US5156472A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dot matrix printer supply system having ink absorbing member filled under reduced pressure
Assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
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Filing: 1990-11-30
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Granted: 1992-10-20
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Expires: 2010-11-30
Abstract
Abstract An ink-supply system for a dot matrix printer including an ink-supply tank having an ink-supply delivery port, an ink impregnated member formed of a porous material within the ink-supply tank, and ink impregnated in the ink absorbing member under a pressure sufficiently low to substantially eliminate air bubbles within the ink impregnated member.
Inventors
- 👤 Takashi Suzuki
- 👤 Masanao Matsuzawa
- 👤 Yoshinori Miyazawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 22:16
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/22; B41J2/23; B41J2/235; B41J2/25; B41J2/255; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/17; B41J2/175; B41J2/17503; B41J2/17513; B41J2/305
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A dot matrix printer, comprising: printing means for applying ink in a dot matrix to effect printing; and an ink supply means for delivering ink to said printing means comprising: an ink-supply tank; an ink absorbing member formed of a porous material within said ink-supply tank; ink impregnated in said ink absorbing member under a pressure sufficiently low to substantially eliminate air bubbles within the ink impregnated member; and means projecting into said ink-supply tank for receiving and transmitting ink from said ink absorbing member for delivery to said dot matrix printer head, whereby air bubbles which would adversely affect operation of the printer are substantially eliminated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
A dot matrix printer, comprising: printing means for applying ink in a dot matrix to effect printing; and an ink supply means for delivering ink to said printing means comprising: an ink-supply tank; an ink absorbing member formed of a porous material within said ink-supply tank; ink impregnated in said ink absorbing member under a pressure sufficiently low to substantially eliminate air bubbles within the ink impregnated member; and means projecting into said ink-supply tank for receiving and transmitting ink from said ink absorbing member for delivery to said dot matrix printer head, whereby air bubbles which would adversely affect operation of the printer are substantially eliminated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 1, wherein a wall of said ink-supply tank facing said ink receiving and transmitting means is a cover means bearing on said ink absorbing member when assembled to said ink-supply tank to at least in part apply a compressive force to effect compression of said ink absorbing member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 2, wherein the ink absorbing member is compressed at least on the region of the ink receiving and transmitting means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 1, wherein said ink absorbing member carries substantially all of the ink in said ink-supply tank when said ink-supply tank is filled to the desired capacity of the ink-supply tank, said ink-supply tank including an inner wall surface having projections to provide a space between said ink absorbing member and said wall surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 4, and including means for providing ambient air to the space between said ink absorbing member and said wall surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
71 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 5, wherein a wall of said ink-supply tank facing said ink receiving and transmitting means is a cover means bearing on said ink absorbing member when assembled to said ink-supply tank to at least in part apply a compressive force to effect compression of said ink absorbing member, at least a portion of said projections extending from the inner wall surface of said cover means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 4, wherein said projections are formed in an inner wall surface of a wall of said ink-supply tank facing said ink receiving and transmitting means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 7, and including means for providing ambient air to the space between said ink absorbing member and said wall surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
88 words
A dot matrix printer, comprising: printing means for applying ink in a dot matrix to effect printing; and an ink supply means for delivering ink to said printing means comprising: an ink-supply tank having an ink-supply delivery port; an ink absorbing member formed of a porous material within said ink-supply tank; and ink impregnated in said ink absorbing member under a pressure sufficiently low to substantially eliminate air bubbles within the ink impregnated member, whereby air bubbles which would adversely affect operation of the printer air substantially eliminated.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
88 words
A dot matrix printer, comprising: printing means for applying ink in a dot matrix to effect printing; and an ink supply means for delivering ink to said printing means comprising: an ink-supply tank having an ink-supply delivery port; an ink absorbing member formed of a porous material within said ink-supply tank; and ink impregnated in said ink absorbing member under a pressure sufficiently low to substantially eliminate air bubbles within the ink impregnated member, whereby air bubbles which would adversely affect operation of the printer air substantially eliminated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 9, wherein the ink absorbing member is compressed at least in the region of the ink receiving and transmitting means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 9, wherein a wall of said ink-supply tank facing said ink-supply delivery port is a cover means bearing on said ink absorbing member when assembled to said ink-supply tank to at least in part apply a compressive force to effect compression of said ink absorbing member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 11, wherein said ink absorbing member is compressed at least in the region of said ink-supply delivery port.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
59 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 9, wherein said ink absorbing member carries substantially all of the ink in said ink-supply tank when said ink-supply tank is filled to the desired capacity of the ink-supply tank, said ink-supply tank including an inner wall surface having projections to provide a space between said ink absorbing member and said wall surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 13, and including means for providing ambient air to the space between said ink absorbing member and said wall surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
69 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 14, wherein a wall of said ink-supply tank facing said ink-supply delivery port is a cover means bearing on said ink absorbing member when assembled to said ink-supply tank to at least in part apply a compressive force to effect compression of said ink absorbing member, at least a portion of said projections extending from the inner wall surface of said cover means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 13, wherein said projections are formed in an inner wall surface of a wall of said ink-supply tank facing said ink-supply delivery port.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 16, and including means for providing ambient air to the space between said ink absorbing member and said wall surface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
62 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 9, wherein said ink absorbing member comprises 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 size than the porous material of the other porous member more remote from said ink-supply port.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 9, wherein the ink absorbing member is compressed at least in the region of the ink-supply delivery port.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
87 words
An ink-supply system for a dot matrix printer head, comprising: an ink-supply tank; an ink absorbing member formed of a porous material within said ink-supply tank; ink impregnated in said ink absorbing member under a pressure sufficiently low to substantially eliminate air bubbles within the ink impregnated member; and means projecting into said ink-supply tank for receiving and transmitting ink from said ink absorbing member for delivery to said dot matrix printer head, whereby air bubbles which would adversely affect operation of the printer are substantially eliminated.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
87 words
An ink-supply system for a dot matrix printer head, comprising: an ink-supply tank; an ink absorbing member formed of a porous material within said ink-supply tank; ink impregnated in said ink absorbing member under a pressure sufficiently low to substantially eliminate air bubbles within the ink impregnated member; and means projecting into said ink-supply tank for receiving and transmitting ink from said ink absorbing member for delivery to said dot matrix printer head, whereby air bubbles which would adversely affect operation of the printer are substantially eliminated.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
53 words
The ink-supply system of claim 20, wherein a wall of said ink-supply tank facing said ink receiving and transmitting means is a cover means bearing on said ink absorbing member when assembled to said ink-supply tank to at least in part apply a compressive force to effect compression of said ink absorbing member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The ink-supply system of claim 21, wherein the ink absorbing member is compressed at least in the region of the ink receiving and transmitting means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
58 words
The ink-supply system of claim 20, wherein said ink absorbing member carries substantially all of the ink in said ink-supply tank when said ink-supply tank is filled to the desired capacity of the ink-supply tank, said ink-supply tank including an inner wall surface having projections to provide a space between said ink absorbing member and said wall surface.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The ink-supply system of claim 23, and including means for providing ambient air to the space between said ink absorbing member and said wall surface.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
70 words
The ink-supply system of claim 24, wherein a wall of said ink-supply tank facing said ink receiving and transmitting means is a cover means bearing on said ink absorbing member when assembled to said ink-supply tank to at least in part apply a compressive force to effect compression of said ink absorbing member, at least a portion of said projections extending from the inner wall surface of said cover means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
The ink-supply system of claim 23, wherein said projections are formed in an inner wall surface of a wall of said ink-supply tank facing said ink receiving and transmitting means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
25 words
The ink-supply system of claim 26, and including means for providing ambient air to the space between said ink absorbing member and said wall surface.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
The ink-supply system of claim 20, wherein the ink absorbing member is compressed at least in the region of the ink receiving and transmitting means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
68 words
An ink-supply system for a dot matrix printer head, comprising: an ink-supply tank having an ink-supply delivery port; an ink absorbing member formed of a porous material within said ink-supply tank; and ink impregnated in said ink absorbing member under a pressure sufficiently low to substantially eliminate air bubbles within the ink impregnated member, wherein air bubbles which would adversely affect operation of the printer are substantially eliminated.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
