Hot melt ink supply system
US4814786A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 28, 1987 |
| Grant date | Mar 21, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 28, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05K7/20236
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In the representative hot melt ink supply system described in the specification, a first hot melt ink supply reservoir maintains ink in molten condition during operation of the system and a second reservoir mounted with an ink jet head on a movable carriage communicates with the first reservoir through a flexible supply line. The ink in the supply line is normally kept in solid condition and, when a reduced level of ink is detected in the second reservoir, the supply line is heated to melt the ink in the line and a pump is actuated to transfer ink from the first reservoir to the second reservoir. To permit use of pigmented inks, each of the reservoirs is heated to provide a thermal gradient therein so as to maintain convective circulation of the ink. An ink circulation path is provided to cause convective circulation of pigmented ink in the ink jet head.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.