Method and apparatus for venting an ink container
First Claim
1. An ink container for providing ink to an ink-jet printing system, the ink container comprising:
- a pressure vessel having a non-operating state and an operating state, during the operating state the pressure vessel has an internal gauge pressure that is treater than atmospheric pressure exterior to the pressure vessel and is maintained within an operating range so that pressurized ink is provided to the printing system from the pressure vessel, during the non-operating state ink is not provided from the pressure vessel to the printing system; and
a vent apparatus communicating between an inside surface of the pressure vessel and outside atmosphere, the vent apparatus including a venting mechanism providing continuous venting of the internal gauge pressure in both the operating and the non-operating states.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is a replaceable ink container for providing ink to an ink-jet printing system. The ink container includes a pressure vessel for pressurizing ink. The ink container has a non-operating state and an operating state. Within the operating state, the pressure vessel has an internal gauge pressure maintained within an operating range so that pressurized ink is provided to the printing system. The ink container also includes a gas vent apparatus communicating between an inside surface of the pressure vessel and an outside atmosphere to allow continuous venting in both the operating and non-operating states. In one preferred embodiment the vent apparatus includes a porous member that is located between a pressurized region of the ink container and an outside atmosphere. This porous member provides a flow path for gas therethrough.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. An ink container for providing ink to an ink-jet printing system, the ink container comprising:
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a pressure vessel having a non-operating state and an operating state, during the operating state the pressure vessel has an internal gauge pressure that is treater than atmospheric pressure exterior to the pressure vessel and is maintained within an operating range so that pressurized ink is provided to the printing system from the pressure vessel, during the non-operating state ink is not provided from the pressure vessel to the printing system; and a vent apparatus communicating between an inside surface of the pressure vessel and outside atmosphere, the vent apparatus including a venting mechanism providing continuous venting of the internal gauge pressure in both the operating and the non-operating states. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An ink container for providing ink to an ink-jet printing system, the ink container comprising:
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a pressure vessel having a non-operating state and an operating state, during the operating state the pressure vessel has an internal gauge pressure that is greater than atmospheric pressure exterior to the pressure vessel and is maintained within an operating range so that pressurized ink is provided to the printing system from the pressure vessel, during the non-operating state ink is not provided from the pressure vessel to the printing system; and vent means for venting of the internal gauge pressure in both the operating and the non-operating states.
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9. An ink container, comprising:
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a pressure vessel containing ink and having a gas inlet through which ink in the pressure vessel is pressurized, the pressure vessel having an operating state, wherein the pressure vessel has an internal gauge pressure that is greater than atmospheric pressure exterior to the pressure vessel and is maintained within an operating range so that the ink is provided under pressure from the pressure vessel to the printing system and a non-operation state, wherein the ink is not provided from the pressure vessel to the printing system; and a porous member communicating between an inside surface of the pressure vessel and outside atmosphere, the porous member providing venting of the internal gauge pressure in both the operating and the non-operating states. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A printing system, comprising:
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a printhead for selectively depositing ink on media; a supply of ink that is fluidically coupled to the printhead; a pressure vessel surrounding the supply of ink, the pressure vessel having an operating state, wherein the pressure vessel has an internal gauge pressure that is greater than atmospheric pressure exterior to the pressure vessel and is maintained within an operating range so that the ink is provided under pressure from the supply of ink to the printhead, and a non-operating state, wherein the ink is not provided from the supply of ink to the printhead; a gas pressure source coupled to the pressure vessel, the gas pressure source supplying the internal gauge pressure for depositing ink on media; and a venting apparatus including a vent mechanism providing continuous venting of the internal gauge pressure from the pressure vessel to an outside atmosphere in both the operating and non-operating states. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification