Ink supply system
AssigneeVideojet Technologies Inc.
InventorsMatthew Tomlin, Ian Fost, Oliver Prime, Jerzy Zaba, Ammar Lecheheb
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An ink supply system for an ink jet printer, particularly a continuous ink jet printer, has a manifold assembly of two parts that are brought together at interfacing surfaces. At least one of the surfaces has a plurality of ink flow channels for conveying ink around an ink circuit between components. The other of the interfacing surfaces is configured to close and seal the channels. A plurality of ports is provided in fluid communication with the channels, the circuit components being connectable to the ports. The manifold assembly provides for a compact and neat arrangement free of many tubes and pipes. The lower number of connections significantly reduces the risk of leakage.
Claims15
An ink supply system for an ink jet printer, the system comprising:
- an ink circuit comprising a plurality of circuit components and fluid paths for conveying fluid between components;
- an ink reservoir for containing ink;
- a connector for fluid connection between the printer and the ink reservoir, the connector comprising a plurality of connection ports;
- and
- a manifold defining in part the fluid paths and supported over the reservoir, the manifold comprising first and second members connected together at interfacing first surfaces, wherein the second member is disposed in the reservoir, the manifold in fluid communication between the connector and the ink reservoir, the manifold having a plurality of manifold ports in fluid communication with the connection ports, and the circuit components being adjacent to the manifold and connected thereto at the manifold ports,
- wherein the reservoir has a base wall and at least one side wall upstanding from the base wall the side wall having a free end distal from the base the manifold being supported on the free end of the side wall, the side wall defining an open mouth the manifold being at least partially disposed in the mouth and the manifold acting as a cover to close the mouth.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.