US5156473A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-color cartridge ink-supply system for a dot matrix printer
Assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
•
Filing: 1990-11-30
•
Granted: 1992-10-20
•
Expires: 2010-11-30
Abstract
Abstract An ink-supply system for a dot matrix printer including an ink-supply tank formed as a single disposable unit and adapted for mounting in and removal from the ink-supply system as a unit. The ink-supply tank is formed with a plurality of ink-supply sections, each of the ink-supply sections having an ink-supply delivery port. An ink absorbing member formed of a porous material substantially fills each of the ink-supply sections, substantially the desired capacity of ink for each of said ink-supply sections being carried by each of the ink absorbing members, at least two of the ink-supply sections carrying ink of different colors.
Inventors
- 👤 Takashi Suzuki
- 👤 Masanao Matsuzawa
- 👤 Yoshinori Miyazawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 05:18
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/17; B41J2/175; B41J2/17503; B41J2/17513; B41J2/22; B41J2/23; B41J2/235; B41J2/25; B41J2/255; B41J2/305
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 70
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
An ink-supply system for a dot matrix printer head, comprising: an ink-supply tank formed as a single disposable unit and adapted for mounting in and removal from said ink supply system as a unit, said ink-supply tank being formed with a plurality of ink-supply sections, each of said ink-supply sections having an ink-supply delivery port; and an ink absorbing member formed of a porous material in each of said ink-supply sections, substantially the desired capacity of ink for each of said ink-supply sections being carried by the ink absorbing member thereof, each said ink absorbing member substantially filling its respective ink-supply section, at least two of said ink-supply sections carrying ink of different colors.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
An ink-supply system for a dot matrix printer head, comprising: an ink-supply tank formed as a single disposable unit and adapted for mounting in and removal from said ink supply system as a unit, said ink-supply tank being formed with a plurality of ink-supply sections, each of said ink-supply sections having an ink-supply delivery port; and an ink absorbing member formed of a porous material in each of said ink-supply sections, substantially the desired capacity of ink for each of said ink-supply sections being carried by the ink absorbing member thereof, each said ink absorbing member substantially filling its respective ink-supply section, at least two of said ink-supply sections carrying ink of different colors.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The ink-supply system of claim 1, wherein the ink in each of said ink-supply sections is of a color other than black.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
The ink-supply system of claim 1, wherein each of said ink absorbing members comprises at least two separate porous members disposed as stacked layers, one of said porous members which is closer to the associated 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 the associated ink-supply port.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The ink-supply system of claim 1, wherein said ink-supply sections comprise three ink tank sections for respectively storing yellow, magenta and cyan inks.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
The ink-supply system of claim 4, and including a dot matrix printer head, said dot matrix printer head being adapted to be scanned in a printing direction, said ink-supply sections being positioned on said head with the ink-supply section containing said yellow ink being positioned first in a direction of scanning of the dot matrix printer head during printing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The ink-supply system of claim 1, wherein each of said ink absorbing members is compressed in the vicinity of the associated ink-supply delivery port.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The ink-supply system of claim 6, wherein each of said ink-supply sections includes a wall facing the associated ink-supply delivery port, at least a portion of the each of said ink absorbing members being compressingly contained in the space between the associated ink-supply delivery port and the associated wall.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
The ink-supply system of claim 7, wherein the respective wall of each said ink-supply section facing an associated ink-supply delivery port forms a part of a cover means bearing on said each of said ink absorbing members when assembled to said ink-supply tank to at least in part apply a compressive force to effect compression of said each of said ink absorbing members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The ink-supply system of claim 6, wherein said ink supply sections each including an inner wall surface having projections to provide a space between said each of said ink absorbing members and the associated wall surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The ink-supply system of claim 9, and including means for providing ambient air to the space between said each of said ink absorbing members and the associated wall surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
79 words
The ink-supply system of claim 10, wherein the wall of each of said ink-supply section facing the associated ink-supply delivery port is a part of a cover means each bearing on the associated ink absorbing member when assembled to said ink-supply sections to at least in part apply a compressive force to effect compression of said each of said ink absorbing members, at least a portion of said projections extending from the inner wall surfaces of said cover means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The ink-supply system of claim 9, wherein said projections are formed in an inner wall surface of the respective wall of each of said ink-supply sections facing the associated ink-supply delivery port.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The ink-supply system of claim 12, and including means for providing ambient air to the space between said each of said ink absorbing members and said wall surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The ink-supply system of claim 9, said ink being impregnated in each ink absorbing member under a pressure sufficiently low to substantially eliminate air bubbles in the each of said ink absorbing members.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The ink-supply system of claim 1, said ink being impregnated in each ink absorbing member under a pressure sufficiently low to substantially eliminate air bubbles in the each of said ink absorbing members.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
144 words
An ink-supply system for a dot matrix printer head, comprising: an ink-supply tank formed as a single disposable unit and adapted for mounting in and removal from said ink supply system as a unit, said ink-supply tank being formed with a plurality of ink-supply sections; an ink absorbing member formed of a porous material in each of said ink-supply sections; substantially the desired capacity of ink for each of said ink-supply sections being carried by the ink absorbing member thereof, each said ink absorbing member substantially filling its respective ink-supply section, at least two of said ink-supply sections carrying ink of different colors; and separate means projecting into each of said ink-supply tank sections for receiving and transmitting ink from the associated ink absorbing member, each of said ink absorbing members being compressed in the vicinity of the associated ink receiving and transmitting means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
144 words
An ink-supply system for a dot matrix printer head, comprising: an ink-supply tank formed as a single disposable unit and adapted for mounting in and removal from said ink supply system as a unit, said ink-supply tank being formed with a plurality of ink-supply sections; an ink absorbing member formed of a porous material in each of said ink-supply sections; substantially the desired capacity of ink for each of said ink-supply sections being carried by the ink absorbing member thereof, each said ink absorbing member substantially filling its respective ink-supply section, at least two of said ink-supply sections carrying ink of different colors; and separate means projecting into each of said ink-supply tank sections for receiving and transmitting ink from the associated ink absorbing member, each of said ink absorbing members being compressed in the vicinity of the associated ink receiving and transmitting means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The ink-supply system of claim 16, wherein the ink in each of said ink-supply section is of a color other than black.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The ink-supply system of claim 16, wherein said ink-supply sections comprise three ink tank sections for respectively storing yellow, magenta and cyan inks.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
60 words
The ink-supply system of claim 18, and including a dot matrix printer head, said dot matrix printer head being adapted to be scanned in a printing direction, said ink-supply section being positioned on said printer head with the ink-supply sections containing said yellow ink being positioned first in a direction of scanning of the dot matrix printer head during printing.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The ink-supply system of claim 16, wherein each of said ink absorbing members is compressed in the vicinity of the associated ink receiving and transmitting means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
45 words
The ink-supply of claim 20, wherein said ink-supply sections each includes a wall facing the associated receiving and transmitting means, said each of said ink absorbing members being compressingly contained in the space intermediate the associated wall and the associated ink receiving and transmitting means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
64 words
The ink-supply system of claim 21, wherein said wall of each of said ink-supply sections facing the associated ink receiving and transmitting means is part of a cover means bearing on said each of said ink absorbing members when assembled to said ink-supply tank to at least in part apply the compressive force to effect compression of said each of said ink absorbing members.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
The ink-supply system of claim 20, wherein said ink-supply sections each including an inner wall surface having projections to provide a space between said each of said ink absorbing members and the associated wall surface.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The ink-supply system of claim 23, and including means for providing ambient air to the space between said each of said ink absorbing members and the wall surface.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
81 words
The ink-supply system of claim 24, wherein the wall of each of said ink-supply sections facing the associated ink receiving and transmitting means is a part of a cover means each bearing on an associated ink absorbing member when assembled to said ink-supply tank to at least in part apply a compressive force to effect compression of said each of said ink absorbing members, at least a portion of said projections extending from the inner wall surface of said cover means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
33 words
The ink-supply system of claim 23, wherein said projections are formed in an inner wall surface of said wall of each of said ink-supply sections facing the associated ink receiving and transmitting means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
29 words
The ink-supply system of claim 26, and including means for providing ambient air to the space between said each of said ink absorbing members and the associated wall surface.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
33 words
The ink-supply system of claim 23, said ink being impregnated in each ink absorbing member under a pressure sufficiently low to substantially eliminate air bubbles in the each of said ink absorbing members.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
33 words
The ink-supply system of claim 16, said ink being impregnated in each ink absorbing member under a pressure sufficiently low to substantially eliminate air bubbles in the each of said ink absorbing members.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
70 words
The ink-supply system of claim 16, wherein each of said ink absorbing members comprises at least two separate porous members disposed as stacked layers, one of said porous members which is closer to the associated ink receiving and transmitting means 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 receiving and transmitting means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
134 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 formed as a single disposable unit and adapted for mounting in and removal from said ink supply system as a unit, said ink-supply tank being formed with a plurality of ink-supply sections, each of said ink-supply sections having an ink-supply delivery port; and an ink absorbing member formed of a porous material in each of said ink-supply sections, substantially the desired capacity of ink for each of said ink-supply sections being carried by the ink absorbing member thereof, each said ink absorbing member substantially filling its respective ink-supply section, at least two of said ink-supply sections carrying ink of different colors.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
134 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 formed as a single disposable unit and adapted for mounting in and removal from said ink supply system as a unit, said ink-supply tank being formed with a plurality of ink-supply sections, each of said ink-supply sections having an ink-supply delivery port; and an ink absorbing member formed of a porous material in each of said ink-supply sections, substantially the desired capacity of ink for each of said ink-supply sections being carried by the ink absorbing member thereof, each said ink absorbing member substantially filling its respective ink-supply section, at least two of said ink-supply sections carrying ink of different colors.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 31, wherein the ink in each of said ink-supply sections is of a color other than black.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
66 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 31, wherein each of said ink absorbing members comprises at least two separate porous members disposed as stacked layers, one of said porous members which is closer to the associated 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 the associated ink-supply port.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
24 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 31, wherein said ink-supply sections comprise three ink tank sections for respectively storing yellow, magenta and cyan inks.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
63 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 34, said printing means including a dot matrix printer head carrying said ink-supply means, said dot matrix printer head being adapted to be scanned in a printing direction, said ink-supply sections being positioned with the ink-supply section containing said yellow ink being positioned first in a direction of scanning of the dot matrix printer head during printing.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
25 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 31, wherein each of said ink absorbing members is compressed in the vicinity of the associated ink-supply delivery port.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
50 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 36, wherein each of said ink-supply sections includes a wall facing the associated ink-supply delivery port, at least a portion of the each of said ink absorbing members being compressingly contained in the space between the associated ink-supply delivery port and the associated wall.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
64 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 37, wherein the respective wall of each said ink-supply sections facing an associated ink-supply delivery port forms a part of a cover means bearing on said each of said ink absorbing members when assembled to said ink-supply tank to at least in part apply the compressive force to effect compression of said each of said ink absorbing members.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
36 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 36, wherein said ink-supply section each including an inner wall surface having projections to provide a space between said each of said ink absorbing members and the associated wall surface.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
30 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 39, and including means for providing ambient air to the space between said each of said ink absorbing members and the associated wall surface.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
80 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 40, wherein the wall of each of said ink-supply sections facing the associated ink-supply delivery port is a part of a cover means each bearing on an associated ink absorbing member when assembled to said ink-supply sections to at least in part apply a compressive force to effect compression of said each of said ink absorbing members, at least a portion of said projections extending from the inner wall surfaces of said cover means.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
33 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 39, wherein said projections are formed in an inner wall surface of the respective wall of each of said ink-supply sections facing the associated ink-supply delivery port.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
29 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 42, and including means for providing ambient air to the space between said each of said ink absorbing members and said wall surface.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
33 words
The ink-supply system of claim 39, said ink being impregnated in each ink absorbing member under a pressure sufficiently low to substantially eliminate air bubbles in the each of said ink absorbing members.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
33 words
The ink-supply system of claim 31, said ink being impregnated in each ink absorbing member under a pressure sufficiently low to substantially eliminate air bubbles in the each of said ink absorbing members.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
172 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 formed as a singe disposable unit and adapted for mounting in and removal from said ink supply system as a unit, said ink-supply tank being formed with a plurality of ink-supply sections; an ink absorbing member formed of a porous material in each of said ink-supply sections; substantially the desired capacity of ink for each of said ink-supply sections being carried by the ink absorbing member thereof, each said ink absorbing member substantially filling its respective ink-supply section, at least two of said ink-supply sections carrying ink of different colors; and separate means projecting into each of said ink-supply tank sections for receiving and transmitting ink from the associated ink absorbing member for delivery to said dot matrix printing means, each of said ink absorbing members being compressed in the vicinity of the associated ink receiving and transmitting means.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
172 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 formed as a singe disposable unit and adapted for mounting in and removal from said ink supply system as a unit, said ink-supply tank being formed with a plurality of ink-supply sections; an ink absorbing member formed of a porous material in each of said ink-supply sections; substantially the desired capacity of ink for each of said ink-supply sections being carried by the ink absorbing member thereof, each said ink absorbing member substantially filling its respective ink-supply section, at least two of said ink-supply sections carrying ink of different colors; and separate means projecting into each of said ink-supply tank sections for receiving and transmitting ink from the associated ink absorbing member for delivery to said dot matrix printing means, each of said ink absorbing members being compressed in the vicinity of the associated ink receiving and transmitting means.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
23 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 46, wherein the ink in each of said ink-supply sections is of a color other than black.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
24 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 46, wherein said ink-supply sections comprise three ink tank sections for respectively storing yellow, magenta and cyan inks.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
57 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 48, and including a dot matrix printer head said dot matrix printer head is adapted to be scanned in a printing direction, said ink-supply sections being positioned with the ink-supply sections containing said yellow ink being positioned first in the direction of scanning of the dot matrix printer head during printing.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
27 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 46, wherein each of said ink absorbing members is compressed in the vicinity of the associated ink receiving and transmitting means.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
45 words
The ink-supply of claim 50, wherein said ink-supply sections each includes a wall facing the associated receiving and transmitting means, said each of said ink absorbing members being compressingly contained in the space intermediate the associated wall and the associated ink receiving and transmitting means.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
65 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 51, wherein said wall of each of said ink-supply sections facing the associated ink receiving and transmitting means is part of a cover means bearing on said each of said ink absorbing members when assembled to said ink-supply tank to at least in part apply a compressive force to effect compression of said each of said ink absorbing members.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
36 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 50, wherein said ink-supply sections each including an inner wall surface having projections to provide a space between said each of said ink absorbing members and the associated wall surface.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
29 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 53, and including means for providing ambient air to the space between said each of said ink absorbing members and the wall surface.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
111 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 54, wherein the wall of each of said ink-supply sections facing the associated ink receiving and transmitting means is a part of a cover means bearing on said each of said ink absorbing members when assembled to said ink-supply tank to at least in part apply a compressive force to effect compression of said each of said ink absorbing members, each of said ink-supply sections including an inner wall surface having projections to provide a space between said each of said ink absorbing members and the associated wall surface, at least a portion of said projections extending from the inner wall surface of said cover.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
34 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 53, wherein said projections are formed in an inner wall surface of said wall of each of said ink-supply sections facing the associated ink receiving and transmitting means.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
30 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 56, and including means for providing ambient air to the space between said each of said ink absorbing members and the associated wall surface.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
33 words
The ink-supply system of claim 53, said ink being impregnated in each ink absorbing member under a pressure sufficiently low to substantially eliminate air bubbles in the each of said ink absorbing members.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
33 words
The ink-supply system of claim 46, said ink being impregnated in each ink absorbing member under a pressure sufficiently low to substantially eliminate air bubbles in the each of said ink absorbing members.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
71 words
The dot matrix printer of claim 46, wherein each of said ink absorbing members comprises at least two separate porous members disposed as stacked layers, one of said porous members which is closer to the associated ink receiving and transmitting means 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 receiving and transmitting means.
Claim 65
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of applying ink to a dot matrix printer, comprising: storing ink of at least two different colors in different ink-supply sections of an ink-supply tank formed as a single disposable unit and adapted for mounting in and removal from said ink supply system as a unit, said ink-supply tank having a plurality of ink-supply sections, each of said ink-supply sections having an ink-supply delivery port; and providing an ink absorbing member formed of a porous material in each of the ink-supply sections so that substantially the desired capacity of ink for each of said ink-supply sections is carried by the associated ink absorbing member, each said ink absorbing member substantially filling its respective ink-supply section.
Claim 66
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of applying ink to a dot matrix printer, comprising: storing ink of at least two different colors in different ink-supply sections of an ink-supply tank formed as a single disposable unit and adapted for mounting in and removal from said ink supply system as a unit, said ink-supply tank having a plurality of ink-supply sections, each of said ink-supply sections having an ink-supply delivery port; and providing an ink absorbing member formed of a porous material in each of the ink-supply sections so that substantially the desired capacity of ink for each of said ink-supply sections is carried by the associated ink absorbing member, each said ink absorbing member substantially filling its respective ink-supply section.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 61, wherein the color of the ink provided in each of the ink-supply sections is a color other than black.
Claim 68
Independent Claim
132 words
A method of applying ink to a dot matrix printer, comprising: storing ink of at least two different colors in different ink-supply sections of an ink-supply tank formed as a single disposable unit and adapted for mounting in and removal from said ink supply system as a unit, said ink supply tank having a plurality of ink-supply sections, each of said ink-supply sections having a means for receiving and transmitting ink from the associated ink absorbing member for delivery to said printer; and providing an ink absorbing member formed of a porous material in each of the ink-supply sections so that substantially the desired capacity of ink for each of said ink-supply sections is carried by the associated ink absorbing member, each said ink absorbing member substantially filling its respective ink-supply section.
Claim 69
Independent Claim
132 words
A method of applying ink to a dot matrix printer, comprising: storing ink of at least two different colors in different ink-supply sections of an ink-supply tank formed as a single disposable unit and adapted for mounting in and removal from said ink supply system as a unit, said ink supply tank having a plurality of ink-supply sections, each of said ink-supply sections having a means for receiving and transmitting ink from the associated ink absorbing member for delivery to said printer; and providing an ink absorbing member formed of a porous material in each of the ink-supply sections so that substantially the desired capacity of ink for each of said ink-supply sections is carried by the associated ink absorbing member, each said ink absorbing member substantially filling its respective ink-supply section.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 63, wherein the color of the ink provided in each of the ink-supply sections is a color other than black.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 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 |