US4630758A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid tank
Assignee: Minolta Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1983-02-03
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Granted: 1986-12-23
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Expires: 2003-02-03
Abstract
Abstract A liquid tank structure for reducing hydrostatic pressure at an outlet thereof. The structure has a liquid container having an outlet at its lower portion, and a capillary member within the liquid container for exerting a force on a liquid therein in a direction opposite to the hydrostatic pressure of the liquid at the outlet for reducing the hydrostatic pressure at the outlet.
Inventors
- 👤 Masayuki Mutoh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 10:57
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/17; B41J2/175
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
A liquid tank structure for reducing hydrostatic pressure at an outlet thereof, comprising a liquid container having an outlet at its lower portion, a capillary member within said liquid container for contacting a liquid therein to exert an upward force on the liquid for reducing the hydrostatic pressure at the outlet, said capillary member having a gradually decreasing apparent mean pore size in the upward direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
66 words
A liquid tank structure for reducing hydrostatic pressure at an outlet thereof, comprising a liquid container having an outlet at its lower portion, a capillary member within said liquid container for contacting a liquid therein to exert an upward force on the liquid for reducing the hydrostatic pressure at the outlet, said capillary member having a gradually decreasing apparent mean pore size in the upward direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
82 words
A liquid tank structure for reducing hydrostatic pressure at an outlet thereof, comprising a liquid container having an outlet at its lower portion, a capillary member within said liquid container for contacting a liquid therein to exert an upward force on the liquid for reducing the hydrostatic pressure at the outlet, said capillary member comprising a plurality of foamed metal portions superposed in layers on each other and the pore sizes of which decrease from layer to layer in the upward direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
82 words
A liquid tank structure for reducing hydrostatic pressure at an outlet thereof, comprising a liquid container having an outlet at its lower portion, a capillary member within said liquid container for contacting a liquid therein to exert an upward force on the liquid for reducing the hydrostatic pressure at the outlet, said capillary member comprising a plurality of foamed metal portions superposed in layers on each other and the pore sizes of which decrease from layer to layer in the upward direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
86 words
A liquid tank structure for reducing hydrostatic pressure at an outlet thereof, comprising a liquid container having an outlet at its lower portion, a capillary member within said liquid container for contacting a liquid therein to exert an upward force on the liquid for reducing the hydrostatic pressure at the outlet, said capillary member being a foamed porous metal piece having a gradually decreasing apparent mean pore size in the upward direction for exerting a capillary action on the liquid which increases in the upward direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
86 words
A liquid tank structure for reducing hydrostatic pressure at an outlet thereof, comprising a liquid container having an outlet at its lower portion, a capillary member within said liquid container for contacting a liquid therein to exert an upward force on the liquid for reducing the hydrostatic pressure at the outlet, said capillary member being a foamed porous metal piece having a gradually decreasing apparent mean pore size in the upward direction for exerting a capillary action on the liquid which increases in the upward direction.
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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) | 1989-12-22 | 1990-06-23 | 1990-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-12-22 | 1994-06-23 | 1994-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-12-22 | 1998-06-23 | 1998-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |