Patent · US Expired

Image forming apparatus

US6685308B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
5References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 21, 2002
Grant dateFeb 3, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 21, 2022

Classification

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

Abstract

The present invention provides an image forming apparatus for forming an image by discharging liquid from a recording head onto a recording medium, comprising a carriage to which the recording head and a sub-tank for storing the liquid to be supplied to the recording head are mounted and which can be shifted reciprocally, a main tank disposed out of the carriage and adapted to store the liquid, a liquid flow passage connected between the main tank and the sub-tank in order to supply the liquid from the main tank to the sub-tank, a flow passage opening/closing valve disposed in the liquid flow passage on the way and adapted to open and close the liquid flow passage, and control means for controlling opening/closing of the flow passage opening/closing valve in accordance with an image forming condition during image formation using the recording head.

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