US4367479A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for purging and/or priming an ink jet
Assignee: Exxon Mobil Corp
•
Filing: 1980-11-03
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Granted: 1983-01-04
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Expires: 2000-11-03
Abstract
Abstract A catcher is associated with the nozzle of the jet. The catcher includes a chamber around the nozzle with an opening in the chamber for withdrawing ink and an opening for projecting droplets of ink therethrough.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth W. Bower
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:45
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/135; B41J2/165; B41J2/16517; B41J2/1652; B41J2/16526; B41J2/17; B41J2/1707; B41J2/18; B41J2/185; B41J2002/1853
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
Ink jet apparatus comprising an ink reservoir, an ink jet nozzle terminating in an orifice, supply means coupling said reservoir to said orifice, and means for forcing the ink from said reservoir to said orifice during priming and/or purging, the improvement comprising an ink catcher chamber located immediately adjacent and fixedly mounted with respect to said nozzle and means for withdrawing ink from said chamber during priming and/or purging, said nozzle extending into said chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
Ink jet apparatus comprising an ink reservoir, an ink jet nozzle terminating in an orifice, supply means coupling said reservoir to said orifice, and means for forcing the ink from said reservoir to said orifice during priming and/or purging, the improvement comprising an ink catcher chamber located immediately adjacent and fixedly mounted with respect to said nozzle and means for withdrawing ink from said chamber during priming and/or purging, said nozzle extending into said chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 1 wherein said nozzle is sealed in said chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 1 wherein said chamber includes a droplet projection opening substantially aligned with said orifice so as to permit droplets of ink to project therethrough and an ink withdrawal opening substantially nonaligned with said orifice in communication with said withdrawing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 3 wherein said droplet projection opening is substantially larger than said orifice.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 1 or 3 wherein said chamber is sealed to and around said orifice.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 1 or 3 further comprising tubular means extending into said chamber and having said withdrawal opening located at one end thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 3 wherein said chamber includes closure means adapted to open and close said projection opening.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 7 wherein said closure means comprises a sliding member and said chamber includes a wall having said projection opening therein, said closure means adapted to slidingly cooperate with said wall to open and close said projection opening.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 3 further comprising tubular means extending into said chamber and having said withdrawal opening located at one end thereof, said tubular means having a face at said opening substantially inclined with respect to the axis of said orifice.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 9 further comprising tubular means extending into said chamber and having said withdrawal opening located at one end thereof, said tubular means having a face at said opening substantially inclined with respect to the axis of said orifice.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 9 wherein said face is inclined at an angle of 30°-60° with respect to said axis such that said face generally points away from said orifice.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 9 wherein said face is inclined at an angle of 30°-60° with respect to said axis such that said face generally points away from said orifice.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 12 wherein said face is also inclined at an angle of 30°-60° with respect to the axis of said withdrawal opening.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
59 words
Ink jet apparatus comprising an ink reservoir, an ink jet orifice, supply means coupling said reservoir to said orifice, and means for projecting droplets of ink from said orifice, the improvement comprising a chamber having a droplet projection opening juxtaposed to and located externally of said orifice, said chamber including movable closure means for opening and closing said opening.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
59 words
Ink jet apparatus comprising an ink reservoir, an ink jet orifice, supply means coupling said reservoir to said orifice, and means for projecting droplets of ink from said orifice, the improvement comprising a chamber having a droplet projection opening juxtaposed to and located externally of said orifice, said chamber including movable closure means for opening and closing said opening.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 14 wherein said closure means comprises a sliding member and said chamber includes a wall having said projection opening therein, said closure adapted to slidingly cooperate with said wall to open and close said projection opening.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 14 further comprising means coupled to and permitting said closure means to slide juxtaposed outwardly of said orifice.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 14 wherein said orifice is sealed off by said closure means.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of operating an ink jet apparatus comprising an ink jet orifice, a chamber surrounding said orifice outwardly thereof and a droplet projection opening justaposed to said orifice, the method comprising the following steps: flooding said chamber with ink through said orifice; withdrawing the ink from said flooded chamber; and projecting droplets of ink from said chamber.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of operating an ink jet apparatus comprising an ink jet orifice, a chamber surrounding said orifice outwardly thereof and a droplet projection opening justaposed to said orifice, the method comprising the following steps: flooding said chamber with ink through said orifice; withdrawing the ink from said flooded chamber; and projecting droplets of ink from said chamber.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said apparatus further comprises movable closure means for opening and closing said droplet projection opening, said method comprising the following additional steps: closing said opening before flooding; and opening said opening after withdrawing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 19 including the following additional step: continuing withdrawing after opening said opening.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 18, 19 or 20 wherein said step of withdrawing comprises the application of a substantial vacuum to said chamber.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-01-03 | 1986-07-05 | 1987-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-01-03 | 1990-07-05 | 1991-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-01-03 | 1994-07-05 | 1995-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |