Method and apparatus for providing phase change ink to an ink jet printer
US5276468A · kind A · utility
71Cited by
11References
19Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 23, 1992 |
| Grant date | Jan 4, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 23, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2/17593
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A FRU assembly (10) comprises a melt chamber (20) including multiple subchambers (30) in which sticks of phase change ink (38, 40) are inserted and melted. Melted ink flows through apertures (54) to a reservoir (28) comprising multiple compartments (56). Each compartment contains a channel (90) and a siphon plate (114) that allow a siphon action that siphons melted ink in the compartments to an orifice (100) that leads to an ink jet print head (16). Heaters (52, 82, and 142) under the control of a CPU (154) melt the ink and keep the melted ink at a desired temperature during various modes of operation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.