Optical ink level detecting arrangements for ink cartridges
US7137688B1 · kind B1 · utility
4Cited by
7References
25Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 19, 2004 |
| Grant date | Nov 21, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 5, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2/17566
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An ink container shell for an ink jet cartridge has an ink chamber provided with an optical ink detection device in the form of a single or multi-segment prism having interface surfaces for reflecting light in a scan plane from a first to a second exterior area relative to the container shell when an ink level in the chamber recedes to a given level. The multi-segment prism provides for scanning a cartridge in different scanning planes. Either a single prism or the multi-segment prism can be separate from the cartridge and interengaged therewith by a snap-fit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.