US4667206A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ink jet apparatus and method of operating the ink jet apparatus wherein phase change ink is supplied in solid-state form
Assignee: Ricoh Printing Systems America Inc
•
Filing: 1986-04-21
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Granted: 1987-05-19
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Expires: 2006-04-21
Abstract
Abstract An ink jet apparatus employs phase change ink which may be heated for jetting and is characteristically solid at room temperature. The ink is delivered and then advanced to a melting location in the solid state. At the melting location, the ink is changed to liquid state, whereupon it is jetted. The ink in the solid state takes the form of pellets which are advanced by a carrier.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas W. DeYoung
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 05:14
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/17; B41J2/195; B41J2/175; B41J2/17593
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of operating an ink jet apparatus comprising the following steps: delivering ink in a solid state form in the apparatus; advancing ink in the solid state form in the apparatus; melting the ink so as to change the ink from a solid state to a liquid state; supplying ink in the liquid state to an ink jet; and ejecting droplets of ink from the ink jet.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of operating an ink jet apparatus comprising the following steps: delivering ink in a solid state form in the apparatus; advancing ink in the solid state form in the apparatus; melting the ink so as to change the ink from a solid state to a liquid state; supplying ink in the liquid state to an ink jet; and ejecting droplets of ink from the ink jet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of advancing includes falling under the influence of gravity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said step of advancing includes passing through an opening having substantially the same shape as the ink in solid state form.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said opening is circular and said ink in solid state form is cylindrical.
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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) | 1990-05-18 | 1990-11-17 | 1991-05-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-05-18 | 1994-11-17 | 1995-05-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-05-18 | 1998-11-17 | 1999-05-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |