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.
Claims18
An apparatus, comprising:
- a tank including a mixing area;
- a first inlet to input new ink into the mixing area;
- and
- a second inlet to input resident ink into the mixing area,
- wherein at least one of the first inlet or the second inlet extends from a bottom of the tank, and wherein the first inlet is oriented in a direction to cause the new ink to flow along a side wall of the mixing area of the tank to mix the new ink with the resident ink.
An apparatus, comprising:
- a tank including a mixing area;
- a first inlet to input first ink into the mixing area;
- and
- a second inlet to input second ink into the mixing area,
- wherein at least one of the first inlet or the second inlet extends from a bottom of the tank, and wherein at least one of the first inlet or the second inlet is oriented in a direction to cause a respective one of the first ink or the second ink to flow along a side wall of the mixing area of the tank to mix the first ink with the second ink.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.