Ink jet head with ink usage sensor
US5694156A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 26, 1993 |
| Grant date | Dec 2, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 26, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49401
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In the representative embodiments disclosed in the specification, an ink jet system includes a carriage for driving an ink jet head having a reservoir containing ink in a reciprocating motion and a counter for counting ink drops ejected through orifices in the ink jet head, and a nonvolatile memory for storing a number corresponding to the number of drops ejected and for generating a signal to terminate operation of the head or to produce a warning signal or to permit completion of printing of a sheet being printed when the number in the memory reaches a selected value. The ink jet head, which is removable from the system, has a refillable reservoir and, to prevent unauthorized refilling, a security arrangement utilizing a special code or a fuse is provided.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.