Back to results
US 7,350,908 B2Granted
Fluid dispenser including an improved pressure regulator
OwnerAshley E Childs, Karen St Martin +2inventors
InventorsAshley E Childs, Karen St Martin, Garry Liddell, Eric S. Dod
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
One embodiment of a fluid cartridge includes a fluid chamber including an interior for holding fluid and an exterior in communication with an ambient air pressure, and a pressure regulator aperture extending between the interior and the exterior of the fluid chamber, the pressure regulator aperture including a plurality of curved facets concave with respect to an elongate axis of the aperture.
Claims15
A print cartridge, comprising:
- an ink chamber including an interior for holding ink and an exterior in communication with an ambient air pressure;
- and
- a pressure regulator aperture extending between said interior and said exterior of said ink chamber, said pressure regulator aperture including a plurality of curved facets concave with respect to an elongate axis of said aperture and a plurality of flat facets that are positioned alternatingly between said curved facets such that each flat facet directly abuts two adjacent curved facets.
A print cartridge, comprising:
- means for holding ink therein;
- and
- means for regulating pressure within said means for holding ink, said means for regulating pressure comprising a plurality of curved facets concave with respect to an elongate axis of an aperture and a plurality of flat facets that alternate position with said curved facets, such that only a single flat facet is positioned between adjacent ones of said plurality of curved facets.
A print cartridge, comprising:
- an ink chamber including an interior for holding ink and an exterior in communication with an ambient air pressure;
- and
- a pressure regulator aperture extending between said interior and said exterior of said ink chamber, said pressure regulator aperture including a plurality of curved surfaces and a plurality of flat surfaces wherein said curved and flat surfaces define a pattern of a single curved surface, a single flat surface, another single curved surface, and another single flat surface, wherein said pattern is repeated continuously around said pressure regulator aperture.
A print cartridge, comprising:
- an ink chamber including an interior for holding ink and an exterior in communication with an ambient air pressure;
- and
- a pressure regulator aperture extending between said interior and said exterior of said ink chamber, said pressure regulator aperture including a pattern of alternating single flat surfaces and single curved surfaces.
A print cartridge, comprising:
- an ink chamber including an interior for holding ink and an exterior in communication with an ambient air pressure;
- and
- a pressure regulator aperture extending between said interior and said exterior of said ink chamber, said pressure regulator aperture including a pattern of alternating single flat surfaces and single curved surfaces;
- and
- a ball positioned within said pressure regulator aperture, wherein every one of said flat surfaces contacts said ball at a midpoint of said flat surface.
2 more elements
A print cartridge, comprising:
- means for holding ink therein;
- and
- means for regulating pressure within said means for holding ink, said means for regulating pressure comprising a plurality of curved surfaces and a plurality of flat
- surfaces that alternate position with said curved surfaces;
- and
- a ball positioned within a pressure regulator aperture of the means,
- wherein every one of said flat surfaces defines a plane that contacts said ball only at a tangent point on said plane.
4 more elements
A print cartridge, comprising:
- means for holding ink therein;
- and
- means for regulating pressure within said means for holding ink, said means for regulating pressure comprising a plurality of curved surfaces and a plurality of flat surfaces that alternate position with said curved surfaces;
- and
- a ball positioned within a pressure regulator aperture of the means,
- wherein every one of said plurality of curved surfaces together define a single tapered cylinder and wherein each of said plurality of flat surfaces intersects said single tapered cylinder along first and second edge lines.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.