Ink container with a capillary action member

US5703633A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Dia Nielsen GmbH Zubehoer fuer Messtechnik · DE

Inventors

• Udo Gehrer · Würselen, DE
• Rolf Gibbels · Würselen, DE
• Heinz-Josef Frenken · Stolberg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 19, 1994
• Grant date: Dec 30, 1997
• Expiry date: Aug 19, 2014

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B41J2/17513
• WIPO field: Textile and paper machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A simple and economical construction and a reliable function is obtained for an ink container or ink pot with an ink reservoir by a closure coupling member that closes the ink withdrawal opening of the pot. The closure and coupling member has a capillary action for transporting ink. The pot includes an ink chamber with a capillary body so positioned inside the ink chamber that the open front face or first end of the capillary body is in direct contact with the ink while a back side of the capillary body communicates through a vent with the atmosphere. The chamber encloses the capillary body so that air can enter into the ink reservoir only through the capillary body to properly control the ink transport. For this purpose the capillary body functions as a pressure equalizer. The coupling member has a larger capillary action than the capillary body to make sure that ink is properly fed through the capillary coupling member to an ink consuming device.