Collapsible ink reservoir structure and printer ink cartridge
US5767882A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 9, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jun 16, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 9, 2014 |
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 (25) to facilitate assembly of a replaceable or refillable printer ink cartridge is comprised of a relatively rigid frame (20) and flexible membranes (22, 24) 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 structure (25) is a separate unit which is assembled and mounted in an outer housing (10) to form an ink cartridge. The structure preferably contains an ink pressure regulator (30) which maintains a negative pressure therein.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.