US5233369A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for supplying ink to an ink jet printer
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1990-12-27
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Granted: 1993-08-03
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Expires: 2010-12-27
Abstract
Abstract An ink cartridge for an ink jet printer that supplies ink at a negative pressure is disclosed. The cartridge includes a cartridge housing having an upper chamber and a lower chamber and a first wall therebetween. The upper chamber has an aperture exposed to atmosphere and it also contains a capillary foam having a specifiable capillarity for absorbing ink. The lower chamber is airlocked until the ink level in the upper chamber is sufficiently low to allow the passage of air through the pores. A printhead is disposed at a vertical height greater than a top level of the lower chamber. A supply line is provided which conveys ink by capillary action of the nozzles to the printhead. A second capillary foam has a specifiable capillarity greater than the capillarity of the first capillary foam. The second foam is in fluidic communication with the upper and lower chambers and with the supply line.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Carlotta
- 👤 Steven J. Dietl
- 👤 Richard A. Morano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 11:44
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/17; B41J2/175; B41J2/17503; B41J2/17513; B41J2/17553; B41J2/17556
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of supplying ink to an ink jet printer comprising the steps of: supplying ink to a first chamber of a cartridge at a negative pressure relative to a printhead; supplying ink to a second chamber of the cartridge at a negative pressure relative to the printhead; conducting the ink from the first and second chambers a fluidic conductor at a negative pressure greater than the negative pressures in the first and second chambers; conducting the ink from the fluidic conductor to a supply line by capillary action; and conducting the ink from the supply line to the printhead.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of supplying ink to an ink jet printer comprising the steps of: supplying ink to a first chamber of a cartridge at a negative pressure relative to a printhead; supplying ink to a second chamber of the cartridge at a negative pressure relative to the printhead; conducting the ink from the first and second chambers a fluidic conductor at a negative pressure greater than the negative pressures in the first and second chambers; conducting the ink from the fluidic conductor to a supply line by capillary action; and conducting the ink from the supply line to the printhead.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of substantially filling the first chamber with a first porous member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the step of conducting the ink to a fluidic conductor comprises the step of conducting the ink to a fluidic conductor having a second porous member which has a capillarity greater than the first porous member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said second porous member contacts the supply line.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
160 words
A method of supplying ink to an ink jet printer comprising the steps of: supplying ink to a first chamber of a cartridge at a negative pressure relative to a printhead; supplying ink to a second chamber of the cartridge at a negative pressure relative to the printhead; conducting the ink from the first chamber to a fluidic conductor having a porous member at a negative pressure greater than the negative pressures in the first and second chambers; preventing air from entering the second chamber by maintaining the porous member at substantially 100% saturation until the first chamber is drained of a predetermined quantity of ink; conducting the ink from the fluidic conductor to a supply line by capillary action; and conducting the ink from the supply line to the printhead; and maintaining the porous member at substantially 100% saturation after the first chamber is substantially depleted of ink by conducting ink from the second chamber to the porous member.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
160 words
A method of supplying ink to an ink jet printer comprising the steps of: supplying ink to a first chamber of a cartridge at a negative pressure relative to a printhead; supplying ink to a second chamber of the cartridge at a negative pressure relative to the printhead; conducting the ink from the first chamber to a fluidic conductor having a porous member at a negative pressure greater than the negative pressures in the first and second chambers; preventing air from entering the second chamber by maintaining the porous member at substantially 100% saturation until the first chamber is drained of a predetermined quantity of ink; conducting the ink from the fluidic conductor to a supply line by capillary action; and conducting the ink from the supply line to the printhead; and maintaining the porous member at substantially 100% saturation after the first chamber is substantially depleted of ink by conducting ink from the second chamber to the porous member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of substantially filling the first chamber with a second porous member having a capillary less than the porous member of the fluidic conductor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said porous member of the fluidic conductor contacts the supply line.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of supplying ink to an ink jet printer comprising the steps of: supplying ink to a first chamber of a cartridge at a negative pressure relative to a printhead; supplying ink to a second chamber of the cartridge at a negative pressure relative to the printhead; conducting the ink from the first chamber to a fluidic conductor having a porous member at a negative pressure greater than the negative pressures in the first and second chambers; preventing air from entering the second chamber by maintaining the porous member at substantially 100% saturation until the first chamber is drained of a predetermined quantity of ink; conducting the ink from the fluidic conductor to a supply line by capillary action; and conducting the ink from the supply line to the printhead, wherein said porous member of the fluidic conductor contacts the supply line.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of supplying ink to an ink jet printer comprising the steps of: supplying ink to a first chamber of a cartridge at a negative pressure relative to a printhead; supplying ink to a second chamber of the cartridge at a negative pressure relative to the printhead; conducting the ink from the first chamber to a fluidic conductor having a porous member at a negative pressure greater than the negative pressures in the first and second chambers; preventing air from entering the second chamber by maintaining the porous member at substantially 100% saturation until the first chamber is drained of a predetermined quantity of ink; conducting the ink from the fluidic conductor to a supply line by capillary action; and conducting the ink from the supply line to the printhead, wherein said porous member of the fluidic conductor contacts the supply line.
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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) | 1996-08-02 | 1997-02-01 | 1997-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-02 | 2001-02-01 | 2001-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-02 | 2005-02-01 | 2005-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |