Method and apparatus for filling the movable reservoir of an inkjet printer
US4187511A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 20, 1978 |
| Grant date | Feb 5, 1980 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 20, 1998 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01D15/18
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An inkjet printer is provided with a movable carriage upon which is mounted an inkjet print head and a small reservoir having a fluid capacity capable of printing a predetermined number of characters, and which is sufficiently light in weight as to minimize the mass mounted upon the carriage. Sensing means detect the low level of ink for causing the carriage to be moved to the end of one of the printer margins at which is located a stationary large capacity ink reservoir having an outlet nozzle adapted to be inserted into an opening in the small capacity reservoir for filling the reservoir either under control of a pump or by gravity feed, whereupon the printer resumes the printing operation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.