Ink jet printer cartridge refilling method and apparatus
US5742308A · kind A · utility
13Cited by
12References
8Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 30, 1994 |
| Grant date | Apr 21, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 30, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2/17506
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An ink jet printer having a travelling ink jet pen with a foam-filled ink chamber. A separate source reservoir includes an ink outlet nozzle connectable to the pen chamber for refilling. A probe on the reservoir partially compresses the foam to decrease its ink capacity during filling. An electrical contact on the reservoir or pen detects over-filling and over-saturation of the foam to stop the filling process. As the foam is decompressed, its increased absorptive capacity accommodates any excess overflow.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.