Ink supply apparatus
US5992986A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 12, 1997 |
| Grant date | Nov 30, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 12, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J3/543
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An ink supply apparatus includes a carriage on which a printer head arrangement including a printer head is mounted to an alignment plate and an ink reservoir arrangement including an ink reservoir is mounted to a frame pivotably connected to the alignment plate to permit access to the printer head arrangement. A conduit connects an inlet of the printer head to an outlet of the ink reservoir. The outlet of the ink reservoir is located directly behind the inlet of the printer head when the frame is pivoted to a normal operating position to minimize surges in the conduit and thereby prevent leakage out of or air ingestion into the nozzles of the printer head. The ink supply apparatus is particularly well suited for use in ink jet printers where multiple printer heads are used and printing occurs in two directions of travel of the carriage.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.