Foamless ramps for controlling the flow of ink to eliminate foam in an ink tank
US6234621A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 14, 1998 |
| Grant date | May 22, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 14, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2/175
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An ink tank apparatus having a reservoir for containing ink, is improved to control or eliminate the harmful effects of foaming, misting and splatter of ink in the ink tank. A fluid pump delivers ink to a printer system, having an associated reservoir, and a vacuum pump acts on the reservoir to return unused ink from the printer to the reservoir. The returning ink is caused to enter the reservoir at an angle so the returned ink tends to stay near a surface of the reservoir ink level. In particular a ramp or series of ramps are provided along which the returning ink travels. Furthermore, the returned ink is ported into a confined inlet chamber from which the returned ink drains into the ink tank, and the returned ink is ported into this confined inlet chamber so as to produce a vortex-like flow in the inlet chamber. A drain port from the inlet chamber can be restricted to reduce pulsations in the returned flow, and baffles can be used to inhibit the flow of mist to the vacuum port of the ink tank.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.