Selectable fill volume for ink reservoir
AssigneeEastman Kodak Company
InventorsSteven J. Dietl, Brian G. Price
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for filling an ink tank to one of several selectable ink fill volumes, by providing an ink tank including an ink reservoir having a maximum fill volume V and selecting an ink fill volume Vi to store in the ink reservoir. One subsequently determines a quantity of pellets to add to the ink reservoir, wherein the total pellet volume Vp>(V−Vi−2) cubic centimeters. Upon adding the determined quantity of pellets to the ink reservoir, the ink reservoir is sealed with a lid. Whereupon, ink, in the amount Vi, is added to the ink reservoir.
Claims20
A method for filling an ink tank to one of a plurality of selectable ink fill volumes, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing an ink tank including an ink reservoir having a maximum fill volume V;
- selecting an ink fill volume Vi to store in the ink reservoir;
- determining a quantity of pellets to add to the ink reservoir, wherein the total pellet volume Vp>(V−Vi−2) cubic centimeters;
- adding the determined quantity of pellets to the ink reservoir;
- sealing the ink reservoir with a lid;
- and
- adding an ink in the amount Vi to the ink reservoir.
An ink tank for an inkjet printing system, the ink tank comprising:
- a tank body;
- a lid that is sealed to the tank body;
- an ink reservoir formed within the tank body that is sealed by the lid, the ink reservoir having a maximum fill volume V;
- an ink that is contained within the ink reservoir, the ink having a density of Di grams per cubic centimeter and having a volume Vi;
- and
- a plurality of pellets contained within the ink reservoir, the pellets having a density of Dp grams per cubic centimeter and having a total pellet volume Vp, wherein Dp<Di and wherein Vp>(V−Vi−2) cubic centimeters.
An inkjet printing system comprising:
- a printhead;
- a carriage for moving the printhead;
- an ink tank mounted on the carriage, the ink tank comprising:
- a tank body;
- a lid that is sealed to the ink tank body;
- an ink reservoir formed within the tank body that is sealed by the lid, the ink reservoir having a maximum fill volume V;
- an ink that is contained within the ink reservoir, the ink having a density of Di grams per cubic centimeter and having a volume Vi;
- and
- a plurality of pellets contained within the ink reservoir, the pellets having a density of Dp grams per cubic centimeter and having a total pellet volume Vp, wherein Dp<Di and wherein Vp>(V−Vi−2) cubic centimeters.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.