Ink tank, ink tank-integrated head cartridge having the tank and ink head constructed integrally, and ink jet printing apparatus having the ink tank or head cartridge

摘要

An ink absorbing member is inserted in an ink tank housing which at least partly has a transparent portion. Used as this ink absorbing member is one having a reflection density after ink removal which is close to the reflection density of a melamine foam before ink injection. The amount of ink remaining in a cartridge of such a construction can be detected, for example, by a separate line sensor. The results of detection by the line sensor can be displayed by a remaining ink amount indicator provided on a control panel of the printing apparatus.