US4893138A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ink jet recovery device including a communicating valve and a ventilating valve
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1988-03-10
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Granted: 1990-01-09
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Expires: 2008-03-10
Abstract
Abstract A recovery device for an ink jet recording apparatus having a cup for an ink discharge port of a recording head and a suction device communicating with the cap for sucking ink from the ink discharge port includes a communicating tube, a communicating valve, and a ventilating valve. The communication tube communicates with the cap and a subtank which supplies ink to the recording head. A communicating valve connects and disconnects communication of the cap with the subtank and is provided in an intermediate portion of the tube. A ventilating valve communicates the interior of the tube with the atmosphere and is provided separately from the communicating valve.
Inventors
- 👤 Koji Terasawa
- 👤 Hideki Yamaguchi
- 👤 Akira Miyakawa
- 👤 Shinya Matsui
- 👤 Mikio Shiga
- 👤 Shigeru Tsuyukubo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 15:56
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/17; B41J2/18; B41J2/135; B41J2/165; B41J2/16505; B41J2/16508
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 54
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A recovery device for an ink jet recording apparatus having a cap for covering an ink discharge port of a recording head and suction means communicating with the cap for sucking ink from the ink discharge port, said device comprising: a tube having an interior communicating with the cap and a subtank for supplying ink to the recording head; a communicating valve for connecting and disconnecting communication of the cap with the subtank provided in an intermediate portion of said tube; and a ventilating valve communicating the interior of said tube with the atmosphere provided separately from said communicating valve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
A recovery device for an ink jet recording apparatus having a cap for covering an ink discharge port of a recording head and suction means communicating with the cap for sucking ink from the ink discharge port, said device comprising: a tube having an interior communicating with the cap and a subtank for supplying ink to the recording head; a communicating valve for connecting and disconnecting communication of the cap with the subtank provided in an intermediate portion of said tube; and a ventilating valve communicating the interior of said tube with the atmosphere provided separately from said communicating valve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A recovery device according to claim 1, further including a solenoid for driving said communicating valve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A recovery device according to claim 1, further including a solenoid for driving said ventilating valve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A recovery device according to claim 2, further including a solenoid for driving said ventilating valve.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A recovery device according to claim 1, further including transmitting means cooperating with said suction means for driving said communicating valve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A recovery device according to claim 1, further including transmitting means cooperating with said suction means for driving said ventilating valve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A recovery device according to claim 2, further including transmitting means cooperating with said suction means for driving said ventilation valve.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A recovery device according to claim 5, further including transmitting means cooperating with said suction means for driving said ventilating valve.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
151 words
A recovery device for an ink jet recording apparatus having a cap for covering an ink discharge port of a recording head and suction means communicating with the cap for sucking ink from the ink discharge port, said device comprising: a tube having an interior communicating with the cap and a subtank for supplying ink to the recording head; a communicating valve for connecting and disconnecting communication of the cap with the subtank provided in an intermediate portion of said tube; a ventilating valve communicating the interior of said tube with the atmosphere provided separately from said communicating valve; and wherein said recovery device performs a first recovery operation in which said ventilating valve is closed and the ink is sucked from said ink discharge port and a second recovery operation in which said ventilation valve is opened and the ink is sucked from said subtank and introduced to said cap.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
151 words
A recovery device for an ink jet recording apparatus having a cap for covering an ink discharge port of a recording head and suction means communicating with the cap for sucking ink from the ink discharge port, said device comprising: a tube having an interior communicating with the cap and a subtank for supplying ink to the recording head; a communicating valve for connecting and disconnecting communication of the cap with the subtank provided in an intermediate portion of said tube; a ventilating valve communicating the interior of said tube with the atmosphere provided separately from said communicating valve; and wherein said recovery device performs a first recovery operation in which said ventilating valve is closed and the ink is sucked from said ink discharge port and a second recovery operation in which said ventilation valve is opened and the ink is sucked from said subtank and introduced to said cap.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A recovery device according to claim 9, wherein the second recovery operation is continuously performed more than a minute during which ink is introduced into the cap.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A recovery device according to claim 10, wherein the second recovery operation includes a further suction operation during which ink is introduced into the cap.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A recovery device according to claim 1, wherein said cap further including an ink absorber therein.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
A recovery device according to claim 1, further including an opening for communicating said ventilating valve with the atmosphere provided at a highest position in an ink path.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
126 words
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a recording head having an ink discharge port for discharging ink; a main tank for containing the ink; a cap for covering the ink discharge port; and a recovery device having; (i) a subtank for accumulating ink supplied from said main tank and supplying ink to said recording head; (ii) a tube having an interior communicating with said cap and said subtank; (iii) a communicating valve for connecting and disconnecting communication of said cap with said subtank provided in an intermediate portion of said tube; (iv) a ventilating valve for communicating the interior of said tube with the atmosphere provided separately from said communicating valve; and (v) suction means communicating with said cap for generating negative pressure in said cap.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
126 words
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a recording head having an ink discharge port for discharging ink; a main tank for containing the ink; a cap for covering the ink discharge port; and a recovery device having; (i) a subtank for accumulating ink supplied from said main tank and supplying ink to said recording head; (ii) a tube having an interior communicating with said cap and said subtank; (iii) a communicating valve for connecting and disconnecting communication of said cap with said subtank provided in an intermediate portion of said tube; (iv) a ventilating valve for communicating the interior of said tube with the atmosphere provided separately from said communicating valve; and (v) suction means communicating with said cap for generating negative pressure in said cap.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said recording head discharges liquid droplets by heat.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
138 words
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: (a) recording means having a discharge port for discharging ink therethrough; (b) storing means for storing ink to be supplied through a supply path to said recording means; (c) capping means for covering the discharge port; (d) suction means in communication with said capping means at a first location; and (e) a communication path having, first and second ends, the first end being connected to said capping means at a second location, the second location being different from the first location and the second end being connected to said storing means, first valve means for connecting and disconnecting communication through said communication path, and second valve means for connecting and disconnecting communication between said communication path and the atmosphere, wherein said first valve means is provided separately from said second valve means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
138 words
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: (a) recording means having a discharge port for discharging ink therethrough; (b) storing means for storing ink to be supplied through a supply path to said recording means; (c) capping means for covering the discharge port; (d) suction means in communication with said capping means at a first location; and (e) a communication path having, first and second ends, the first end being connected to said capping means at a second location, the second location being different from the first location and the second end being connected to said storing means, first valve means for connecting and disconnecting communication through said communication path, and second valve means for connecting and disconnecting communication between said communication path and the atmosphere, wherein said first valve means is provided separately from said second valve means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 16, further including a solenoid for driving said first valve means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 16, further including a solenoid for driving said second valve means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 17, further including a solenoid for driving said second valve means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 16, further including transmitting means cooperating with said suction means for driving said first valve means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 16, further including transmitting means cooperating with said suction means for driving said second valve means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 20, further including transmitting means cooperating with said suction means for driving said second valve means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
61 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said recovery apparatus performs a first recovery operation in which said second valve means is closed and ink is sucked from the discharge port and a second recovery operation in which said first valve means is opened and ink is sucked from said storing means and introduced to said capping means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the second recovery operation is continuously performed more than a minute during which ink is introduced into said capping means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the second recovery operation includes a further suction operation during which ink is introduced into said capping means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said capping means further includes an ink absorber therein.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
31 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 16, further including an opening for communicating said second valve means with the atmosphere provided at a highest position in an ink path.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said recording means discharges ink by heat.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
36 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said storing means further includes a first ink tank for storing ink therein and a second ink tank containing ink supplied from said first ink tank.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
20 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said suction means comprises a pump driven by a motor.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 16, further including control means for controlling said suction means, said first valve means and said second valve means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
35 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 31, further including a cam for driving said first valve means and said second valve means and said control means comprises a mechanism for controlling said cam.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
137 words
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: (a) a recording head having a discharge orifice for discharging ink therethrough; (b) an ink tank for storing ink to be supplied through a supply path to said recording head; (c) a cap for covering the discharge orifice; (d) a suction pump in communication with said cap at a first location; and (e) a communication tube having, first and second ends, said first end being connected to said cap at a second location, the second location being different from the first location and the second end being connected to said ink tank, a communication valve for connecting and disconnecting communication through said communication tube, and a ventilation valve for connecting and disconnecting communication between said communication tube and the atmosphere, wherein said communication valve is provided separately from said ventilation valve.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
137 words
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: (a) a recording head having a discharge orifice for discharging ink therethrough; (b) an ink tank for storing ink to be supplied through a supply path to said recording head; (c) a cap for covering the discharge orifice; (d) a suction pump in communication with said cap at a first location; and (e) a communication tube having, first and second ends, said first end being connected to said cap at a second location, the second location being different from the first location and the second end being connected to said ink tank, a communication valve for connecting and disconnecting communication through said communication tube, and a ventilation valve for connecting and disconnecting communication between said communication tube and the atmosphere, wherein said communication valve is provided separately from said ventilation valve.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
18 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 33, further including a solenoid for driving said communication valve.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 33, further including a solenoid for driving said ventilation valve.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
18 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 34, further including a solenoid for driving said ventilation valve.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
23 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 33, further including transmitting means cooperating with said suction pump for driving said communication valve.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
23 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 33, further including transmitting means cooperating with said suction pump for driving said ventilation valve.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
23 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 37, further including transmitting means cooperating with said suction pump for driving said ventilation valve.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
58 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said recovery apparatus performs a first recovery operation in which said ventilation valve is closed and ink is sucked from the discharge orifice and a second recovery operation in which said communication valve is opened and ink is sucked from said ink tank and introduced into said cap.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
29 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 40, wherein the second recovery operation is continuously performed more than a minute during which ink is introduced into said cap.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
27 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 41, wherein the second recovery operation includes a further suction operation during which ink is introduced into said cap.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
18 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said cap further includes an ink absorber therein.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
29 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 33, further including an opening for communicating said ventilation valve the atmosphere provided at a highest position in an ink path.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
17 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said recording head discharges ink by heat.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
37 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said ink tank comprises a first ink tank for storing ink therein and further comprises a second ink tank containing ink supplied from the first ink tank.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
18 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said suction pump is driven by a motor.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
25 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 33, further comprising control means for controlling said suction pump, said communication valve and said ventilation valve.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
33 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 48, further including a cam for driving said communication valve and said ventilation valve and said control means comprises a mechanism for controlling said cam.
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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) | 1993-01-08 | 1993-07-10 | 1994-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-01-08 | 1997-07-10 | 1998-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-01-08 | 2001-07-10 | 2002-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |