US 12,441,116 B2
Connection mechanism for a liquid flow passage, and ink-jet recording apparatus
Kikunosuke Tsuji, Osaka (JP)
Assigned to KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc., Osaka (JP)
Appl. No. 18/577,509
Filed by KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc., Osaka (JP)
PCT Filed Jul. 7, 2022, PCT No. PCT/JP2022/026938
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jan. 8, 2024,
PCT Pub. No. WO2023/286688, PCT Pub. Date Jan. 19, 2023.
Claims priority of application No. 2021-117836 (JP), filed on Jul. 16, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2024/0239108 A1, Jul. 18, 2024
Int. Cl. B41J 2/175 (2006.01)
CPC B41J 2/17523 (2013.01) [B41J 2/17596 (2013.01)] 3 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A connection mechanism for a liquid flow passage between an apparatus main body and a container that stores liquid to be fed to the apparatus main body and that is removably mounted in the apparatus main body, the connection mechanism comprising:
a first connecting portion that is provided in the container and that has the liquid flow passage inside; and
a second connecting portion that is provided in the apparatus main body and that has the liquid flow passage inside, the second connecting portion having the first connecting portion removably fitted thereto,
wherein
the first connecting portion includes a joint portion that has the liquid flow passage inside thereof,
the second connecting portion includes
a main body portion,
a cylindrical slide member that is arranged in the main body portion and that is reciprocatable along a liquid feeding direction, the slide member forming the liquid flow passage, and
a check valve that is arranged in a part of an interior of the main body portion downstream of the slide member in the liquid feeding direction, the check valve preventing backflow of the liquid,
the liquid flow passage in the first connecting portion and the liquid flow passage in the second connecting portion are connected together by
inserting the joint portion in the main body portion,
bringing the joint portion into contact with an upstream-side end part of the slide member in the liquid feeding direction, and
pressing the slide member inward in a direction toward the check valve, and
when the joint portion is removed from the main body portion, the slide member moves in a direction away from the check valve while in contact with the joint portion.