# US 8,465,131 B2 · Fluid distribution system having fluid flow restriction

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- Number: US 8,465,131 B2
- Document ID: US8465131B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/107,967
- Filed: 2011-05-16
- Published: 2011-11-17
- Granted: 2013-06-18
- Earliest claimed: 2010-05-17
- Assignees: Zamtec Ltd
- Applicants: Christopher Hibbard; Kent Benjamen Kwan; Edward Ellis Esdaile-Watts; Geoffrey Philip Dyer; Jeff Borra; Ryan Root; Jon Lucas; Tom Alesi; Neal Cekalski; Ray Guichard
- Inventors: Christopher Hibbard; Kent Benjamen Kwan; Edward Ellis Esdaile-Watts; Geoffrey Philip Dyer; Jeff Borra; Ryan Root; Jon Lucas; Tom Alesi; Neal Cekalski; Ray Guichard
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8465131B2

## CPC

- B41J 2/17596: {Ink pumps, ink valves}
- B41J 2/175: Ink supply systems {; Circuit parts therefor}
- B41J 2/17506: {Refilling of the cartridge}
- B41J 2/17556: {Means for regulating the pressure in the cartridge}
- B41J 2/17566: {Ink level or ink residue control}
- B41J 2/17593: {Supplying ink in a solid state}
- B41J 2/18: Ink recirculation systems
- Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining
- Y10T 29/49865: by temperature differential [e.g., shrink fit]
- Y10T 137/86863: Rotary valve unit
- Y10T 137/87338: Flow passage with bypass
- B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A fluid distribution system having a first fluid container having a fluid outlet, a second fluid container having a fluid inlet, a fluid line interconnecting the outlet of the first container and the inlet of the second container, an inverted umbrella valve between the fluid line and the inlet, the valve arranged to allow fluid flow from the first container to the second container via the fluid line and a restrictor for restricting the allowed fluid flow through the fluid line.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A fluid distribution system comprising:
a first fluid container having a fluid outlet;
a second fluid container having a fluid inlet defined in a body of the second fluid container, the second fluid container being positioned below the first fluid container;
a fluid line interconnecting the outlet of the first container and the inlet of the second container;
an inverted umbrella valve between the fluid line and the inlet, said valve arranged to allow fluid flow from the first container to the second container via the fluid line; and
a restrictor for restricting said allowed fluid flow through the fluid line,
wherein the inverted umbrella valve is arranged such that a positive fluid pressure from fluid contained in the first fluid container urges the umbrella valve into sealed engagement with the body.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A system according to claim 1, wherein the umbrella valve comprises an umbrella-shaped disc mounted within the inlet so that the umbrella-shape is inverted and a connector connected to the fluid line and enclosing the disc relative to the body.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

A system according to claim 2, wherein the connector is sealingly mounted on the body.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

A system according to claim 2, wherein the second container comprises a valve actuator, the disc being mounted on the valve actuator.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

A system according to claim 4, wherein the valve actuator causes the disc to move between positions where a periphery of the disc seals against the body and the disc is spaced from the body.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A system according to claim 1, wherein the restrictor is mounted on the fluid line in proximity of the umbrella valve.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

A system according to claim 6, wherein the restrictor comprises a resilient member mounted on an exterior of the fluid line, the resilient member being configured to compress the fluid line.

### Claim 8 (depends on 3)

A system according to claim 3, wherein the connector incorporates the restrictor as an obstruction to fluid flow.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

An inkjet printer comprising:
an inkjet printhead; and
the fluid distribution system according to claim 1,
wherein the inkjet printhead is connected to an outlet port of the second fluid container via a print line.