IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,511,548
Granted Patent B2
US 11,511,548 · App. 17/154,720 · Granted Nov 29, 2022

Liquid ejection apparatus and liquid tank

Inventors: Masaya Uyama (Kanagawa, JP); Souta Takeuchi (Kanagawa, JP); Takumi Shimoda (Kanagawa, JP)
Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
B41J2/17566B41J2002/17573
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,511,548
App. No.
17/154,720
Granted
Nov 29, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A liquid ejection apparatus includes a housing provided at least with an upper surface and side surfaces, and a liquid tank that is arranged in the housing and is refillable with a liquid from outside. A display unit that indicates a remaining liquid amount in the liquid tank is arranged at least at one of joining portions each joining the upper surface to one of the side surfaces.

Claims (25)

1. A liquid ejection apparatus comprising:

a housing at least including at least an upper surface and a front surface;

a liquid tank being arranged in the housing and being refillable with a liquid from outside; and

a visual recognition mechanism configured to enable a user to visually recognize a remaining liquid amount in the liquid tank from the front surface and the upper surface of the housing,

wherein the liquid tank includes plural surfaces including first and second surfaces which are parallel to the front surface of the housing and which are each formed with a transparent component,

wherein the visual recognition mechanism includes

an upper surface observation window provided to the upper surface of the housing,

a front surface observation window provided to the front surface of the housing, and

a light reflection member provided at a position corresponding to both the upper surface observation window and the front surface observation window, and

wherein the upper surface observation window is provided with a mirror.

2. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the visual recognition mechanism enables the user to visually recognize a level of a liquid surface in the liquid tank from the front surface and from the upper surface.

3. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein an angle of the mirror is adjustable.

4. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the visual recognition mechanism further includes

a partition member provided in the liquid tank and configured to allow communication of the liquid in the liquid tank,

wherein a surface of the liquid tank opposed to the upper surface observation window is formed with a transparent component.

5. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the partition member has a predetermined gradient relative to a direction of gravitational force.

6. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein

the partition member is installed in the liquid tank in such a way as to pass through a point of intersection of

an extension of a side extending toward the liquid tank on an upper side in a direction of gravitational force of the front surface observation window, and

an extension of a side extending toward the liquid tank on a rear surface side, being opposite to the front surface, of the upper surface observation window.

7. A liquid tank configured to be installed in a housing of a liquid ejection apparatus and to be refillable with a liquid from outside in a state of being installed in the housing, the housing including at least an upper surface observation window provided with a mirror and provided to an upper surface of the housing, a front surface observation window provided to a front surface of the housing, and a light reflection member provided at a position corresponding to both the upper surface observation window and the front surface observation window, the liquid tank comprising:

plural surfaces including a surface which is opposed to the upper surface observation window and which is formed with a transparent component, and first and second surfaces which are parallel to the front surface of the housing and which are each formed with a transparent component, in the state of the liquid tank being installed in the housing, respectively; and

a partition member provided in the liquid tank in such a way as to have a predetermined gradient relative to a direction of gravitational force and configured to allow communication of the liquid in the liquid tank.

8. The liquid tank according to claim 7 , wherein the partition member is in contact with a bottom surface and an upper surface of the liquid tank.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 10, 2021
From: UYAMA, MASAYA; TAKEUCHI, SOUTA; SHIMODA, TAKUMI
To: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 055541/0443 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP JP2020-014824 · Jan 31, 2020 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20210237462A1 · Aug 5, 2021
Cited By (1)
US 12,220,924