US4636814A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Printing apparatus
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1986-01-21
•
Granted: 1987-01-13
•
Expires: 2006-01-21
Abstract
Abstract An ink-jet printer has a tank holding ink therein, an ink-jet printing head for printing on a paper sheet, an ink cartridge for holding a supply ink, electrodes for detecting an ink level in the tank, a feeder for feeding the ink in the ink cartridge to the tank when the electrodes detect that the ink level in the tank is below a predetermined level, a timer circuit for allowing the feeder to supply an extra amount of ink to the tank even after the ink level reaches a normal level, and a warning device for warning the operator if the ink level is not recovered to the normal level within a predetermined period of time after the feeder is operated.
Inventors
- 👤 Koji Terasawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 03:02
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/17; B41J2/175; B41J2/17566
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
244 words
A printing apparatus comprising: first ink storage means for storing ink; printing means for printing by attaching on a printing medium droplets of the ink stored in said first ink storage means; second ink storage means, detachably mounted on said printing apparatus, for storing ink; feeding means adapted to be energized for feeding the ink in said second ink storage means to said first storage means; sensing means for sensing the level of the ink in said first ink storage means and providing a sensing signal when the ink reaches a predetermined level as said feeding means is feeding ink to said first storage means; timer means for timing a first predetermined interval initiated in response to the sensing signal and a second predetermined interval initiated with the energization of said feeding means, which second predetermined interval expires before the first predetermined interval if the first predetermined interval is being timed; and control means for controlling the energization and de-energization of said feeding means such that (a) said feeding means is energized if the level in said first ink storage means is below the predetermined level or in response to the initial mounting of said second ink storage means on said printing apparatus and (b) said feeding means is de-energized at the expiration of the first predetermined interval if the first predetermined interval is being timed and at the end of the second predetermined interval if the first predetermined interval is not being timed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
244 words
A printing apparatus comprising: first ink storage means for storing ink; printing means for printing by attaching on a printing medium droplets of the ink stored in said first ink storage means; second ink storage means, detachably mounted on said printing apparatus, for storing ink; feeding means adapted to be energized for feeding the ink in said second ink storage means to said first storage means; sensing means for sensing the level of the ink in said first ink storage means and providing a sensing signal when the ink reaches a predetermined level as said feeding means is feeding ink to said first storage means; timer means for timing a first predetermined interval initiated in response to the sensing signal and a second predetermined interval initiated with the energization of said feeding means, which second predetermined interval expires before the first predetermined interval if the first predetermined interval is being timed; and control means for controlling the energization and de-energization of said feeding means such that (a) said feeding means is energized if the level in said first ink storage means is below the predetermined level or in response to the initial mounting of said second ink storage means on said printing apparatus and (b) said feeding means is de-energized at the expiration of the first predetermined interval if the first predetermined interval is being timed and at the end of the second predetermined interval if the first predetermined interval is not being timed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
A printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: said timer means includes a first timer for timing the first predetermined interval and providing a first timing signal at the expiration of the first predetermined interval; and the apparatus further comprising warning means for providing a warning signal that can be perceived by an operator, the warning signal being initiated in response to energization of said feeding means and terminated in response to the first timing signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
78 words
A printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: said timer means includes a second timer for timing the second predetermined interval and providing a second timing signal at the expiration of the second predetermined interval; and said warning means provides the warning signal in a first state in response to energization of said feeding means and in a second state in response to the second timing signal, unless said first timer has begun timing the first predetermined interval.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
A printing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising detection means for providing a detection signal in response to the initial mounting of said second ink storage means on said printing apparatus, wherein the warning signal goes from the second state to the first state in response to the detection signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said warning means includes a lamp which is steadily lit in the first state and flashes in the second state.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said timer means times a predetermined equalizing interval initiated with the initiation of the timing of the first predetermined interval and which is longer than the first predetermined interval.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
A printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said first ink storage means includes a vent to atmosphere and the equalizing interval is chosen to enable the pressure in the interior of said first ink storage means to equalize with the atmosphere after ink is fed thereto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
A printing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising warning means for providing a warning signal that can be perceived by an operator, the warning signal being initiated in response to energization of said feeding means and terminated in response to expiration of the equalizing interval.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-01-12 | 1990-07-14 | 1991-01-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-01-12 | 1994-07-14 | 1995-01-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-01-12 | 1998-07-14 | 1999-01-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |