Patent US5396268A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5396268A
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US
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Refill apparatus and method
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1992-03-27
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Granted: 1995-03-07
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Expires: 2012-03-27
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for emptying a refill container used in a continuous ink jet fluid system reduces the amount of ink left in the refill container and eliminates adverse effects in the event that air enters the fluid system through the refill apparatus. The system for emptying the container includes a system vacuum and a refill container. A bi-directional path is provided between the system vacuum and the refill container. The air is then removed from the refill container while maintaining the system vacuum within a predetermined range.
Inventors
- 👤 Rodney G. Mader
- 👤 John C. Loyd
- 👤 Russell L. Bartley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:45
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/17; B41J2/175
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A continuous ink jet imaging system comprising: a means for providing a system vacuum for a constant fluidic system; a means for containing a refill fluid; a means for providing a bi-directional path associated with the constant fluidic system; a means for detecting the system vacuum and providing a signal in response thereto; and a control means for removing air in the means for containing a refill fluid while maintaining the system vacuum within a predetermined range.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
A continuous ink jet imaging system comprising: a means for providing a system vacuum for a constant fluidic system; a means for containing a refill fluid; a means for providing a bi-directional path associated with the constant fluidic system; a means for detecting the system vacuum and providing a signal in response thereto; and a control means for removing air in the means for containing a refill fluid while maintaining the system vacuum within a predetermined range.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A continuous ink jet imaging system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for containing a refill fluid is a collapsible refill container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A continuous ink jet imaging system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the collapsible refill container will support removal of fluid from a bottom of the collapsible refill container with atmospheric pressure residing at a top of the collapsible refill container.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
A continuous ink jet imaging system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for containing a refill fluid comprises: a container; a means for drawing fluid from a bottom of the container; and a means for allowing the container to collapse when the container is substantially empty, to facilitate complete emptying.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
A continuous ink jet imaging system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bi-directional path comprises a first path between the means for providing a system vacuum and the means for containing a refill fluid and a second path between atmosphere and the means for containing a refill fluid.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for emptying a refill container in a continuous ink jet imaging system comprising the steps of: providing a system vacuum for a constant fluidic system; providing a means for containing a refill fluid; providing a bi-directional path associated with the constant fluidic system; detecting the system vacuum and providing a signal in response thereto; and removing air in the means for containing a refill fluid while maintaining the system vacuum within a predetermined range.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for emptying a refill container in a continuous ink jet imaging system comprising the steps of: providing a system vacuum for a constant fluidic system; providing a means for containing a refill fluid; providing a bi-directional path associated with the constant fluidic system; detecting the system vacuum and providing a signal in response thereto; and removing air in the means for containing a refill fluid while maintaining the system vacuum within a predetermined range.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method for emptying a refill container in a continuous ink jet imaging system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the means for containing a refill fluid is a collapsible refill container.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method for emptying a refill container in a continuous ink jet imaging system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the collapsible refill container will support removal of fluid from a bottom of the collapsible refill container with atmospheric pressure residing at a top of the collapsible refill container.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method for emptying a refill container in a continuous ink jet imaging system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the means for containing a refill fluid comprises: a container; a means for drawing fluid from a bottom of the container; and a means for allowing the container to collapse when the container is substantially empty, to facilitate complete emptying.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method for emptying a refill container in a continuous ink jet imaging system continuous ink jet imaging system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the bi-directional path comprises a first path between the means for providing a system vacuum and the means for containing a refill fluid and a second path between atmosphere and the means for containing a refill fluid.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-03-06 | 1998-09-05 | 1999-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-03-06 | 2002-09-05 | 2003-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-03-06 | 2006-09-05 | 2007-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |