EP0724957A1 - Ink supply system for a franking machine - Google Patents

Ink supply system for a franking machine Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0724957A1
EP0724957A1 EP96400176A EP96400176A EP0724957A1 EP 0724957 A1 EP0724957 A1 EP 0724957A1 EP 96400176 A EP96400176 A EP 96400176A EP 96400176 A EP96400176 A EP 96400176A EP 0724957 A1 EP0724957 A1 EP 0724957A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ink
tank
pipe
chamber
franking machine
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP96400176A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0724957B1 (en
Inventor
Jean-Marc Bainvel
Jean-Pierre Gregoire
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Quadient Technologies France SA
Original Assignee
Neopost Technologies SA
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Neopost Technologies SA filed Critical Neopost Technologies SA
Publication of EP0724957A1 publication Critical patent/EP0724957A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0724957B1 publication Critical patent/EP0724957B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
    • B41F31/00—Inking arrangements or devices
    • B41F31/02—Ducts, containers, supply or metering devices
    • B41F31/08—Ducts, containers, supply or metering devices with ink ejecting means, e.g. pumps, nozzles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41P—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO PRINTING, LINING MACHINES, TYPEWRITERS, AND TO STAMPS
    • B41P2251/00—Details or accessories of printing machines not otherwise provided for
    • B41P2251/10—Pumps
    • B41P2251/112—Peristaltic pumps

Definitions

  • the invention relates to franking machines and more particularly those which include a postal imprint printing system operating by ink jet.
  • Such machines include an ink supply system consisting of an ink tank and a pump which brings the ink from the ink tank to the printing system.
  • the object of the invention is to improve such an ink supply system.
  • the subject of the invention is an ink reservoir comprising a wall defining a chamber intended to contain ink and a flexible hose communicating between the interior and the exterior of the chamber, this flexible hose having a length part placed outside the chamber against the wall and serving as a suction pipe for a peristaltic pump.
  • the basic idea of the invention is to integrate all or part of a pump, in particular the ink system, into an ink tank intended to supply a printing system of a franking machine. suction line of a peristaltic pump, so that the tank constitutes with the part of the pump a disposable consumable product after use of the ink in the tank.
  • an ink tank being much less than the life of a flexible hose serving as a suction pipe for a peristaltic pump, such a pump can advantageously be used in a franking machine with inkjet printing.
  • the invention overcomes the problem of the reliability of a peristaltic pump when it is used to pump viscous and aggressive inks such as those used for printing postal impressions.
  • a peristaltic pump is well suited for an inkjet printing system, that is to say with nozzles, since it is of the self-priming type and allows to obtain a constant flow of ink regardless of the viscosity of the ink.
  • a pump operates silently and is very compact. It has a very low cost price.
  • the invention contributes to simplifying the maintenance operations of franking machines.
  • the franking machine comprises an inkjet printing system indicated by 1, a base indicated by 2 and an ink cartridge indicated by 3.
  • the printing system which is part of the head like the cartridge, is mounted on the base.
  • the removable cartridge 3 forming a reservoir has a wall 4 which defines a chamber 5 intended for the storage of the ink.
  • the wall 4 also defines a recess 6 outside the chamber, this recess having a surface 7 in an arc.
  • a flexible pipe 8 communicating from the inside towards the outside of the chamber 5 has a length part which extends along the surface 7 outside the chamber.
  • This pipe 6 serves as a suction pipe for a peristaltic pump 9 mounted on the base 2.
  • This pump comprises a roller 10 mounted on a shaft 11 driven in rotation by an electric motor 12.
  • the free end of the pipe is provided with a pipe coupling member 15 intended to cooperate with another pipe coupling member 16 provided on the printing system 1.
  • the member 15 is designed to seal the pipe 8 when it is separated from the member 16 so as to prevent ink from escaping from the cartridge 3 when the latter is removed from or placed on the base 2.
  • the member 15 may be provided with a spring-actuated closure ball and the member 16 may be provided with a needle which pushes the closure ball when the printing system 1 is mounted on the base 2 while being connected to the cartridge 3.
  • the ink supply system according to the invention requires little maintenance because the flexible hose (constituting the element liable to deteriorate most quickly) is changed each time the cartridge 3 is replaced. As this operation is carried out by the 'user of the machine, it reduces the maintenance costs of the machine all the more.

Abstract

The franking machine ink reservoir includes a wall (4) defining a chamber (5) adapted to contain ink. The reservoir also includes a flexible tube (8) which connects the ink reservoir to the printing head (1) of the franking machine through a connector (15, 16). The flexible tube lies along a circular profiled surface (7) and engages with a roller (10) of a peristaltic pump (11, 12) when the cartridge is in the working position.

Description

L'invention concerne les machines d'affranchissement et plus particulièrement celles qui comportent un système d'impression d'empreinte postale fonctionnant par jet d'encre.The invention relates to franking machines and more particularly those which include a postal imprint printing system operating by ink jet.

De telles machines comporte un système d'alimentation en encre constitué d'un réservoir d'encre et d'une pompe qui amène l'encre du réservoir d'encre vers le système d'impression.Such machines include an ink supply system consisting of an ink tank and a pump which brings the ink from the ink tank to the printing system.

L'objet de l'invention est de perfectionner un tel système d'alimentation en encre.The object of the invention is to improve such an ink supply system.

A cet effet, l'invention a pour objet un réservoir d'encre comprenant une paroi définissant une chambre destinée à contenir de l'encre et un tuyau souple communicant entre l'intérieur et l'extérieur de la chambre, ce tuyau souple ayant une partie de longueur placée à l'extérieur de la chambre contre la paroi et servant de conduite d'aspiration pour une pompe péristaltique.To this end, the subject of the invention is an ink reservoir comprising a wall defining a chamber intended to contain ink and a flexible hose communicating between the interior and the exterior of the chamber, this flexible hose having a length part placed outside the chamber against the wall and serving as a suction pipe for a peristaltic pump.

Ainsi, l'idée à la base de l'invention, est d'intégrer dans un réservoir d'encre destiné à alimenter un système d'impression d'une machine d'affranchissement, tout ou partie d'une pompe, en particulier la conduite d'aspiration d'une pompe péristaltique, de sorte que le réservoir constitue avec la partie de la pompe un produit consommable jetable après usage de l'encre dans le réservoir.Thus, the basic idea of the invention is to integrate all or part of a pump, in particular the ink system, into an ink tank intended to supply a printing system of a franking machine. suction line of a peristaltic pump, so that the tank constitutes with the part of the pump a disposable consumable product after use of the ink in the tank.

La durée d'utilisation d'un réservoir d'encre étant bien inférieure à la durée de vie d'un tuyau souple servant de conduite d'aspiration pour une pompe péristaltique, une telle pompe peut avantageusement être utilisée dans une machine d'affranchissement à impression par jet d'encre. En effet, l'invention permet de s'affranchir du problème de la fiabilité d'une pompe péristaltique lorsqu'elle sert à pomper des encres visqueuses et agressives comme celles utilisées pour l'impression d'empreintes postales.The duration of use of an ink tank being much less than the life of a flexible hose serving as a suction pipe for a peristaltic pump, such a pump can advantageously be used in a franking machine with inkjet printing. In fact, the invention overcomes the problem of the reliability of a peristaltic pump when it is used to pump viscous and aggressive inks such as those used for printing postal impressions.

En outre, une pompe péristaltique convient bien pour un système d'impression à jet d'encre, c'est-à-dire avec des buses, car elle est du type à auto-amorçage et permet d'obtenir un débit constant d'encre indépendamment de la viscosité de l'encre. De plus une telle pompe à un fonctionnement silencieux et est très compacte. Elle est d'un coût de revient très faible. Finalement l'invention contribue à simplifier les opérations de maintenance des machines d'affranchissement.In addition, a peristaltic pump is well suited for an inkjet printing system, that is to say with nozzles, since it is of the self-priming type and allows to obtain a constant flow of ink regardless of the viscosity of the ink. In addition, such a pump operates silently and is very compact. It has a very low cost price. Finally, the invention contributes to simplifying the maintenance operations of franking machines.

Un exemple de réalisation de l'invention est décrit ci-après en détail en référence à la figure unique qui montre schématiquement, en vue partielle éclatée, le système d'alimentation en encre selon l'invention.An exemplary embodiment of the invention is described below in detail with reference to the single figure which schematically shows, in partial exploded view, the ink supply system according to the invention.

Sur la figure, la machine d'affranchissement comprend un système d'impression par jet d'encre indiqué par 1, une base indiquée par 2 et une cartouche d'encre indiquée par 3. Le système d'impression qui fait partie de la tête de la machine vient se monter, comme la cartouche, sur la base.In the figure, the franking machine comprises an inkjet printing system indicated by 1, a base indicated by 2 and an ink cartridge indicated by 3. The printing system which is part of the head like the cartridge, is mounted on the base.

Selon l'invention, la cartouche amovible 3 formant un réservoir comporte une paroi 4 qui définit une chambre 5 destinée au stockage de l'encre. La paroi 4 définit aussi un renfoncement 6 à l'extérieur de la chambre, ce renfoncement présentant une surface 7 en arc de cercle. Un tuyau souple 8 communicant de l'intérieur vers l'extérieur de la chambre 5 a une partie de longueur qui s'étend le long de la surface 7 à l'extérieur de la chambre. Ce tuyau 6 sert de conduite d'aspiration pour une pompe péristaltique 9 montée sur la base 2. Cette pompe comprend un galet 10 monté sur un arbre 11 entraîné en rotation par un moteur électrique 12.According to the invention, the removable cartridge 3 forming a reservoir has a wall 4 which defines a chamber 5 intended for the storage of the ink. The wall 4 also defines a recess 6 outside the chamber, this recess having a surface 7 in an arc. A flexible pipe 8 communicating from the inside towards the outside of the chamber 5 has a length part which extends along the surface 7 outside the chamber. This pipe 6 serves as a suction pipe for a peristaltic pump 9 mounted on the base 2. This pump comprises a roller 10 mounted on a shaft 11 driven in rotation by an electric motor 12.

Quand la cartouche 3 est montée sur la base 2 par emboîtement (à l'aide de la coulisse 13) selon la flèche D, l'extrémité libre de l'arbre 11 vient se loger dans un trou borgne 14 prévu dans la paroi 4. Quand l'arbre 11 est entraîné en rotation par le moteur 12, le galet 10 vient écraser le tuyau souple 8 contre la surface 7 de sorte que l'encre dans la chambre 5 est aspirée. A noter que le tuyau souple 8 pourrait tout aussi bien être formé dans la paroi 4 qui définit la surface en arc de cercle 7.When the cartridge 3 is mounted on the base 2 by interlocking (using the slide 13) according to arrow D, the free end of the shaft 11 is housed in a blind hole 14 provided in the wall 4. When the shaft 11 is rotated by the motor 12, the roller 10 comes to crush the flexible pipe 8 against the surface 7 so that the ink in the chamber 5 is sucked. Note that the pipe flexible 8 could just as well be formed in the wall 4 which defines the surface in a circular arc 7.

L'extrémité libre du tuyau est muni d'un organe 15 d'accouplement de conduite destiné à coopérer avec un autre organe 16 d'accouplement de conduite prévu sur le système d'impression 1. L'organe 15 est conçu pour obturer le tuyau 8 quand il est séparé de l'organe 16 de façon à éviter que de l'encre ne s'échappe de la cartouche 3 quand celle-ci est enlevée de ou mise en place sur la base 2. En particulier, l'organe 15 peut être munie d'une bille d'obturation actionnée par ressort et l'organe 16 peut être muni d'une aiguille qui pousse la bille d'obturation quand le système d'impression 1 est monté sur la base 2 en étant raccordé à la cartouche 3.The free end of the pipe is provided with a pipe coupling member 15 intended to cooperate with another pipe coupling member 16 provided on the printing system 1. The member 15 is designed to seal the pipe 8 when it is separated from the member 16 so as to prevent ink from escaping from the cartridge 3 when the latter is removed from or placed on the base 2. In particular, the member 15 may be provided with a spring-actuated closure ball and the member 16 may be provided with a needle which pushes the closure ball when the printing system 1 is mounted on the base 2 while being connected to the cartridge 3.

Le système d'alimentation en encre selon l'invention requiert peu d'entretien car le tuyau souple (constituant l'élément susceptible de se dégrader le plus vite) est changé à chaque remplacement de la cartouche 3. Comme cette opération est réalisée par l'utilisateur de la machine, ça diminue d'autant les coûts de maintenance de la machine.The ink supply system according to the invention requires little maintenance because the flexible hose (constituting the element liable to deteriorate most quickly) is changed each time the cartridge 3 is replaced. As this operation is carried out by the 'user of the machine, it reduces the maintenance costs of the machine all the more.

Claims (6)

Un réservoir d'encre pour l'alimentation en encre d'un système d'impression comprenant une paroi (4) définissant une chambre (5) destinée à contenir de l'encre, caractérisé en ce qu'il incorpore au moins un tuyau souple (8) communicant entre l'intérieur et l'extérieur de la chambre, ce tuyau souple ayant une partie de longueur placée à l'extérieur de la chambre et servant de conduite d'aspiration pour une pompe péristaltique et en ce qu'il constitue un produit jetable après usage de l'encre dans le réservoir.An ink tank for supplying ink to a printing system comprising a wall (4) defining a chamber (5) intended to contain ink, characterized in that it incorporates at least one flexible hose (8) communicating between the interior and the exterior of the chamber, this flexible hose having a part of length placed outside the chamber and serving as a suction pipe for a peristaltic pump and in that it constitutes a disposable product after using the ink in the tank. Le réservoir selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ladite paroi définit un renfoncement (6) présentant une surface (7) en arc de cercle le long de laquelle s'étend ladite partie de longueur du tuyau souple.The tank according to claim 1, wherein said wall defines a recess (6) having a surface (7) in an arc of circle along which extends said length portion of the flexible pipe. Le réservoir selon l'une des revendications 1 à 2, dans lequel le tuyau souple est muni à son extrémité libre d'un organe (15) d'accouplement de conduite prévu pour coopérer avec un autre organe d'accouplement de conduite et conçu pour obturer le tuyau lorsqu'il est séparé de cet autre organe d'accouplement.The tank according to one of claims 1 to 2, in which the flexible hose is provided at its free end with a pipe coupling member (15) designed to cooperate with another pipe coupling member and designed to seal the pipe when it is separated from this other coupling member. Le réservoir selon l'une des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel la partie de longueur du tuyau souple est formée dans la paroi du réservoir.The tank according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the length portion of the flexible pipe is formed in the wall of the tank. Une machine d'affranchissement comprenant un système (1) d'impression à jet d'encre, un réservoir d'encre (3) selon l'une des revendications 1 à 4 et une pompe péristaltique (9) pour amener l'encre du réservoir vers le système d'impression.A franking machine comprising an ink jet printing system (1), an ink tank (3) according to one of claims 1 to 4 and a peristaltic pump (9) for supplying the ink from the tank to the printing system. La machine d'affranchissement selon la revendication 5, dans laquelle le réservoir d'encre (3) équipé du tuyau souple est monté de façon amovible dans la machine pour constituer un produit jetable après usage.The franking machine according to claim 5, in which the ink tank (3) fitted with the flexible hose is removably mounted in the machine to constitute a disposable product after use.
EP96400176A 1995-01-31 1996-01-25 Ink supply system for a franking machine Expired - Lifetime EP0724957B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9501109 1995-01-31
FR9501109A FR2729890B1 (en) 1995-01-31 1995-01-31 INK SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR POSTAGE MACHINE

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0724957A1 true EP0724957A1 (en) 1996-08-07
EP0724957B1 EP0724957B1 (en) 1999-06-02

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EP96400176A Expired - Lifetime EP0724957B1 (en) 1995-01-31 1996-01-25 Ink supply system for a franking machine

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US (1) US5757405A (en)
EP (1) EP0724957B1 (en)
DE (1) DE69602628T2 (en)
FR (1) FR2729890B1 (en)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE29913778U1 (en) * 1999-08-06 1999-09-30 Roland Man Druckmasch Coating device in a printing press
US7510274B2 (en) * 2005-01-21 2009-03-31 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Ink delivery system and methods for improved printing
DE102012007965A1 (en) 2011-05-16 2012-11-22 Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft System for supplying paint to dosing device of coating unit of printing machine, has drive unit, which has motor and sensor, where control medium signals for driving motor

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH570267A5 (en) * 1973-07-04 1975-12-15 Riggs & Lombard Inc Printing unit for electrically insulated wire - printing wheel supplied with ink by powered pump
FR2341441A1 (en) * 1976-02-18 1977-09-16 Gestetner Ltd Inking mechanism for printing machine - has peristaltic pump with rotor, stator and passageways with controllable ink flow
GB2035213A (en) * 1978-11-29 1980-06-18 Korthofah B Printing machine
US4440083A (en) * 1983-01-17 1984-04-03 Pitney Bowes Inc. Disposable inking cartridge
EP0515127A2 (en) * 1991-05-20 1992-11-25 Pitney Bowes, Inc. Mailing machine having a disposable inking cartridge
EP0590669A1 (en) * 1992-09-30 1994-04-06 Pitney Bowes, Inc. Apparatus for mounting an ink jet cartridge on a support therefor

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH0626886B2 (en) * 1984-01-30 1994-04-13 キヤノン株式会社 Liquid jet recording device
EP0592006A1 (en) * 1989-10-22 1994-04-13 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Tube pump mechanism for ink jet recording apparatus
US5466073A (en) * 1994-10-21 1995-11-14 Advanced Supplies, Inc. Printer ribbon cartridge with re-inking reservoir and pump

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH570267A5 (en) * 1973-07-04 1975-12-15 Riggs & Lombard Inc Printing unit for electrically insulated wire - printing wheel supplied with ink by powered pump
FR2341441A1 (en) * 1976-02-18 1977-09-16 Gestetner Ltd Inking mechanism for printing machine - has peristaltic pump with rotor, stator and passageways with controllable ink flow
GB2035213A (en) * 1978-11-29 1980-06-18 Korthofah B Printing machine
US4440083A (en) * 1983-01-17 1984-04-03 Pitney Bowes Inc. Disposable inking cartridge
EP0515127A2 (en) * 1991-05-20 1992-11-25 Pitney Bowes, Inc. Mailing machine having a disposable inking cartridge
EP0590669A1 (en) * 1992-09-30 1994-04-06 Pitney Bowes, Inc. Apparatus for mounting an ink jet cartridge on a support therefor

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2729890A1 (en) 1996-08-02
DE69602628D1 (en) 1999-07-08
EP0724957B1 (en) 1999-06-02
DE69602628T2 (en) 1999-10-28
US5757405A (en) 1998-05-26
FR2729890B1 (en) 1997-04-18

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