Method and apparatus for supplying ink to an printhead

Details Method and apparatus for supplying ink to an printhead Method and apparatus for supplying ink to an printhead

2000-11-16

2002-06-25

Vo, Anh T. N. (Department: 2861)

Incremental printing of symbolic information

Ink jet

Fluid or fluid source handling means

Reexamination Certificate

active

06409324

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the invention
This invention relates to an ink cartridge. More particularly, this invention relates to an ink cartridge provided with at least one controlled capillary portion located in a directional fibrous collection.
2. Description of Prior Art
In general, porous materials such as sponge are currently used to store the ink in printing devices, and porous materials also can provide adequate back pressure to stabilize the ink stored in the cartridge.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,771,295 discloses a porous material used to store ink within an ink cartridge. The porous material is pressed by an ink pipe so as to generate more capillary force to facilitate the flow rate of the ink.
However, for properly fitting the porous material in the cartridge, the porous material should be first prestressed by well-designed fixtures. Although a greater bulk of porous material can hold more ink, the residual ink is also relatively larger. Furthermore, as the ink stored in the porous material is consumed, some of the bubbles cannot be fully expelled out off the porous material. Residual bubbles in the porous material may cause the interruption of the ink supplied to the printhead.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To solve the above problem, the primary object of this invention is to provide an ink cartridge using a directional fibrous collection enclosed within a bushing to retain the ink therein and provided with at least one controlled capillary portion. The controlled capillary portion can be formed by the bushing or by a predetermined shape located in the cartridge. The capillary forces of the controlled capillary portion are stronger than those of other portions of the directional fibrous collection. Thus, the flow rate of the ink can be precisely controlled, and the controlled capillary portion can efficiently drain out the ink to the printhead and there is no bubble left therein.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4017871 (1977-04-01), Hubbard
patent: 4771295 (1988-09-01), Baker et al.
patent: 5489932 (1996-02-01), Ceschin et al.
patent: 0822085 (1998-04-01), None
patent: .404007157 (1992-01-01), None

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