Detachable fluid coupling for inkjet printer

US8523143B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Zamtec Ltd · IE

Inventors

• Brian Robert Brown · Chatswood, AU
• Norman Micheal Berry · Sydney, AU
• Garry Raymond Jackson · Sydney, AU
• Paul Timothy Sharp · Sydney, AU
• John Douglas Peter Morgan · Sydney, AU
• Kia Silverbrook · Sydney, AU
• Akira Nakazawa · Yokohama, JP
• Michael John Hudson · Sydney, AU
• Christopher Hibbard · Sydney, AU
• Samuel George Mallinson · Sydney, AU
• Paul Justin Reichl · Sydney, AU

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 21, 2007
• Grant date: Sep 3, 2013
• Expiry date: Mar 18, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B41J29/38
• WIPO field: Textile and paper machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A detachable fluid coupling for connecting an inkjet printhead with an ink supply, the detachable coupling having a fixed valve member defining a valve seat, a sealing collar (146) for sealing engagement with the valve seat (148), a resilient sleeve (126) having one annular end fixed relative to the fixed valve member (128), and the other annular end engaging the sealing collar to bias it into sealing engagement with the valve seat. The coupling also having a conduit opening (150) that is movable relative to the fixed valve member for engaging the sealing collar (146) to unseal it from the valve seat. Unsealing the sealing collar from the valve seat compresses the resilient sleeve (126) such that an intermediate section of the sleeve displaces outwardly relative to the annular ends. With a resilient sleeve that buckles or folds outwardly, the diameter of the coupling is smaller that the conventional couplings that use an annular resilient element that biases the valve shut remaining residual tension. With a smaller outer diameter, the couplings for all the different ink colors can be positioned in a smaller more compact interface.