Patent · US Expired

Buffer tank for ink jet printer

US7178908B2 · kind B2 · utility

11Cited by
9References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateAug 26, 2004
Grant dateFeb 20, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 28, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB41J2/17566
  • WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

There is disclosed a buffer tank for an ink jet printer, comprising: a main body having a top plate; an air intake through which outside air is taken into the tank; an air outlet passage comprising at least a part extending in the main body downward from the top plate, to flow the air in the tank out into an ink cartridge; and an ink inlet passage comprising at least a part extending in the main body downward from the top plate, to draw the ink in the cartridge into the tank. Each of the air outlet and ink inlet passages comprises a hollow needle disposed at the top plate and vertically extends, and at least one of the air outlet and ink inlet passages comprises a hollow tubular member extending downward from the top plate, whose inner space is in communication with an inner space of the corresponding needle.

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