# US 10,245,840 B2 · Ink delivery system with robust compliance

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 10,245,840 B2
- Document ID: US10245840B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/582,985
- Filed: 2017-05-01
- Published: 2017-11-02
- Granted: 2019-04-02
- Earliest claimed: 2016-05-02
- Assignees: Memjet Technology Limited
- Applicants: Memjet Technology Ltd.
- Inventors: Mark Profaca; Gilbert Alemana; Richard Dimagiba; Brendan Shields; Rommel Balala
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10245840B2

## CPC

- B41J 2/17596: {Ink pumps, ink valves}
- B41J 2/175: Ink supply systems {; Circuit parts therefor}
- B41J 2/17509: {Whilst mounted in the printer}
- B41J 2/17556: {Means for regulating the pressure in the cartridge}
- B41J 2/18: Ink recirculation systems
- B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS

## Abstract

An inkjet printer includes: an inkjet printhead; an ink line connected to the printhead; and a compliance fluidically communicating with the ink line. The compliance includes sealed flexible bellows configured for dampening ink pressure fluctuations in the ink line.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An inkjet printer comprising:
at least one inkjet printhead;
an ink line connected to the printhead; and
a compliance fluidically communicating with the ink line, the compliance comprising sealed flexible bellows configured for dampening ink pressure fluctuations in the ink line, wherein the bellows comprise a plurality of concentric portions joined via concertinaed sidewalls.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The inkjet printer of claim 1, wherein the concentric portions have sequentially decreasing diameter away from a bellows inlet.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The inkjet printer of claim 1, wherein a number of the concentric portions at least partially determines a dampening effect of the compliance.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The inkjet printer of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the sidewalls at least partially determines a dampening effect of the compliance.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The inkjet printer of claim 1, wherein the flexible bellows are formed of a single molded material.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The inkjet printer of claim 1, wherein, in use, the flexible bellows are filled with ink.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The inkjet printer of claim 6, wherein, in use, the flexible bellows extend downwards from a bellows inlet towards a base.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The inkjet printer of claim 7, wherein the flexible bellows taper towards the base.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The inkjet printer of claim 1 comprising a plurality of printheads, each printhead having at least one associated compliance.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The inkjet printer of claim 9 comprising a plurality of print modules, each print module comprising a printhead and at least one compliance.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The print module of claim 10, wherein the bellows comprise a plurality of concentric portions joined via concertinaed sidewalls, the concentric portions have sequentially decreasing diameter away from a bellows inlet.

### Claim 12

A print module comprising:
a supply module having at least one port for connection to an ink line; and
an inkjet printhead coupled to the supply module for receiving ink therefrom, wherein the supply module comprises a compliance fluidically communicating with the ink line, the compliance comprising sealed flexible bellows configured for dampening ink pressure fluctuations in the ink line.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The print module of claim 12, wherein the supply module comprises:
an inlet module coupled to an inlet of the printhead, the inlet module having an inlet port for connection to an ink inlet line; and
an outlet module coupled to an outlet of the printhead, the outlet module having an outlet port for connection to an ink outlet line, wherein at least one of the inlet and outlet modules comprises the compliance.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The print module of claim 13, wherein each of the inlet and outlet modules comprises a respective compliance.