Method and apparatus for delivering pressurized ink to a printhead
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A pressurized ink delivery system for an ink jet printer comprising:
- a print cartridge having a printhead; and
a pressure regulator, said pressure regulator being connected between an ink input into said print cartridge and an ink outlet in fluid communication with said printhead, said pressure regulator detecting a negative ink pressure, relative to atmospheric pressure, in said print cartridge more negative than a preset limit and allowing ink to flow from said ink input to said ink output until said ink pressure is within a preset negative pressure range; and
an ink supply for said print cartridge, said ink supply including;
a deformable ink bag containing said ink;
a rigid container substantially surrounding said ink bag;
an ink supply tube connected between said ink bag and said ink input of said print cartridge; and
a pressurizing device generating a positive pressure, relative to the atmospheric pressure, said pressurizing device having an outlet connected to said rigid container, said pressurizing device providing said positive pressure internal to said rigid container, causing said ink within said ink bag to be delivered through said ink supply tube to said ink input of said print cartridge at said positive pressure at all times while said printhead is operating.
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Abstract
An apparatus for delivering pressurized ink to a printhead, according to the invention, includes a deformable bag for holding ink, a pressurizable container substantially surrounding the bag for exerting fluid pressure on said bag and pressurizing any ink within the bag, and a sealable ink outlet port for fluid communication with the ink bag. The port is fluidically connectable to the printhead so that pressurized ink is deliverable to the printhead.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A pressurized ink delivery system for an ink jet printer comprising:
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a print cartridge having a printhead; and
a pressure regulator, said pressure regulator being connected between an ink input into said print cartridge and an ink outlet in fluid communication with said printhead, said pressure regulator detecting a negative ink pressure, relative to atmospheric pressure, in said print cartridge more negative than a preset limit and allowing ink to flow from said ink input to said ink output until said ink pressure is within a preset negative pressure range; andan ink supply for said print cartridge, said ink supply including; a deformable ink bag containing said ink; a rigid container substantially surrounding said ink bag; an ink supply tube connected between said ink bag and said ink input of said print cartridge; and a pressurizing device generating a positive pressure, relative to the atmospheric pressure, said pressurizing device having an outlet connected to said rigid container, said pressurizing device providing said positive pressure internal to said rigid container, causing said ink within said ink bag to be delivered through said ink supply tube to said ink input of said print cartridge at said positive pressure at all times while said printhead is operating. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for delivering pressurized ink to a printhead comprising:
providing a print cartridge having a printhead; and
a pressure regulator, said pressure regulator being connected between an ink input into said print cartridge and an ink outlet in fluid communication with said printhead, said pressure regulator detecting a negative ink pressure, relative to atmospheric pressure, in said print cartridge more negative than a preset limit and allowing ink to flow from said ink input to said ink output until said ink pressure is within a preset negative pressure range;operating said printhead to print on a medium; generating a negative pressure internal to said print cartridge as said printhead is printing; providing an ink supply for said print cartridge, said ink supply including;
a deformable ink bag containing said ink;
a rigid container substantially surrounding said ink bag;
an ink supply tube connected between said ink bag and said ink input of said print cartridge; and
a pressurizing device generating a positive pressure, relative to said atmospheric pressure, said pressurizing device having an outlet connected to said rigid container, said pressurizing device providing said positive pressure internal to said rigid container, causing said ink within said ink bag to be delivered through said ink supply tube to said ink input of said print cartridge at said positive pressure at all times while said printhead is operating; andproviding said ink at a positive pressure through said ink supply tube and to said ink input as said printhead is printing on said medium. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An pressurized ink supply for an ink jet printer, said ink jet printer including a print cartridge comprising a printhead and a pressure regulator, said pressure regulator being connected between an ink input into said print cartridge and an ink outlet in fluid communication with said printhead, said pressure regulator detecting a negative ink pressure, relative to atmospheric pressure, in said print cartridge more negative than a preset limit and allowing ink to flow from said ink input to said ink output until said ink pressure is within a preset negative pressure range, said ink supply comprising:
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a deformable ink bag containing said ink; a rigid container substantially surrounding said ink bag; an ink supply tube connected between said ink bag and said ink input of said print cartridge; and a pressurizing device generating a positive pressure, relative to said atmospheric pressure, said pressurizing device having an outlet connected to said rigid container, said pressurizing device providing said positive pressure internal to said rigid container, causing said ink within said ink bag to be delivered through said ink supply tube to said ink input of said print cartridge at said positive pressure at all times while said printhead is operating.
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Specification