US4609924A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Buffer reservoir for ink jet apparatus and method
Assignee: Exxon Mobil Corp
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Filing: 1984-10-15
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Granted: 1986-09-02
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Expires: 2004-10-15
Abstract
Abstract Hot melt ink is maintained in a solid state at a fixed location along with a smaller quantity of liquid ink in a buffer reservoir at the same location. When ink is called for in the reservoir of a scanning imaging head, the head is moved to a position coupled to the buffer reservoir whereupon the previously melted ink from the solid state supply may be coupled into the reservoir of the imaging head.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas W. De Young
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:32
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/17; B41J2/175; B41J2/17593
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of operating an ink jet apparatus comprising means for storing ink in solid state at a fixed location, scanning at least one ink jet and an associated reservoir along a series of locations, moving said at least one ink jet and associated reservoir with respect to said fixed location on demand, and melting said solid state ink on demand, the improvement comprising: filling a buffer reservoir for ink with the melted ink on demand with a first volume of ink; subsequently filling said associated reservoir with the melted ink from said buffer reservoir with a lesser volume of ink than said first volume; supplying melted ink from said associated reservoir to said at least one jet; and repeatedly filling said associated reservoir and supplying melted ink to said at least one jet before again filling said buffer reservoir.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of operating an ink jet apparatus comprising means for storing ink in solid state at a fixed location, scanning at least one ink jet and an associated reservoir along a series of locations, moving said at least one ink jet and associated reservoir with respect to said fixed location on demand, and melting said solid state ink on demand, the improvement comprising: filling a buffer reservoir for ink with the melted ink on demand with a first volume of ink; subsequently filling said associated reservoir with the melted ink from said buffer reservoir with a lesser volume of ink than said first volume; supplying melted ink from said associated reservoir to said at least one jet; and repeatedly filling said associated reservoir and supplying melted ink to said at least one jet before again filling said buffer reservoir.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1 including the following steps: maintaining said buffer reservoir in a fixed position coupled to said means for storing ink; and moving said associated reservoir to a position coupled to said buffer reservoir; and filling said associated reservoir with melted ink from said buffer reservoir.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 including the following steps: heating said buffer reservoir so as to continuously maintain the melted ink in said buffer reservoir in a liquid state.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1 including the following steps: sensing the level of ink in said buffer reservoir; and heating the ink in the solid state in response to the sensing so as to melt the ink for filling the buffer reservoir.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 including the following steps: sensing the level of ink in said associated reservoir; and filling said associated reservoir with melted ink from the buffer reservoir in response to the sensing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 5 including the following steps: sensing the position of the scanning head; and filling said associated reservoir in response to the sensing of said level and said position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
103 words
Ink jet apparatus comprising a scanning ink jet head having a head reservoir and at least one ink jet, solid state ink supply means mounted in a fixed location and means for heating and melting the ink from solid state supply means on demand, the improvement comprising buffer reservoir means coupled to said supply means and said head reservoir for receiving melted ink on demand and subsequently supplying said melted ink to said head reservoir, said buffer reservoir having a substantially greater capacity than the head reservoir; and means for permitting the filling of said head reservoir periodically without filling said buffer reservoir.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
103 words
Ink jet apparatus comprising a scanning ink jet head having a head reservoir and at least one ink jet, solid state ink supply means mounted in a fixed location and means for heating and melting the ink from solid state supply means on demand, the improvement comprising buffer reservoir means coupled to said supply means and said head reservoir for receiving melted ink on demand and subsequently supplying said melted ink to said head reservoir, said buffer reservoir having a substantially greater capacity than the head reservoir; and means for permitting the filling of said head reservoir periodically without filling said buffer reservoir.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
Ink jet apparatus of claim 7 wherein said buffer reservoir is mounted in a fixed location.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 7 wherein said buffer reservoir comprises heater means for maintaining the liquid ink in the liquid state.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 7 wherein said buffer reservoir comprises level sensing means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The ink jet apparatus of claim 7 wherein said buffer reservoir comprises valve means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3653932A
Cited
US4178595A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-09-01 | 1990-03-03 | 1990-09-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-09-01 | 1994-03-03 | 1994-09-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-09-01 | 1998-03-03 | 1998-09-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |