Patent · US Expired

Ink-jet cartridge

US6145973A · kind A · utility

58Cited by
3References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 14, 1999
Grant dateNov 14, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 14, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB41J2/17596
  • WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The present invention provides any ink jet pen an apparatus for storing and printing ink, wherein a valve is connected between the ink reservoir and the ink chamber for controlling the ink flow between the ink reservoir and the ink chamber and adjusting the air pressure in the ink chamber to keep the pressure in the ink chamber within the allowed range as the ink gradually gets depleted or the environmental pressure changes. The valve having a plunger and a plunger chamber, wherein the plunger chamber is connected to the atmosphere via an atmospheric opening and connected to the ink chamber via a feedback opening which adjusts the pressure in the ink chamber to move the plunger. When a difference between the atmospheric pressure and inner pressure of the ink chamber develops, the plunger will be pushed by the pressure of the atmosphere or the ink chamber to determine whether the ink reservoir is connected to the ink chamber and to adjust the ink chamber inner pressure. Therefore, the cartridge can provide a proper ink supply and thorough ink usage and leakage prevention.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.