Incremental printing of symbolic information – Ink jet – Fluid or fluid source handling means
Reexamination Certificate
2002-05-16
2004-06-29
Vo, Anh T. N. (Department: 2861)
Incremental printing of symbolic information
Ink jet
Fluid or fluid source handling means
C347S087000, C347S049000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06755516
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to ink containers for providing ink to inkjet printers. More specifically, the present invention relates to ink containers that include latch and handle features for inserting and removing ink containers from a receiving station within an inkjet printer.
Inkjet printers frequently make use of an inkjet printhead mounted within a carriage that is moved relative to a print media, such as paper. As the printhead is moved relative to the print media, a control system activates the printhead to deposit or eject ink droplets onto the print media to form images and text. Ink is provided to the printhead by a supply of ink that is either integral with the printhead, as in the case of a disposable print cartridge, or by a supply of ink that is replaceable separate from the printhead.
One type of previously used printing system makes use of the ink supply that is carried with the carriage. This ink supply has been formed integral with the printhead, whereupon the entire printhead and ink supply are replaced when ink is exhausted. Alternatively, the ink supply can be carried with the carriage and be separately replaceable from the printhead. For the case where the ink supply is separately replaceable, the ink supply is replaced when exhausted. The printhead is then replaced at the end of printhead life. Regardless of where the ink supply is located within the printing system, it is critical that the ink supply provides a reliable supply of ink to the inkjet printhead.
There is an ever present need for inkjet printing systems that make use of replaceable ink containers that are easy to install and remove. The installation and removal of the ink container should be able to be accomplished in a manner that limits customer confusion. The installation of the ink container should produce reliable fluidic connection to the printer. These ink containers should be relatively easy to manufacture, thereby tending to reduce the ink supply cost. Reduction of the ink supply cost tends to reduce the per page printing costs of the printing system. In addition, these ink containers should be compact and configured to be inserted into the inkjet printing system to maintain a relatively small overall height of the printing system allowing a low profile printing system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention is a replaceable ink container for providing ink to an inkjet printing system. The inkjet printing system has a receiving station for receiving the replaceable ink container. The replaceable ink container includes a handle extending from a trailing end of the ink container for grasping the ink container for insertion into the receiving station. Also included is a latch for securing the replaceable ink container to the receiving station. The latch has an extended position for engaging the receiving station for securing the ink container to the receiving station and a retracted position. The latch is so disposed and arranged on the ink container to be urged from the extended position toward the retracted position as the handle is grasped.
REFERENCES:
patent: 6076920 (2000-06-01), Zapata et al.
patent: 6155678 (2000-12-01), Komplin et al.
Davidson Dion C.
Gonzales Curt G.
Hanson Lisa M.
Hendricks Jeffrey T.
Johnson David C.
Hewlett--Packard Development Company, L.P.
Vo Anh T. N.
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