# US 11,298,944 B2 · Tanks for print cartridge > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,298,944 B2 - Document ID: US11298944B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/958,200 - Filed: 2018-01-25 - Published: 2021-03-11 - Granted: 2022-04-12 - Earliest claimed: 2018-01-25 - Assignees: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. - Applicants: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. - Inventors: William S Osborne; John J Cantrell - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11298944B2 ## CPC - B41J 2/175: Ink supply systems {; Circuit parts therefor} - B41J 2/17509: {Whilst mounted in the printer} - B41J 2/17513: {Inner structure} - B41J 2/1752: {Mounting within the printer} - B41J 2/17523: {Ink connection} - B41J 2/17553: {Outer structure} - B41J 2/17566: {Ink level or ink residue control} - B41J 29/02: Framework - B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS ## Abstract An example system includes an ink tank including a feeder tank, wherein the feeder tank is to hold a fluid therein, the feeder tank having a port, the feeder tank being under a negative gauge pressure. The example system further includes a print cartridge in fluid communication with the port of the feeder tank, the print cartridge having a nozzle plate. The port of the feeder tank is positioned to a lower corner of the feeder tank distally to the print cartridge, wherein the nozzle plate is disposed above a predetermined level within the feeder tank when the system is not tilted, the predetermined level corresponding to a free surface of a predetermined volume of the fluid when the system is not tilted. When the system is tilted to position the nozzle plate below the port, the volume of fluid uncovers the port. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system, comprising: an ink tank including a feeder tank, wherein the feeder tank is to hold a fluid therein, the feeder tank having a port, the feeder tank being under a negative gauge pressure; and a print cartridge in fluid communication with the port of the feeder tank, the print cartridge having a nozzle plate, wherein the port of the feeder tank is positioned to a lower corner of the feeder tank distally to the print cartridge, wherein the nozzle plate is disposed above a predetermined level within the feeder tank when the system is not tilted, the predetermined level corresponding to a free surface of a predetermined volume of the fluid when the system is not tilted, and wherein, when the system is tilted to position the nozzle plate below the port, the volume of fluid uncovers the port. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a screen disposed at an interface of the feeder tank and the port, wherein the screen comprises a mesh to retain fluid when the port is uncovered from the fluid, and wherein the screen is operative to increase the negative gauge pressure at the port. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein openings in the screen are in a range of between about 2 microns to about 20 microns. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein a thickness of the screen is in a range of between about 0.05 millimeters to about 0.5 millimeters. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein an active area of the screen is in a range of between about 20 square millimeters to about 500 square millimeters. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the feeder tank includes a vent to ambient atmosphere, the vent to allow ambient air to replace ink in the feeder tank as ink is transferred from the feeder tank to the print cartridge. ### Claim 7 A system, comprising: an ink tank of a printer, comprising a main tank and a feeder tank in fluid communication with the main tank, wherein the feeder tank is at least partially filled with ink; a print cartridge of the printer, comprising a nozzle plate; a tube to establish fluid communication between the print cartridge and a port of the feeder tank, the port at a lower corner of the feeder tank located distally to a center of mass of ink in the feeder tank, the print cartridge and the tube; and a screen disposed at an interface between the feeder tank and the port, wherein the nozzle plate is located below a free surface of ink in the feeder tank when the printer is in a first tilted orientation and the port is exposed to air in the feeder tank, wherein the screen is operative to provide a negative gauge pressure at the port. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein air in the main tank is at a negative gauge pressure. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, further comprising a tubular sleeve extending from the main tank into the feeder tank, wherein a transfer of air from the feeder tank to the main tank is prevented when the free surface of ink in the feeder tank is above a lower lip of the tubular sleeve, and wherein ink transfer from the main tank to the feeder tank is prevented. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein a transfer of air from the feeder tank to the main tank is enabled when the free surface of ink in the feeder tank is below the lower lip of the tubular sleeve, and wherein ink transfer from the main tank to the feeder tank is enabled. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein openings in the screen are in a range of between about 2 microns to about 20 microns. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein a thickness of the screen is in a range of between about 0.05 millimeters to about 0.5 millimeters. ### Claim 13 A system, comprising: a printer comprising an ink tank, the ink tank comprising a main tank and a feeder tank in fluid communication with the main tank, wherein the feeder tank is at least partially filled with ink, the printer further comprising a print cartridge wherein the print cartridge comprises a nozzle plate, wherein the printer further comprises a tube to establish fluid communication between the print cartridge and a port of the feeder tank, the port at a lower corner of the feeder tank located distally to a center of mass of ink in the feeder tank, the print cartridge and the tube, and wherein the printer further comprises a screen disposed at an interface between the feeder tank and the port, wherein the nozzle plate is located below a free surface of ink in the feeder tank when the printer is in a first tilted orientation and the port is exposed to air in the feeder tank, and wherein the screen provides a negative gauge pressure at the port. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the nozzle plate is disposed above the free surface of ink in the feeder tank when the printer is in a normal operating orientation and the port is covered by ink in the feeder tank. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the nozzle plate is located above the free surface of ink in the feeder tank when the printer is in a second tilted orientation and the port is covered by ink in the feeder tank.