Expanded ink supply system for ink jet printers
OwnerPer G. Akermalminventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention provides an expanded ink supply system for inkjet printers. The expanded ink supply system fluidically supplies an ink cartridge, which is intermittently fluidically connected to an array of movable printheads. Described are various means for creating the necessary pressure to force the ink from the expanded supply to a print cartridge. In one described embodiment, the ink supply is in the form of a bag, placed at a level higher than the ink cartridge, thereby utilizing gravity to force the liquid ink via tubing into the ink cartridge's inner part fill port or alternatively, the cartridge's pump channel. Also described are steps to attach a fitting in the cartridge's inner part fill port or pump channel and steps for releasing trapped air from the ink supply system.
Claims18
An expanded ink supply system for an inkjet printer having a print carriage and print heads that moves in relation to a print medium and at least one ink cartridge inside said printer, said print cartridge having an inner part holding a first quantity of ink an inner part ink fill port, comprising:
- an ink container locatable outside said printer body for containing a second quantity of ink;
- tubing means for transferring ink from said ink container to said cartridge via said cartridge fill port;
- said tubing extending out through said fill port of said ink cartridge thereby fluidically connecting between said cartridge and said ink container at its location outside the body of said printer;
- whereby said ink in said cartridge is supplemented by ink transferred from said ink container,
- wherein said ink container is in the form of a bag and wherein said bag is adapted to be inserted underneath said printer whereby to apply the mass of said printer to said bag for delivery of ink therefrom to said cartridge.
A method of supplying make up ink to an ink cartridge in an ink jet printer, said cartridge having an ink fill port, and comprising the steps of connecting an ink container to said fill port of said ink cartridge of an ink jet printer, applying pressure to said ink in said ink container whereby to cause said ink to flow from said ink container to said ink cartridge and including the steps of threading said fill port and screwing a connection fitting into said fill port.
An expanded ink supply system for an inkjet printer having a print carriage and print heads that move in parallel in relation to a print medium and a plurality of detachably removable print cartridges inside said printer, each of said print cartridges having a casing, an end cap and an inner part holding a first quantity of ink in a containment, the inner part further having a pump mechanism with a check valve and a depressible diaphragm for operating said mechanism, an inner part fill port blocked by
- a stopper and a septum, and comprising a plurality of ink containers;
- tubings for transferring liquid ink from said containers to said inner part, a connection fitting in each said inner part fill port;
- said tubings being attached to said fittings to fluidically connect to said ink containers located outside the body of said printer;
- wherein each said ink container is in the form of a bag and wherein said bag is supported whereby it is subjected to a mass weight for causing delivery of ink therefrom to said cartridge.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.