Printing apparatus, system and method

• US 8,167,414 B1
• Filed: 06/17/2009
• Issued: 05/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Plastipak Packaging Incorporated (Plastipak Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Plastipak Packaging Incorporated (Plastipak Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Uptergrove, Ronald L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Anh T. N.
• Application Number:
  US12/486,264
• Time in Patent Office: 1,049 Days
• Field of Search: 347/5, 347/7, 347/37, 347/85
• US Class Current: 347/85
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/175 Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor

Abstract

A printing apparatus and system for printing is disclosed. The print apparatus includes a print head, an ink reservoir, and at least one conduit for supplying ink from the ink reservoir to the print head. In an embodiment, the ink reservoir is operatively connected to the print head such that the vertical movement of the ink reservoir substantially coincides with a similar vertical movement of the print head.

Claims

1. A printing apparatus comprising:

a print head including at least one opening for dispensing ink;

an ink reservoir; and

a conduit for supplying ink from the ink reservoir to the print head;

wherein the ink reservoir is rigidly connected to the print head by a bar or extension such that the vertical movement of the ink reservoir directly mechanically coincides with the vertical movement of the print head.

2. The printing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the print head includes a nozzle plate.

3. The printing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ink reservoir is positioned to the side of the print head.

4. The printing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conduit is flexible and comprises a hose, a tube, or a supply line.

5. The printing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the print head is configured to move in a vertical up-down direction relative to a surface to be printed.

6. The printing apparatus of claim 1, including a pump for supplying additional ink to the ink reservoir.

7. The printing apparatus of claim 6, including a second conduit extending between the pump and the ink reservoir.

8. The printing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the print head is rigidly connected or attached to the ink reservoir.

9. The printing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ink reservoir is mounted on a print bar or extension connected to the print head.

10. The printing apparatus of claim 1, including a control sensor for sensing the level of fluid within the print head or the ink reservoir.

11. The printing apparatus of claim 1, including one or more sensors for sensing the level of fluid in the print head and the ink reservoir.

12. The printing apparatus of claim 1, including a pump for supplying additional ink to the ink reservoir, a second conduit extending between the pump and the ink reservoir, and one or more control sensors providing information or feedback to control the pump based on select or prescribed sensed parameters.

13. The printing apparatus of claim 12, including a pump-supplying reservoir and a pump-supplying conduit that extends between the pump and the pump-supplying reservoir.

14. The printing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the length of the conduit for supplying ink from the ink reservoir to the print head is less than about 36 inches.

15. The printing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the length of the conduit for supplying ink from the ink reservoir to the print head is less than about 12 inches.

16. The printing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the diameter of the conduit for supplying ink from the ink reservoir to the print head is less than about 0.25 inches.

17. The printing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the diameter of the conduit for supplying ink from the ink reservoir to the print head is less than about 0.0625 inches.

18. A printing apparatus comprising:

a print head including at least one opening for dispensing ink;

an ink reservoir;

a common rigid extension or platform configured to simultaneously move the print head and the ink reservoir in at least a vertical direction;

a conduit for supplying ink from the ink reservoir to the print head; and

an ink supply and a pump for supplying additional ink to the ink reservoir from the ink supply;

wherein the apparatus is configured so that the vertical movement of the ink reservoir directly corresponds or coincides with the vertical movement of the print head.

19. The printing apparatus of claim 18, including one or more control sensors providing information or feedback control to the pump based on select or prescribed sensed parameters.

20. The printing apparatus of claim 19, wherein the one or more control sensors include a fluid level sensor.