| 摘要 |
PURPOSE:To detect residual ink in a flat ink container with a high accuracy by a method in which a sheet is set between the inner surface of cassette and an ink bag, and the positions of the sheet varying with the reduction of ink amount are detected. CONSTITUTION:When an ink bag 1 filled with ink 2, a sheet 19 is pressed upwards in the ink bat 1. Since a detector plate 19b is also positioned above a hole 22, light emitted from a luminous means 23 is received by a light receiver 24, the residue of ink is detected by signal from the light receiver 24, and the detected results are notified by an alarm 28. On the other hand, as ink is used, the sheet 19 is pushed downwards by a spring 19a provided to both ends, the detector plate 19b is projected from the hole 22 to interupt the light path, signal from the light receiver 24 is stopped, the absence of residual ink is detected, and the detected results are notified by the alarm 28. Even when a magnetic detector is used for the optical detector, the same effects can be obtained. |
