Image forming apparatus
US8177313B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 17, 2008 |
| Grant date | May 15, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 16, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J29/38
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes a print head to eject droplets, a subtank to supply ink to the print head, a main tank to supply the ink to the subtank, a supply pump to supply the ink from the main tank to the subtank, a pump driver to drive the supply pump, an amount sensor to sense an ink amount in the subtank and output a signal when the ink amount in the subtank is at a predetermined level, and a unit to drive and control the pump driver, which is configured to decrease an ink supply rate of the supply pump in response to the signal outputted by the amount sensor and to stop the supply pump when predetermined time has passed after the signal is outputted by the amount sensor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.