US 2003/0142176 A1 · Replenishment system with an open-valve printhead fill port continuously connected to a liquid supply

Abstract

Techniques for liquid replenishment in a printer/plotter. An ink delivery system (IDS) is employed wherein the on-carriage spring reservoir of the print cartridge is manually and securely connected to the off-carriage reservoir. A pen cartridge that uses an internal spring to provide vacuum pressure is connected from an inlet port through a unitary coupler to an ink reservoir located off the scanning carriage axis. The coupler serves to align as well as to secure two mating valves to securely hold them together in an open latched position which is not intended to be modified or disconnected until the entire ink supply has been depleted. A replaceable ink supply module for providing replenishment of an inkjet printhead includes a collapsible bag, an enclosure box, a connective tube, and an on/off valve. These four components are incorporated into a composite sealed system which remains intact during shipment, storage, installation and operation. The collapsible bag is placed inside the protective enclosure box and has an end-connect outlet permanently attached to one end of the connective tube. The other end of the connective tube carries a permanently attached on/off valve designed for engagement with an inlet valve of an inkjet printhead.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A method of liquid replenishment to a printhead mounted on a carriage of a printer, comprising:

providing a print cartridge having a printhead, a handle and a liquid reservoir, with said printhead on the print cartridge and in communication with the liquid reservoir, and with an inlet port valve incorporated as part of the handle;
initially filing the print cartridge reservoir with liquid through an inlet hole separate from said inlet port valve;
providing a liquid supply with an outlet valve, said liquid supply mountable off the carriage;
installing the print cartridge on the carriage with the inlet port valve accessible without having to remove the print cartridge from the carriage;
coupling the inlet port valve to the outlet valve to allow continuous fluid communication from the liquid supply to the printhead;
subsequently refilling the print cartridge reservoir from said liquid supply through said inlet port valve;
and
after said coupling, preventing any disconnection of the fluid communication during active operation of the printer when the liquid supply is being ejected from the printhead as well as during dormant periods before and after said active operation.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Replenishment system with an open-valve printhead fill port continuously connected to a liquid supply

Life of this patent

Replenishment system with an open-valve printhead fill port continuously connected to a liquid supply

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16