US4680696A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ink jet recorder with improved system for transporting ink to or from recording heads
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1986-09-29
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Granted: 1987-07-14
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Expires: 2006-09-29
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 the open/close states of the switching means and operation condition of the pump, a 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 04:11
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/17; B41J2/175
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
343 words
An ink-jet recorder comprising: a head having a plurality of head elements for discharging ink to record a pattern; a first tank for storing ink to be supplied to said head elements; a second tank for storing ink to be supplied to said first tank; and an ink transport system for transporting the ink among said head elements, said first tank and said second tank; said ink transport system including: (a) first distribution means connected to a head port for each said head element; (b) second distribution means connected to another head port for each said head element; (c) first transport means arranged between said first tank and said first distribution means to form a first transport path for the ink; (d) first switching means arranged in said first transport means to selectively block said first transport path; (e) swcond transport means arranged between said first tank and said second distribution means to form a second transport path for the ink; (f) second switching means arranged in said second transport means to selectively block said second transport path; (g) a pump disposed in said second transport means between said first tank and said second switching means and having a first port connecting to said first tank and a second port connecting to said second switching means, said pump being operable in a first direction to transport the ink from said second port to said first port in a second direction to transport the ink from said port to said second port; (h) third transport means connected to said second tank and having back-flow prevention means for regulating the flow of ink to only the direction flowing from said second tank, said third transport means transporting the ink from said second tank to said second port; and (i) third switching means for opening an air chamber in said first tank to atmosphere while ink is flowing through said first or second distribution means to or from said head elements, whereby ink can be transported through said ink transport system without escaping to the atmosphere.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
343 words
An ink-jet recorder comprising: a head having a plurality of head elements for discharging ink to record a pattern; a first tank for storing ink to be supplied to said head elements; a second tank for storing ink to be supplied to said first tank; and an ink transport system for transporting the ink among said head elements, said first tank and said second tank; said ink transport system including: (a) first distribution means connected to a head port for each said head element; (b) second distribution means connected to another head port for each said head element; (c) first transport means arranged between said first tank and said first distribution means to form a first transport path for the ink; (d) first switching means arranged in said first transport means to selectively block said first transport path; (e) swcond transport means arranged between said first tank and said second distribution means to form a second transport path for the ink; (f) second switching means arranged in said second transport means to selectively block said second transport path; (g) a pump disposed in said second transport means between said first tank and said second switching means and having a first port connecting to said first tank and a second port connecting to said second switching means, said pump being operable in a first direction to transport the ink from said second port to said first port in a second direction to transport the ink from said port to said second port; (h) third transport means connected to said second tank and having back-flow prevention means for regulating the flow of ink to only the direction flowing from said second tank, said third transport means transporting the ink from said second tank to said second port; and (i) third switching means for opening an air chamber in said first tank to atmosphere while ink is flowing through said first or second distribution means to or from said head elements, whereby ink can be transported through said ink transport system without escaping to the atmosphere.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
An ink jet recorder according to claim 1 wherein a print mode for recording a pattern is established by opening said first and third switching means, closing said second switching means and stopping said pump.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
An ink jet recorder according to claim 1 wherein a supply mode for supplying the ink from said second tank to said first tank is established by opening said first and third switching means, closing said second switching means and operating said pump in said first direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
An ink jet recorder according to claim 1 wherein a circulation mode for circulating the ink is established by opening said first, second and third switching means and operating said pump in said second direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
An ink jet recorder according to claim 1 wherein a pressure mode for pressurizing the ink is established by closing said first switching means, opening said second and third switching means and operating said pump in said second direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
An ink jet recorder according to claim 1 wherein a store mode for storing the ink is established by closing said first, second and third switching means and stopping said pump.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
An ink jet recorder according to claim 1 wherein said first tank includes a portion able to communicate between an ink reservoir and said air chamber and a sensor for detecting a level of the ink stored in said first tank arranged externally of said portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
An ink jet recorder according to claim 1 wherein said area is formed by recessing a portion of an upper surface of said first tank and forming a projection rising from the recess.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
An ink jet recorder according to claim 8 wherein said area spreads as it goes toward the bottom of said first tank.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
80 words
An ink jet recorder according to claim 1 wherein said ink transport system includes an ink supply connecting member having a connecting element connectable to the ink path, and said ink supply connecting member includes a first connecting member having a valve which blocks said ink path when said connecting element is removed, and a second connecting member having a valve actuator for actuating said valve to connect said ink path when said connecting element is in a connection position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
An ink jet recorder according to claim 1 wherein said ink transport system can be separated by separation members which connect said head and other elements of said ink transport system to enable the ink transport therebetween.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
64 words
An ink jet recorder according to claim 1 wherein said second tank is connected to a main body of the recorder by a connecting member for removably connecting said second tank to the main body of the recorder, and said connecting member has a resilient support for resiliently supporting said connecting member and permitting a displacement of said connecting member in a predetermined planer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
An ink-jet recorder according to claim 12 wherein said resilient support has a pair of leaf spring members of a symmetric shape, and said connecting member is held by said pair of leaf spring members.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
90 words
An ink jet recorder comprising: recording means including a head for discharging ink to effect a recording operation; supply means for supplying the ink to said recording means; and supporting means for removably supporting said recording means and said supply means at either side of said supporting means to connect said recording means and said supply means together, wherein said supporting means includes transfer means for transferring ink between said recording means and said supply means when said recording means and said supply means are mounted on said supporting means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
90 words
An ink jet recorder comprising: recording means including a head for discharging ink to effect a recording operation; supply means for supplying the ink to said recording means; and supporting means for removably supporting said recording means and said supply means at either side of said supporting means to connect said recording means and said supply means together, wherein said supporting means includes transfer means for transferring ink between said recording means and said supply means when said recording means and said supply means are mounted on said supporting means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
An ink jet recorder according to claim 14, wherein said recording means includes head drive means for driving said head.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
91 words
An ink jet recorder comprising: a plurality of heads for discharging ink to effect recording; a tank for storing the ink to be supplied to said heads; and distribution means connected to said tank and said heads and including a first flow path for distributing the ink stored in said tank among said plurality of heads and a second flow path for returning ink from said heads to said tank, whereby ink can flow through said first and second flow paths to or from said heads without escaping to the atmosphere.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
91 words
An ink jet recorder comprising: a plurality of heads for discharging ink to effect recording; a tank for storing the ink to be supplied to said heads; and distribution means connected to said tank and said heads and including a first flow path for distributing the ink stored in said tank among said plurality of heads and a second flow path for returning ink from said heads to said tank, whereby ink can flow through said first and second flow paths to or from said heads without escaping to the atmosphere.
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) | 1990-07-13 | 1991-01-12 | 1991-07-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-07-13 | 1995-01-12 | 1995-07-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-07-13 | 1999-01-12 | 1999-07-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |