Ink circulation system
US6312113A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 29, 1999 |
| Grant date | Nov 6, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 29, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2/20
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A circulation system for mixing ink jet ink includes a container, a pump, and first and second tubes. The container has a bottom surface and a top portion opposing the bottom surface. The pump has an inlet port and an outlet port. The first tube has first and second ends. The first end of the first tube is connected to the inlet port of the pump, and the second end of the first tube includes a plurality of openings in close proximity to the bottom surface of the container. The second tube has first and second ends. The first end of the second tube is connected to the outlet port of the pump, and the second end of the second tube has an opening disposed in the top portion. A method for mixing ink jet ink includes circulating pigment particles from a bottom surface of a container to a top portion of the container. The circulation provides sufficient agitation to maintain the pigment particles suspended in the ink and to prevent agglomeration of pigment particles.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.