68 words
An ink-supply system for a dot matrix printer head, comprising: an ink-supply tank having an ink-supply delivery port; an ink absorbing member formed of a porous material within said ink-supply tank; and ink impregnated in said ink absorbing member under a pressure sufficiently low to substantially eliminate air bubbles within the ink impregnated member, wherein air bubbles which would adversely affect operation of the printer are substantially eliminated.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
51 words
The ink-supply system of claim 29, wherein a wall of said ink-supply tank facing said ink-supply delivery port is a cover means bearing on said ink absorbing member when assembled to said ink-supply tank to at least in part apply a compressive force to effect compression of said ink absorbing member.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
The ink-supply system of claim 30, wherein said ink absorbing member is compressed at least in the region of said ink-supply delivery port.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
58 words
The ink-supply system of claim 29, wherein said ink absorbing member carries substantially all of the ink in said ink-supply tank when said ink-supply tank is filled to the desired capacity of the ink-supply tank, said ink-supply tank including an inner wall surface having projections to provide a space between said ink absorbing member and said wall surface.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
The ink-supply system of claim 32, and including means for providing ambient air to the space between said ink absorbing member and said wall surface.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
68 words
The ink-supply system of claim 33, wherein a wall of said ink-supply tank facing said ink-supply delivery port is a cover means bearing on said ink absorbing member when assembled to said ink-supply tank to at least in part apply a compressive force to effect compression of said ink absorbing member, at least a portion of said projections extending from the inner wall surface of said cover means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
28 words
The ink-supply system of claim 32, wherein said projections are formed in an inner wall surface of a wall of said ink-supply tank facing said ink-supply delivery port.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
25 words
The ink-supply system of claim 35, and including means for providing ambient air to the space between said ink absorbing member and said wall surface.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
23 words
The ink-supply system of claim 29, wherein the ink absorbing member is compressed at least in the region of the ink-supply delivery port.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
92 words
The method of applying ink to a dot matrix printer, comprising: storing ink in a ink-supply tank having an ink-supply delivery port; providing an ink absorbing member formed of a porous material in said ink-supply tank so that substantially the desired capacity of ink for said ink-supply tank is carried by the ink absorbing member; and impregnating ink in said ink absorbing member under a pressure sufficiently low to substantially eliminate air bubbles within the ink impregnated member, whereby air bubbles which would adversely affect operation of the printer are substantially eliminated.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
92 words
The method of applying ink to a dot matrix printer, comprising: storing ink in a ink-supply tank having an ink-supply delivery port; providing an ink absorbing member formed of a porous material in said ink-supply tank so that substantially the desired capacity of ink for said ink-supply tank is carried by the ink absorbing member; and impregnating ink in said ink absorbing member under a pressure sufficiently low to substantially eliminate air bubbles within the ink impregnated member, whereby air bubbles which would adversely affect operation of the printer are substantially eliminated.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
110 words
The method of applying ink to a dot matrix printer, comprising: storing ink in an ink-supply tank; providing an ink absorbing member formed of a porous material in said ink-supply tank so that substantially the desired capacity of ink for said ink-supply tank is carried by the ink absorbing member; providing means projecting into the ink-supply tank for receiving and transmitting ink from the ink absorbing member for delivery to the printing means; and impregnating ink in said ink absorbing member under a pressure sufficiently low to substantially eliminate air bubbles within the ink impregnated member, whereby air bubbles which would adversely affect operation of the printer are substantially eliminated.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
110 words
The method of applying ink to a dot matrix printer, comprising: storing ink in an ink-supply tank; providing an ink absorbing member formed of a porous material in said ink-supply tank so that substantially the desired capacity of ink for said ink-supply tank is carried by the ink absorbing member; providing means projecting into the ink-supply tank for receiving and transmitting ink from the ink absorbing member for delivery to the printing means; and impregnating ink in said ink absorbing member under a pressure sufficiently low to substantially eliminate air bubbles within the ink impregnated member, whereby air bubbles which would adversely affect operation of the printer are substantially eliminated.
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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) | 1995-10-20 | 1996-04-20 | 1996-10-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-10-20 | 2000-04-20 | 2000-10-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-10-20 | 2004-04-20 | 2004-10-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |