Ink cartridge loading mechanism for a printer and a printer having the loading mechanism

摘要

An ink cartridge loading mechanism for a printer is disclosed for lessening the space required to place or replace an ink cartridge in an ink jet printer. To place an ink cartridge 20 in an ink cartridge loading mechanism 10 of a printer, first the ink cartridge 20 is pushed into a receptacle section 50 vertically from the top. Next, an operation lever 65 of a slide mechanism 60 is turned to slide the receptacle section 50 into contact with an ink supply needle 31 horizontally. As a result, a loading state in which the ink supply needle 31 is completely inserted into an ink supply port of the ink cartridge 20 is formed. A large amount of space in the direction of loading of the ink cartridge is not needed. Therefore, there are fewer restrictions on the location of the printer and the amount of space needed for the printer is reduced.