge identification process for each of the locations. connection.

[0044] When the cartridge determining module M50 initiates the cartridge identification process for the selected attachment point, the cartridge determining module M50 first checks to see if the cartridge detection signal CS1 of the cartridge detection / short detection circuit 502 at the selected attachment point is a low signal (Step S102). Then, the cartridge determining module M50 checks whether the cartridge detection signal CS2 at the selected attachment point is a low signal (Step S104 or S106). In the event that, as a result, both the cartridge detection signals CS1 and CS2 are Low signals (Step S102: YES and Step S104: YES), the cartridge identifying module M50 decides that the ink cartridge 100 attached to the particular attachment point is assigned 200 Type B board (Step S108).

ΕΡ 1 800 872

[0045] In a similar manner, the cartridge determining module M50 decides, in a situation where the cartridge detection signal CS1 is a Low signal and the cartridge detection signal CS2 is a High signal (Step S102: YES and Step S104: NO), that the ink cartridge 100 is a Type A board 200 is assigned (Step S110); or, in a situation where the cartridge detection signal CS1 is a High signal and the cartridge detection signal CS2 is a Low signal (Step S102: NO and Step S104: YES) that the ink cartridge 100 is assigned the Type C board 200 described above (Step S112 ).

In the case where both the cartridge detection signals CS1 and CS2 are High signals (Step S102: NO and Step S104: YES), the cartridge determining module M50 decides that neither cartridge is attached to the selected attachment point (Step S114 ). In this way, the cartridge identifying module M50 determines whether the ink cartridge 100 is attached, and if so, what type, for each of the four attachment points.

The process of identifying the level of remaining ink:

[0047] The following ink level identification process performed by the remaining ink level identification module M60 of main control circuit 40 refers to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12.AC. FIG. 11 is a block diagram describing an algorithm for the process of detecting the remaining ink level. FIG. 12A-C show timing charts describing the temporary change in the short detection enable signal and the sensor voltage during the execution of the remaining ink level detection process.

[0048] In the case where the level of the remaining ink is to be detected in the ink cartridge 100 attached to the

ΕΡ 1,800,872 of any attachment point in the holder 4, the remaining ink level identification module M60 of the main control circuit 40 first sets the short detection enable signal EN to High for all cartridge detection / short detection circuits 502 (Step S202). As a result, the short circuit detection function is enabled in all the cartridge presence / short detection circuits 502, and if a voltage above the reference voltage V_refl (6.5V) is applied to the above-mentioned terminal 520 and terminal 540, they are capable of generating High signals as AB1, AB2 short-circuit detection signals. In other words, the state where the short detection enabling signal EN is High signals is the state in which the short of connector 510 or connector 540 to connector 550 or connector 590 is monitored.

[0049] Next, the remaining ink level determining module M60 commands the sensor driving circuit 503 to send a control voltage from the terminal 550 or terminal 590 to the sensor 104, and to detect the remaining ink level output (Step S204). To use more specific terminology, when the sensor driver 503 receives a command signal from the remaining ink level identifier M60, the sensor driver 503 outputs a control voltage from either connector 550 or connector 590, the voltage being applied to the piezoelectric element constituting the sensor 104 of the ink cartridge. 100 by charging the piezoelectric element and causing it to deform due to the inverse piezoelectric effect. The sensor driver 503 successively reduces the applied voltage, whereupon the charge accumulated in the piezoelectric element is discharged, causing the piezoelectric element to vibrate. In FIG. 12, the drive voltage is the voltage shown during the time interval T1. As described in FIG. 12, the control voltage fluctuates between

ΕΡ 1,800,872 the reference voltage and the maximum voltage Vs as described for the trapezoidal shape. The maximum voltage Vs is set to a relatively high voltage (e.g., about 26 V). Via connector 550 of connector 590, the sensor driver 503 detects the voltages produced by the piezoelectric element due to vibration of the piezoelectric element (in FIG. 12 described as the voltage occurring during the time interval T2), and by measuring the frequency of its vibrations, detects the level of the remaining ink. Specifically, this oscillation frequency represents the acaracteFIGtic frequency of the surrounding structures (housing 101 and ink) that vibrate together with the piezoelectric element and varies depending on the amount of ink remaining inside the ink cartridge 100; therefore the remaining ink level can be detected by measuring this vibration frequency. Sensor controller 503 transmits the detection result to the remaining ink level identification module M60 of main control system 40.

[0050] When the remaining ink level determining module M60 receives the detection result from the sensor driver 503, the remaining ink level determining module M60 switches the short detection enable signal EN, which was previously set to High in Step S202, back to Low (Step S202). S206), and ends the process. In this process, the time interval during which the remaining ink level is detected is the state where the short detection enable signal EN is set to a High signal to enable short detection. In other words, the level of ink remaining is detected while the occurrence of a short is monitored by the cartridge presence / short detection circuit 502.

The process during which a short circuit is detected:

EP 1 800 872

[0051] Here, the process to be performed in the case where, when performing the remaining ink level detection (Step S204), the remaining ink level determining module M60 receives a signal High as a short detection signal AB1 or AB2, e.g. a short circuit is detected. In FIG. 11 also shows a block diagram of the interrupt processing algorithm while a short circuit is detected. When connector 510 or connector 540 shorts to the connector that supplies sensor control voltage to connectors 550 and 590, sensor driving voltage will be applied to jumper 510 or connector 540. Consequently, since the short circuit detection enable signal EN is now set to High, in case the sensor control voltage rises above the short circuit detection voltage V_refl (6.5 V), a High signal will be sent as short circuit detection signals AB1, AB2 from the detection circuit cartridge presence / short detection 502. When the remaining ink level determining module M60 receives one of these short circuit detection signals AB1, AB2, the remaining ink level determining module M60 suspends the remaining ink level detection and performs interrupt processing when a short circuit is detected.

[0052] When interrupt processing is initiated, the remaining ink level determining module M60 immediately instructs the sensor driver 503 to suspend the sensor driving voltage (Step

S208).

[0053] Then, the remaining ink level determining module M60, without completing the remaining ink level detection process, resets the short detection enable signal EN back to a Low signal (Step S206) to terminate the process. For example, main control system 40 may take some countermeasures, such as notifying the user of a short.

ΕΡ 1 800 872

[0054] In FIG. 12A describes the variation of the short detection enable signal EN over time. FIG. 12B describes the voltage of the sensor in a situation where neither terminal 510 nor terminal 540 short to the terminal which supplies voltage to control the sensor of terminals 550 and 590, so that the process of detecting the remaining ink level proceeds normally. FIG. 12C describes the sensor voltage when terminal 510 or terminal 540 short to a terminal which, among terminals 550 and 590, supplies the sensor driving voltage.

[0055] As described in FIG. 12A, during the execution of the remaining ink level detection process, the short detection enable signal EN is a High signal. As shown in FIG. 12B, in the normal state (no short circuit), after the high voltage Vs has been applied to the sensor 104, the applied voltage drops and the vibration voltage is successively generated by the piezoelectric effect. In the present embodiment of the invention, Vs is set to 36 V.

[0056] As described in FIG. 12C, in an abnormal state (short circuit), the sensor voltage drops as soon as it rises above the short circuit detection voltage V_refl (6.5 V). This is because the moment the sensor voltage rises above the short circuit detection voltage V_refl (6.5 V), a High signal is sent as a short detection signal AB1 or AB2 from the cartridge detection / short detection circuit 502 to the level identification module. remaining ink M60 and the receiving ink remaining ink level identifier M60 immediately reduces the sensor control voltage.

[0057] In FIG. 13 shows an illustration of a short circuit course. Here, the probable short circuit path to other terminals from terminals 550 and 590 that supplies the sensor driving voltage is, for example, described in FIG. The material of claim 13 on which the S1 electrically conductive ink drop or droplet

ΕΡ 1,800,872 water S2 formed by condensation has reached the board 200 of the ink cartridge 100, bridging the gap between the first sensor control terminal 250 or the second sensor control terminal 290 and the other terminal or terminals on the board 200, causing a short. For example, an ink drop S1 which adhered to the surface of the carriage 3 or the ink-supply needle comes off and adheres as shown in FIG. 13, due to the attachment or detachment movement of the ink cartridge 100. In this case, when the ink cartridge 100 is attached, the terminal 550, which supplies the sensor driving voltage, for example, will short-circuit to another terminal 510, 520, or 560 of the carriage system 500 via the first sensor control terminal 250 and the terminals (FIG. 13). : connectors 210, 220, 260) bridged by a SI ink drop to sensor control connector 250. Alternatively, the terminal 590 which supplies the sensor driving voltage will short circuit another terminal 540 or the carriage system 500 via the second sensor control terminal 290 and the second short detection terminal 240 (FIG. 13) bridged by the water drop S2 to the second sensor control terminal. 290 (for example). This short circuit is caused by various factors as well as ink drop sticking. For example, a short circuit may be caused by an electrically conductive object, for example a paper clip, being trapped on an ambulance 3. A short circuit may also be caused by electrically conductive substances, for example tallow secreted by the user's skin, sticking to the terminals.

[0058] As mentioned previously with reference to FIG. 3, in the ink cartridge 100 pertaining to the present embodiment, the first sensor control terminal 250 and the second sensor control terminal 290, which apply control voltage to the sensor, are located at both ends of the terminal block, so the number of adjacent terminals is small. As a result, the probability of a short circuit

ΕΡ 1,800,872 of the first sensor control terminal 250 and the second sensor control terminal 290 to the other terminals is low.

[0059] On the board 200, in the event that the first sensor control terminal 250 were shorted to the adjacent first short detection terminal 210, a short would be detected by the above-mentioned cartridge detection / short detection circuit 502. For example, a short circuit of the first sensor control terminal 250 to another terminal caused by a drop of ink S1 penetrating from the side of the first sensor control terminal 250 will be detected immediately and the application of the sensor driving voltage will suspend, eliminating or limiting damage to the memory 203 and the printing device (memory control system) 501 and the cartridge detection / short detection circuit 502) due to a short circuit.

[0060] In addition, the first short detection terminal 210 is adjacent the first sensor control terminal 250 and is located closest to the first sensor control terminal 250. Consequently, in the event that the first sensor control terminal 250 were shorted to another terminal or terminals, caused by an ink drop S1 or a water drop S2, it is highly likely that the first sensor control terminal 250 would also short to the first short detection terminal 210. Consequently, a short circuit of the first sensor control terminal 250 to another terminal can be detected more reliably.

[0061] In addition to short circuit detection, the first short detection terminal 210 is also used by the cartridge detection / short detection circuit 502 to determine if ink cartridge 100 is attached, as well as to determine the type of attached ink cartridge 100. As a result, , it is possible

ΕΡ 1,800,872 reducing the number of connectors on the board 200, and the possibility of reducing the number of production steps for the board 200 and the number of parts for the board 200.

Likewise, in the event that the second sensor control terminal 290 were shorted to the second short detection terminal 240, a short would be detected by the cartridge detection / short detection circuit 502. Consequently, the second short detection terminal 240 was shorted to another terminal due to by an ink drop S1 or a water drop S2 penetrating from the side of the second sensor control terminal 290, can be detected immediately. As a result, it is possible to eliminate or reduce the damage to the memory 203 and the printing apparatus 1000 due to a short circuit. Similarly, the second short detection terminal 240 is the terminal closest to the second sensor control terminal 290. Consequently, in the event that the second sensor control terminal 290 were shorted to another terminal or terminals, caused by the ink drop S1 or water drop S2, it is highly likely that the second sensor control terminal 290 would short to the second short detection terminal 240 as well. Consequently, a short circuit of the second sensor control terminal 290 to another terminal can be detected more reliably.

[0063] The first sensor control terminal 250 and the first short detection terminal 210 on the one hand, and the second sensor control terminal 290 and the second short detection terminal 240 on the other hand, are provided at the ends of the terminal block such that the remaining terminals (220, 230, 260 270) are between them. Consequently, should foreign matter (ink drop S1, water drop S2, etc.) penetrate from either side as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 13, this penetration can be detected before it penetrates the remaining connectors (220, 230, 260-270). Consequently, damage can be eliminated or reduced

ΕΡ 1,800,872 memory chips 203 and the printing device 1000, caused by the ingress of foreign matter.

[0064] The first sensor control terminal 250 and the second sensor control terminal 290 are arranged in a row on the insertion direction R side (lower row). As a result, since the terminals 250, 290 to which the sensor driving voltage is applied, including the high voltage, are located behind in the insertion direction, the probability that ink drops or foreign matter (e.g. a paper clip) will penetrate into the location of these connections 250, 290 is smaller. Consequently, damage to the memory circuits 203 and the printing apparatus 1000 due to the ingress of foreign matter can be eliminated or reduced.

[0065] The terminal group of the board 200 is arranged in a staggered order. As a result, it is possible to eliminate or reduce undesirable contact between the terminals of the ink cartridge 100 and the terminals of the printing apparatus 1000 (the above-mentioned contact elements 403 and 404) during the coupling operation.

B. Variants:

[0066] Variants of the board 200 attached to the ink cartridge 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 14A - 14B. FIG. 14A-D show first diagrams depicting boards pertaining to variations. FIG. 15A-C show second diagrams depicting boards pertaining to variations. FIG. 16A-B show third diagrams depicting boards pertaining to variations.

Option 1:

[0067] On the board 200b depicted in FIG. 14A, the first short detection terminal 210 is similar to the first short detection terminal 210 of the board which belongs to the present

ΕΡ 1,800,872 embodiments of the invention, but at its lower end it has an elongated portion which extends close to the lower edge of the lower row. This elongate portion has been located between the first sensor control terminal 250 and the lower row reset terminal 260. As a result, for example, even when the ink droplet S3 adheres as described in FIG 14 (a), a short circuit of the elongated portion of the short detection terminal 210 to the first sensor control terminal 250 will be detected. Likewise, when the first sensor control terminal 250 and the terminal other than the first short detection terminal 210 short circuit, it is highly likely that the first sensor control terminal 250 and the first short detection terminal 210 are shorted and the sensor control voltage is suspended. Accordingly, it is possible to eliminate or reduce the problems caused by the first sensor control terminal 250 shorting to another terminal (exemplified by FIG. 14A, reset terminal 260).

[0068] As shown in FIG. 14A, the second short detection terminal 240 of the board 200b is also similar in shape to the above-mentioned first short detection terminal 210, and the shorting of the second sensor control terminal 290 to another terminal may also be detected more reliably.

Option 2:

[0069] The board 200c depicted in FIG. 14B also has, in addition to the board 200b described above, an elongate portion at the top side of the first sensor drive connector 250 and extending near the top edge of the bottom row. As a result, for example, even when the ink droplet S4 adheres as described in FIG 14 (b), a short circuit of the short detection terminal 210 to the extended portion of the first sensor control terminal 250 will be detected.

EP 1 800 872

Likewise, when the first sensor control terminal 250 and the terminal other than the first short detection terminal 210 short circuit, it is highly likely that the first sensor control terminal 250 and the first short detection terminal 210 are shorted and the sensor control voltage is suspended. Accordingly, it is possible to eliminate or reduce the problems caused by shorting the first sensor control connector 250 to another connector.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 14B, the second sensor control terminal 290 of the board 200c is also similar in shape to the above-mentioned first sensor control terminal 250, the penetration of the ink drop from the end at the end at which the second sensor control terminal 290 is located can be detected immediately.

Option 3:

[0071] The board 200d depicted in FIG. 14C differs from the board 200 of the present embodiment in that there is no second short detection terminal 240. In the case of the Type A board 200 depicted in FIG. 10A, the second short detection terminal 240 does not perform contact detection with the cartridge detection / short detection circuit 502 (because there is no shorting to ground terminal 220). Consequently, in the case of the Type A board 200, the second short detection terminal 240 is only used for short detection and therefore may be eliminated. Again, since the first short detection terminal 210 is located closest to the first sensor control terminal 250, when the first sensor control terminal 250 and a terminal other than the first short detection terminal 210 are shorted, there is a high probability that the first control terminal shorted. sensor 250 and the first detection connector

EP 1 800 872 short circuit 210 and the sensor control voltage is suspended. Penetration of the ink drop into the second sensor control terminal 290 will also be detected to some extent. In FIG. 14C, CP designates the contact position of contact element 403 that would be in contact with the second short detection terminal 240 if the second short detection terminal 240 were present (i.e., contact element 403 corresponding to terminal 540 of carriage system 500). Even in the absence of the second short detection terminal 240, should there be a short between the second sensor control terminal 290 and the contact member 403 corresponding to the terminal 540 of the carriage system 500 due to the drop S5, the penetration of the ink drop S5 will be detected. Similarly, with the Type C board 200, the first short detection terminal 210 may be eliminated.

Option 4:

[0072] On the board 200e depicted in FIG. 14D, the first sensor control terminal 250 and the first short detection terminal 210 are elongated in shape extending from the region of the top edge of the top row to the region of the bottom edge of the bottom row. Connectors of this shape, due to the fact that the contact points are indicated by the symbol CP in FIG. 14D, may contact a corresponding contact piece 403 in the staggered order. In the case of the board 200e, like the board 200c described above, even if, for example, an ink drop S6 would deposit, a short circuit between the extended portions of the first short detection terminal 210 and the first sensor control terminal 250 will be detected.

In the same manner, the first sensor control terminal 210 is positioned between the first sensor control terminal 250 and a terminal other than the first short detection terminal 210. Therefore, when the first sensor control terminal 250 and a terminal other than the first short detection terminal 210 short circuit, there is a short circuit. large

• 1,800,872 The probability that the first sensor control terminal 250 and the first short detection terminal 210 are shorted and the sensor control voltage is suspended.

[0073] The second sensor control terminal 290 and the second short detection terminal 240 of the board 200e have a shape similar to the first sensor control terminal 250 and the first short detection terminal 210 described above. Therefore, when the second sensor control terminal 290 and the non-second terminal short circuit, short detection terminal 240, it is highly likely that the second sensor control terminal 290 and the second short detection terminal 240 short circuit. As a result, it is possible to eliminate or reduce the problems caused by shorting the sensor control connector 250, 290 to another connector.

Option 5:

[0074] On the board 200f depicted in FIG. 15A, the connector that corresponds to the first short detection terminal 210 and the ground terminal 220 in the board 200 of the embodiment is integral terminal 215, both of which are integral and form a single piece. This board 200f may be used in place of a Type A or Type B board 200 (FIG. 10) whose first short detection terminal 210 and the ground terminal 220 are shorted. In the case of the board 200f, the need for a link between the first short detection terminal 210 and the ground terminal 220, which was necessary with the board 200 of the present embodiment, is eliminated, so the board 200 requires fewer algorithm steps and fewer parts.

Variant 6:

ΕΡ 1 800 872

[0075] On the board 200g depicted in FIG. 15B, each of the terminals 210-240 in the upper row is shaped similar to the first short detection terminal 210 of the board 200b described above. Specifically, each terminal 210-240 has an elongate portion at the lower edge of a corresponding terminal plate 200 of the present embodiment extending near the lower edge of the lower row. Terminals 250-290 on the lower row of board 200g are similar in shape to the previously described first sensor control terminal 250 of board 200c. In particular, each terminal 250-290 has an elongate portion at the top edge of a corresponding terminal plate 200 of the present embodiment extending near the top edge of the top row.

[0076] As a result, the connectors 210-290 of the plate 200g are arranged to form a joint plurality of a single row of generally row-like connectors in a mutually different configuration, rather than remaining in two rows. The first sensor control terminal 250 and the second sensor control terminal 290 to which the high sensor driving voltage is applied are located at two ends of a single row of the terminal group, the first short detection terminal 210 and the second short detection terminal 240 are respectively disposed adjacent to the inside. from the first sensor control terminal 250 and the second sensor control terminal 290.

[0077] In the case of the 200g plate, an ink drop or foreign matter penetrating from either end may be detected immediately at the same moment a short circuit occurs between the first sensor control terminal 250 and the first short detection terminal 210, or between the second sensor control terminal. 290 and the second short detection terminal 240. Where the first sensor control terminal 250 or the second control terminal

ΕΡ 1 800 872 of sensor 290 would short to another terminal, in the event that the short is due to ink drop or the like, there is an extremely high probability that a short between the first control terminal of sensor 250 and the first short detection terminal 210, or between the second control terminal sensor 290 and the second short detection terminal 240 will appear at the same time. Consequently, a short circuit of the first sensor control terminal 250 or the second sensor control terminal 290 to another terminal may be detected immediately. As a result, it allows the elimination or reduction of damage to the memory circuits 203 and the printing apparatus 1000 (memory control circuit 501 and cartridge presence detection / short detection circuit 502) caused by a short circuit.

Option 7:

[0078] On the board 200h depicted in FIG. 15C, the terminals 210-290 are elongated in shape extending over a section equivalent to the two rows of the board 200 pertaining to the embodiment in a manner similar to the first sensor control terminal 250 and the first short detection terminal 210 of the board 200e as described above. Connectors of this shape (the position of the contacts is indicated by the symbol cp in FIG. 15C) may contact corresponding contact elements 403 in a staggered order.

[0079] On the board 200h, the terminals 210-290 are arranged to form a single row of terminals in an orthogonal direction to the insertion direction R in a manner similar to the board 200g described above. As with the board 200g, the first sensor control terminal 250 and the second sensor control terminal 290 to which the high sensor driving voltage is applied are located at the two ends of a single row of terminals at

• 1,800,872, the first short detection terminal 210 and the second short detection terminal 240 are disposed respectively inwardly from the first sensor control terminal 250 and the second sensor control terminal 290. As a result, the board 200h offers advantages analogous to those of the board 200h described above.

Variant 8:

[0080] The first short detection terminal 210 of the board 200i depicted in FIG. 16A has a shape which is longer on the left side of the figure as compared to the first short detection terminal 210 of the board 200 which is part of the present embodiment. In addition, the first short detection terminal 210 of the board 200i has an elongate portion extending from a left edge portion to the region of the lower edge of the lower row. This elongate portion is provided to the left of the first sensor control connector 250 on the lower row. In other words, the elongate portion is disposed further from the center of the terminal block in a direction substantially orthogonal to the insertion direction R than the first sensor drive terminal 250. In this case, when looking at the connector as a whole, the first short detection terminal 210 is located outside (towards the left side) of the first sensor control terminal 250; From the point of view of the connector contact element CP, among the contact elements CP of all connectors 210-290, the contact element CP of the first sensor control connector 250 is the one that is in the outermost position (left), in the same way as in the present embodiment of the invention. Short circuits are also detected between the first sensor control terminal 250 and the first short detection terminal 210 including a contact element CP adjacent to a contact element CP of the first sensor control terminal 250. Therefore, the board 200i of this embodiment offers advantages similar to the board 200 that is part of the this

ΕΡ 1,800,872 implementations of the invention. In particular, the penetration of the ink drop from the edge can be immediately detected, and it is also possible to eliminate or limit damage to the memory circuits 203 and the printing apparatus 1000. Additionally, due to the fact that the first short detection terminal 210 has this elongated portion, the length of the first portion which is the portion adjacent to the peripheral edge of the first short detection terminal 210 between the peripheral edge of the first sensor control terminal 250 becomes elongated. As shown in FIG. 16B, the length of the first portion is longer than that of the second portion that is the portion adjacent to the peripheral edge of the reset terminal 260 between the peripheral edge of the first sensor control terminal 250. As a result, when the first sensor control terminal 250 and a terminal other than the first short detection terminal 210, e.g., reset terminal 260, short circuit, there is a high probability that the first sensor control terminal 250 and the first short detection terminal 210 are shorted. Therefore, the sensor control voltage is suspended and the possibility of eliminating or reducing the problems caused by a short circuit of the first sensor control connector 250 to another connector is increased.

[0081] The first short detection terminal 210 of the board 200p depicted in FIG. 16C has an elongate portion longer than the first short detection terminal 210 of the board 200i. As shown in FIG. 16C, an elongate portion of the first short detection terminal 210 of the board 200p extends from the upper left to the lower right side of the first sensor control terminal 250 along the peripheral edge of the first sensor control terminal 250. As a result, the length of the first element in the board 200p is greater than the same length in the board 200i. Therefore, when the first sensor control terminal 250 and a terminal other than the first short detection terminal 210 short circuit, there is a large one

ΕΡ 1,800,872 Probability that the sensor control voltage hangs and it is possible to eliminate or limit problems caused by shorting the first sensor control connector 250 to another connector.

[0082] The first short detection terminal 210 of the board 200q depicted in FIG. 16D has an elongate portion longer than the first short detection terminal 210 of the board 200i and the board 200p. As shown in FIG. 16D, an elongate portion of the first short detection terminal 210 of the board 200q extends from the upper left through the lower to the upper right side of the first sensor control terminal 250 along the peripheral edge of the first sensor control terminal 250. In other words, the length of the first element in the board 200q is greater than the same length in the boards 200i and 200p. Therefore, when the first sensor control terminal 250 and a terminal other than the first short detection terminal 210 short circuit, it is more likely that the sensor driving voltage will be suspended and that problems caused by shorting the first sensor control terminal 250 to another terminal are more likely to be eliminated or reduced. .

[0083] As shown in FIG. 16A-C, the boards 200i, 200p, 200q are added in the direction that the first short detection terminal portion 210 is located adjacent a portion of the first sensor control terminal 250 by providing an elongate portion of the first short detection terminal 210. As for the board 200i, the longitudinal portion of the first short detection terminal 210 is located adjacent the left border of the first sensor control terminal 250 in a transverse direction towards the edge of the ink cartridge 100, and the first short detection terminal 210 itself is located adjacent the upper limit of the first terminal. control of sensor 250, in the direction opposite to the insertion direction R. At the same time, as for the board 200p, in addition to the two above

ΕΡ 1,872 of the mentioned directions, an extended portion of the first short detection terminal 210 is located adjacent the lower limit of the first sensor control terminal 250 in the insertion direction R. Moreover, as regards the board 200q, the extended portion of the first short detection terminal 210 is located adjacent to the right. boundary of the first sensor control terminal 250 in a lateral direction from an edge of the ink cartridge 100. In other words, as regards the board q, at least the first short detection terminal 210 is located adjacent the first sensor control terminal 250 in all directions.

[0084] In the event that the first sensor control terminal 250 and a terminal other than the first short detection terminal 210 short circuit caused by an ink drop or other object penetrating from the direction in which the first short detection terminal element 210 is located adjacent the first control terminal element. sensor 250, it is highly likely that the first sensor control terminal 250 and the first short detection terminal 210 will short-circuit. Therefore, problems caused by the short circuit of the first sensor control terminal 250 to another terminal due to ink drop or other object passing from that direction can be eliminated or reduced much more likely. In these embodiments, the elongated portion of the first short detection terminal 210 adds the direction in which the first short detection terminal 210 and the first sensor control terminal 250 are adjacent to each other, and more likely to eliminate or reduce the problems caused by first sensor control terminal 250 shorting to another. connectors.

[0085] In the boards 200i, 200p, 200q forming part of this variant, only the first short detection terminal 210 after

The left side EP 1 800 872 is provided with a structure having the elongated portion described above, but it would be possible to provide the second short detection terminal 240 on the right side with a structure having an elongated portion in addition to the first short detection terminal 210 or in place of the first short detection terminal 210. Again, advantages are offered analogous to those of the boards 200i, 200p, 200q which are part of this variant.

Variant 9:

[0086] The board 200j depicted in FIG. 16B, like the board 200f previously described in Variation 5, has an integral terminal 215 in which the first short detection terminal 210 and the ground terminal 220 on the board 200 pertaining to this embodiment are integrated as a single piece. The integral connector 215 of the board 200j differs in shape from the previously described integral connector 215 of the board 200f. Specifically, the integral terminal 215 of the board 200j, like the first short detection terminal 210 of the board 200i described in Variation 8, has an elongated shape on the left side, and has an extended portion extending from the left edge portion to the region of the lower edge of the lower row. In this case, advantages are obtained analogous to those offered by the board 200i of Variant 8, while reducing the number of production steps and the number of parts needed to produce the board.

[0087] In the above-described embodiments and variations, all the terminals are located on the board 200, but it is not necessary for all the terminals to be located on the board 200. For example, it would be acceptable to locate some of the terminals on the housing 101 of the ink cartridge 100. Speaking of specific examples, Variation 10 and Variation 11 will be described below with reference to FIG.

ΕΡ 1 800 872

17A-18D. FIG. 17A-D show diagrams describing construction around the plates of the ink cartridges pertaining to several variations. FIG. 18A-D show cross sections AA through DD in FIG. 17.

Variant 10:

[0088] The board 200k depicted in FIG.17A is provided with seven terminals 210-240 and 260-280, of the nine terminals 210-290 provided with the board 200 in the present embodiment. Of the nine terminals 210-290 that the board 200 is equipped with in the present embodiment, the board 200k lacks a first sensor control terminal 250 and a second sensor control terminal 290. The board 200k of this embodiment is provided with cutouts NT1 or NT2 located in zones including the locations where the first sensor control terminal 250 and the second sensor control terminal 290 are disposed on the board 200 of the embodiment. These notches are in the shape indicated by the solid lines NT1, or the shape indicated by the dashed lines NT2, in FIG. 17A. Terminals 150 and 190 having functions similar to the first sensor control terminal 250 and the second sensor control terminal 290 of the board 200 are arranged on a housing 101 located at the rear of the board 200k. Naturally, with the ink cartridge 100 attached to the holder 4, these terminals 150 and 190 are located in contact with the corresponding side terminals of the device 450 and 490.

[0089] An AA cross section viewed in FIG. 17A is depicted in FIG. 18A. As shown in FIG. 18A, the depressed portion DE formed by the gap between cutout NT1 of board 200k and terminal 150 is provided between terminal 150 and adjacent terminals 260, 210 (in FIG. 18A, reset terminal 260 is shown). Being left out on

ΕΡ 1 800 872

In the figure, a similar depressed portion DE is between junction 190 and adjacent junctions 280, 240.

[0090] According to this variant, the following advantages are offered in addition to those analogous to the board 200 of the present embodiment. In the event that an ink drop passes from the end of the ink cartridge 100 pertaining to this embodiment, it will be trapped in a depressed portion DE distributed around junction 150 or 190, thereby shorting the junction 150 or junction 190 to another junction due to the penetrating ink drop or foreign substance can be prevented or minimized.

Variant 11:

[0091] The board 200m depicted in FIG. 17B, instead of the cutouts NT1 or NT2 belonging to Variant 10, openings HL located at locations corresponding to the location of the first sensor control terminal 250 and the second sensor control terminal 290 on the board 200 of the present embodiment. A cross-section of BB viewed in FIG. 17B is depicted in FIG. 18B. The other ways of arranging the ink cartridge 100 of Variant 11 are the same as those of the ink cartridge 100 of Variant 10. Also in this variant, the depressed portions DE are between terminals 150, 190 and adjacent terminals. Therefore, the ink cartridge 100 of this variant offers advantages analogous to those of the ink cartridge 100 of this variant 10.

Variant 12:

[0092] On the boards of the present embodiment and variants, all connectors are connected to one memory connector 203 and sensor 104. The board may

ΕΡ 1 800 872, however, contain a dummy connector that is not connected to any device. An example of such a plate type will be described as Variation 12 with reference to FIG. 19A-D. FIG. 19A-D. FIG. 19A-D show fourth diagrams depicting boards pertaining to variations.

[0093] The board 200r includes a top row formed by four terminals and a bottom row formed by five terminals, such as the board 200 of the present embodiment. The arrangement and function of the connectors 210-290 making up the top row and bottom row of plate 200r are the same as those of the connectors 200 in the present embodiment, therefore a detailed description of the same is omitted.

[0094] The board 200r shown in FIG. 19A has dummy terminals DT between the top row and the bottom row on the underside (insertion direction side) of the bottom row. The dummy DT connectors are, for example, made of the same material as the other connector 210-290. FIG. 19C shows a cross-section of EE including dummy connectors DT. The dummy DT connectors are approximately the same thickness as the other connectors 210-290.

The dummy terminals DT serve to get rid of foreign objects adhering to the contact members 403, for example dust when attaching or detaching the ink cartridge 100. In this way, it is possible to prevent a foreign object from coming into contact with the contact member 403 (e.g., of the first sensor control terminal 250 in FIG. 19C) when attaching or detaching the ink cartridge 100, and preventing a contact defect between the terminal and contact member 403.

[00906] The board 200r shown in FIG. 19A has a dummy connector

DT between the first sensor control connector

ΕΡ 1 800 872

250 and the first short detection terminal 210, so that the first sensor control terminal 250 cannot be determined to be adjacent to the first short detection terminal 210. However, dummy terminals DT are not connected to memory 203 and are not connected to the side connectors of the 510-590 device on the printing device 1000. Therefore, short circuits between the first sensor control terminal 250 and the first short detection terminal 210 never cause any problems. For this reason, the board 200r may provide operational effects analogous to the board 200 of the present embodiment. In other words, for the board 200r, even though the first sensor control terminal 250 is not positioned adjacent to the first short detection terminal 210 as precisely understood, at least a portion of the first short detection terminal 210 is located at a position relating to at least a portion of the first control terminal 210. sensor 250, with no connector connected to memory 203 (connector 220, 230, 260-280) between them in at least one direction, for detecting short circuits between the first sensor control terminal 250 and the first short detection terminal 210. In such a case, the first sensor control terminal 250 is substantially located adjacent the first short detection terminal 210. Consequently, if the first sensor control terminal 250 were shorted to the other terminal or terminals by an ink drop or water drop, it is highly likely that the first sensor control terminal 250 would also short to the first short detection terminal 210. As a result, the sensor driving voltage is suspended, and short-circuit damage to the memory circuits 203 and the printing apparatus 1000 can be eliminated or reduced.

Variant 13:

EP 1 800 872

[0097] Plates forming part of the present embodiment and variants as shown in FIG. 2 are described as a board mounted on an ink cartridge 100 used for a "on carriage" type printer. However, the boards of the present embodiment and variations can be mounted on the ink cartridge 100 used for an "off carriage" type printer. The ink cartridge used for "off carriage" type printers will be described below with reference to FIG. 20 and FIG. 21. FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the structure of the ink cartridge pertaining to the variation 13. FIG. 21 shows an image of an ink cartridge pertaining to variation 13 being connected to the printer.

[0098] The ink cartridge 100b of variation 13 is configured for installation in an "off carriage" type printer, i.e. one in which the ink cartridge is not installed on a carriage. Off carriage printers are typically large format printers; the ink cartridges used in such large format printers are typically larger than the ink cartridges used in on carriage type printers.

The ink cartridge 100b includes an ink housing 1001, a board mounting portion 1050 for mounting the board 200, an ink supply port 1020 for supplying ink from the housing 1001 to the printer; an air supply port 1030 to supply air to the ink cartridge 200b to allow an even flow of the ink; and guides 1040 for installation in the printer. The exterior dimensions of the ink cartridge 200b are such that its side extending perpendicular to the side where the guiding portions 1040 etc. are provided (i.e., the width direction) is longer than the width direction. The ratio of the width dimension to the tile width dimension

ΕΡ 1 800 872

200, expressed as a ratio of the two, is, for example, 15: 1 or greater.

[0100] As with the above-mentioned embodiment, the board 200 is positioned with the projection hole 202 and the groove for the projection 201, and secured to the ink cartridge mounting plate 1050 portion 1050 of the ink cartridge 100b.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 21, when installing the ink cartridge 100b in the printer, the guide portions 1040 of the ink cartridge 100b guide the guide pins 2040 on the printer so that the board mounting portion 1050, the ink supply port 1020, and the air supply port 1030 respectively contact / are properly connected to the printer. contact pin 2050, ink supply port 1020, and air supply port 1030 on the printer. The direction of insertion of the ink cartridge 100b is indicated by the arrow R in FIG. 21. The insertion direction R of the plate 200 in this variant is the same as that in the above-mentioned embodiment of the invention.

[0102] The ink cartridge 100b used for the off carriage printer of the embodiment can eliminate or reduce the problems caused by the first sensor control terminal 250 shorting to another terminal, such as the present embodiment and the variations described above.

Variant 14:

[0103] The configuration of the ink cartridge for the "on carriage" printer shown in FIG. 2 is one example among many. The method of configuring the ink cartridge for the "on carriage" type printer is not limited to this example. Another ink cartridge configuration for an "on carriage" type printer will be described as Variation 14

ΕΡ 1,800,872 with reference to FIG. 22-24. FIG. 22 is a first diagram of the structure of the ink cartridge according to Variation 14. FIG. 23 shows a second diagram of the structure of the ink cartridge pertaining to Variation 14. FIG. 24 is a third diagram of the construction of the ink cartridge according to Variation 14.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 22 and 23, the ink cartridge 100b of Variation 14 includes a housing 110b, a board 200, and a sensor 104b. On the underside of housing 110b, similar to the ink cartridge 100 pertaining to the present embodiment, there is an ink supply port 110b for receiving an ink-supply needle as the ink cartridge 100b is attached to the holder 4b. The board 200 is mounted on the lower side (positive Z-axis direction side) of the front surface (positive Y-axis direction side) of the housing 101, similar to the ink cartridge 100 pertaining to this embodiment. The configuration of the board 200 is identical to that of the board 200 of the present embodiment. A sensor 104b is seated in the sidewall of housing 110b to detect the level of remaining ink. The catch 120b, which engages the catch portion of the handle 4b while the ink cartridge 100b is attached to the handle 4b, is mounted on the upper side of the front surface of the housing 110b. The hook 120b secures the cartridge 10b to the holder 4b. The direction of insertion when ink cartridge 100b is attached to the holder 4b is the direction of arrow R in FIG. 22 (positive Z axis direction), such as the ink cartridge 100 pertaining to the present embodiment.

[0105] The housing 110b has Po4 displacement locks on the side portion (X-axis direction side) of the housing 110b close to the plate 200. The POI -PO4 displacement locks contact or are close to the corresponding portion.

• 1,800,872 of the side wall of the holder 4b while the ink cartridge 100b is attached to the holder 4b. This prevents the ink cartridge 100b from sliding along the X-axis from its ideal position on the holder 4b. Specifically, the POI and PO2 displacement locks are provided on the top side of the plate 200 and prevent the top side of the cartridge 100b from swinging along the X-axis about the ink supply port 110b as the axis of rotation. The displacement locks PO3 and PO4 are transverse to the terminals 210-290 on the board 200 (FIG. 3) and hold the terminals 210-190 in position so that they mate properly with the corresponding side terminals of the device 410-490.

[0106] The electrical circuits of the ink cartridge 100b in Variation 14 are identical to those of the ink cartridge 100 of the present embodiment described with reference to FIG. 7. For this reason, their description is omitted here.

The ink cartridge 100b in Variation 14 provides the following operating effects in addition to the same operating effects as those of the ink cartridge 100 pertaining to the present embodiment. Due to the fact that the ink cartridge 100b has displacement locks POI -PO4, it may prevent or reduce repositioning when attaching the ink cartridge 100b to the holder 4b. In particular, since the displacement locks PO3 and PO4 are in a transverse position with respect to terminals 210-290 on the board 200, it is possible to improve the positioning accuracy of terminals 210-290 with respect to the corresponding side terminals of the device. Moreover, as described with reference to FIG. 3, on the board 200, the first sensor control terminal 250 and the second sensor control terminal 290 are disposed at each end of the terminals 210-290, i.e., the first sensor control terminal 250 and the second sensor control terminal 290 are respectively closest to the interlocks.

EP 1 800 872 displacements of PO4 and PO4. This leads to an improvement in the accuracy of the position of the first sensor control connector 250 and the second sensor control connector 290. This makes it possible to eliminate or reduce the false connection between the high voltage terminals 250,290 and one of the non-corresponding side terminals of the device.

[0108] A replacement for the board 200 in the present embodiment may be one of the boards 200b-200s shown in FIG. 14-19, which can be mounted on the ink cartridge 100b shown in FIG. 22- 24.

Other Variants:

[0109] As described in FIG. 17C-D and FIG. 18C-D, the porous members PO may be disposed within the depressed portions DE in Variation 10 and Variation 11 described above, i.e. between the junctions 150,190 and the board. Thereby, droplets of ink or condensation water, which can easily short-circuit terminals 150,190 to other terminals, can be effectively absorbed by the porous PO elements. Therefore, this design also offers advantages analogous to those of the Variant 10 and Variant 11 discussed above.

[0110] In the present embodiment, the ink cartridge 100 is equipped with a sensor 104 (piezoelectric element) and memory 203 as a plurality of devices; however, this set of devices is not limited to sensor 104 and memory 203. For example, sensor 104 may be a sensor of the type that detects properties or level of ink by applying voltage to ink within ink cartridge 100 and measuring resistance thereof. In the present embodiment of the invention, among a group of devices, the sensor is mounted on the housing 101 and the memory 203 is mounted on the board 200. However, the arrangement of this group of devices is not

ΕΡ 1,800,872 limited to those of the present embodiment. For example, the memory 203 and the board 200 may be separate, and the memory 203 and the board 200 may be installed on the housing 101 individually. A group of devices can be integrated in a printed circuit board or in a single module. A printed circuit board or a single module may be mounted on the housing 101 or the board 200. Preferably, the connectors connected to a device in the device group receiving a relatively high voltage are placed at the positions of the first sensor control connector 250 and the second sensor control connector 290 described above, and the connectors connected to the device in the device group to which it is supplied. is relatively low voltage, they were placed in the position of terminals 220, 230, 260-280. In this case, it is possible to eliminate or damage the ink cartridge 100 and the printing apparatus 1000 caused by a short circuit between a terminal to which a relatively high voltage is applied and a terminal to which a relatively low voltage is applied.

[0111] In the above-mentioned embodiment, there are five connectors for the memory 203 (220, 230, 260-280) and two connectors for the sensor 104 (250, 290), however, a different number of connectors may be used depending on the specifications of the device. For example, it may be a connector connected to a device to which a relatively high voltage is applied. In this case, such a connector may be located at the position of any of the connectors 250, 290 described above.

[0112] While the invention has been implemented in the ink cartridge 100 in the present embodiment, its implementation is not limited to the ink cartridges, but is equally possible to be implemented in a similar manner in containers containing other types of printing material, such as toner.

ΕΡ 1 800 872

[0113] Regarding the configuration of the main control 40 and circuit board 500 in the printing apparatus, portions of this configuration implemented at the hardware level may be interchangeably implemented at the software level, and vice versa, i.e. the portions of the configuration implemented at the software level may be alternatively implemented on the software level. hardware level.

[0114] While the printing material container and the board of the invention have been shown and described on the basis of the present embodiment and embodiment, the embodiments of the invention described herein are only intended to facilitate understanding of the invention, and are not limited in any way. The invention is defined by and limited by the appended claims.

ΕΡ 1 800 872

Contents6

299 members in 34 offices

This recordMember, by publication datePriority claim24 more offices are in the list below

Priority claims8

Priority claims
Document	Office	Kind	Date
2005372028	Japan	A	2005-12-26
2005372028	Japan	A	2005-12-26
2006220751	Japan	A	2006-08-11
2006220751	Japan	A	2006-08-11
06256540	European Patent Office (EPO)	A	2006-12-22
EP20060256540	–	–	–
JP20050372028	–	–	–
JP20060220751	–	–	–

Members299

Family members, oldest first
Document	Office	Kind
GB0625839D0	United Kingdom	D0	2007-02-07
IL180236D0	Israel	D0	2007-05-15
CA2571008A1	Canada	A1	2007-06-26
CA2676093A1	Canada	A1	2007-06-26
CA2676243A1	Canada	A1	2007-06-26
CA2706902A1	Canada	A1	2007-06-26
CA2812003A1	Canada	A1	2007-06-26
CA2882656A1	Canada	A1	2007-06-26
EP1800872A1	European Patent Office (EPO)	A1	2007-06-27
GB2433473A	United Kingdom	A	2007-06-27
ITTO20060921A1	Italy	A1	2007-06-27
DE102006060705A1	Germany	A1	2007-06-28
US2007149044A1	United States of America	A1	2007-06-28
CN1990255A	China	A	2007-07-04
AU2006252199A1	Australia	A1	2007-07-12
WO2007077747A1	World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)	A1	2007-07-12
SG133544A1	Singapore	A1	2007-07-30
JP2007196664A	Japan	A	2007-08-09
TW200736065A	Taiwan Province of China	A	2007-10-01
FR2900866A1	France	A1	2007-11-16
AR058636A1	Argentina	A1	2008-02-13
GB0804841D0	United Kingdom	D0	2008-04-16
JP2008094109A	Japan	A	2008-04-24
NZ552094A	New Zealand	A	2008-04-30
HK1108864A1	Hong Kong, China	A1	2008-05-23
US2008158318A1	United States of America	A1	2008-07-03
TW200829446A	Taiwan Province of China	A	2008-07-16
GB2433473B	United Kingdom	B	2008-08-13
JP2008183910A	Japan	A	2008-08-14
GB2447150A	United Kingdom	A	2008-09-03
JP4144637B2	Japan	B2	2008-09-03
KR20080081078A	Republic of Korea	A	2008-09-05
KR20080083346A	Republic of Korea	A	2008-09-17
NO20082573L	Norway	L	2008-09-26
NO20084283L	Norway	L	2008-09-26
NO20141045L	Norway	L	2008-09-26
HRP20080244A2	Croatia	A2	2008-09-30
MXPA06015251A	Mexico	A	2008-10-17
JP2008260312A	Japan	A	2008-10-30
JP2008260313A	Japan	A	2008-10-30
ZA200610663B	South Africa	B	2008-11-26
GB0819698D0	United Kingdom	D0	2008-12-03
GB0819699D0	United Kingdom	D0	2008-12-03
GB0822539D0	United Kingdom	D0	2009-01-14
US7484825B2	United States of America	B2	2009-02-03
US2009051746A1	United States of America	A1	2009-02-26
MA30254B1	Morocco	B1	2009-03-02
US2009058944A1	United States of America	A1	2009-03-05
GB2447150B	United Kingdom	B	2009-05-06
GB2454331A	United Kingdom	A	2009-05-06
KR100899492B1	Republic of Korea	B1	2009-05-26
NZ564406A	New Zealand	A	2009-05-31
GB2455209A	United Kingdom	A	2009-06-03
KR20090057100A	Republic of Korea	A	2009-06-03
KR20090057101A	Republic of Korea	A	2009-06-03
HK1124286A1	Hong Kong, China	A1	2009-07-10
EP1800872B1	European Patent Office (EPO)	B1	2009-07-15
US7562958B2	United States of America	B2	2009-07-21
EP2080622A1	European Patent Office (EPO)	A1	2009-07-22
PT1800872E	Portugal	E	2009-07-28
EP2082882A1	European Patent Office (EPO)	A1	2009-07-29
GB2456854A	United Kingdom	A	2009-07-29
SG153843A1	Singapore	A1	2009-07-29
SG153844A1	Singapore	A1	2009-07-29
DE602006007793D1	Germany	D1	2009-08-27
MY139023A	Malaysia	A	2009-08-28
DK1800872T3	Denmark	T3	2009-08-31
HRP20090052A2	Croatia	A2	2009-08-31
TWI314902B	Taiwan Province of China	B	2009-09-21
AU2006252199B2	Australia	B2	2009-09-24
ES2326246A1	Spain	A1	2009-10-05
ES2326278T3	Spain	T3	2009-10-06
GB2454331B	United Kingdom	B	2009-10-07
AU2009213080A1	Australia	A1	2009-10-08
GB2455209B	United Kingdom	B	2009-10-14
DE202006020730U1	Germany	U1	2009-11-19
AU2009233643A1	Australia	A1	2009-11-26
PL1800872T3This record	Poland	T3	2009-12-31
DE202006020739U1	Germany	U1	2010-01-07
HK1130737A1	Hong Kong, China	A1	2010-01-08
AR069352A2	Argentina	A2	2010-01-13
AR069353A2	Argentina	A2	2010-01-13
JP4400683B2	Japan	B2	2010-01-20
GB0922617D0	United Kingdom	D0	2010-02-10
RU2008130897A	Russian Federation	A	2010-02-10
CL2009001776A1	Chile	A1	2010-02-19
CL2009001777A1	Chile	A1	2010-02-19
AR069840A2	Argentina	A2	2010-02-24
RU2008134924A	Russian Federation	A	2010-03-10
GB2455209B8	United Kingdom	B8	2010-04-07
GB2456854B	United Kingdom	B	2010-04-14
DE202006020805U1	Germany	U1	2010-04-15
TW201014712A	Taiwan Province of China	A	2010-04-16
EP2177363A1	European Patent Office (EPO)	A1	2010-04-21
NZ576068A	New Zealand	A	2010-04-30
GB2465293A	United Kingdom	A	2010-05-19
HK1133414A1	Hong Kong, China	A1	2010-05-20
HK1134918A1	Hong Kong, China	A1	2010-05-20
CN101712238A	China	A	2010-05-26
CN101712239A	China	A	2010-05-26

Showing 100 of 299

Printing material container and board mounted on printing material container

Abstract

Term

EP 1 800 872

EP 1 800 872

EP 1 800 872

EP 1 800 872

EP 1 800 872

EP 1 800 872

Priority claims8

Members299

Numbers

Titles2

Classification