Venting and ink recycling device
AssigneeCentronics Data Computer Corp.
InventorsJohn Shiurila, Kenneth A. Robert
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The ink supply container disclosed herein is adapted for use with a moving carriage printer and controls foaming of a liquid ink in the container by providing, at the top of the container, a well having a sloping floor. Foamed ink is communicated to the well where it is condensed and returns through an opening at the lower end of the floor.
Claims25
In an ink supply container adapted to be mounted upon a moving carriage for use in supplying liquid ink to a printing member, said container including an ink reservoir, the improvement comprising:
- a well positioned above said reservoir including a top portion containing a venting orifice and a sloping floor portion, said well capturing ink which is expelled from said reservoir;
- capillary means for conveying said expelled flow of liquid or foam ink to said well;
- and
- means for recirculating said collected and condensed ink from said well to said reservoir, whereby said well condenses and collects said expelled liquid or foam ink and returns said ink to said reservoir.
Well means adapted for use in conjunction with an ink reservoir mounted on a moving printing member and supplying liquid ink to same for condensing, collecting and recycling liquid or foam ink expelled from said reservoir comprising:
- a top portion containing a venting orifice,
- a sloping floor portion,
- inlet means for conveying said expelled liquid or foam ink to said well floor,
- outlet means for recycling said condensed and collected ink to said reservoir, and
- a plurality of sidewall portions forming a "teardrop" in cross-sectional shape,
- whereby said venting orifice, said sloping floor and said sidewall portions cooperate to condense and collect said liquid or foam ink on said sloping floor for conveyance by gravity flow to said outlet for return to said reservoir.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.