Transferring and mixing inks for printing
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
InventorsDavid L. Smith, Nicholas J. Meisner, Robert K. Saathoff
Life of this patent
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Abstract
According to examples, systems and methods for transferring and mixing ink utilizing a tank with a mixing area formed by a funnel portion are described. The mixing area is for mixing new ink and resident ink. In some examples, a new ink supply inlet tube deposits the new ink into the tank from a connected ink supply container. In some examples, a resident ink supply inlet tube deposits the resident ink into the tank from a connected printing device. In some examples, an outlet port situated at tank bottom sends the mixed ink to the printing device.
Claims15
A method of transferring and mixing new ink and resident ink for printing, comprising:
- transferring the new ink from a supply container into a mixing area of a tank through a new ink supply inlet tube, wherein the mixing area has an inverted conical shape;
- transferring the resident ink from a printing device into the mixing area through a resident ink supply inlet tube, wherein the transfers of the new ink and the resident ink into the mixing area are contemporaneous and cause mixing of the new ink and the resident ink;
- and
- transferring mixed ink from the mixing area to the printing device through an outlet port situated at bottom of the tank.
An ink transfer and mixing apparatus, comprising:
- a tank, the tank having a mixing area formed by a funnel portion, the mixing area for mixing new ink and resident ink, and a tank bottom;
- a new ink supply inlet tube for depositing into the tank the new ink from a connected ink supply container, wherein the new ink supply inlet tube has a first new ink inlet tube length that extends upward from the tank bottom and a second new ink inlet tube length that is angled outward towards a wall of the tank;
- a resident ink supply inlet tube for depositing into the tank the resident ink from a connected printing device, wherein the resident ink supply inlet tube has a first resident ink inlet tube length that extends upward from the tank bottom and a second resident inlet tube length that is angled outward towards a wall of the tank;
- and
- an outlet port situated at the tank bottom for sending the mixed ink to the printing device.
A system for transferring and mixing ink to be utilized at a printing device, comprising:
- a printing device including a printhead;
- a tank connected to the printing device, the tank having a mixing area formed by an inverted conical shape for mixing new ink and resident ink;
- an outlet port situated at tank bottom for sending the mixed ink to the printhead;
- a new ink supply inlet tube connected to the tank, the new ink supply inlet tube for streaming into the tank the new ink from a connected ink supply container;
- a resident ink supply inlet tube connected to the tank and the printing device, the resident ink supply inlet tube for streaming into the tank resident ink from the printing device;
- a transfer pump connected to the new ink supply inlet tube and situated in line between the ink supply container and the tank, the transfer pump to cause the transfer of the new ink from an ink supply to the tank;
- and
- a pressure pump connected to the resident ink supply inlet tube and situated in line between the printing device and the tank, the pressure pump to cause the transfer of the mixed ink from the tank to the printing device, the mixed ink to be ejected by the printhead.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.