# US 2013/0155158 A1 · Image forming apparatus

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2013/0155158 A1
- Document ID: US20130155158A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/763,830
- Filed: 2013-02-11
- Published: 2013-06-20
- Earliest claimed: 2008-09-02
- Assignees: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
- Inventors: Kiyoshi Tsukamura; Kenji Hiratani; Makoto Kikura; Yuzo Obata; Daisuke Nakamura
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130155158A1

## CPC

- B41J 2/19: for removing air bubbles
- B41J 2/175: Ink supply systems {; Circuit parts therefor}
- B41J 2/17509: {Whilst mounted in the printer}
- B41J 2/17513: {Inner structure}
- B41J 2/17563: {Ink filters}
- B41J 3/60: for printing on both faces of the printing material
- B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS

## Abstract

An image forming apparatus, includes a liquid jet head; a container main body; an air opening mechanism configured to open and close an air opening path in the container main body. The air opening mechanism includes a holding part, and an opening member movably provided at the holding part. The opening member includes an air communicating path, a filter member, and an air room. An opening cross-sectional area of the air room in a direction perpendicular to an air flow-in direction is greater than an opening cross-sectional area of the air communicating path in a direction perpendicular to an air flow-in direction.

## Claims

### Claim at position 1

1-8. (canceled)

### Claim 9

An image forming apparatus comprising:
a liquid jet head;
a container main body configured to receive liquid to be supplied to the liquid jet head;
a liquid container including an air opening mechanism configured to open and close an air opening path in the container main body, the air opening path being configured to open an inside of the container main body to the atmosphere;
an air opening mechanism driving mechanism configured to move the air opening mechanism of the liquid container to open and close the air opening path; and
a pressing member configured to press and move the air opening mechanism, wherein
the air opening mechanism driving mechanism includes
a solenoid provided on an apparatus main body,
a first lever including one end part oscillateably engaged with the solenoid and another end part oscillateably and pivotally supported at a spindle,
a second lever including one end part that can come in contact with the pressing member and another end part oscillateably and pivotally supported at the spindle, and
a spring member disposed between the first lever and the second lever, to hold the first lever d the second lever to a designated positional relationship.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein when an excessive load is generated when the pressing member comes in contact with the air opening mechanism and a force is applied to the first lever, the excessive load is offset by a biasing force of the spring member, and a force at a time when the pressing member comes in contact is held fixed.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a plurality of the pressing members are provided in a body corresponding to a plurality of the air opening mechanisms of a single one of the liquid container.