Phase change ink replenishment system
US5181049A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 9, 1989 |
| Grant date | Jan 19, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 9, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2/17593
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In a color printer including a print head for effecting printing with a phase change ink and provided with a reservoir for holding a supply of the ink, an ink replenishment assembly composed of an ink storage device for storing a plurality of pellets of the ink in solid phase, the storage device having an outlet and a channel for supplying the pellets to the outlet by the force of gravity; a pellet conveying device disposed between the storage device outlet and the print head and movable between a receiving position for receiving at least one pellet from the storage device outlet and a delivery position for conveying a pellet received in the receiving position to the print head reservoir; and a drive member coupled to the pellet conveying device for moving the pellet conveying device between the receiving and delivery positions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.