US RE50,097 E1
Image forming apparatus including cartridge having first storage chamber, cartridge attachment portion having second storage chamber, and recording portion
Akihito Kobayashi, Konan (JP); Akinari Ishibe, Okazaki (JP); Yuma Tanabe, Nagoya (JP); Masahiro Hayashi, Nagoya (JP); and Masatake Sato, Nagoya (JP)
Assigned to BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Aichi (JP)
Filed by BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Nagoya (JP)
Filed on Sep. 30, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/490,062.
Application 17/490,062 is a continuation of application No. 15/663,960, filed on Jul. 31, 2017, granted, now 10,160,219, issued on Dec. 25, 2018.
Application 17/490,062 is a reissue of application No. 16/212,844, filed on Dec. 7, 2018, granted, now 10,850,523, issued on Dec. 1, 2020.
Claims priority of application No. 2016-256031 (JP), filed on Dec. 28, 2016.
Int. Cl. B41J 2/175 (2006.01); B41J 2/19 (2006.01); B41J 29/13 (2006.01); B41J 29/38 (2006.01)
CPC B41J 2/1752 (2013.01) [B41J 2/17503 (2013.01); B41J 2/17513 (2013.01); B41J 2/17523 (2013.01); B41J 2/1753 (2013.01); B41J 2/19 (2013.01); B41J 29/13 (2013.01); B41J 29/38 (2013.01)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
7. An image forming system comprising:
a cartridge comprising:
a first storage chamber configured to store a liquid;
a first air communication portion allowing the first storage chamber to be communicated with an atmosphere;
a supply portion configured to supply the liquid stored in the first storage chamber; and
a first semipermeable membrane blocking the first air communication portion against a flow of the liquid; and
an image forming apparatus comprising:
a cartridge attachment portion comprising:
a connecting portion connectable to the supply portion; and
a tank comprising:
a liquid flow-in port allowing the liquid stored in the first storage chamber and flowing through the connecting portion connected to the supply portion to pass through the liquid flow-in port;
a second storage chamber configured to store the liquid passed through the liquid flow-in port;
a second air communication portion allowing the second storage chamber to be communicated with the atmosphere;
a second semipermeable membrane blocking the second air communication portion against the flow out of the liquid; and
a liquid flow-out port disposed at a position below the liquid flow-in port and allowing the liquid stored in the storage chamber to flow out of the second storage chamber; and
a recording portion comprising a nozzle through which the liquid flowed out of the second storage chamber through the liquid flow-out port is ejected [ ,
wherein the image forming apparatus further comprises:
a detecting portion configured to detect a level of the liquid stored in the second storage chamber and at a position adjacent to the connecting portion, the detecting portion being further configured to output a detection signal; and
a controller configured to:
determine non-existence of the liquid in the first storage chamber according to the detection signal outputted from the detecting portion; and
notify a user of a replacement of the cartridge with a new cartridge] .