US4748460A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-contained non-contact writing device
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1987-01-09
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Granted: 1988-05-31
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Expires: 2007-01-09
Abstract
Abstract A self-contained non-contact writing device is disclosed that employs a thermal ink jet to transfer ink to a writing substrate. The problems associated with conventional direct contact writing devices are avoided by preventing direct contact of the ink transfer mechanism and the writing substrate.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Piatt
- 👤 Harry V. March
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 14:13
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D15/00; G01D15/16; G01D15/18; B; B41; B41J; B41J3/00; B41J3/28; B43; B43K; B43K8/00; B43K8/006; B43K8/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A self-contained, non-contact writing device for use with a drop-on-demand ink jet writing/cartridge of a type having a self-contained ink supply and jetting means for ejecting ink droplets, said device comprising: a. inner housing means for retaining such a writing/cartridge; b. circuit means for energizing the jetting means of a retained writing/cartridge to produce a writing stream of ink droplets; c. conductor means, mounted on said inner housing means, for providing electrical contact between said circuit means and a retained writing/cartridge; d. switching means coupled to said circuit means for activating said circuit means; e. spacer means, coupled to said inner housing means, for providing proper spacing between the jetting means of a retained writing/cartridge and a writing substrate; and f. outer housing means being slidably mounted on said inner housing means and constructed and located for the holding of said device during writing, said switching means being responsive to the movement of said outer housing means over said inner housing means and toward said spacer means to activate said circuit means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
A self-contained, non-contact writing device for use with a drop-on-demand ink jet writing/cartridge of a type having a self-contained ink supply and jetting means for ejecting ink droplets, said device comprising: a. inner housing means for retaining such a writing/cartridge; b. circuit means for energizing the jetting means of a retained writing/cartridge to produce a writing stream of ink droplets; c. conductor means, mounted on said inner housing means, for providing electrical contact between said circuit means and a retained writing/cartridge; d. switching means coupled to said circuit means for activating said circuit means; e. spacer means, coupled to said inner housing means, for providing proper spacing between the jetting means of a retained writing/cartridge and a writing substrate; and f. outer housing means being slidably mounted on said inner housing means and constructed and located for the holding of said device during writing, said switching means being responsive to the movement of said outer housing means over said inner housing means and toward said spacer means to activate said circuit means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
140 words
A self-contained, non-contact writing device comprising: a. an ink jet writing/cartridge having a self-contained ink supply and jetting means for ejecting ink droplets; b. inner housing means for retaining said writing/cartridge; c. an electrical energy source mounted in said inner housing; d. switchable circuit means for electrically coupling said energy source to said writing/cartridge and for actuating said ink jetting means to produce a writing stream of ink droplets; e. spacer means for providing proper writing spacing between said jetting means and a writing substrate; f. outer housing means constructed for the holding of said device and for sliding over said inner housing means, toward and away from said spacer means; and g. switching means electrically responsive to the movement of said outer housing means toward and away from said spacer means to respectively close and open said circuit means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
140 words
A self-contained, non-contact writing device comprising: a. an ink jet writing/cartridge having a self-contained ink supply and jetting means for ejecting ink droplets; b. inner housing means for retaining said writing/cartridge; c. an electrical energy source mounted in said inner housing; d. switchable circuit means for electrically coupling said energy source to said writing/cartridge and for actuating said ink jetting means to produce a writing stream of ink droplets; e. spacer means for providing proper writing spacing between said jetting means and a writing substrate; f. outer housing means constructed for the holding of said device and for sliding over said inner housing means, toward and away from said spacer means; and g. switching means electrically responsive to the movement of said outer housing means toward and away from said spacer means to respectively close and open said circuit means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The invention defined in claim 2 further including spring means for urging said outer housing away from said spacer means to a circuit open condition of said writing device and for yielding to pressure on said outer housing toward said spacer means to allow closing of said switching means.
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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) | 1991-05-31 | 1991-11-30 | 1992-05-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-05-31 | 1995-11-30 | 1996-05-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-05-31 | 1999-11-30 | 2000-05-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |