US4825231A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cap mechanism for use with an ink jet head
Assignee: Alps Alpine Co Ltd
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Filing: 1987-08-06
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Granted: 1989-04-25
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Expires: 2007-08-06
Abstract
Abstract A cap mechanism for use with an ink jet head including a cap member for covering the ink jet head provided with nozzles on the front end face thereof, caps formed on the cap member to fit onto the nozzles and a suction pump communicated with the caps to suck ink in the nozzles, characterized by a means for moving the cap member to and from the ink jet head, a means for driving the suction pump to suck the ink in the nozzles through the caps, and a clutch means for selectively rendering the cap member moving means and the pump driving means operative through a driving source.
Inventors
- 👤 Masahiro Nozaki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 06:02
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/135; B41J2/165; B41J2/16505; B41J2/16508
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A cap mechanism for use with an ink jet head comprising: a cap member for covering the ink jet head provided with nozzles on a front end face thereof; caps formed on the cap member to fit onto the nozzles and a suction pump communicated with the caps to suck ink in the nozzles; means for moving the cap member to and from the ink jet head; means for driving the suction pump to suck the ink in the nozzles through the caps; driving source means for providing a driving source; and clutch means for selectively rendering the cap member moving means and the driving means operative through the driving source means; wherein said clutch means has a pair of clutches to which the driving force of the driving source means is selectively transmitted responsive to on- and off- states of a solenoid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
A cap mechanism for use with an ink jet head comprising: a cap member for covering the ink jet head provided with nozzles on a front end face thereof; caps formed on the cap member to fit onto the nozzles and a suction pump communicated with the caps to suck ink in the nozzles; means for moving the cap member to and from the ink jet head; means for driving the suction pump to suck the ink in the nozzles through the caps; driving source means for providing a driving source; and clutch means for selectively rendering the cap member moving means and the driving means operative through the driving source means; wherein said clutch means has a pair of clutches to which the driving force of the driving source means is selectively transmitted responsive to on- and off- states of a solenoid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A cap mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said suction pump has self-returning force.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A cap mechanism according to claim 2, wherein said cap member includes tapered faces for fitting the caps onto the nozzles of said ink jet head.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A cap mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said cap member includes tapered faces for fitting the caps onto the nozzles of said ink jet head.
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) | 1992-04-24 | 1992-10-24 | 1993-04-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-04-24 | 1996-10-24 | 1997-04-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-04-24 | 2000-10-24 | 2001-04-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |