Out-of-ink sensing method
US4940997A · kind A · utility
63Cited by
2References
14Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 8, 1989 |
| Grant date | Jul 10, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 8, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2002/17576
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In an ink-jet printer, a ball check-valve (32) is used over the ink outlet (28) of an ink bag (16) to interrupt the flow of ink and/or air to the ink bladder when the ink supply in the bag falls below a predetermined level (40). The specific gravity of the ball is less than the specific gravity of ink in the bag but greater than the specific gravity of air.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.