US4610202A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ink reservoir
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1984-12-20
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Granted: 1986-09-09
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Expires: 2004-12-20
Abstract
Abstract An ink jet recorder comprises a first tank as an ink supply source, a second tank as an ink supply source for the first tank, and three switching means and a pump arranged in an ink supply path. By controlling open/close states of the switching means and operation condition of the pump, print mode, supply mode, pressure mode, circulation mode or store mode can be selectively established.
Inventors
- 👤 Ryuichi Ebinuma
- 👤 Yoshifumi Hattori
- 👤 Hiroo Ichihashi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:12
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/17; B41J2/175
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
An ink reservoir for storing ink to be supplied to a print head, said ink reservoir comprising: a tank for storing ink to be supplied to the print head; an ink level measurement area in said tank; and a sensor for detecting the ink level of the ink stored in said tank, said sensor being arranged outside of said ink level measurement area said tank has a top surface, and wherein a portion of said top surface of said tank has a recess defined therein and a projection is defined rising from said recess, said projection defining said ink level measurement area, and said tank has a bottom and wherein said ink level measurement area becomes wider toward said bottom of said tank.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
An ink reservoir for storing ink to be supplied to a print head, said ink reservoir comprising: a tank for storing ink to be supplied to the print head; an ink level measurement area in said tank; and a sensor for detecting the ink level of the ink stored in said tank, said sensor being arranged outside of said ink level measurement area said tank has a top surface, and wherein a portion of said top surface of said tank has a recess defined therein and a projection is defined rising from said recess, said projection defining said ink level measurement area, and said tank has a bottom and wherein said ink level measurement area becomes wider toward said bottom of said tank.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
An ink reservoir according to claim 1 wherein said ink level measurement area is disposed at the center of said top surface of said tank.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
An ink reservoir according to claim 1 wherein said sensor comprises a pair of electrodes and the ink level is detected by means of an electrostatic capacitance between said electrodes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
An ink reservoir according to claim 1 wherein said ink level measurement area is made of transparent material and said sensor comprises a pair of photocouplers so that the ink level is detected by the transmission of light.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
An ink reservoir according to claim 1 wherein said ink level measurement area is disposed at the center of said top surface of said tank.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
An ink reservoir according to claim 1 wherein said sensor comprises a pair of electrodes and the ink level is detected by means of an electrostatic capacitance between said electrodes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
An ink reservoir according to claim 1 wherein said ink level measurement area is made of tansparent material and said sensor comprises a pair of photocouplers so that the ink level is detected by the transmission of light.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
An ink reservoir according to claim 1 wherein said ink level measurement area is disposed at the center of said top surface of said tank.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
An ink reservoir according to claim 1 wherein said sensor comprises a pair of electrodes and the ink level is detected by means of an electrostatic capacitance between said electrodes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
An ink reservoir according to claim 1 wherein said ink level measurement area is made of transparent material and said sensor comprises a pair of photocouplers so that the ink level is detected by the transmission of light.
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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) | 1989-09-08 | 1990-03-10 | 1990-09-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-09-08 | 1994-03-10 | 1994-09-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-09-08 | 1998-03-10 | 1998-09-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |