# US 9,039,155 B2 · Ink mixing system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,039,155 B2 - Document ID: US9039155B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/710,875 - Filed: 2012-12-11 - Published: 2014-01-02 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2011-01-31 - Assignees: Videojet Technologies Inc. - Applicants: Videojet Technologies Inc. - Inventors: Robert Smith; Michael Stamp; John Bostock; Carl Mann; Trevor Lye - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9039155B2 ## CPC - B41J 2/17596: {Ink pumps, ink valves} - B41J 2/175: Ink supply systems {; Circuit parts therefor} - B41J 2/17513: {Inner structure} - B41J 2/18: Ink recirculation systems - B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS ## Abstract An ink system of an ink jet printer includes a fluid tank. The fluid tank includes a generally conically shaped side wall, the side wall sloping inwardly from a top portion to a bottom portion. A bottom surface is disposed adjacent the bottom portion of the side wall. A first fluid conduit is disposed in the fluid tank and includes an opening adjacent to and above the bottom surface of the fluid tank. A second fluid conduit is disposed in the fluid tank and includes an opening at a location above the opening of the first fluid conduit. A pump is in fluid communication with the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit. An ink supply line is in fluid communication with the pump. A print head is in fluid communication with the ink supply line. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An ink system of an ink jet printer comprising: a fluid tank comprising: a generally conically shaped side wall, the side wall sloping inwardly from a top portion to a bottom portion; and a bottom surface disposed adjacent the bottom portion of the side wall; a first fluid conduit disposed in the fluid tank and comprising an opening adjacent to and above the bottom surface of the fluid tank; a second fluid conduit disposed in the fluid tank and comprising an opening at a location above the opening of the first fluid conduit; a pump in fluid communication with the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit; an ink supply line in fluid communication with the pump; a print head in fluid communication with the ink supply line; and a return line in fluid communication between the print head and the fluid tank, wherein the return line allows circulation of a fluid from the supply line to the fluid tank. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The ink system of claim 1 further comprising an ink composition comprising a pigment disposed in the fluid tank. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The ink system of claim 2 further comprising an ink source in fluid communication with the fluid tank, wherein the ink source comprises a pigmented ink composition provided in a cartridge. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The ink system of claim 1 wherein the first opening is disposed less than 0.25 inches from the bottom surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The ink system of claim 1 further comprising a filter module in fluid communication with the pump, wherein the filter module comprises: a housing; a filter media disposed in the housing; a fluid inlet disposed in the housing; and a fluid outlet disposed in a bottom portion of the housing, wherein the housing includes a generally conically shaped portion adjacent the fluid outlet. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The ink system of claim 1 further comprising a valve controlling the flow of fluid from the ink supply line to a nozzle in the print head, wherein the valve is a media separated valve. ### Claim 7 A method of operating an ink jet printer comprising: providing an ink system comprising: a fluid tank comprising: a generally conically shaped side wall, the side wall sloping inwardly from a top portion to a bottom portion; and a bottom surface disposed adjacent the bottom portion of the side wall; and a first fluid conduit disposed in the fluid tank and comprising an opening adjacent and above the bottom surface of the fluid tank; and a second fluid conduit disposed in the fluid tank and comprising an opening at a location above the opening of the first fluid conduit; providing an ink source comprising a volume of ink; providing an solvent source comprising a volume of solvent; transferring substantially the entire volume of ink to the fluid tank through a supply line; and transferring a portion of the volume of solvent through the ink supply line to flush the supply line; further comprising performing a mixing process comprising: conveying the ink composition into the second fluid conduit and out of the first fluid conduit into the fluid tank for a first period of time, wherein the first period of time is at least 30 s; and reversing the flow of the ink composition to convey the ink composition into the first fluid conduit and out of second fluid conduit into the fluid tank for a second period of time, wherein the second period of time is at least 1 min, thereby mixing the ink composition. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 wherein the ink source comprises a volume of pigmented ink in a cartridge. ### Claim 9 An ink system of an ink jet printer comprising: a fluid tank comprising: a generally conically shaped side wall, the side wall sloping inwardly from a top portion to a bottom portion; and a bottom surface disposed adjacent the bottom portion of the side wall; a first fluid conduit disposed in the fluid tank and comprising an opening adjacent to and above the bottom surface of the fluid tank; a second fluid conduit disposed in the fluid tank and comprising an opening at a location above the opening of the first fluid conduit; a pump in fluid communication with the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit; an ink supply line in fluid communication with the pump; a print head in fluid communication with the ink supply line; a valve controlling the flow of fluid from the ink supply line to a nozzle in the print head, wherein the valve is a media separated valve; a return line in fluid communication between the print head and the fluid tank; and a filter module in fluid communication with the pump, wherein the filter module comprises: a housing; a filter media disposed in the housing; a fluid inlet disposed in the housing; and a fluid outlet disposed in a bottom portion of the housing, wherein the housing includes a generally conically shaped portion adjacent the fluid outlet. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The ink system of claim 9 further comprising an ink composition comprising a pigment disposed in the fluid tank. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The ink system of claim 9 further comprising an ink source in fluid communication with the fluid tank, wherein the ink source comprises a pigmented ink composition provided in a cartridge.