To prevent an ink leakage during an ink refilling process wherein a negative pressure is removed to result in a high risk of the ink leakage.
An ink storage compartment has an inlet valve 16. A refilling unit 155 is further equipped with an inlet valve actuator which opens the valve when the refilling unit 155 engages with the ink storage compartment. The inlet valve actuator and an outlet valve actuator are configured so that an outlet valve closes before the inlet valve 16 opens when the refilling unit 155 engages with the ink storage compartment. The inlet valve actuator and the outlet valve actuator are both insertion type projections of a try star cross section to have a strong flexural resistance in all transverse directions. The refilling unit 155 has a normally closed ink outlet 52. When the refilling unit 155 engages with the ink storage compartment during use, the ink outlet 52 opens, forming a sealing connection with the inlet valve 16.
NAKAZAWA AKIRA
HIBBARD CHRISTOPHER
MACKEY PAUL IAN
BERRY NORMAN MICHEAL
JACKSON GARRY RAYMOND
| JP2003089215A | 2003-03-25 |
Masakazu Noda
Ikeda adult