Incremental printing of symbolic information – Ink jet – Fluid or fluid source handling means
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-01
2001-10-02
Le, N. (Department: 2861)
Incremental printing of symbolic information
Ink jet
Fluid or fluid source handling means
C347S085000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06296353
ABSTRACT:
THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to inkjet printing systems, and ore particularly to an ink container including secondary containment for a supply of liquid ink for an inkjet printing system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A conventional inkjet printing system includes a printhead and an ink supply which supplies liquid ink to the printhead. The printhead ejects ink drops through a plurality of orifices or nozzles and toward a print medium, such as a sheet of paper, so as to print a dot of ink on the print medium. Typically, the orifices are arranged in one or more arrays such that properly sequenced ejection of ink from the orifices causes characters or other images to be printed upon the print medium as the printhead and the print medium are moved relative to each other. In one arrangement, commonly referred to as “on-axis” printing, the ink supply is an integral element with the printhead. In another arrangement, however, commonly referred to as “off-axis” printing, the ink supply is a separate, self-contained ink container connected with the printhead by, for example, a flexible tube. With an off-axis printing system, the mass of the printhead is sharply reduced such that the cost of a printhead drive system and an overall size of a printer can be minimized, and a speed of printing can be increased. In addition, separating the ink supply from the printhead allows the ink to be replaced as it is consumed without requiring replacement of the costly printhead.
A conventional self-contained ink container for an off-axis printing system typically includes a pressure vessel and a collapsible ink reservoir, in the form of a bladder or bag, disposed within the pressure vessel for holding a supply of liquid ink therein. As such, a pressurized air system releases pressurized air into the pressure vessel and around the ink reservoir to collapse the ink reservoir and deliver ink to the printhead. The potential exists, however, for the collapsible ink reservoir to develop a leak. The leak could result, for example, from a pin hole in the collapsible ink reservoir, a rupture of the collapsible ink reservoir, and/or a defective seal of the collapsible ink reservoir. Unfortunately, if a leak does develop, ink can escape from the collapsible ink reservoir. If the ink container is installed with the printing system, ink escaping from the collapsible ink reservoir can enter and contaminate the pressurized air system. If the ink container is separate from the printing system, ink escaping from the collapsible ink reservoir can spill from the pressure vessel.
Accordingly, a need exists for secondary containment of liquid ink disposed within a collapsible ink reservoir of a self-contained ink container. More specifically, a need exists for containing liquid ink which could leak from the collapsible ink reservoir within the ink container and for preventing the liquid ink from spilling outside of the ink container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention provides an ink container for a supply of liquid ink. The ink container includes a pressure vessel defining an interior chamber and a collapsible reservoir disposed within the interior chamber, wherein the collapsible reservoir is adapted to hold the supply of liquid ink therein. A first flow path communicates with the interior chamber of the pressure vessel and externally of the pressure vessel, and a second flow path communicates with the collapsible reservoir and externally of the pressure vessel. A flow restrictor communicates with the first flow path so as to restrict flow through the first flow path from the interior chamber and permit flow through the first flow path into the interior chamber.
In one embodiment, the first flow path constitutes a gas passage and the second flow path constitutes an ink passage.
In one embodiment, the flow restrictor comprises a one-way valve. In
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one embodiment, the one-way valve comprises a duckbill check valve.
In one embodiment, the flow restrictor comprises a hydrophobic material, wherein the hydrophobic material restricts ink flow through the first flow path from the interior chamber and permits gas flow through the first flow path into the interior chamber.
In one embodiment, a filter is provided in the first flow path between the flow restrictor and an end of the first flow path communicating externally of the pressure vessel. In one embodiment, a retainer is provided in the first flow path between the filter and the end of the first flow path communicating externally of the pressure vessel, wherein the retainer is configured to retain the filter within the first flow path. In one embodiment, the filter and the retainer are integrally formed.
In one embodiment, a retainer is provided in the first flow path between the flow restrictor and an end of the first flow path communicating externally of the pressure vessel, wherein the retainer is configured to retain the flow restrictor within the first flow path. In one embodiment, the retainer includes an end having a plurality of holes therethrough.
Another aspect of the present invention provides an ink container for a supply of liquid ink. The ink container includes a pressure vessel defining an interior chamber and a collapsible reservoir disposed within the interior chamber, wherein the collapsible reservoir is adapted to hold the supply of liquid ink therein. The ink container also includes an air tower structure external to the pressure vessel and an ink tower structure external to the pressure vessel. As such, an air passage passes through the air tower structure so as to communicate with the interior chamber of the pressure vessel and an ink passage passes through the ink tower structure so as to communicate with the collapsible reservoir. An ink flow restrictor communicates with the air passage so as to restrict ink flow through the air passage from the interior chamber and permit air flow through the air passage into the interior chamber.
Another aspect of the present invention provides an ink container for a supply of liquid ink. The ink container includes a pressure vessel, a collapsible reservoir disposed within an interior chamber of the pressure vessel, and a chassis sealing an opening of a neck portion of the pressure vessel, wherein the collapsible reservoir is adapted to hold the supply of liquid ink therein. The chassis includes an air tower structure external to the pressure vessel and an ink tower structure external to the pressure vessel. As such, an air passage passes through the air tower structure so as to communicate with the interior chamber of the pressure vessel and an ink passage passes through the ink tower structure so as to communicate with the collapsible reservoir. An ink flow restrictor communicates with the air passage so as to restrict ink flow through the air passage from the interior chamber and permit air flow through the air passage into the interior chamber.
Another aspect of the present invention provides an ink container for a supply of liquid ink. The ink container includes a pressure vessel defining an interior chamber and a collapsible reservoir disposed within the interior chamber, wherein the collapsible reservoir is adapted to hold the supply of liquid ink therein. A first flow path communicates with the interior chamber of the pressure vessel and externally of the pressure vessel, and a second flow path communicates with the collapsible reservoir and externally of the pressure vessel. A flow restrictor is disposed within the first flow path so as to restrict flow through the first flow path from the interior chamber and permit flow through the first flow path into the interior chamber, and a filter is disposed within the first flow path between an inlet end of the first flow path and the flow restrictor to prevent debris from clogging the flow restrictor.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a printing system including an ink container defining an interior chamber, a collapsible reservoir disposed within the interior chamber and adapted
Thielman Jeffrey L.
Wilson Rhonda L.
Hewlett--Packard Company
Le N.
Vo Anh T. N.
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