Ink container, inkjet printing apparatus, and ink supplying method
US6783215B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 21, 2003 |
| Grant date | Aug 31, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 21, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2/17509
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In a supply system which includes an ink container for reserving a predetermined amount of ink to be supplied to a printing head and which is configured such that ink is intermittently supplied to the container from an ink tank, there is provided a structure that fundamentally eliminates waste of ink associated with an operation of charging the container to apply a required negative pressure to the head. An ink containing body in which a negative pressure can be generated because of its elasticity is provided in the container. After the ink containing body is expanded to introduce ink into the same by depressurizing the interior of the container, the interior of the container is pressurized to contract the ink containing body, thereby returning a predetermined amount of ink to the tank. A negative pressure is thus generated in equilibrium with an ink meniscus holding ability of the head.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.