US4700754A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Arrangement for controlling the level of an ink container
Assignee: US Philips Corp
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Filing: 1986-06-30
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Granted: 1987-10-20
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Expires: 2006-06-30
Abstract
Abstract An arrangement for indicating the refilling level of a collapsible ink container (1,2) comprising a measuring circuit having an alternating voltage source (U˜) to form an electric control signal which depends on the capacitance (8) between the liquid ink and an electrically conductive coating (5) which is insulated with respect to the ink by the wall of the ink container wherein the electrically conductive coating (5) is provided on the outside of the lower part (1) of the ink container.
Inventors
- 👤 Horst Kringe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:17
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/26; G01F23/263; G01F23/268; B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/17; B41J2/175; B41J2/17566
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
An arrangement for indicating the refilling level of a collapsible ink container comprising a measuring circuit having an alternating voltage source said circuit producing an electric control signal which depends on the capacitance between the liquid ink and an electrically conductive coating which is insulated with respect to the ink by the wall of the ink container, wherein the ink container comprises a lower part (1) and a flexible collapsible upper part (2) and that the electrically conductive coating (5) is provided on the outside of the lower part (1).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
An arrangement for indicating the refilling level of a collapsible ink container comprising a measuring circuit having an alternating voltage source said circuit producing an electric control signal which depends on the capacitance between the liquid ink and an electrically conductive coating which is insulated with respect to the ink by the wall of the ink container, wherein the ink container comprises a lower part (1) and a flexible collapsible upper part (2) and that the electrically conductive coating (5) is provided on the outside of the lower part (1).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control signal (11) is formed by the voltage drop at the series arrangement of the capacitance and the ohmic resistance of the liquid ink.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein the series arrangement of the capacitance and the ohmic resistance of the liquid ink forms a branch of a bridge circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the electrically conductive coating (5) is connected to earth potential and a metallic electrode applies an alternating voltage to the liquid ink.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4626874A
Cited
US4551734A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-10-19 | 1991-04-20 | 1991-10-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-10-19 | 1995-04-20 | 1995-10-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-10-19 | 1999-04-20 | 1999-10-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |