Ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head

Claim 2

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head for printing dots on a sheet of print paper by actuating a plurality of wires each with ink disposed on the tip end thereof into contact with said sheet of print paper in order to transfer dots of ink to the sheet of paper, said ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head comprising: an ink-supply tank formed with an ink supply port having an opening for the passage of ink from the ink supply tank and containing an ink absorbing member having a surface facing said ink supply port, said ink absorbing member being made of a porous member mounted in said ink tank, at least the entire region of said ink absorbing member at said surface facing said ink supply port being compressed so as to change the porosity of said region relative to at least another region of the ink absorbing member, and an ink guide member formed with a wire guide opening for receiving and guiding an ink wire and with a capillary ink path communicating between the ink absorbing member and the side of a wire positioned within said wire guide opening.

Claim 3

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head for printing dots on a sheet of print paper by actuating a plurality of wires each with ink disposed on the tip end thereof into contact with said sheet of print paper in order to transfer dots of ink to the sheet of paper, said ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head comprising: an ink-supply tank containing an ink absorbing member and formed with an ink-supply port; and an ink guide member formed with a wire guide opening for receiving and guiding an ink wire and with a capillary ink path communicating through said ink-supply port and between the ink absorbing member and the side of a wire positioned within said wire guide opening; said ink absorbing member substantially carrying the designed capacity of ink in the tank and including regions of different pore size to vary the capillary force, the capillary force being greater in the region adjacent the ink supply port.

Claim 4

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head for printing dots on a sheet of print paper by actuating a plurality of wires each with ink disposed on the tip end thereof into contact with said sheet of print paper in order to transfer dots of ink to the sheet of paper, said ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head comprising: an ink-supply tank containing an ink absorbing member and formed with an ink-supply port; and an ink guide member formed with a wire guide opening for receiving and guiding an ink wire and with a capillary ink path communicating through said ink-supply port and between the ink absorbing member and the side of a wire positioned within said wire guide opening; said ink absorbing member substantially carrying the designed capacity of ink in the tank and including regions of different pore size to vary the capillary force, the capillary force being greater in the region adjacent the ink supply port.

Claim 5

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head for printing dots on a sheet of print paper by actuating a plurality of wires each with ink disposed on the tip end thereof into contact with said sheet of print paper in order to transfer dots of ink to the sheet of paper, said ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head comprising: an ink-supply tank containing an ink absorbing member and formed with an ink-supply port having an opening for the passage of ink from the ink supply port, said ink absorbing member substantially filling the ink-supply tank and comprising at least two separate porous members disposed as stacked layers, one of said porous members which is closer to aid ink supply port being made of a porous material having a smaller average pore diameter than the porous material of the other porous member more remote from said ink supply port, and an ink guide member formed with a wire guide opening for receiving and guiding an ink wire and with a capillary ink path communicating between the ink absorbing member and the side of a wire positioned within said wire guide opening.

Claim 6

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head for printing dots on a sheet of print paper by actuating a plurality of wires each with ink disposed on the tip end thereof into contact with said sheet of print paper in order to transfer dots of ink to the sheet of paper, said ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head comprising: an ink-supply tank containing an ink absorbing member and formed with an ink-supply port having an opening for the passage of ink from the ink supply port, said ink absorbing member substantially filling the ink-supply tank and comprising at least two separate porous members disposed as stacked layers, one of said porous members which is closer to aid ink supply port being made of a porous material having a smaller average pore diameter than the porous material of the other porous member more remote from said ink supply port, and an ink guide member formed with a wire guide opening for receiving and guiding an ink wire and with a capillary ink path communicating between the ink absorbing member and the side of a wire positioned within said wire guide opening.

Claim 7

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head for printing dots on a sheet of print paper by actuating a plurality of wires each with ink disposed on the tip end thereof into contact with said sheet of print paper in order to transfer dots of ink to the sheet of paper, said ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head comprising: an ink-supply tank containing an ink absorbing member and formed with an ink-supply port, said ink absorbing member substantially filling the ink tank and carrying substantially all of the ink in said ink tank, said ink tank including an inner wall surface having projections to provide a space between said ink absorbing member and said wall surface and including means for providing ambient air to the space between said ink absorbing member and said wall surface; and an ink guide member formed with a wire guide opening for receiving and guiding an ink wire and with a capillary ink path communicating between the ink absorbing member and a side of a wire positioned within said wire guide opening.

Claim 8

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head for printing dots on a sheet of print paper by actuating a plurality of wires each with ink disposed on the tip end thereof into contact with said sheet of print paper in order to transfer dots of ink to the sheet of paper, said ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head comprising: an ink-supply tank containing an ink absorbing member and formed with an ink-supply port, said ink absorbing member substantially filling the ink tank and carrying substantially all of the ink in said ink tank, said ink tank including an inner wall surface having projections to provide a space between said ink absorbing member and said wall surface and including means for providing ambient air to the space between said ink absorbing member and said wall surface; and an ink guide member formed with a wire guide opening for receiving and guiding an ink wire and with a capillary ink path communicating between the ink absorbing member and a side of a wire positioned within said wire guide opening.

Claim 9

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head according to claim 4, wherein the ink is impregnated in the ink absorbing member under a sufficiently low pressure to substantially eliminate pockets of air therein.

Claim 10

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head for printing dots on a sheet of print paper by actuating a plurality of wires each with ink disposed on the tip end thereof into contact with said sheet of print paper in order to transfer dots of ink to the sheet of paper, said ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head comprising: an ink-supply tank containing an ink absorbing member and formed with an ink-supply port; and an ink guide member formed with a wire guide opening for receiving and guiding an ink wire and with a capillary ink path communicating between the ink absorbing member and a side of a wire positioned within said wire guide opening; said ink tank including a bottom formed with a plurality of slots terminating at the ink-supply port, each of said slots being dimensioned to provide a capillary force for drawing ink from the ink absorbing member to the ink-supply port.

Claim 11

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head for printing dots on a sheet of print paper by actuating a plurality of wires each with ink disposed on the tip end thereof into contact with said sheet of print paper in order to transfer dots of ink to the sheet of paper, said ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head comprising: an ink-supply tank containing an ink absorbing member and formed with an ink-supply port; and an ink guide member formed with a wire guide opening for receiving and guiding an ink wire and with a capillary ink path communicating between the ink absorbing member and a side of a wire positioned within said wire guide opening; said ink tank including a bottom formed with a plurality of slots terminating at the ink-supply port, each of said slots being dimensioned to provide a capillary force for drawing ink from the ink absorbing member to the ink-supply port.

Claim 12

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head for printing dots on a sheet of print paper by actuating a plurality of wires each with ink disposed on the tip end thereof into contact with said sheet of print paper in order to transfer dots of ink to the sheet of paper, said ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head comprising: an ink-supply tank containing an ink absorbing member and formed with an ink-supply port; an ink guide member extending into said ink supply port for transporting ink from the ink supply tank, said ink guide member being formed with a wire guide opening for receiving and guiding an ink wire and with a capillary ink path communicating between the ink absorbing member and the side of a wire positioned within said wire guide opening, said capillary ink path being formed of at least first and second regions dimensioned so that the second region between the side of the wire and the wall of the wire guide opening has a greater capillary force than the first region adjacent the ink absorbing member, at least said first and second regions of the capillary path being entirely free of an absorbing material; said ink absorbing member comprising at least two separate porous members disposed as stacked layers, one of said porous members which is closer to said ink supply port being made of a porous material having a smaller average pore diameter than the porous material of the outer porous member more remote from said ink supply port.

Claim 13

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head for printing dots on a sheet of print paper by actuating a plurality of wires each with ink disposed on the tip end thereof into contact with said sheet of print paper in order to transfer dots of ink to the sheet of paper, said ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head comprising: an ink-supply tank containing an ink absorbing member and formed with an ink-supply port; an ink guide member extending into said ink supply port for transporting ink from the ink supply tank, said ink guide member being formed with a wire guide opening for receiving and guiding an ink wire and with a capillary ink path communicating between the ink absorbing member and the side of a wire positioned within said wire guide opening, said capillary ink path being formed of at least first and second regions dimensioned so that the second region between the side of the wire and the wall of the wire guide opening has a greater capillary force than the first region adjacent the ink absorbing member, at least said first and second regions of the capillary path being entirely free of an absorbing material; said ink absorbing member comprising at least two separate porous members disposed as stacked layers, one of said porous members which is closer to said ink supply port being made of a porous material having a smaller average pore diameter than the porous material of the outer porous member more remote from said ink supply port.

Claim 14

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head for printing dots on a sheet of print paper by actuating a plurality of wires each with ink disposed on the tip end thereof into contact with said sheet of print paper in order to transfer dots of ink to the sheet of paper, said ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head comprising: an ink-supply tank containing an ink absorbing member and formed with an ink-supply port; an ink guide member extending into said ink supply port for transporting ink from the ink supply tank, said ink guide member being formed with a wire guide opening for receiving and guiding an ink wire and with a capillary ink path communicating between the ink absorbing member and the side of a wire positioned within said wire guide opening, said capillary ink path being formed of at least first and second regions dimensioned so that the second region between the side of the wire and the wall of the wire guide opening has a greater capillary force than the first region adjacent the ink absorbing member, at least said first and second regions of the capillary path being entirely free of an absorbing material; said ink absorbing member being made of a porous member having a pore diameter which varies such that the pores are smaller in the vicinity of said ink supply port than the pores spaced from said ink supply port.

Claim 15

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head for printing dots on a sheet of print paper by actuating a plurality of wires each with ink disposed on the tip end thereof into contact with said sheet of print paper in order to transfer dots of ink to the sheet of paper, said ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head comprising: an ink-supply tank containing an ink absorbing member and formed with an ink-supply port; an ink guide member extending into said ink supply port for transporting ink from the ink supply tank, said ink guide member being formed with a wire guide opening for receiving and guiding an ink wire and with a capillary ink path communicating between the ink absorbing member and the side of a wire positioned within said wire guide opening, said capillary ink path being formed of at least first and second regions dimensioned so that the second region between the side of the wire and the wall of the wire guide opening has a greater capillary force than the first region adjacent the ink absorbing member, at least said first and second regions of the capillary path being entirely free of an absorbing material; said ink absorbing member being made of a porous member having a pore diameter which varies such that the pores are smaller in the vicinity of said ink supply port than the pores spaced from said ink supply port.

Claim 16

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head for printing dots on a sheet of print paper by actuating a plurality of wires each with ink disposed on the tip end thereof into contact with said sheet of printer paper in order to transfer dots of ink to the sheet of paper, said ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head comprising: an ink-supply tank containing an ink absorbing member and formed with an ink-supply port; an ink guide member extending into said ink supply port for transporting ink from the ink supply tank, said ink guide member being formed with a wire guide opening for receiving and guiding an ink wire and with a capillary ink path communicating between the ink absorbing member and the side of a wire positioned within said wire guide opening, said capillary ink path being formed of at least first and second regions dimensioned so tat the second region between the side of the wire and the wall of the wire guide opening has a greater capillary force than the first region adjacent the ink absorbing member, at least said first and second regions of the capillary path being entirely free of an absorbing material; at least a region of the ink-absorbing member being made of a porous member having pore diameters which vary progressively in the direction away from said ink supply port from smaller to larger average diameters.

Claim 17

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head for printing dots on a sheet of print paper by actuating a plurality of wires each with ink disposed on the tip end thereof into contact with said sheet of printer paper in order to transfer dots of ink to the sheet of paper, said ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head comprising: an ink-supply tank containing an ink absorbing member and formed with an ink-supply port; an ink guide member extending into said ink supply port for transporting ink from the ink supply tank, said ink guide member being formed with a wire guide opening for receiving and guiding an ink wire and with a capillary ink path communicating between the ink absorbing member and the side of a wire positioned within said wire guide opening, said capillary ink path being formed of at least first and second regions dimensioned so tat the second region between the side of the wire and the wall of the wire guide opening has a greater capillary force than the first region adjacent the ink absorbing member, at least said first and second regions of the capillary path being entirely free of an absorbing material; at least a region of the ink-absorbing member being made of a porous member having pore diameters which vary progressively in the direction away from said ink supply port from smaller to larger average diameters.

Claim 18

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head for printing dots on a sheet of print paper by actuating a plurality of wires each with ink disposed on the tip end thereof into contact with said sheet of printer paper in order to transfer dots of ink to the sheet of paper, said ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head comprising: an ink-supply tank containing an ink absorbing member and formed with an ink-supply port; an ink guide member extending into said ink supply port for transporting ink from the ink supply tank, said ink guide member being formed with a wire guide opening for receiving and guiding an ink wire and with a capillary ink path communicating between the ink absorbing member and the side of a wire positioned within said wire guide opening, said capillary ink path being formed of at least first and second regions dimensioned so that the second region between the side of the wire and the wall of the wire guide opening has a greater capillary force than the first region adjacent the ink absorbing member, at least said first and second regions of the capillary path being entirely free of an absorbing material; said ink absorbing member being made of a porous member mounted in said ink tank and compressed in the vicinity of said ink supply port.

Claim 19

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head for printing dots on a sheet of print paper by actuating a plurality of wires each with ink disposed on the tip end thereof into contact with said sheet of printer paper in order to transfer dots of ink to the sheet of paper, said ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head comprising: an ink-supply tank containing an ink absorbing member and formed with an ink-supply port; an ink guide member extending into said ink supply port for transporting ink from the ink supply tank, said ink guide member being formed with a wire guide opening for receiving and guiding an ink wire and with a capillary ink path communicating between the ink absorbing member and the side of a wire positioned within said wire guide opening, said capillary ink path being formed of at least first and second regions dimensioned so that the second region between the side of the wire and the wall of the wire guide opening has a greater capillary force than the first region adjacent the ink absorbing member, at least said first and second regions of the capillary path being entirely free of an absorbing material; said ink absorbing member being made of a porous member mounted in said ink tank and compressed in the vicinity of said ink supply port.

Claim 20

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head for printing dots on a sheet of print paper by actuating a plurality of wires each with ink disposed on the tip end thereof into contact with said sheet of print paper in order to transfer dots of ink to the sheet of paper, said ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head comprising: an ink-supply tank containing an ink absorbing member and formed with an ink-supply port; an ink guide member extending into said ink supply port for transporting ink from the ink supply tank, said ink guide member being formed with a wire guide opening for receiving and guiding an ink wire and with a capillary ink path communicating between the ink absorbing member and the side of a wire positioned within said wire guide opening, said capillary ink path being formed of at least first and second regions dimensioned so that the second region between the side of the wire and the wall of the wire guide opening has a greater capillary force than the first region adjacent the ink absorbing member, at least said first and second regions of the capillary path being entirely free of an absorbing material; said ink absorbing member substantially filling the ink tank and carrying substantially all of the ink in said ink tank, said ink tank including an inner wall surface having projections to provide a space between said ink absorbing member and said wall surface.

Claim 21

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head for printing dots on a sheet of print paper by actuating a plurality of wires each with ink disposed on the tip end thereof into contact with said sheet of print paper in order to transfer dots of ink to the sheet of paper, said ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head comprising: an ink-supply tank containing an ink absorbing member and formed with an ink-supply port; an ink guide member extending into said ink supply port for transporting ink from the ink supply tank, said ink guide member being formed with a wire guide opening for receiving and guiding an ink wire and with a capillary ink path communicating between the ink absorbing member and the side of a wire positioned within said wire guide opening, said capillary ink path being formed of at least first and second regions dimensioned so that the second region between the side of the wire and the wall of the wire guide opening has a greater capillary force than the first region adjacent the ink absorbing member, at least said first and second regions of the capillary path being entirely free of an absorbing material; said ink absorbing member substantially filling the ink tank and carrying substantially all of the ink in said ink tank, said ink tank including an inner wall surface having projections to provide a space between said ink absorbing member and said wall surface.

Claim 22

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head according to claim 11 and including means for providing ambient air to the space between said ink absorbing member and said wall surface.

Claim 23

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head for printing dots on a sheet of print paper by actuating a plurality of wires each with ink disposed on the tip end thereof into contact with said sheet of print paper in order to transfer dots of ink to the sheet of paper, said ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head comprising: an ink-supply tank containing an ink absorbing member and formed with an ink-supply port; an ink guide member extending into said ink supply port for transporting ink from the ink supply tank, said ink guide member being formed with a wire guide opening for receiving and guiding an ink wire and with a capillary ink path communicating between the ink absorbing member and the side of a wire positioned within said wire guide opening, said capillary ink path being formed of at least first and second regions dimensioned so that the second region between the side of the wire and the wall of the wire guide opening has a greater capillary force than the first region adjacent the ink absorbing member, at least said first and second regions of the capillary path being entirely free of an absorbing material; said ink tank including a bottom formed with a slot defined therein and communicating with said ink supply port.

Claim 24

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head for printing dots on a sheet of print paper by actuating a plurality of wires each with ink disposed on the tip end thereof into contact with said sheet of print paper in order to transfer dots of ink to the sheet of paper, said ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head comprising: an ink-supply tank containing an ink absorbing member and formed with an ink-supply port; an ink guide member extending into said ink supply port for transporting ink from the ink supply tank, said ink guide member being formed with a wire guide opening for receiving and guiding an ink wire and with a capillary ink path communicating between the ink absorbing member and the side of a wire positioned within said wire guide opening, said capillary ink path being formed of at least first and second regions dimensioned so that the second region between the side of the wire and the wall of the wire guide opening has a greater capillary force than the first region adjacent the ink absorbing member, at least said first and second regions of the capillary path being entirely free of an absorbing material; said ink tank including a bottom formed with a slot defined therein and communicating with said ink supply port.

Claim 25

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head according to claim 13, wherein said wire guide member is formed with a groove disposed in confronting relation to said slot in said bottom of the ink tank and defining a portion of said capillary path.

Claim 26

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head according to claim 14, wherein said slot formed in the bottom of said ink tank is dimensioned to apply capillary force to deliver ink from the ink absorbing member to the elongated groove.

Claim 27

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head according to claim 15, wherein said slot is dimensioned to provide a lesser capillary force than the groove.

Claim 28

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head according to claim 16, wherein said ink tank includes a bottom formed with a plurality of said slots defined therein.

Claim 29

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head for printing dots on a sheet of print paper by actuating a plurality of wires each with ink disposed on the tip end thereof into contact with said sheet of print paper in order to transfer dots of ink to the sheet of paper, said ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head comprising: an ink-supply tank containing an ink absorbing member and formed with an ink-supply port; an ink guide member extending into said ink supply port for transporting ink from the ink supply tank, said ink guide member being formed with a wire guide opening for receiving and guiding an ink wire and with a capillary ink path communicating between the ink absorbing member and the side of a wire positioned within said wire guide opening, said capillary ink path being formed of at least first and second regions dimensioned so that the second region between the side of the wire and the wall of the wire guide opening has a greater capillary force than the first region adjacent the ink absorbing member, at least said first and second regions of the capillary path being entirely free of an absorbing material; and a head body formed with a guide slot, said ink tank being detachably mounted on said head body and having a projection engageable in said guide slot for positioning said head body and said ink tank relative to each other when said ink tank is mounted on said head body.

Claim 30

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head for printing dots on a sheet of print paper by actuating a plurality of wires each with ink disposed on the tip end thereof into contact with said sheet of print paper in order to transfer dots of ink to the sheet of paper, said ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head comprising: an ink-supply tank containing an ink absorbing member and formed with an ink-supply port; an ink guide member extending into said ink supply port for transporting ink from the ink supply tank, said ink guide member being formed with a wire guide opening for receiving and guiding an ink wire and with a capillary ink path communicating between the ink absorbing member and the side of a wire positioned within said wire guide opening, said capillary ink path being formed of at least first and second regions dimensioned so that the second region between the side of the wire and the wall of the wire guide opening has a greater capillary force than the first region adjacent the ink absorbing member, at least said first and second regions of the capillary path being entirely free of an absorbing material; and a head body formed with a guide slot, said ink tank being detachably mounted on said head body and having a projection engageable in said guide slot for positioning said head body and said ink tank relative to each other when said ink tank is mounted on said head body.

Claim 31

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head for printing dots on a sheet of print paper by actuating a plurality of wires each with ink disposed on the tip end thereof into contact with said sheet of printer paper in order to transfer dots of ink to the sheet of paper said ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head comprising: an ink-supply tank containing an ink absorbing member and formed with an ink-supply port; an ink guide member extending into said ink supply port for transporting ink from the ink supply tank, said ink guide member being formed with a wire guide opening for receiving and guiding an ink wire and with a capillary ink path communicating between the ink absorbing member and the side of a wire positioned within said wire guide opening, said capillary ink path being formed of at least first and second regions dimensioned so that the second region between the side of the wire and the wall of the wire guide opening has a greater capillary force than the first region adjacent the ink absorbing member, at least said first and second regions of the capillary path being entirely free of an absorbing material; said ink-absorbing member including regions of different pore size to vary the capillary force, the capillary force being greater in the region adjacent the ink supply port.

Claim 32

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head for printing dots on a sheet of print paper by actuating a plurality of wires each with ink disposed on the tip end thereof into contact with said sheet of printer paper in order to transfer dots of ink to the sheet of paper said ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head comprising: an ink-supply tank containing an ink absorbing member and formed with an ink-supply port; an ink guide member extending into said ink supply port for transporting ink from the ink supply tank, said ink guide member being formed with a wire guide opening for receiving and guiding an ink wire and with a capillary ink path communicating between the ink absorbing member and the side of a wire positioned within said wire guide opening, said capillary ink path being formed of at least first and second regions dimensioned so that the second region between the side of the wire and the wall of the wire guide opening has a greater capillary force than the first region adjacent the ink absorbing member, at least said first and second regions of the capillary path being entirely free of an absorbing material; said ink-absorbing member including regions of different pore size to vary the capillary force, the capillary force being greater in the region adjacent the ink supply port.

Claim 33

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head for scanning across a sheet of paper for printing dots on said sheet of print paper by actuating a plurality of wires each with ink disposed on the tip end thereof into contact with said sheet of print paper in order to transfer dots of ink to the sheet of paper, said paper being fed in at least one direction essentially normal to the head scanning direction, said ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head comprising: an ink-supply tank containing an ink absorbing member and formed with an ink-supply port; an ink guide member extending into said ink supply port for transporting ink from the ink supply tank, said ink guide member being formed with a wire guide opening for receiving and guiding an ink wire and with a capillary ink path communicating between the ink absorbing member and the side of a wire positioned within said wire guide opening, said capillary ink path being formed of at least first and second regions dimensioned so that the second region between the side of the wire and the wall of the wire guide opening has a greater capillary force than the first region adjacent the ink absorbing member, at least said first and second regions of the capillary path being entirely free of an absorbing material; a head body having therein at least four ink tanks respectively carrying yellow, cyan, magenta and black inks; and at least four said wires each operatively coupled to only one of said tanks for the supply of ink to the tip end thereof, a wire being coupled to each said tank, said wires being positioned so that the alignment of the tip ends of said wires is inclined with respect to a direction in which the sheet of print paper is scanned by the printer head, the angle of inclination being selected so that the adjacent print wires are partially out of registration with each other in the direction normal to the direction of scanning of the printer head relative to said sheet of paper, the wire supplied with the ink of yellow being at one end of said alignment and disposed first along a direction in which the sheet of print paper is fed.

Claim 34

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head for scanning across a sheet of paper for printing dots on said sheet of print paper by actuating a plurality of wires each with ink disposed on the tip end thereof into contact with said sheet of print paper in order to transfer dots of ink to the sheet of paper, said paper being fed in at least one direction essentially normal to the head scanning direction, said ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head comprising: an ink-supply tank containing an ink absorbing member and formed with an ink-supply port; an ink guide member extending into said ink supply port for transporting ink from the ink supply tank, said ink guide member being formed with a wire guide opening for receiving and guiding an ink wire and with a capillary ink path communicating between the ink absorbing member and the side of a wire positioned within said wire guide opening, said capillary ink path being formed of at least first and second regions dimensioned so that the second region between the side of the wire and the wall of the wire guide opening has a greater capillary force than the first region adjacent the ink absorbing member, at least said first and second regions of the capillary path being entirely free of an absorbing material; a head body having therein at least four ink tanks respectively carrying yellow, cyan, magenta and black inks; and at least four said wires each operatively coupled to only one of said tanks for the supply of ink to the tip end thereof, a wire being coupled to each said tank, said wires being positioned so that the alignment of the tip ends of said wires is inclined with respect to a direction in which the sheet of print paper is scanned by the printer head, the angle of inclination being selected so that the adjacent print wires are partially out of registration with each other in the direction normal to the direction of scanning of the printer head relative to said sheet of paper, the wire supplied with the ink of yellow being at one end of said alignment and disposed first along a direction in which the sheet of print paper is fed.

Claim 35

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head for printing dots on a sheet of print paper by actuating a plurality of wires each with ink disposed on the tip end thereof into contact with said sheet of print paper in order to transfer dots of ink to the sheet of paper, said ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head comprising: an ink-supply tank containing an ink absorbing member and formed with an ink-supply port; an ink guide member extending into said ink supply port for transporting ink from the ink supply tank, said ink guide member being formed with a wire guide opening for receiving and guiding an ink wire and with a capillary ink path communicating between the ink absorbing member and the side of a wire positioned within said wire guide opening, the portion of the capillary ink path communicating with said ink absorbing member being formed from an elongated groove, at least a portion of the open side of said groove facing said ink absorbing member and receiving ink therefrom, the capillary ink path from the ink absorbing member to the wire guide opening being entirely free of an ink absorbing member; said ink absorbing member including regions of different pore size to vary the capillary force, the capillary force being greater in the region adjacent the ink supply port.

Claim 36

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head for printing dots on a sheet of print paper by actuating a plurality of wires each with ink disposed on the tip end thereof into contact with said sheet of print paper in order to transfer dots of ink to the sheet of paper, said ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head comprising: an ink-supply tank containing an ink absorbing member and formed with an ink-supply port; an ink guide member extending into said ink supply port for transporting ink from the ink supply tank, said ink guide member being formed with a wire guide opening for receiving and guiding an ink wire and with a capillary ink path communicating between the ink absorbing member and the side of a wire positioned within said wire guide opening, the portion of the capillary ink path communicating with said ink absorbing member being formed from an elongated groove, at least a portion of the open side of said groove facing said ink absorbing member and receiving ink therefrom, the capillary ink path from the ink absorbing member to the wire guide opening being entirely free of an ink absorbing member; said ink absorbing member including regions of different pore size to vary the capillary force, the capillary force being greater in the region adjacent the ink supply port.

Claim 37

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head according to claim 21, wherein said ink guide slots on the inner bottom of said ink tanks are dimensioned to provide capillary force for carrying ink from the ink absorbing member to the elongated groove.

Claim 38

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head for printing dots on a sheet of print paper by actuating a plurality of wires each with ink disposed on the tip end thereof into contact with said sheet of print paper in order to transfer dots of ink to the sheet of paper, said ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head comprising: an ink-supply tank containing an ink absorbing member and formed with an ink-supply port; an ink guide member extending into said ink supply port for transporting ink from the ink supply tank, said ink guide member being formed with a wire guide opening for receiving and guiding an ink wire and with a capillary ink path communicating between the ink absorbing member and the side of a wire positioned within said wire guide opening, the portion of the capillary ink path communicating with said ink absorbing member being formed from an elongated groove, at least a portion of the open side of said groove facing said ink absorbing member and receiving ink therefrom, the capillary ink path from the ink absorbing member to the wire guide opening being entirely free of an ink absorbing member; said ink absorbing member including regions of different pore size to vary the capillary force, the capillary force being greater in the region adjacent the ink supply port.

Claim 39

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head for printing dots on a sheet of print paper by actuating a plurality of wires each with ink disposed on the tip end thereof into contact with said sheet of print paper in order to transfer dots of ink to the sheet of paper, said ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head comprising: an ink-supply tank containing an ink absorbing member and formed with an ink-supply port; an ink guide member extending into said ink supply port for transporting ink from the ink supply tank, said ink guide member being formed with a wire guide opening for receiving and guiding an ink wire and with a capillary ink path communicating between the ink absorbing member and the side of a wire positioned within said wire guide opening, the portion of the capillary ink path communicating with said ink absorbing member being formed from an elongated groove, at least a portion of the open side of said groove facing said ink absorbing member and receiving ink therefrom, the capillary ink path from the ink absorbing member to the wire guide opening being entirely free of an ink absorbing member; said ink absorbing member including regions of different pore size to vary the capillary force, the capillary force being greater in the region adjacent the ink supply port.

Claim 40

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head for printing dots on a sheet of print paper by actuating a plurality of wires each with ink disposed on the tip end thereof into contact with said sheet of print paper in order to transfer dots of ink to the sheet of paper, said ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head comprising: an ink-supply tank containing an ink absorbing member and formed with an ink-supply port; an ink guide member extending into said ink supply port for transporting ink from the ink supply tank, said ink guide member being formed with a wire guide opening for receiving and guiding an ink wire and with a capillary ink path communicating between the ink absorbing member and the side of a wire positioned within said wire guide opening, the portion of the capillary ink path communicating with said ink absorbing member being formed from an elongated groove, at least a portion of the open side of said groove facing said ink absorbing member and receiving ink therefrom, the capillary ink path from the ink absorbing member to the wire guide opening being entirely free of an ink absorbing member; said ink absorbing member substantially filling the ink tank and carrying substantially all of the ink in said ink tank, said ink tank including an inner wall surface having projections to provide a space between said ink absorbing member and said wall surface.

Claim 41

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head for printing dots on a sheet of print paper by actuating a plurality of wires each with ink disposed on the tip end thereof into contact with said sheet of print paper in order to transfer dots of ink to the sheet of paper, said ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head comprising: an ink-supply tank containing an ink absorbing member and formed with an ink-supply port; an ink guide member extending into said ink supply port for transporting ink from the ink supply tank, said ink guide member being formed with a wire guide opening for receiving and guiding an ink wire and with a capillary ink path communicating between the ink absorbing member and the side of a wire positioned within said wire guide opening, the portion of the capillary ink path communicating with said ink absorbing member being formed from an elongated groove, at least a portion of the open side of said groove facing said ink absorbing member and receiving ink therefrom, the capillary ink path from the ink absorbing member to the wire guide opening being entirely free of an ink absorbing member; said ink absorbing member substantially filling the ink tank and carrying substantially all of the ink in said ink tank, said ink tank including an inner wall surface having projections to provide a space between said ink absorbing member and said wall surface.

Claim 42

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head according to claim 24 and including means for providing ambient air to the space between said ink absorbing member and said wall surface.

Claim 43

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head for printing dots on a sheet of print paper by actuating a plurality of wires each with ink disposed on the tip end thereof into contact with said sheet of printer paper in order to transfer dots of ink to the sheet of paper, said ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head comprising: an ink-supply tank containing an ink absorbing member formed with an ink supply port having an opening for the passage of ink from the ink supply tank, said ink absorbing member being made of a porous member mounted in said ink tank and having a region facing said opening, at least the region of said ink absorbing member facing said ink supply port being compressed relative to at least another region of the ink absorbing member and said ink absorbing member substantially filling said ink-supply tank, and an ink guide member formed with a wire guide opening for receiving and guiding an ink wire and with a capillary ink path communicating between the ink absorbing member and the side of a wire positioned within said wire guide opening.

Claim 44

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head for printing dots on a sheet of print paper by actuating a plurality of wires each with ink disposed on the tip end thereof into contact with said sheet of printer paper in order to transfer dots of ink to the sheet of paper, said ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head comprising: an ink-supply tank containing an ink absorbing member formed with an ink supply port having an opening for the passage of ink from the ink supply tank, said ink absorbing member being made of a porous member mounted in said ink tank and having a region facing said opening, at least the region of said ink absorbing member facing said ink supply port being compressed relative to at least another region of the ink absorbing member and said ink absorbing member substantially filling said ink-supply tank, and an ink guide member formed with a wire guide opening for receiving and guiding an ink wire and with a capillary ink path communicating between the ink absorbing member and the side of a wire positioned within said wire guide opening.

Claim 45

An ink-supplied wire dot matrix printer head as recited in claim 26, wherein the region facing the opening of said ink supply port has reduced pore size relative to other regions of the ink absorbing member caused by said compression.