US4823146A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cartridge and method of using a cartridge for phase change ink in an ink jet apparatus
Assignee: Ricoh Printing Systems America Inc
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Filing: 1988-03-31
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Granted: 1989-04-18
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Expires: 2008-03-31
Abstract
Abstract An improved cartridge for containing a pellet of hot melt or phase change ink in an ink jet apparatus having at least one ink jet, a reservoir for containing and melting the hot melt or phase change ink from its solid state to a liquid state, and a receiver adapted to receive the cartridge, wherein the receiver includes an outlet at the base thereof for flowing liquified ink into the reservoir, and wherein the pellet is comprised of a size and shape so as to substantially fill the receiving means. The improvement consists of a hollow member of a predetermined geometry corresponding substantially to the geometry of the receiver, open at one end and deformable so as to permit the discharge of the pellet contained within the member through its open end, a retainer for the pellet, and a seal at the open end to protect against contamination of the ink.
Inventors
- 👤 Theodore M. Cooke
- 👤 Arthur Mikalsen
- 👤 Ernest O. Belmont
- 👤 R. H. Van Brimer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:12
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/17; B41J2/175; B41J2/17593
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
An improved cartridge for containing a pellet of hot melt ink in an ink jet apparatus having at least one ink jet, a reservoir for containing and melting hot melt ink in its solid state, and means for receiving the cartridge, said receiving means including an outlet at a base thereof for flowing ink into said reservoir, and said pellet being of a size and shape so as to substantially fill said receiving means, wherein the improvement comprises in combination therewith: a member, open at one end and deformable so as to permit the discharge of said pellet contained therein through said open end, said member having a predetermined geometry corresponding to the geometry of said receiving means; means for retaining said pellet in said member; and means for sealing said open end.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
An improved cartridge for containing a pellet of hot melt ink in an ink jet apparatus having at least one ink jet, a reservoir for containing and melting hot melt ink in its solid state, and means for receiving the cartridge, said receiving means including an outlet at a base thereof for flowing ink into said reservoir, and said pellet being of a size and shape so as to substantially fill said receiving means, wherein the improvement comprises in combination therewith: a member, open at one end and deformable so as to permit the discharge of said pellet contained therein through said open end, said member having a predetermined geometry corresponding to the geometry of said receiving means; means for retaining said pellet in said member; and means for sealing said open end.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The improvement according to claim 1, wherein said member is open at both ends.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The improvement according to claim 2, further comprising flexible means for sealing said other open end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improvement according to claim 1, wherein said retaining means comprises a rib formed on an interior wall of said member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The improvement according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined geometry of said member comprises a substantially tubular-shape.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improvement according to claim 1, wherein said member comprises an aluminum cup having formed at its open end a flange adapted to be mated with said receiving means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The improvement according to claim 6, wherein said retaining means comprises a portion of said cup at its open end, said portion having a substantially elliptical cross-section adapted to be deformed thereby releasing said pellet from said cup.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The improvement according to claim 1, wherein said member comprises a first portion proximate said open end, said first portion having a wall of predetermined thickness, and a second portion at the other end of said member, said second portion having a wall thickness less than said predetermined thickness.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improvement according to claim 8, further comprising a deformable portion attached to and sealing said second portion.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of storing hot melt ink for use in an ink jet apparatus having at least one ink jet, a reservoir for containing and melting the hot melt ink from its solid state form to a liquid state form, and means for receiving a pellet of hot melt ink in the solid state form, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a deformable, hollow member, open at one end thereof; (b) filling said member with a predetermined quantity of hot melt ink in the liquid state form; (c) allowing the member to cool with the quantity of hot melt ink therein so as to permit the hot melt ink in the liquid state form to revert to the solid state form, thereby forming the pellet; (d) providing means for retaining the pellet within said member; and (e) sealing said open end so as to prevent a contamination of the hot melt ink contained therein.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of storing hot melt ink for use in an ink jet apparatus having at least one ink jet, a reservoir for containing and melting the hot melt ink from its solid state form to a liquid state form, and means for receiving a pellet of hot melt ink in the solid state form, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a deformable, hollow member, open at one end thereof; (b) filling said member with a predetermined quantity of hot melt ink in the liquid state form; (c) allowing the member to cool with the quantity of hot melt ink therein so as to permit the hot melt ink in the liquid state form to revert to the solid state form, thereby forming the pellet; (d) providing means for retaining the pellet within said member; and (e) sealing said open end so as to prevent a contamination of the hot melt ink contained therein.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method according to claim 10, wherein step (a) comprises the steps of: providing a deformable, substantially tubular-shaped member open at both ends thereof; providing flexible means for sealing a selected one of said open ends; coupling said flexible means to close said selected end; and forming means at said other end for mating with the receiving means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of providing a gasket at said other end adapted to seal the ink -jet apparatus upon mating of said member with the receiving means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 10, wherein step (a) comprises the step of providing a substantially metallic cup having relatively thin walls and a generally flat lip portion at its open end.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method according to claim 13, wherein step (d) comprises the steps of: shaping said cup, before said cooling step, in planes parallel to said open end to form a substantially elliptical cross-section with a major axis and a minor axis; and conforming said minor axis to the pellet, thereby retaining the pellet within said cup.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method according to claim 10, wherein step (a) comprises the step of providing a cup having a first portion adjacent its open end with walls of a predetermined thickness, and a second portion at the other end of said cup, said second portion having a wall thickness less than said predetermined thickness.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of providing a generally frustoconically-shaped cup.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 10, wherein step (e) comprises the step of providing a membranous material with one or more preferential tear lines formed therein, said membranous material including means for adhering to said member.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
275 words
A method of supplying hot melt ink to an ink jet apparatus having at least one ink jet, reservoir means for melting the hot melt ink from its solid state form to a liquid state form and thereafter containing the hot melt ink in the liquid state form so as to be jettable from the at least one ink jet, and means, in thermal communication with the reservoir means, for receiving a pellet of hot melt ink in the solid state form, wherein the receiving means includes an outlet at a base portion thereof for flowing ink in the liquid state form into the reservoir means, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a deformable, hollow member, open at least at one end thereof; (b) filling said member with a predetermined quantity of hot melt ink in the liquid state form; (c) allowing said member to cool with the quantity of hot melt ink therein so as to permit the hot melt ink in the liquid state form to revert to the solid state form, thereby forming the pellet; (d) providing means for retaining the pellet within said member; (e) sealing said at least one open end with means so as to form a sealed cartridge which is receivable by the receiving means, thereby preventing a contamination of the hot melt ink contained within said cartridge; (f) coupling said cartridge to the receiving means; (g) deforming said member so as to break said seal means and said retaining means, thereby introducing the pellet into the receiving means; and (h) operating the reservoir means so as to melt the pellet contained within the receiving means.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
275 words
A method of supplying hot melt ink to an ink jet apparatus having at least one ink jet, reservoir means for melting the hot melt ink from its solid state form to a liquid state form and thereafter containing the hot melt ink in the liquid state form so as to be jettable from the at least one ink jet, and means, in thermal communication with the reservoir means, for receiving a pellet of hot melt ink in the solid state form, wherein the receiving means includes an outlet at a base portion thereof for flowing ink in the liquid state form into the reservoir means, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a deformable, hollow member, open at least at one end thereof; (b) filling said member with a predetermined quantity of hot melt ink in the liquid state form; (c) allowing said member to cool with the quantity of hot melt ink therein so as to permit the hot melt ink in the liquid state form to revert to the solid state form, thereby forming the pellet; (d) providing means for retaining the pellet within said member; (e) sealing said at least one open end with means so as to form a sealed cartridge which is receivable by the receiving means, thereby preventing a contamination of the hot melt ink contained within said cartridge; (f) coupling said cartridge to the receiving means; (g) deforming said member so as to break said seal means and said retaining means, thereby introducing the pellet into the receiving means; and (h) operating the reservoir means so as to melt the pellet contained within the receiving means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method according to claim 18, wherein step (a) comprises the steps of: providing a deformable, substantially tubular-shaped member open at both ends thereof; providing flexible means for sealing a selected one of said open ends; coupling said flexible means to close said selected end; and forming means at said other end for mating with the receiving means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 19, further comprising the step of providing a gasket at said other end adapted to seal the ink jet apparatus upon mating of said member with the receiving means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method according to claim 18, wherein step (a) comprises the steps of: providing a substantially metallic cup having relatively thin walls and a generally flat lip portion at its open end; and shaping said cup, before said cooling step, in planes parallel to said open end to form a substantially elliptical cross-section with a major axis and a minor axis.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 21, wherein said shaping step comprises the step of conforming said minor axis to the pellet, thereby retaining the pellet within said cup.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 21, wherein said deforming step comprises the steps of: compressing said cup inwardly along said major axis; and reshaping said cup so as to form a generally circular cross-section in planes parallel to said open end.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method according to claim 18, wherein step (a) comprises the step of providing a cup having a first portion adjacent its open end with walls of a predetermined thickness, and a second portion at the other end of said cup, said second portion having a wall thickness less than said predetermined thickness.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 24, further comprising the steps of: providing a deformable cover portion; and attaching said cover portion to said second portion, thereby sealing same.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
83 words
The method according to claim 24, wherein step (g) comprises the steps of: applying pressure on said cover portion in a direction toward said open end; and continuing the application of said pressure on said cover portion to collapse the walls of said second portion inwardly toward said first portion; wherein said cover portion and the walls of said first portion having said predetermined thickness maintain a seal against contamination of the hot melt ink which is thereby introduced into the receiving means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 24, further comprising the step of providing a generally frustoconicallyshaped cup.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 18, wherein step (e) comprises the step of providing a membranous material with one or more preferential tear lines formed therein, said membranous material including means for adhering to said member.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method according to claim 18, wherein step (f) further comprises the steps of: providing latch means for the receiving means, said latch means adaptable for restraining said member mated with the receiving means; and latching said latch means after said member is mated with the receiving means.
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) | 1992-04-17 | 1992-10-17 | 1993-04-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-04-17 | 1996-10-17 | 1997-04-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-04-17 | 2000-10-17 | 2001-04-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |