US4794409A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ink jet pen having improved ink storage and distribution capabilities
Assignee: HP Inc
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Filing: 1987-12-03
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Granted: 1988-12-27
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Expires: 2007-12-03
Abstract
Abstract An ink jet pen (or other similar fluid delivery system) wherein primary and secondary ink reservoirs and an ink jet printhead are all interconnected by way of a porous ink-transfer member. The ink will pass directly from the primary ink reservoir to the printhead under a normal or predetermined range of temperatures and pressures. However, for temperatures and pressures outside this range, the secondary reservoir will be brought into operation to give or receive ink to or from the porous ink transfer member and thereby serve to maintain a substantially constant backpressure at the printhead.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce Cowger
- 👤 Robert Beeson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 06:09
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/17; B41J2/175; B41J2/17503; B41J2/17513
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
An ink jet pen comprising: a. a pen body housing having a primary ink reservoir section, a secondary ink reservoir section and printhead support section, with said sections being adjacent to one another, and a passageway interconnecting all of said sections for passing ink from said primary ink reservoir section to both said secondary ink reservoir section and said printhead support section, b. a porous member mounted between said passageway and both said printhead support section and said secondary ink reservoir section for passing ink thereto during an ink jet printing operation and for passing ink back and forth between said primary and secondary reservoirs and through said porous member during changes in temperature and pressure within said pen, and c. a printhead member mounted on said printhead support section for receiving ink from said porous member during ink jet printing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
An ink jet pen comprising: a. a pen body housing having a primary ink reservoir section, a secondary ink reservoir section and printhead support section, with said sections being adjacent to one another, and a passageway interconnecting all of said sections for passing ink from said primary ink reservoir section to both said secondary ink reservoir section and said printhead support section, b. a porous member mounted between said passageway and both said printhead support section and said secondary ink reservoir section for passing ink thereto during an ink jet printing operation and for passing ink back and forth between said primary and secondary reservoirs and through said porous member during changes in temperature and pressure within said pen, and c. a printhead member mounted on said printhead support section for receiving ink from said porous member during ink jet printing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ink jet pen defined in claim 1 wherein said porous member is a reticulated fomm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The ink jet pen defined in claim 1 wherein said printhead member is a thin film resistor type thermal ink jet printhead.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
112 words
A fluid delivery system from which fluid is drawn from a primary reservoir and through an output orifice plate characterized in that a secondary reservoir is positioned adjacent said primary reservoir and that a porous fluid transfer member is positioned between said primary and secondary reservoirs, between said primary reservoir and said orifice plate, and between said secondary reservoir and said orifice plate, and means for creating a capillary pressure differential from one side of said fluid transfer member to the other, whereby fluid can be drawn into or out of said secondary reservoir and from or to said fluid transfer member, respectively, with changes in temperature and pressure of the fluid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
112 words
A fluid delivery system from which fluid is drawn from a primary reservoir and through an output orifice plate characterized in that a secondary reservoir is positioned adjacent said primary reservoir and that a porous fluid transfer member is positioned between said primary and secondary reservoirs, between said primary reservoir and said orifice plate, and between said secondary reservoir and said orifice plate, and means for creating a capillary pressure differential from one side of said fluid transfer member to the other, whereby fluid can be drawn into or out of said secondary reservoir and from or to said fluid transfer member, respectively, with changes in temperature and pressure of the fluid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fluid delivery system defined in claim 4 wherein said orifice plate is part of an ink jet printhead.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The fluid delivery system defined in claim 4 wherein said primary and secondary reservoirs are bounded by a common wall having an opening therein for passing fluid to said fluid transfer member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The fluid delivery system defined in claim 6 wherein a sill extends from said common wall into said fluid transfer member to increase the local capillarity thereof and aid in creating a pressure differential within said fluid transfer member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system defined in claim 7 wherein said orifice plate is part of an ink jet printhead.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system defined in claim 8 wherein said fluid transfer member is a porous foam material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4630758A
Cited
US4689641A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-12-27 | 1992-06-27 | 1992-12-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-12-27 | 1996-06-27 | 1996-12-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-12-27 | 2000-06-27 | 2000-12-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |