US5798781A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Printer
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1995-05-02
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Granted: 1998-08-25
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Expires: 2015-05-02
Abstract
Abstract A continuous ink refill system for ink-jet printers, of the kind employing a disposable ink cartridge, wherein an aqueous suspension of a pigmented ink is continually circulated through the cartridge by means of a pressure pump, with unused ink being returned from the cartridge to an ink reservoir.
Inventors
- 👤 Niels B. Pedersen
- 👤 Steen B. Mikkelsen
- 👤 Eva M. Wallstrom
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 13:21
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/17; B41J2/175; B41J2/17503; B41J2/17556; B41J2/17506; B41J2/17509; B41J2/17559
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
An ink-jet printing system consisting of: (a) a reciprocating print carriage which moves in a generally horizontal plane over a print receiving medium; (b) a disposable ink-jet cartridge removably mountable in said print carriage, said cartridge containing a print head and an ink supply container; (c) an ink reservoir, external of said print carriage, for supplying liquid ink continuously to said cartridge; (d) tubing for continuously transporting said ink from said reservoir to said cartridge and to return unused ink from said cartridge to said reservoir, said tubing being enclosed in a flexible housing; (e) a pump for continuously forcing said ink to circulate from said reservoir to said cartridge and to return it to said reservoir during the entire operation of said system; and (f) an ink consisting of an aqueous dispersion of pigment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
An ink-jet printing system consisting of: (a) a reciprocating print carriage which moves in a generally horizontal plane over a print receiving medium; (b) a disposable ink-jet cartridge removably mountable in said print carriage, said cartridge containing a print head and an ink supply container; (c) an ink reservoir, external of said print carriage, for supplying liquid ink continuously to said cartridge; (d) tubing for continuously transporting said ink from said reservoir to said cartridge and to return unused ink from said cartridge to said reservoir, said tubing being enclosed in a flexible housing; (e) a pump for continuously forcing said ink to circulate from said reservoir to said cartridge and to return it to said reservoir during the entire operation of said system; and (f) an ink consisting of an aqueous dispersion of pigment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
The ink jet printing system of claim 1, wherein said dispersion consists of about 70 to 82% by weight water, a co-solvent in the amount of about 15 to 25% by weight, and about 3 to 8% by weight of a colorant selected from the group consisting of a pigment, a particle coated with dye, and a dye droplet having an insoluble coating.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The ink jet printing refill system of claim 2, having an anti-foaming agent in an amount sufficient to prevent clogging of said print head.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
200 words
A method of printing consisting of applying to a substrate an ink composition consisting of about 70 to 82% by weight water, a co-solvent in the amount of about 15 to 25% by weight, and about 3 to 8% by weight of a colorant selected from the group consisting of a pigment, a particle coated with dye, and a dye droplet having an insoluble coating, said ink composition being applied by a printing apparatus consisting of: (a) a reciprocating print carriage which moves in a generally horizontal plane over a print receiving medium, the improvement which comprises (b) a disposable ink-jet cartridge removably mountable in said print carriage, said cartridge containing a print head and an ink supply container; (c) an ink reservoir, external of said print carriage, for supplying liquid ink continuously to said cartridge; (d) tubing for continuously transporting said ink from said external ink reservoir to said cartridge and to return unused ink from said cartridge to said reservoir, said tubing being enclosed in a flexible housing; and (e) a pump for continuously forcing said ink to circulated from the reservoir to the cartridge and to return it to the reservoir during application of said ink composition.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
200 words
A method of printing consisting of applying to a substrate an ink composition consisting of about 70 to 82% by weight water, a co-solvent in the amount of about 15 to 25% by weight, and about 3 to 8% by weight of a colorant selected from the group consisting of a pigment, a particle coated with dye, and a dye droplet having an insoluble coating, said ink composition being applied by a printing apparatus consisting of: (a) a reciprocating print carriage which moves in a generally horizontal plane over a print receiving medium, the improvement which comprises (b) a disposable ink-jet cartridge removably mountable in said print carriage, said cartridge containing a print head and an ink supply container; (c) an ink reservoir, external of said print carriage, for supplying liquid ink continuously to said cartridge; (d) tubing for continuously transporting said ink from said external ink reservoir to said cartridge and to return unused ink from said cartridge to said reservoir, said tubing being enclosed in a flexible housing; and (e) a pump for continuously forcing said ink to circulated from the reservoir to the cartridge and to return it to the reservoir during application of said ink composition.
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) | 2001-08-24 | 2002-02-23 | 2002-08-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-24 | 2006-02-23 | 2006-08-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-24 | 2010-02-23 | 2010-08-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |