US4961082A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Deaeration of ink in an ink jet system
Assignee: Fujifilm Dimatix Inc
•
Filing: 1988-11-15
•
Granted: 1990-10-02
•
Expires: 2008-11-15
Abstract
Abstract In the particular embodiment of an ink deaerator described in the specification, an elongated ink path leading to an ink jet head is formed between two permeable membranes. The membranes are backed by air plenums which contain support members to hold the membranes in position. Reduced pressure is applied to the plenums to extract dissolved air from the ink in the ink path. Increased pressure can also be applied to the plenums to eject ink from the ink jet head for purging. Within the ink jet head ink is circulated convectively from the orifice to the deaerating path even when the jet is not jetting ink.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul A. Hoisington
- 👤 Nathan P. Hine
- 👤 Charles W. Spehrley, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:38
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D15/00; G01D15/16; B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/17; B41J2/19
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A device for removing dissolved gas from ink in an ink jet system comprising gas-permeable, ink-impermeable membrane material in sheet form, support means for supporting the sheet-form membrane material in a substantially planar disposition, means for applying ink containing dissolved gas to one side of the sheet-form membrane material, and means for applying a reduced gas pressure to the other side of the sheet-form membrane material to cause gas dissolved in ink to be extracted from the ink through the sheet-form membrane material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
83 words
A device for removing dissolved gas from ink in an ink jet system comprising gas-permeable, ink-impermeable membrane material in sheet form, support means for supporting the sheet-form membrane material in a substantially planar disposition, means for applying ink containing dissolved gas to one side of the sheet-form membrane material, and means for applying a reduced gas pressure to the other side of the sheet-form membrane material to cause gas dissolved in ink to be extracted from the ink through the sheet-form membrane material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the sheet-form membrane thickness is approximately 0.01 inch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the sheet-form membrane material comprises a flexible polymer material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device according to claim 2 wherein the sheet-form membrane material comprises silicone sheet material.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
58 words
A method for removing dissolved gas from ink in an ink jet system comprising providing sheet-form gas permeable, ink-permeable membrane material, supporting the sheet-form membrane material in a substantially planar disposition, applying ink containing dissolved gas to one side of the sheet-form membrane material, and applying reduced gas pressure to the other side of the sheet-form membrane material.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
58 words
A method for removing dissolved gas from ink in an ink jet system comprising providing sheet-form gas permeable, ink-permeable membrane material, supporting the sheet-form membrane material in a substantially planar disposition, applying ink containing dissolved gas to one side of the sheet-form membrane material, and applying reduced gas pressure to the other side of the sheet-form membrane material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein the sheet-form membrane material comprises a flexible polymer material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein the sheet-form membrane material comprises silicone sheet material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4301459A
Cited
US4502055A
Cited
US4460904A
Cited
US4469495A
Cited
US4571599A
Cited
US4729773A
Cited
US4787921A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-10-01 | 1994-04-02 | 1994-10-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-10-01 | 1998-04-02 | 1998-10-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-10-01 | 2002-04-02 | 2002-10-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |