NZ620415B2

NZ620415B2 - Cartridge and printing material supply system

Info

Publication number: NZ620415B2
Application number: NZ620415A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Kazumasa Harada; Hidetaka Kawata; Hidetoshi Kodama; Kazutoshi Matsuzaki; Tadahiro Mizutani; Satoshi Nakata; Izumi Nozawa
Original assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
Priority date: 2012-01-12
Filing date: 2012-12-26
Publication date: 2016-07-01

Abstract

inkjet printer cartridge (20) with angled electrical terminals (40) is described. The cartridge interlocks with a slot in a printer by way of a first locking portion (810) and a second locking portion (620), the second being higher on the body of the cartridge than the first. The first locking portion is designed to interact with a rotating lever. rtion is designed to interact with a rotating lever.

Description

Description Title of Invention: CARTRIDGE AND PRINTING MATERIAL SUPPLY SYSTEM Cross Reference to Related Application This application claims priority to se Patent Application No. 2012—003694 filed on January 12, 2012, Japanese Patent Application No. 2012—003698 filed on January 12, 2012, se Patent Application No. 2012—003653 filed on January 12, 2012, Japanese Patent Application No. 2012—003652 filed on January 12, 2012, Japanese Patent Application No. 2012—189836 filed on August 30, 2012, US Patent Application No. 13/410461 filed on March 02, 2012, U.S. Patent Application No. 478 filed on March 02, 2012, U.S. Patent Application No. 13/410528 filed on March 02, 2012, and PCT Patent ation No. filed on March 01, 2012, the entire contents of each of which is orated by reference herein.

Technical Field The present invention relates to a cartridge, a combination of a cartridge and a printing apparatus (or portion thereof) and/or a printing al supply system including the cartridge and a printing apparatus.

Background Art Various mechanisms have been proposed for attachment and detachment of a cartridge to a printing apparatus. es of such mechanisms are disclosed in U.S.

Publication No. 2005/0151811 (which corresponds to JP—A—2007—230249), U.S. Patent No. 7,008,053 (which corresponds to JP—A—2005—022345), U.S. Patent No. 6,276,780 (which corresponds to JP—A—2002—019142), U.S. Patent 6,955,422, US Patent 6,074,042, and U.S. Patent No. 7,018,030.

Summary Technical Problem U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811 discloses a cartridge with a latching lever 3 and electric contact terminal pads 102. Lever 3 includes an anchoring portion 6 for engaging with the printer. The ing portion 6 is disposed far away from the contact pads 102. Because anchoring portion 6 is far away from the cartridge terminals, the engagement with the printer can offer only limited contribution to the accuracy and ity of positioning of the dge terminals with respect to the re— spective printer terminals.

In addition, lever 3 in U.S. ation No. 151811 needs to be long enough to reach a on accessible by the user so the user can operate it. It also projects far away from the side wall of the cartridge. Such a large lever results in a larger cartridge, which can also result in a large—size printer, in which the cartridge is attached to and detached from, as well as bulky packaging for transportation and distribution of the cartridges, which in turn increases transportation and parts costs.

Also, the cartridge structure that connects the anchoring portion 6 to the cartridge— side terminals es a ﬂexible section of the lever 3. Even though the anchoring portion 6 might be securely engaged with the printer, vibration generated during printing operations can be transmitted through the ﬂexible section of the lever 3 to the cartridge terminals, and so can inﬂuence the positioning of the dge terminals with t to the printer terminals. This is particularly a concern for on—carriage type ink cartridges, such as those disclosed of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811, because they are mounted on a printer's carriage, to which the print head is attached. In on—carriage printers, the carriage is scanned back and forth over the print medium during printing operations. The ink cartridges in the carriage undergo great acceleration force with each change in scan direction, in addition to other vibration generated during printing ions.

The lever in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811 is formed integrally with the dge and is elastically able. With this configuration, the material used to produce the cartridge is limited to a material with sufficient moldability for making this configuration, and also with ient ﬂexibility and durability that is needed for the lever to elastically deform during engagement and agement with the printer.

The lever might plastically deform under ions by the user. Such plastic de— formation of the lever may cause positional misalignment between cartridge—side terminals and printer als, which could result in poor electrical communication.

Plastic deformation also reduces the lity of the lever. Also, special es, such as those sed in U.S. Patent No. 7,018,030, must be taken during packaging of the cartridge to t creep deformation of the lever while the cartridge is packaged, especially when the cartridge is packaged in a vacuum package.

US Patent No. 6,276,780 ses a cartridge without any memory or electrical terminals. Because this type of cartridge requires no electrical connection with the printer, there is no need to include structure or configuration for maintaining stable po— sitioning and alignment of cartridge terminals to printer als.

In addition, the cartridge is attached to the printer by a latch mechanism 132 (in Figs. 9—16 of US Patent No. 6,276,780) that is disposed on the printer. Cartridge—side latch ramps 220 that engage the latch mechanism 132 are far away from the pivot axis of the latch mechanism 132, in the direction in which the cartridge is removed from the r. As a result, when a resilient member 156 or compression force seal 152 applies to the cartridge a force (indicated by arrow X in Fig. 12 US Patent No. 6,276,780) in the direction in which to the cartridge is removed from the printer, this force can be easily converted into a force that releases engagement of the retainer portion 134 from the cartridge latch ramps 220, so that the cartridge might become separated from the printer during use of the printer. Because the engagement configuration disclosed in US Patent No. 780 includes this inherent risk of the cartridge becoming separated from the printer, it is not suitable for use with the configurations disclosed in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811, which require proper contact between the cartridge terminals and printer terminals. Moreover, contact between the cartridge and printer terminals in the configurations in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811 applies force from the terminals of the printer in lateral direction to the dge, so that the cartridge might move in the in lateral direction. The latch mechanism 132 of US Patent No. 6,276,780 is not suitable for the cartridge of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811 at least for the reason that it might not be able to match the lateral ion movement of the cartridge, so that the latch mechanism 132 becomes detached from the cartridge.

US Patent 6,074,042 discloses an ink cartridge with electrical contacts 54. As shown in Figs. 12A to 13B thereof, the electrical contacts 54 are at the leading edge of the ion in which the cartridge is mounted into the printer. With this configuration, when the cartridge is d into the printer, the electrical contacts 54 of the cartridge press flat against spring biased electrical contacts 104 of the printer. Metal oxidation, oil, or other non—conductive matter at the outer e of the metal electrical contacts 54 can become sandwiched between the conductive metal of the cartridge and printer ical ts, possibly hindering electrical communication between the cartridge and the printer.

U.S. Patent 6,955,422 discloses, for example in Figs. 2a to 2d thereof, a cartridge 1 that has a memory device 7 with electrodes 7a. The electrodes 7a are aligned sub— stantially parallel to the ion of cartridge insertion into the printer. With this con— figuration, the r electrodes 106 slide across the surface of the t board (on which the electrodes 7a are formed) for a long distance. The surface of the t board is typically covered with an electrically insulating resin material. When the printer electrodes 106 scrape t the t board, they can damage this tion so that fragments of the insulation ﬂake away from the circuit board. The insulation fragments can get caught between the printer electrodes 106 and the cartridge electrodes 7a, and become a cause of poor or otherwise unreliable electrical commu— nication between the printer and the cartridge.

As shown in Figs. 5 to 6B of U.S. Patent 6,955,422, the printer is provided with a leaf spring 103 that exerts an urging force that presses the surface of memory device 7 against the printer electrodes 106 when the cartridge is mounted in the printer, and that moves the cartridge 1 upward when the cartridge is pulled out of the r.

US Patent No. 7,008,053 discloses in Fig. 5 an elastic piece 40 provided on the printer. When the cartridge is fully mounted in the printer, the lower end 40a of the elastic piece 40 abuts against a flat surface 12a at the upper portion of the projecting portion 12 on which the electrodes 14 are located. The abutment between the lower end 40b and the flat surface 12a restricts upward movement of the projecting portion 12. r, the configuration of US Patent No. 7,008,053 includes no means located near the projecting portion 12 for restricting downward movement of the projecting portion 12. As a result, projecting portion 12 is fairly free to vibrate vertically during operation of the printer and therefore the electrodes can become misaligned or disconnected from the printer terminals.

Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common l knowledge in the field.

In the ce of various mechanisms for attachment and detachment, there is a need to reduce the total size of a printer for better usability and ease of installation. For reducing the size of the printer, it is typically necessary to reduce the sizes of a large number of components g the r and nt elements. These components and relevant ts include a dge attached to the printer and a cartridge mounting structure for attachment of the cartridge.

For ed use of the printer, information regarding the printing material contained in the cartridge (for example, information regarding the remaining amount of the printing material) is often displayed on the monitor of the printer. The dge ed to this printer would have a circuit board with a memory for storing the information regarding the printing material. The circuit board has terminals (cartridge-side terminals) used to send and receive information to and from the r. The information regarding the printing material is transmitted between the memory and a controller of the r through the contact of these cartridge-side terminals and terminals on the printer (apparatus-side terminals). It is accordingly necessary to maintain stable electrical connection between the cartridge-side als and the apparatus-side terminals.

As will be described below, there is no known mechanism to meet these requirements in a fully acceptable manner.

This problem is not limited to a cartridge containing ink for ng but is also commonly found in any of printing apparatuses and/or cartridges configured to supply or eject various other printing materials (for example, toner) as well as ink. (followed by page 4a) Consequently, there is a need to ensure stable electrical tion between cartridge-side terminals and apparatus-side terminals. There is also a need to attain size reduction of a cartridge, a printer and a printing material supply system including the cartridge attached to the printer. It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate one or more disadvantages of the prior art, or alternatively to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Solution to Problem In order to more suitably achieve at least part of the foregoing, the present ion (followed by page 5) WO 05195 provides various aspects and embodiments described below.

First aspect: A cartridge detachably ed to a printing apparatus, the printing apparatus sing a cartridge ng structure configured to have: (i) a apparatus—side bottom wall member; (ii) a first apparatus—side side wall member, which can be at a front thereof, provided to intersect the apparatus—side bottom wall member; and (iii) a second apparatus—side side wall member, which can be at a rear thereof, provided to intersect the apparatus—side bottom wall member and to be opposed to the first apparatus—side side wall member. The tus can include a printing material supply structure, which can be in the form of a tube, structured to have a base end provided on the tus—side bottom wall member and a peripheral end to be connected with the dge and configured to supply a printing material contained in the dge to a head. The apparatus preferable includes a plurality of apparatus—side electrical contact terminals which can be provided in an apparatus—side comer section where the apparatus—side bottom wall member intersects the first (front) apparatus—side side wall member. The apparatus can also include a lever ed on the first (front) apparatus— side side wall member in a rotatable manner to be used for attachment and detachment of the cartridge to and from the printing device. Here, a Z axis represents an axis parallel to a central axis C of the printing material supply tube, an X axis represents an axis, along which the printing material supply tube and the tus—side terminals are arrayed and which is orthogonal to the Z axis, and a Y axis ents an axis or— thogonal to both the Z axis and the X axis. A +Z—axis direction represents a direction along the Z axis from the base end to the peripheral end of the printing material supply tube, which can be an upwards direction. A —Z—axis direction represents a reverse direction to the +Z—axis ion. A +X—axis direction represents a direction along the X axis from the printing material supply tube towards the apparatus—side terminals, which can be a frontwards direction. A —X—axis direction represents a reverse direction to the +X—axis direction. A +Y—axis direction represents a direction along the Y axis going to one end, which can be a ys direction, and s direction represents a direction along the Y axis going to the other end. The apparatus can be constructed so that the apparatus—side terminals are in contact with the cartridge to apply a force, which can be a resilient or elastic force, to the cartridge in a specified direction including a +Z—axis direction component in an attached state of the dge to the cartridge mounting structure. The lever can have an operating member at the +Z—axis direction end (which can be the top end) and a first apparatus—side restriction element at the —Z—axis direction end (which can be the bottom end) to lock the cartridge and thereby ct motion of the cartridge in the +Z—axis direction. The lever can be con— structed to rotate about a specified on between the operating member and the first apparatus—side restriction element as an axis of rotation. Here, the X axis, the Y axis and the Z axis with respect to the cartridge in the attached state respectively correspond to an X axis, a Y axis and a Z axis of the dge. The cartridge can comprise a first face located on the —Z—axis direction side and a second face located on the +Z—axis ion side, as two faces opposed to each other in the Z—axis direction; a third face located on the +X—axis direction side and a fourth face located on the —X—axis direction side, as two faces opposed to each other in the X—axis direction and intersecting the first face and the second face; a corner section arranged to connect the first face with the third face; a sloped surface provided to form part of the corner section and inclined in a specific direction including the +X—axis direction component and the —Z—axis direction component. A printing material supply structure can be provided on the first face to be connected with the printing material supply tube. A plurality of cartridge— side terminals can be provided corresponding to the respective apparatus—side terminals and located on the sloped surface to receive a force in a specified direction including the +Z—axis ion component from the apparatus—side terminals. Due to the slope at the area of contact, the force can also have a —X—axis direction component. The cartridge can also include a first cartridge—side restriction portion configured to be locked by the first apparatus—side restriction element and y restrict motion of the cartridge in the +Z—axis direction.

The above configuration can be provided with either or both of two features in the ing two embodiments. In one embodiment the added feature is that the first cartridge—side restriction portion is provided at a specific on on the third face close to an intersecting part, where the third face intersects the sloped e. In another embodiment, the cartridge—side terminals se a first terminal including a first outer part located at the most +Y—axis direction end; and a second al including a second outer part located at the most s direction end, wherein the first cartridge—side restriction n is located not outside but inside a range between the first outer part and the second outer part in the Y—axis direction.

The cartridge according to a first aspect of the invention has the first cartridge—side restriction portion that engages with the lever of the printing device. Because the lever is not made integral with the cartridge, the material for producing the cartridge can be different from the material used for producing the lever. Also, the material of the dge can be selected with less concern for ﬂexibility and durability requirements, and greater focus on other properties such as ance to ink. Thus, different plastics, plastics and resins can be used to make the different components.

Also, because the lever is not on the dge, no special care is needed to prevent creep deformation of the lever in packaging of the cartridge for transportation and dis— tribution. This simplifies packaging requirements and improves the user's convenience. e the lever is not an al part of the cartridge, the cartridge can be made smaller. This further allows size reduction of the packaging material, such as paper or box, used to package the cartridge for transportation or distribution of the cartridge, thus advantageously reducing the transportation cost and the parts cost.

Because the lever is not integral with the cartridge, the first cartridge—side ction portion can be made with a small size and simple structure, and with higher rigidity compared with the structures described in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811. This results in icantly reducing the possibility of plastic deformation of the first cartridge—side ction portion. In the attached state, the cartridge can be kept at the proper position in the cartridge mounting ure, which ins normal or good contact between the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals and reduces the possibility of poor continuity. In the cartridge of the first aspect, since the first cartridge—side restriction portion can have a small size and simple structure, no special care to prevent creep deformation of the lever is required in ing for transportation and distribution of the cartridge, unlike the cartridges of U.S. Pub— lication No. 2005/0151811. This es the user's ence and convenience of use.

In the cartridge according to the first embodiment of the first , the first cartridge—side restriction portion can be provided on the —Z—axis direction side of the axis of rotation of the lever. Even when the force is applied in the direction including the +Z—axis direction component from the apparatus—side terminals to move the cartridge in the +Z—axis ion, the lever serves to restrict the motion of the cartridge in the +Z—axis direction. This reduces the possibility of the first cartridge—side re— striction portion becoming unlocked or disengaged from the first apparatus—side re— striction element, thus ensuring stable electrical connection between the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals and reducing the possibility of poor continuity. The first apparatus—side restriction element can move about the axis of rotation of the lever with the movement of the cartridge in the —X—axis direction when force in the s direction is applied from the tus—side terminals to the mounted cartridge. This reduces the ility that the first cartridge—side restriction portion is uncoupled from the first tus—side restriction element.

In the cartridge according to the first aspect, the first cartridge—side restriction portion is provided at the specific position on the third face close to the ecting part. The cartridge can thus be fixed to the cartridge mounting ure at a position near to the contact between the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals. This reduces the possibility of positional misalignment of the cartridge—side terminals relative to the apparatus—side terminals and reduces the poor continuity between the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals. In the event the cartridge falls, the first cartridge—side restriction portion prevents the cartridge—side terminals from being directly hit against, for example, the floor surface and thereby helps protect the cartridge—side als from being damaged. Especially when the cartridge—side terminals are mounted on the circuit board with a memory unit, this protects the vulnerable memory unit from being damaged and enhances the effect of shock re— ce. Providing the first cartridge—side restriction portion at the position close to the intersecting part enables the lever of the cartridge mounting structure to be located at the position closer to the first face. This enables size ion of the dge and the printing device in the Z—axis direction.

Second aspect: The cartridge according to the first aspect, n the first cartridge—side restriction portion is provided at a specific position close to an intersecting part, where the third face intersects the sloped surface.

In the cartridge according to the second aspect, the first cartridge—side restriction n is provided at the specific position close to the intersecting part. The dge can thus be fixed to the cartridge mounting structure at the position near to the contact between the dge—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals. The first cartridge—side restriction portion prevents the positional misalignment of the dge— side als relative to the apparatus—side terminals. Thus the first cartridge—side re— striction portion s the possibility of poor continuity between the cartridge—side als and the apparatus—side terminals. In the event the cartridge falls, the first dge—side restriction portion reduces the possibility of cartridge—side terminals from being directly hit against, for example, the floor surface and thereby helps protect the cartridge—side terminals from being damaged. ally when the cartridge—side terminals are mounted on the circuit board with a memory unit, this ts the vulnerable memory unit from being damaged and es the effect of shock re— sistance. When the first cartridge—side restriction portion formed as a projection, the effects of shock resistance are further ed. Providing the first cartridge—side re— striction portion at the position close to the intersecting part enables the lever of the cartridge mounting structure to be located at the position closer to the first face. This enables size reduction of the cartridge and the printing device in the Z—axis direction. [003 l] Third aspect: The cartridge according to either one of the first aspect and/or second aspect, wherein the first cartridge—side restriction portion is provided at a position intersecting a plane (plane Yc), which passes through center of a width or the Y—axis direction length of the cartridge and is parallel to the Z axis and the X axis.

When the cartridge is in a attached state in the printer, the cartridge receives a force from the apparatus—side terminals in a direction that includes a +2 axis direction component, and the first cartridge—side restriction portion is pressed against the first apparatus—side restriction portion of the lever by this force. By providing the first cartridge—side restriction portion at a location intersected by the plane Yc, the portion of the first dge—side restriction portion in the vicinity of the position intersected by the plane Yc would hardly move at all, even if the cartridge were to move about the X axis or Z axis by ation of an external force. It should be noted that the first cartridge—side restriction portion is arranged at a position that is near the intersection n, the edge of the circuit board, or both. By providing the first cartridge—side re— striction portion, which hardly moves, at a location extremely near to cartridge—side terminals, ical connection between the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus— side terminals can be stable.

Fourth aspect: The fourth aspect is the embodiment described above where the cartridge—side terminals comprise a first terminal including a first outer part located at the most +Y—axis direction end; and a second terminal including a second outer part located at the most —Y—axis direction end, wherein at least part of the first dge—side re— striction portion is located between the first outer part and the second outer part in the Y—axis direction and as ned above can be implemented independent from or together with the above described embodiments of the first aspect addressed above.

In the cartridge according to the fourth aspect, at least part of the first cartridge—side restriction portion is located between the first outer part and the second outer part. This locates the first cartridge—side restriction portion of little motion at the position very close to the cartridge—side terminals, thus ensuring the stable ical connection between the cartridge—side terminals and the contact mechanism.

Fifth aspect: The cartridge according to the fourth aspect, n the first cartridge—side re— ion portion is located not outside but inside of a range between the first outer part and the second outer part in the Y—axis direction.

Some of the apparatus—side terminals might protrude out r than the others. In the example shown in Fig. 31, the terminal 731 protrudes out further. When the cartridge is mounted within the printer, the cartridge—side als will receive from the apparatus—side terminals a force with a +2 axis direction component. If the cartridge is held too securely, then contact with some of the apparatus—side terminals (terminal 734 in Fig. 3l's example), might not be proper. By positioning the first cartridge—side restriction portion to completely the inside of the terminals in the widthwise direction, the dge can tilt sufficiently to adjust the direction in which the d surface faces, so that ical connection between the cartridge—side terminals and the tus—side terminals can be even more stable. These benefits are also nt to the urations of the embodiments addressed above.

Sixth aspect: The cartridge according to any one of the first aspect to the fifth aspect, further sing a second cartridge—side restriction portion configured to be locked by a second apparatus—side restriction element provided on the second apparatus—side side wall member and thereby restrict motion of the cartridge in the +Z—axis ion, and the second cartridge—side ction portion is provided on the fourth face.

The cartridge according to the sixth aspect has the second cartridge—side restriction portion on the fourth face to restrict the motion of the cartridge in the +Z—axis direction, so as to restrict the motion of the cartridge in the s direction from both the +X—axis direction end and the —X—axis direction end. This further prevents the po— sitional misalignment of the respective cartridge—side terminals relative to the cartridge mounting structure and further ensures the stable electrical connection between the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals.

Seventh aspect: The cartridge according to the sixth aspect, wherein the second cartridge—side re— striction portion is a projection to be inserted in the second apparatus—side restriction element formed as a recess or a through hole.

In the cartridge according to the seventh aspect, ing the second dge—side restriction portion into the second apparatus—side restriction element provides the pivot point of on to turn the cartridge about the vicinity of the second cartridge—side re— striction portion. This facilitates attachment and ment of the cartridge to and from the cartridge mounting structure. [004 l] Eighth aspect: The cartridge according to any one of the first aspect to the seventh aspect, wherein the first cartridge—side restriction n is located on the s direction side of the axis of rotation of the lever.

In the cartridge according to the eighth aspect, in the attached state, the first cartridge—side restriction portion generates rotational moment on the lever to turn the lever about the axis of rotation of the lever in the reverse direction to the unlocking ion. This reduces the possibility that the first dge—side restriction portion is ed from the first apparatus—side restriction element and further ensures the stable electrical connection between the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals. Even when the cartridge receives the force in the —X—axis direction from the apparatus—side terminals to move in the —X—axis direction, the first apparatus—side re— striction element moves in the —X—axis direction with the movement of the cartridge.

Such moving reduces the possibility that the first cartridge—side restriction n becomes unlocked from the first apparatus—side restriction element.

Ninth aspect: The cartridge according to the eighth , wherein the first cartridge—side re— striction n has a first abutting part that abuts a first portion of the first apparatus— side restriction element to restrict motion of the cartridge in the +Z—aXis direction, and a second abutting part that abuts a second portion of the first apparatus—side restriction element to restrict motion of the cartridge in the +X—aXis direction.

In the cartridge according to the ninth , the first cartridge—side restriction portion has the first abutting part and the second abutting part and thus ensures generation of the rotational moment on the lever to turn the lever about the axis of rotation of the lever in the reverse direction to the unlocking direction. This further reduces the possibility that the first cartridge—side restriction portion is unlocked from the first apparatus—side restriction element and more effectively prevents the poor continuity between the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals.

Tenth aspect: The cartridge according to any one of the first aspect to the ninth aspect, further comprising a projection configured to abut the operating member of the lever and e a force including the +Z—aXis direction component during detachment of the dge attached to the cartridge mounting structure from the dge mounting structure, and the projection is provided on the +Z—aXis direction side of the first cartridge—side restriction portion on the third face.

The cartridge according to the tenth aspect r has the projection. The cartridge can be readily removed from the cartridge mounting ure by using the operating member of the lever and the projection.

Eleventh aspect: The cartridge according to any one of the first aspect to the tenth aspect, wherein the comer section has a step extended from the first face in the +Z—aXis direction, the step is located on the —X—aXis ion side and the —Z—aXis direction side of the sloped surface, and the step has a third cartridge—side ction t that is in contact with a third apparatus—side ction element provided on the cartridge mounting structure, so as to restrict motion of the cartridge in the Y—aXis direction.

In the cartridge according to the eleventh aspect, the third cartridge—side restriction t to restrict the motion of the dge in the Y—aXis direction is provided in the comer section with the cartridge—side terminals. This restricts the motion of the third face—side of the cartridge in the Y—aXis direction in the attached state of the dge.

Twelfth aspect: The cartridge according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the third cartridge—side re— striction element comprises a pair of projection members configured to e the third apparatus—side restriction element protruded from the apparatus—side bottom wall member in the s direction, and the pair of projection members are protruded from the step in the +X—aXis direction.

In the cartridge according to the twelfth aspect, the simple structure of providing the pair of projection members protruded in the +X—aXis direction from the step effectively restricts the motion of the third face—side of the cartridge in the Y—aXis direction in the attached state of the cartridge. [005 l] Thirteenth aspect: The cartridge according to either one of the eleventh aspect and the twelfth aspect, wherein part of the third cartridge—side ction t ps the sloped surface, when the cartridge is viewed from the first face side in the +Z—aXis direction.

In the cartridge according to the thirteenth aspect, the third cartridge—side restriction element and the sloped surface are located to partly overlap with each other. This further restricts the motion of the third face—side of the cartridge in the Y—aXis direction about the printing material supply tube.

Fourteenth aspect: The cartridge according to any one of the first aspect to the thirteenth aspect, wherein the ink supply structure is provided at a specific position on the first face closer to the fourth face than the third face.

The cartridge according to the fourteenth aspect has the ink supply structure located closer to the fourth face than the third face. This ure lowers the possibility of adhesion of the ng al on the dge—side terminals, compared with the structure where the ink supply structure is d closer to the third face than the fourth face. This reduces the poor continuity between the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals. [0055 ] Fifteenth aspect: The cartridge ing to any one of the first aspect to the enth aspect, wherein the first cartridge—side restriction portion is a projection.

The cartridge according to the fifteenth aspect es the first cartridge—side re— striction n as a projection which can be of a small size and simple structure.

Sixteenth aspect: The cartridge according to any one of the first aspect to the fifteenth aspect, wherein the cartridge—side terminals include a cartridge—side ground terminal that is in contact with a apparatus—side ground terminal of the apparatus—side terminals, which is connected with a ground line, and the cartridge—side ground terminal is provided on center of the width or the Y—aXis direction length of the dge and is configured to be in contact with the apparatus—side ground terminal before any other cartridge—side terminal is in contact with a corresponding apparatus—side terminal in the course of at— tachment of the cartridge to the cartridge mounting structure. [005 8] In the cartridge according to the sixteenth aspect, the force first applied from the cartridge mounting structure to the cartridge—side terminals is generated on the sub— stantial center of the width or the Y—axis ion length of the cartridge. This prevents the force applied to the cartridge—side terminals from acting to tilt the cartridge in the Y—axis ion, thus ensuring stable electrical connection n the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side als. The cartridge—side ground terminals are in contact with the ponding apparatus—side ground terminals, prior to the contact of the other cartridge—side terminals with the corresponding apparatus—side terminals. The grounding function of the dge—side ground terminal advantageously prevents or s the high voltage—induced troubles and failures, even when an unexpected high voltage is applied to the cartridge.

Seventeenth aspect: The cartridge according to the sixteenth aspect, wherein a Z—axis direction length of the cartridge—side ground terminal is longer than the Z—axis direction length of the other cartridge—side terminal.

The cartridge according to the eenth aspect ensures the contact between the dge—side ground terminal and the tus—side ground terminal.

Eighteenth aspect: A cartridge detachably attached to a printing device, the printing device sing a cartridge mounting structure configured to allow attachment and detachment of the cartridge; a printing material supply tube ured to have a base end provided on a bottom of the cartridge mounting structure and a peripheral end to be connected with the cartridge and ured to supply a printing material contained in the cartridge to a head; a plurality of tus—side terminals provided to be in contact with the cartridge; and a lever provided to be used for attachment and detachment of the cartridge, wherein a Z axis represents an axis parallel to a l axis C of the printing material supply tube, an X axis represents an axis, along which the printing material supply tube and the apparatus—side terminals are arrayed and which is orthogonal to the Z axis, and a Y axis represents an axis orthogonal to both the Z axis and the X axis, wherein a +Z—axis direction represents a direction along the Z axis going from the base end to the peripheral end of the printing material supply tube, a —Z—axis direction represents a reverse direction to the +Z—axis direction, a +X—axis direction represents a direction along the X axis going from the printing material supply tube to the apparatus—side terminals, a —X—axis direction ents a reverse direction to the +X—axis direction, a +Y—axis direction represents a direction along the Y axis going to one end, and —Y—axis ion represents a direction along the Y axis going to the other end, wherein the apparatus—side terminals are in contact with the cartridge to apply a force to the cartridge in a specified direction including the +Z—axis direction component in an attached state of the cartridge to the cartridge mounting structure, and the lever has an operating member at the +Z—axis ion end and a first apparatus— side restriction element at the —Z—axis direction end to lock the cartridge and thereby restrict motion of the cartridge in the +Z—axis direction, the lever rotating about a specified position between the operating member and the first apparatus—side re— striction element as an axis of rotation, wherein the X axis, the Y axis and the Z axis with t to the cartridge in the ed state tively correspond to an X axis, a Y axis and a Z axis of the cartridge. The cartridge comprises an ink supply structure located at the —Z—axis ion end of the cartridge to be connected with the printing material supply tube; a circuit board located on the +X—axis direction side of the ink supply ure and has a surface inclined in a specified direction including the +X—axis direction component and the —Z—axis direction component; a plurality of cartridge—side terminals provided corresponding to the respective apparatus—side terminals and located on the surface of the circuit board to receive a force in a specified direction including the +Z—axis direction component from the apparatus—side als; and a first dge—side restriction portion configured to be locked by the first apparatus—side restriction element and thereby restrict motion of the cartridge in the +Z—axis direction and located on the s direction side of the printing material supply structure, The above configuration can be provided with either or both of the features in the following two embodiments. In one embodiment the added feature is that the first cartridge—side restriction portion is provided at a specific position close to a board end, the board end being located on the +Z—axis direction side of the surface of the circuit board. In another embodiment, the cartridge—side terminals comprise a first terminal including a first outer part located at the most +Y—axis direction end; and a second terminal including a second outer part located at the most —Y—axis direction end, wherein the first cartridge—side restriction portion is located not outside but inside a range between the first outer part and the second outer part in the Y—axis direction.

The dge according to the eighteenth aspect has the first cartridge—side restriction portion locked by the lever of the ng device. The first cartridge—side restriction n is d on the —Z—axis direction side of the axis of rotation of the lever. This structure does not require any ment member between the axis of rotation and the operating member of the lever like the dge according to the first aspect described above and has the similar advantageous effects to those of the cartridge according to the first aspect. For example, the dge ing to the eighteenth aspect shortens the distance between the lever and the cartridge, thus allowing size reduction in the X—axis direction of the printing device and the whole printing material supply system including the cartridge and the printing device. 2012/008314 In the cartridge according to the eighteenth aspect, the first cartridge—side restriction portion is provided on the —Z—axis direction side of the axis of rotation of the lever.

This enables restriction of the motion of the cartridge in the +Z—axis direction by the lever like the cartridge according to the first aspect and has the similar advantageous effects to those of the dge according to the first aspect. For example, this ensures a more stable electrical connection between the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side als and reduces the poor continuity.

According to the embodiment where the cartridge—side terminals comprise a first al including a first outer part located at the most +Y—axis direction end; and a second terminal including a second outer part located at the most —Y—axis direction end, wherein the first cartridge—side restriction portion is located not outside but inside a range between the first outer part and the second outer part in the Y—axis direction, the first cartridge—side restriction portion is located not outside but inside the range between the first outer part and the second outer part. This enables fine adjustment of the direction of the sloped surface with the cartridge—side terminals provided n, like the cartridge ing to the first embodiment. Even when the position of each of the apparatus—side terminals or the slope of the first cartridge—side restriction portion varies due to the manufacturing error, such fine adjustment of the direction of the sloped surface ensures the stable electrical connection between the dge—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals.

According to the embodiment where the first cartridge—side ction portion is provided at a specific position close to a board end, the board end being located on the +Z—axis direction side of the surface of the circuit board, the first cartridge—side re— striction portion is provided at the position close to the board end located on the +Z—axis direction side. In other words, the first cartridge—side restriction portion is arranged as close as possible to the cartridge—side terminals. Since the first cartridge— side restriction n is locked by the lever, the periphery of the first cartridge—side restriction portion has substantially no on shift by application of an external force to the cartridge. Providing the cartridge—side terminals at the location of extremely small position shift effectively prevents the positional misalignment of the respective dge—side terminals relative to the cartridge mounting structure, thus maintaining the stable electrical connection n the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus— side terminals.

Nineteenth aspect: A printing material supply system, comprising a printing ; and the cartridge according to any one of the first aspect to the enth aspect, the printing device sing a cartridge ng structure configured to have: (i) a apparatus—side bottom wall member; (ii) a first apparatus—side side wall member ed to intersect the apparatus—side bottom wall member; and (iii) a second apparatus—side side wall member provided to intersect the tus—side bottom wall member and to be opposed to the first apparatus—side side wall member; a printing material supply tube ured to have a base end provided on the tus—side bottom wall member and a peripheral end to be connected with the cartridge and configured to supply a printing al contained in the cartridge to a head; a plurality of apparatus—side terminals provided in a apparatus—side corner section where the apparatus—side bottom wall member intersects the first apparatus—side side wall member; and a lever ed on the first tus—side side wall member in a rotatable manner to be used for at— tachment and detachment of the cartridge to and from the printing apparatus, wherein a Z axis represents an axis parallel to a central axis C of the printing al supply tube, an X axis represents an axis, along which the printing material supply tube and the apparatus—side terminals are arrayed and which is orthogonal to the Z axis, and a Y axis represents an axis onal to both the Z axis and the X axis, wherein a +Z—axis direction represents a direction along the Z axis going from the base end to the pe— ripheral end of the printing material supply tube, a —Z—axis direction represents a reverse direction to the s direction, a +X—axis direction represents a direction along the X axis going from the printing material supply tube to the apparatus—side terminals, a —X—axis direction represents a reverse direction to the +X—axis direction, a +Y—axis direction represents a direction along the Y axis going to one end, and —Y—axis direction represents a direction along the Y axis going to the other end, wherein the apparatus—side als are in t with the cartridge to apply a force to the cartridge in a specified direction including the +Z—axis direction component in an attached state of the cartridge to the cartridge mounting structure, and the lever has an operating member at the +Z—axis direction end and a first apparatus—side restriction t at the —Z—axis direction end to lock the cartridge and thereby ct motion of the cartridge in the s direction, the lever rotating about a specified position between the operating member and the first apparatus—side restriction element as an axis of rotation.

The printing material supply system according to the nineteenth aspect includes the cartridge in accordance with any one of the first aspect to the enth aspect, so as to allow size reduction of the printing material supply system in both the X—axis direction and the Z—axis ion and reduce the possibility that the first apparatus—side restriction element is unlocked from the first cartridge—side restriction portion. This s the stable electrical connection between the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals and reduces the poor continuity.

As can be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the embodiments of the present invention are directed to an ink cartridge, combinations of an ink cartridge with a ng apparatus, or a portion of a printing apparatus, where the ink cartridge is installed on the tus and systems adapted to supply ink to a printing apparatus where the system includes the printing tus (or portions thereof) and/or where the system does not include the printing apparatus.

In one embodiment of the invention, an ink cartridge for mounting on an ink jet printing tus, the ink jet printing apparatus comprising an ink supply tube, an apparatus-side terminal, a rotatable lever having a pivot, and a hole structure, the ink cartridge comprising: an ink supply port to connect to the ink supply tube; a cartridge-side terminal to electrically connect to the apparatus-side terminal; a first locking member; and a second locking member, wherein a Z axis represents an axis parallel to a central axis of the ink supply port, an X axis represents an axis being orthogonal to the Z axis, along which the ink supply port and a cartridge-side terminal are arrayed, and a Y axis represents an axis orthogonal to the Z axis and the X axis, wherein a negative Z-axis direction represents a direction along the Z axis going from a base end to an open end of the ink supply port, a positive Z-axis direction represents a reverse direction to the negative Z-axis direction, a positive X-axis direction represents a direction along the X axis going from the ink supply port to the cartridge-side terminal, and a ve X-axis direction represents a reverse direction to the positive X-axis direction, the first locking member is to engage with the rotatable lever at a first locking position so as to restrict movement of the ink dge toward the positive Z-axis direction, the second locking member is to engage with the hole structure at a second locking position so as to restrict movement of the ink cartridge toward the positive Z-axis direction, the first locking position is located on the negative Z-axis direction side and on the positive X-axis direction side of the second locking position, and in the case that the first locking member is engaged with the rotatable lever, the first g position is located on the negative Z-axis direction side and on the ve X-axis direction side of the pivot being parallel to the Y axis.

In one embodiment provided is an ink cartridge for mounting on an ink jet ng tus, the ink jet printing apparatus comprising an ink supply tube, an apparatus-side terminal, a rotatable lever having a pivot, and a hole ure, the ink cartridge comprising: an ink supply port to connect to the ink supply tube; a cartridge-side terminal to electrically connect to the apparatus-side terminal; a first locking member; and a second g member, wherein, in the case that the cartridge mounts on the ink jet printing apparatus, a Z axis ents an axis parallel to a central axis of the ink supply tube, an X axis ents an axis being orthogonal to the Z axis, along which the ink supply tube and a apparatus-side terminal are arrayed, and a Y axis represents an axis orthogonal to the Z axis and the X axis, wherein a positive Z-axis direction represents a ion along the Z axis going from a base end to an open end of the ink supply tube, a negative Z-axis ion represents a e direction to the negative Z-axis direction, a positive X-axis direction represents a ion along the X axis going from the ink supply tube to the apparatus-side terminal, and a negative X-axis direction represents a reverse direction to the ve X-axis direction, the first locking member is to engage with the rotatable lever at a first locking position so as to restrict movement of the ink cartridge toward the positive Z-axis direction, the second locking member is to engage with the hole structure at a second locking position so as to restrict movement of the ink cartridge toward the ve Z-axis direction, the first locking position is located on the negative Z-axis direction side and on the positive X-axis direction side of the second locking position, and the first locking position is located on the negative Z-axis direction side and on the negative X-axis direction side of the pivot being parallel to the Y axis.

The present invention is not limited to the cartridge, the combination of the ink cartridge with the printing apparatus or the printing material supply system described above but may be implemented by diversity of other s, for example, a liquid cartridge, a liquid container, a printing material container, a cartridge r, a circuit board, a printing apparatus, a liquid on apparatus, and a liquid supply system including a liquid ejection apparatus and a liquid dge. The invention is not limited to the above aspects, but a multiplicity of variations and modifications may be made to these aspects without departing from the scope of the invention.

When addressing a ation of an ink cartridge with a printing apparatus and/or an ink jet printing apparatus it should be understood that the ink cartridge is installed attached or mounted on the printing tus.

The foregoing summary, as well as the following description of embodiments, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like components. For the purposes of illustrating the apparatus of the present application, there is shown in the drawings certain embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the application is not limited to the precise arrangement, structures, features, embodiments, s, and apparatuses shown, and the arrangements, structures, features, embodiments, aspects and apparatuses shown may be used singularly or in combination with other ements, structures, features, embodiments, aspects and apparatuses.

Unless the context clearly es otherwise, throughout the ption and claims the terms “comprise”, “comprising” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense. That is, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.

The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and are not in any way intended to cartridge.

In a preferred embodiment, the plane defined by the leading edge is below the bottom or fourth surface. In other ments, it is substantially flush with the bottom. In still other embodiments it can be recessed above the bottom or fourth surface.

In one embodiment an ink supply system adapted to supply ink to an ink jet printing apparatus is disclosed where the ink jet printing apparatus includes a plurality of apparatus—side contact forming members. The ink supply system ably includes an ink chamber for storing ink and an ink supply structure, adapted and configured to supply ink from the ink r to the ink jet printing apparatus. The ink supply structure has a mounting direction leading edge defining a plane. The ink supply system preferably includes an electrical device. The ink supply system can also include a terminal bearing structure having a plurality of electrically conductive als, the terminals adapted and arranged on the terminal g structure to make contact with and receive elastic force from the contact forming s at contact portions of the terminals when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus. The ink supply system can also include a first restriction portion d to engage with the en— gagement portion of a lever on the printing apparatus so as to restrict movement of the terminal bearing ure and terminals n in a direction opposite the ng direction. The engagement portion of the first restriction n is preferably po— sitioned adjacent the terminal bearing structure. The terminals can be arranged sub— stantially in a terminal plane which is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane defined by the leading edge when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus. Alternatively, the terminal bearing structure determines the plane and/or the plane is d by the terminals in contact with the respective ure on the printing apparatus. [008 l] In one embodiment of the system, the terminal plane is at an angle of between about and 50 degrees, preferably from about 25 and 40 degrees to the plane defined by the leading edge when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus.

In one embodiment of the system, when the ink supply system is in place to supply ink to the printing apparatus, the ment n of the first restriction n is located to the left of a right edge of a rightmost al of the plurality of terminals and to the right of a left edge of a leftmost terminal of the plurality of terminals.

In one embodiment of the system, the terminals are adapted and arranged on the terminal bearing structure to make contact with and receive elastic force from the contact forming members at contact portions of the terminals. The contact portions are arranged substantially in a contact portion plane. When the ink supply system is in place to supply ink to the ng apparatus, the engagement portion of the first re— striction n can be located to the left of the rightmost contact portion of the plurality of als and to the right of the st contact portion of the plurality of terminals. The contact portions can define a plane at an angle over 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees to the plane defined by the leading edge. This plane defined by the contact portions is preferably at over 20 degrees and less than 50 degrees to the plane defined by the leading edge when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus.

In one embodiment, the ink supply system also includes a body that includes a front or first surface, and a rear or second surface, the front or first surface and rear or second surface opposite each other. The ink supply system can also include a re— striction portion proximate to the rear or second surface of the body, referred to as the second restriction portion, the terminal bearing structure proximate to the front or first surface of the body. The second restriction portion can e an engagement portion adapted and configured to engage with a respective portion of the ink jet printing apparatus. The distance between the engagement portion of the second restriction portion and the plane defined by the leading edge is more than the distance between the ment portion of the first restriction portion and the plane defined by the leading edge, when the distances are ed in an onal direction to the plane defined by the leading edge.

In one embodiment, the second restriction portion can be proximate to the rear or second surface of the body, the terminal bearing structure proximate to the first surface or front of the body, the second restriction portion adapted and configured to engage with a respective portion of the ink jet printing tus, wherein the distance between the engagement portion of the second restriction portion and the plane defined by the leading edge is more than the distance between the engagement n of the first restriction portion and the plane defined by the leading edge, when the distances are measured in an orthogonal direction to the plane d by the leading edge.

In one ment, the distance between the engagement portion of the first re— striction portion and the plane d by the g edge is less than the distance between a pivot point of the lever and the plane defined by the leading edge when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus, when the distances are measured in an orthogonal direction to the plane defined by the leading edge.

In one embodiment, when the ink supply system es ink to the printing apparatus, the engagement portion of the first restriction n is on the right and the ink supply structure is facing down, the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is to the left of a pivot point of the lever.

In one ment the ink supply system includes a body proximate the terminal bearing structure and when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus, at least a portion of the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is located substantially at the widthwise center of the body.

In one embodiment, the ink supply system can include an r where the ink supply structure, the terminal g structure and the first restriction portion are po— sitioned on the adapter and the ink chamber is adapted and configured to be mated with the adapter. In another embodiment, the system can include an r where the al g structure and the first restriction portion are positioned on the adapter, the ink supply structure is positioned on the ink chamber and the ink chamber is adapted and configured to be mated with the adapter. Alternatively, the system can include an adapter, an ink tank external from the ink jet printing apparatus, a tube and an auxiliary adapter where the ink supply structure is positioned on the auxiliary adapter, the terminal bearing structure and the first restriction n are positioned on the adapter and the tube supplies ink from the external tank to the ary r when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus.

In one embodiment, the ink supply system includes a body that includes a top and a bottom, the top and bottom being opposite each other, where the plane defined by the leading edge is substantially flush with the bottom. [009 l] The present invention is not d to the cartridge, the combination of the ink cartridge with the printing apparatus or the printing material supply system described above but may be implemented by diversity of other aspects, for example, a liquid cartridge, a liquid container, a ng material container, a cartridge adapter, a circuit board, a printing apparatus, a liquid on apparatus, and a liquid supply system ing a liquid ejection apparatus and a liquid cartridge. The invention is not limited to the above aspects, but a multiplicity of variations and modifications may be made to these aspects without departing from the scope of the invention. When addressing a combination of an ink cartridge with a printing apparatus and/or an ink jet printing apparatus it should be understood that the ink cartridge is installed attached or mounted on the printing apparatus.

The foregoing summary, as well as the following description of embodiments, will be better tood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings wherein like nce numerals refer to like components. For the purposes of illustrating the apparatus of the present application, there is shown in the drawings certain em— bodiments. It should be understood, however, that the application is not limited to the precise arrangement, structures, features, embodiments, aspects, and apparatuses shown, and the ements, structures, features, embodiments, s and ap— paratuses shown may be used singularly or in combination with other arrangements, ures, features, embodiments, aspects and apparatuses.

The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and are not in any way intended to limit the scope of this invention, but merely to clarify a single rated embodiment of the invention. In the drawings: Brief ption of Drawings ]Fig. 1 is a ctive view illustrating the configuration of a printing al supply system; [fig.2]Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a holder with a cartridge attached thereto; [fig.3]Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a holder with a cartridge attached thereto; [fig.4]Fig. 4 is a top view illustrating a holder with a cartridge attached thereto; [fig.5]Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line F4—F4 in Fig. 4; [fig.5A]Fig. 5A is a sectional view illustrating a holder with a dge attached thereto; [fig.6A]Fig. 6A shows how the force is applied from the cartridge to a lever; [fig.6B]Fig. 6B shows how the force is applied from the cartridge to a lever; [fig.7]Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the structure of the cartridge; [fig.8]Fig. 8 is a bottom view of the cartridge; [fig.9]Fig. 9 is a sectional view, taken on line F8—F8 in Fig. 8; [fig.9A]Fig. 9A shows a view of the cartridge and the lever when the cartridge is in its mounted on; [fig.10A]Fig. 10A illustrates the detailed structure of a circuit board; [fig.10B]Fig. 10B illustrates the detailed structure of a t board; 1]Fig. 11 is a rear view of the cartridge; [fig.12 Fig. 12 is a front view of the cartridge; [fig. 13 Fig. 13 is a left side view of the cartridge; Fig. 14 is a perspective view illustrating the structure of the holder; Fig. 15 is a perspective view illustrating the structure of the holder; Fig. 16 is a top view illustrating the structure of the ; Fig. 17 is a sectional view, taken on line F16—F16 in Fig. 16; [fig. 18 Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a contact mechanism; [fig. 19 Fig. 19 is a perspective view illustrating the appearance of a lever; [fig.20]Fig. 20 illustrates a cross section of a shaft body of the lever taken on a plane parallel to the X axis and the Z aXis; [fig.21]Fig. 21 is a sectional view of the lever; [fig.22]Fig. 22 is an exploded perspective view of a retainer and a perspective view of the lever; [fig.23]Fig. 23 is a sectional view showing the structure of the periphery of the lever in an attached state of the cartridge to the ; [fig.24]Fig. 24 shows the procedure for attachment of the cartridge to the holder; ]Fig. 25 shows the procedure for attachment of the cartridge to the holder; [fig.26]Fig. 26 shows the procedure for attachment of the cartridge to the holder; [fig.27]Fig. 27 shows the procedure for attachment of the cartridge to the holder; 7A]Fig. 27A is a up view of the cartridge attached to the holder; [fig.27B]Fig. 27B is a close—up view of the cartridge attached to the holder; [fig.28]Fig. 28 is a block diagram illustrating the electrical structure; [fig.29]Fig. 29 illustrates the connection between the circuit board and an attachment detection circuit; [fig.30]Fig. 30 shows the external force applied to the cartridge in the attached state; [fig.3l]Fig. 31 shows fine adjustment of the direction of a sloped surface; [fig.32A]Fig. 32A shows one example of advantageous effect; [fig.32B]Fig. 32B shows one example of advantageous effect; [fig.32C]Fig. 32C shows one example of advantageous effect; [fig.32D]Fig. 32D shows one example of advantageous effect; 2E]Fig. 32E shows one example of ageous effect; [fig.32F]Fig. 32F shows one example of advantageous effect; [fig.33]Fig. 33 illustrates a printer according to a second embodiment; [fig.34]Fig. 34 is a ctive view illustrating the appearance of a cartridge according to a third embodiment; [fig.35A]Fig. 35A is conceptual diagram showing cartridge outer shape according to other embodiment; [fig.35B]Fig. 35B is conceptual diagram showing cartridge outer shape according to other embodiment; [fig.35C]Fig. 35C is conceptual diagram showing cartridge outer shape according to other embodiment; [fig.35D]Fig. 35D is conceptual diagram showing cartridge outer shape according to other embodiment; [fig.35E]Fig. 35E is conceptual diagram showing cartridge outer shape according to other ment; 5F]Fig. 35F is tual diagram showing cartridge outer shape according to other embodiment; [fig.35G]Fig. 35G is conceptual m g cartridge outer shape according to other embodiment; [fig.35H]Fig. 35H is conceptual m showing cartridge outer shape according to other embodiment; [fig.35I]Fig. 351 is a conceptual diagram showing a dge that has elongated terminals; [fig.35I]Fig. 35] is a conceptual diagram showing a cartridge that has a contact mechanism disposed to the outside of the circuit board; [fig.36]Fig. 36 is a perspective view illustrating the structure of a cartridge with an adapter according to one embodiment; [fig.37]Fig. 37 is a perspective view illustrating the structure of a cartridge with an adapter according to another embodiment; [fig.37B]Fig. 37B is a ctive view showing a cartridge composed of an adapter and a container assembly; [fig.38]Fig. 38 is a perspective view illustrating the structure of a cartridge with an adapter according to another ment; [fig.39A]Fig. 39A rates the structure of a lever according to one modification; [fig.39B]Fig. 39B rates the structure of a lever according to one modification; [fig.40]Fig. 40 illustrates attachment of the cartridge to a holder according to one mod— ification; [fig.4lA]Fig. 41A shows cations of the terminal shape; [fig.4lB]Fig. 4lB shows modifications of the terminal shape; [fig.4lC]Fig. 4lC shows modifications of the terminal shape; 2A]Fig. 42A is a graph showing a relation of wiping amount of a board terminal to a board inclination angle phi [fig.42B]Fig 42B shows the wiping amount of a board terminal; 3A]Fig. 43A is a graph showing a relation of upward force by an apparatus—side ground al to a board inclination angle phi; [fig.43B]Fig. 43B shows the upward force by the tus—side ground terminal; [fig.44]Fig. 44 is a graph showing another relation of wiping amount of the board terminal to a board inclination angle phi; and [fig.45]Fig. 45 is a graph showing another relation of upward force by the apparatus— side ground terminal to a board inclination angle phi.

Description of Embodiments In order to r clarify the configurations and the operations of the invention, some embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the ac— companied drawings.

A. First Embodiment A—l. General uration of Printing al Supply System Fig. l is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of a printing al supply system 10. XYZ axes orthogonal to one another are shown in Fig. l. The XYZ axes in Fig. 1 correspond to the XYZ axes in the other drawings. In the subsequent drawings, the XYZ axes are shown when needed. The printing material supply system 10 includes cartridges 20 and a printer 50 serving as a printing apparatus. In the printing WO 05195 material supply system 10, the cartridges 20 are removably attached to a holder 60 of the printer 50 by the user.

Each of the cartridges 20 in the printing material supply system 10 contains ink as a printing material. The ink as the printing material contained in the cartridge 20 is ed through an ink supply structure and a printing material supply tube (described later) to a head 540. According to this embodiment, a ity of the cartridges 20 are removably attached to the holder 60 of the printer 50. More specifically, siX cartridges respectively containing siX different color inks (i.e., black, yellow, magenta, light magenta, cyan and light cyan) are attached to the holder 60. It will be appreciated by one of ry skill in the art that, although the description herein references ink, any substance that can be used for printing is envisaged to be usable as described in more detail below in connection with the disclosed dge, ation and/or supply system and the invention should not be limited thereby.

According to other embodiments, the number of dges attached to the holder 60 is not limited to siX but may be r than siX or less than siX. According to other em— bodiments, the number of different color inks is not limited to siX colors but may be r than siX colors or less than siX colors. According to other embodiments, two or more dges 20 attached to the holder 60 may contain one identical color ink. The detailed structures of the cartridge 20 and the holder 60 will be described later.

The printer 50 of the printing material supply system 10 shown in Fig. 1 is a compact inkjet printer for personal use. The printer 50 has a ller 510 and a carriage 520 including the holder 60, in addition to the holder 60. The carriage 520 also includes the head 540. The printer 50 supplies ink from the cartridge 20 attached to the holder 60 through the printing material supply tube (described later) to the head 540 and ejects ink from the head 540 onto a printing medium 90, such as printing sheet or label, so as to print various data, such as ter strings, figures and images, on the ng medium 90. Although described in terms of an ink jet printer, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the applicability of the invention to other printer types and printing material supply systems as described in more detail below and the invention should not be limited thereby.

The controller 510 of the printer 50 serves to control the operations of the respective parts of the printer 50. The carriage 520 of the printer 50 is configured to scan the head 540 reciprocally across the ng medium 90. The head 540 of the printer 50 has an ink ejection mechanism configured to eject ink from the cartridge 20 attached to the holder 60 onto the printing medium 90. The controller 510 and the carriage 520 are electrically connected via a ﬂexible cable 517. The ink ejection mechanism of the head 540 is operated by l signals from the controller 510.

According to this embodiment, the carriage 520 has the head 540 and the holder 60.

WO 05195 This type of the printer 50 having the cartridges 20 attached to the holder 60 on the carriage 520 g to move the head 540 is called "on—carriage type" printer.

According to another ment, a stationary holder 60 may be provided at a different position from the carriage 520, and ink may be supplied from each of the cartridges 20 attached to the stationary holder 60 to the head 540 of the carriage 520 through a ﬂexible tube. This type of the r is called "off—carriage type" printer.

According to this embodiment, the printer 50 has a main scan feed mechanism and a sub—scan feed mechanism to move the carriage 520 and the printing medium 90 relative to each other and ent printing on the printing medium 90. The main scan feed mechanism of the printer 50 includes a carriage motor 522 and a drive belt 524 and serves to transfer the power of the carriage motor 520 to the carriage 520 by means of the drive belt 520, so as to move the carriage 520 back and forth in a main scanning direction. The sub—scan feed mechanism of the printer 50 includes a feed motor 532 and a platen 534 and serves to transfer the power of the feed motor 532 to the platen 534, so as to feed the printing medium 90 in a sub—scanning direction or— thogonal to the main scanning direction. The carriage motor 522 of the main scan feed ism and the feed motor 532 of the sub—scan feed mechanism are operated by control signals from the controller 510.

According to this embodiment, when the printing material supply system 10 is in the orientation typical for use, the X axis represents the axis along the sub—scanning direction —rear direction), in which the printing medium 90 is fed. The Y axis represents the axis along the main scanning direction (left—right or side—to—side direction when the system 10 is viewed from the front), in which the carriage 520 is moved back and forth. The Z axis represents the axis in the direction of gravity (vertical direction). The use state of the printing material supply system 10 means the state of the printing material supply system 10 placed on a horizontal plane. In this em— bodiment, the horizontal plane is a plane parallel to the X axis and the Y axis, i.e., XY plane.

According to this embodiment, the +X—axis direction ents the sub—scanning ion (forward ion), the s direction represents its reverse direction (backward direction) the +Z—axis direction represents the direction going from the bottom to the top of the printing material supply system 10 in the direction te to the direction of gravity (upward direction), and the —Z—axis direction represents the reverse to the +Z axis direction, that is, the direction of gravity (downward direction).

In this embodiment, the +X—axis direction side (front side) is the front face of the ng al supply system 10. According to this embodiment, the +Y—axis direction represents the direction going from the right side face to the left side face of the ng material supply system 10 (leftward direction), and the —Y—axis direction represents its reverse direction (rightward ion). In this embodiment, the plurality of cartridges 20 attached to the holder 60 are arrayed in the direction along the Y axis (left—right or side—to—side direction) called the "Y—axis direction". Similarly the direction along the X axis (front—rear ion) and the direction along the Z axis (vertical direction) are called the "X—axis direction" and the "Z—axis direction".

A—2. Structure for Attachment of dge 20 to Holder 60 Figs. 2 and 3 are perspective views illustrating the holder 60 with the cartridge 20 attached thereto. Fig. 4 is a top view illustrating the holder 60 holder 60 with the cartridge 20 attached thereto. In the state illustrated in Figs. 2 to 4, one cartridge 20 is ly attached at a designed attachment position of the holder 60. The state of " properly attached at a designed attachment position" and a ed" position means that the cartridge 20 is attached, or said differently, mounted, such that cartridge—side terminals are located at positions tively in contact with corresponding apparatus— side terminals included in a contact mechanism of the printer 50 (described later).

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the holder 60 of the printer 50 has five wall members 601, 603, 604, 605 and 606. A recess formed by these five wall members serves as a cartridge chamber or cartridge ng ure 602. The cartridge chamber 602 is parted by partition walls 607 into a plurality of slots (mounting spaces) to receive the respective cartridges 20. The partition walls 607 serve as guides to insert the cartridges into the respective slots, but may be d as appropriate. Each slot has a printing material supply tube 640, a contact ism 70, a lever 80, a second tus—side restriction element 620 and a projection 636 serving as a third apparatus—side re— striction element. One side face (+Z—axis direction side face, top face) of each slot is open, and the cartridge 20 is attached to and detached from the holder 60 via this open side face (open top face).

The cartridge 20 is attached to the holder 60 in such a state that the cartridge 20 is locked by the lever 80 and the second apparatus—side restriction element 620 and that the ink supply structure (described later) is connected with the printing material supply tube 640. This state is called "attached state of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60" simply "attached" state or atively "mounted" state. Connecting the printing material supply tube 640 with the ink supply structure of the cartridge 20 enables ink as the ng material contained in the cartridge 20 to be supplied to the head 540 (Fig. 1).

The printing material supply tube 640 has a peripheral end 642 (also called "connection end") located on the +Z—axis direction side and a base end 645 located on the —Z—axis direction side. The base end 645 is provided on the bottom wall member 601, and the peripheral end 642 is ted with the ink supply structure of the cartridge 20. The printing material supply tube 640 has a l axis C parallel to the Z axis. The direction going from the base end 645 to the peripheral end 642 along the central axis C is the +Z—aXis direction.

As shown in Fig. 2, an elastic member 648 is provided around the printing al supply tube 640 to seal the periphery of the ink supply structure of the cartridge 20 in the ed state, so as to prevent leakage of ink from the ink supply structure to the periphery. In the attached state, the elastic member 648 applies a pressing force including a +Z—aXis direction component to the cartridge 20.

In the attached (mounted) state, electrical connection between the terminals provided on a circuit board (described later) of the dge 20 and those of the contact mechanism 70 in each slot of the holder 60 allows transmission of s information between the cartridge 20 and the printer 50.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view, taken on F4—F4 line of Fig. 4. The projection 636 is omitted from the illustration. The ng al supply tube 640 of the printer 50 is connected with an ink supply structure 280 of the cartridge 20, so that ink is supplied from the cartridge 20 to the head 540 (Fig. 1) via a printing material flow path 282. ing to this embodiment, a porous filter 644 serving to filter the ink supplied from the cartridge 20 is provided at the eral end 642 of the printing material supply tube 640. The porous filter 644 may be made of, for example, stainless steel mesh or stainless steel woven fabric. According to another embodiment, the porous filter may not be located at the peripheral end 642 of the printing material supply tube 640.

The t mechanism 70 of the printer 50 is located on the +X—aXis direction side of the printing material supply tube 640 and is configured to be electrically con— nectable with the terminals provided on a circuit board 40 of the cartridge 20. In the attached state of the cartridge 20, a pressing force Pt including a +Z—aXis direction vector component is applied from the terminals of the contact mechanism 70 to the circuit board 40. In the attached state of the cartridge 20, a ng force Ps in the +Z—aXis direction is applied from the elastic member 648 to the ink supply structure 280.

A lever 80 used for attachment and detachment of the cartridge 20 has an ing member 830 at a +Z—aXis direction end and an engagement portion 810 at a —Z—aXis direction end. The first tus—side restriction element or engagement portion 810 (more specifically its first apparatus—side locking face described later) is configured to engage with a first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 at a first locking position 810L in the ed state. The first locking position 810L is d on the +Z—aXis direction side and on the +X—aXis direction side of the contact between the terminals provided on the circuit board 40 and the contact mechanism 70. The engagement portion 810 engages with the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 to restrict the motion of the cartridge 20 in the +Z—aXis direction.

The lever 80 pivots around an axis 800c at the position between the operating member 830 and the engagement n 810. The axis of rotation 800c of the lever 80 is located on the +Z—axis direction side and on the s direction side of the first locking position 810L.

The user uses the operating member 830 of the lever 80 to remove the cartridge 20 from the holder 60. For removal of the cartridge 20, the user presses the operating member 830 in the —X—axis direction. This pressing applies a force Pr (called "operating force Pr") from the +X—axis direction side toward the —X—axis direction side, to the operating member 830. This operating force Pr turns the lever 80 around the axis 800c and moves the engagement portion 810 in the +X—axis direction from the first locking position 810L. This releases the engagement of the first cartridge—side re— striction portion 210 with the engagement portion 810 and enables the cartridge 20 to be removed from the holder 60.

The second apparatus—side restriction element 620 is ed on the side wall member 604 and is ured to engage with a second cartridge—side restriction portion 220 at a second locking position 620L. ing to this ment, the second tus—side restriction element 620 is a through hole formed in the side wall member 604 of the holder 60. The second locking position 620L is located on the +Z—axis direction side and on the —X—axis direction side of the printing material supply tube 640. The second apparatus—side restriction element 620 engages with the second cartridge—side restriction portion 220 (which can also be referred to as the second re— striction element 220) to ct the motion of the cartridge 20 in the +Z—axis direction.

As described above, the motion of the cartridge 20 in the +Z—axis direction is restricted by both its +X—axis direction end and its —X—axis direction end in the attached state.

The second locking position 620L, at which the second cartridge—side restriction portion 220 is in t with the second apparatus—side restriction element 620, serves as a pivot point, around which the cartridge 20 is turned to be attached to and detached from the holder 60. In other words, the cartridge 20 is turned around the second locking position 620L along a plane parallel to the Z axis and the X axis for ment or ment. The second cartridge side restriction element 220 and the second apparatus—side restriction element 620 accordingly serve as the pivot point of rotation of the cartridge 20 for attachment or detachment of the cartridge 20. The ment and detachment of the cartridge 20 to and from the holder 60 will be described in detail later.

As shown in Fig. 5, in the attached state, the first locking position 810L is located on the —Z—axis direction side by a distance Dz from the second locking position 620L. This reduces the possibility that the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 is aged from the engagement portion 810 by the pressing forces Ps and Pt applied from the holder 60 to the cartridge 20. The cartridges 20 can thus be stably held at the designed attachment position.

Figs. 6A and 6B illustrate force applied from the cartridge 20 to the lever 80 at the first locking position 810L. In the state of Fig. 6A where the first locking on 810L is d on the —Z—axis direction side of the second locking position 620L, a force F1 is applied from the cartridge 20 to the lever 80 at the first locking position 810L. In the state of Fig. 6B where the first locking position 810L is located on the +Z—axis direction side of the second locking position 620L, a force F2 is applied from the dge 20 to the lever 80 at the first locking position 810L. The force F1 shown in Fig. 6A has the same magnitude as that of the force F2 shown in Fig. 6B.

Figs. 6A and 6B tically show the positional relationships of the first locking on 810L, the second locking on 620L and the axis of rotation 800c (also called "pivot center 800C") to one another on the X axis and on the Z axis. The difference between the two positional relationships shown in Figs. 6A and 6B is the difference of the second locking position 620L on the Z axis. An arc RTl shown in Figs. 6A and 6B shows the rotation locus of the first locking position 810L around the axis of rotation 800c. An arc RT2 shown in Figs. 6A and 6B shows the rotation locus of the first locking position 810L around the second locking on 620L.

In the example illustrated in Fig. 6A, the first locking position 810L is located on the —Z—axis direction side of the second locking position 620L, so the force F1, which is applied in the tial direction of the arc RT2 at the first g position 810L, has a +X—axis direction vector component and a +Z—axis direction vector component. The force F1 is accordingly resolved into a vector component F1t in the tangential direction of the arc RTl and a vector ent F1r in the radial direction of the arc RTl.

In the example illustrated in Fig. 6B, the first locking position 810L is located on the +Z—axis direction side of the second locking position 620L, so the force F2, which is applied in the tangential ion of the arc RT2 at the first locking position 810L, has a —X—axis direction vector component and a +Z—axis direction vector component. The force F2 is accordingly resolved into a vector component F2t in the tangential direction of the arc RTl and a vector component F2r in the radial direction of the arc RTl.

As clearly understood from the comparison between Figs. 6A and 6B, when the magnitude of force F1 is equal to the magnitude of force F2 (F1: F2), the positional relationships of the first locking position 810L, the second locking position 620L and the axis of rotation 800c to one another result in "F1t<F2t" for the vector ent in the tial direction of the arc RTl and "F1r>F2r" for the vector component in the radial direction of the arc RTl. In comparison to the state illustrated in Fig. 6B, the state in Fig. 6A has a larger force vector component from the cartridge 20 towards the axis of rotation 800c of the lever 80 and a smaller force vector component in the direction that will turn the lever 80 clockwise, that is, as viewed from the +Y—axis direction, around the axis of on 800C. In other words, ng the first locking position 8 lOL on the —Z—axis direction side of the second locking position 620L more effectively reduces the possibility that the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 is aged from the engagement portion 810, compared with locating the first g position SlOL on the +Z—axis direction side of the second locking position 620L. In either state, no force acts in the +X—axis direction to release the engagement at the first locking position 810L, so both states provide a benefit in reducing the possibility that the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 will become disengaged from the en— gagement portion 810.

A—3. Detailed Structure of Cartridge Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the structure of cartridge 20 as one e of a cartridge in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Fig. 8 is a bottom view of the cartridge 20. Fig. 9 is a sectional view, taken on line F8—F8 in Fig. 8. Figs. 10A and 10B illustrate the ed structure of the circuit board 40. Fig. 10A is a view of the circuit board 40 seen from the direction indicated by arrow F9 in Fig. 9, and Fig. 10B is a view of the circuit board 40 seen from arrow FlO in Fig. 10A. According to this embodiment, the X axis, the Y axis and the Z axis represent the axes on the cartridge 20 in the attached state. The +X—axis direction side in the attached state is the front face of the cartridge 20. A plane Yc shown in Fig. 8 is a plane that passes through the center of the width or the Y—axis ion length of the cartridge 20 and is parallel to the Z axis and the X axis (i.e., ZX plane). A plane CX shown in Fig. 8 is a plane that passes through the central axis C and is parallel to the Z axis and the X axis (i.e., ZX As shown in Fig. 7, the cartridge 20 includes an ink chamber 200 containing ink, a g 22, the ink supply structure 280, the circuit board 40 and the first cartridge— side restriction portion 210. The cartridge 20 is attached to the holder 60 in a mounting direction SD, which is the —Z—axis direction (vertically downward direction in the em— bodiment). The special orientation or e of the dge 20 is generally not constant during actual insertion of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60. In the course of at— nt of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60, the cartridge 20 may be inclined with respect to the Z axis. In the state immediately before the attachment and in the attached state, however, the ink supply structure 280 receives the printing material supply tube 640 having the central axis C parallel to the Z axis, so that the special ation of the cartridge 20 is restricted by the printing material supply tube 640, and so is sub— stantially aligned in the Z axis direction. For this , and because the general direction of movement of the cartridge 20 while being mounted into the holder 60 is in the —Z axis ion, the —Z axis direction can be considered as the mounting direction of the cartridge 20. For the same reasons, the +Z axis direction can be considered as a l direction RD (Fig. 9) in which the cartridge 20 is removed from the holder 60.

Because the —Z axis direction and the +Z axis direction are opposite directions, the mounting direction SD and the removal direction RD can be considered opposite di— rections.

The housing 22 (also called "cartridge body 22") defines an inner space including the ink chamber 200 of the cartridge 20. The housing 22 also forms at least part of the outer wall surfaces of the cartridge 20 and may be made of a synthetic resin, such as polypropylene (PP). The dge 20 is in a rectangular prism shape having congruent side faces or in an approximate rectangular elepiped shape. Part of the housing 22 may be made of a resin film.

The cartridge 20 has a length (X—axis direction length), a width (Y—axis direction length) and a height s direction length), wherein the length, the height and the width descend in this order. The magnitude relation of the length, the width and the height of the cartridge 20 is, however, not limited to this order but may be determined arbitrarily; for e, the height, the length and the width may d in this order or the height, the length and the width may be equal to one another.

The housing 22 of the dge 20 includes a first wall or a bottom 201, a second wall or a top 202, a third wall or a front 203, a fourth wall or a rear 204, a fifth wall 205, a six wall 206 and connection walls 209. The tion walls 209 include a seventh wall 207 and an eighth wall 208 (Fig. 9). The first to the eighth walls 201 to 208 define the inner space including the ink chamber 200 of the cartridge 20. In the de— scription below, the symbols 201 to 208 ed to the first to the eighth walls are also used to represent the outer surfaces of the walls constituting the housing 22 of the cartridge 20 (i.e., first to eighth faces 201 to 208). The outer surfaces (first to eighth faces) 201 to 208 of the first to the eighth walls are ntial planes. The "substantial plane" means not only a tly ﬂat plane but can include a plane having partial slight irregularity. In other words, the "substantial plane" includes a plane that has partial slight irregularity but is still recognizable as a face or a wall of the housing 22 of the cartridge 20. The first to the eighth faces 201 to 208 are in rectangular shapes in the planar view.

The first face (first wall) 201, the second face (second wall) 202, the third face (third wall) 203, the fourth face (fourth wall) 204, the fifth face (fifth wall) 205 and the sixth face (sixth wall) 206 are also called bottom face (bottom wall) 201, top face (top wall) 202, front face (front wall) 203, rear face (rear wall)204, left side face (left wall) 205 and right side face (right wall) 206, respectively. The outer surfaces of the walls can also be referred to the front 203, rear 204, top 202 and bottom 201, or as first to fourth surfaces where first surface refers to front 203, second surface refers to rear 204, third surface refers to top 202 and fourth surface refers to bottom 201.

The first face 201 and the second face 202 are opposed to each other in the Z—axis direction. The first face 201 is located on the —Z—axis direction side, while the second face 202 is located on the +Z—axis direction side. The third face 203 and the fourth face 204 are opposed to each other in the X—axis direction. The third face 203 is located on the +X—axis direction side, while the fourth face 204 is located on the —X—axis direction side. The fifth face 205 and the sixth face 206 are opposed to each other in the Y—axis ion. The fifth face 205 is located on the +Y—axis ion side, while the sixth face 206 is located on the —Y—axis direction side.

According to this embodiment, the first face 201 located on the —Z—axis direction side forms the bottom face in the attached state. The first face 201 is an XY plane parallel to the X axis and the Y axis and perpendicular to the Z axis. The first face 201 is a horizontal face in the ed state.

The second face 202 located on the +Z—axis direction side forms the top face in the attached state. The second face 202 is opposed to the first face 201 and is parallel to the first face 201. The second face 202 is a plane (XY plane) el to the X axis and the Y axis and perpendicular to the Z axis. The second face 202 is a horizontal face in the attached state.

The third face 203 located on the +X—axis direction side forms a side face in the attached state. The third face 203 is perpendicular to the first face 201 and the second face 202 and is a plane (YZ plane) parallel to the Y axis and the Z axis and per— pendicular to the X axis. Among sides of the third face 203, a side 290 located on the most —Z—axis direction side is called "first side 290", and a side 291 located on the most +Z—axis direction side is called d side 291". In the specification hereof, the ex— pression that "two faces intersect or cross each other" means not only the state that two faces actually cross each other but the state that an extension of one face intersects the other face and the state that extensions of two faces cross each other.

The fourth face 204 located on the —X—axis direction side forms a side face in the attached or mounted state. The fourth face 204 is perpendicular to the first face 201 and the second face 202. The fourth face 204 is parallel to the third face 203. The fourth face 204 is a plane (YZ plane) parallel to the Y axis and the Z axis and per— pendicular to the X axis.

The fifth face 205 located on the +Y—axis ion side and the sixth face 206 d on the —Y—axis direction side form side faces in the attached state. The fifth face 205 and the sixth face 206 are perpendicular to the first to the fourth faces 201 to 204.

The fifth face 205 and the sixth face 206 are planes (XZ planes) parallel to the X axis and the Z axis and perpendicular to the Y axis. The sixth face 206 is parallel to the fifth face 205.

WO 05195 As shown in Fig. 9, the connection faces 209 couple the first face 201 with the third face 203. The seventh face 207 of the connection faces 209 is perpendicular to the first face 201 and is a plane (YZ plane) parallel to the Y axis and the Z axis. The seventh face 207 is vertically—angled relative to the first face 201 and can also be referred to as a "step". In other words, the seventh face 207 is extended in the +Z—axis direction from the first face 201. The seventh face 207 is located on the —X—axis direction side and on the —Z—axis direction side of the eighth face 208. The eighth face 208 couples the seventh face 207 with the third face 203. The eighth face 208 is a sloped surface inclined in a direction including a +X—axis direction vector component and a —Z—axis direction vector component. The eighth face 208 is inclined to the first face 201 and the third face 203. The eighth face 208 is perpendicular to the fifth face 205 and the sixth face 206. In other words, the eighth face 208 is inclined to the XY plane and the YZ plane and is perpendicular to the X2 plane. The eighth face 208 has a board mounting member 208T protruded outward from the eighth face 208.

The relationships of the first to the sixth faces 201 to 206 indicate that the facing direction of the first face 201 and the second face 202 is the Z—axis direction, the facing direction of the third face 203 and the fourth face 204 is the X—axis direction and the facing direction of the fifth face 205 and the sixth face 206 is the Y—axis direction.

As shown in Fig. 7, the circuit board 40 is preferably mounted on the board mounting member 208T of the eighth face 208. The circuit board 40 has a terminal bearing structure 408 that is inclined, or, said differently, sloped, in the direction ing the +X—axis ion vector component and the —Z—axis direction vector component, like the eighth face 208. In this embodiment, the terminal bearing structure 408 comprises the surface of the circuit board 40. The terminal bearing structure 408 is ed to the first face 201 and the third face 203. The terminal bearing structure 408 is per— pendicular to the fifth face 205 and the sixth face 206. In other words, the al bearing structure 408 is inclined to the XY plane and the YZ plane and is per— pendicular to the X2 plane. The terminal bearing structure 408 is also called d al bearing structure" or "sloped surface". As such, in the present embodiment the surface of the t board 40 can be considered a "sloped surface". The terminal g structure 408 has cartridge—side terminals 400, which are in contact with the apparatus—side terminals of the contact mechanism 70 (Fig. 2). The angle of inclination is preferably between 0 degrees and 90 degrees, more preferably between 20 degrees and 50 degrees and most ably from about 25 degrees to 40 s.

Figs. 42A and 42B shows the relation of a wiping amount of the terminal on the circuit board 40 by an apparatus—side terminal with respect to an inclination angle phi of the circuit board 40. The inclination angle phi of the circuit board 40 ents an angle between the plane 110p ed from the mounting direction leading edge of the ink supply structure 280 and a plane in which the als 400 of the circuit board 40 are arranged. The plane defined by the terminals 400 is neither perpendicular nor parallel to the plane 110p. The ation angle phi is generally an acute angle (less than 90 degrees). In this embodiment, the plane llOp extended from the mounting direction leading edge is parallel to the bottom face 201 of the cartridge 20. Also, the plane in which the terminals 400 are arranged is parallel to the board surface of the circuit board 40. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the inclination angle phi is equal to the angle between the bottom face 201 of the cartridge 20 and the board surface of the t board 40. In the present embodiment, the circuit board 40 is about 0.7 mm thick. The als 400 are about 5 microns thick, and are provided on the circuit board 40. The thickness of the als 400 are small to a negligible degree, so the surface of the circuit board 40, including surface of the terminals 400, is substantially flush. ore, the terminal bearing structure 408, which comprises the e of the circuit board 40 in this embodiment, is located substantially within a al (contact portion) plane TP to be described later. Even if the circuit board 40 were absent, there would only be unevenness equivalent to the thickness of the terminals 400. Therefore, for simplicity sake, the terminal bearing structure 408 may be used interchangeably with "plane defined by the terminals" or "terminal plane". When contact portions cp of the terminals 431—439 are referenced in connection with the terminal bearing structure 408 the term " plane defined by the contact portions" or "contact portion plane" can be used interchangeably as well. In the course of attachment or mounting of the dge , as shown in Figs. 24—27, the front face 203 (the first surface) of the cartridge 20 goes down with slight pivotal rotation on the rear face 204 (the second e) of the cartridge 20. In this process, the circuit board 40 slightly rotates and comes into contact with the apparatus—side contact forming members (apparatus—side terminals) 731—739 on the terminal base 709, so that the respective cartridge—side terminals 431—439 are wiped by the tus—side t forming members 731—739. The wiping of the terminal on the t board 40 by the corresponding apparatus—side terminal properly s the dust or oxide coating on the surface of the terminal on the circuit board 40 to enhance the electric conductivity (electrical connection).

The plot of Fig. 42A shows the wiping length (wiping amount) of the al on the circuit board 40 by the corresponding apparatus—side contact forming members as ordinate, and the board inclination angle phi as abscissa. The calculation is on the as— sumption that distance L0 in the X direction from the second surface (rear face) 204 of the cartridge 20 to the contact portion of the ground terminal 437 that comes into contact with the corresponding apparatus—side ground terminal 737 is 63 mm. In l, the greater board inclination angle phi causes the board surface to be closer to the vertical plane and increases the wiping amount. In order to sufficiently remove the 2012/008314 dust or oxide coating on the surface of the terminal on the circuit board 40, the wiping amount is ably not less than 1 mm. According to the graph of Fig. 42A, the board inclination angle phi is preferably not less than 25 degrees to ensure the wiping amount of not less than 1 mm.

Fig. 43A shows the on of upward force F by the apparatus—side ground terminal 737 to the board inclination angle phi in consideration of preventing half insertion of the cartridge. The calculation of Fig. 43A is also on the assumption that the distance L0 is equal to 63 mm, like the calculation of Fig. 42A. The weight of the cartridge (including the weight of ink) is assumed to be 30 grams. This value is the standard weight of the cartridge for inkjet printing tuses for household use. The "half insertion of the cartridge" denotes the state where the engagement portion 810 of the lever 80 is located just beside the elastic member 682 as shown in Fig. 25, i.e., the state ately before the complete engagement. This state of half insertion is also called "half engagement". In this state of half engagement, only the apparatus—side ground terminal 737 among the plurality of apparatus—side t forming members 731—739 applies the upward force to the circuit board 40. It should be noted that in the ng apparatus shown in Fig. l, the holder 60 does not have a cover. When the user releases the hand in this state of half engagement, the dge 20 may be kept in this state of half engagement. The plot of Fig. 43A shows the calculation result of the upward force by the tus—side ground terminal 737 to prevent such half insertion of the cartridge 20. Fig. 43B shows the relation of the upward force F to the board inclination angle phi.

The upward force by the apparatus—side ground terminal 737 is a +Z—direction vector component cally upward vector component in this embodiment) of the force applied from the apparatus—side ground terminal 737 to the circuit board 40 (and the cartridge 20) in the state of half engagement of Fig. 26. When the ground terminal 437 of the circuit board 40 is pressed against the apparatus—side ground al 737, a pressing force in a direction perpendicular to the board surface of the circuit board 40 is applied to the ground terminal 437 by the elastic force of the apparatus—side ground terminal 737. The calculation of the upward force of Fig. 43A is on the assumption that pressing force F0 of the apparatus—side ground terminal 737 is 0.2 N in the direction perpendicular to the board surface. Since the upward force F (=FOSYMBOL 180 \f "Symbol" \s 14cos phi) is the +Z—direction vector component of the pressing force F0, F =F0 20.2 N holds at the board inclination angle phi =0 degree as shown by the broken line in Fig. Fig. 43B. The upward force F varies according to the curve F =FOSYMBOL 180 \f "Symbol" \s 14cos phi with a variation in board inclination angle phi. The curve of Fig. 43A is the curve F =FOSYMBOL 180 \f "Symbol" \s 14cos phi.

With an increase in board inclination angle phi (phi ching 90 degrees), the board surface approaches the X2 plane and reduces the upward force F. An upward force FB balancing with the cartridge 20 having the distance L0 of 63 mm and the weight of 30 grams is approximately 0.15 N (the position of thick horizontal line in Fig. 43A). This means that the upward force of not less than 0.15 N enables the cartridge 20 to be d vertically upward by the tus—side ground terminal 737. In order to ensure the upward force of not less than 0.15 N, the board inclination angle phi is preferably not greater than 40 degrees, as clearly understood from Fig. 43A.

When the user releases the hand in the state of half engagement of Fig. 26, the cartridge 20 may be kept in the state of half engagement. If the board inclination angle phi is set to be not r than 40 degrees as shown in Fig. 43A, however, when the user es the hand in the state of half engagement, the apparatus—side ground terminal 737 presses the front face 203 of the dge 20 in the +Z direction (upward direction). This clearly disengages the cartridge from the engagement portion 810 of the lever 80 and facilitates the user to find the failed attachment. From this point of view, it is preferable to set the board inclination angle phi to be not greater than 40 degrees.

Figs. 44 and 45 show the characteristics of a cartridge having a greater dimension in the X direction than the dimension of the cartridge in Figs. 42 and 43A. Whereas the cartridge is assumed to have the distance L0 =63 mm in Figs. 42 and 43A, it is assumed to have the distance L0 =80 mm in Figs. 44 and 45. The calculation of the upward force of Fig. 45 is on the tion that F0 202 N and the weight of the cartridge (including the weight of ink) is 30 g, like the calculation of Fig. 43A. As clearly understood from the result of Fig. 44, like the result of Fig. 42A, in order to ensure the wiping amount of not less than 1 mm, the board inclination angle phi is preferably not less than 25 degrees. Although the distance L0 is 80 mm in the cal— culation of Fig. 45 ve to 63 mm in the calculation of Fig. 43A, the upward force FB balancing with the cartridge 20 having the weight of 30 grams is almost equal to that of Fig. 43 and is approximately 0.15 N (the position of thick horizontal line in Fig. 45). As clearly understood from the result of Fig. 45, like the result of Fig. 43A, in order to prevent half engagement of the cartridge, the board inclination angle phi is preferably not r than 40 degrees.

By taking into account the teristics of Figs. 42 through 45 , discussed above, it is preferable to set the board inclination angle phi to be not less than 25 degrees and not greater than 40 degrees.

The increased ng force of the apparatus—side ground al 737 ensures the sufficient upward force even at the greater board inclination angle phi. In this case, it is preferable to set the pressing force of the apparatus—side ground terminal 737 and the board inclination angle phi to such values that enable the cartridge 20 to be pressed upward and d from the state of half engagement to the disengagement state by the pressing force of the apparatus—side ground terminal 737, when the user release the hand from the cartridge 20 in the state of half engagement.

The seventh face 207 and the al bearing structure 408 form part of the outer surfaces of the cartridge 20. More specifically the seventh face 207 and the terminal bearing structure 408 form a portion of a corner section 265 coupling the first face 201 and the third face 203 that form part of the outer surfaces of the cartridge 20. For better understanding, the corner section 265 is shown by a thick line in Fig. 9. The third face 203 and the corner section 265 are opposed to the first apparatus—side side wall member 603 of the holder 60 (Fig. 14) in the ed state of the dge 20 to the holder 60 as described later. The third face 203 and the comer section 265 are thus called "first opposed outer wall surface". The fourth face 204 is opposed to the second apparatus—side side wall member 604 of the holder 60 (Fig. 15) in the attached state as described later. The fourth face 204 is thus called "second opposed outer wall surface".

As shown in Fig. 10A, the circuit board 40 has a boss groove 401 at a +Z—axis direction end and a boss hole 402 at a —Z—axis direction end. The circuit board 40 is fixed to the eighth face 208 of the dge 20 by means of the boss groove 401 and the boss hole 402. According to this embodiment, the boss groove 401 and the boss hole 402 are provided at positions intersecting the plane Yc passing h the center of the width (Y—axis direction length) of the cartridge 20. According to another em— bodiment, at least one of the boss groove 401 and the boss hole 402 may be omitted from the circuit board 40, and the circuit board 40 may be fixed to the eighth face 208 by an adhesive or by an engagement click (not shown) provided on the eighth face 208.

As shown in Figs. 10A and 10B, the t board 40 includes the cartridge—side terminals 400 provided on the terminal bearing structure 408 and a memory unit 420 provided on a rear face 409. The terminal bearing structure 408 and the rear face 409 are planes. A portion or a side of the plane al bearing structure 408 located on the most +Z—axis direction side in the mounting state of the t board 40 on the cartridge 20 is called a board end 405.

The cartridge—side terminals 400 e nine als 431 to 439. The memory unit 420 stores information regarding ink of the cartridge 20 (for example, remaining amount of ink and ink color). The cartridge—side als 400 are electrically conductive and can be coupled to an electrical device that is part of the cartridge 20.

As used herein, electrical device can refer to a resistor, sensor or memory device, or other device that produces or is powered by electricity as can be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.

As shown in Fig. 10A, the nine cartridge—side terminals 431 to 439 are all in ap— proximate rectangular shape and are arrayed in two rows that are substantially per— ular to the mounting direction SD. The substantially perpendicular rows are extended in the width direction (Y—axis direction) of the cartridge 20. The row of the two row to the rear with respect to the mounting direction SD is called first terminal row R1 (lower line R1), and the row to the front line with respect to the mounting ion SD is called second terminal row R2 (upper line R2). The first terminal row R1 and the second terminal row R2 have different positions in the Z—axis direction.

More specifically, the first terminal row R1 is located on the —Z—axis direction side of the second terminal row R2. Each of the terminals 431 to 439 has a contact portion cp at its center, which is in t with the contact mechanism 70. The first terminal row R1 and the second terminal row R2 may be regarded as lines formed by a plurality of contact portions cp.

The als 431 to 439 may be called by the following names corresponding to their functions or applications. For differentiation from the terminals on the printer 50, the word "cartridge—side" may be prefixed to each name. For example, the "ground al 437" may be called "cartridge—side ground al 437". <First Terminal Row R1> (1) attachment detection terminal (first terminal) 435; (2) power terminal 436; (3) ground terminal 437; (4) data terminal 438; and (5) attachment detection terminal (second terminal) 439. <Second Terminal Row R2> (6) attachment detection terminal (third terminal) 431; (7) reset terminal 432; (8) clock terminal 433; and (9) attachment detection terminal (fourth terminal) 434.

The contact portions cp of the terminals 435 to 439 on the first terminal row R1 and the contact portions cp of the terminals 431 to 434 on the second terminal row R2 are arranged alternately or more ically in zigzag.

The four attachment detection als 431, 434, 435 and 439 are used to check the good/poor electrical contact with the corresponding tus—side terminals provided in the contact mechanism 70, so that the printer 50 can detect whether the cartridge 20 is properly attached at the designed attachment position of the holder 60. These four terminals 431, 434, 435 and 439 are collectively called "attachment detection terminals". According to this ment, the four cartridge—side als 431, 434, 435 and 439 are ically connected with one another inside the circuit board 40.

When the cartridge 20 is attached to the holder 60, these terminals 431, 434, 435 and 439 are electrically connected with a ground line (not shown) on the printer 50 Via the ground terminal 437. The method of detecting attachment by using the four attachment detection terminals 431, 434, 435 and 439 will be described later.

The other five cartridge—side terminals 432, 433, 436, 437 and 438 are als for the memory unit 420. These five terminals 432, 433, 436, 437 and 438 are thus also called y terminals".

The reset terminal 432 receives a reset signal RST, which is to be ed to the memory unit 420. The clock terminal 433 receives a clock signal SCK, which is to be ed to the memory unit 420. The power terminal 436 receives a power—supply voltage VDD (for e, rated voltage of 3.3 V), which is to be supplied to the memory unit 420. The ground terminal 437 receives a ground voltage VSS (0V), which is to be supplied to the memory unit 420. The data terminal 438 receives a data signal SDA, which is to be supplied to the memory unit 420.

The first terminal 435 as one of the attachment detection terminals includes a first outer part 435P located on the most +Y—axis direction side of the cartridge—side terminals 400. The second terminal 439 as one of the attachment detection terminals includes a second outer part 439P located on the most —Y—axis direction side of the cartridge—side terminals 400. The third terminal 431 as one of the attachment detection terminals includes a third outer part 431P located on the most +Y—axis direction side of the second terminal line R. The fourth al 434 as one of the attachment detection terminals includes a fourth outer part 434P located on the most —Y—axis direction side of the second terminal line R. In this embodiment, the first to fourth outer parts 435P, 439P, 431P, 434P are substantially straight edges of the corresponding terminals and extend substantially in the Z axis direction, but this should not be considered a limitation. For example, the edges could be curved and could extend in a direction not parallel to the Z axis direction, such as shown for the terminals 431, 434 in the example of Figs. 41A and 41B, and the outer part of the terminal could still be un— derstood as the ost portion of the edge in the Y axis direction.

Among the contact portions cp of the cartridge—side terminals 400, the ground terminal 437 having the contact n cp on the center in the Y—axis direction is provided at the position intersecting the plane Yc passing through the center of the width s direction length) of the cartridge 20. The contact portions cp of the other als 431 to 436, 438 and 439 are arranged to be symmetrical with respect to the line of intersection of the plane Yc and the ground terminal 437 as the axis. The ground terminal 437 is configured to be in contact with the contact mechanism 70 prior to the other cartridge—side terminals 431 to 436, 438 and 439 in the course of at— tachment of the dge 20 to the holder 60. The pressing force first applied from the holder 60 to the circuit board 40 is thus generated on the ntial center of the width or the Y—axis direction length of the dge 20 both before and after the cartridge is completely mounted. This prevents the pressing force applied to the circuit board 40 from acting to tilt the cartridge 20 in the Y—axis direction and thereby enables the at— nt of the cartridge 20 at the designed attachment position. Such contact of the ground terminal 437 with the contact ism 70 of the holder 60 prior to the other cartridge—side terminals 431 to 436, 438 and 439 advantageously prevents or reduces the high voltage—induced troubles and failures by the ing function of the ground terminal 437, even when an unexpected high voltage is applied to the cartridge 20.

According to this embodiment, the ground terminal 437 is formed longer along the Z—axis direction than the other cartridge—side terminals 431 to 436, 438 and 439. This ensures the contact of the ground terminal 437 with the contact mechanism 70 of the holder 60. According to another embodiment, all the cartridge—side terminals 431 to 439 on the circuit board 40 may be formed in the same size.

As shown in Fig. 9, the ink supply ure 280 is protruded in the —Z—axis direction from the first face 201. The ink supply ure 280 communicates with the ink chamber 200 via the ng material flow path 282. The ink supply structure 280 is connected with the printing material supply tube 640 (Fig. 5) of the printer 50 to supply the ink contained in the ink chamber 200 to the head 540 (Fig. 1). In other words, the ink supply structure 280 is open to the outside, in order to supply the ink contained in the ink chamber 200 to outside of the dge 20. As can be seen in Fig. 5A, ink supply structure 280 need not de from the first face 201. Rather, in one embodiment, it can be flush or substantially flush with the first face 201. In such an embodiment, printing material supply tube 640 is raised so as to be proximate to the first face when the cartridge 20 is mounted.

The ink supply structure 280 is provided at the position closer to the fourth face 204 than the third face 203 on the first face 201. The distance between the outer surface of the ink supply structure 280 and the third face 203 in the X—axis direction is ac— cordingly greater than the distance between the outer e of the ink supply structure 280 and the fourth face 204.

The ink supply structure 280 has an open peripheral end. The surface at this open pe— ripheral end is referred to as open surface 288, or alternately a mounting direction leading edge, and defines a horizontal plane in the attached state. That is, the open e 288 is the leading edge (XY plane) of the cartridge in the mounting direction SD and defines an XY axes plane which is el to the X axis and the Y axis.

A resin foam 284 is provided inside the ink supply structure 280 at the on on the +Z—axis ion side of the open surface 288 or more specifically at the position in contact with the printing material flow path 282. According to this embodiment, before shipment of the cartridge 20, the open surface 288 of the ink supply structure 280 is sealed with a sealing member (not shown), such as a cap or a film. For at— nt of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60, the sealing member (not shown) for sealing the open surface 288 is removed from the cartridge 20.

According to this embodiment, the ink supply structure 280 is protruded in the — Z—axis direction with the center on the central axis C of the ng material supply tube 640. According to another embodiment, the center of the ink supply structure 280 may be ed from the central axis C of the printing material supply tube 640.

According to this embodiment, the open surface 288 of the ink supply structure 280 viewed from the —Z—axis direction is formed by the line—symmetrical housing with respect to axes parallel to the X axis and the Y axis. According to another embodiment, the open surface 288 of the ink supply structure 280 may be formed by the asymmetric housing and may have a ng direction leading edge defining a plane. The open surface 288 viewed from the Z direction is in the rounded rectangular shape according to this embodiment but may be in any other suitable shape, e.g., precise , ellipse, oval, square or rectangle according to other embodiments.

As shown in Fig. 9A, plane BP is a plane formed by the mounting ion leading edge of the open surface 288 of ink supply structure 280. Distance A is the ce between plane BP and the ment portion 212 of the first restriction portion 210.

Distance B is the ce between plane BP and an engagement portion of the second restriction element 220. ce C is the distance between plane BP and the lever 80's pivot point around axis 800c. As can be seen in Figure 9A, the distance B between plane BP and an ment portion of the second restriction element 220 is greater than the distance A between plane BP and the engagement portion 212 of the first re— striction portion 210 when measured in an orthogonal direction to the plane BP. The distance A between plane BP and the engagement portion 212 of the first restriction portion 210 is less than the distance C n plane BP and the lever 80's pivot point around axis 800c when measured in an orthogonal direction to the plane BP. Addi— tionally as can be seen in Fig. 9A, plane TP is the plane formed by the sloped terminal bearing structure 408, which in this embodiment is parallel to the sloped terminal bearing structure 408 itself, and so for simplicity sake, the al g structure 408 may be used to refer to the plane TP. Plane TP is neither parallel nor perpendicular to plane BP. The terminal bearing structure 408 has cartridge—side terminals 400, which are in contact with the apparatus—side terminals of the contact mechanism 70 (Fig. 2).

As shown in Fig. 7, the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 is provided on the third face 203. The first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 is located on the +Z—axis direction side and on the +X—axis direction side of the ink supply ure 280 and the circuit board 40. The first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 is locked by the lever 80 (Fig. 2), so as to restrict the motion of the cartridge 20 in the attached state. The first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 is structured as a projection protruded in the +X—axis direction (outward) from the third face 203. The first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 is located at the position closer to the first side 290 than the second side 291 along the Z—axis direction. According to this embodiment, the first cartridge—side ction portion 210 is d adjacent to the first side 290.

The first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 includes a first portion 212 ed in the Y—axis direction (width direction), a second portion 214 extended in the +Z—axis direction (vertically upward ion) from the first portion 212, and a third portion 215 extended in the —Z—axis direction (vertically downward ion) from the first portion 212. As described above, the +Z—axis direction (vertically upward direction) is generally the l direction RD and is opposite the —Z—axis direction cally downward direction), which is generally the mounting direction SD. The first or en— gagement portion 212 cooperates with an engagement portion 810 of the lever 80 to restrict the motion of the cartridge 20 in the attached state. The second portion 214 is provided to lock the first portion 212 by the ed part of the lever 80 in attachment of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60.

The first portion 212 includes a first cartridge—side locking surface 211 as a first abutting part and a second cartridge—side locking surface 213 as a second abutting part.

The first cartridge—side locking surface 211 faces in the +Z—axis direction. The second cartridge—side locking surface 213 faces in the +X—axis ion. The third portion 215 is in contact with the first portion 212 and the first side 290.

The cartridge 20 further includes the second cartridge—side restriction n 220 provided on the fourth face 204, a projection 260 provided on the third face 203 and a third cartridge—side restriction element 250 provided on the seventh face 207.

The second cartridge—side restriction portion 220 is structured as a projection protruded in the —X—axis direction from the fourth face 204. The second cartridge—side restriction n 220 is inserted into the second apparatus—side restriction element 620 (Fig. 3) in the form of the through hole of the holder 60. The user turns the dge 20 around the second cartridge—side ction n 220 inserted in the second apparatus—side restriction element 620 (Fig. 3) in attachment or detachment of the cartridge 20 to or from the holder 60. In other words, the second apparatus—side re— striction element 620 serves as the guide for attachment or detachment of the cartridge to or from the holder 60. This facilitates the ment and detachment of the dge 20 to and from the holder 60. In the attached state of the cartridge 20, the second cartridge—side restriction portion 220 is locked by the second apparatus—side re— striction t 620 to restrict the motion of the cartridge 20 in the attached state. The second cartridge—side restriction portion 220 is located on the +Z—axis direction side and on the —X—axis direction side of the ink supply structure 280 and the circuit board WO 05195 2012/008314 The tion 260 on the third face 203 is located on the +Z—aXis direction side of the first cartridge—side restriction n 210. ing to this embodiment, the projection 260 is located at the most s direction position (most upward position) including the second side 291 on the third face 203.

The third cartridge—side restriction element 250 is ured as a pair of projection members (restriction walls) protruded in the +X—aXis direction from both Y—aXis direction sides of the seventh face 207. The pair of projection members 250 receive the projection 636 (Fig. 2) inserted therebetween and, in cooperation with the projection 636, restrict the motion of the cartridge 20 in the Y—aXis direction in the attached state.

Fig. 11 is a rear view of the cartridge 20. The second cartridge—side restriction portion 220 is described in detail with reference to Fig. 11. The second cartridge—side restriction portion 220 includes a restriction locking surface 222 as a restriction locking element, a sloped surface 224, a first restriction side face 226 and a second restriction side face 228.

The restriction locking e 222 faces in the +Z—aXis direction and forms a horizontal face in the attached state. The restriction locking surface 222 is in contact with the second apparatus—side restriction element 620 (Fig. 3) to serve as the pivot point of rotation when the cartridge 20 is turned to be detached from the holder 60.

The restriction locking surface 222 is locked by the second apparatus—side restriction element 620 in the attached state, so as to restrict the motion of the cartridge 20 in the +Z—aXis ion in the attached state. The restriction locking surface 222 is provided at the position intersecting the plane Yc passing through the center of the width (Y—aXis direction length) of the cartridge 20 and dicular to this plane Yc. As shown in Fig. 5, in the attached state of the cartridge 20, the cartridge 20 receives the pressing forces Ps and Pt including the +Z—aXis direction vector components from the holder 60.

The restriction locking surface 222 is pressed against the second tus—side re— striction element 620 by these ng forces Ps and Pt. The second tus—side re— striction t 620 is thus in contact with the restriction locking surface 222 in parallel with the Y—aXis direction. This reduces the possibility that the cartridge 20 is tilted about the X axis in the attached state.

The sloped surface 224 is connected with the restriction locking surface 222 and is inclined to the direction including the +Z—aXis direction vector component and the — X—aXis direction vector component. This enables the restriction locking surface 222 to be smoothly guided to the second apparatus—side restriction element 620 in attachment of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60.

The first restriction side face 226 forms a s ion side face of the second cartridge—side restriction portion 220. The second restriction side face 228 forms a +Y—axis direction side face of the second cartridge—side restriction portion 220. The first ction side face 226 is a plane facing in the —Y—axis direction, and the second restriction side face 228 is a plane facing in the +Y—axis direction. The first restriction side face 226 and the second restriction side face 228 are planes respectively parallel to the X—axis direction and the Z—axis direction. The first and the second restriction side faces 226 and 228 interfere with the second apparatus—side restriction element 620 to restrict the motion of the cartridge 20 in the Y—axis direction in the attached state of the cartridge 20.

Fig. 12 is a front view of the cartridge 20. The first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 is described more in detail with reference to Fig. 12. The first cartridge—side re— striction portion 210 is provided at the position intersecting the plane Yc. The first cartridge—side locking surface 211 is provided at the position intersecting the plane Yc and perpendicular to this plane Yc.

The first cartridge—side locking e 211 is located not outside but inside a range 40Y between the first outer part 435P and the second outer part 439P in the Y—axis direction (width direction), when the dge 20 is viewed from the third face 203—side in the —X—axis direction. According to this embodiment, the first cartridge— side restriction portion 210 including the first dge—side locking surface 211 is located not outside but inside the range 40Y. In other words, the first cartridge—side re— ion portion 210 is located inside an area defined by a first phantom line 435PL including the first outer part 435P and a second phantom line 439PL including the second outer part 439P. The first phantom line 435PL and the second m line 439PL are straight lines extended in the Z—axis direction.

Fig. 13 is a left side view of the cartridge 20. The positional relationship of the re— spective members of the cartridge 20 is described with reference to Fig. 13. An in— tersection where the third face 203 intersects the sloped terminal bearing structure 408 is called "intersecting part 295". As per the above description about the term "in— tersection", the ection where the third face 203 intersects the sloped terminal bearing structure 408 includes not only the intersection of the actual face 203 and the terminal bearing structure 408, but also the intersection of one of the face 203 and the terminal bearing structure 408 and an extension of the other of the face 203 and the terminal bearing ure 408, or the intersection of extensions of both of the face 203 and the terminal bearing structure 408. The ecting part 295 is a line parallel to the Y—axis direction. According to this embodiment, the intersecting part 295 is located on a plane extended from the third face 203 in the s direction. The intersecting part 295 is ingly d on the —Z—axis direction side of the third face 203. The middle point in the Z—axis direction length on the third face 203 (or more specifically, the middle point between an intersection of the third face 203 and the contact portion plane TP and the intersection of the second face 202 and the third face 203) is called midpoint 203P.

The first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 is located close to the intersecting part 295. The first cartridge—side restriction n 210 can also be considered as located adjacent to the terminal bearing structure 408 and close to the board end 405. This means that the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 can be iently closer to the cartridge—side terminals 400, or more precisely, the portion of the restriction portion 210 that engages with the apparatus—side lever can be located at a position closer to the contact portions cp than to an ection of the top face 202 and the front face 203. The first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 is ed preferably on a specific part of the third face 203 closer to the first side 290 than to the second side 291 or more precisely, the portion of the restriction portion 210 that s with the tus—side lever is located at a position closer to the intersecting part 295 than to an intersection of the top face 202 and the front face 203, which is in the range from the midpoint 203P to the first side 290. It is especially preferable to provide the first dge—side restriction portion 210 at the on sufficiently close or proximate to the first side 290. As used herein, "proximate" can mean "close to, near" or "on." As described above, the portion of the restriction portion 210 that s with the apparatus—side lever is located at a position closer to the intersecting part 295 and/or to the t portions cp than to an ection of the top face 202 and the front face 203. Although in this embodiment the intersection of the top face 202 and the front face 203 is the position indicated by 291 in Fig. 13, as mentioned above, the in— tion need not be where two surfaces actually cross each other, but could be where one face intersects an extension of the other face, or where extensions of two faces cross each other, as indicated by broken line in the embodiments of Figs. 35A and 35D. In this embodiment, the distance between an intersection of the third face 203 and the contact portion plane TP and the intersection of the second face 202 and the third face 203 is about 20 mm. The distance between an intersection of the third face 203 and the t portion plane TP and the first cartridge—side locking surface 211 of the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 is about 16 mm.

The effective part of the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 specifically serving to restrict the position of the cartridge—side terminals 400 is the first cartridge— side locking surface 211. It is thus preferable to locate the first cartridge—side locking surface 211 as close as possible to the cartridge—side terminals 400. Omitting the third portion 215 of the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 and locating the first portion 212 in contact with the first side 290 enables the first cartridge—side locking e 211 to be closer to the intersecting part 295 or the board end 405.

Fig. 13 also shows an X—axis direction range 250X of the third cartridge—side re— striction element 250 and an X—aXis direction range 408X of the sloped terminal bearing ure 408. As clearly understood from this drawing, part of the third cartridge—side restriction element 250 overlaps with the sloped terminal bearing structure 408 in the X—aXis direction, when the cartridge 20 is viewed from the first face 201—side in the +Z—aXis direction.

A—4. Detailed Structure of Holder 60: A—4—1. General Structure of Holder 60: Figs. 14 and 15 are perspective views illustrating the structure of the holder 60. Fig. 16 is a top view rating the structure of the holder 60. Fig. 17 is a sectional view, taken on line F16—F16 in Fig. 16. The projection 636 shown in Figs. 14 to 16 is omitted from the illustration of Fig. 17.

As described above, the holder 60 of the printer 50 has the five wall members 601, 603, 604, 605 and 606 to form the e dge chamber 602 to receive the cartridge 20. The five wall members 601, 603, 604, 605 and 606 are collectively called "chamber—forming wall members 600". According to this ment, the five wall s 601, 603, 604, 605 and 606 are resin plate members and are made of a synthetic resin, more specifically modified polyphenylene ether (m—PPE).

The wall member 601 forms the bottom face of the concave cartridge chamber 602.

The wall members 603, 604, 605 and 606 form the side faces of the concave cartridge chamber 602. The wall member 601, the wall member 603, the wall member 604, the wall member 605 and the wall member 606 are respectively called " apparatus—side bottom wall member 601", "first apparatus—side side wall member 603", "second tus—side side wall member 604", "third apparatus—side side wall member 605" and h apparatus—side side wall member 606".

Each of the printing material supply tubes 640 and each of the contact mechanisms 70 including the apparatus—side terminals are arrayed in the X—aXis direction on the wall member 601. The printing material supply tube 640 is located on the side of the wall member 604, and the contact ism 70 is located on the side of the wall member 603. In other words, the printing al supply tube 640 is provided at the position closer to the wall member 604 than the wall member 603. The contact mechanism 70 is provided at the on closer to the wall member 603 than the printing material supply tube 640.

The elastic member 648 is provided around the printing material supply tube 640 on the wall member 601. As described above with reference to Fig. 5, the elastic member 648 seals the periphery of the ink supply structure 280 the dge 20 and thereby prevents leakage of ink from the ink supply structure 280 to the periphery in the attached state of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60. The elastic member 648 generates the pressing force Ps in the direction of pressing back the ink supply structure 280 of 2012/008314 the cartridge 20 (in the +Z—axis direction) in the attached state of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60 (Fig. 5).

As shown in Figs. 14 to 16, holder 60 has an opening OP on the upper side opposed to the wall member 601 across the cartridge chamber 602. The cartridge 20 passes through the opening Op when the cartridge 20 is attached to or detached from the holder 60.

The wall member 603 is vertically—angled ve to the wall member 601 on the +X—axis direction side of the wall member 601. According to this embodiment, the most +X—axis direction side of the wall member 603 forms an outer wall 603W. In the use attitude of the printer 50, the outer wall 603W forms the front face of the holder 60. The outer wall 603W is extended in the direction of the array of the plurality of dges 20 (Y—axis direction). A lever 80 used for attachment and detachment of the cartridge 20 is provided on the wall member 603. A lever 80 is fixed in movable manner, or more precisely, in a rotatable manner to the wall member 603 via a retainer 690. In other words, lever 80 is fixed to the retainer 690 forming part of the wall member 603. An axis of rotation of the lever 80 is el to the Y—axis direction.

The retainer 690 is provided at a corner section (apparatus—side comer section) 600C (Fig. 17) where the side wall member 603 intersects the bottom wall member 601.

As shown in Fig. 5, the operating member 830 is provided on the +Z—axis direction end of the lever 80. When the user presses this operating member 830 from the +X—axis direction side toward the —X—axis direction side (i.e., when the user applies the operating force Pr to the operating member 830), the lever 80 is turned counter— clockwise (seen from the +Y—axis direction) about the axis of rotation. The lever 80 is accordingly rotated on the X2 plane el to the X—axis direction and the Z—axis direction.

The lever 80 is provided as a te member from the chamber—forming wall members 601, 603, 604, 605 and 606. The lever 80 is made of a synthetic resin, more specifically polyacetal (POM) according to this embodiment. The lever 80 has a certain level of rigidity sufficient to lock the cartridge 20. More specifically, the lever 80 ably has rigidity that causes no substantial ation of the lever 80 by a force (for e, force of 14.4 N) applied from the cartridge 20 in the attached state.

For example, the deformation of the lever 80 by application of an external force of 14.4N from the cartridge 20 is ably not r than about 0.5 mm. The lever 80 preferably does not have any elastically deformable portion. This reduces the pos— sibility that the lever 80 is significantly deformed by the force applied from the cartridge 20 in the attached state of the cartridge 20 and ensures the stable electrical connection between the cartridge—side terminals 400 and the apparatus—side terminals of the contact mechanism 70. Providing the separate lever 80 from the chamber— forming wall members 601, 603, 604, 605 and 606 advantageously increases the degree of freedom in selection of the material for the lever 80.

Referring back to Figs. 14 to 17, the wall member 604 is vertically—angled relative to the wall member 601 on the —X—aXis direction side of the wall member 601. The wall member 604 is d to the wall member 603 across the cartridge chamber 602. ing to this embodiment, the wall member 604 forms the rear face of the holder 60 in the use attitude of the printer 50. The wall member 604 is ed in the direction of the array of the plurality of cartridges 20 (Y—aXis direction). The second apparatus—side restriction element 620 is provided on the wall member 604. The second tus—side ction element 620 is a through hole passing through the X— aXis direction (Fig. 17). According to another embodiment, the second apparatus—side restriction element 620 may be a recess open to the cartridge chamber 602.

As described above with reference to Fig. 5, the second apparatus—side restriction element 620 is configured to engage with the second cartridge—side restriction portion 220. The second apparatus—side ction element 620 serves as a guide for at— nt and detachment of the cartridge 20 to and from the holder 60. The second apparatus—side restriction element 620 locks the second cartridge—side ction portion 220 in the attached state of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60. More specifically, the second apparatus—side restriction element 620 locks the second cartridge—side re— striction portion 220 at the second locking position 620L located on the +Z—aXis direction side and on the —X—aXis direction side of the printing material supply tube 640. According to this embodiment, the second apparatus—side restriction element 620 is structured as a through hole having the size to receive the second cartridge—side re— striction portion 220 and has an apparatus—side locking e 622. The apparatus—side locking surface 622 is a plane facing in the —Z—aXis direction and locks the restriction locking surface 222 of the second cartridge—side restriction portion 220 (Fig. 11). A +X—aXis direction end 624 of the apparatus—side locking surface 622 is in contact with the second cartridge—side restriction portion 220 and accordingly serves as the pivot point of on for detachment of the cartridge 20 from the holder 60.

As shown in Fig. 17, the second apparatus—side side wall member 604 of the holder 60 has a space 670 provided on the +Z—aXis direction side of the second apparatus—side restriction element 620. The space 670 provides a room to allow rotation of the cartridge 20 about the vicinity of the second apparatus—side restriction element 620 as the pivot point of rotation when the cartridge 20 is attached to or detached from the holder 60. ing to this embodiment, the space 670 is formed by steps recessed in the —X—aXis direction stepwise in the +Z—aXis ion from the second tus—side side wall member 604. According to another embodiment, the space 670 may be formed by a sloped surface of the wall member 604 d in the s direction gradually in the +Z—axis direction.

As shown in Figs. 14 to 16, the wall member 605 is vertically—angled relative to the wall member 601 on the —Y—axis direction side of the wall member 601. According to this embodiment, the wall member 605 forms the right side face of the holder 60 in the use attitude of the printer 50. The wall member 605 is connected with the wall members 603 and 604. The wall member 605 is extended in the X—axis direction and crosses the direction of the array of the plurality of cartridges 20 s direction).

The wall member 606 is vertically—angled relative to the wall member 601 on the +Y—axis direction side of the wall member 601. The wall member 606 is opposed to the wall member 605 across the dge chamber 602. According to this ment, the wall member 606 forms the left side face of the holder 60 in the use attitude of the printer 50. The wall member 606 is connected with the wall s 603 and 604.

The wall member 606 is extended in the X—axis direction and crosses the direction of the array of the plurality of cartridges 20 (Y—axis direction).

According to the positional relationships of the wall members 601 and 603 to 606 described above, the wall member 601 is perpendicular to the Z—axis direction; the wall member 603 and the wall member 604 are opposed to each other in the X—axis direction; the wall member 605 and the wall member 606 are d to each other in the Y—axis direction; and the wall member 601 and the opening OP are opposed to each other in the Z—axis direction.

The contact mechanism 70 is provided at the corner section 600C where the wall member 601 intersects the wall member 603 of the holder 60. The contact mechanism 70 is located at the position closer to the wall member 603 than the printing material supply tube 640. The t mechanism 70 includes a plurality of apparatus—side terminals corresponding to and in contact with the respective als 431 to 439 of the cartridge—side terminals 400 (Fig. 10), and a al base on which the plurality of apparatus—side terminals are located.

A—4—2.Detailed Structure of Contact Mechanism 70: Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the contact ism 70, which is detached from the holder 60.

The contact mechanism 70 includes a terminal base 709 and tus—side terminals or contact forming members 731 to 739 located on the terminal base 709. Each of the apparatus—side terminals 731 to 739 is an elastic member having electrical tivity and has a protruded portion from an apparatus—side sloped surface 708, which is displaced by an al force. The apparatus—side terminals 731 to 739 generate the pressing or elastic force (pressing force) Pt in the direction of pressing back the circuit board 40 of the cartridge 20 (direction including the +Z—axis direction vector component and the —X—axis direction vector component) in the attached state of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60 (Fig. 5). The elastic force (pressing force) Pt is generated as a reaction force when the cartridge 20 presses the apparatus—side als 731 to 739 protruded from the apparatus—side sloped surface 708 toward the apparatus—side sloped surface 708. The resulting vector component of the elastic force PT generated by the apparatus—side terminals 731 to 739 urges the dge 20 in the removal direction RD, which is the direction opposite the mounting ion SD as described above.

The nine tus—side terminals 731 to 739 are provided at the positions corre— sponding to the nine cartridge—side terminals 431 to 439. The apparatus—side terminal 731 is called "attachment detection terminal (third terminal) 731". The apparatus—side terminal 732 is called "reset terminal 732". The tus—side terminal 733 is called "clock terminal 733". The apparatus—side terminal 734 is called "attachment detection terminal (fourth al) 734". The apparatus—side terminal 735 is called "attachment detection terminal (first terminal) 735". The apparatus—side terminal 736 is called "power al 736". The apparatus—side terminal 737 is called "ground terminal 737". The apparatus—side terminal 738 is called "data terminal 738". The apparatus— side terminal 739 is called "attachment detection terminal (second terminal) 739". For differentiation from the cartridge—side terminals, the word "apparatus—side" may be prefixed to each name. For example, the "ground al 737" may be called "apparatus—side ground terminal 737". The nine apparatus—side als 731 to 739 are collectively called apparatus—side terminals 700.

The nine apparatus—side als 731 to 739 are arrayed in a first apparatus—side terminal line and a second apparatus—side terminal line having different positions in the Z—aXis direction. The first apparatus—side terminal line includes the five apparatus—side terminals 735 to 739, and the second apparatus—side terminal line includes the four apparatus—side terminals 731 to 734. The first apparatus—side terminal line is located on the —Z—aXis direction side of the second apparatus—side terminal line. The number of the tus—side terminals is not d to nine but may be varied to any desired number r than nine or less than nine according to the structure of the circuit board 40.

Among the nine apparatus—side terminals 731 to 739, the apparatus—side ground terminal 737 located on the substantial center in the Y—aXis direction is electrically ted with a ground line (not shown). The height of the apparatus—side ground terminal 737 protruded from the apparatus—side sloped surface 708 is greater than the height of the other apparatus—side terminals 731 to 736, 738 and 739. The apparatus— side ground terminal 737 is accordingly in contact with the circuit board 40 of the dge 20 prior to the other apparatus—side terminals 731 to 736, 738 and 739.

According to this embodiment, in order to accelerate assembling the printer, the apparatus—side terminals 731 to 739 are located on the terminal base 709 and are unitized to the t mechanism 70, which is incorporated in the holder 60. The unitized contact mechanism 70 using the terminal base 709 is, however, not essential.

According to another embodiment, a suitable structure for receiving the apparatus—side terminals 731 to 739 may be formed integrally with the bottom wall member 601 or the outer wall 603W of the holder 60, and the apparatus—side terminals 731 to 739 may be incorporated in the structure. The terminal base 709 is accordingly not essential.

A—4—3. Detailed Structure of Lever 80: Fig. 19 is a perspective view illustrating the appearance of the lever 80. Fig. 20 il— lustrates a cross section of a shaft body 850 taken on the plane parallel to the X axis and the Z axis (XZ plane, plane perpendicular to the Y axis). Fig. 21 illustrates a cross section of the lever 80 taken on the plane that passes through the central region in the width direction (Y—axis direction) of the lever 80 and is parallel to the X axis and the Z axis (XZ plane, plane perpendicular to the Y axis). Fig. 21 shows the cross section of the lever 80 in the state that the cartridge 20 is ly ed at the ed at— tachment position of the holder 60.

As shown in Figs. 19 and 21, the lever 80 includes the operating member 830, a pair of shaft bodies 850, a guide member 820, and the engagement portion 810. The lever 80 has the ing member 830 on one end (+Z—axis direction end) and the en— gagement portion 810 on the other side (—Z—axis ion end). The lever 80 has an axis of rotation 800c between the operating member 830 and the engagement portion 810. In other words, the lever 80 pivots around the axis of rotation 800c at the position between the operating member 830 and the engagement portion 810.

The operating member 830 of the lever 80 receives the external force applied by the user. As shown in Fig. 21, the operating member 830 is provided at the +Z—axis direction end of the lever 80. The operating member 830 is located on the +Z—axis ion side of the axis of rotation 800c in the attached state of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60. The operating member 830 is located on the +Z—axis direction side of the first apparatus—side side wall member 603 of the holder 60 (Fig. 15).

The operating member 830 has an operation surface 835 and an operating—member d surface 831. The operation surface 835 receives the external force (force Pr shown in Fig. 5) applied by the user from the s direction side to the —X—axis direction side for detachment of the cartridge 20 from the holder 60. The operating— member opposed surface 831 is a face opposed to the cartridge 20 in the attached state of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60.

As shown in Fig. 19, the pair of shaft bodies 850 are ed at the substantially middle on between the ends of the lever 80. The pair of shaft bodies 850 define the axis of rotation 800c of the lever 80. The axis of rotation 800c is parallel to the Y— axis direction (direction of the array of the cartridges 20). One shaft body 850a of the 2012/008314 pair of shaft bodies 850 (called "first shaft body 850a") is protruded in the +Y—axis ion from an outer surface 893 on the +Y—axis direction side of the lever 80. The other shaft body 850b of the pair of shaft bodies 850 (called "second shaft body 850b") is protruded in the —Y—axis ion from an outer surface 891 on the —Y—axis direction side of the lever 80. The outer surfaces 891 and 893 are also called side faces 891 and 893. The pair of shaft bodies 850 provided on the lever 80 y define the axis of rotation 800c by using a retainer as described later.

According to this embodiment, each of the shaft bodies 850 has an inner arc—shaped surface 852, an outer arc—shaped surface 854, and radial side faces 856 and 858. The tive faces 852, 854, 856 and 858 form the circumferential surface of the shaft body 850. The inner arc—shaped surface 852 and the outer arc—shaped surface 854 are respectively called "first curved surface 852" and "second curved e 854". The centers of the inner arc—shaped surface 852 and the outer arc—shaped surface 854 correspond to the axis of rotation 800c. The inner arc—shaped surface 852 is located at the on closer to the second apparatus—side side wall member 604 than (i.e., on the —X—axis direction side of) the outer arc—shaped surface 854.

As shown in Fig. 20, the inner aped surface 852 forms an arc of radius Rla about the axis of rotation 800c on the cross section parallel to the X axis and the Z axis. The outer arc—shaped surface 854 forms an arc of radius R2a about the axis of rotation 800c on the cross section parallel to the X axis and the Z axis. The radius Rla is r than the radius R2a. As described above, each shaft body 850 has the concentric inner arc—shaped surface 852 and outer arc—shaped surface 854, which is located at the position closer to the second apparatus—side side wall member 604 than the outer arc—shaped surface 854, as part of the circumferential surface. The axis of rotation 800c can thus be located at the closer on to the cartridge 20 in the cartridge chamber 602 without interfering with the cartridge 20. This s the en— gagement portion 212 of the first restriction portion 210 of the cartridge 20 to be locked by the engagement portion 810, while reducing a deviation from the first locking position 810L. If the axis of rotation 800c were located at the distant position from the dge 20, any shift of the lever 80 from the attachment position designed for the correctly mounted state of the cartridge 20 causes a significant displacement of the ment portion 810 in the Z—axis direction. Locating the axis of rotation 800c at the closer position from the cartridge 20 advantageously reduces the displacement of the engagement portion 810 in the Z—axis direction when the lever 80 is shifted from the standard attitude in the state of the dge 20 properly attached at the designed attachment position. Namely such positioning enables the cartridge 20 to be locked by the engagement portion 810 with the less deviation from the first locking position 810L. Setting the greater radius R2a of the outer arc—shaped surface 854 than the radius Rla of the inner arc—shaped surface 852 advantageously prevents the strength degradation of the shaft body 850. The "locking position (first g position) 810L" means the position where a first apparatus—side locking surface 811 (first part of the en— gagement portion 810) abuts the first cartridge—side locking surface 211 (first abutting part of the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210) when the cartridge 20 is ed at the attachment position set as the ideal designed position.

The engagement portion 810 serves to lock the dge 20 in the attached state and restrict the motion of the cartridge 20. As shown in Fig. 21, the engagement portion 810 is provided on the —Z—axis direction end of the lever 80. The engagement portion 810 is located on the s ion side of the axis of rotation 800c in the attached state of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60.

As shown in Fig. 21, the engagement portion 810 locks the first cartridge—side re— striction portion 210 (Fig. 5) by two parts. The engagement portion 810 includes the first apparatus—side locking surface 811 as the first part (the first apparatus—side re— striction element), a groove 815 and a second tus—side locking surface 813 as the second part (the second apparatus—side restriction t). According to this em— bodiment, the two apparatus—side locking surfaces 811 and 813 of the engagement portion 810 are located to intersect each other.

The first apparatus—side g surface 811 is a curved surface in an arc shape around the axis of rotation 800c. The first apparatus—side locking surface 811 ac— cordingly has the arc shape around the axis of rotation 800c on the cross section el to the X axis and the Z axis (i.e., cross section parallel to the X2 plane, cross section perpendicular to the Y axis). For ment of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60, this structure enables the first apparatus—side g surface 811 to be smoothly moved to the locking position 810L and lock the dge 20. For ment of the cartridge 20 from the holder 60, this structure enables the first apparatus—side locking surface 811 to smoothly unlock the cartridge 20. This structure accordingly ensures smooth attachment and detachment of the cartridge 20 to and from the holder 60.

At the locking position (first locking position) 810L, the first tus—side locking surface 811 is close to the axis of rotation 800c in the X—axis direction. In other words, at the locking position (first locking position) 810L, the first apparatus—side locking surface 811 is located imately beneath the axis of rotation 800c according to this embodiment. More specifically, at the locking position (first locking position) 810L, the first tus—side locking surface 811 is located on the slightly —X—axis direction side of the axis of rotation 800c. At the locking position 810L, the first apparatus—side locking surface 811 accordingly defines a plane intersecting at an imately right angle the +Z—axis direction force which the cartridge 20 in the attached state receives from the apparatus—side terminals 700 and the elastic member 648. According to this embodiment, the plane in contact with the first apparatus—side locking surface 811 as the curved e is a substantially horizontal plane at the locking position 810L. This reduces the possibility of releasing the engagement between the first cartridge—side locking e 211 and the first apparatus—side locking surface 811 while the cartridge is mounted in the printer. The first locking position 810L in the X—axis direction is thus preferably the position close to the axis of rotation 800c and on the —X—axis direction side of the axis of rotation 800c. This makes the plane in contact with the first apparatus—side locking e 811 substantially horizontal and ts application of the +X—axis direction force from the cartridge 20 in the attached state to the first apparatus—side locking surface 811. Locating the first locking on 810L close to the axis of rotation 800c in the X—axis ion advantageously s a deviation of the locking position in the Z—axis direction even when the actual locking on of the first cartridge—side locking surface 211 and the first apparatus—side locking surface 811 is slightly deviated from the first locking position 810L. In other words, this reduces the deviation of the cartridge 20 in the Z—axis direction relative to the holder 60 and ensures the good electrical connection of the cartridge—side terminals 400 with the apparatus—side als 700. For example, on the cross section of the lever 80 taken on the plane parallel to the X axis and the Z axis, the first locking position 810L should be located, such that an angle A between the straight line passing through the axis of rotation 800c and parallel to the Z—axis direction and the straight line connecting the axis of rotation 800c with the first locking on 810L is preferably not r than degrees, more preferably not greater than 10 degrees, and further preferably not greater than 5 degrees. The angle A is also preferably not less than 1 degree.

As shown in Fig. 19, the guide member 820 is provided n the operating member 830 and the engagement portion 810 to be extended from the +Z—axis direction end to the —Z—axis direction end. The guide member 820 serves to guide the first cartridge—side ction portion 210 (shown in Fig. 12) to the engagement portion 810, while restricting the motion of the cartridge 20 in the Y—axis direction in the course of attachment of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60. The cartridge 20 can thus be properly attached at the designed attachment position.

The guide member 820 is a recess formed by a guide bottom wall 821 provided along the Y—axis direction and a pair of guide walls 860 being vertically—angled toward the — X—axis direction from the guide bottom wall 821. The guide bottom wall 821 and the pair of guide walls 860 readily form the recess to receive the first cartridge—side re— striction portion 210 structured as the projection. The pair of guide walls 860 include a first guide wall 860a provided on the +Y—axis direction side and a second guide wall 860b ed on the —Y—axis direction side. The shaft body 850a is d on the outer surface 893 of the first guide wall 860a, whilst the shaft body 850b is located on the outer surface 891 of the second guide wall 860b.

The space between the two guide walls 860a and 860b, i.e., the distance between the inner surfaces of the two guide walls 860a and 860b, is less than the Y—axis direction length of the cartridge 20 but is r than the Y—axis ion length of the first dge—side restriction portion 210 (as can be seen in Fig. 12). For attachment of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60, the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 is received by the guide member 820 and is readily and securely guided to the engagement portion 810, while the pair of guide walls 860a and 860b restrict the motion of the cartridge 20 in the Y—axis direction and the guide bottom wall 821 cts the motion of the cartridge 20 in the Z—axis direction.

One part of the guide bottom wall 821 on the side of the engagement portion 810 has a groove 870 configured to receive the second portion 214 of the first cartridge—side re— striction portion 210 (Fig. 12). The groove 870 is recessed from the surface of the guide bottom wall 821 in the +X—axis direction. The groove 870 is extended from the middle in the +Z—axis direction of the guide bottom wall 821 to its —Z—axis direction end.

The lever 80 set on the holder 60 is configured to move the first apparatus—side locking surface 811 to the first g position 810L by its dead weight. The lever 80 is tilted to locate the first tus—side locking surface 811 on the —X—axis direction side of the axis of rotation 800c (Fig. 21), when the shaft bodies 850 are retained by the retainer 690. According to one embodiment, the lever 80 may be tilted by locating the center of gravity of the lever 80 on the —Z—axis direction side and on the —X—axis direction side of the axis of rotation 800c. According to another embodiment, the lever 80 may be tilted by ng the center of gravity of the lever 80 on the +Z—axis direction side and on the +X—axis direction side of the axis of rotation 800c.

A—4—4. Detailed Structure of Retainer 690: Fig. 22 is an exploded perspective view of the retainer 690 and a perspective view of the lever 80. The lever 80 is retained by the er 690, so as to be attached to the holder 60 in a ble manner. Fig. 22 shows partial structure of the retainer 690 to retain the lever 80. The retainer 690 is ured by a combination of a first retainer member 650 and a second retainer member 680. The retainer 690 is made of a synthetic resin, more specifically ABS resin according to this embodiment.

The first retainer member 650 has a pair of standing portions 651 and a through hole 658. According to this embodiment, the first retainer member 650 also has the projection 636 serving as the third apparatus—side restriction element.

The pair of standing portions 651 of the first retainer member 650 are arranged across a space for receiving the lever 80. Each of the ng portions 651 has a bearing t 654 to receive the shaft body 850 of the lever 80. According to this embodiment, each of the standing portions 65 1 also has an engagement hole 656 g to engage the second retainer member 680.

The second retainer member 680 has a pair of standing portions 681 and a through hole 688. According to this embodiment, the second retainer member 680 also has an c member 682.

The pair of ng portions 681 of the second retainer member 680 are arranged across the same space as that between the pair of standing portions 65 l of the first retainer member 650. Each of the standing portions 681 has a block surface 684 to block the bearing element 654, in order to prevent the shaft body 850 of the lever 80 from being unintentionally uncoupled from the bearing element 654. According to this ment, each of the standing portions 681 also has an engagement tion 686 to be fit in the engagement hole 656 of the first retainer member 650.

For attachment of the lever 80 to the holder 60, the lever 80 is located between the pair of standing portions 65 l by g the respective shaft bodies 850 of the lever 80 into the corresponding bearing elements 654 of the pair of standing portions 65 l of the first retainer member 650. Subsequently the two retainer members 650 and 680 are assembled, so that the bearing elements 654 with the shaft bodies 850 of the lever 80 fit therein are blocked by the corresponding block surfaces 684 of the second retainer member 680. The first and second retainer members 650 and 680 are then fixed to the wall of the holder 60, for example, with screws set in the through holes 658 and 688.

This attaches the lever 80 to the holder 60 in a rotatable manner.

Fig. 23 is a sectional view showing the structure of the periphery of the lever 80 in the attached state of the dge 20 to the holder 60. The relationship between the shaft body 852 of the lever 80 and the bearing element 654 of the first retainer member 650 is described with reference to Fig. 23. Fig. 23 shows the cross section of the lever 80 locking the cartridge 20 taken on the plane passing through the first apparatus—side locking e 811 and parallel to the X axis and the Z axis. The broken line in Fig. 23 shows the projected shape of the shaft body 850 of the lever 80, and the two—dot chain line shows the projected shape of the bearing element 654 and the block surface 684.

As clearly understood from Fig. 23, the axis of rotation 800c of the lever 80 is po— sitioned through the contact of the inner arc—shaped surface 852 and the outer arc— shaped surface 854 of the shaft body 850 with the bearing element 654. Turning the lever 80 counterclockwise (seen from the +Y—axis direction) causes the radial side face 856 of the shaft body 850 to abut the bearing element 654. This restricts further coun— ckwise rotation of the lever 80 (seen from the +Y—axis direction). Turning the lever 80 clockwise (seen from the +Y—axis direction) causes the radial side face 858 of the shaft body 850 to abut the block surface 684. This cts r ise rotation of the lever 80 (seen from the +Y—axis ion). This ensures stable rotation of the lever 80 and keeps the cartridge 20 at the designed attachment position in the stable state.

During rotation of the lever 80, the elastic member 682 abuts an engagement rear face 880 of the lever 80 located on the —Z—aXis direction side of the axis of rotation 800c. The elastic member 682 accordingly limits the rotatable range of the lever 80 during attachment and detachment of the cartridge 20 to and from the holder 60. In at— tachment of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60, the elastic member 682 abuts the en— gagement rear face 880 of the lever 80 and is elastically deformed, so as to press the engagement rear face 880 in the direction including the —X—aXis direction vector component. This ensures the movement of the engagement portion 810 of the lever 80 to the locking position (first locking position) 810L.

A—5. ment and Detachment of Cartridge 20 to and from Holder 60: Figs. 24 to 27 show the ure for ment or mounting of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60 (attachment procedure). Figs. 24 to 27 are sectional views corresponding to Figs. 5 and 17 and are arranged in time series in this order.

For attachment of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60, the procedure first inserts the cartridge 20 through the top face of the holder 60 as shown in Fig. 24. The procedure then moves the cartridge 20 in the —Z axis ion or mounting direction to make the second dge—side ction portion 220—side of the cartridge 20 enter first into the holder 60 and inserts the second cartridge—side restriction n 220 into the second tus—side restriction t 620. In the state of Fig. 24, the first cartridge—side re— striction portion 210 of the cartridge 20 is located on the +Z—aXis direction side of the engagement portion 810 of the lever 80 in the holder 60.

The cartridge 20 is pivoted clockwise (seen from the +Y—aXis direction) about the second cartridge—side ction portion 220, which is inserted in the second apparatus— side restriction element 620, as the pivot point of rotation from the state of Fig. 24, so that the third face 203—side of the cartridge 20 is moved toward the bottom wall member 601 of the holder 60. As shown in Fig. 25, the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 then moves in the —Z—aXis direction, while the motion of the cartridge 20 in the Y—aXis direction and in the X—aXis direction is restricted by the guide member 820 of the lever 80, i.e., the pair of guide walls 860a and 860b, and by the guide bottom wall 821 shown in Fig. 19.

When the cartridge 20 is further turned from the state of Fig. 25 to press in its third face 203—side, the first dge—side restriction portion 210 is further d in the — Z—aXis direction. As shown in Fig. 26, the lever 80 is then pressed in the —X—aXis direction by the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 to turn counterclockwise (seen from the +Y—aXis ion). The lever 80 abuts the elastic member 682 and receives the pressing force from the elastic member 682 in the direction to press back the lever 80 clockwise (seen from the s direction). This ng force is an external force including a —X—aXis direction vector component. The rotatable range of the lever 80 is accordingly limited by the elastic member 682. This state of Fig. 26 where the lever 80 abuts the elastic member 682 and is pressed by the elastic member 682 maintains until the cartridge 20 is further pressed in and the first cartridge—side re— striction portion 210 rides over the guide member 820 of the lever 80.

When the cartridge 20 is further turned from the state of Fig. 26 to press in its third face 203—side, the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 eventually rides over the guide member 820 of the lever 80. The lever 80 is then turned to move the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 in the —X—aXis direction as shown in Fig. 27. The engagement portion 810 accordingly moves to the first locking position 8 lOL and locks the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 at the first locking position 8 lOL.

More specifically, as shown by the lower right close—up view, the first apparatus—side locking surface 811 (first part) of the engagement n 810 abuts the first cartridge— side locking surface 211 (first abutting part) of the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210, so as to restrict the motion of the cartridge 20 in the +Z—aXis direction.

The second apparatus—side locking surface 813 (second part) of the engagement portion 810 also abuts the second cartridge—side locking surface 213 (second abutting part) of the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210, so as to restrict the motion of the cartridge 20 in the +X—aXis ion. Although the first cartridge—side locking surface 211 and second cartridge—side locking e 213 are shown in the close—up view of Fig. 27 as being two separate substantially onal surfaces, as can be seen in Fig. 27A, the first portion 212 of the first restriction portion 210 can be formed with a curved surface so that the first cartridge—side locking surface 211 and second cartridge— side locking surface 213 are configured as te sections of the same surface. Alter— natively, as can be seen in Fig. 27B, the first portion 212 of the first restriction n 210 can be formed with a flat d surface or other shape so that the first cartridge— side locking surface 211 and second cartridge—side locking surface 213 are configured as separate ns of the same surface. As part of the mounting, the ink supply structure 280 of the cartridge 20 is then ted with the printing al supply tube 640, while the second cartridge—side restriction portion 220 engages with the second apparatus—side restriction element 620 and the first dge—side restriction portion 210 engages with the engagement portion 810. This completes the attachment of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60. The proper attachment of the cartridge 20 at the designed ment position makes electrical connection between the cartridge—side terminals 400 and the tus—side terminals 700, so as to allow signal transmission between the cartridge 20 and the printer 50.

According to this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 23 and 27, the elastic member 682 is configured not to abut the lever 80 and thereby not to apply an external force to the lever 80 in the attached state of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60. This reduces the pos— sibility of c deformation of the lever 80 by external force and the possibility of ion of the engagement portion 810 from the first locking position 810L. This ac— cordingly ensures stable electrical connection between the cartridge—side als 400 and the apparatus—side terminals 700.

According to another ment, the elastic member 682 may be designed to abut the lever 80 and thereby apply a force to the lever 80 in the direction ing the — X—axis direction vector ent in the attached state of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60. In this application, the elastic member 682 uously applies the force to the lever 80 in the direction including the —X—axis direction vector component, ective of the position of the lever 80. This moves the engagement portion 810 with sufficient force to the first locking position 810L for attachment of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60. This gives the hard click to inform the user of locking the dge 20 by the en— gagement portion 810.

According to another embodiment, the elastic member 682 may be omitted. This ap— ion decreases the total number of parts.

The procedure of detachment of the cartridge 20 from the holder 60 is described. For detachment of the dge 20 from the holder 60, the user presses the operating member 830 in the —X—axis direction. In other words, the user applies the external force Pr (Fig. 5) to the operating member 830 in the direction including the —X—axis direction vector component. The lever 80 then moves the engagement portion 810 around the axis of rotation 800c in the direction including the +X—axis direction vector component. Simultaneously the first cartridge—side locking surface 211 rotates and moves in the ion of arrow Y22 shown in Fig. 23. This disengages the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 from the engagement portion 810 and eliminates the restriction on the motion of the third face de of the cartridge 20 in the +Z—axis direction. Eliminating the restriction on the motion of the cartridge 20 in the +Z—axis ion causes the third face 203—side of the cartridge 20 to move in the +Z—axis direction by the pressing force Pt from the contact mechanism 70. This moves the cartridge 20 from the state of Fig. 27 to the state of Fig. 26. The cartridge 20 is further turned counterclockwise (seen from the +Y—axis direction) about the second cartridge—side restriction portion 220 inserted in the second apparatus—side restriction element 620 as the pivot point of rotation, in order to pull away the third face 203—side of the cartridge 20 from the bottom wall member 601 of the holder 60. This moves the cartridge 20 from the state of Fig. 26 to the state of Fig. 25 and further to the state of Fig. 24. The user may apply force to the projection 260 in the direction including the — X—axis direction vector component, in order to turn the cartridge 20. This operation turns the third face 203—side of the cartridge 20 counterclockwise (seen from the +Y—aXis direction) and moves the third face 203—side of the cartridge 20 in the +Z—aXis ion. The user holds the third face 203—side of the cartridge 20 and pulls away the second cartridge—side restriction portion 220 from the second tus—side restriction t 620, so as to remove the dge 20 from the holder 60.

As shown in the close—up view of Fig. 27, the operating member 830 of the lever 80 includes the operating—member opposed surface 831. For removal of the cartridge 20 in the attached state from the holder 60, when the user presses the operating member 830, the operating—member opposed surface 831 is in contact with the projection 260. The operating—member opposed surface 831 is inclined in a direction including a —X—aXis ion vector component and a +Z—aXis direction vector component. Turning the lever 80 about the axis of rotation 800c in the direction of arrow Y27 causes the operating—member opposed surface 831 to be in contact with the projection 260 and presses the projection 260 in a direction Yh including the —X—aXis direction vector component and the s direction vector component. This facilitates detachment of the cartridge 20 from the holder 60. Even when the cartridge 20 is stuck by some part of the holder 60 and is not moved in the +Z—aXis direction through the travel of the first cartridge—side g surface 211 from the first locking on 810L in the +X—aXis direction, the third face 203—side of the cartridge 20 can be moved in the +Z—aXis direction by using the operating—member opposed surface 831 and the projection 260.

A—6. Attachment Detection Method Using Attachment ion Terminals: Fig. 28 is a block diagram illustrating the electrical structure of the circuit board 40 of the cartridge 20 and the printer 50 according to the first embodiment. The printer 50 includes a display panel 590, a power circuit 580, a main control circuit 570 and a sub— control circuit 550. The display panel 590 serves as a y unit to notify the user of various information, for example, the operating condition of the printer 50 and the at— tachment state of the dge 20. The display panel 590 may be provided on an operation unit (not shown) visible from e of the printer 50. The power t 580 includes a first power supply 581 to generate a first power—supply voltage VDD and a second power supply 582 to generate a second power—supply voltage VHV. The first power—supply voltage VDD is the ordinary power—supply voltage (e.g., rated voltage of 3.3 V) used for logic circuits. The second power—supply voltage VHV is the high voltage (e.g., rated e of 42 V) used to drive the head 540 (Fig. 2) for ink ejection.

These voltages VDD and VHV are ed to the sub—control circuit 550, while being supplied to the other circuits as needed basis. The main l circuit 570 includes a CPU 571 and a memory 572. The sub—control circuit 550 es a memory control circuit 551 and an attachment detection circuit 552. The circuit structure including the main control circuit 570 and the sub—control circuit 550 is called "control circuit".

WO 05195 Among the nine terminals provided on the circuit board 40 of the cartridge 20 (Fig. ), the reset terminal 432, the clock terminal 433, the power terminal 436, the ground terminal 437 and the data terminal 438 are electrically ted with the memory unit 420. The memory unit 420 is a nonvolatile memory without an address terminal. In the memory unit 420, a memory cell to be accessed is determined, based on the pulse number of clock signal SCK input from the clock terminal 433 and command data input from the data terminal 438. The memory unit 420 receives data from the data terminal 438 or sends data to the data terminal 438, in synchronism with the clock signal SCK. The clock terminal 433 is used to supply the clock signal SCK from the sub—control circuit 550 (Fig. 28) to the memory unit 420. The printer 50 applies the power—supply voltage (for example, rated voltage of 3.3 V) for driving the memory unit 420 and the ground voltage (0 V) respectively to the power terminal 436 and to the ground al 437. The power—supply voltage for driving the memory unit 420 may be the first power—supply voltage VDD ly applied by the printer 50 or may be generated from the first power—supply e VDD to be lower than the first power— supply voltage VDD. The data terminal 438 is used for transmission of data signal SDA between the sub—control circuit 550 and the memory unit 420. The reset terminal 432 is used to supply reset signal RST from the sub—control circuit 550 to the memory unit 420. The four attachment detection terminals 431, 434, 435 and 439 are inter— connected by wiring in the circuit board 40 of the cartridge 20 (Fig. 3) and are all grounded. For example, the attachment detection terminals 431, 434, 435 and 439 are connected with the ground al 437 to be grounded. According to another em— bodiment, the attachment detection terminals 431, 434, 435 and 439 may be grounded by any connection path without the ground terminal 437. As y understood from this description, the attachment detection als 431, 434, 435 and 439 may be connected with part of the memory terminals (or memory unit 420), but is preferably not connected with any memory terminals other than the ground terminal 437 or the memory unit 420. Non—connection of the attachment detection terminals with the memory terminal or the memory unit results in application of no signal or voltage other than an attachment check signal to the attachment detection terminals and thus ensures the accurate attachment detection. The four attachment detection terminals 431, 434, 435 and 439 are interconnected by wiring in the illustrated e of Fig. 28, but part of the connection path may be replaced by a ance.

In Fig. 28, path names SCK, VDD, SDA, RST, OVl, 0V2, DTl and DT2 are assigned to the respective connection paths connecting the apparatus—side terminals 731 to 739 with the dge—side als 431 to 439 of the circuit board 40. The signal names are used for the path names with respect to the connection paths to the memory unit 420.

WO 05195 Fig. 29 illustrates the tion between the circuit board 40 and the attachment detection circuit 552. The four attachment detection terminals 431, 434, 435 and 439 of the circuit board 40 are ted with the attachment detection circuit 552 via the cor— responding apparatus—side terminals 731, 734, 735 and 739. The four attachment detection terminals 431, 434, 435 and 439 of the circuit board 40 are grounded. The connection paths between the apparatus—side terminals 731, 734, 735 and 739 and the attachment detection t 552 are respectively connected to the power—supply e VDD (rated voltage of 3.3 V) in the sub—control circuit 550 via pull—up re— In the illustrated example of Fig. 29, the three als 431, 434 and 435 of the four attachment detection terminals 431, 434, 435 and 439 on the circuit board 40 have good connection with the corresponding apparatus—side terminals 731, 734 and 735.

The attachment detection terminal 439, however, has poor connection with the corre— sponding apparatus—side terminal 739. The voltage level of the connection paths for the three tus—side terminals 731, 734 and 735 in the good connection state is L level (ground voltage level), whilst the voltage level of the connection path for the apparatus—side terminal 739 in the poor connection state is H level (power—supply voltage VDD level). The attachment detection circuit 552 may check the e levels of these connection paths, so as to identify the good/poor connection state with t to each of the four attachment detection terminals 731, 734, 735 and 739.

The contact portions cp of the four attachment detection als 431, 434, 435 and 439 on the circuit board 40 are located outside a first area 400P, which includes the contact portions cp of the memory terminals 432, 433, 436, 437 and 438. The contact portions cp of the four attachment detection terminals 431, 434, 435 and 439 are located at four corners of a quadrilateral second area 400T, which includes the first area 400P. The first area 400P is preferably a smallest possible quadrilateral including the contact portions cp of the five memory als 432, 433, 436, 437 and 438. The second area 400T is preferably a smallest possible quadrilateral including all the contact portions cp of the cartridge—side terminals 431 to 439.

In the state of good contact for all the four ment detection terminals 431, 434, 435 and 439, the cartridge 20 has no significant tilt and ensures the good contact for the memory terminals 432, 433, 436, 437 and 438. In the state of poor contact for any one or more of the four attachment detection terminals 431, 434, 435 and 439, on the other hand, the cartridge 20 has a significant tilt and may cause the poor contact for any one or more of the memory terminals 432, 433, 436, 437 and 438. According to a preferable ment, in the state of poor t for any one or more of the four at— tachment detection terminals 431, 434, 435 and 439, the attachment detection circuit 552 displays information (character string or image) indicating the failed attachment on the display panel 590 to notify the user of the failed attachment.

The contact ns cp of the attachment detection terminals 431, 434, 435 and 439 are arranged at the four comers surrounding the first area 400P including the contact portions cp of the memory terminals 432, 433, 436, 437 and 438, because of the following reason. In the ed state of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60, there is a n margin for tilting the cartridge 20, so that the circuit board 40 of the cartridge may be inclined relative to the contact mechanism 70 of the holder 60. For example, tilting the dge 20 to make the terminals 431 to 434 (more specifically their contact portions) in the upper line R2 (Fig. 10A) on the circuit board 40 more distant from the contact mechanism 70 than the terminals 435 to 439 (more specifically their contact portions) in the lower line Rl (Fig. 10A) may result in the poor contact for any of the terminals 431 to 434 in the upper line R2. Tilting the cartridge 20 to make the als 435 to 439 (more specifically their contact portions) in the lower line Rl on the circuit board 40 more distant from the contact mechanism 70 than the terminals 431 to 434 (more specifically their contact portions) in the upper line R2 may result in the poor t for any the terminals 435 to 439 in the lower line Rl. Tilting the cartridge 20 to make the left edge of the circuit board 40 (Fig. 10A) more distant from the contact mechanism 70 than the right edge may result in the poor contact for any of the terminals 431, 432, 435, 436 and 437 on the left side of the circuit board 40. Tilting the dge 20 to make the right edge of the circuit board 40 more distant from the contact mechanism 70 than the left edge may result in the poor contact for any of the als 433, 434, 437, 438 and 439 on the right side of the circuit board 40. The poor contact may cause an error in reading data from the memory unit 420 or in writing data into the memory unit 420. Checking the t portions cp of all the four attachment ion terminals 431, 434, 435 and 439, which are arranged at the four corners outside the first area 400P ing the contact portions cp of the memory als 432, 433, 436, 437 and 438, for the good/poor contact advantageously prevents the poor contact and a resulting access error in the memory unit 420 due to such tilting of the cartridge 20.

A—7. Advantageous Effects of Embodiment: A—7—l. Certain of The ageous Effects of This Embodiment Compared with The Structures Disclosed in U.S. Publication No. 2005/015 181 l, and U.S. Patent No. 6,276,780 Mentioned Previously.

In the printing material supply system 10 according to this embodiment, the lever 80 is provided on the holder 60, and the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 is provided on the cartridge 20. The cartridge—side restriction portion 210 is located on the —Z—axis direction side of the axis of rotation 800c of the lever 80. The engagement member for engaging with the holder is not located at the on between the axis of 2012/008314 rotation and the operating member of the lever, unlike the structures in U.S. Pub— lication No. 2005/0151811 in which the lever is integral with the cartridge. There is ac— gly no need to make a relatively large distance between the lever and the cartridge side face. The structure of the embodiment accordingly shortens the distance between the lever 80 and the third face 203 of the cartridge 20, i.e., the ion in the X—axis direction, while shortening the length of the lever, i.e., the dimension in the Z—axis direction. This allows icant size reduction of the printer 50 and the whole printing material supply system 10, as well as size ion of packaging for trans— portation and distribution of the cartridges 20, which advantageously reduces the trans— ion cost and the parts cost. This advantageous effect is not achieved by simply providing the lever on the printer holder instead of the cartridge as described in U.S.

Patent No. 6,276,780. This advantageous effect is achieved by providing the axis of on 800c of the lever 80 between the operating member 830 and the engagement portion 810 and ng the cartridge—side restriction portion 210 on the —Z—axis direction side of the axis of rotation 800c of the lever 80. [025 1] The printing material supply system 10 according to the embodiment includes the relatively short lever 80 and the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 of the small size and the simple structure (e.g., projection). This increases the rigidity of the lever 80 and the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210, compared with the structures described in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811, and allows the relatively high— rigidity material to be selected for the lever 80 and the first dge—side restriction portion 210 (cartridge 20). This results in significantly ng the possibility of plastic deformation or creep deformation of the lever 80 and the first cartridge—side re— striction portion 210. In the attached state, the cartridge 20 can be kept at the proper position in the holder 60, which maintains the normal or good t between the cartridge—side terminals 431 to 439 and the apparatus—side terminals 731 to 739 and reduces the poor continuity. Since the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 of this embodiment has the small size and the simple structure, no special care to prevent plastic deformation of the lever is required in packaging for ortation and dis— tribution of the cartridges 20, especially in vacuum packaging, unlike the cartridges of U.S. Publication No. 151811. This improves the user's convenience. Providing the tion as the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 as described in the em— bodiment is especially preferable for this advantageous effect.

In the printing material supply system 10 according to the ment, the cartridge— side restriction portion 210 is located on the —Z—axis direction side of the axis of rotation 800c of the lever 80. As described previously, the apparatus—side terminals 731 to 739 generate the pressing force Pt in the direction of pressing back the circuit board 40 (i.e., in the direction including the s direction vector component and the — X—axis direction vector component) in the attached state of the cartridge 20. This pressing force Pt is expected to move the cartridge 20 in the +Z—axis ion in the attached state. In the printing material supply system 10 of the embodiment, however, the axis of rotation 800c of the lever 80 is located on the —Z—axis direction side of the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210, so that the lever 80 restricts the motion of the cartridge 20 from the +Z—axis direction side to the —Z—axis direction side.

According to this embodiment, the first dge—side restriction portion 210 is d on the —Z—axis direction side and on the —X—axis direction side of the axis of rotation 800c of the lever 80. When the cartridge 20 moves in the +Z—axis direction, ro— tational moment arises on the lever 80 as shown by arrow M in Fig. 5. This moment acts to cause the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 to be strongly d in the —X—axis direction by the engagement portion 810. This moment also acts to move the engagement portion 810 of the lever 80 in accordance with moving the cartridge 20 in the —X—axis direction by the X—axis direction vector component of the ng force Pt.

The cartridge 20 in the attached state accordingly receives the force to be pressed against the apparatus—side bottom wall member 601 and the second apparatus—side side wall member 604. This structure of the embodiment prevents the cartridge 20 from being unintentionally uncoupled from the holder 60, thus ining the normal or good t n the cartridge—side terminals 431 to 439 and the apparatus—side terminals 731 to 739 and reducing the possibility of poor continuity.

As shown in Fig. 27, the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 includes the first cartridge—side locking e 211 that abuts the first part 811 of the engagement portion 810 to restrict the motion of the dge 20 in the +Z—axis direction, and the second cartridge—side locking surface 213 that abuts the second part 813 of the en— gagement portion 810 to restrict the motion of the cartridge 20 in the +X—axis direction. This ensures production of the rotational moment as shown by the arrow M in Fig. 5 and more effectively reduces the possibility of poor continuity between the cartridge—side terminals 431 to 439 and the apparatus—side als 731 to 739.

As shown in Fig. 12, according to this embodiment, the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 has the second portion 214. The first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 reduces the possibility that the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 is locked at the position on the —Z—axis ion side of the engagement portion 810 in attachment of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60. In the course of attachment of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60, the user may press the cartridge 20 deeper in the —Z—axis ion into the holder 60 than the state of Fig. 27. Even in this case, the second portion 214 of the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 abuts the second apparatus—side g surface 813 of the lever 80, so as to prevent the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 from being located on the —Z—axis direction side of the engagement portion 810.

This reduces the possibility that the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 is locked by the engagement portion 810 at the unintended locking position.

A—7—2. Reduction of s of External Force in Attached State of dge: Fig. 30 shows the external force applied to the cartridge 20 in the attached or mounted state. During printing operation of the printer 50, the holder 60 and the cartridge 20 move reciprocally in the main scanning direction (Y—axis direction or width direction of the cartridge 20). The cartridge 20 accordingly receives external force (inertial force) during acceleration and deceleration of the holder 60 in the width direction. The cartridge 20 receiving the external force may turn about the ink supply structure 280 (Fig. 27) and the printing material supply tube 640 in the rotating direction including the width direction vector component (Y—axis direction vector component). More specifically, the third face 203—side of the dge 20 may turn in the direction of arrow YRl, while the fourth face 204—side of the cartridge 20 may turn in the direction of arrow YR2. The second face 202—side of the cartridge 20 may also turn in the direction of arrow YR3. The direction of arrow YRl and the direction of arrow YR2 are the rotating direction about the Z axis, which es the Y—axis direction vector component (width direction vector component). The direction of arrow YR3 is the ng ion about the X axis, which includes the Y—axis direction vector component (width direction vector component).

Moving the cartridge 20 in the ion of arrow YR3 causes either the fifth face 205 or the sixth face 206 of the cartridge 20 to be pulled up in the +Z—axis direction. As described previously, however, such motion of the cartridge 20 in the +Z—axis direction is restricted by the lever 80. According to this embodiment, the first cartridge—side re— ion portion 210 is close to the intersecting part 295 as shown in Fig. 13. In other words, the first cartridge—side ction portion 210 is close to the board end 405 of the circuit board 40. The first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 is arranged as close as possible to the cartridge—side terminals 400. Since the first cartridge—side ction portion 210 is locked by the lever 80, the periphery of the first cartridge—side restriction n 210 has substantially no position shift by the external force. ing the cartridge—side terminals 400 at the location of extremely small position shift effectively prevents the positional misalignment of the respective terminals 431 to 439 of the cartridge—side terminals 400 relative to the holder 60, thus maintaining the stable electrical connection between the cartridge—side terminals 400 and the apparatus—side terminals 700. In order to ensure this advantageous , it is able to locate at least part of the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 (specifically the first cartridge—side locking surface 21 1) between the first outer part 435P and the second outer part 439P (Fig. 10A) in the Y—axis ion (width direction) (when the cartridge is viewed from the third face 203—side in the —X—axis direction).

As shown in Fig. 7, according to this embodiment, the corner section 265 of the cartridge 20 has the step (seventh face) 207 extended in the +Z—axis direction from the first face 201. The seventh face 207 is located on the —X—axis ion side and on the — Z—axis direction side of the sloped surface (eighth face) 208. The seventh face 207 has the third cartridge—side restriction element 250. As shown in Fig. 2 and Figs. 14 to 16, the holder 60 has the third apparatus—side restriction element ction) 636. The third cartridge—side restriction t 250 is in contact with the projection 636. This further cts the motion of the third face 203—side of the cartridge 20 in the width direction about the printing material supply tube 640 and the ink supply structure 280.

The third cartridge—restriction t 250 is structured preferably as the pair of projection members protruded from the seventh face 207 in the +X—axis direction to receive the projection 636 therebetween as described in the ment. This simple ure effectively restricts the motion of the third face 203—side of the cartridge 20 in the width direction about the printing material supply tube 640 and the ink supply structure 280.

As shown in Fig. 13, according to this embodiment, the terminal g structure 408 of the circuit board 40 and the third cartridge—side restriction element 250 are arranged to partly overlap each other in the X—axis direction (when the cartridge 20 is viewed from the first face 201—side in the +Z—axis direction). This further ively restricts the motion of the cartridge 20 in the direction of arrow YRl and thereby prevents the motion (deviation) of the cartridge—side terminals 400 relative to the holder 60.

In the above description, the external force in the width direction applied to the cartridge 20 is the inertial force produced by the movement of the cartridge 20 in the main ng direction. The al force applied to the cartridge 20 is, however, not restricted to such inertial force. For example, in the off—carriage type printer, the print head moves in the main scanning ion, but the cartridge 20 is attached to the stationary holder and so does not move in the main scanning direction. In the off— carriage type printer, however, the cartridge 20 may receive an external force. More specifically, an external force ial force) may be applied to the cartridge 20 due to, for example, vibration arising from the movement of the print head in the main scanning direction.

A—7—3. Reduction of Tilting of Cartridge 20 in Attached State: As shown in Fig. 12, according to this embodiment, the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 is provided to intersect the plane Yc passing h the center of the width s direction length) of the cartridge 20. As shown in Fig. 5, the cartridge 20 in the attached state receives the pressing forces Ps and Pt including the +Z—axis direction vector component from the holder 60. These pressing forces Ps and Pt press the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 against the engagement n 810 of the lever 80. Even when the cartridge 20 in the ed state is shaken about the X axis or the Z axis by the external force, the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 hardly moves in the vicinity of the position intersecting the plane Yc.

The first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 is located close to the intersecting part 295, i.e., close to the board end 405. Providing the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210, which moves very little at the position very close to the cartridge—side terminals 400 ensures a stable electrical connection between the cartridge—side terminals 400 and the contact mechanism 70.

The effective part of the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 specifically serving to restrict the on of the cartridge—side terminals 400 is the first cartridge— side locking surface 21 1. It is thus able to locate the first cartridge—side locking surface 211 as close as possible to the cartridge—side terminals 400. Omitting the third portion 215 of the first cartridge—side restriction n 210 and locating the first portion 212 in contact with the first side 290 enable the first cartridge—side locking surface 211 to be closer to the intersecting part 295 or the board end 405. This further ensures the stable electrical connection between the cartridge—side terminals 400 and the contact mechanism 70.

According to this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 10, among the contact portions cp of the respective cartridge—side terminals 400, the ground terminal 437 having the contact portion cp on the center in the Y—axis direction is provided at the position intersecting the plane Yc. The contact portions cp of the other terminals 431 to 436, 438 and 439 are arranged to be symmetrical with t to the line of intersection of the plane Yc and the ground terminal 437 as the axis. The plane Yc has especially little motion, since the position of the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 is fixed. The dge—side terminals 400 are provided on the plane Yc of little motion or its orhood. In on to providing the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 at the position very close to the cartridge—side terminals 400, ng the cartridge—side terminals 400 on the plane Yc or its orhood further ensures the stable electrical connection between the cartridge—side als 400 and the contact mechanism 70.

A—7—4. Fine Adjustment of Tilted dge 20 in Attached State: ing to this ment, the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 (more specifically, the first cartridge—side locking surface 21 l) is located not outside but inside the range 40Y in the Y—axis direction between the first outer part 435P located on the most +Y—axis direction side of the cartridge—side terminals 400 and the second outer part 439P located on the most —Y—axis direction side of the cartridge—side terminals 400. After the cartridge 20 is attached to the holder 60, the cartridge—side terminals 400 receive the force of s direction vector component from the tus—side terminals 700, so as to finely adjust the tilt of the cartridge 20 or more specifically the direction of the sloped terminal bearing structure 408, on which the cartridge—side terminals 400 are provided. The manufacturing error may vary the positions of the respective apparatus—side terminals 731 to 739 from the apparatus—side sloped surface 708 or the horizontality of the first cartridge—side locking surface 211 of the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210. Even in such cases, the fine adjustment of the direction of the sloped terminal bearing structure 408 ensures the stable electrical connection between the dge—side terminals 400 and the apparatus—side terminals 700.

Fig. 31 shows fine adjustment of the ion of the sloped terminal bearing structure 408. The on of the cartridge 20 after fine adjustment of the attitude of the cartridge 20 is shown by the broken line. In this example, the attachment detection terminal 731 of the apparatus—side terminals 700 protrudes from the apparatus—side sloped surface 708 (Fig. 18) in the +Z—axis direction more than the designed amount.

In this case, the sloped terminal bearing ure 408 receives force Ph in a direction including the +Z—axis direction vector component from the ment detection terminal 731. Locating the first cartridge—side locking surface 211 within the range 40Y allows more rotation of the cartridge 20 about the X axis. In other words, ap— plication of the force Ph to the sloped terminal bearing structure 408 enables fine ad— justment of the attitude of the cartridge 20. In the illustrated example of Fig. 31, the attitude of the cartridge 20 is finely adjusted to be tilted toward the sixth face 206—side.

A—7—5. Advantageous Effects of Second cartridge—side restriction portion 220: The cartridge 20 has the second cartridge—side restriction portion 220 on the fourth face 204 (Fig. 27), which serves to restrict the motion of the dge 20 from its +X—axis direction sides in the +Z—axis direction. This further s the stable electrical connection between the cartridge—side terminals 400 and the apparatus—side terminals 700.

According to this embodiment, the second cartridge—side restriction n 220 is the projection protruded from the fourth face 204 in the —X—axis direction. The second dge—side restriction portion 220 is inserted into the second apparatus—side re— striction element 620 (Fig. 3) in the form of the through hole of the holder 60. The user turns the cartridge 20 about the vicinity of the second cartridge—side restriction portion 220 inserted in the second apparatus—side restriction element 620 (Fig. 3) for at— tachment and detachment of the cartridge 20 to and from the holder 60. The second apparatus—side restriction t 620 accordingly serves as the guide for ment and detachment of the cartridge 20 to and from the holder 60. This structure facilitates attachment and detachment of the cartridge 20 to and from the holder 60. The second dge—side ction portion 220 in the form of the projection can be readily provided on the fourth face 204 of the cartridge 20.

A—7—6. Advantageous Effects of Projection 260: As shown in Fig. 27, according to this embodiment, the cartridge 20 has the projection 260 on the +Z—axis direction side of the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 on the third face 203. For detachment of the cartridge 20 from the holder 60, applying the force to the operating member 830 of the lever 80 from the +X—axis direction side to the —X—axis direction side causes the operating member 830 to be in contact with the projection 260 and press the projection 260 in the direction Yh including the +Z—axis direction vector component. The projection 260 accordingly receives the force of +Z—axis direction vector component. This facilitates detachment of the dge 20 from the holder 60 by using the operating member 830. Even when the cartridge 20 is stuck by some part of the holder 60 and is not moved in the +Z—axis ion through the travel of the first cartridge—side g surface 211 from the first locking on 810L in the +X—axis direction, the third face 203—side of the cartridge can be moved in the +Z—axis direction by using the projection 260. gh the external force is directly applied from the operating member 830 to the projection 260 according to the embodiment, the al force may not be applied from the operating member 830 to the projection 260. Turning the operating member 830 disengages the engagement portion 810 from the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 and eliminates the restriction on the motion of the third face 203—side of the cartridge 20 in the +Z—axis direction. Eliminating the restriction on the motion of the cartridge 20 in the +Z—axis direction causes the third face 203—side of the cartridge to move in the +Z—axis direction by the pressing force Pt from the t ism 70. The projection 260 of the cartridge 20 simultaneously moves in the ion Yh. The user holds the periphery of the projection 260 moving in the ion Yh and readily detaches the cartridge 20 from the holder 60. Providing the projection 260 improves the operability for detachment of the cartridge 20 from the holder 60 even without direct application of the external force from the operating member 830 to the projection 260. [027 1] A—7—7. Advantageous s of Position of Ink supply structure 280: As shown in Fig. 27, according to this embodiment, the ink supply structure 280 is provided at the position closer to the fourth face 204 than the third face 203 on the first face 201. The distance between the outer surface of the ink supply ure 280 and the third face 203 in the X—axis direction is accordingly greater than the distance between the outer e of the ink supply structure 280 and the fourth face 204. The cartridge—side als 400 are provided on the sloped terminal bearing structure 408 adjacent to the third face 203. In other words, the ink supply structure 280 is provided at the position away from the cartridge—side als 400. This reduces the possibility that ink adheres to the cartridge—side terminals 400 and prevents the poor contact between the cartridge—side terminals 400 and the apparatus—side terminals 700.

A—7—8. ageous Effects of Ground Terminal 437: According to this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 10A, among the t portions cp of the dge—side terminals 400, the ground terminal 437 having the contact portion cp on the center in the Y—axis ion is provided at the on intersecting the plane Yc passing h the center of the width (Y—axis direction length) of the cartridge 20. The ground terminal 437 is configured to be in contact with the contact mechanism 70 prior to the other cartridge—side terminals 431 to 436, 438 and 439 in the course of attachment of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60. The ng force first applied from the holder 60 to the circuit board 40 is thus generated on the substantial center of the width or the Y—axis ion length of the cartridge 20. This prevents the pressing force applied to the circuit board 40 from acting to tilt the cartridge 20 in the Y—axis direction and thereby enables the attachment of the cartridge 20 at the designed attachment position. Such contact of the ground terminal 437 with the contact mechanism 70 of the holder 60 prior to the other cartridge—side terminals 431 to 436, 438 and 439 advantageously prevents or reduces the high voltage—induced troubles and es by the grounding function of the ground al 437, even when an un— expected high voltage is applied to the cartridge 20.

A—7—9. Advantageous Effects of Shape of First Apparatus—side Locking Surface 811: As shown in Fig. 21, the first apparatus—side locking surface 811 is the curved surface in the arc shape about the axis of rotation 800c on the cross section parallel to the X axis and the Z axis. This ensures the smooth operations for attachment and de— tachment of the cartridge 20 to and from the holder 60. Forming the first apparatus— side locking surface 811 as the curved e decreases the press—back amount in the +Z—axis direction by the elastic member 648 (Fig. 27) in the course of attachment of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60. This ensures the good electrical contact between the cartridge—side als 400 and the apparatus—side terminals 700.

One example of such advantageous effect is described with reference to Figs. 32A to 32F. The vertical ion of Figs. 32A to 32F corresponds to the Z—axis direction; the upward ion of the drawings corresponds to the +Z—axis ion and the downward direction corresponds to the —Z—axis direction which directions are opposite each other. Figs. 32A to 32C show attachment of a cartridge using the first apparatus— side locking surface 811 formed as the curved surface and are arranged in time series in this order. Figs. 32D to 32F show attachment of a cartridge using a first apparatus— side locking surface 811t formed as a plane and are arranged in times series in this order.

As shown in Fig. 32A, for attachment of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60, the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 moves in the —Z—axis direction while abutting the guide bottom wall 821. As shown in Fig. 32B, when the first cartridge—side restriction n 210 moves through the guide bottom wall 821 r in the —Z axis direction, the first apparatus—side g surface 811 moves in the direction of arrow Y32. When the user strongly presses the cartridge 20 in the —Z—axis ion, the first cartridge— side ction portion 210 is located on the —Z—axis ion side of the first apparatus—side locking surface 811. When the user loses hold of the cartridge 20, the cartridge 20 is d upward in the +Z—axis direction by the ng forces Ps and Pt of the elastic member 648 and the apparatus—side terminals 700. As shown in Fig. 32C, the pressed—up amount of the first cartridge—side ction portion 210 of the cartridge is D1 when the first apparatus—side locking surface 811 is formed as the curved surface.

As shown in Figs. 32D to 32F, when the first apparatus—side locking surface 81 1t is formed as the plane, the pressed—up amount of the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 is D2, which is greater than D1.

In the attached state of the cartridge 20, the first apparatus—side locking surface 811 formed as the curved surface can be located on the more —Z—axis direction side than the first apparatus—side locking surface 81 1t formed as the plane. This reduces the pressed— up amount of the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210.

According to this embodiment, the first apparatus—side locking surface 811 located at the preset or first locking position 810L is close to the axis of rotation 800c in the X— axis direction (Fig. 21). This reduces the moving distance of the first apparatus—side g surface 811 in the Z—axis direction even when the actual g position is deviated in the X—axis ion from the first g position 810L. This accordingly prevents deviation of the cartridge 20 in the Z—axis direction relative to the holder 60.

B. Additional Embodiment: Fig. 33 illustrates a printer 50a according to a second embodiment. Fig. 33 shows the cross section corresponding to the cross section of Fig. 17 according to the first em— bodiment. The difference from the printer 50 of the first embodiment is that a retainer 690a does not have the elastic member 682. Otherwise the printer 50a of the second embodiment has the same structure as that of the printer 50 of the first embodiment.

The like elements are expressed by the like symbols and are not ically explained here. The cartridge 20 attached to the printer 50a has the same structure as the cartridge attached to the printer 50 of the first embodiment.

As shown in Fig. 33, the retainer 690a does not have an elastic member to press the lever 80 in the direction including the —X—axis direction vector component. The lever 80 is, however, designed to locate its first apparatus—side locking surface 811 at the first locking position 810L by its dead weight, so that the first dge—side locking e 211 of the cartridge 20 is locked by the first apparatus—side g surface 811 of the lever 80.

The printer 50a of the second embodiment has the similar advantageous effects to those of the r 60 of the first embodiment. Additionally, the structure of the retainer 690 without an elastic member reduces the possible damage or breakage of the retainer 690 and decreases the total number of parts to reduce the manufacturing cost of the r 50a.

C. Third Embodiment: Fig. 34 is a perspective view illustrating the appearance of a cartridge 20b according to a third embodiment. The difference from the cartridge 20 of the first embodiment (Fig. 7) is the size of the cartridge 20b. ise the cartridge 20b of the third em— bodiment has the same structure as that of the cartridge 20 of the first embodiment.

The like elements are expressed by the like symbols and are not specifically explained here. A printer of the third embodiment is adopted for the cartridge 20b but has the same ure as that of the holder 60 and the respective members (for example, lever 80) provided on the holder 60 of the first embodiment.

The cartridge 20b has the greater dimensions than those of the cartridge 20 of the first embodiment and is capable of containing a r amount of ink. The cartridge 20b is attachable to a cartridge ng structure of a large inkjet printer that is capable of printing large paper (e.g., sizes A2 to A0). The cartridge 20b is attached to the cartridge mounting structure of the large inkjet printer in the —Z—axis direction as the mounting direction SD. According to this embodiment, the —Z—axis direction is the horizontal direction. In the attached state of the cartridge 20b to the cartridge mounting structure, the X—axis direction is the vertical direction. More specifically, the +X—axis direction is the vertically upward direction, and the —X—axis direction is the vertically downward direction.

D. Modifications of Cartridge ure: Figs. 35 to 37 show modifications of cartridge structure. These cartridges are designed for the printer having the same structure as that of the r 50 according to the first embodiment. The like elements of these cartridges to those of the cartridge 20 of the first embodiment are sed by the like s.

D—l. Modifications of Cartridge Outer Shape: Figs. 35A to 35H are conceptual diagrams showing cartridge outer shapes ing to other embodiments. A cartridge 20c shown in Fig. 35A has a housing of an elliptical or oval side face. The cartridge 20c has the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 and the circuit board 40 provided on the front face. The ink supply structure 280 is formed on the bottom face of the dge 20c, and the second cartridge—side re— striction portion 220 is provided on the rear face of the cartridge 20c. This cartridge WO 05195 20c has a fixed width, when the cartridge 20c is seen from its front face side. This cartridge 20c is compatible with the cartridge 20 shown in Fig. 7, as long as the first and second cartridge—side ction ns 210 and 220, the circuit board 40 and the ink supply structure 280 are structured to be connectable with the corresponding parts in the printer 50.

A cartridge 20d shown in Fig. 35B has an imate gular parallelepiped shape like the cartridge 20 shown in Fig. 7. The large difference from the cartridge 20 of Fig. 7 is that the eighth face 208 is not continuous from the lower end of the third face 203. Cartridge 201 shown in Fig. 35G is similar in shape and design to cartridge 20d with the placement of the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 provided closer to the terminal bearing structure 408. Cartridges 20e and 20f shown in Figs. 35C and 35D have no seventh face, which is included in the cartridge 20 of Fig. 7. A cartridge 20g shown in Fig. 35E has the circuit board 40 mounted on the eighth face 208 by means of a spring. A cartridge 20h shown in Fig. 35F has a hinged or otherwise movable face 208h, in place of the eighth face 208, and the t board 40 is mounted on the movable face 208h. While the cartridge 20h is being mounted into the printer, the e face 208h moves from the on indicated by broken line to that indicated by solid line. Once the cartridge 20h is properly mounted in the printer and the movable face 208h is in the position indicated by solid line, the contact portions of terminals on the t board 40 are d on the contact portion plane TP. These cartridges 20c to 20g are also compatible with the cartridge 20 shown in Fig. 7, as long as the first and second cartridge—side restriction portions 210 and 220, the circuit board 40 and the ink supply structure 280 are structured to be connectable with the corre— sponding parts in the printer 50. A cartridge 20m shown in Fig. 35H has an elongated member 21 la which is connected at one end to the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 and at the other end to the top 202 of the cartridge 20m via a hinge or other pivotable mechanism. Although the terminals were ﬂat shaped in the above em— nts, the terminals could be elongated, wire shaped, or other shapes. For example, Fig. 351 shows an embodiment with elongated terminals 400n, wherein the contact portions cp are aligned on the al plane TP when the cartridge 20j is mounted into the printer. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 35], a cartridge 20j that includes a contact mechanism 70j that has substantially the same configuration (including the configuration of the terminals) as the apparatus—side contact mechanism 70 shown in Fig. 18. The contact mechanism 70j has resilient terminals with contact portions that, when the cartridge 20j is mounted into the printer, contact with the als 700 of the contact mechanism 70 and are substantially aligned on the terminal plane TP. In embodiments such as those of Figs. 351 and 35], where the terminals are not flat shaped, the "terminal bearing structure" and the "sloped surface" WO 05195 can be considered the portion of the cartridge terminals that supports the contact portions, and so is substantially the same as the portions of the terminals ted by the contact portion plane TP. Also, the portion of the restriction portion 210 that engages with the apparatus—side lever is located at a position closer to where the contact portion plane TP intersects the front face 203 and to the contact portions cp lves than to the intersection of l) the top face 202 and the front face 203, 2) one of the top face 202 and the front face 203 and an extension of the other of the top face 202 and the front face 203, or 3) extensions of both the top face 202 and the front face 203 (such as when the cartridge body has top and front faces shaped as in the em— bodiments of Figs. 35A and 35D). In the ment of Fig. 35], the circuit board 40j of the cartridge 20j is positioned to the inside of the contact mechanism 70j and contacts the apparatus—side contact mechanism 70 via indirect contact through the contact mechanism 70j.

As clearly understood from the es shown in Figs. 35A to 35H, there are various other modifications of cartridge outer shape. In the case of the cartridge having the outer shape other than the approximate rectangular parallelepiped, as shown by the broken lines in Figs. 35A and 35D, the six faces of the rectangular parallelepiped, i.e., the bottom face 201 (first face), the top face 202 (second face), the front face 203 (third face), the rear face 204 (fourth face), the left side face 205 (fifth face) and the right side face 206 (sixth face) can be virtually assumed. In the specification hereof, the terms "face" and "plane" mean a virtual plane or the non—existent (imaginary) plane as shown in Figs. 35A or 35D and the actual plane as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. The terms "face" and "plane" include both planar surfaces and curved surfaces.

D—2. Cartridge with r: Fig. 36 is a ctive view illustrating the ure of a cartridge 20i with an adapter according to one embodiment. This cartridge 20i is separable into a container assembly 200i including the ink chamber 200 and an adapter 299 which can then be mated er for mounting into the holder of the printing apparatus. After the printing material in the ink chamber 200 is used up, the user replaces the container assembly 200i with a new one or refills the printing material into the container assembly 200i. The r 299 is reusable. This cartridge 20i is compatible with the dge 20 of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 7.

A housing 22i for the cartridge 20i is structured as a ation of a housing for the container assembly 200i and a housing for the adapter 299i. The container assembly 200i includes the ink chamber 200 configured to contain ink, the printing material flow path 282 configured to supply ink or printing material to the ink supply structure and the resin foam 284. The container assembly 200i has a second face 202i corresponding to the second face 202 of the cartridge 20i. The container assembly 200i also has a first face 201i, a third face 203i, a fourth face 204i, a fifth face (not shown), a sixth face 206i, a seventh face 207i and an eighth face 208i respectively corresponding to the first face 201 and the third to the eighth faces 203 to 208 of the cartridge 20i. The first face 201i and the second face 202i are opposed to each other in the Z—axis direction; the first face 201i is located on the —Z—axis direction side and the second face 202i is located on the +Z—axis direction side. The third face 203i and the fourth face 204i are opposed to each other in the X—axis direction; the third face 203i is located on the +X—axis direction side and the fourth face 204i is located on the —X—axis direction side.

The fifth face (not shown) and the sixth face 206i are opposed to each other in the Y— axis direction; the fifth face (not shown) is d on the s direction side and the sixth face 206i is located on the +Y—axis direction side. The seventh face 207i and the eighth face 208i form the connection faces of connecting the first face 201i with the third face 203i. The seventh face 207i is perpendicular to the first face 201i and forms a plane parallel to the Y axis and the Z axis (YZ plane). The h face 207i as the step is vertically—angled relative to the first face 201i. The seventh face 207i is ac— cordingly extended from the first face 201i in the +Z—axis direction. The seventh face 207i is located on the —X—axis direction side and on the —Z—axis direction side of the eighth face 208i. The eighth face 208i ts the seventh face 207i with the third face 203i and is a sloped e inclined in the direction including a +X—axis ion vector component and a —Z—axis direction vector component. The eighth face 208i is inclined to the first face 201i and the third face 203i and is perpendicular to the fifth face (not shown) and the sixth face 206i. In other words, the eighth face 208i is inclined to the XY plane and the YZ plane and is perpendicular to the X2 plane.

The adapter 299 has the faces corresponding to the first face 201, the third face 203, the fourth face 204, the fifth face 205, the sixth face 206, the seventh face 207 and the eighth face 208 of the cartridge 20i. The face of the adapter 299 corresponding to the second face 202 of the cartridge 20i is an opening. The adapter 299 has an inner space to receive the container ly 200i. The first face 201 of the adapter 200 has the ink supply structure 280. Otherwise the cartridge 20i has the similar structure to that of the cartridge 20 of the first embodiment sown in Fig. 7 with our without some variations. The first dge—side restriction portion 210 can be on the adapter 299 as shown in Fig. 36 or on the container assembly 200i (not shown). Similarly, circuit board 40 can be on the adapter 299 as shown in Fig. 36 or on the ner assembly 200i (not shown). The positioning of restriction portion 210 and circuit board 40 need not both be on the container assembly 200i or adapter 299, rather one can be on ner ly 200i and the other can be on adapter 299. The cartridge 20i may thus be structured as the combination of the container assembly 200i and the r 299 as described above.

Fig. 37 is a perspective view illustrating the structure of a cartridge 20j with an adapter according to another embodiment. This cartridge 20j is separable to a container assembly 200j including the ink chamber 200 and an adapter 299j which can then be mated together for mounting into the holder of the printing apparatus. After the printing al in the ink chamber 200 is used up, the user may replace the container assembly 200j with a new one or refill the printing material into the container assembly 200j. The adapter 299 is reusable. This cartridge 20j is compatible with the cartridge of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 7.

A g 22j for the cartridge 20j is structured as a combination of a housing for the container assembly 200j and a g for the adapter 299j. The container assembly 200j includes the ink chamber 200 configured to contain ink and the ink supply structure 280. The container assembly 200j has a second face 202j and a sixth face 206j respectively corresponding to the second face 202 and the sixth face 206 of the cartridge 20j. The container assembly 200j also has a first face 20 lj, a third face 203j, a fourth face 204j, a fifth face (not shown), a seventh face 207j and an eighth face 208j respectively corresponding to the first face 201, the third face 203, the fourth face 204, the fifth face 205, the seventh face 207 and the eighth face 208 of the cartridge 20j.

The first face 201j and the second face 202j are opposed to each other in the Z—axis direction; the first face 201j is located on the —Z—axis direction side and the second face 202j is located on the +Z—axis direction side. The third face 203j and the fourth face 204j are opposed to each other in the X—axis direction; the third face 203j is d on the +X—axis direction side and the fourth face 204j is located on the —X—axis direction side. The fifth face (not shown) and the sixth face 206j are d to each other in the Y—axis ion; the fifth face (not shown) is located on the —Y—axis direction side and the sixth face 206j is located on the +Y—axis direction side. The seventh face 207j and the eighth face 208j form the connection faces of connecting the first face 201j with the third face 203j. The seventh face 207j is perpendicular to the first face 201j and forms a plane el to the Y axis and the Z axis (YZ plane). The seventh face 207j as the step is vertically—angled relative to the first face 20 lj. The seventh face 207j is ac— cordingly extended from the first face 201j in the s direction. The seventh face 207j is located on the —X—axis direction side and on the —Z—axis direction side of the eighth face 208j. The eighth face 208j connects the h face 207j with the third face 203j and is a sloped surface inclined in the direction ing a s direction vector component and a —Z—axis direction vector component. The eighth face 208j is inclined to the first face 201j and the third face 203j and is perpendicular to the fifth face (not shown) and the sixth face 206j. In other words, the eighth face 208j is inclined to the XY plane and the YZ plane and is perpendicular to the X2 plane.

The adapter 299j has the faces corresponding to the first face 201, the third face 203, the fourth face 204 and the fifth face 205 of the dge 20j. The faces of the r 299j forming the second face 202 and the sixth face 206 of the cartridge 20j are openings. The adapter 299j has an inner space to receive the container assembly 200j.

The adapter 299j also has an opening in part of the first face 201. The ink supply structure 280 ed in the container assembly 200j is exposed on the opening provided on the first face 201 of the adapter 299j and is connected with the printing material supply tube 640 (Fig. 2). The cartridge 20j has a first dge—side restriction portion 210 of the simpler structure than that of the first embodiment (Fig. 7) but may have the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 of the same ure as that of the first embodiment (Fig. 7). Alternatively, the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 can be a part of the adapter 299j as shown in Fig. 37 or a part of the container assembly 200j (not shown). Similarly, circuit board 40 can be on the adapter 299j as shown in Fig. 37 or on the container assembly 200j (not shown). The positioning of restriction portion 210 and circuit board 40 need not both be on the container assembly 200j or r 299j, rather one can be on container assembly 200j and the other can be on r 299j. The cartridge 20j has the third face 203 and the fourth face 204 of the lower s er Z—aXis ion lengths) than those of the third face 203 and the fourth face 204 of the first embodiment but may have the third face 203 and the fourth face 204 of the same heights (same Z—aXis direction lengths) as those of the first em— bodiment. The cartridge 20j does not have the projection 260 but may have the projection 260 like the first embodiment. Otherwise the cartridge 20j has the similar structure to that of the cartridge 20 of the first embodiment sown in Fig. 7 with or without some variations. The cartridge 20j may thus be structured by the combination of the ner assembly 200j and the r 299j as described above.

Fig. 37B shows a cartridge 20p configured similar to that shown in the embodiment of Fig. 7. However, this embodiment differs in that the cartridge 20p is divided into an adapter 299p and a ner assembly 200p. The adapter 299p fits over an end 201p (indicated in dotted line) of the container assembly 200p before the cartridge 20p is mounted into the printer. Also, the terminals 400p are formed directly on the surface of the adapter 299p. When the terminals are formed on a planer surface, whether the surface of the cartridge as in this ment or on the surface of a circuit board as in previous embodiments, the planar surface on which the terminals are formed can be considered a "sloped surface" or "terminal bearing structure".

Fig. 38 is a perspective view illustrating the structure of a cartridge 20k with an adapter according to another embodiment. The cartridge 20k includes an adapter 299k, an external tank 200T, a tube 200L and an auxiliary r 2008 which can all be mated together for mounting into the holder of the printing apparatus. The adapter 299k has the same structure as that of the adapter 299j described above with reference to Fig. 37. The external tank 200T contains printing material and is located outside the r 50 shown in Fig. l. The auxiliary adapter 2008 has an ink supply structure 280k. The tube 200L is used to supply the printing material from the external tank 200T to the auxiliary adapter 2008. The external tank 200T, the auxiliary adapter 2008 and the tube 200L serves as a container assembly 200k configured to contain ink or printing material. As shown by the broken line in Fig. 38, the cartridge 20k of this em— bodiment is thus assumed to have the container assembly 200k. The cartridge 20k of this embodiment is thus ble to the container ly 200k and the adapter 299k, like the cartridge 20i shown in Fig. 36 and the cartridge 20j shown in Fig. 37.

After the printing material in the external tank 200T is used up, the user may replace the external tank 200T with a new one or refill the printing material into the external tank 200T. The adapter 299k is reusable. This dge 20k is compatible with the cartridge 20 of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 7.

A housing 22k of the cartridge 20k is structured as a combination of a housing for the virtual ner assembly 200k and a housing for the adapter 299k. The structure of the virtual container assembly 200k and the structure of the adapter 299k are similar to the structure of the cartridge 20j described above with nce to Fig. 37 with our without some variations. Otherwise the cartridge 20k has the similar structure to that of the cartridge 20 of the first embodiment sown in Fig. 7 with or without some variations. The cartridge 20k may thus be structured by the combination of the container assembly 200k and the adapter 299k as described above.

E. Modification of Lever: According to the above embodiment, the elastic member 682 is provided separately from the lever 80 (Fig. 22). The lever 80 may be made of an elastically deformable material. A modification of the lever is bed with reference to Figs. 39 and 40.

Figs. 39A and 39B illustrate the structure of a lever 80a according to one modi— fication. Fig. 39A is a perspective view showing the ance of the lever 80a, and Fig. 39B is a side view g the ance of the lever 80a. The differences from the lever 80 of the first embodiment are that the lever 80a additionally has an arm member 890 to be elastically deformable, has an operating member 830a of a different shape and does not include the groove 870. Otherwise the lever 80a has the similar structure to that of the lever 80 according to the first embodiment (Fig. 19). The lever 80a is made of a synthetic resin, such as polypropylene.

Fig. 40 illustrates attachment of the cartridge 20 to a holder 60a. According to this embodiment, the cartridge 20 has a first cartridge—side restriction portion 210a without the second portion 214 (Fig. 12). The shaft body 850 of the lever 80a is ed to the first apparatus—side side wall member 603. When the lever 80a is turned about the shaft body 850, the arm member 890a abuts a projection 603t formed as part of the first apparatus—side side wall member 603 to be elastically deformed.

F. Modifications of Cartridge—Side Terminals: Figs. 41A to 41C show modifications of the terminal shape on the circuit board. The difference from the circuit board 40 shown in Fig. 10A is that circuit boards 40c to 40e have ent shapes of the terminals 431 to 439. The respective terminals on the circuit board 40c shown in Fig. 41A and on the circuit board 40d shown in Fig. 41B have irregular shapes, d of the approximate rectangular shape according to the first embodiment (Fig. 10A). In the circuit board 40e shown in Fig. 4lC, the nine terminals 431 to 439 are arrayed in one line, wherein the attachment detection terminals 435 and 439 are d on both ends, and the ment detection terminals 431 and 434 are respectively located between the attachment detection terminal 435 and the power terminal 436 and between the ment detection terminal 439 and the data terminal 438. In these t boards 40c to 40e, the t portions cp of these terminals 431 to 439, which are in contact with the apparatus—side terminals corre— sponding to these als 431 to 439, have the same arrangement as that of the circuit board 400 shown in Fig. 10A. The individual terminals may have the shapes of various variations as long as the contact portions cp have the same arrangement.

G. Other Modifications: The foregoing has described the ion in detail with reference to the rative embodiments. The invention is, however, not limited to the above embodiments, but a multiplicity of variations and modifications may be made to the embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Some examples of le modifications are described below.

G—l. First Modification: The second cartridge—side restriction portion 220 is provided on the fourth face 204 according to the above embodiment, but may be omitted as appropriate. For example, when there is a relatively small clearance between the cartridge 20 and each slot of the holder 60, the motion of the fourth face 204—side of the cartridge 20 in the +Z—axis direction can be cted without the second cartridge—side restriction portion 220 h abutment of the whole or part of the outer surface of the fourth face 204 with the second apparatus—side side wall member 604. This keeps the cartridge 20 in the holder 60. According to another embodiment, an elastic member made of, for example, rubber may be provided between the fourth face 204 of the cartridge 20 and the second apparatus—side side wall member 604 of the holder 60. The motion of the fourth face 204—side of the cartridge 20 in the +Z—axis direction may be restricted through the friction of the elastic member against the fourth face 204 of the cartridge 20 and the second tus—side side wall member 604 of the holder 60. This elastic member may be a separate member from the cartridge 20 or the holder 60 or may be joined with the fourth face 204 of the cartridge 20 or with the second apparatus—side side wall member 604 of the holder 60. In the application without the second cartridge—side re— striction portion 220, the second apparatus—side restriction element 620 provided on the second tus—side side wall member 604 (Fig. 15) may also be d.

The second cartridge—side restriction portion 220 is the projection according to the above embodiment, but may be another form, for example, a recess. In this latter ap— plication, the second apparatus—side ction element 620 provided on the second apparatus—side side wall member 604 may be a projection. According to another em— bodiment, the holder 60 may have an additional member configured to press the fourth face 204—side of the second face 202 of the dge 20 in the —Z—axis direction. For example, the holder 60 may have a slidable rod member. After the dge 20 is placed in the dge r 602, the fourth face 204—side of the second face 202 of the cartridge 20 may be pressed by the rod member.

G—2. Second Modification: The first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 is provided at the position close to the intersecting part 295 according to the above embodiment, but may be provided at any arbitrary position on the third face 203 within the range 40Y or may be ed outside of the range 40Y. (Fig. 12). Locating the first cartridge—side restriction portion 210 within the range 40 enables fine adjustment of the ion of the sloped surface with the cartridge—side terminals mounted n. This ensures the stable electrical connection between the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals.

G—3. Third Modification: According to the above embodiment, as shown in Fig. 22, the lever 80 has the pair of shaft bodies 850, and the retainer 690 has the g elements 654. According to another embodiment, the lever 80 may have bearing elements, and the retainer 690 may have shaft bodies. According to the above embodiment, the lever 80 and the retainer 690 including the second retainer member 680 are unitized and attached to the holder 60 for easy assembly of the printer. The er 690 is, however, not essential.

According to another embodiment, bearing members may be formed integrally with the outer wall 603W of the holder 60 to receive and fix the lever 80.

G—4. Fourth Modification: As mentioned above, the present invention is not cted to the inkjet printer and its ink cartridge but is applicable to any of various liquid ejection apparatuses configured to eject a liquid other than ink and its liquid container, for example, without limitation, the liquid ejection apparatuses and their liquid containers given below: l.image recording tus, such as a facsimile machine; 2.color material on apparatus used to manufacture color filters for image display devices, e.g., liquid crystal displays; trode al ejection apparatus used to form electrodes of, for example, organic EL (electroluminescence) ys and field emission displays (FED); id ejection apparatus configured to eject a bioorganic material—containing liquid used for manufacturing biochips; .sample ejection apparatus used as a precision pipette; 6.lubricating oil spray apparatus; n solution spray apparatus; 8.liquid spray apparatus for nt spray of lubricating oil at precision machinery including watches and cameras; 9.liquid ejection apparatus configured to eject transparent resin solution, such as ul— let curable resin solution, onto the substrate, so as to manufacture a hemi— spherical microlens (optical lens) used for, for example, optical communication lO.liquid spray apparatus configured to spray an acidic or alkaline etching solution, in order to etch the ate; and ll. (ll) liquid ejection apparatus equipped with liquid ejection head for ejecting a very small volume of droplets of another arbitrary liquid.

The "liquid droplet" means a state of liquid ejected from the liquid ejection apparatus and may be in a granular shape, a op shape or a tapered threadlike shape. The "liquid" herein may be any material ejectable by the liquid ejection tus. The "liquid" may be any material in the liquid phase. For example, —state als of high viscosity or low viscosity, sols, gel water, s inorganic solvents and organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins and liquid metals (metal melts) are included in the "liquid". The "liquid" is not restricted to the liquid state as one of the three states of matter but includes solutions, dispersions and mixtures of the functional solid material particles, such as pigment particles or metal particles, solved in, dispersed in or mixed with a solvent. Typical examples of the liquid include ink described in the above em— bodiment and liquid crystal. The "ink" includes general based inks and oil—based inks, as well as various liquid compositions, such as gel inks and hot—melt inks, but is not limited as such.

G—S. Fifth Modification: The invention may be accomplished by the following variations. The symbols in parentheses after the elements in each of the ions correspond to the symbols of the respective elements described in the first embodiment.

G—S—l. First Variation: A cartridge (20) detachably attached to a printing apparatus (50) comprises a first face (201) arranged to form an outer surface of the cartridge, the first face (201) having an ink supply structure (280) to be connected with the printing apparatus; a second face (202) opposed to the first face (201); a third face (203) arranged to have one side (291) that is connected with the second face (202) and the other side (290) that is te to the one side (291), the third face (203) being located between the first face (201) and the second face (202) with respect to an opposed direction (Z—aXis direction), along which the first face (201) and the second face (202) are opposed to each other; a fourth face (204) opposed to the third face (203), the fourth face (204) being arranged to connect with the first face (201) and the second face (202); a corner section (265) arranged to form an outer surface (265) of connecting the first face (201) with the third face (203); cartridge—side terminals (400) ed on the corner section (265), the cartridge—side terminals (400) being arranged to receive an al force of pressing up the cartridge (20) from apparatus—side terminals (700) of the printing apparatus (50) in an attached state of the dge (20) to the printing apparatus (50); and a first cartridge—side ction portion (210) provided on the third face (203) and arranged to be locked by a lever (80) of the printing tus (50) in the ed state and thereby restrict motion of the cartridge (20) in a press—up direction, wherein the first dge—side restriction portion (210) is provided at a position close to the cartridge— side terminals (400).

G—5—2. Second Variation: A cartridge (20) detachably attached to a printing apparatus (50) comprises a first face (201) arranged to form an outer surface of the cartridge, the first face (201) having an ink supply structure (280) to be connected with the printing apparatus; a second face (202) opposed to the first face (201); a third face (203) arranged to have one side (291) that is connected with the second face (202) and the other side (290) that is opposite to the one side (291) and is located between the first face (201) and the second face (202) with respect to an opposed direction (Z—aXis direction), along which the first face (201) and the second face (202) are d to each other; a fourth face (204) opposed to the third face (203), the fourth face (204) being arranged to connect with the first face (201) and the second face (202); a corner section (265) arranged to form an outer surface (265) of connecting the first face (201) with the third face (203); cartridge—side terminals (400) provided on the comer section (265), the cartridge—side terminals (400) being arranged to receive an al force of pressing up the cartridge (20) from apparatus—side terminals (700) of the printing apparatus (50) in an attached state of the cartridge (20) to the ng apparatus (50); and a first cartridge—side restriction portion (210) provided on the third face (203) and arranged to be locked by a lever (80) of the ng apparatus (50) in the attached state and thereby restrict motion of the cartridge (20) in a press—up direction, wherein the first cartridge—side restriction portion (210) is located closer to the other side (290) than the one side (291).

G—5—3. Third Variation: A cartridge (20) detachably attached to a printing apparatus (50) comprises a first face (201) arranged to form an outer surface of the cartridge, the first face (201) having an ink supply structure (280) to be connected with the printing tus; a second face (202) opposed to the first face (201); a third face (203) arranged to have one side (291) that is connected with the second face (202) and the other side (290) that is opposite to the one side (291) and is located between the first face (201) and the second face (202) with respect to an opposed direction (Z—axis direction), along which the first face (201) and the second face (202) are opposed to each other; a fourth face (204) d to the third face (203), the fourth face (204) being arranged to connect with the first face (201) and the second face (202); a corner section (265) arranged to form an outer e (265) of connecting the first face (201) with the third face (203); dge—side terminals (400) provided on the comer section (265), the cartridge—side terminals (400) being arranged to receive an external force of pressing up the cartridge (20) from apparatus—side terminals (700) of the printing apparatus (50) in an attached state of the cartridge (20) to the printing apparatus (50); and a first dge—side restriction portion (210) provided on the third face (203) and arranged to be locked by a lever (80) of the printing apparatus (50) in the attached state and thereby restrict motion of the cartridge (20) in a press—up direction, wherein the first cartridge—side restriction portion (210) is provided at a position close to the other side (290) than the one side (291).

Like the first embodiment described above, any of the first to the third ions ad— vantageously prevents positional misalignment of the cartridge—side terminals relative to the printing apparatus and thereby ensures stable electrical connection between the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals. In any of the first to the third variations, when the direction from the first face side to the second face side in the d direction (Z—axis direction) in the attached state is the +Z—axis ion and the direction from the second face side to the first face side is the —Z—axis direction, the first cartridge—side restriction portion is preferably d on the —Z—axis direction side of the axis of on of the lever.

G—5—4. Fourth Variation: A cartridge (20) detachably attached to a printing apparatus (50) comprises an ink supply structure (280) that is connected with the ng tus; cartridge—side terminals (400) arranged to receive an al force of pressing up the cartridge (20) from apparatus—side terminals (700) of the printing apparatus (50) in an attached state of the cartridge (20) to the printing apparatus (50); and a first cartridge—side restriction portion (210) located on an cal side with the cartridge—side terminals (400) and arranged to be locked by a lever (80) of the printing tus (50) in the attached state and thereby restrict motion of the cartridge (20) in a press—up direction, wherein the first cartridge—side ction portion (210) is located close to the cartridge—side terminals (700).

When the press—up direction is the +Z—axis direction and the opposite direction to the press—up direction is the —Z—axis direction, the first cartridge—side restriction portion is preferably located on the —Z—axis ion side of the axis of rotation of the lever.

Like the first embodiment bed above, the fourth variation advantageously prevents positional misalignment of the dge—side terminals ve to the printing apparatus and thereby s stable electrical connection between the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals.

G-6. Sixth Modification: The invention may be accomplished by the following variations. The symbols in parentheses after the elements in each of the variations correspond to the symbols of the tive elements described in the first embodiment.

G—6—1. First Variation A cartridge (20) detachably attached to a printing apparatus (50) ses: a first face (201) arranged to form an outer surface of the cartridge, the first face (210) having a printing material supply structure (280) that is connected with the printing apparatus; a second face (202) opposed to the first face (201); a third face (203) arranged to have one side (291) that is connected with the second face (202) and the other side (290) that is opposite to the one side (291), the third face (203) being located between the first face (201) and the second face (202) with respect to an opposed direction (Z—axis direction), the opposed direction being a direction along which the first face (201) and the second face (202) are opposed to each other; a fourth face (204) d to the third face (203), the fourth face (204) being arranged to intersect the first face (201) and the second face (202); a fifth face (205) arranged to intersect the first face (201), the second face (202), the third face (203) and the fourth face (204); a sixth face (206) opposed to the fifth face (205); a comer section (265) arranged to form an outer surface (265) of connecting the first face (201) with the third face (203); cartridge—side terminals (400) provided on the comer section (265), the cartridge—side terminals (400) being arranged to receive an external force of pressing up the cartridge (20) from apparatus—side terminals (700) of the printing apparatus (50) in an attached state of the dge (20) to the printing apparatus (50); and a first dge—side restriction portion (210) provided on the third face (203) and arranged to be locked by a lever (80) of the printing apparatus (50) in the attached state and thereby restrict motion of the cartridge (20) in a up direction, wherein with respect to the opposed direction of the fifth face (205) and the sixth face (206) (Y—axis ion), the first cartridge—side restriction portion (210) is located not outside but inside a range (40Y) where the cartridge—side als (400) are provided.

G—6—2. Second Variation 2012/008314 A cartridge (20) ably attached to a printing tus (50) comprises: a printing material supply structure (280) that is connected with the printing apparatus; cartridge—side terminals (400) provided on an outer surface of the cartridge (20), the cartridge—side terminals (400) being arranged to receive an external force of pressing up the cartridge (20) from apparatus—side terminals (700) of the printing apparatus (50) in an attached state of the cartridge (20) to the printing apparatus (50); and a first cartridge—side restriction portion (211) provided on the same side of the outer surface as that with the cartridge—side terminals (400), the first cartridge—side restriction portion (211) being arranged to be locked by a lever (80) of the printing apparatus (50) in the attached state to restrict motion of the cartridge (20) in a press—up direction (+Z—axis direction), wherein with respect to a width direction of the cartridge, the first cartridge— ction element (211) is located not outside but inside a range (40Y) where the cartridge—side terminals (400) are ed. According to the first or the second variation, the cartridge—side terminals receive the force in the press—up direction from the apparatus—side terminals. This enables fine adjustment of the direction of the part where the cartridge—side terminals are provided and ensures stable electrical connection between the cartridge—side als and the apparatus—side terminals. According to the first or the second variation, it is preferable that the first cartridge—side restriction n is located below the axis of rotation of the lever. The term "below" herein cor— responds to, for example, —Z—axis direction or a reverse direction to the press—up direction.

G—7. Seventh cation: The invention may be lished by the following descriptions and variations.

The symbols in heses after the elements in each of the descriptions correspond to the symbols of the respective elements described in the first embodiment.

G—7—1. First Variation An ink cartridge (20) adapted to be detachably mounted on an ink jet ng tus (50), the ink jet printing apparatus (50) comprising a plurality of apparatus— side contact forming members (731—739) constructed and arranged to apply c force (Pt) to the ink cartridge (20) when the ink cartridge (20) is pressed against the apparatus—side contact g members (731—739), the ink jet ng apparatus (50) also comprising a lever (80) having an engagement portion (810), the ink cartridge (20), comprising a cartridge body (22) including a front (203), a rear (204), a top (202) and a bottom (201), the front (203) and rear (204) opposite each other and the top (202) and bottom (201) opposite each other; an electrical device, an ink chamber (200) for storing ink; an ink supply structure (280) positioned at the bottom (201) of the cartridge body (22), adapted and ured to supply ink from the ink chamber (200) to the ink jet printing tus (50), the ink supply structure (280) having a mounting direction (SD) leading edge (288) defining a plane (BP) of the ink dge (20); a terminal g structure (408) located proximate to the front (203) of the cartridge body (22), the terminal bearing structure (408) having a plurality of electrically conductive terminals (400) coupled to the electrical device, the terminals (400) adapted and arranged on the terminal bearing structure (408) to make contact with and receive elastic force (Pt) from the contact forming members (731—739) at t portions (cp) of the terminals (400) when the ink cartridge (20) is mounted on the printing apparatus (50), the contact portions (cp) arranged substantially in a contact portion plane (TP) which is neither parallel nor dicular to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288); and a first restriction portion (210) adapted to engage with the engagement portion (810) of the lever (80) so as to restrict movement of the ink cartridge (20) in a direction te (RD) the mounting direction (SD), the engagement portion (212) of the first ction portion (210) located adjacent the terminal g structure (408).

Some of the benefits of the above variation of the h modification will now be described. The terminals must be precisely oned and stably fixed while the ink cartridge is mounted in the printer, in order to ensure reliable electrical communication between the cartridge and the printer. Because the engagement portion of the first re— striction portion is located adjacent to the terminal bearing structure, positioning action of the first ction portion occurs close to where oning is most needed (i.e., the terminals of the terminal bearing structure). The elastic force from the apparatus—side terminals can be properly counteracted t. Also, positional shift of the terminals, which can occur due to vibration during printing operations, can be suppressed.

Therefore, positioning of the terminals is more stable, thus maintaining the stable electrical connection n the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals.

Moreover, because the lever is not made integral with the cartridge, the material for producing the cartridge can be ent from the al used for producing the lever.

Also, the material of the cartridge can be selected with less n for flexibility and durability requirements, and with greater focus on other properties such as resistance to ink.

Additionally, e the lever is not on the cartridge, no special care is needed to prevent creep ation of the lever in packaging of the cartridge for transportation and distribution. This simplifies packaging requirements and improves the user's con— venience. Because the lever is not an integral part of the cartridge, the cartridge can be made smaller. This further allows size ion of the packaging material, such as paper or box, used to package the cartridge for transportation or distribution of the cartridge, thus advantageously reducing transportation and parts costs. Also because the lever is not integral with the cartridge, the first cartridge—side restriction portion can WO 05195 be made with a small size and simple structure, and with higher rigidity, compared with the structures bed in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811, for example. This results in significantly reducing the possibility of c deformation of the first cartridge—side restriction portion. In the attached or mounted state, the cartridge can be kept at the proper position in the cartridge mounting ure, which maintains normal or good contact between the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals and s the ility of poor electrical communication. Since the first cartridge— side restriction portion can have a small size and simple structure, no special care to prevent creep deformation of the lever is required in packaging for transportation and distribution of the cartridge, unlike the cartridges of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811. This reduces packaging requirements and also es the user's con— venience.

It is possible for the structure that connects the cartridge terminals and the dge's engagement n to each other, to be only rigid ure (which is not the case with the ﬂexible levers of U.S. Publication No. 151811). In this case, less vibration is transmitted from the ment portion to the cartridge terminals, so electrical com— munication is more stable.

Because the contact portion plane (TP) of the terminals is neither parallel nor per— pendicular to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288), the surface of the cartridge terminals can be properly wiped during insertion of the cartridge into the printer. In addition, this configuration reduces or ates insulation fragments (dust) that can be generated if the printer terminals scrape for long distances against the circuit board during installation of the cartridge.

Because the printer terminals apply, against the cartridge terminals, an elastic force which includes a vector component in the direction in which the cartridge is detached from the printer, there is no need to provide a spring like the spring 103 described in U.S. Patent 422. In other words, the elastic force from the printer side terminals serves to both press the r side and cartridge side terminals er, and also to move the cartridge in the direction for removal from the printer when engagement between the first restriction portion and the printer lever is released. So there is no need to provide an onal spring as in the case of the U.S. Patent 6,955,422, which enables a simpler structure and reduced costs.

Because the first restriction portion is adapted to engage with the engagement portion of the lever so as to restrict movement of the cartridge in the direction opposite to the mounting direction, as a result, the position of the cartridge terminals will be maintained in place with respect to the mounting direction by the elastic force of the tus—side contact forming members, and with respect to the direction opposite to the mounting direction by the first restriction portion, when the cartridge is mounted in the printer. Since the cartridge terminals are "sandwiched" in this way, they are firmly fixed from moving in both the mounting ion and the direction opposite from the ng direction. There is thus less likelihood of misalignment or nection between the cartridge terminals and the apparatus—side contact forming members, compared with the one—sided ction by the elastic piece 40 and related con— figuration of US Patent No. 7,008,053.

Adaptation l The ink cartridge as described above where the contact portion plane (TP) is at an angle of between about 25 and 40 degrees to the plane (BP) defined by the g edge (288).

As discussed with reference to Figs. 42A—45, when the contact portion plane is at an angle between about 25 and 40 degrees relative to the plane defined by the leading edge, excessive wiping is prevented and sufficient force to prevent half—insertion can be applied.

Adaptation 2 The ink cartridge as described above where when the front (203) of the cartridge body (20) is viewed with the ink supply structure (280) facing down, the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is d to the left of the rightmost contact n of the plurality of terminals (400) and to the right of the leftmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals (400).

When the ink cartridge is mounted on the printing apparatus, if the cartridge is held too securely, then contact with some of the apparatus—side contact forming members (terminal 734 in Fig. 31 for example), might not be secure. By ng the engagement n of the first restriction portion to the left of the rightmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals and to the right of the leftmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals the ink dge can tilt sufficiently so that the electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus—side contact forming members can be even more stable.

Adaptation 3 The ink cartridge (20) as described above r comprising a second restriction portion (220) on the rear (204) of the ink cartridge (20), the second restriction portion (220) adapted and configured to engage with a respective portion (620) of the ink jet printing apparatus (50), n the distance (B) between the engagement portion of the second restriction portion (220) and the plane (BP) d by the leading edge (288) is more than the distance (A) between the engagement portion (212) of the first ction portion (210) and the plane (BP) d by the leading edge (288), when the distances are measured in an orthogonal direction to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288).

When the engagement n of the second restriction n is located farther from the plane defined by the leading edge than is the engagement portion of the first re— striction portion, the possibility that the first ction portion will become disengaged from the printer engagement portion can be more effectively reduced, compared with the case when the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is located farther from the plane defined by the leading edge than is the engagement portion of the second restriction portion.

Adaptation 4 The ink cartridge (20) as described above where when viewing the ink cartridge (20) from the side (203) with the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) to the right and the ink supply structure (280) facing down, the distance (A) between the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction n (210) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is less than the distance (C) between a pivot point (800c) of the lever (80) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) when the cartridge (20) is mounted, when the distances are measured in an or— thogonal direction to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288).

When the distance between the engagement portion of the first ction n and the plane d by the leading edge is less than the distance n a pivot point of the lever and the plane defined by the leading edge when the cartridge is mounted, the lever serves to restrict the motion of the cartridge. This reduces the possibility of the first restriction portion becoming unlocked or disengaged from the engagement portion of the lever, thus creating a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the contact forming members and reducing the possibility of poor uity. The first restriction portion can move about the axis of rotation of the lever when force is applied from the contact forming members to the mounted cartridge.

This reduces the possibility that the engagement portion of the first restriction n becomes led from the engagement n of the lever.

Adaptation 5 The ink cartridge as described above where when g the ink cartridge (20) from the side (203) with the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) to the right and the ink supply structure (280) facing down, the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is to the left of a pivot point (800c) of the lever when the cartridge is mounted.

When the cartridge is d so that the engagement n of the first restriction portion is to the left of a pivot point of the lever when viewing the cartridge from the side with the engagement portion of the first restriction portion to the right and the ink supply structure facing down, the first restriction portion generates rotational moment on the lever to turn the lever about the axis of rotation of the lever in the reverse 2012/008314 direction to the unlocking direction. This reduces the possibility that the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is unlocked from the engagement portion of the lever and further ensures the stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus side contact forming members. Even when the cartridge receives force, the first restriction n would move with the cartridge. Such moving reduces the possibility that the ment portion of the first restriction portion is unlocked from the engagement n of the lever.

Adaptation 6 The ink cartridge as described above where when the front (203) of the dge body (22) is viewed with the ink supply structure (280) facing down, at least a portion of the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is located sub— stantially at the widthwise center of the ink cartridge (20).

By providing the first restriction portion in such a position so that at least a portion of the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is located substantially at the widthwise center of the ink cartridge, the first ction portion is located extremely near to the plurality of terminals so that the electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus side contact forming members can be stable.

Adaptation 7 The ink cartridge as described above where the plane (BP) defined by the g edge (288) is substantially flush with the bottom (201).

G—7—2. Second Variation An ink cartridge (20) adapted to be detachably mounted on an ink jet printing tus (50), the ink jet printing apparatus (50) sing a plurality of apparatus— side contact forming members (731—739) ucted and arranged to apply elastic force (Pt) to the ink cartridge (20) when the ink cartridge (20) is pressed t the apparatus—side contact forming members (731—739), the ink jet printing apparatus (50) also sing a lever (80) having an ment n (810), the ink cartridge (20), comprising a cartridge body (22) including a front (203), a rear (204), a top (202) and a bottom (201), the front (203) and rear (204) opposite each other and the top (202) and bottom (201) opposite each other; an electrical device, an ink chamber (200) for storing ink; an ink supply structure (280) positioned at the bottom (201) of the cartridge body (22), adapted and configured to supply ink from the ink chamber (200) to the ink jet printing apparatus (50), the ink supply structure (280) having a mounting direction (SD) leading edge (288) defining a plane (BP) of the ink dge (20); a terminal bearing structure (408) located proximate to the front (203) of the dge body (203), the terminal bearing structure (408) having a plurality of electrically conductive terminals (400) coupled to the electrical device, the terminals (400) adapted and arranged on the terminal bearing structure (408) to make contact with and receive elastic force (Pt) from the contact forming members (731—739) of the ink jet ng tus (50) when the ink cartridge (20) is mounted on the printing apparatus (50), the terminals (400) arranged substantially in a terminal plane (TP) which is neither parallel nor dicular to the plane of the leading edge (288); and a first restriction portion (210) adapted to engage with the engagement n (810) of the lever (80) so as to restrict movement of the ink cartridge (20) in a direction opposite (RD) the mounting direction (SD), the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) located adjacent the terminal bearing structure (408).

Some of the benefits of the above variation of the seventh modification will now be described. The terminals must be precisely positioned and stably fixed while the ink cartridge is mounted in the printer, in order to ensure reliable electrical communication between the cartridge and the printer. Because the engagement portion of the first re— striction portion is located adjacent to the terminal bearing structure, positioning action of the first restriction n occurs close to where positioning is most needed (i.e., the terminals of the terminal g structure). The c force from the apparatus—side terminals can be properly counteracted against. Also, positional shift of the terminals, which can occur due to vibration during printing operations, can be ssed.

Therefore, positioning of the terminals is more stable, thus maintaining the stable electrical connection between the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side als. er, because the lever is not made integral with the cartridge, the material for producing the cartridge can be different from the material used for producing the lever.

Also, the material of the cartridge can be selected with less concern for flexibility and durability requirements, and with greater focus on other properties such as resistance to ink.

Additionally, e the lever is not on the cartridge, no special care is needed to prevent creep deformation of the lever in packaging of the cartridge for transportation and distribution. This fies packaging requirements and improves the user's con— venience. Because the lever is not an integral part of the cartridge, the cartridge can be made smaller. This further allows size reduction of the packaging material, such as paper or box, used to package the cartridge for transportation or distribution of the cartridge, thus advantageously reducing transportation and parts costs. Also because the lever is not integral with the cartridge, the first cartridge—side restriction portion can be made with a small size and simple structure, and with higher rigidity, compared with the structures described in U.S. Publication No. 15181 l, for example. This s in significantly reducing the possibility of plastic deformation of the first cartridge—side restriction n. In the attached or d state, the cartridge can be kept at the proper position in the cartridge mounting structure, which maintains normal or good contact between the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals and reduces the possibility of poor electrical communication. Since the first cartridge— side restriction n can have a small size and simple structure, no special care to prevent creep deformation of the lever is required in packaging for transportation and distribution of the dge, unlike the cartridges of U.S. Publication No. 151811. This reduces packaging requirements and also improves the user's con— venience.

It is possible for the structure that connects the dge terminals and the cartridge's engagement portion to each other, to be only rigid structure (which is not the case with the ﬂexible levers of U.S. Publication No. 151811). In this case, less vibration is transmitted from the engagement portion to the cartridge als, so ical com— munication is more stable. e the terminal plane (TP) of the terminals is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane (BP) defined by the g edge (288), the surface of the cartridge terminals can be properly wiped during insertion of the cartridge into the printer. In addition, this configuration reduces or eliminates insulation fragments (dust) that can be generated if the printer terminals scrape for long distances against the circuit board during installation of the cartridge.

Because the r terminals apply, t the cartridge terminals, an elastic force which includes a vector component in the direction in which the cartridge is detached from the printer, there is no need to provide a spring like the spring 103 described in U.S. Patent 6,955,422. In other words, the elastic force from the printer side terminals serves to both press the printer side and cartridge side terminals together, and also to move the cartridge in the ion for removal from the printer when ment between the first restriction portion and the printer lever is ed. So there is no need to provide an additional spring as in the case of the U.S. Patent 6,955,422, which enables a simpler structure and reduced costs.

Because the first restriction portion is adapted to engage with the engagement portion of the lever so as to ct movement of the cartridge in the direction te to the mounting direction, as a result, the position of the cartridge terminals will be maintained in place with respect to the mounting direction by the elastic force of the apparatus—side contact forming members, and with respect to the direction opposite to the mounting direction by the first restriction portion, when the cartridge is mounted in the printer. Since the cartridge terminals are "sandwiched" in this way, they are firmly fixed from moving in both the mounting direction and the ion opposite from the ng direction. There is thus less likelihood of misalignment or disconnection between the cartridge terminals and the apparatus—side contact forming members, compared with the one—sided restriction by the elastic piece 40 and related con— WO 05195 figuration of US Patent No. 7,008,053.

Adaptation l The ink cartridge as described above where the terminal plane (TP) is at an angle of between about 25 and 40 degrees to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288).

As discussed with reference to Figs. 42A—45, when the terminal plane is at an angle between about 25 and 40 s relative to the plane d by the leading edge, excessive wiping is prevented and sufficient force to prevent half—insertion can be applied.

Adaptation 2 The ink cartridge as described above where when the front (203) of the cartridge body (20) is viewed with the ink supply ure (280) facing down, the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is located to the left of a right edge of a rightmost terminal of the plurality of terminals (400) and to the right of a left edge of the leftmost terminal of the plurality of terminals (400).

When the ink dge is mounted on the printing apparatus, if the cartridge is held too securely, then contact with some of the apparatus—side contact g members (terminal 734 in Fig. 31 for example), might not be secure. By locating the engagement portion of the first restriction portion to the left of a right edge of a rightmost terminal of the plurality of terminals and to the right of a left edge of the leftmost terminal of the plurality of terminals the ink dge can tilt sufficiently so that the electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus—side contact forming members can be even more stable.

Adaptation 3 The ink cartridge (20) as described above further comprising a second restriction n (220) on the rear (204) of the ink cartridge (20), the second restriction portion (220) adapted and configured to engage with a respective portion (620) of the ink jet printing apparatus (50), wherein the distance (B) between the engagement portion of the second restriction n (220) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is more than the distance (A) n the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288), when the distances are measured in an orthogonal direction to the plane (BP) d by the leading edge (288).

When the ment portion of the second restriction portion is located farther from the plane defined by the leading edge than is the engagement portion of the first re— striction portion, the ility that the first side restriction portion will become disengaged from the printer engagement portion can be more effectively reduced, compared with the case when the engagement portion of the first restriction n is farther from the plane defined by the leading edge than is engagement portion of the second restriction portion .

Adaptation 4 The ink cartridge (20) as described above where when viewing the ink cartridge (20) from the side (203) with the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) to the right and the ink supply structure (280) facing down, the distance (A) between the ment portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is less than the distance (C) between a pivot point (800c) of the lever (80) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) when the cartridge (20) is mounted, when the distances are measured in an or— thogonal ion to the plane (BP) defined by the g edge (288).

When the distance between the engagement n of the first restriction portion and the plane defined by the leading edge is less than the distance between a pivot point of the lever and the plane defined by the leading edge when the cartridge is mounted, the lever serves to restrict the motion of the cartridge. This reduces the ility of the first restriction portion becoming unlocked or disengaged from the ment portion of the lever, thus creating a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the contact forming members and reducing the possibility of poor continuity. The first restriction portion can move about the axis of rotation of the lever when force is applied from the contact forming members to the mounted cartridge.

This reduces the ility that the engagement portion of the first restriction portion becomes uncoupled from the engagement n of the lever.

Adaptation 5 The ink dge as described above where when viewing the ink cartridge (20) from the side (203) with the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) to the right and the ink supply structure (280) facing down, the ment portion (212) of the first ction portion (210) is to the left of a pivot point (800c) of the lever when the cartridge is mounted.

When the cartridge is mounted so that the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is to the left of a pivot point of the lever when viewing the cartridge from the side with the engagement portion of the first restriction n to the right and the ink supply structure facing down, the first restriction portion generates rotational moment on the lever to turn the lever about the axis of rotation of the lever in the reverse direction to the unlocking direction. This s the possibility that the engagement portion of the first ction portion is unlocked from the engagement portion of the lever and further ensures the stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus side contact forming members. Even when the cartridge receives force, the first restriction portion would move with the cartridge. Such moving s the possibility that the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is unlocked from the engagement portion of the lever. tion 6 The ink cartridge as described above where when the front (203) of the cartridge body (22) is viewed with the ink supply structure (280) facing down, at least a portion of the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is located sub— stantially at the widthwise center of the ink cartridge (20).

By providing the first restriction portion in such a position so that at least a portion of the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is located substantially at the widthwise center of the ink cartridge, the first restriction portion is located extremely near to the plurality of terminals so that the electrical connection n the plurality of terminals and the apparatus side contact forming members can be stable.

Adaptation 7 The ink cartridge as described above where the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is substantially flush with the bottom (201).

G—7—3. Third Variation An ink cartridge (20) adapted to be detachably mounted on an ink jet printing apparatus (50), the ink jet printing apparatus (50) comprising a plurality of tus— side contact forming members (731—739) constructed and arranged to apply elastic force (Pt) to the ink cartridge (20) when the ink cartridge (20) is d against the apparatus—side contact forming members (731—739), the ink jet ng apparatus (50) also comprising a lever (80) having an engagement portion (810), the ink dge (20) sing, a cartridge body (22) including a first surface (203), second surface (204), third surface (202) and fourth surface (201), wherein the first surface (203) and second surface (204) are opposite each other and the third surface (202) and fourth surface (201) are opposite each other; an ical device; an ink chamber (200) for storing ink; an ink supply ure (280) positioned at the fourth surface (201) of the cartridge body (22), adapted and configured to supply ink from the ink chamber (200) to the ink jet printing apparatus (50), the ink supply structure (280) having a mounting direction (SD) leading edge (288) defining a plane (BP) of the ink cartridge (20); a al bearing structure (408) located proximate to the first surface (203) of the cartridge body (22), the terminal bearing structure (408) having a ity of electrically conductive terminals (400) coupled to the electrical device, the contact portions (cp) adapted and arranged on the contact portion structure (408) to make contact with and receive c force (Pt) from the contact g members (731—739) at contact portions (cp) of the terminals (400) when the ink cartridge (20) is mounted on the printing apparatus (50), the contact portions (400) arranged substantially in a t n plane (TP) which is neither parallel nor dicular to the plane of the leading edge (288); and a first restriction portion (210) adapted to engage with the en— gagement portion (810) of the lever (80) so as to restrict nt of the ink cartridge (20) in a direction opposite (RD) the mounting direction (SD), the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) located adjacent the terminal bearing ure (408).

Some of the benefits of the above variation of the seventh modification will now be described. The terminals must be precisely positioned and stably fixed while the ink cartridge is mounted in the printer, in order to ensure reliable electrical communication n the cartridge and the printer. e the engagement portion of the first re— striction portion is located adjacent to the terminal bearing structure, positioning action of the first restriction portion occurs close to where positioning is most needed (i.e., the terminals of the terminal bearing structure). The c force from the apparatus—side terminals can be properly counteracted against. Also, positional shift of the terminals, which can occur due to vibration during printing operations, can be suppressed.

Therefore, positioning of the terminals is more , thus maintaining the stable electrical connection between the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals.

Moreover, because the lever is not made integral with the dge, the material for producing the cartridge can be different from the material used for producing the lever.

Also, the material of the cartridge can be selected with less concern for ility and durability requirements, and with greater focus on other properties such as resistance to ink. onally, because the lever is not on the cartridge, no special care is needed to prevent creep deformation of the lever in packaging of the cartridge for transportation and distribution. This simplifies packaging requirements and improves the user's con— venience. Because the lever is not an integral part of the cartridge, the dge can be made smaller. This further allows size reduction of the packaging material, such as paper or box, used to package the cartridge for transportation or distribution of the cartridge, thus advantageously reducing transportation and parts costs. Also e the lever is not integral with the cartridge, the first cartridge—side restriction portion can be made with a small size and simple structure, and with higher rigidity, compared with the structures described in U.S. Publication No. 151811, for e. This results in significantly reducing the possibility of plastic deformation of the first cartridge—side restriction portion. In the attached or mounted state, the cartridge can be kept at the proper position in the cartridge mounting structure, which ins normal or good contact n the dge—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals and reduces the ility of poor electrical communication. Since the first cartridge— side restriction portion can have a small size and simple structure, no special care to prevent creep deformation of the lever is required in packaging for transportation and distribution of the cartridge, unlike the dges of U.S. ation No. 2005/015 181 1. This reduces packaging requirements and also improves the user's con— It is possible for the structure that connects the cartridge terminals and the cartridge's engagement portion to each other, to be only rigid structure (which is not the case with the ﬂexible levers of U.S. Publication No. 2005/015 181 1). In this case, less vibration is transmitted from the engagement portion to the cartridge terminals, so electrical com— munication is more stable.

Because the contact n plane (TP) of the terminals is neither parallel nor per— ular to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288), the surface of the cartridge terminals can be properly wiped during insertion of the cartridge into the printer. In addition, this configuration reduces or eliminates insulation fragments (dust) that can be generated if the printer terminals scrape for long ces against the circuit board during installation of the cartridge.

Because the printer terminals apply, against the cartridge terminals, an elastic force which includes a vector component in the direction in which the cartridge is detached from the printer, there is no need to provide a spring like the spring 103 bed in U.S. Patent 6,955,422. In other words, the c force from the printer side terminals serves to both press the printer side and cartridge side terminals together, and also to move the cartridge in the direction for l from the printer when engagement between the first restriction portion and the printer lever is released. So there is no need to provide an additional spring as in the case of the U.S. Patent 6,955,422, which enables a simpler structure and reduced costs.

Because the first ction n is adapted to engage with the engagement portion of the lever so as to restrict movement of the cartridge in the direction opposite to the mounting direction, as a result, the position of the cartridge terminals will be maintained in place with respect to the mounting direction by the elastic force of the apparatus—side t forming s, and with respect to the direction opposite to the mounting direction by the first restriction portion, when the cartridge is d in the printer. Since the cartridge terminals are "sandwiched" in this way, they are firmly fixed from moving in both the mounting direction and the direction opposite from the mounting direction. There is thus less likelihood of misalignment or disconnection n the cartridge terminals and the apparatus—side contact forming members, compared with the one—sided restriction by the elastic piece 40 and related con— figuration of US Patent No. 7,008,053.

Adaptation l The ink cartridge as described above where the t portion plane (TP) is at an angle of between about 25 and 40 degrees to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288).

As discussed with reference to Figs. 42A—45, when the t portion plane is at an angle between about 25 and 40 degrees relative to the plane defined by the leading edge, excessive wiping is prevented and ient force to prevent half—insertion can be applied.

Adaptation 2 The ink cartridge as described above where when the first surface (203) of the dge body (20) is viewed with the ink supply structure (280) facing down, the en— gagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is located to the left of the ost contact portion of the plurality of terminals (400) and to the right of the leftmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals (400).

When the ink dge is mounted on the printing apparatus, if the cartridge is held too securely, then contact with some of the apparatus—side contact forming members (terminal 734 in Fig. 31 for example), might not be secure. By locating the engagement portion of the first restriction portion to the left of the rightmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals and to the right of the leftmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals the ink cartridge can tilt sufficiently so that the electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus—side contact forming members can be even more stable.

Adaptation 3 The ink cartridge (20) as described above further comprising a second restriction portion (220) on the second surface (204) of the ink dge (20), the second re— striction portion (220) d and configured to engage with a respective portion (620) of the ink jet printing apparatus (50), wherein the distance (B) between the en— nt portion of the second restriction portion (220) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is more than the distance (A) between the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) and the plane (BP) defined by the g edge (288), when the distances are measured in an orthogonal direction to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288).

When the engagement portion of the second restriction portion is located farther from the plane defined by the leading edge than is the engagement portion of the first re— striction portion, the possibility that the first side restriction portion will become disengaged from the printer ment portion can be more effectively d, ed with the case when the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is farther from the plane defined by the leading edge than is engagement n of the second restriction portion .

Adaptation 4 The ink cartridge (20) as described above where when viewing the ink cartridge (20) 2012/008314 from the side (203) with the engagement n (212) of the first restriction n (210) to the right and the ink supply structure (280) facing down, the distance (A) between the engagement portion (212) of the first ction n (210) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is less than the distance (C) between a pivot point (800c) of the lever (80) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) when the cartridge (20) is mounted, when the distances are measured in an or— thogonal direction to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288).

When the distance between the engagement portion of the first restriction portion and the plane d by the leading edge is less than the distance between a pivot point of the lever and the plane defined by the leading edge when the cartridge is mounted, the lever serves to restrict the motion of the cartridge. This reduces the possibility of the first restriction portion ng unlocked or disengaged from the ment portion of the lever, thus creating a stable electrical connection n the ity of terminals and the contact forming members and reducing the ility of poor continuity. The first restriction portion can move about the axis of rotation of the lever when force is applied from the contact forming members to the mounted cartridge.

This reduces the possibility that the engagement portion of the first restriction portion becomes uncoupled from the engagement portion of the lever. tion 5 The ink cartridge as described above where when viewing the ink cartridge (20) from the side (203) with the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction n (210) to the right and the ink supply structure (280) facing down, the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is to the left of a pivot point (800c) of the lever when the cartridge is mounted.

When the cartridge is mounted so that the engagement portion of the first ction portion is to the left of a pivot point of the lever when viewing the cartridge from the side with the engagement portion of the first restriction portion to the right and the ink supply structure facing down, the first restriction portion generates rotational moment on the lever to turn the lever about the axis of rotation of the lever in the reverse direction to the unlocking direction. This reduces the possibility that the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is ed from the engagement portion of the lever and further ensures the stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus side contact forming members. Even when the cartridge receives force, the first restriction portion would move with the cartridge. Such moving reduces the possibility that the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is unlocked from the engagement portion of the lever. [03 80] Adaptation 6 The ink cartridge as described above where when the first surface (203) of the cartridge body (22) is viewed with the ink supply structure (280) facing down, at least a portion of the engagement portion (212) of the first ction portion (210) is located substantially at the widthwise center of the ink cartridge (20).

By providing the first restriction portion in such a position so that at least a n of the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is located substantially at the widthwise center of the ink cartridge, the first restriction portion is located extremely near to the plurality of terminals so that the electrical connection between the ity of terminals and the apparatus side contact forming members can be stable. tion 7 The ink cartridge as described above where the plane (BP) d by the leading edge (288) is ntially flush with the fourth surface (201).

G—7—4. Fourth Variation An ink cartridge (20) adapted to be detachably mounted on an ink jet printing tus (50), the ink jet printing apparatus (50) comprising a plurality of apparatus— side contact forming members (731—739) constructed and arranged to apply elastic force (Pt) to the ink cartridge (20) when the ink cartridge (20) is pressed against the apparatus—side contact forming members (731—739), the ink jet printing apparatus (50) also comprising a lever (80) having an engagement portion (810), the ink cartridge (20), comprising a cartridge body (22) including a first surface (203), second surface (204), third surface (202) and fourth surface (201), wherein the first surface (203) and second surface (204) are te each other and the third surface (202) and fourth surface (201) are te each other; an electrical device, an ink chamber (200) for storing ink; an ink supply structure (280) positioned at the fourth surface (201) of the cartridge body (22), adapted and configured to supply ink from the ink chamber (200) to the ink jet printing apparatus (50), the ink supply structure (280) having a ng direction (SD) leading edge (288) defining a plane (BP) of the ink dge (20); a terminal bearing structure (408) located proximate to the first surface (203) of the cartridge body (22), the terminal bearing structure (408) having a plurality of elec— ly conductive terminals (400) coupled to the electrical device, the terminals (400) adapted and arranged on the terminal g ure (408) to make contact with and receive elastic force (Pt) from the contact forming members (731—739), when the ink cartridge is mounted on the printing tus (50), the terminals (400) arranged sub— stantially in a terminal plane (TP) which is neither parallel nor dicular to the plane of the leading edge (208) so that a vector component of the elastic force (Pt) from the apparatus—side contact forming members (731—739) urges the ink dge in a direction opposite (RD) to the mounting direction (SD); and a first ction portion (210) adapted to engage with the engagement portion (810) of the lever (80) so as to restrict movement of the ink cartridge (20) in a direction opposite (RD) the mounting ion (SD), the ment portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) located adj acent the terminal bearing structure (408).

Some of the benefits of the above variation of the seventh modification will now be described. The terminals must be precisely positioned and stably fixed while the ink cartridge is mounted in the printer, in order to ensure reliable electrical communication between the cartridge and the printer. e the engagement portion of the first re— striction portion is located adjacent to the terminal bearing structure, positioning action of the first restriction portion occurs close to where positioning is most needed (i.e., the terminals of the terminal bearing ure). The c force from the apparatus—side terminals can be properly counteracted against. Also, positional shift of the als, which can occur due to vibration during printing operations, can be ssed.

Therefore, positioning of the terminals is more stable, thus maintaining the stable electrical tion between the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals.

Moreover, because the lever is not made integral with the cartridge, the material for producing the cartridge can be different from the material used for ing the lever.

Also, the material of the dge can be selected with less concern for flexibility and durability requirements, and with greater focus on other properties such as ance to ink.

Additionally, because the lever is not on the cartridge, no special care is needed to prevent creep deformation of the lever in packaging of the cartridge for transportation and distribution. This simplifies packaging requirements and improves the user's con— venience. Because the lever is not an integral part of the dge, the cartridge can be made smaller. This further allows size reduction of the packaging material, such as paper or box, used to package the cartridge for transportation or bution of the cartridge, thus advantageously reducing transportation and parts costs. Also because the lever is not integral with the cartridge, the first cartridge—side restriction portion can be made with a small size and simple structure, and with higher rigidity, compared with the structures described in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811, for example. This results in significantly reducing the possibility of plastic deformation of the first cartridge—side restriction portion. In the attached or mounted state, the cartridge can be kept at the proper position in the cartridge mounting structure, which maintains normal or good contact between the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals and reduces the possibility of poor electrical ication. Since the first cartridge— side ction portion can have a small size and simple structure, no l care to prevent creep deformation of the lever is ed in packaging for transportation and distribution of the cartridge, unlike the cartridges of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811. This s packaging requirements and also improves the user's con— venience.

It is possible for the structure that connects the cartridge als and the cartridge's engagement n to each other, to be only rigid ure (which is not the case with the ﬂexible levers of U.S. Publication No. 2005/015 181 1). In this case, less vibration is transmitted from the engagement portion to the cartridge terminals, so electrical com— munication is more stable.

Because the terminal plane (TP) of the terminals is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288), the surface of the cartridge terminals can be properly wiped during insertion of the cartridge into the r. In addition, this configuration reduces or eliminates insulation fragments (dust) that can be generated if the printer terminals scrape for long ces against the circuit board during installation of the cartridge.

Because the printer terminals apply, against the cartridge terminals, an elastic force which includes a vector component in the direction in which the dge is detached from the printer, there is no need to provide a spring like the spring 103 described in U.S. Patent 422. In other words, the c force from the printer side terminals serves to both press the printer side and cartridge side terminals together, and also to move the cartridge in the direction for l from the printer when engagement between the first restriction portion and the printer lever is released. So there is no need to provide an additional spring as in the case of the U.S. Patent 6,955,422, which enables a simpler structure and reduced costs.

Because the first restriction portion is adapted to engage with the engagement portion of the lever so as to restrict movement of the cartridge in the ion te to the mounting direction, as a result, the position of the cartridge als will be maintained in place with respect to the mounting ion by the elastic force of the apparatus—side contact forming members, and with respect to the direction opposite to the mounting direction by the first restriction portion, when the cartridge is mounted in the printer. Since the cartridge terminals are "sandwiched" in this way, they are firmly fixed from moving in both the mounting direction and the direction opposite from the mounting direction. There is thus less likelihood of misalignment or disconnection between the cartridge terminals and the tus—side t forming members, compared with the one—sided restriction by the elastic piece 40 and related con— figuration of US Patent No. 7,008,053.

Adaptation l The ink dge as described above where the terminal plane (TP) is at an angle of between about 25 and 40 degrees to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288).

As discussed with reference to Figs. 42A—45, when the terminal plane is at an angle between about 25 and 40 s relative to the plane defined by the leading edge, excessive wiping is prevented and sufficient force to prevent nsertion can be applied.

Adaptation 2 The ink cartridge as described above where when the first surface (203) of the cartridge body (20) is viewed with the ink supply structure (280) facing down, the en— gagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is located to the left of the rightmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals (400) and to the right of the leftmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals (400).

When the ink cartridge is mounted on the printing apparatus, if the cartridge is held too securely, then contact with some of the apparatus—side contact forming members (terminal 734 in Fig. 31 for example), might not be secure. By locating the engagement portion of the first restriction portion to the left of the rightmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals and to the right of the leftmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals the ink cartridge can tilt sufficiently so that the electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus—side contact forming members can be even more stable.

The ink cartridge (20) as described above r comprising a second restriction portion (220) on the second surface (204) of the ink cartridge (20), the second re— striction portion (220) adapted and ured to engage with a respective portion (620) of the ink jet printing apparatus (50), wherein the distance (B) between the en— gagement portion of the second restriction portion (220) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is more than the distance (A) n the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) and the plane (BP) d by the leading edge (288), when the distances are measured in an onal direction to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288).

When the engagement portion of the second restriction n is located farther from the plane defined by the leading edge than is the engagement portion of the first re— striction portion, the possibility that the first side restriction portion will become disengaged from the printer engagement portion can be more ively reduced, compared with the case when the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is farther from the plane defined by the leading edge than is ment portion of the second restriction portion .

Adaptation 4 The ink cartridge (20) as described above where when viewing the ink cartridge (20) from the side (203) with the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction n (210) to the right and the ink supply ure (280) facing down, the distance (A) between the ment n (212) of the first ction portion (210) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is less than the distance (C) between a pivot point (800C) of the lever (80) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) when the cartridge (20) is mounted, when the distances are measured in an or— thogonal direction to the plane (BP) defined by the g edge (288).

When the distance between the engagement portion of the first restriction n and the plane d by the leading edge is less than the distance between a pivot point of the lever and the plane defined by the leading edge when the cartridge is mounted, the lever serves to restrict the motion of the cartridge. This reduces the possibility of the first restriction portion becoming unlocked or aged from the engagement portion of the lever, thus creating a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the contact forming members and reducing the possibility of poor continuity. The first restriction portion can move about the axis of on of the lever when force is applied from the contact forming members to the mounted cartridge.

This reduces the possibility that the engagement portion of the first restriction portion becomes uncoupled from the engagement portion of the lever.

Adaptation 5 The ink cartridge as described above where when viewing the ink cartridge (20) from the side (203) with the engagement n (212) of the first restriction portion (210) to the right and the ink supply structure (280) facing down, the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is to the left of a pivot point (800c) of the lever when the cartridge is mounted.

When the cartridge is mounted so that the engagement portion of the first ction portion is to the left of a pivot point of the lever when viewing the cartridge from the side with the engagement portion of the first ction portion to the right and the ink supply structure facing down, the first restriction portion generates rotational moment on the lever to turn the lever about the axis of rotation of the lever in the e direction to the unlocking direction. This reduces the possibility that the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is unlocked from the engagement portion of the lever and further s the stable ical connection n the plurality of terminals and the apparatus side contact forming members. Even when the cartridge receives force, the first restriction portion would move with the cartridge. Such moving s the possibility that the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is ed from the engagement n of the lever.

Adaptation 6 The ink cartridge as described above where when the first e (203) of the cartridge body (22) is viewed with the ink supply structure (280) facing down, at least a portion of the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is located substantially at the widthwise center of the ink cartridge (20).

By providing the first restriction portion in such a position so that at least a portion of the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is located substantially at the widthwise center of the ink cartridge, the first restriction portion is located ely near to the plurality of terminals so that the electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus side contact g members can be stable.

Adaptation 7 The ink cartridge as described above where the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is substantially flush with the fourth e (201).

G—7—5. Fifth Variation A combination of an ink cartridge (20) and a portion of an ink jet printing tus (50), the combination comprising: a portion of an ink jet printing apparatus (50), the portion comprising: a plurality of apparatus—side t forming members (731—739) ng an elastic force (Pt) to the ink dge (20); and a lever (80) having an en— gagement portion (810); an ink cartridge (20), the ink dge (20), sing a cartridge body (22) including a front (203), a rear (204), a top (202) and a bottom (201), the front (203) and rear (204) opposite each other and the top (202) and bottom (201) te each other; an ink chamber (200) for storing ink; an electrical device, an ink supply structure (280) positioned at the bottom (201) of the cartridge body (22), adapted and configured to supply ink from the ink chamber (200) to the ink jet ng apparatus (50), the ink supply structure (280) having a mounting direction (SD) leading edge (288) defining a plane (BP) of the ink cartridge (20); a terminal bearing structure (408) located proximate to the front (203) of the cartridge body (22), the terminal bearing ure (408) having a plurality of electrically conductive terminals (400) coupled to the electrical device, the terminals (400) on the terminal bearing structure (408) contacting with and receiving elastic force (Pt) from the contact forming members (731—739) at contact portions (cp) of the terminals (400), the t portions (cp) ed substantially in a contact portion plane (TP) which is r parallel nor perpendicular to the plane of the leading edge (288); and a first restriction portion (210) engaged with the engagement portion (810) of the lever (80)so as to restrict movement of the ink cartridge (20) in a direction opposite (RD) the mounting direction (SD), the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) located adjacent the terminal bearing ure (408).

Some of the benefits of the above variation of the seventh cation will now be described. The terminals must be precisely positioned and stably fixed while the ink cartridge is mounted in the printer, in order to ensure reliable electrical ication between the cartridge and the printer. Because the engagement portion of the first re— striction portion is located adjacent to the terminal bearing structure, positioning action of the first restriction portion occurs close to where positioning is most needed (i.e., the terminals of the terminal bearing structure). The elastic force from the apparatus—side als can be properly counteracted against. Also, positional shift of the terminals, which can occur due to vibration during printing operations, can be suppressed.

Therefore, oning of the terminals is more stable, thus maintaining the stable electrical connection between the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals.

Also, the material of the cartridge can be selected with less concern for flexibility and lity requirements, and with greater focus on other properties such as resistance to ink.

Additionally, because the lever is not on the cartridge, no special care is needed to prevent creep deformation of the lever in packaging of the cartridge for transportation and distribution. This simplifies packaging ements and improves the user's con— venience. Because the lever is not an integral part of the cartridge, the cartridge can be made smaller. This further allows size reduction of the packaging al, such as paper or box, used to package the cartridge for transportation or distribution of the cartridge, thus advantageously reducing ortation and parts costs. Also because the lever is not integral with the cartridge, the first cartridge—side restriction portion can be made with a small size and simple structure, and with higher rigidity, compared with the structures described in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811, for e. This results in significantly reducing the possibility of plastic deformation of the first cartridge—side restriction portion. In the attached or mounted state, the cartridge can be kept at the proper position in the cartridge mounting structure, which maintains normal or good contact between the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals and s the possibility of poor electrical communication. Since the first cartridge— side restriction portion can have a small size and simple structure, no special care to prevent creep ation of the lever is required in packaging for transportation and bution of the cartridge, unlike the cartridges of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811. This reduces packaging requirements and also improves the user's con— venience.

It is le for the structure that connects the cartridge terminals and the cartridge's engagement portion to each other, to be only rigid structure (which is not the case with the ﬂexible levers of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811). In this case, less vibration is transmitted from the engagement portion to the cartridge terminals, so electrical com— munication is more stable.

Because the t portion plane (TP) of the als is neither el nor per— pendicular to the plane (BP) defined by the g edge (288), the surface of the cartridge terminals can be properly wiped during insertion of the cartridge into the printer. In addition, this configuration reduces or eliminates insulation fragments (dust) that can be generated if the printer terminals scrape for long distances against the circuit board during installation of the cartridge.

Because the printer terminals apply, against the cartridge terminals, an elastic force which includes a vector component in the direction in which the cartridge is detached from the printer, there is no need to provide a spring like the spring 103 described in U.S. Patent 6,955,422. In other words, the elastic force from the printer side terminals serves to both press the printer side and cartridge side als together, and also to move the cartridge in the direction for removal from the printer when ment between the first restriction portion and the printer lever is ed. So there is no need to provide an additional spring as in the case of the U.S. Patent 6,955,422, which enables a simpler structure and reduced costs.

Because the first ction portion is d with the engagement portion of the lever so as to restrict nt of the cartridge in the direction opposite to the mounting direction, as a result, the position of the cartridge als will be maintained in place with t to the mounting ion by the elastic force of the apparatus—side contact forming members, and with respect to the direction opposite to the mounting direction by the first restriction portion, when the cartridge is mounted in the printer. Since the cartridge als are iched" in this way, they are firmly fixed from moving in both the mounting direction and the direction opposite from the mounting direction. There is thus less likelihood of misalignment or disconnection between the cartridge als and the apparatus—side contact forming members, compared with the one—sided restriction by the c piece 40 and related con— figuration of US Patent No. 7,008,053.

Adaptation l The combination as described above where the contact portion plane (TP) is at an angle of between about 25 and 40 degrees to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288).

As discussed with reference to Figs. 42A—45, when the contact portion plane is at an angle between about 25 and 40 degrees ve to the plane defined by the leading edge, excessive wiping is prevented and sufficient force to prevent half—insertion can be applied.

Adaptation 2 The combination as described above where when the front (203) of the cartridge body (20) is viewed with the ink supply structure (280) facing down, the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is located to the left of the rightmost contact portion of the plurality of als (400) and to the right of the leftmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals (400).

WO 05195 When the ink cartridge is mounted on the printing apparatus, if the cartridge is held too securely, then contact with some of the apparatus—side contact forming members (terminal 734 in Fig. 31 for e), might not be secure. By locating the engagement n of the first ction portion to the left of the rightmost contact portion of the ity of terminals and to the right of the leftmost contact portion of the ity of terminals the ink cartridge can tilt sufficiently so that the electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus—side contact forming s can be even more stable.

Adaptation 3 The combination as described above further comprising a second restriction portion (220) on the rear (204) of the ink cartridge (20), the second restriction portion (220) engaged with a respective portion (620) of the ink jet printing apparatus (50), wherein the distance (B) n the engagement portion of the second restriction portion (220) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is more than the distance (A) between the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288), when the distances are measured in an orthogonal ion to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288).

When the engagement portion of the second restriction portion is located farther from the plane d by the leading edge than is the engagement portion of the first re— striction portion, the possibility that the first side restriction portion will become disengaged from the printer engagement portion can be more effectively reduced, compared with the case when the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is farther from the plane defined by the leading edge than is engagement n of the second restriction portion .

Adaptation 4 The combination as described above where the lever (80) has two ends and a pivot point (800c) intermediate the two ends and when viewing the ink cartridge (20) from the side (203) with the engagement n (212) of the first restriction portion (210) to the right and the ink supply structure (280) facing down, the distance (A) between the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) and the plane (BP) d by the leading edge (288) is less than the distance (C) between the pivot point (800c) of the lever (80) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) when the cartridge (20) is mounted, when the distances are measured in an orthogonal ion to the plane (BP) defined by the g edge (288).

When the ce between the engagement portion of the first restriction portion and the plane defined by the leading edge is less than the distance between a pivot point of the lever and the plane defined by the leading edge when the cartridge is mounted, the lever serves to restrict the motion of the cartridge. This reduces the possibility of the first restriction portion becoming unlocked or disengaged from the engagement n of the lever, thus creating a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the contact forming members and reducing the possibility of poor continuity. The first restriction portion can move about the axis of rotation of the lever when force is applied from the contact forming members to the mounted cartridge.

Adaptation 5 The combination as described above where the lever (80) has two ends and a pivot point (800C) intermediate the two ends and when viewing the ink cartridge (20) from the side (203) with the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) to the right and the ink supply structure (280) facing down, the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is to the left of the pivot point (800C) of the lever.

When the cartridge is mounted so that the engagement portion of the first ction portion is to the left of a pivot point of the lever when g the cartridge from the side with the engagement portion of the first ction portion to the right and the ink supply structure facing down, the first restriction portion generates rotational moment on the lever to turn the lever about the axis of rotation of the lever in the reverse direction to the unlocking direction. This reduces the possibility that the engagement portion of the first ction portion is unlocked from the engagement n of the lever and further ensures the stable electrical tion between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus side contact forming members. Even when the cartridge receives force, the first restriction portion would move with the dge. Such moving s the possibility that the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is unlocked from the engagement portion of the lever.

Adaptation 6 The combination as described above where when the front (203) of the cartridge body (22) is viewed with the ink supply structure (280) facing down, at least a portion of the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is located sub— stantially at the widthwise center of the ink dge (20).

By providing the first restriction portion in such a on so that at least a portion of the engagement portion of the first ction portion is d ntially at the widthwise center of the ink cartridge, the first restriction portion is located extremely near to the plurality of terminals so that the electrical tion between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus side contact forming members can be stable.

Adaptation 7 The combination as described above where the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is substantially flush with the bottom (201).

WO 05195 G—7—6. Sixth Variation A ation of an ink cartridge (20) and a portion of an ink jet printing apparatus (50), the ation comprising a portion of an ink jet printing apparatus (50), the portion comprising: a plurality of apparatus—side contact forming members (731—739) applying an elastic force (Pt) to the ink cartridge (20); and a lever (80) having an en— nt n (810); an ink cartridge (20), the ink cartridge (20) comprising: a cartridge body (22) ing a front (203), a rear (204), a top (202) and a bottom (201), the front (203) and rear (204) te each other and the top (202) and bottom (201) opposite each other; an electrical , an ink chamber (200) for storing ink; an ink supply structure (280) positioned at the bottom (201) of the cartridge body (22), adapted and configured to supply ink from the ink chamber (200) to the ink jet printing apparatus (50), the ink supply structure (280) having a mounting direction (SD) leading edge (288) defining a plane (BP) of the ink cartridge (20); a terminal g structure (408) d proximate to the front (203) of the cartridge body (22), the terminal bearing structure (408) having a plurality of electrically conductive terminals (400) coupled to the electrical device, the terminals (400) on the terminal bearing structure (408) contacting with and receiving elastic force (Pt) from the contact forming members (731—739), the terminals (400) arranged substantially in a terminal plane (TP) which is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane of the leading edge (288); and a first restriction portion (210) engaged with the engagement portion (810) of the lever (80) so as to restrict movement of the ink cartridge (20) in a direction opposite (RD) the mounting direction (SD:, the engagement portion (212) of the first ction portion (210) located adjacent the terminal bearing structure (408).

Some of the benefits of the above variation of the seventh modification will now be described. The terminals must be precisely positioned and stably fixed while the ink cartridge is mounted in the printer, in order to ensure reliable electrical communication between the cartridge and the printer. e the engagement portion of the first re— striction portion is located adjacent to the terminal bearing structure, positioning action of the first restriction portion occurs close to where positioning is most needed (i.e., the terminals of the terminal g structure). The elastic force from the apparatus—side terminals can be properly racted against. Also, positional shift of the terminals, which can occur due to vibration during printing operations, can be suppressed.

Therefore, positioning of the terminals is more stable, thus maintaining the stable electrical connection between the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side als. er, because the lever is not made integral with the cartridge, the al for producing the cartridge can be different from the material used for producing the lever.

Also, the material of the cartridge can be selected with less concern for ﬂexibility and durability requirements, and with greater focus on other properties such as resistance to ink.

Additionally, because the lever is not on the cartridge, no special care is needed to prevent creep deformation of the lever in packaging of the cartridge for transportation and distribution. This simplifies packaging requirements and improves the user's con— venience. Because the lever is not an integral part of the cartridge, the cartridge can be made smaller. This further allows size reduction of the packaging material, such as paper or box, used to e the cartridge for transportation or distribution of the cartridge, thus advantageously reducing transportation and parts costs. Also because the lever is not integral with the cartridge, the first cartridge—side restriction portion can be made with a small size and simple structure, and with higher rigidity, ed with the structures described in U.S. Publication No. 151811, for example. This results in significantly reducing the possibility of plastic deformation of the first dge—side restriction portion. In the attached or d state, the cartridge can be kept at the proper position in the dge mounting structure, which maintains normal or good contact between the cartridge—side als and the tus—side terminals and reduces the possibility of poor electrical communication. Since the first cartridge— side restriction portion can have a small size and simple structure, no special care to prevent creep deformation of the lever is required in packaging for transportation and bution of the dge, unlike the cartridges of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811. This reduces packaging requirements and also improves the user's con— venience.

It is possible for the structure that connects the cartridge als and the cartridge's engagement portion to each other, to be only rigid structure (which is not the case with the ﬂexible levers of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811). In this case, less vibration is transmitted from the engagement portion to the cartridge terminals, so electrical com— munication is more stable.

Because the terminal plane (TP) of the als is neither el nor perpendicular to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288), the surface of the cartridge terminals can be properly wiped during insertion of the cartridge into the printer. In addition, this configuration reduces or eliminates insulation fragments (dust) that can be generated if the printer terminals scrape for long distances against the circuit board during installation of the cartridge.

Because the printer terminals apply, against the dge terminals, an c force which includes a vector component in the direction in which the cartridge is detached from the printer, there is no need to provide a spring like the spring 103 described in U.S. Patent 6,955,422. In other words, the elastic force from the r side terminals serves to both press the r side and cartridge side terminals together, and also to move the cartridge in the direction for l from the printer when engagement between the first restriction portion and the printer lever is released. So there is no need to provide an additional spring as in the case of the US. Patent 6,955,422, which enables a r structure and reduced costs.

Because the first ction portion is engaged with the engagement portion of the lever so as to restrict movement of the cartridge in the direction opposite to the mounting direction, as a result, the position of the dge terminals will be ined in place with respect to the mounting direction by the elastic force of the apparatus—side contact forming members, and with t to the direction opposite to the mounting direction by the first restriction portion, when the cartridge is mounted in the printer. Since the cartridge terminals are iched" in this way, they are firmly fixed from moving in both the mounting direction and the direction opposite from the mounting direction. There is thus less likelihood of misalignment or disconnection between the cartridge terminals and the apparatus—side contact forming members, compared with the one—sided ction by the elastic piece 40 and related con— figuration of US Patent No. 7,008,053.

Adaptation l The combination as described above where the terminal plane (TP) is at an angle of between about 25 and 40 degrees to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288).

As discussed with reference to Figs. , when the terminal plane is at an angle between about 25 and 40 degrees relative to the plane defined by the leading edge, excessive wiping is prevented and sufficient force to prevent half—insertion can be applied.

Adaptation 2 The combination as described above where when the front (203) of the cartridge body (20) is viewed with the ink supply structure (280) facing down, the engagement portion (212) of the first ction portion (210) is located to the left of a right edge of a rightmost terminal of the plurality of terminals (400) and to the right of a left edge of the leftmost terminal of the plurality of terminals (400).

When the ink cartridge is mounted on the printing tus, if the dge is held too securely, then t with some of the apparatus—side contact g members (terminal 734 in Fig. 31 for example), might not be secure. By locating the engagement portion of the first restriction portion to the left of a right edge of a rightmost terminal of the plurality of terminals and to the right of a left edge of the leftmost terminal of the plurality of terminals the ink cartridge can tilt sufficiently so that the ical tion between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus—side contact forming members can be even more stable.

Adaptation 3 2012/008314 The combination as described above further comprising a second restriction portion (220) on the rear (204) of the ink cartridge (20), the second restriction portion (220) engaged with a respective portion (620) of the ink jet printing apparatus (50), wherein the distance (B) between the engagement portion of the second restriction portion (220) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is more than the distance (A) between the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) and the plane (BP) defined by the g edge (288), when the distances are ed in an orthogonal direction to the plane (BP) d by the leading edge (288).

When the engagement portion of the second restriction portion is located farther from the plane d by the leading edge than is the ment n of the first re— striction portion, the possibility that the first side restriction portion will become disengaged from the printer engagement portion can be more effectively reduced, compared with the case when the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is farther from the plane defined by the leading edge than is engagement portion of the second restriction portion . tion 4 The combination as bed above where the lever (80) has two ends and a pivot point (800c) intermediate the two ends and when viewing the ink cartridge (20) from the side (203) with the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) to the right and the ink supply structure (280) facing down, the distance (A) between the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is less than the distance (C) between the pivot point (800c) of the lever (80) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) when the cartridge (20) is mounted, when the distances are measured in an orthogonal direction to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288).

When the distance between the ment portion of the first ction portion and the plane defined by the leading edge is less than the distance between a pivot point of the lever and the plane defined by the leading edge when the cartridge is mounted, the lever serves to restrict the motion of the cartridge. This reduces the possibility of the first restriction portion becoming unlocked or disengaged from the engagement portion of the lever, thus creating a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the contact forming members and reducing the possibility of poor continuity. The first restriction n can move about the axis of rotation of the lever when force is d from the contact forming members to the d cartridge.

This reduces the possibility that the engagement portion of the first restriction portion becomes uncoupled from the engagement portion of the lever. [044 l] Adaptation 5 The combination as described above where the lever (80) has two ends and a pivot point (800c) intermediate the two ends and when g the ink cartridge (20) from the side (203) with the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) to the right and the ink supply structure (280) facing down, the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is to the left of the pivot point (800c) of the lever.

When the cartridge is mounted so that the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is to the left of a pivot point of the lever when viewing the cartridge from the side with the engagement portion of the first restriction portion to the right and the ink supply structure facing down, the first restriction portion generates rotational moment on the lever to turn the lever about the axis of rotation of the lever in the reverse direction to the unlocking direction. This reduces the possibility that the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is unlocked from the engagement n of the lever and further ensures the stable electrical connection n the plurality of terminals and the apparatus side contact forming members. Even when the dge receives force, the first restriction portion would move with the cartridge. Such moving reduces the ility that the ment portion of the first restriction portion is unlocked from the engagement n of the lever.

Adaptation 6 The combination as described above where when the front (203) of the cartridge body (22) is viewed with the ink supply structure (280) facing down, at least a n of the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is located sub— stantially at the widthwise center of the ink cartridge (20).

By providing the first restriction portion in such a position so that at least a portion of the engagement portion of the first ction portion is located substantially at the ise center of the ink cartridge, the first ction portion is located extremely near to the plurality of terminals so that the electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus side contact forming members can be stable. tion 7 The combination as described above where the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is substantially flush with the bottom (201).

G—7—7. Seventh Variation A combination of an ink cartridge (20) and a portion of an ink jet printing apparatus (50), the combination comprising: a portion of an ink jet printing apparatus (50), the portion comprising: a plurality of apparatus—side contact forming members (731—739) applying an elastic force (Pt) to the ink cartridge (20); and a lever (80) having an en— gagement portion (810); an ink cartridge (20), the ink cartridge (20) comprising a cartridge body (22) including a first surface (201), second surface (204), third surface (202) and fourth surface (201), n the first surface (203) and second surface (204) are opposite each other and the third e (202) and fourth surface (201) are te each other; an electrical device, an ink chamber (200) for storing ink; an ink supply structure (280) positioned at the fourth surface (201) of the cartridge body (22), adapted and configured to supply ink from the ink r (200) to the ink jet printing apparatus (50), the ink supply structure (280) having a mounting ion (SD) leading edge (288) defining a plane (BP) of the ink cartridge (20); a terminal bearing structure (408) located proximate to the first surface (203) of the cartridge body (22), the terminal bearing ure (408) having a ity of electrically conductive terminals (400) coupled to the electrical , the terminals (400) on the terminal bearing structure (408) contacting with and ing elastic force (Pt) from the contact forming members (731—739) at contact portions (cp) of the terminals (400), the contact ns (cp) arranged ntially in a contact portion plane (TP) which is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane of the leading edge (288); and a first ction portion (210) engaged with the engagement portion (810) of the lever (80) so as to restrict nt of the ink cartridge (20) in a direction opposite (RD) the mounting direction (SD), the ment portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) located adjacent the terminal bearing structure (408).

Some of the benefits of the above variation of the seventh modification will now be described. The terminals must be precisely positioned and stably fixed while the ink cartridge is mounted in the printer, in order to ensure reliable electrical communication between the cartridge and the printer. Because the engagement portion of the first re— striction portion is located adjacent to the terminal bearing structure, positioning action of the first restriction portion occurs close to where positioning is most needed (i.e., the terminals of the terminal bearing structure). The elastic force from the apparatus—side terminals can be properly counteracted against. Also, positional shift of the terminals, which can occur due to vibration during printing operations, can be suppressed.

Therefore, positioning of the terminals is more , thus maintaining the stable ical connection between the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals.

Moreover, because the lever is not made integral with the cartridge, the material for producing the cartridge can be ent from the material used for ing the lever.

Also, the material of the cartridge can be selected with less concern for flexibility and durability requirements, and with greater focus on other properties such as resistance to ink. onally, because the lever is not on the cartridge, no special care is needed to prevent creep deformation of the lever in packaging of the cartridge for transportation and distribution. This simplifies packaging requirements and improves the user's con— venience. e the lever is not an integral part of the cartridge, the cartridge can be made smaller. This further allows size reduction of the packaging material, such as paper or box, used to e the cartridge for transportation or distribution of the cartridge, thus advantageously reducing transportation and parts costs. Also because the lever is not integral with the cartridge, the first cartridge—side restriction portion can be made with a small size and simple structure, and with higher rigidity, ed with the structures described in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811, for example. This results in significantly reducing the possibility of plastic deformation of the first cartridge—side restriction portion. In the attached or mounted state, the cartridge can be kept at the proper on in the dge mounting structure, which maintains normal or good contact n the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals and reduces the possibility of poor electrical communication. Since the first cartridge— side restriction portion can have a small size and simple structure, no special care to prevent creep deformation of the lever is required in packaging for transportation and distribution of the cartridge, unlike the cartridges of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811. This reduces packaging requirements and also improves the user's con— venience.

It is possible for the structure that connects the cartridge terminals and the cartridge's engagement portion to each other, to be only rigid structure (which is not the case with the ﬂexible levers of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811). In this case, less vibration is transmitted from the engagement portion to the cartridge terminals, so electrical com— munication is more stable. [045 1] Because the contact portion plane (TP) of the terminals is r parallel nor per— pendicular to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288), the surface of the cartridge terminals can be ly wiped during ion of the dge into the printer. In addition, this configuration reduces or eliminates insulation nts (dust) that can be generated if the printer als scrape for long distances against the circuit board during installation of the cartridge.

Because the printer terminals apply, against the dge terminals, an elastic force which includes a vector component in the ion in which the cartridge is detached from the printer, there is no need to provide a spring like the spring 103 described in U.S. Patent 6,955,422. In other words, the elastic force from the printer side terminals serves to both press the printer side and cartridge side terminals together, and also to move the cartridge in the direction for removal from the printer when ment between the first restriction portion and the printer lever is released. So there is no need to provide an additional spring as in the case of the U.S. Patent 6,955,422, which enables a simpler structure and reduced costs.

Because the first restriction n is engaged with the engagement portion of the lever so as to restrict movement of the cartridge in the direction opposite to the mounting direction, as a result, the position of the dge terminals will be maintained in place with respect to the mounting direction by the elastic force of the apparatus—side contact forming members, and with respect to the direction opposite to the mounting direction by the first restriction n, when the cartridge is mounted in the printer. Since the cartridge terminals are iched" in this way, they are firmly fixed from moving in both the mounting direction and the direction opposite from the mounting direction. There is thus less likelihood of misalignment or disconnection between the cartridge terminals and the apparatus—side contact forming members, compared with the one—sided restriction by the c piece 40 and related con— figuration of US Patent No. 7,008,053.

Adaptation l The combination as described above where the contact portion plane (TP) is at an angle of between about 25 and 40 degrees to the plane (BP) defined by the g edge (288).

As discussed with reference to Figs. 42A—45, when the contact portion plane is at an angle between about 25 and 40 degrees relative to the plane defined by the leading edge, excessive wiping is prevented and ient force to prevent nsertion can be d.

Adaptation 2 The combination as described above where when the first surface (203) of the dge body (20) is viewed with the ink supply structure (280) facing down, the en— gagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is located to the left of the rightmost t portion of the plurality of terminals (400) and to the right of the leftmost contact n of the plurality of terminals (400).

When the ink cartridge is mounted on the printing apparatus, if the cartridge is held too securely, then t with some of the tus—side contact forming members (terminal 734 in Fig. 31 for example), might not be secure. By locating the engagement n of the first restriction portion to the left of the rightmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals and to the right of the leftmost contact n of the plurality of terminals the ink cartridge can tilt sufficiently so that the electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus—side contact forming s can be even more stable.

Adaptation 3 The combination as described above further comprising a second restriction portion (220) on the second surface (204) of the ink cartridge (20), the second restriction portion (220) engaged with a respective portion (620) of the ink jet printing apparatus (50), wherein the distance (B) between the engagement portion of the second re— striction portion (220) and the plane (BP) defined by the g edge (288) is more than the distance (A) between the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction WO 05195 portion (210) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288), when the distances are measured in an orthogonal direction to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288).

When the engagement portion of the second restriction portion is located farther from the plane defined by the leading edge than is the engagement portion of the first re— striction portion, the possibility that the first side restriction portion will become disengaged from the printer engagement portion can be more effectively reduced, compared with the case when the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is farther from the plane defined by the leading edge than is engagement portion of the second restriction portion .

Adaptation 4 The ation as described above where the lever (80) has two ends and a pivot point (800c) ediate the two ends and when g the ink cartridge (20) from the side (203) with the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) to the right and the ink supply structure (280) facing down, the distance (A) between the ment portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is less than the distance (C) between the pivot point (800c) of the lever (80) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) when the cartridge (20) is mounted, when the distances are ed in an onal ion to the plane (BP) defined by the g edge (288). [046 l] When the distance between the engagement portion of the first restriction portion and the plane defined by the leading edge is less than the distance between a pivot point of the lever and the plane defined by the leading edge when the cartridge is mounted, the lever serves to restrict the motion of the cartridge. This reduces the possibility of the first restriction n becoming unlocked or disengaged from the engagement portion of the lever, thus creating a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the contact forming members and reducing the possibility of poor continuity. The first restriction portion can move about the axis of rotation of the lever when force is applied from the t forming s to the mounted cartridge.

This s the possibility that the engagement portion of the first restriction portion becomes uncoupled from the engagement portion of the lever.

Adaptation 5 The combination as described above where the lever (80) has two ends and a pivot point (800c) intermediate the two ends and when viewing the ink cartridge (20) from the side (203) with the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction n (210) to the right and the ink supply ure (280) facing down, the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is to the left of the pivot point (800c) of the lever.

When the cartridge is mounted so that the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is to the left of a pivot point of the lever when viewing the cartridge from the side with the engagement n of the first restriction portion to the right and the ink supply structure facing down, the first restriction portion generates rotational moment on the lever to turn the lever about the axis of rotation of the lever in the e direction to the unlocking direction. This reduces the possibility that the ment portion of the first restriction portion is unlocked from the engagement portion of the lever and further ensures the stable electrical connection between the plurality of als and the apparatus side contact forming members. Even when the cartridge es force, the first restriction portion would move with the cartridge. Such moving reduces the possibility that the engagement portion of the first ction portion is unlocked from the engagement portion of the lever.

Adaptation 6 The combination as described above where when the first surface (203) of the dge body (22) is viewed with the ink supply structure (280) facing down, at least a portion of the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction n (210) is located substantially at the ise center of the ink cartridge (20).

Adaptation 7 The combination as described above where the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is substantially flush with the fourth surface (201).

G—7—8. Eighth Variation A combination of an ink cartridge (20) and a portion of an ink jet printing tus (50), the combination comprising: a portion of an ink jet printing apparatus (50), the portion comprising: a plurality of apparatus—side contact forming members (731—739) applying an c force (Pt) to the ink cartridge (20); and a lever (80) having an en— gagement portion (810); an ink cartridge (20), the ink cartridge (20) comprising a cartridge body (22) including a first surface (203), second surface (204), third surface (202) and fourth surface (201), wherein the first e (203) and second surface (204) are te each other and the third surface (202) and fourth surface (201) are opposite each other; an electrical device, an ink chamber (200) for storing ink; an ink supply structure (280) positioned at the fourth surface (201) of the dge body (22), adapted and configured to supply ink from the ink chamber (200) to the ink jet printing apparatus (50), the ink supply structure (280) having a mounting direction (SD) leading edge (288) defining a plane (BP) of the ink cartridge (20); a terminal bearing ure (408) located proximate to the first surface (203) of the cartridge body (22), the terminal bearing structure (408) having a plurality of electrically conductive terminals (400) coupled to the electrical device, the terminals (400) on the terminal bearing structure (408) ting with and receiving elastic force (Pt) from the contact forming members (731—739), the terminals (400) arranged substantially in a terminal plane (TP) which is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane of the leading edge (288); and a first restriction portion (210) including an engagement (2l2) portion engaged with the engagement portion (810) of the lever (80) so as to restrict movement of the ink cartridge (20) in a direction opposite (RD) the mounting direction (SD), the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) located adjacent the terminal bearing structure (408).

Some of the benefits of the above variation of the seventh modification will now be described. The terminals must be precisely positioned and stably fixed while the ink cartridge is mounted in the printer, in order to ensure reliable electrical communication between the cartridge and the printer. Because the engagement n of the first re— ion portion is located adjacent to the terminal bearing structure, positioning action of the first ction portion occurs close to where positioning is most needed (i.e., the terminals of the terminal bearing structure). The elastic force from the apparatus—side terminals can be properly counteracted against. Also, onal shift of the terminals, which can occur due to vibration during printing operations, can be suppressed.

Therefore, positioning of the terminals is more stable, thus ining the stable electrical connection between the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side als.

Moreover, because the lever is not made integral with the cartridge, the material for producing the dge can be different from the material used for producing the lever.

Also, the material of the cartridge can be selected with less concern for flexibility and durability requirements, and with greater focus on other properties such as resistance to ink. onally, because the lever is not on the cartridge, no l care is needed to prevent creep ation of the lever in packaging of the dge for transportation and distribution. This fies packaging requirements and improves the user's con— venience. e the lever is not an integral part of the cartridge, the cartridge can be made smaller. This further allows size reduction of the packaging material, such as paper or box, used to package the cartridge for ortation or distribution of the cartridge, thus advantageously reducing transportation and parts costs. Also e the lever is not integral with the cartridge, the first dge—side restriction portion can be made with a small size and simple structure, and with higher rigidity, compared with the structures described in U.S. Publication No. 2005/015181 l, for example. This results in significantly reducing the possibility of plastic deformation of the first cartridge—side restriction portion. In the attached or mounted state, the cartridge can be kept at the proper position in the cartridge mounting structure, which maintains normal or good contact between the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals and reduces the possibility of poor ical ication. Since the first cartridge— side restriction portion can have a small size and simple structure, no special care to prevent creep deformation of the lever is required in ing for transportation and distribution of the cartridge, unlike the cartridges of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811. This reduces packaging ements and also improves the user's con— venience. [047 l] It is possible for the structure that connects the cartridge als and the cartridge's engagement n to each other, to be only rigid structure (which is not the case with the ﬂexible levers of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811). In this case, less vibration is transmitted from the engagement portion to the cartridge terminals, so ical com— munication is more stable.

Because the terminal plane (TP) of the terminals is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288), the surface of the cartridge als can be properly wiped during insertion of the cartridge into the printer. In addition, this configuration reduces or eliminates insulation fragments (dust) that can be generated if the printer terminals scrape for long distances against the circuit board during installation of the cartridge.

Because the printer terminals apply, against the cartridge terminals, an elastic force which includes a vector ent in the direction in which the cartridge is detached from the printer, there is no need to provide a spring like the spring 103 described in U.S. Patent 6,955,422. In other words, the elastic force from the printer side terminals serves to both press the printer side and dge side terminals together, and also to move the cartridge in the ion for removal from the printer when engagement between the first restriction portion and the printer lever is released. So there is no need to provide an additional spring as in the case of the U.S. Patent 6,955,422, which enables a simpler structure and reduced costs.

Because the first ction portion is engaged with the engagement portion of the lever so as to restrict nt of the cartridge in the direction te to the mounting direction, as a result, the position of the cartridge terminals will be maintained in place with respect to the mounting direction by the elastic force of the apparatus—side contact forming members, and with respect to the ion opposite to the mounting ion by the first restriction portion, when the dge is mounted in the printer. Since the cartridge terminals are "sandwiched" in this way, they are firmly fixed from moving in both the mounting ion and the direction opposite from the mounting direction. There is thus less likelihood of misalignment or disconnection between the cartridge terminals and the apparatus—side contact forming members, compared with the one—sided restriction by the elastic piece 40 and related con— figuration of US Patent No. 7,008,053.

As sed with reference to Figs. 42A—45, when the terminal plane is at an angle n about 25 and 40 degrees relative to the plane defined by the leading edge, excessive wiping is prevented and sufficient force to prevent half—insertion can be applied.

Adaptation 2 The combination as described above where when the front (203) of the cartridge body (20) is viewed with the ink supply structure (280) facing down, the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is located to the left of a right edge of a rightmost terminal of the plurality of terminals (400) and to the right of a left edge of the leftmost terminal of the plurality of terminals (400).

When the ink dge is mounted on the printing apparatus, if the cartridge is held too securely, then contact with some of the apparatus—side contact forming members (terminal 734 in Fig. 31 for example), might not be secure. By locating the engagement portion of the first restriction portion to the left of a right edge of a ost terminal of the plurality of terminals and to the right of a left edge of the st terminal of the ity of terminals the ink cartridge can tilt sufficiently so that the electrical connection n the plurality of terminals and the apparatus—side contact forming members can be even more stable.

Adaptation 3 The combination as described above r comprising a second restriction portion (220) on the second e (204) of the ink cartridge (20), the second restriction portion (220) engaged with a respective portion (620) of the ink jet printing apparatus (50), wherein the distance (B) between the engagement portion of the second re— striction portion (220) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is more than the distance (A) between the engagement n (212) of the first restriction portion (210) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288), when the distances are measured in an orthogonal direction to the plane (BP) defined by the g edge (288).

When the engagement portion of the second restriction portion is located farther from the plane defined by the leading edge than is the engagement n of the first re— ion n, the ility that the first side restriction portion will become disengaged from the printer engagement portion can be more effectively reduced, compared with the case when the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is farther from the plane defined by the leading edge than is engagement portion of the second restriction portion . [048 l] Adaptation 4 The combination as described above where the lever (80) has two ends and a pivot point (800c) intermediate the two ends and when viewing the ink cartridge (20) from the side (203) with the engagement n (212) of the first restriction portion (210) to the right and the ink supply structure (280) facing down, the ce (A) between the engagement n (212) of the first restriction portion (210) and the plane (BP) defined by the g edge (288) is less than the distance (C) between the pivot point (800c) of the lever (80) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) when the cartridge (20) is d, when the ces are measured in an orthogonal direction to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288).

When the distance between the ment portion of the first restriction portion and the plane defined by the leading edge is less than the distance between a pivot point of the lever and the plane defined by the leading edge when the cartridge is d, the lever serves to restrict the motion of the cartridge. This reduces the possibility of the first restriction portion becoming ed or disengaged from the engagement portion of the lever, thus ng a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the contact forming members and reducing the possibility of poor continuity. The first restriction portion can move about the axis of rotation of the lever when force is applied from the contact g members to the d cartridge.

This reduces the possibility that the engagement portion of the first restriction portion becomes led from the engagement n of the lever.

When the cartridge is mounted so that the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is to the left of a pivot point of the lever when viewing the cartridge from the side with the engagement portion of the first restriction portion to the right and the ink supply structure facing down, the first restriction portion generates rotational moment on the lever to turn the lever about the axis of rotation of the lever in the e direction to the unlocking direction. This reduces the possibility that the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is unlocked from the engagement portion of the lever and further ensures the stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus side contact forming members. Even when the cartridge receives force, the first restriction n would move with the cartridge. Such moving reduces the ility that the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is unlocked from the ment portion of the lever.

Adaptation 6 The combination as described above where when the first e (203) of the cartridge body (22) is viewed with the ink supply structure (280) facing down, at least a portion of the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is located substantially at the widthwise center of the ink cartridge (20).

By providing the first restriction portion in such a position so that at least a portion of the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is located substantially at the widthwise center of the ink cartridge, the first restriction portion is located extremely near to the plurality of terminals so that the electrical connection between the ity of terminals and the apparatus side contact forming members can be stable.

Adaptation 7 The ation as described above where the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is substantially flush with the fourth surface (201).

G—7—9. Ninth Variation An ink supply system adapted to supply ink to an ink jet printing apparatus (50), the ink jet printing apparatus (50) comprising a plurality of apparatus—side contact forming s 39), the ink supply system comprising an electrical device, an ink chamber (200) for storing ink; an ink supply structure (280), adapted and configured to supply ink from the ink chamber (200) to the ink jet printing apparatus (50), the ink supply structure (280) having a mounting direction (SE) g edge (288) defining a plane (BP); a terminal bearing structure (408) having a plurality of electrically conductive terminals (400) coupled to the electrical device, the terminals (400) adapted and arranged on the terminal bearing structure (408) to make contact with and receive c force (Pt) from the contact forming members 731—739) at contact ns (cp) of the terminals (400) when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus (50) so that a vector component of the elastic force (Pt) from the apparatus— side contact forming members (731—739) urges the ink chamber (200) in a direction opposite (RD) to the mounting direction (SD); and a first restriction portion (210) adapted to engage with the engagement n (810) of the lever (80) so as to restrict movement of the terminal bearing structure (408) in a direction opposite (RD) the ng direction (SD); wherein the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction n (210) is positioned nt the terminal bearing structure (408) and the t portions (cp) are arranged substantially in a contact portion plane (TP) which is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane of the leading edge (288) when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus (50).

Some of the benefits of the above variation of the seventh modification will now be bed. The terminals must be precisely positioned and stably fixed while the ink cartridge is mounted in the printer, in order to ensure reliable electrical communication between the cartridge and the printer. Because the engagement portion of the first re— striction portion is located adjacent to the terminal bearing structure, positioning action of the first restriction portion occurs close to where positioning is most needed (i.e., the als of the terminal bearing structure). The elastic force from the apparatus—side terminals can be properly racted against. Also, onal shift of the terminals, which can occur due to vibration during printing operations, can be suppressed. ore, oning of the terminals is more stable, thus ining the stable electrical connection between the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals.

Moreover, because the lever is not made integral with the cartridge, the material for producing the cartridge can be different from the al used for producing the lever.

Additionally, because the lever is not on the cartridge, no special care is needed to prevent creep deformation of the lever in packaging of the cartridge for transportation and distribution. This fies packaging requirements and improves the user's con— venience. Because the lever is not an integral part of the cartridge, the cartridge can be made r. This further allows size ion of the packaging al, such as paper or box, used to package the cartridge for transportation or distribution of the cartridge, thus advantageously reducing transportation and parts costs. Also e the lever is not al with the cartridge, the first cartridge—side restriction portion can be made with a small size and simple structure, and with higher rigidity, compared with the structures described in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811, for example. This results in significantly ng the possibility of plastic deformation of the first cartridge—side restriction portion. In the attached or mounted state, the cartridge can be kept at the proper position in the cartridge mounting structure, which maintains normal or good contact between the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals and reduces the possibility of poor electrical communication. Since the first cartridge— side restriction portion can have a small size and simple structure, no special care to prevent creep deformation of the lever is required in packaging for transportation and distribution of the cartridge, unlike the cartridges of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811. This reduces packaging ements and also improves the user's con— venience.

It is le for the structure that connects the cartridge terminals and the cartridge's ment portion to each other, to be only rigid structure (which is not the case with the ﬂexible levers of U.S. Publication No. 2005/015 181 1). In this case, less vibration is transmitted from the engagement portion to the cartridge terminals, so electrical com— tion is more stable.

Because the contact portion plane (TP) of the terminals is neither parallel nor per— pendicular to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288), the surface of the cartridge terminals can be properly wiped during insertion of the cartridge into the printer. In addition, this uration reduces or eliminates insulation fragments (dust) that can be generated if the printer terminals scrape for long ces against the circuit board during installation of the cartridge.

Because the printer terminals apply, against the cartridge terminals, an elastic force which includes a vector component in the direction in which the cartridge is detached from the r, there is no need to provide a spring like the spring 103 bed in U.S. Patent 6,955,422. In other words, the elastic force from the printer side terminals serves to both press the printer side and dge side terminals together, and also to move the cartridge in the direction for removal from the printer when engagement between the first restriction portion and the printer lever is released. So there is no need to provide an additional spring as in the case of the U.S. Patent 6,955,422, which s a simpler structure and reduced costs.

Because the first restriction portion is adapted to engage with the ment portion of the lever so as to ct movement of the cartridge in the direction opposite to the mounting ion, as a result, the position of the cartridge terminals will be maintained in place with respect to the mounting direction by the elastic force of the apparatus—side contact forming members, and with respect to the direction opposite to the ng direction by the first restriction portion, when the dge is mounted in the printer. Since the cartridge terminals are "sandwiched" in this way, they are firmly fixed from moving in both the mounting direction and the ion opposite from the mounting direction. There is thus less likelihood of misalignment or disconnection n the cartridge terminals and the apparatus—side contact forming members, compared with the one—sided restriction by the elastic piece 40 and related con— figuration of US Patent No. 7,008,053.

Adaptation l The ink supply system as described above where the contact portion plane (TP) is at an angle of between about 25 and 40 degrees to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus (50).

As discussed with reference to Figs. , when the contact portion plane is at an angle between about 25 and 40 degrees relative to the plane defined by the leading edge, excessive wiping is ted and sufficient force to prevent half—insertion can be applied. tion 2 The ink supply system as described above where when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus (50) the engagement portion (212) of the first re— striction portion (210) is d to the left of the rightmost t portion of the plurality of terminals (400) and to the right of the leftmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals (400).

When the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus, if held too securely, then contact with some of the apparatus—side t g members nal 734 in Fig. 31 for example), might not be . By locating the engagement portion of the first restriction portion to the left of the rightmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals and to the right of the leftmost contact portion of the plurality of als there can be sufficient tilting so that the electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus—side contact forming members can be even more stable.

Adaptation 3 The ink supply system as bed above further comprising a body (22) ing a front (203) and a rear (204), the front (203) and rear (204) opposite each other, a second restriction portion (220) proximate to the rear (204) of the body (22), the terminal bearing structure (408) proximate to the front (203) of the body (22), the second restriction portion (220) adapted and configured to engage with a respective portion (620) of the ink jet printing apparatus (50), n the distance (B) between the engagement portion of the second restriction portion (220) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is more than the distance (A) between the en— nt portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) and the plane (BP) defined by the g edge (288), when the distances are measured in an onal direction to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288).

Adaptation 4 The ink supply system as described above further comprising a body (22) including a first surface (203) and a second surface (204), the first surface (203) and second surface (204) opposite each other, a second restriction n (220) proximate to the second surface (204) of the body (22), the terminal bearing structure (408) proximate to the first e (203) of the body (22), the second restriction portion (220) adapted and configured to engage with a respective portion (620) of the ink jet printing apparatus (50), wherein the distance (B) between the engagement portion of the second restriction portion (220) and the plane (BP) d by the leading edge (288) is more than the distance (A) between the engagement n (212) of the first restriction portion (210) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288), when the distances are ed in an orthogonal direction to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288).

When the ment portion of the second restriction portion is located farther from the plane defined by the g edge than is the ment portion of the first re— striction portion, the possibility that the first side restriction portion will become disengaged from the printer engagement portion can be more effectively d, compared with the case when the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is farther from the plane defined by the leading edge than is engagement portion of the second restriction portion .

Adaptation 5 The ink supply system as described above where the distance (A) between the en— gagement n (212) of the first restriction portion (210) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is less than the distance (C) between a pivot point (800c) of the lever (80) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus (50), when the distances are measured in an orthogonal direction to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288).

When the distance between the engagement portion of the first restriction portion and the plane defined by the leading edge is less than the distance between a pivot point of the lever and the plane defined by the leading edge when the ink supply system es ink to the printing apparatus, the lever serves to restrict motion. This reduces the possibility of the first restriction portion becoming unlocked or disengaged from the engagement portion of the lever, thus creating a stable electrical connection n the plurality of terminals and the contact forming s and reducing the possibility of poor continuity. The first restriction portion can move about the axis of rotation of the lever when force is applied from the contact g members. This reduces the possibility that the engagement portion of the first restriction n becomes uncoupled from the engagement portion of the lever.

Adaptation 6 The ink supply system as bed above where when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus (50), the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction n (210) is on the right and the ink supply ure is (280) facing down, the en— gagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is to the left of a pivot point (800c) of the lever.

When the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus and the en— gagement n of the first restriction portion is to the left of a pivot point of the lever and the engagement portion of the first restriction portion to the right and the ink supply structure facing down, the first restriction portion generates rotational moment on the lever to turn the lever about the axis of rotation of the lever in the reverse direction to the unlocking direction. This reduces the possibility that the engagement portion of the first ction portion is unlocked from the engagement n of the lever and further ensures the stable electrical connection n the ity of terminals and the apparatus side contact forming members. Further, the ility that the engagement portion of the first restriction portion becoming unlocked from the en— gagement portion of the lever is reduced.

Adaptation 7 The ink supply system as described above further comprising a body (22) proximate the terminal bearing structure (408), wherein when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus (50), at least a portion of the engagement n (212) of the first ction portion (210) is located substantially at the widthwise center of the body (22).

By providing the first restriction portion in such a position so that at least a portion of the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is located substantially at the widthwise center of the body, the first restriction portion is located extremely near to the plurality of terminals so that the electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus side t forming s can be stable. [05 10] Adaptation 8 The ink supply system as described above further comprising an adapter (299) wherein the ink supply structure (280), the terminal bearing ure (408) and the first restriction portion (210) are positioned on the adapter (299) and the ink chamber (200) is adapted and configured to be mated with the adapter (299).

Adaptation 9 The ink supply system as described above further comprising an adapter (299]) wherein the terminal bearing structure (408) and the first restriction portion (210) are positioned on the adapter (299]), the ink supply structure (280) is positioned on the ink chamber (200) and the ink chamber (200) is adapted and configured to be mated with the adapter (299). [05 12] Adaptation 10 The ink supply system as bed above further comprising an adapter (299k), an ink tank (200T) external from the ink jet printing apparatus (50), a tube (200L) and an auxiliary adapter (200S) wherein the ink supply structure (280) is positioned on the auxiliary adapter (200S), the al bearing structure (408) and the first restriction portion (210) are positioned on the r (299k) and the tube (200L) es ink from the external tank (200T) to the auxiliary adapter (200S) when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus (50).

Adaptation 11 The ink supply system as described above where the further comprising a body (22) including a top (202) and a bottom (201), the top and bottom opposite each other, where the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is ntially flush with the bottom (201). [05 14] . Tenth Variation An ink supply system adapted to supply ink to an ink jet printing apparatus (50), the ink jet printing apparatus (50) comprising a plurality of apparatus—side contact forming members (731—739), the ink jet printing apparatus (50) also comprising a lever (80) having an engagement portion (810), the ink supply system comprising an electrical device, an ink r (200) for g ink; an ink supply structure (280), d and configured to supply ink from the ink chamber (200) to the ink jet printing apparatus (50), the ink supply structure (280) having a mounting ion (SD) leading edge (288) defining a plane (BP); a terminal bearing structure (408) having a plurality of electrically conductive terminals (400) coupled to the electrical device, the terminals (400) adapted and arranged on the terminal bearing structure (408) to make contact with and e elastic force (Pt) from the contact forming members (731—739) when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus (50) so that a vector component of the elastic force (Pt) from the apparatus—side contact forming s (731—739) urges the ink chamber (200) in a direction opposite (RD) to the mounting direction (SD); and a first restriction n (210) including an en— gagement portion(212) adapted to engage with the engagement portion (810) of the lever (80) so as to restrict movement of the terminal g structure (408) in a ion opposite (RD) the mounting direction (SD); wherein the ment portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is positioned adjacent the terminal bearing structure (408) and the terminals (400) are arranged substantially in a terminal plane (TP) which is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane of the leading edge (288) when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus (50).

Some of the benefits of the above variation of the seventh modification will now be described. The terminals must be precisely positioned and stably fixed while the ink 2012/008314 cartridge is mounted in the printer, in order to ensure reliable electrical communication between the cartridge and the printer. Because the engagement portion of the first re— striction portion is located adjacent to the terminal bearing structure, positioning action of the first restriction portion occurs close to where positioning is most needed (i.e., the terminals of the terminal g structure). The elastic force from the apparatus—side terminals can be properly counteracted against. Also, positional shift of the terminals, which can occur due to vibration during ng operations, can be suppressed.

Therefore, positioning of the terminals is more stable, thus maintaining the stable electrical connection between the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals.

Moreover, because the lever is not made integral with the cartridge, the material for producing the cartridge can be different from the material used for producing the lever.

Also, the material of the cartridge can be selected with less concern for flexibility and durability requirements, and with r focus on other ties such as resistance to ink.

Additionally, because the lever is not on the cartridge, no special care is needed to prevent creep deformation of the lever in packaging of the cartridge for transportation and distribution. This simplifies packaging requirements and improves the user's con— venience. Because the lever is not an integral part of the cartridge, the cartridge can be made smaller. This further allows size reduction of the packaging material, such as paper or box, used to package the dge for transportation or distribution of the dge, thus advantageously reducing ortation and parts costs. Also because the lever is not integral with the cartridge, the first cartridge—side restriction portion can be made with a small size and simple structure, and with higher rigidity, compared with the structures described in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811, for example. This results in significantly ng the possibility of plastic deformation of the first cartridge—side restriction portion. In the attached or mounted state, the cartridge can be kept at the proper position in the cartridge ng structure, which maintains normal or good contact between the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side als and reduces the possibility of poor electrical communication. Since the first cartridge— side restriction portion can have a small size and simple structure, no special care to t creep deformation of the lever is required in packaging for transportation and distribution of the cartridge, unlike the cartridges of U.S. Publication No. 151811. This reduces packaging requirements and also improves the user's con— It is possible for the structure that connects the dge terminals and the cartridge's engagement portion to each other, to be only rigid ure (which is not the case with the ﬂexible levers of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811). In this case, less vibration is transmitted from the engagement portion to the cartridge terminals, so electrical com— tion is more stable.

Because the terminal plane (TP) of the terminals is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288), the surface of the cartridge terminals can be properly wiped during insertion of the cartridge into the printer. In addition, this configuration reduces or eliminates insulation nts (dust) that can be generated if the printer terminals scrape for long ces against the circuit board during installation of the cartridge.

Because the printer terminals apply, against the dge terminals, an elastic force which includes a vector component in the direction in which the cartridge is ed from the printer, there is no need to provide a spring like the spring 103 described in U.S. Patent 6,955,422. In other words, the elastic force from the printer side terminals serves to both press the printer side and cartridge side als er, and also to move the cartridge in the direction for removal from the printer when engagement n the first restriction portion and the printer lever is released. So there is no need to provide an additional spring as in the case of the U.S. Patent 6,955,422, which enables a simpler structure and reduced costs.

Because the first restriction portion is adapted to engage with the engagement portion of the lever so as to restrict movement of the cartridge in the direction opposite to the mounting direction, as a result, the position of the cartridge terminals will be maintained in place with respect to the mounting direction by the elastic force of the apparatus—side contact g s, and with respect to the direction opposite to the mounting direction by the first restriction portion, when the cartridge is mounted in the printer. Since the cartridge terminals are "sandwiched" in this way, they are firmly fixed from moving in both the ng direction and the direction opposite from the mounting direction. There is thus less hood of misalignment or disconnection between the cartridge terminals and the apparatus—side contact forming members, compared with the one—sided restriction by the elastic piece 40 and related con— figuration of US Patent No. 7,008,053.

Adaptation 1 The ink supply system as described above where the terminal plane (TP) is at an angle of between about 25 and 40 degrees to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus (50).

As discussed with reference to Figs. 42A—45, when the terminal plane is at an angle n about 25 and 40 s relative to the plane defined by the leading edge, excessive wiping is prevented and sufficient force to prevent half—insertion can be applied.

Adaptation 2 The ink supply system as bed above where when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing tus (50), the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is located to the left of a right edge of a ost terminal of the plurality of terminals (400) and to the right of a left edge of the leftmost al of the plurality of terminals (400).

When the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus, if held too securely, then contact with some of the apparatus—side t forming members (terminal 734 in Fig. 31 for example), might not be secure. By ng the ment portion of the first restriction portion to the left of a right edge of a rightmost terminal of the plurality of terminals and to the right of a left edge of the leftmost terminal of the plurality of terminals the ink cartridge can tilt sufficiently so that the electrical connection between the ity of terminals and the apparatus—side contact forming members can be even more stable.

Adaptation 3 The ink supply system as described above further comprising a body (22) including a front (203) and a rear (204), the front (203) and rear (204) opposite each other, a second restriction portion (220) proximate to the rear (204) of the body (22), the terminal bearing ure (408) proximate to the front (203) of the body (22), the second restriction portion (220) adapted and configured to engage with a respective portion (620) of the ink jet printing apparatus (50), wherein the distance (B) between the engagement n of the second restriction portion (220) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is more than the distance (A) between the en— gagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288), when the distances are measured in an orthogonal direction to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288).

When the ment portion of the second restriction portion is located farther from the plane defined by the leading edge than is the ment n of the first re— striction portion, the possibility that the first side restriction portion will become disengaged from the printer engagement portion can be more effectively reduced, compared with the case when the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is farther from the plane defined by the leading edge than is ment portion of the second restriction portion .

Adaptation 4 The ink supply system as described above further comprising a body (22) including a first surface (203) and a second surface (204), the first surface (203) and second surface (204) opposite each other, a second restriction portion (220) proximate to the second surface (204) of the body (22), the terminal g structure (408) proximate to the first surface (203) of the body (22), the second restriction portion (220) adapted and configured to engage with a respective portion (620) of the ink jet printing apparatus (50), wherein the distance (B) between the engagement portion of the second restriction portion (220) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is more than the distance (A) between the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) and the plane (BP) d by the leading edge (288), when the distances are measured in an orthogonal direction to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288).

When the engagement portion of the second restriction portion is located r from the plane defined by the leading edge than is the engagement portion of the first re— striction portion, the possibility that the first side restriction portion will become disengaged from the printer engagement n can be more effectively reduced, compared with the case when the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is farther from the plane defined by the leading edge than is engagement portion of the second restriction portion .

Adaptation 5 The ink supply system as described above where the distance (A) between the en— gagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is less than the distance (C) n a pivot point (800c) of the lever (80) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing tus (50), when the distances are measured in an orthogonal direction to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288).

When the distance between the engagement portion of the first restriction portion and the plane defined by the g edge is less than the ce between a pivot point of the lever and the plane defined by the g edge when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus, the lever serves to restrict motion. This reduces the possibility of the first restriction portion becoming unlocked or disengaged from the engagement portion of the lever, thus creating a stable electrical connection n the plurality of terminals and the contact forming members and reducing the possibility of poor continuity. The first restriction portion can move about the axis of rotation of the lever when force is applied from the contact forming members. This reduces the possibility that the engagement n of the first restriction portion becomes uncoupled from the engagement n of the lever. tion 6 The ink supply system as bed above where when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus (50), the engagement n (212) of the first re— striction portion (210) is on the right and the ink supply ure is (280) facing down, the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is to the left of a pivot point (800C) of the lever.

When the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus and the en— gagement portion of the first restriction portion is to the left of a pivot point of the lever and the engagement portion of the first restriction portion to the right and the ink supply structure facing down, the first restriction portion generates rotational moment on the lever to turn the lever about the axis of rotation of the lever in the reverse direction to the unlocking ion. This reduces the possibility that the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is unlocked from the engagement portion of the lever and further ensures the stable electrical tion between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus side contact forming members. Further, the possibility that the engagement portion of the first restriction portion becoming unlocked from the en— gagement n of the lever is reduced.

Adaptation 7 The ink supply system as described above further comprising a body (22) proximate the terminal bearing structure (408), wherein when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus (50), at least a portion of the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction n (210) is located ntially at the widthwise center of the body (22).

By ing the first restriction n in such a position so that at least a portion of the engagement n of the first restriction portion is located substantially at the widthwise center of the body, the first restriction portion is located extremely near to the plurality of terminals so that the electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus side contact forming members can be .

Adaptation 8 The ink supply system as described above further comprising an adapter (299) n the ink supply structure (280), the terminal bearing structure (408) and the first restriction portion (210) are positioned on the adapter (299) and the ink chamber (200) is adapted and configured to be mated with the r (299).

Adaptation 9 The ink supply system as described above further comprising an adapter (299]) wherein the terminal bearing structure (408) and the first restriction portion (210) are oned on the r (299]), the ink supply structure (280) is positioned on the ink chamber (200) and the ink chamber (200) is adapted and configured to be mated with the adapter (299).

Adaptation 10 The ink supply system as described above further comprising an adapter (299k), an ink tank (200T) external from the ink jet printing apparatus (50), a tube (200L) and an auxiliary adapter (200S) n the ink supply structure (280) is positioned on the auxiliary adapter (200S), the terminal bearing structure (408) and the first restriction portion (210) are positioned on the adapter (299k) and the tube (200L) supplies ink from the external tank (200T) to the ary adapter (200S) when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing tus (50).

Adaptation 11 The ink supply system as described above where the further comprising a body (22) including a top (202) and a bottom (201), the top and bottom te each other, where the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is substantially flush with the bottom (201).

G—7—l l. Eleventh Variation An ink supply system adapted to supply ink to a portion of an ink jet printing apparatus (50), the system comprising: a portion of an ink jet ng apparatus (50), the portion comprising: a plurality of apparatus—side t forming members (731—739); and a lever (80) having an engagement portion (810), an electrical device, an ink chamber (200) for storing ink; an ink supply structure (280), adapted and configured to supply ink from the ink chamber (200) to the ink jet ng apparatus (50), the ink supply structure (280) having a mounting direction (SD) leading edge (288) defining a plane (BP); a terminal bearing structure (408) having a plurality of electrically conductive terminals (400) coupled to the electrical device, the terminals (400) contacting and receiving elastic force (Pt) from the contact g members (731—739) at contact ns (cp) of the terminals (400) when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus (50) so that a vector component of the elastic force (Pt) from the apparatus—side contact forming s (731—739) urges the ink chamber (200) in a direction opposite (RD) to the mounting ion (SD); and a first restriction portion (210) engaged with the engagement n (810) of the lever (80) so as to restrict movement of the al bearing structure (408) in a direction opposite (RD) the mounting direction (SD); wherein the ment portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is positioned adjacent the terminal bearing structure (408) and the contact portions (cp) are arranged substantially in a contact portion plane (TP) which is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane of the leading edge (288) when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus (50).

Some of the benefits of the above variation of the seventh modification will now be described. The terminals must be precisely positioned and stably fixed while the ink cartridge is mounted in the printer, in order to ensure reliable electrical communication between the cartridge and the r. Because the engagement portion of the first re— striction n is located adjacent to the terminal bearing structure, positioning action of the first restriction portion occurs close to where positioning is most needed (i.e., the terminals of the terminal g structure). The elastic force from the apparatus—side terminals can be properly counteracted against. Also, positional shift of the terminals, which can occur due to vibration during printing operations, can be suppressed.

Additionally, because the lever is not on the cartridge, no special care is needed to prevent creep deformation of the lever in packaging of the cartridge for ortation and bution. This simplifies packaging requirements and improves the user's con— venience. Because the lever is not an integral part of the cartridge, the cartridge can be made smaller. This further allows size ion of the packaging material, such as paper or box, used to package the cartridge for transportation or distribution of the cartridge, thus advantageously reducing transportation and parts costs. Also because the lever is not integral with the cartridge, the first dge—side restriction portion can be made with a small size and simple structure, and with higher rigidity, compared with the structures described in U.S. Publication No. 151811, for example. This results in significantly reducing the ility of plastic deformation of the first cartridge—side restriction portion. In the attached or mounted state, the cartridge can be kept at the proper on in the dge mounting structure, which maintains normal or good contact between the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals and reduces the possibility of poor ical communication. Since the first cartridge— side restriction portion can have a small size and simple structure, no l care to prevent creep deformation of the lever is required in packaging for transportation and distribution of the cartridge, unlike the cartridges of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811. This s packaging requirements and also improves the user's con— venience.

It is possible for the structure that connects the cartridge terminals and the cartridge's engagement portion to each other, to be only rigid ure (which is not the case with the e levers of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811). In this case, less vibration is transmitted from the engagement portion to the cartridge terminals, so electrical com— munication is more .

Because the contact portion plane (TP) of the terminals is neither parallel nor per— pendicular to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288), the surface of the cartridge terminals can be properly wiped during insertion of the cartridge into the printer. In addition, this configuration reduces or eliminates insulation fragments (dust) that can be generated if the printer terminals scrape for long distances against the circuit board during installation of the cartridge. e the printer terminals apply, against the cartridge terminals, an elastic force which includes a vector component in the direction in which the cartridge is detached from the printer, there is no need to provide a spring like the spring 103 described in U.S. Patent 6,955,422. In other words, the elastic force from the r side terminals serves to both press the printer side and cartridge side terminals together, and also to move the cartridge in the ion for removal from the printer when engagement between the first ction portion and the printer lever is released. So there is no need to e an additional spring as in the case of the U.S. Patent 6,955,422, which enables a simpler structure and d costs.

Because the first restriction portion is engaged with the engagement portion of the lever so as to restrict movement of the cartridge in the direction opposite to the mounting direction, as a result, the position of the dge terminals will be ined in place with respect to the mounting direction by the elastic force of the tus—side contact forming members, and with respect to the direction opposite to the mounting direction by the first restriction portion, when the cartridge is mounted in the printer. Since the cartridge terminals are "sandwiched" in this way, they are firmly fixed from moving in both the mounting direction and the direction opposite from the mounting direction. There is thus less hood of gnment or disconnection between the dge als and the apparatus—side contact forming members, compared with the one—sided restriction by the elastic piece 40 and related con— figuration of US Patent No. 7,008,053. tion l The ink supply system as bed above where the contact portion plane (TP) is at an angle of between about 25 and 40 degrees to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus (50).

Adaptation 2 The ink supply system as described above where when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus (50) the engagement portion (212) of the first re— striction portion (210) is located to the left of the rightmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals (400) and to the right of the st contact portion of the plurality of terminals (400).

When the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus, if held too securely, then contact with some of the apparatus—side contact forming members (terminal 734 in Fig. 31 for example), might not be secure. By locating the ment portion of the first restriction portion to the left of the rightmost contact portion of the plurality of als and to the right of the leftmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals there can be sufficient tilting so that the ical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus—side contact forming members can be even more .

Adaptation 3 The ink supply system as described above further comprising a body (22) including a front (203) and a rear (204), the front (203) and rear (204) opposite each other, a second restriction portion (220) proximate to the rear (204) of the body (22), the terminal bearing structure (408) proximate to the front (203) of the body (22), the second restriction portion (220) engaged with a respective n (620) of the ink jet printing apparatus (50), wherein the ce (B) between the engagement portion of the second restriction portion (220) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is more than the distance (A) between the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288), when the distances are measured in an orthogonal direction to the plane (BP) defined by the g edge (288).

When the engagement n of the second restriction portion is located farther from the plane defined by the leading edge than is the engagement portion of the first re— striction portion, the possibility that the first side restriction n will become disengaged from the printer engagement n can be more effectively reduced, compared with the case when the engagement portion of the first restriction n is farther from the plane defined by the leading edge than is engagement portion of the second restriction portion . tion 4 The ink supply system as described above further comprising a body (22) including a first surface (203) and a second e (204), the first surface (203) and second surface (204) opposite each other, a second ction portion (220) proximate to the second surface (204) of the body (22), the terminal bearing structure (408) proximate to the first surface (203) of the body (22), the second restriction portion (220) d with a respective portion (620) of the ink jet printing apparatus (50), wherein the ce (B) between the engagement portion of the second restriction portion (220) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is more than the distance (A) between the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288), when the distances are measured in an WO 05195 orthogonal direction to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288).

When the engagement portion of the second restriction portion is located farther from the plane defined by the leading edge than is the engagement portion of the first re— striction portion, the possibility that the first side restriction portion will become disengaged from the printer engagement portion can be more effectively reduced, compared with the case when the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is farther from the plane defined by the leading edge than is ment portion of the second restriction portion . tion 5 The ink supply system as described above where the lever (80) has two ends and a pivot point (800c) intermediate the two ends and where the distance (A) between the engagement n (212) of the first restriction portion (210) and the plane (BP) defined by the g edge (288) is less than the distance (C) between the pivot point (800c) of the lever (80) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus (50), when the distances are measured in an orthogonal direction to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288).

When the distance n the engagement portion of the first restriction portion and the plane defined by the leading edge is less than the distance between a pivot point of the lever and the plane defined by the leading edge when the ink supply system supplies ink to the ng apparatus, the lever serves to restrict motion. This reduces the possibility of the first restriction portion becoming unlocked or disengaged from the ment portion of the lever, thus creating a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the contact forming members and reducing the ility of poor continuity. The first restriction portion can move about the axis of rotation of the lever when force is applied from the contact forming members. This reduces the possibility that the engagement portion of the first restriction n becomes uncoupled from the engagement n of the lever.

Adaptation 6 The ink supply system as described above where the lever (80) has two ends and a pivot point (800c) intermediate the two ends and where when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus (50), the engagement portion (212) of the first re— striction n (210) is on the right and the ink supply structure is (280) facing down, the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is to the left of the pivot point (800c) of the lever.

When the ink supply system supplies ink to the ng apparatus and the en— gagement n of the first restriction portion is to the left of a pivot point of the lever and the engagement portion of the first restriction portion to the right and the ink supply structure facing down, the first restriction portion generates rotational moment on the lever to turn the lever about the axis of on of the lever in the reverse direction to the ing direction. This reduces the possibility that the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is ed from the engagement n of the lever and further ensures the stable electrical tion between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus side contact forming s. Further, the possibility that the engagement portion of the first restriction portion becoming unlocked from the en— gagement portion of the lever is d.

Adaptation 7 The ink supply system as described above r comprising a body (22) proximate the terminal bearing structure (408), wherein when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus (50), at least a portion of the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is located substantially at the widthwise center of the body (22).

By providing the first restriction portion in such a position so that at least a portion of the engagement portion of the first ction portion is located substantially at the widthwise center of the body, the first restriction portion is located extremely near to the plurality of terminals so that the electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus side t forming members can be stable.

Adaptation 8 The ink supply system as described above r comprising an adapter (299) wherein the ink supply structure (280), the terminal g structure (408) and the first restriction portion (210) are positioned on the adapter (299) and the ink chamber (200) is adapted and configured to be mated with the adapter (299).

Adaptation 9 The ink supply system as described above further comprising an adapter (299]) wherein the terminal bearing structure (408) and the first ction portion (210) are positioned on the adapter (299]), the ink supply structure (280) is positioned on the ink chamber (200) and the ink r (200) is adapted and configured to be mated with the adapter (299).

Adaptation 10 The ink supply system as described above further comprising an adapter (299k), an ink tank (200T) external from the ink jet printing apparatus (50), a tube (200L) and an auxiliary adapter (2008) wherein the ink supply structure (280) is positioned on the auxiliary adapter (2008), the terminal bearing structure (408) and the first ction portion (210) are positioned on the adapter (299k) and the tube (200L) supplies ink from the external tank (200T) to the auxiliary adapter (2008) when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus (50).

Adaptation ll The ink supply system as described above where the further comprising a body (22) including a top (202) and a bottom (201), the top and bottom opposite each other, where the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is substantially flush with the bottom (201).

G—7—l2. Twelfth Variation An ink supply system adapted to supply ink to a portion of an ink jet ng apparatus (50), the system comprising: a portion of an ink jet printing tus (50), the portion comprising: a plurality of apparatus—side contact forming s (731—739); and a lever (80) having an engagement portion (810); an electrical device, an ink chamber (200) for storing ink; an ink supply structure (280), adapted and configured to supply ink from the ink chamber (200) to the ink jet printing apparatus (50), the ink supply structure (280) having a mounting direction (SD) leading edge (288) defining a plane (BP); a terminal bearing structure (408) having a plurality of electrically conductive terminals (400) d to the electrical device, the terminals (400) contacting and receiving elastic force (Pt) from the contact forming members 39) when the ink supply system es ink to the printing tus (50); and a first restriction portion (210) engaged with the engagement portion (810) of the lever (80) so as to restrict movement of the terminal bearing structure (408) in a direction te (RD) the mounting direction (SD); wherein the ment n (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is positioned adjacent the terminal bearing structure (408) and the als (400) are arranged substantially in a terminal plane (TP) which is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane of the g edge (288) when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus (50).

Some of the benefits of the above variation of the seventh modification will now be described. The terminals must be precisely positioned and stably fixed while the ink cartridge is mounted in the printer, in order to ensure reliable electrical ication between the cartridge and the printer. e the engagement portion of the first re— striction portion is located adjacent to the terminal bearing structure, positioning action of the first restriction portion occurs close to where positioning is most needed (i.e., the als of the terminal bearing structure). The elastic force from the apparatus—side terminals can be properly counteracted against. Also, positional shift of the terminals, which can occur due to vibration during printing operations, can be suppressed.

Therefore, positioning of the als is more stable, thus maintaining the stable electrical connection between the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals.

Additionally, because the lever is not on the cartridge, no special care is needed to prevent creep deformation of the lever in packaging of the cartridge for transportation and distribution. This simplifies packaging requirements and improves the user's con— ce. Because the lever is not an integral part of the cartridge, the cartridge can be made smaller. This further allows size reduction of the packaging material, such as paper or box, used to package the cartridge for transportation or distribution of the dge, thus advantageously reducing transportation and parts costs. Also because the lever is not al with the cartridge, the first cartridge—side restriction n can be made with a small size and simple structure, and with higher rigidity, compared with the structures described in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811, for e. This results in significantly reducing the possibility of plastic deformation of the first cartridge—side restriction portion. In the attached or mounted state, the dge can be kept at the proper position in the cartridge mounting ure, which maintains normal or good contact between the cartridge—side als and the apparatus—side terminals and reduces the possibility of poor electrical communication. Since the first cartridge— side restriction portion can have a small size and simple structure, no special care to prevent creep deformation of the lever is required in packaging for ortation and distribution of the cartridge, unlike the cartridges of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811. This reduces packaging requirements and also improves the user's con— venience.

It is possible for the structure that connects the cartridge terminals and the cartridge's engagement portion to each other, to be only rigid structure (which is not the case with the ﬂexible levers of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811). In this case, less vibration is transmitted from the engagement portion to the cartridge terminals, so electrical com— munication is more stable.

Because the terminal plane (TP) of the terminals is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane (BP) defined by the g edge (288), the surface of the cartridge terminals can be properly wiped during ion of the cartridge into the printer. In addition, this uration reduces or eliminates insulation fragments (dust) that can be generated if the printer als scrape for long ces against the circuit board during installation of the cartridge.

Because the printer terminals apply, against the cartridge terminals, an c force which includes a vector component in the ion in which the cartridge is detached from the printer, there is no need to provide a spring like the spring 103 described in U.S. Patent 6,955,422. In other words, the elastic force from the printer side terminals serves to both press the printer side and cartridge side terminals together, and also to move the cartridge in the direction for removal from the printer when engagement between the first restriction portion and the printer lever is released. So there is no need to provide an onal spring as in the case of the U.S. Patent 6,955,422, which enables a simpler structure and reduced costs.

Because the first restriction n is engaged with the ment portion of the lever so as to restrict movement of the cartridge in the direction opposite to the mounting ion, as a , the position of the cartridge als will be ined in place with respect to the mounting direction by the elastic force of the tus—side contact g members, and with respect to the direction opposite to the mounting direction by the first restriction n, when the cartridge is mounted in the printer. Since the cartridge terminals are "sandwiched" in this way, they are firmly fixed from moving in both the mounting direction and the direction opposite from the mounting direction. There is thus less likelihood of misalignment or disconnection between the cartridge terminals and the apparatus—side contact forming members, compared with the one—sided restriction by the elastic piece 40 and related con— figuration of US Patent No. 7,008,053.

Adaptation l The ink supply system as described above where the terminal plane (TP) is at an angle of between about 25 and 40 degrees to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus (50).

As discussed with reference to Figs. 42A—45, when the terminal plane is at an angle between about 25 and 40 degrees relative to the plane defined by the leading edge, excessive wiping is prevented and sufficient force to prevent half—insertion can be applied.

Adaptation 2 The ink supply system as described above where when the ink supply system supplies ink to the ng apparatus (50), the engagement portion (212) of the first re— striction portion (210) is located to the left of a right edge of a rightmost terminal of the plurality of terminals (400) and to the right of a left edge of the leftmost al of the ity of terminals (400).

When the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus, if held too securely, then t with some of the apparatus—side contact forming members (terminal 734 in Fig. 31 for example), might not be secure. By locating the engagement portion of the first restriction n to the left of a right edge of a rightmost terminal of the plurality of terminals and to the right of a left edge of the leftmost terminal of the plurality of terminals the ink cartridge can tilt sufficiently so that the electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus—side contact forming members can be even more stable.

Adaptation 3 The ink supply system as bed above further comprising a body (22) including a front (203) and a rear (204), the front (203) and rear (204) opposite each other, a second restriction portion (220) proximate to the rear (204) of the body (22), the al bearing structure (408) proximate to the front (203) of the body (22), the second restriction portion (220) engaged with a respective portion (620) of the ink jet printing apparatus (50), wherein the distance (B) between the engagement portion of the second restriction portion (220) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is more than the distance (A) between the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction n (210) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288), when the distances are measured in an orthogonal direction to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288).

When the engagement portion of the second restriction portion is located r from the plane d by the leading edge than is the engagement portion of the first re— ion portion, the possibility that the first side restriction portion will become disengaged from the printer engagement portion can be more effectively reduced, ed with the case when the ment portion of the first restriction n is farther from the plane defined by the leading edge than is engagement portion of the second ction portion .

Adaptation 4 The ink supply system as described above further comprising a body (22) including a first surface (203) and a second surface (204), the first surface (203) and second surface (204) opposite each other, a second restriction portion (220) proximate to the second surface (204) of the body (22), the terminal bearing structure (408) proximate to the first e (203) of the body (22), the second restriction portion (220) engaged with a respective portion (620) of the ink jet printing apparatus (50), wherein the distance (B) between the engagement portion of the second restriction portion (220) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is more than the distance (A) between the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288), when the distances are measured in an orthogonal direction to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288).

When the engagement portion of the second restriction portion is located farther from the plane defined by the leading edge than is the engagement portion of the first re— striction portion, the possibility that the first side ction portion will become disengaged from the printer engagement portion can be more effectively reduced, ed with the case when the engagement portion of the first ction portion is farther from the plane defined by the g edge than is engagement portion of the second restriction n .

Adaptation 5 The ink supply system as bed above where the lever (80) has two ends and a pivot point (800C) intermediate the two ends and where the distance (A) between the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is less than the distance (C) between the pivot point (800c) of the lever (80) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus (50), when the distances are measured in an orthogonal direction to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288).

When the distance between the engagement portion of the first restriction portion and the plane defined by the leading edge is less than the distance between a pivot point of the lever and the plane defined by the leading edge when the ink supply system supplies ink to the ng apparatus, the lever serves to restrict . This reduces the possibility of the first ction portion becoming unlocked or disengaged from the engagement portion of the lever, thus creating a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the t forming members and ng the possibility of poor continuity. The first restriction n can move about the axis of rotation of the lever when force is applied from the t forming members. This reduces the possibility that the engagement portion of the first restriction portion becomes uncoupled from the ment portion of the lever.

Adaptation 6 The ink supply system as described above where the lever (80) has two ends and a pivot point (800C) intermediate the two ends and where when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus (50), the engagement portion (212) of the first re— striction portion (210) is on the right and the ink supply structure is (280) facing down, the ment portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is to the left of the pivot point (800C) of the lever.

When the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus and the en— gagement n of the first restriction portion is to the left of a pivot point of the lever and the ment portion of the first restriction portion to the right and the ink supply structure facing down, the first restriction portion generates rotational moment on the lever to turn the lever about the axis of rotation of the lever in the reverse direction to the unlocking direction. This reduces the possibility that the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is unlocked from the ment portion of the lever and further ensures the stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus side contact forming members. Further, the possibility that the engagement portion of the first restriction portion becoming unlocked from the en— gagement n of the lever is reduced.

Adaptation 7 The ink supply system as described above r comprising a body (22) proximate the terminal bearing structure (408), wherein when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus (50), at least a portion of the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction n (210) is located substantially at the widthwise center of the body (22).

By ing the first restriction n in such a on so that at least a portion of the engagement n of the first restriction portion is located substantially at the widthwise center of the body, the first restriction portion is located extremely near to the plurality of terminals so that the electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus side contact forming members can be stable.

Adaptation 8 The ink supply system as described above further comprising an adapter (299) wherein the ink supply structure (280), the al bearing structure (408) and the first restriction portion (210) are positioned on the adapter (299) and the ink chamber (200) is adapted and configured to be mated with the adapter (299). [05 89] Adaptation 9 The ink supply system as described above further comprising an adapter (299]) wherein the terminal bearing structure (408) and the first restriction portion (210) are positioned on the adapter , the ink supply structure (280) is positioned on the ink chamber (200) and the ink chamber (200) is adapted and configured to be mated with the adapter (299).

Adaptation 10 The ink supply system as described above further comprising an adapter (299k), an ink tank (200T) external from the ink jet printing apparatus (50), a tube (200L) and an auxiliary adapter (200S) wherein the ink supply structure (280) is positioned on the auxiliary adapter (2008), the terminal bearing structure (408) and the first restriction portion (210) are positioned on the adapter (299k) and the tube (200L) es ink from the al tank (200T) to the auxiliary adapter (200S) when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus (50).

Adaptation 11 The ink supply system as described above where the further comprising a body (22) including a top (202) and a bottom (201), the top and bottom opposite each other, where the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is substantially flush with the bottom (201).

G-8. Eighth Modification The invention may be accomplished by the following descriptions and variations.

The symbols in heses after the elements in each of the descriptions correspond to the symbols of the respective elements described in the first embodiment or in the modification of the cartridge with the adapter.

G—8—l. First ion A cartridge (20) adapted to be mounted on an printing apparatus having the following structures: the printing apparatus (50) comprising a plurality of apparatus— side contact forming members (731—739) ed to apply elastic force (Pt) to the cartridge (20), the ng apparatus (50) also comprising a lever (80) having an en— gagement portion (810), the cartridge (20) sing: a first face (203), second face (204), third face (202), and fourth face (201), wherein the first face (203) and second face (204) are opposite each other and the third face (202) and fourth face (201) are opposite each other; an electrical device: an liquid chamber (200) for storing liquid; an liquid supply structure (280) positioned at the fourth face (201), configured to supply liquid from the liquid chamber (200) to the printing apparatus (50), the liquid supply structure (280) having a mounting direction (SD) leading edge (288) ng a plane (BP) of the dge (20); electrically conductive terminals (400) located closer to the first face (203) than to the second face (204) and coupled to the electrical device, the terminals (400) arranged to make contact with and to receive elastic force (Pt) from the contact forming members (731—739) at contact portions (cp) of the terminals (400) when the dge (20) is mounted on the printing apparatus (50), the contact portions (cp) of the als (400) arranged substantially in a contact portions plane (TP) which is neither parallel nor dicular to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288); and a first restriction portion (210) adapted to engage with the engagement portion (810) of the lever (80) so as to restrict movement of the cartridge (20) in a direction te (RD) the mounting direction (SD), the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) located at a position closer to the contact portions (cp) than to an intersection (291) of the third face (202) and the first face (203).

Some of the benefits of the above ion of the eighth modification will now be described. The als must be precisely oned and stably fixed while the cartridge is mounted in the printing apparatus, in order to ensure reliable electrical communication between the cartridge and the printing apparatus. Because the en— gagement portion of the first restriction portion is located at a on closer to the contact portions than to an intersection of the third face and the first face, positioning action of the first restriction portion occurs close to where positioning is most needed (i.e., the als of the terminal bearing structure). The elastic force from the apparatus—side terminals can be properly counteracted t. Also, positional shift of the terminals, which can occur due to vibration during printing operations, can be suppressed. Therefore, positioning of the terminals is more stable, thus maintaining the stable electrical connection between the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals.

Moreover, e the lever is not made integral with the cartridge, the material for producing the cartridge can be different from the material used for producing the lever.

Also, the material of the cartridge can be selected with less concern for ﬂexibility and durability requirements, and with greater focus on other ties such as resistance to Additionally, e the lever is not on the cartridge, no special care is needed to prevent creep deformation of the lever in packaging of the cartridge for transportation and bution. This simplifies packaging requirements and improves the user's con— venience. Because the lever is not an integral part of the cartridge, the cartridge can be made smaller. This further allows size reduction of the packaging material, such as paper or box, used to package the cartridge for transportation or distribution of the cartridge, thus advantageously reducing transportation and parts costs. Also because the lever is not integral with the cartridge, the first cartridge—side restriction portion can be made with a small size and simple structure, and with higher rigidity, compared with the structures described in U.S. Publication No. 2005/015 181 l, for e. This results in significantly reducing the possibility of plastic deformation of the first cartridge—side restriction portion. In the ed or mounted state, the dge can be kept at the proper position in the cartridge ng ure, which maintains normal or good contact between the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals and reduces the possibility of poor electrical communication. Since the first cartridge— side restriction portion can have a small size and simple structure, no special care to prevent creep deformation of the lever is required in packaging for ortation and distribution of the cartridge, unlike the cartridges of U.S. Publication No. 2005/015 181 1. This reduces packaging requirements and also es the user's con— It is possible for the ure that connects the cartridge terminals and the cartridge's engagement portion to each other, to be only rigid structure (which is not the case with the ﬂexible levers of U.S. Publication No. 2005/015 181 1). In this case, less vibration is itted from the engagement portion to the cartridge terminals, so electrical com— munication is more stable.

Because the contact portion plane (TP) of the terminals is neither parallel nor per— pendicular to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288), the surface of the cartridge terminals can be properly wiped during insertion of the dge into the printing apparatus. In addition, this configuration reduces or eliminates insulation fragments (dust) that can be ted if the apparatus—side terminals scrape for long distances against the circuit board during installation of the cartridge.

Because the apparatus—side als apply, against the cartridge terminals, an elastic force which includes a vector component in the direction in which the cartridge is ed from the ng apparatus, there is no need to provide a spring like the spring 103 described in US. Patent 6,955,422. In other words, the elastic force from the apparatus—side als serves to both press the apparatus side and dge side terminals together, and also to move the cartridge in the direction for removal from the printing apparatus when engagement between the first ction portion and the lever is ed. So there is no need to provide an additional spring as in the case of the US.

Patent 422, which enables a simpler structure and reduced costs.

Because the first restriction portion is adapted to engage with the engagement portion of the lever so as to restrict movement of the cartridge in the direction opposite to the ng direction, as a result, the position of the cartridge terminals will be maintained in place with respect to the mounting direction by the elastic force of the apparatus—side contact forming members, and with respect to the ion opposite to the mounting direction by the first restriction portion, when the cartridge is mounted in the printing apparatus. Since the cartridge terminals are "sandwiched" in this way, they are firmly fixed from moving in both the mounting direction and the direction opposite from the mounting direction. There is thus less likelihood of misalignment or dis— connection between the cartridge terminals and the tus—side contact forming members, compared with the one—sided restriction by the elastic piece 40 and related configuration of US Patent No. 7,008,053.

Adaption l: The cartridge (20) as described above, wherein the engagement portion (212) of the first ction portion (210) is d at a position closer to the contact portions (cp) than to the midpoint (203P) between an intersection (295) of the first face (203) and the contact portions plane (TP) and an intersection (291) of the third face (202) and the first face (203).

By locating the ment portion of the first restriction portion at a position closer to the contact portions than to the midpoint, the benefits described above can be brought well.

Adaption 2: The cartridge (20) as described above, wherein the contact portions plane (TP) is at an angle of between 25 and 40 degrees to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288).

As discussed with reference to Figs. 42A—45, when the contact portion plane is at an angle between about 25 and 40 degrees relative to the plane d by the leading edge, excessive wiping is prevented and sufficient force to prevent half—insertion can be applied.

Adaption 3: The cartridge (20) as described above, wherein when the first face (203) of the cartridge (20) is viewed with the liquid supply structure (280) facing down, the en— nt portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is located to the left of an extended line ) of a right edge (439P) of a rightmost al (439) of the plurality of terminals (431—439) and to the right of an extended line (435PL) of a left edge (435P) of a leftmost terminal (435) of the plurality of terminals (431—439).

When the cartridge is mounted on the printing apparatus, if the cartridge is held too securely, then contact with some of the apparatus—side contact forming members (terminal 734 in Fig. 31 for example), might not be secure. By locating the engagement portion of the first restriction n to the left of the rightmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals and to the right of the leftmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals the cartridge can tilt sufficiently so that the electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus—side t forming members can be even more stable.

Adaption 4: The cartridge (20) as described above, further comprising a second restriction portion (220) on the second face (204) of the cartridge (20), the second ction portion (220) adapted to engage with a tive portion of the printing apparatus (50), wherein the ce (B) between the engagement portion (222) of second restriction portion (220) and the plane (BP) defined by the g edge (288) is more than the distance (A) between the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288), when the distances are measured in an orthogonal direction to the plane (BP) defined by the g edge (288).

When the engagement portion of the second restriction portion is d farther from the plane defined by the leading edge than is the engagement portion of the first re— ion portion, the possibility that the first restriction portion will become disengaged from the apparatus—side engagement portion can be more effectively reduced, compared with the case when the engagement portion of the first ction portion is located farther from the plane defined by the leading edge than is the engagement portion of the second restriction n.

Adaption 5: The dge (20) as described above, wherein when viewing the cartridge (20) from the angle with the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) to the right and the liquid supply structure (280) facing down, the ce (A) between the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is less than the distance (C) between a pivot point (800c) of the lever (80) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) when the cartridge (20) is mounted, when the distances are measured in an orthogonal ion to the direction to the plane (BP) d by the leading edge (288).

When the distance between the engagement portion of the first restriction portion and the plane d by the leading edge is less than the distance between a pivot point of the lever and the plane defined by the leading edge when the cartridge is mounted, the lever serves to restrict the motion of the dge. This reduces the possibility of the first restriction portion becoming unlocked or disengaged from the engagement portion of the lever, thus creating a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the contact forming members and reducing the possibility of poor continuity. The first restriction portion can move about the axis of rotation of the lever when force is applied from the contact forming members to the mounted cartridge.

This s the possibility that the ment portion of the first restriction portion becomes uncoupled from the engagement portion of the lever.

Adaption 6: The cartridge (20) as described above, wherein when viewing the cartridge (20) from the angle with the engagement n (212) of the first restriction portion (210) to the right and the liquid supply structure (280) facing down, the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is to the left of the pivot point (800c) of the lever (80) when the cartridge (20) is mounted.

When the cartridge is mounted so that the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is to the left of a pivot point of the lever when viewing the cartridge from the side with the engagement portion of the first ction portion to the right and the liquid supply structure facing down, the first restriction portion generates rotational moment on the lever to turn the lever about the axis of rotation of the lever in the reverse direction to the unlocking direction. This reduces the possibility that the en— gagement portion of the first restriction portion is unlocked from the engagement portion of the lever and further ensures the stable ical connection n the ity of terminals and the apparatus side contact forming s. Even when the cartridge receives force, the first restriction portion would move with the cartridge.

Such moving reduces the possibility that the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is unlocked from the engagement portion of the lever.

Adaption 7: The cartridge (20) as bed above, wherein when the first face (203) is viewed with the liquid supply structure (280) facing down, at least a n of the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is located substantially at the widthwise center of the cartridge (20) when the cartridge (20) is mounted.

By providing the first restriction n in such a position so that at least a portion of the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is located substantially at the widthwise center of the cartridge, the first restriction n is d ely near to the plurality of terminals so that the electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus side contact forming s can be stable.

Adaption 8: The cartridge (20) as described above, wherein the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is substantially flush with the fourth face (201).

Adaption 9: The cartridge (20) as described above, sing an adapter (299, 299j, 299k) wherein the contact portions (cp) of the terminals (400) and the first restriction portion (210) are oned on the adapter and the liquid chamber (200) is adapted and configured to be mated with the adapter.

G—8—2. Second ion A cartridge (20) adapted to be mounted on an printing apparatus (50), the ng apparatus (50) comprising a plurality of apparatus—side contact forming members (731—739) arranged to apply elastic force (Pt) to the cartridge (20), the printing apparatus (50) also comprising a lever (80) having an engagement portion (810), the cartridge (20) comprising: a first face (203), second face (204), third face, and fourth face (201), wherein the first face (203) and second face (204) are opposite each other and the third face (202) and fourth face (201) are opposite each other; an electrical device; an liquid chamber (200) for storing liquid; an liquid supply structure (280) po— sitioned at the fourth face (201), configured to supply liquid from the liquid chamber (200) to the printing apparatus (50), the liquid supply structure (280) having a mounting direction (SD) leading edge (288) defining a plane (BP) of the cartridge (20); electrically conductive terminals (400) located closer to the first face (203) than to the second face (204) and coupled to the electrical device, the terminals (400) ed to make contact with and receive elastic force (Pt) from the contact forming s (731—739) at contact portions (cp) of the terminals (400) when the cartridge (20) is mounted on the printing apparatus (50), the contact portions (cp) of the als (400) arranged substantially in a contact portions plane (TP) which is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288); and a first re— striction portion (210) adapted to engage with the engagement portion (810) of the lever (80) so as to restrict movement of the cartridge (20) in a direction opposite (RD) the mounting direction (SD), the first restriction portion (210) provided at a position closer to a first ection (295) where the first face (203) intersects the contact portions plane (TP) than to a second intersection where the first face (203) intersects the third face (202).

Some of the ts of the above variation of the eighth modification will now be described. The terminals must be precisely positioned and stably fixed while the 2012/008314 cartridge is d in the printing apparatus, in order to ensure reliable electrical communication between the cartridge and the printing apparatus. Because the en— gagement portion of the first restriction portion is located at a position closer to a first intersection where the first face intersects the contact portion plane than to a second in— tersection where the first face intersects the third face, positioning action of the first re— ion portion occurs close to where oning is most needed (i.e., the terminals of the terminal bearing structure). The elastic force from the apparatus—side terminals can be properly counteracted against. Also, positional shift of the terminals, which can occur due to vibration during printing operations, can be suppressed. Therefore, po— ing of the terminals is more stable, thus maintaining the stable electrical connection between the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals.

Moreover, e the lever is not made integral with the dge, the material for ing the cartridge can be different from the material used for producing the lever.

Also, the material of the cartridge can be selected with less concern for flexibility and durability ements, and with greater focus on other properties such as ance to liquid.

Additionally, because the lever is not on the cartridge, no special care is needed to prevent creep deformation of the lever in packaging of the cartridge for transportation and distribution. This simplifies packaging requirements and improves the user's con— venience. Because the lever is not an integral part of the cartridge, the cartridge can be made smaller. This further allows size reduction of the packaging material, such as paper or box, used to package the cartridge for transportation or distribution of the cartridge, thus advantageously reducing transportation and parts costs. Also because the lever is not integral with the cartridge, the first cartridge—side restriction portion can be made with a small size and simple structure, and with higher rigidity, compared with the structures described in U.S. Publication No. 151811, for example. This results in significantly reducing the possibility of plastic deformation of the first dge—side restriction portion. In the attached or mounted state, the cartridge can be kept at the proper position in the cartridge mounting ure, which maintains normal or good contact between the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals and s the possibility of poor electrical communication. Since the first dge— side restriction n can have a small size and simple structure, no special care to prevent creep deformation of the lever is required in packaging for transportation and distribution of the cartridge, unlike the cartridges of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811. This reduces packaging requirements and also improves the user's con— venience.

It is le for the structure that ts the cartridge terminals and the cartridge's engagement portion to each other, to be only rigid structure (which is not the case with the ﬂexible levers of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811). In this case, less vibration is transmitted from the engagement portion to the cartridge terminals, so electrical com— munication is more .

Because the contact portion plane (TP) of the terminals is neither parallel nor per— pendicular to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288), the surface of the cartridge terminals can be properly wiped during insertion of the cartridge into the printing apparatus. In addition, this uration reduces or eliminates insulation fragments (dust) that can be ted if the apparatus—side terminals scrape for long distances against the circuit board during installation of the cartridge.

Because the apparatus—side terminals apply, t the cartridge terminals, an elastic force which includes a vector component in the direction in which the cartridge is detached from the ng tus, there is no need to provide a spring like the spring 103 described in U.S. Patent 6,955,422. In other words, the elastic force from the apparatus—side terminals serves to both press the apparatus side and cartridge side terminals together, and also to move the cartridge in the direction for removal from the printing apparatus when engagement between the first restriction portion and the lever is released. So there is no need to provide an additional spring as in the case of the U.S.

Patent 6,955,422, which enables a simpler ure and reduced costs.

Because the first restriction portion is adapted to engage with the engagement portion of the lever so as to restrict movement of the cartridge in the direction opposite to the mounting ion, as a result, the on of the dge terminals will be ined in place with respect to the mounting direction by the elastic force of the apparatus—side contact forming members, and with t to the direction opposite to the mounting direction by the first restriction portion, when the cartridge is mounted in the printing apparatus. Since the cartridge terminals are "sandwiched" in this way, they are firmly fixed from moving in both the mounting direction and the direction opposite from the mounting ion. There is thus less likelihood of gnment or dis— connection between the cartridge terminals and the apparatus—side contact forming members, compared with the one—sided restriction by the elastic piece 40 and related configuration of US Patent No. 7,008,053.

Adaption 1 The cartridge (20) as described above, wherein the engagement portion of the first re— striction portion is located at a position closer to the first intersection (295) than to the midpoint (203P) between the first intersection (295) and the second intersection.

By ng the engagement portion of the first restriction portion at a position closer to the contact portions than to the midpoint, the benefits described above can be brought well.

Adaption 2 The cartridge (20) as described above, wherein the contact portions (cp) plane (TP) is at an angle of n 25 and 40 degrees to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288).

Adaption 3 The cartridge (20) as bed above, wherein when the first face (203) of the cartridge (20) is viewed with the liquid supply structure (280) facing down, the en— gagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is located to the left of an extended line (439PL) of a right edge (439P) of a rightmost al (439) of the ity of terminals (431—439) and to the right of an extended line (435PL) of a left edge (435P) of a leftmost terminal (435) of the plurality of terminals (431—439).

When the cartridge is mounted on the printing apparatus, if the cartridge is held too securely, then contact with some of the apparatus—side contact forming members (terminal 734 in Fig. 31 for example), might not be secure. By locating the engagement portion of the first restriction portion to the left of the rightmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals and to the right of the leftmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals the cartridge can tilt sufficiently so that the ical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus—side contact forming members can be even more stable.

Adaption 4 The cartridge (20) as described above, r comprising a second restriction portion (220) on the second face (204) of the cartridge (20), the second restriction portion (220) adapted to engage with a respective portion of the printing apparatus (50), n the distance (B) n the engagement portion (222) of second ction portion (220) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is more than the distance (A) between the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction n (210) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288), when the distances are measured in an orthogonal direction to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288).

When the engagement n of the second restriction portion is located farther from the plane defined by the leading edge than is the engagement portion of the first re— striction portion, the possibility that the first restriction portion will become disengaged from the apparatus—side engagement portion can be more effectively d, compared with the case when the engagement n of the first restriction portion is located farther from the plane defined by the leading edge than is the engagement portion of the second ction portion.

Adaption 5 The cartridge (20) as described above, wherein when viewing the cartridge (20) from the angle with the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) to the right and the liquid supply structure (280) facing down, the distance (A) between the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is less than the distance (C) n a pivot point (800c) of the lever (80) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) when the cartridge (20) is mounted, when the distances are measured in an orthogonal direction to the direction to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288).

When the distance between the engagement portion of the first restriction n and the plane defined by the g edge is less than the ce between a pivot point of the lever and the plane defined by the leading edge when the cartridge is d, the lever serves to restrict the motion of the cartridge. This reduces the possibility of the first restriction portion becoming unlocked or disengaged from the engagement portion of the lever, thus creating a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the contact g s and reducing the possibility of poor continuity. The first restriction portion can move about the axis of rotation of the lever when force is applied from the contact forming members to the mounted cartridge.

Adaption 6 The cartridge (20) as described above, wherein when viewing the cartridge (20) from the angle with the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) to the right and the liquid supply structure (280) facing down, the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is to the left of the pivot point (800c) of the lever (80) when the cartridge (20) is mounted.

When the cartridge is mounted so that the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is to the left of a pivot point of the lever when viewing the cartridge from the side with the ment portion of the first restriction n to the right and the liquid supply structure facing down, the first restriction portion generates onal moment on the lever to turn the lever about the axis of rotation of the lever in the e direction to the unlocking direction. This s the possibility that the en— gagement portion of the first restriction portion is unlocked from the engagement portion of the lever and further ensures the stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus side contact forming members. Even when the cartridge receives force, the first restriction n would move with the dge.

Such moving reduces the possibility that the engagement n of the first restriction portion is unlocked from the engagement portion of the lever.

Adaption 7 The cartridge (20) as described above, wherein when the first face (203) is viewed with the liquid supply structure (280) facing down, at least a n of the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is located substantially at the widthwise center of the cartridge (20) when the cartridge (20) is mounted.

By ing the first restriction portion in such a on so that at least a n of the engagement n of the first restriction portion is located substantially at the widthwise center of the cartridge, the first restriction portion is located extremely near to the plurality of als so that the electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus side contact forming members can be .

Adaption 8 The cartridge (20) as described above, wherein the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is ntially flush with the fourth face (201).

Adaption 9 The cartridge (20)as described above, comprising an adapter (299, 299j, 299k) wherein the t portions (cp) of the terminals (400) and the first restriction portion (210) are positioned on the adapter and the liquid chamber (200) is adapted and configured to be mated with the adapter.

G—8—3. Third Variation An cartridge (20) adapted to be mounted on an printing apparatus (50) having the following ures: the printing apparatus (50) comprising a plurality of apparatus— side contact forming members (731—739) arranged to apply elastic force (Pt) to the dge (20), the printing apparatus (50) also comprising a lever (80) having an en— gagement portion (810) and a pivot point, the cartridge (20) comprising: a first face (203), second face (204), third face (202), and fourth face (201), wherein the first face (203) and second face (204) are opposite each other and the third face (202) and fourth face (201) are opposite each other; an electrical device: an liquid chamber (200) for storing liquid; an liquid supply structure (280) oned at the fourth face (201), configured to supply liquid from the liquid chamber (200) to the printing apparatus (50), the liquid supply structure (280) having a mounting direction (SD) leading edge (288) defining a plane (BP) of the cartridge (20); electrically conductive terminals (400) located closer to the first face (203) than to the second face (204) and coupled to the electrical device, the terminals (400) arranged to make contact with and to receive elastic force (Pt) from the contact forming members (731—739) at contact portions (cp) of the terminals (400) when the cartridge (20) is mounted on the printing apparatus (50), the contact portions (cp) of the terminals (400) arranged substantially in a contact portions plane (TP) which is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288); and a first ction portion (210) adapted to engage with the engagement portion (810) of the lever (80) so as to restrict movement of the cartridge (20) in a direction te (RD) the mounting direction (SD), the en— gagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is disposed such that when the cartridge (20) is mounted onto the printing apparatus (50), the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is d with the lever (80) at a position beneath the pivot point (800C) of the lever (80).

Some of the ts of the above variation of the eighth modification will now be described. The als must be precisely positioned and stably fixed while the cartridge is mounted in the printing apparatus, in order to ensure reliable electrical communication between the cartridge and the printing apparatus. e the en— gagement portion of the first restriction portion is located at a position beneath the pivot point of the lever, the lever serves to restrict the motion of the cartridge. This reduces the ility of the first ction portion becoming unlocked or disengaged from the engagement portion of the lever, thus creating a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the contact forming members and reducing the possibility of poor continuity. The first restriction n can move about the axis of rotation of the lever when force is applied from the t forming members to the mounted cartridge. This s the possibility that the engagement portion of the first restriction portion becomes uncoupled from the engagement n of the lever.

Therefore, positioning of the terminals is more stable, thus ining the stable electrical connection between the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals.

Moreover, because the lever is not made al with the cartridge, the material for producing the cartridge can be different from the material used for producing the lever.

Also, the material of the cartridge can be selected with less concern for flexibility and lity requirements, and with greater focus on other properties such as resistance to liquid.

Additionally, because the lever is not on the dge, no special care is needed to prevent creep ation of the lever in packaging of the cartridge for transportation and distribution. This simplifies packaging ements and improves the user's con— ce. Because the lever is not an integral part of the cartridge, the cartridge can be made smaller. This further allows size reduction of the packaging material, such as paper or box, used to package the cartridge for transportation or distribution of the cartridge, thus advantageously reducing transportation and parts costs. Also because the lever is not integral with the cartridge, the first cartridge—side restriction portion can be made with a small size and simple structure, and with higher rigidity, compared with the structures described in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811, for example. This results in significantly reducing the possibility of plastic deformation of the first cartridge—side restriction portion. In the attached or mounted state, the cartridge can be kept at the proper position in the cartridge mounting structure, which maintains normal or good contact between the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals and reduces the possibility of poor electrical communication. Since the first dge— side ction portion can have a small size and simple ure, no special care to t creep deformation of the lever is required in packaging for ortation and distribution of the cartridge, unlike the cartridges of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811. This reduces packaging ements and also improves the user's con— venience.

It is possible for the structure that connects the dge terminals and the cartridge's engagement portion to each other, to be only rigid structure (which is not the case with the ﬂexible levers of U.S. ation No. 2005/0151811). In this case, less vibration is transmitted from the engagement portion to the cartridge terminals, so electrical com— munication is more stable.

Because the contact portion plane (TP) of the terminals is neither parallel nor per— pendicular to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288), the surface of the dge terminals can be properly wiped during insertion of the dge into the printing apparatus. In addition, this configuration reduces or eliminates tion fragments (dust) that can be generated if the apparatus—side terminals scrape for long distances against the circuit board during installation of the cartridge.

Because the tus—side terminals apply, against the cartridge terminals, an elastic force which includes a vector component in the direction in which the cartridge is detached from the printing apparatus, there is no need to provide a spring like the spring 103 bed in U.S. Patent 6,955,422. In other words, the elastic force from the apparatus—side terminals serves to both press the apparatus side and cartridge side terminals together, and also to move the cartridge in the direction for removal from the printing apparatus when engagement between the first restriction portion and the lever is released. So there is no need to provide an additional spring as in the case of the U.S.

Patent 6,955,422, which enables a simpler ure and reduced costs.

Because the first restriction portion is adapted to engage with the ment portion of the lever so as to restrict movement of the cartridge in the direction opposite to the mounting direction, as a result, the position of the cartridge terminals will be maintained in place with respect to the mounting direction by the elastic force of the tus—side contact forming members, and with respect to the direction opposite to the mounting direction by the first restriction portion, when the cartridge is mounted in the printing apparatus. Since the cartridge terminals are "sandwiched" in this way, they are firmly fixed from moving in both the mounting direction and the direction opposite from the mounting ion. There is thus less hood of misalignment or dis— connection between the cartridge terminals and the apparatus—side contact forming members, compared with the one—sided restriction by the elastic piece 40 and related configuration of US Patent No. 7,008,053.

Adaption l The cartridge (20) as described above, wherein the contact portions plane (TP) is at an angle of n 25 and 40 degrees to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288).

By locating the engagement portion of the first restriction portion at a position closer to the contact ns than to the midpoint, the benefits described above can be brought well. [065 l] As discussed with reference to Figs. 42A—45, when the contact n plane is at an angle between about 25 and 40 degrees relative to the plane defined by the leading edge, excessive wiping is ted and sufficient force to prevent half—insertion can be applied.

Adaption 2 The cartridge (20) as described above, wherein when the first face (203) of the cartridge (20) is viewed with the liquid supply structure (280) facing down, the en— nt n (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is located to the left of an extended line (439PL) of a right edge (439P) of a ost terminal (439) of the ity of terminals (431—439) and to the right of an extended line (435PL) of a left edge (435P) of a st terminal (435) of the plurality of terminals (431—439).

When the cartridge is mounted on the printing apparatus, if the cartridge is held too securely, then t with some of the apparatus—side contact forming members (terminal 734 in Fig. 31 for example), might not be secure. By locating the engagement portion of the first restriction portion to the left of the rightmost contact portion of the plurality of als and to the right of the st contact portion of the plurality of terminals the cartridge can tilt sufficiently so that the electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus—side contact forming members can be even more stable.

Adaption 3 The cartridge (20) as described above, further comprising a second restriction n (220) on the second face (204) of the cartridge (20), the second restriction portion (220) adapted to engage with a respective portion of the printing apparatus (50), wherein the distance (B) between the engagement portion (222) of second restriction portion (220) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is more than the distance (A) between the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) and the plane (BP) defined by the g edge (288), when the distances are ed in an orthogonal direction to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288).

When the engagement portion of the second restriction portion is located farther from the plane defined by the leading edge than is the engagement portion of the first re— striction portion, the possibility that the first restriction n will become disengaged from the apparatus—side ment portion can be more effectively reduced, ed with the case when the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is located farther from the plane defined by the leading edge than is the engagement portion of the second ction portion.

Adaption 4 The cartridge (20) as described above, wherein when viewing the cartridge (20) from the angle with the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) to the right and the liquid supply structure (280) facing down, the engagement n (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is to the left of the pivot point (800c) of the lever (80) when the cartridge (20) is mounted.

When the cartridge is mounted so that the engagement portion of the first restriction n is to the left of a pivot point of the lever when viewing the cartridge from the side with the engagement portion of the first restriction portion to the right and the liquid supply structure facing down, the first restriction portion generates rotational moment on the lever to turn the lever about the axis of rotation of the lever in the reverse direction to the unlocking direction. This reduces the possibility that the en— gagement portion of the first restriction portion is unlocked from the engagement portion of the lever and further ensures the stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the tus side contact forming members. Even when the cartridge receives force, the first restriction portion would move with the cartridge.

Such moving reduces the possibility that the ment portion of the first restriction portion is unlocked from the engagement portion of the lever. [065 8] on 5 The cartridge (20) as described above, wherein when the first face (203) is viewed with the liquid supply structure (280) facing down, at least a portion of the engagement n (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is located substantially at the widthwise center of the cartridge (20) when the cartridge (20) is mounted.

By providing the first restriction portion in such a on so that at least a portion of the engagement portion of the first ction portion is located substantially at the ise center of the cartridge, the first restriction portion is located extremely near to the plurality of als so that the electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus side contact forming members can be stable.

Adaption 6 The cartridge (20) as described above, wherein the plane (BP) defined by the g edge (288) is substantially flush with the fourth face (201).

Adaption 7 The cartridge (20) as described above, comprising an adapter (299, 299j, 299k) wherein the contact portions (cp) of the terminals (400) and the first restriction portion (210) are positioned on the adapter and the liquid r (200) is adapted and configured to be mated with the adapter.

G—8—4. Fourth Variation An cartridge (20) adapted to be mounted on an printing apparatus (50), the printing apparatus (50) comprising a plurality of apparatus—side contact forming members (731—739) ed to apply elastic force (Pt) to the cartridge (20), the printing apparatus (50) also comprising a lever (80) having an engagement portion (810), the cartridge (20) comprising: a front (203), a rear (204), a top (202), and a bottom (201), wherein the front (203) and rear (204) opposite each other and the top (202) and bottom (201) opposite each other; an electrical device; an liquid chamber (200) for storing liquid; an liquid supply structure (280) positioned at the bottom (201), configured to supply liquid from the liquid chamber (200) to the printing tus (50), the liquid supply ure (280) having a ng direction (SD) leading edge (288) defining a plane (BP) of the cartridge (20); electrically conductive terminals (400) located closer to the front (203) than to the rear (204) and coupled to the electrical device, the terminals (400) arranged to make contact with and receive elastic force (Pt) from the t forming members (731—739) at contact portions (cp) of the als (400) when the cartridge (20) is mounted on the printing apparatus (50), the contact portions (cp) of the terminals (400) arranged substantially in a t portions plane (TP) which is neither el nor perpendicular to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288); and a first restriction portion (210) adapted to engage with the en— gagement portion (810) of the lever (80) so as to restrict movement of the cartridge (20) in a direction te (RD) the mounting direction (SD), the first ction portion (210) provided at a position located closer to the contact portions plane (TP) than to the top (202).

Some of the benefits of the above variation of the eighth modification will now be described. The terminals must be precisely positioned and stably fixed while the cartridge is mounted in the ng apparatus, in order to ensure reliable electrical ication between the cartridge and the printing apparatus. Because the en— gagement n of the first restriction n is located at a position closer to the contact portion plane than to the top, positioning action of the first restriction portion occurs close to where positioning is most needed (i.e., the terminals of the terminal bearing structure). The c force from the apparatus—side terminals can be properly counteracted against. Also, positional shift of the terminals, which can occur due to vibration during printing operations, can be suppressed. Therefore, positioning of the terminals is more stable, thus ining the stable electrical connection between the dge—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals.

Moreover, because the lever is not made integral with the cartridge, the material for producing the cartridge can be ent from the material used for producing the lever.

Also, the material of the cartridge can be selected with less concern for ﬂexibility and durability requirements, and with r focus on other properties such as ance to liquid.

Additionally, e the lever is not on the cartridge, no special care is needed to prevent creep deformation of the lever in packaging of the dge for transportation and distribution. This simplifies packaging requirements and improves the user's con— venience. Because the lever is not an integral part of the cartridge, the cartridge can be made smaller. This further allows size ion of the packaging material, such as paper or box, used to package the cartridge for transportation or distribution of the dge, thus advantageously reducing transportation and parts costs. Also because the lever is not integral with the cartridge, the first cartridge—side ction portion can be made with a small size and simple structure, and with higher ty, compared with the structures described in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811, for example. This results in significantly reducing the possibility of plastic deformation of the first cartridge—side restriction portion. In the attached or mounted state, the dge can be kept at the proper position in the cartridge mounting structure, which maintains normal or good contact between the cartridge—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals and reduces the possibility of poor electrical communication. Since the first cartridge— side restriction portion can have a small size and simple structure, no special care to prevent creep deformation of the lever is required in ing for transportation and distribution of the cartridge, unlike the cartridges of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811. This reduces packaging requirements and also improves the user's con— venience.

It is possible for the ure that connects the cartridge terminals and the cartridge's engagement portion to each other, to be only rigid structure (which is not the case with the ﬂexible levers of U.S. ation No. 2005/0151811). In this case, less vibration is transmitted from the engagement portion to the cartridge terminals, so electrical com— munication is more stable.

Because the contact portion plane (TP) of the terminals is neither parallel nor per— pendicular to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288), the surface of the cartridge terminals can be properly wiped during insertion of the cartridge into the printing apparatus. In addition, this configuration reduces or eliminates insulation nts (dust) that can be generated if the apparatus—side terminals scrape for long distances against the circuit board during installation of the cartridge.

Because the apparatus—side terminals apply, against the cartridge terminals, an elastic force which includes a vector ent in the direction in which the cartridge is detached from the printing apparatus, there is no need to provide a spring like the spring 103 described in US. Patent 6,955,422. In other words, the elastic force from the apparatus—side terminals serves to both press the apparatus side and cartridge side terminals together, and also to move the cartridge in the direction for removal from the printing apparatus when engagement between the first restriction portion and the lever is released. So there is no need to e an additional spring as in the case of the US.

Patent 6,955,422, which enables a simpler structure and reduced costs.

Because the first restriction portion is adapted to engage with the engagement portion of the lever so as to restrict movement of the cartridge in the direction opposite to the mounting direction, as a result, the position of the cartridge terminals will be maintained in place with respect to the mounting direction by the elastic force of the apparatus—side contact forming members, and with respect to the direction opposite to the mounting direction by the first restriction portion, when the cartridge is d in the printing apparatus. Since the cartridge terminals are "sandwiched" in this way, they are firmly fixed from moving in both the mounting ion and the direction opposite from the mounting direction. There is thus less likelihood of misalignment or dis— tion between the cartridge terminals and the apparatus—side contact g members, compared with the one—sided restriction by the elastic piece 40 and related configuration of US Patent No. 7,008,053.

Adaption l The cartridge (20) as described above, wherein the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is located at a position closer to the contact portions (cp) than to the midpoint (203P) between an intersection of the front (203) and the t portions plane (TP) and the intersection of the top (202) and the front (203).

By locating the engagement portion of the first restriction portion at a position closer to the contact ns than to the midpoint, the benefits described above can be brought well.

Adaption 2 The cartridge (20) as described above, wherein the contact portions plane (TP) is at an angle of between 25 and 40 degrees to the plane (BP) defined by the g edge (288).

As sed with reference to Figs. 42A—45, when the t portion plane is at an angle between about 25 and 40 degrees relative to the plane defined by the g edge, ive wiping is prevented and sufficient force to prevent half—insertion can be applied.

Adaption 3 The cartridge (20) as bed above, wherein when the front (203) of the cartridge (20) is viewed with the liquid supply structure (280) facing down, the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is located to the left of an extended line (439PL) of a right edge (439P) of a ost al (439) of the plurality of terminals (431—439) and to the right of an extended line (435PL) of a left edge (435P) of a leftmost terminal (435) of the plurality of terminals (431—439).

When the cartridge is mounted on the printing apparatus, if the cartridge is held too securely, then contact with some of the apparatus—side contact forming members (terminal 734 in Fig. 31 for example), might not be secure. By locating the engagement portion of the first ction portion to the left of the rightmost contact portion of the plurality of als and to the right of the leftmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals the cartridge can tilt iently so that the electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the tus—side contact forming members can be even more stable. on 4 The cartridge (20) as described above, wherein the engagement portion is adapted to engage with a rotatable lever having a pivot point above the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210).

When the rotatable lever has the pivot point above the engagement portion of the first restriction portion, the lever serves to restrict the motion of the cartridge. This reduces the possibility of the first restriction portion becoming unlocked or disengaged from the engagement n of the lever, thus creating a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the contact forming members and reducing the possibility of poor continuity. The first restriction portion can move about the axis of rotation of the lever when force is d from the contact forming members to the mounted cartridge. This reduces the possibility that the engagement portion of the first restriction portion becomes uncoupled from the engagement portion of the lever.

Adaption 5 The cartridge (20) as described above, further comprising a second restriction portion (220) on the rear (204) of the cartridge (20), the second ction portion (220) d to engage with a respective portion of the printing apparatus (50), wherein the distance (B) between the engagement portion (222) of second restriction portion (220) and the plane (BP) defined by the g edge (288) is more than the distance (A) between the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288), when the distances are measured in an orthogonal direction to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288).

When the engagement portion of the second restriction n is located r from the plane defined by the leading edge than is the ment portion of the first re— striction portion, the possibility that the first restriction portion will become disengaged from the apparatus—side engagement portion can be more effectively reduced, compared with the case when the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is located farther from the plane defined by the leading edge than is the engagement portion of the second restriction portion.

Adaption 6 The cartridge (20) as described above, wherein the second restriction portion (220) is adapted to serve as a pivot point of rotation when the cartridge (20) is turned to be detached from a holder of the printing apparatus (50). on 7 The cartridge (20) as described above, wherein when viewing the cartridge (20) from the angle with the engagement n (212) of the first restriction portion (210) to the right and the liquid supply structure (280) facing down, the distance (A) between the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) and the plane (BP) defined by the g edge (288) is less than the distance (C) between a pivot point (800c) of the lever (80) and the plane (BP) defined by the g edge (288) when the cartridge (20) is mounted, when the distances are ed in an orthogonal direction to the ion to the plane (BP) d by the leading edge (288).

When the ce between the engagement portion of the first restriction portion and the plane defined by the leading edge is less than the ce between a pivot point of the lever and the plane defined by the leading edge when the cartridge is mounted, the lever serves to ct the motion of the cartridge. This reduces the possibility of the first restriction portion becoming unlocked or disengaged from the engagement portion of the lever, thus creating a stable electrical connection n the plurality of terminals and the contact forming members and reducing the possibility of poor continuity. The first restriction n can move about the axis of rotation of the lever when force is applied from the contact forming members to the mounted cartridge.

Adaption 8 The cartridge (20) as described above, wherein when viewing the cartridge (20) from the angle with the engagement n (212) of the first restriction portion (210) to the right and the liquid supply structure (280) facing down, the engagement n (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is to the left of the pivot point (800c) of the lever (80) when the dge (20) is mounted.

When the cartridge is mounted so that the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is to the left of a pivot point of the lever when viewing the cartridge from the side with the engagement portion of the first restriction portion to the right and the WO 05195 liquid supply structure facing down, the first restriction portion generates onal moment on the lever to turn the lever about the axis of rotation of the lever in the reverse direction to the ing direction. This reduces the possibility that the en— gagement portion of the first restriction portion is unlocked from the ment portion of the lever and further ensures the stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus side contact forming members. Even when the cartridge receives force, the first restriction portion would move with the cartridge.

Such moving reduces the possibility that the engagement portion of the first restriction n is unlocked from the engagement portion of the lever.

Adaption 9 The cartridge (20) as described above, wherein when the front (203) is viewed with the liquid supply ure (280) facing down, at least a portion of the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is located substantially at the widthwise center of the cartridge (20) when the cartridge (20) is mounted.

By providing the first restriction portion in such a position so that at least a portion of the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is located substantially at the widthwise center of the cartridge, the first restriction portion is located ely near to the plurality of terminals so that the electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus side contact forming members can be stable.

Adaption 10 The dge (20) as described above, wherein the plane (BP) defined by the g edge (288) is substantially flush with the bottom (201).

Adaption ll The cartridge (20) as described above, comprising an adapter (299, 299j, 299k) wherein the t portions (cp) of the terminals (400) and the first restriction portion (210) are positioned on the adapter and the liquid chamber (200) is adapted and configured to be mated with the r.

Adaption 12 Use of the cartridge (20) as described above, wherein the engagement portion of the cartridge (20) is engaged with a movable lever (80) of a printing apparatus (50) in such a way that the lever (80) has a pivot point above the engagement portion.

Adaption 13 The combination of a cartridge (20) and a printing apparatus (50), the combination comprising: a cartridge (20) as described above; and a printing apparatus (50) including a plurality of apparatus—side contact forming members (731—739) applying an elastic force (Pt) to the cartridge (20), and a lever (80) having an engagement portion (810) d to engage with the ment portion (212) of the first ction portion (210) of the cartridge (20) so as to restrict nt of the cartridge (20) in a WO 05195 ion opposite (RD) the mounting direction (SD).

Adaption 14 The combination as described above, wherein the lever (80) has two ends and a pivot point ediate the two ends, the pivot point (800c) of the lever (80) is provided above the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) of the cartridge (20).

When the rotatable lever has the pivot point above the engagement portion of the first restriction portion, the lever serves to restrict the motion of the cartridge. This reduces the possibility of the first restriction portion becoming unlocked or disengaged from the engagement portion of the lever, thus creating a stable electrical connection n the plurality of als and the contact forming members and reducing the possibility of poor continuity. The first restriction portion can move about the axis of rotation of the lever when force is applied from the contact forming members to the mounted cartridge. This reduces the possibility that the engagement portion of the first restriction portion becomes uncoupled from the engagement portion of the lever.

Adaption 15 The ation as described above, wherein the pivot point (800c) of the lever (80) is provided to the right of the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) of the cartridge (20).

When the pivot point of the lever is provided to the right of the engagement n of the first restriction portion of the cartridge, the first restriction portion generates ro— tational moment on the lever to turn the lever about the axis of rotation of the lever in the reverse direction to the unlocking direction. This reduces the ility that the en— gagement portion of the first restriction portion is unlocked from the engagement portion of the lever and further ensures the stable electrical tion between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus side t g members. Even when the dge receives force, the first restriction portion would move with the cartridge.

G—8—5. Fifth Variation A liquid supply system (20i, 20j, 20k) adapted to supply liquid to a printing apparatus (50), the printing apparatus (50) comprising a plurality of apparatus—side contact forming members (731—739), the liquid supply system (20i, 20j, 20k) comprising: an ical device; an liquid source (200i, 200j, 200T); an liquid supply structure (280) adapted and configured to supply liquid from the liquid source (200i, 200j, 200T) to the printing apparatus (50), the liquid supply structure (280) having a mounting direction (SD) leading edge (288) defining a plane (BP); an r (299, 299j, 299k) having: electrically conductive terminals (400) coupled to the electrical device, the terminals (400) arranged to make contact with and receive elastic force (Pt) from the contact forming members (731—739) at contact portions (cp) of the terminals (400) when the supply system (20i, 20j, 20k) es liquid to the printing apparatus (50), the contact portions (cp) of the als (400) arranged ntially in a contact portions plane (TP) which is neither parallel nor dicular to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288); and a first restriction portion (210) provided on a front (203) of the r and adapted to engage with the engagement portion (810) of the lever (80) so as to restrict movement of the adapter in a direction opposite (RD) the mounting ion (SD), the first restriction portion (210) oned adjacent the contact portions plane (TP).

Some of the benefits of the above variation of the ninth modification will now be described. The terminals must be precisely positioned and stably fixed while the adapter is d in the ng apparatus, in order to ensure reliable electrical com— munication between the adapter and the printing apparatus. Because the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is positioned adjacent the contact portion plane, positioning action of the first restriction portion occurs close to where positioning is most needed (i.e., the terminals of the terminal bearing structure). The elastic force from the apparatus—side terminals can be properly racted against. Also, po— sitional shift of the terminals, which can occur due to vibration during printing op— erations, can be suppressed. Therefore, positioning of the als is more stable, thus maintaining the stable electrical connection between the adapter—side terminals and the tus—side terminals.

Moreover, e the lever is not made integral with the adapter, the material for producing the r can be different from the material used for producing the lever.

Also, the material of the adapter can be selected with less concern for flexibility and durability requirements, and with greater focus on other properties such as resistance to liquid.

Additionally, e the lever is not on the adapter, no special care is needed to prevent creep deformation of the lever in packaging of the r for transportation and distribution. This simplifies packaging requirements and improves the user's con— venience. Because the lever is not an integral part of the adapter, the adapter can be made r. This further allows size reduction of the packaging material, such as paper or box, used to package the adapter for transportation or distribution of the adapter, thus advantageously reducing transportation and parts costs. Also e the lever is not integral with the adapter, the first adapter—side restriction element can be made with a small size and simple structure, and with higher rigidity, compared with the structures described in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811, for example. This results in significantly reducing the possibility of plastic deformation of the first adapter—side restriction element. In the attached or mounted state, the adapter can be kept at the proper position in the adapter mounting ure, which maintains normal or good contact between the adapter—side terminals and the apparatus—side terminals and s the possibility of poor electrical communication. Since the first adapter— side restriction element can have a small size and simple structure, no l care to prevent creep ation of the lever is required in packaging for transportation and distribution of the adapter, unlike the cartridges of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811.

This s packaging requirements and also improves the user's convenience.

It is possible for the structure that connects the adapter terminals and the r's en— gagement portion to each other, to be only rigid structure (which is not the case with the ﬂexible levers of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811). In this case, less vibration is transmitted from the engagement portion to the adapter als, so electrical commu— nication is more stable.

Because the contact n plane (TP) of the terminals is neither parallel nor per— pendicular to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288), the surface of the adapter terminals can be properly wiped during insertion of the adapter into the printing apparatus. In addition, this configuration reduces or eliminates insulation fragments (dust) that can be generated if the apparatus—side terminals scrape for long distances against the t board during installation of the adapter.

Because the apparatus—side terminals apply, against the adapter terminals, an elastic force which includes a vector component in the direction in which the adapter is detached from the printing apparatus, there is no need to provide a spring like the spring 103 described in U.S. Patent 6,955,422. In other words, the elastic force from the apparatus—side terminals serves to both press the apparatus side and adapter side terminals together, and also to move the adapter in the direction for l from the printing apparatus when engagement between the first restriction portion and the lever is released. So there is no need to provide an additional spring as in the case of the U.S.

Patent 6,955,422, which enables a simpler structure and reduced costs.

Because the first restriction portion is adapted to engage with the engagement n of the lever so as to restrict movement of the adapter in the direction opposite to the mounting direction, as a result, the position of the adapter terminals will be maintained in place with respect to the ng direction by the elastic force of the apparatus— side contact forming s, and with respect to the direction te to the mounting direction by the first restriction n, when the adapter is mounted in the ng apparatus. Since the adapter terminals are "sandwiched" in this way, they are firmly fixed from moving in both the mounting direction and the direction opposite from the mounting direction. There is thus less likelihood of misalignment or dis— connection between the adapter terminals and the apparatus—side contact forming members, compared with the one—sided ction by the elastic piece 40 and related configuration of US Patent No. 7,008,053.

Adaption l The liquid supply system (20i, 20j, 20k) as described above, wherein the t portions plane (TP) is at an angle of between 25 and 40 degrees to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288).

As discussed with nce to Figs. 42A—45, when the contact portion plane is at an angle between about 25 and 40 degrees relative to the plane defined by the leading edge, excessive wiping is prevented and sufficient force to prevent half—insertion can be applied.

Adaption 2 The liquid supply system (20i, 20j, 20k) as described above, wherein when the front of the adapter is viewed with the liquid supply structure (280) facing down, the en— gagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) is located to the left of an extended line (439PL) of a right edge (439P) of a rightmost al (439) of the plurality of terminals (431—439) and to the right of an extended line (435PL) of a left edge (435P) of a leftmost terminal (435) of the plurality of terminals (431—439).

When the adapter is mounted on the printing apparatus, if the adapter is held too securely, then contact with some of the apparatus—side contact g members (terminal 734 in Fig. 31 for example), might not be secure. By ng the engagement portion of the first ction portion to the left of the rightmost t portion of the plurality of terminals and to the right of the st contact portion of the plurality of terminals the adapter can tilt sufficiently so that the electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus—side contact forming members can be even more stable.

Adaption 3 The liquid supply system (20i, 20j, 20k) as described above, further comprising a second restriction portion (220) on an rear (204) of the adapter, the second restriction n (220) adapted to engage with a respective portion of the printing apparatus (50), wherein the distance (B) between the engagement n (222) of second re— striction n (220) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is more than the distance (A) between the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288), when the distances are measured in an onal direction to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288).

When the engagement portion of the second restriction portion is d farther from the plane defined by the leading edge than is the engagement portion of the first re— striction portion, the ility that the first restriction portion will become disengaged 2012/008314 from the apparatus—side engagement n can be more effectively reduced, compared with the case when the engagement n of the first restriction portion is located farther from the plane defined by the leading edge than is the engagement portion of the second restriction portion.

Adaption 4 The liquid supply system (20i, 20j, 20k) as described above, n when viewing the adapter from the angle with the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) to the right and the liquid supply structure (280) facing down, the distance (A) between the engagement n (212) of the first restriction portion (210) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) is less than the distance (C) between a pivot point (800c) of the lever (80) and the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288) when the adapter is mounted, when the distances are measured in an orthogonal direction to the direction to the plane (BP) defined by the leading edge (288).

When the distance n the engagement portion of the first restriction n and the plane defined by the leading edge is less than the distance between a pivot point of the lever and the plane defined by the leading edge when the adapter is mounted, the lever serves to restrict the motion of the adapter. This reduces the possibility of the first restriction portion becoming unlocked or disengaged from the engagement n of the lever, thus creating a stable electrical connection between the plurality of als and the contact forming members and reducing the possibility of poor uity. The first restriction portion can move about the axis of rotation of the lever when force is applied from the t forming members to the mounted adapter. This reduces the possibility that the engagement portion of the first restriction n becomes uncoupled from the ment portion of the lever.

Adaption 5 The liquid supply system (20i, 20j, 20k) as described above, wherein when viewing the adapter from the angle with the engagement portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) to the right and the liquid supply structure (280) facing down, the en— gagement portion (212) of the first ction portion (210) is to the left of the pivot point (800c) of the lever (80) when the adapter is mounted.

When the adapter is mounted so that the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is to the left of a pivot point of the lever when viewing the adapter from the side with the engagement portion of the first restriction portion to the right and the liquid supply structure facing down, the first restriction portion generates rotational moment on the lever to turn the lever about the axis of on of the lever in the reverse direction to the unlocking direction. This reduces the possibility that the en— gagement portion of the first restriction portion is unlocked from the engagement portion of the lever and further ensures the stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus side contact forming members. Even when the adapter receives force, the first restriction n would move with the adapter. Such moving reduces the possibility that the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is ed from the engagement portion of the lever.

Adaption 6 The liquid supply system (20i, 20j, 20k) as described above, wherein when the front of the adapter is viewed with the liquid supply structure (280) facing down, at least a portion of the ment portion (212) of the first ction portion (210) is located substantially at the widthwise center of the adapter when the adapter is mounted.

By providing the first restriction portion in such a position so that at least a portion of the engagement n of the first restriction portion is d substantially at the widthwise center of the adapter, the first restriction portion is located extremely near to the plurality of terminals so that the electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the tus side contact forming members can be stable.

Adaption 7 The liquid supply system (20i, 20j) as described above, r comprising a container assembly (200i, 200j) having the liquid source therein and adapted to be mated with the adapter.

Adaption 8 The liquid supply system (20j) as described above, wherein the liquid supply structure (280) is provided on the container assembly (200j). on 9 The liquid supply system (20k) as described above, further comprising: a tank (200T) having the liquid source therein; an auxiliary adapter (2008) having the liquid supply structure (280); and a tube (200L) connecting the tank and the auxiliary adapter (2008).

It should also be iated that the features described herein can be part of a cartridge itself, as part of a combination of a cartridge and a printing apparatus or in other words when the cartridge is installed and/or as part of a system d to supply ink or other printing material to a printing apparatus without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The matters described in the respective aspects according to any parts of the ion may be added to any of the various variations bed above.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present ion has many ap— plications, may be implemented in many manners and, as such is not to be limited by the foregoing embodiments and examples. Any number of the features of the different embodiments described herein may be combined into one single embodiment and ate embodiments having fewer than or more than all of the features herein described are possible. Functionality may also be, in whole or in part, distributed among multiple components, in manners now known or to become known.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad ive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present ion as defined by the appended claims. While there had been shown and described fundamental features of the invention as applied to being ary embodiments thereof, it will be understood that omissions and substitutions and s in the form and details of the disclosed invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Moreover, the scope of the present invention covers conventionally known, future developed variations and cations to the components described herein as would be un— derstood by those skilled in the art. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto. It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and ic features of the invention herein disclosed and all statements of the scope of the ion that, is a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Claims

1. An ink cartridge for mounting on an ink jet printing apparatus, the ink jet printing apparatus sing an ink supply tube, an apparatus-side al, a rotatable lever having a pivot, and a hole structure, the ink dge comprising: an ink supply port to connect to the ink supply tube; a cartridge-side terminal to electrically connect to the apparatus-side terminal; a first locking member; and a second locking member, wherein a Z axis represents an axis parallel to a central axis of the ink supply port, an X axis represents an axis being orthogonal to the Z axis, along which the ink supply port and a cartridge-side terminal are arrayed, and a Y axis represents an axis orthogonal to the Z axis and the X axis, wherein a negative Z-axis direction represents a direction along the Z axis going from a base end to an open end of the ink supply port, a ve Z-axis direction represents a reverse direction to the ve Z-axis direction, a ve X-axis direction represents a direction along the X axis going from the ink supply port to the cartridge-side terminal, and a negative X-axis direction represents a reverse direction to the ve X-axis direction, the first locking member is to engage with the rotatable lever at a first locking position so as to restrict movement of the ink cartridge toward the positive Z-axis direction, the second locking member is to engage with the hole structure at a second locking position so as to restrict movement of the ink cartridge toward the positive Z-axis direction, the first locking position is located on the negative Z-axis direction side and on the positive X-axis direction side of the second locking position, and in the case that the first g member is engaged with the rotatable lever, the first locking position is located on the negative Z-axis direction side and on the negative X-axis direction side of the pivot being parallel to the Y axis.

2. The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein the cartridge-side terminal is provided on a surface inclined in the Z axis and in the X axis.

3. The ink cartridge of claim 1 wherein, when the first locking member is engaged with the rotatable lever, the apparatus-side terminal applies a pressing force to the dge side terminal, said force including a positive Z axis direction component.

4. The ink cartridge of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the width along the Y axis of the first locking member is er than the gap n a pair of wall members of the rotatable lever facing each other along the Y axis, so that the first locking member is guided by the pair of wall s when the cartridge is mounting on the ink jet printing apparatus.

5. An ink cartridge for mounting on an ink jet printing apparatus, the ink jet printing apparatus comprising an ink supply tube, an apparatus-side terminal, a ble lever having a pivot, and a hole structure, the ink dge sing: an ink supply port to connect to the ink supply tube; a cartridge-side terminal to electrically connect to the apparatus-side terminal; a first locking member; and a second locking member, wherein, in the case that the cartridge mounts on the ink jet printing apparatus, a Z axis represents an axis parallel to a central axis of the ink supply tube, an X axis represents an axis being orthogonal to the Z axis, along which the ink supply tube and a apparatus-side terminal are arrayed, and a Y axis represents an axis orthogonal to the Z axis and the X axis, wherein a positive Z-axis direction represents a direction along the Z axis going from a base end to an open end of the ink supply tube, a negative Z-axis direction represents a reverse direction to the negative Z-axis ion, a positive X-axis direction represents a direction along the X axis going from the ink supply tube to the apparatus-side terminal, and a negative X-axis direction represents a reverse direction to the positive X-axis direction, the first locking member is to engage with the rotatable lever at a first locking position so as to restrict movement of the ink cartridge toward the ve Z-axis direction, the second locking member is to engage with the hole structure at a second g position so as to restrict movement of the ink cartridge toward the positive Z-axis direction, the first locking position is located on the negative Z-axis direction side and on the positive X-axis direction side of the second g position, and the first locking position is located on the negative Z-axis ion side and on the negative X-axis direction side of the pivot being parallel to the Y axis.

6. The ink cartridge of claim 5, wherein the cartridge-side terminal is ed on a surface ed in the Z axis and in the X axis.

7. The ink cartridge of claim 5 wherein, when the cartridge is mounted on the ink jet printing apparatus, the tus-side al applies a pressing force to the cartridge-side terminal, said force including a positive Z axis direction component.

8. The ink cartridge of claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein the width along the Y axis of the first locking member is narrower than the gap between a pair of wall members of the rotatable lever facing each other along the Y axis, so that the first locking member is guided by the pair of wall members when the cartridge is mounting on the ink jet printing apparatus.

9. An ink catridge for mounting on an ink jet printing apparatus, substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.