Ink level control for ink jet printer
First Claim
1. Means for controlling the level of ink in an ink jet printing system comprising afirst reservoir containing a quantity of ink, asecond reservoir containing a quantity of ink,means providing an ink supply line and an ink return line connecting the first and the second ink reservoirs,means operably associated with said second reservoir for ejecting ink in droplet form, andmeans associated with the ink return line for causing continuous flow of ink from the second reservoir to the first reservoir and establishing a first ink level in the second reservoir adjacent the ink return line during operation of the printing system and for allowing flow of ink from the first to the second reservoir and establishing a second ink level in the second reservoir adjacent the ink ejecting means during non-operation of the printing system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The level of ink in a reciprocating reservoir is automatically controlled for both printing and non-printing conditions. The reciprocating motion creates forces to cause the ink to move back and forth between the reciprocating reservoir and a main reservoir and a pump maintains the ink at one level during printing. The pump controls the direction and flow of ink moving between the reservoirs by continuous operation during printing and the ink is allowed to rise in the first-mentioned reservoir during non-printing.
74 Citations
20 Claims
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1. Means for controlling the level of ink in an ink jet printing system comprising a
first reservoir containing a quantity of ink, a second reservoir containing a quantity of ink, means providing an ink supply line and an ink return line connecting the first and the second ink reservoirs, means operably associated with said second reservoir for ejecting ink in droplet form, and means associated with the ink return line for causing continuous flow of ink from the second reservoir to the first reservoir and establishing a first ink level in the second reservoir adjacent the ink return line during operation of the printing system and for allowing flow of ink from the first to the second reservoir and establishing a second ink level in the second reservoir adjacent the ink ejecting means during non-operation of the printing system.
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8. Ink level controlling means comprising a
first reservoir containing a quantity of ink, a second reservoir containing a quantity of ink, means connecting the first and second reservoirs and providing ink supply and ink return lines therebetween, and pump means operably associated with the ink return line for causing continuous flow of ink from the second to the first reservoir when the ink is at one level in the second reservoir adjacent the ink return line during printing conditions and for allowing flow of ink from the first to the second reservoir to pursue a higher level in the second reservoir during non-printing conditions.
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14. In an ink jet printer having a first reservoir of ink and a second reservoir of ink movable in relation to the first reservoir, means connecting the first and second reservoirs to provide an ink supply line and an ink return line therebetween, the improvement comprising
means for causing the second reservoir to move in reciprocating manner during printing conditions enabling flow of ink into the second reservoir and attain a predetermined level therein adjacent the ink return line connected thereto, and means operably associated with the ink return line causing continuous flow of ink from the second reservoir to the first reservoir while maintaining such predetermined level under printing conditions and enabling the level of ink to pursue a higher level in said second reservoir during non-printing conditions.
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17. An ink jet printer comprising a
first reservoir containing a supply of ink, a second reservoir connected with said first reservoir, means for moving said second reservoir in reciprocating manner during operation of the printer, means operably associated with the second reservoir for ejecting ink in droplet form, and means for moving said first reservoir downwardly relative to said second reservoir for establishing one ink level in the second reservoir during operation of the printer and for moving the first reservoir upwardly relative to the second reservoir for establishing another ink level in the second reservoir during non-operation of the printer.
Specification