Ink jet hard copy apparatus ink cartridge
US5574490A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 21, 1993 |
| Grant date | Nov 12, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 21, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2002/17516
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A collapsible ink reservoir structure to facilitate assembly of a replaceable or refillable printer ink cartridge is comprised of a relatively rigid inner frame and flexible membranes forming an ink reservoir having side walls which collapse to a substantially flat shape to minimize the amount of ink remaining in the reservoir structure after computer generated printing has depleted the ink from the cartridge. The reservoir structure is a separate unit from the ink discharge aperture device which is assembled and mounted in an outer housing and includes the inner frame and ink bags formed of films to form the cartridge assembly. Multiple reservoirs can be formed within the structure to permit the use of different colorants in each reservoir. The structure preferably contains an ink pressure regulator within each reservoir to maintain a negative pressure therein.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.