EP0745481A2 - Imprimante à jet d'encre avec réservoir auxiliaire - Google Patents

Imprimante à jet d'encre avec réservoir auxiliaire Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0745481A2
EP0745481A2 EP96303276A EP96303276A EP0745481A2 EP 0745481 A2 EP0745481 A2 EP 0745481A2 EP 96303276 A EP96303276 A EP 96303276A EP 96303276 A EP96303276 A EP 96303276A EP 0745481 A2 EP0745481 A2 EP 0745481A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ink
reservoir
cartridge
auxiliary
primary
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP96303276A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0745481A3 (fr
Inventor
Jaime H. Bohorquez
James E. Clark
Kenneth J. Courian
Tofigh Khodapanah
George T. Kaplinsky
Mindy A. Hamlin
David W. Swanson
James G. Salter
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.)
HP Inc
Original Assignee
Hewlett Packard Co
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US08/455,478 external-priority patent/US6003984A/en
Application filed by Hewlett Packard Co filed Critical Hewlett Packard Co
Publication of EP0745481A2 publication Critical patent/EP0745481A2/fr
Publication of EP0745481A3 publication Critical patent/EP0745481A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
    • B41J2/1752—Mounting within the printer
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
    • B41J2/17506—Refilling of the cartridge
    • B41J2/17509—Whilst mounted in the printer
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
    • B41J2/17513—Inner structure
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
    • B41J2/17513—Inner structure
    • B41J2002/17516—Inner structure comprising a collapsible ink holder, e.g. a flexible bag

Definitions

  • This invention relates to ink reservoirs for thermal ink-jet (“TIJ”) print cartridges.
  • TIJ thermal ink-jet
  • TIJ technology is widely used in computer printers.
  • a TIJ includes a print head typically comprising several tiny controllable ink-jets, which are selectively activated to release a jet or spray of ink from an ink reservoir onto the print media (such as paper) in order to create an image or portion of an image.
  • TIJ printers are described, for example, in the Hewlett-Packard Journal, Volume 36, Number 5, May, 1985, and Volume 39, Number 4, August, 1988.
  • the primary reservoir includes at least one movable side wall and an internal spring for biasing the movable side wall against collapsing as ink is withdrawn from the reservoir and ejected from the print head onto a print medium during printing operations.
  • the printer includes means for effecting relative motion between the print medium and the print head during printing operations.
  • a closed auxiliary reservoir holds a second supply of liquid ink.
  • a connection tube runs between the primary reservoir and the auxiliary reservoir for providing a closed fluid path to provide passive ink replenishment from the auxiliary reservoir to the primary reservoir during normal printing operation.
  • a method of replenishing liquid ink in a closed spring-bag primary reservoir in an ink-jet printing system comprising the following steps:
  • FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a thermal ink-jet pen cartridge embodying the invention, shown with its covers in an exploded form.
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the snout region of the pen of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the pen of FIG. 1, taken lengthwise through the pen snout region.
  • FIG. 4 is a broken away cross-sectional view of the snout region of the pen of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 5 is a view of the snout region of the pen of FIG. 1, taken prior to installation of the air check valve.
  • FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the thermal ink-jet pen cartridge of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6.
  • FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7.
  • FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 7 but showing the insertion of the sealing ball.
  • FIG. 10 is a side view of the external plastic frame member comprising the pen cartridge of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10.
  • FIG. 12 is a side view of the external and inner plastic frame members comprising the pen cartridge of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 12.
  • FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 12.
  • FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 12.
  • FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 6.
  • FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of the region within circle 17 of FIG. 16.
  • FIGS. 18 and 19 show alternate techniques of locking the inner plastic member to the external plastic member comprising the pen cartridge of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 20 is a partial isometric view of a spring bag cartridge swath printer employing an auxiliary reservoir in accordance with a further aspect of the invention.
  • FIG. 21 is a front view of the swath printer of FIG. 20.
  • FIG. 22 is partial cross-sectional view, taken along line 22-22 of FIG. 21.
  • FIG. 23 illustrates in isolation the fluid connection between the spring bag cartridge primary reservoir and the auxiliary reservoir.
  • FIG. 24 is a bottom view of the spring bag cartridge and the auxiliary reservoir of FIG. 23.
  • FIG. 25 is a close up view of the fitment element and the surrounding portion of the auxiliary bag.bottom cross-sectional view of tine auxiliary reservoir bag.
  • FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the fitment element, taken along line 26-26 of FIG. 25.
  • FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the closed fluid path between the auxiliary reservoir and the cartridge, taken along line 27-27 of FIG. 24.
  • FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 28-23 of FIG. 23, showing the tube connection to the cartridge fill port.
  • FIG. 29 is a partial front view of an alternate embodiment of a swath printer employing a plurality of spring bag cartridges and auxiliary reservoirs in accordance with the invention.
  • FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of the swath printer of FIG. 29, taken along line 30-30 of FIG. 29.
  • FIG. 31 is a bottom view of the cartridge carriage employed in the swath printer.
  • FIG. 32 is an isometric view of the cartridge carriage of FIG. 31.
  • FIGS. 1-17 illustrate a thermal ink-jet pen cartridge 50 embodying the present invention.
  • the pen 50 comprises an external frame structure 60 which defines a closed band or loop defining the periphery of the pen 50.
  • the pen structure 60 comprises two chemically dissimilar plastic members 78 and 68.
  • the external plastic member 78 is molded from a relatively rigid engineering plastic such as a glass-filled modified polyphenylene oxide, such as the material marketed under the trademark "NORYL" by General Electric Company.
  • An inner plastic member 68 is injection molded to the inner periphery of the external plastic member 78, and is fabricated of a plastic material suitable for attaching the ink reservoir membranes 64 and 66.
  • a plastic suitable for the inner plastic member 68 is a polyolefin alloy or 10 percent glass-filled polyethylene.
  • the frame 60 defines a generally rectilinear open volume region 110 and a snout region 75 protruding from one corner of region 110.
  • the external plastic member 78 is molded to form a standpipe 93 with an interior opening or channel 94 formed therein.
  • the standpipe channel 94 communicates with a TIJ printhead 76 secured across the the standpipe channel 94 to supply the printhead 76 with ink. As drops of ink are forced outwardly through the printhead nozzles, ink flows through the standpipe 94 from the reservoir 62 via the fluid paths indicated generally by arrows 97 and 99 to replenish the ink supply available to the printhead 76.
  • the inner plastic member 68 further includes a support rib 120 which extends across the throat of the snout region 75, separating the snout region from the main ink reservoir area 62.
  • a generally rectangular chamber area 122 is formed by a surrounding structure of the inner member 68 extending between the rib 120 and the inner opening of the standpipe channel 94.
  • First and second membranes 64 and 66 are attached to the inner plastic member 68 through heat staking, adhesives or other bonding processes, to form a leak-proof seal between the inner plastic member 68 and the membranes.
  • the membranes 64 and 66 are formed of a material which is impermeable to the ink to be stored within the ink reservoir, and compatible with the plastic of material from which the inner plastic member 68 is fabricated.
  • a preferred material for the membranes 64 and 66 is ethylenevinyl acetate (EVA).
  • EVA ethylenevinyl acetate
  • the ink delivery system includes a spring 74 which applies a separating force against two opposed piston plates 72A and 72B inside the ink reservoir to separate the membranes 64 and 66.
  • the spring and piston elements maintain negative pressure or. the ink in the reservoir to keep the ink from drooling from the printhead 76.
  • atmospheric pressure on the membranes 64 and 66 result in compression of the spring with the plates 72A and 72B drawn toward each
  • the membranes 64 and 66 extend over the standpipe region, and in this embcdiment are heat staked along the edge regions 63A, 63B and 63C (FIG. 4) to maintain the sealing of the membranes along the periphery of the snout region 75.
  • the membranes 64 and 66 are not sealed to the region of the rib 120.
  • Standoffs 69A and 698 comprising the inner plastic member 68 hold the membranes off the area of rib 120, to ensure the membranes do not sag against the support rib structure and thereby close off the ink flow from the ink reservoir to the standpipe 93.
  • An air check valve is provided in the fluid path between the printhead 76 and the ink reservoir 62, to prevent air bubbles from travelling from the printhead into the reservoir 62.
  • the valve also serves the function of a filter to prevent particulate contaminates from flowing from the ink reservoir 62 to the printhead 76 and clogging the printhead nozzles.
  • the valve includes two valve members 90, 92 one on each side of the frame.
  • the valve members 90 and 92 each comprise, in this exemplary embodiment, a section of finely woven stainless steel mesh, the edges of which are attached to the inner plastic member.
  • the mesh has a nominal passage dimension of 15 microns between adjacent mesh strands, and has a typical thickness of less than 0.005 inches.
  • each mesh member 90 and 92 is square, and covers an area of about one centimeter by one centimeter.
  • a mesh marketed under the tradename RIGIMESH-J by Engle Tool and Die, Eugene, Oregon, is suitable for performing the function of the check valve.
  • the mesh passage size is sufficiently small that, while ink may pass through the passages of the mesh, air bubbles under normal atmospheric pressure will not pass through the mesh passages which are wetted by the ink.
  • the required air bubble pressure necessary to permit bubbles to pass through the mesh in this embodiment, about 30 inches of water, is well above that experienced by the pen under any typical storage, handling or operational conditions. As a result, the mesh serves the function of an air check valve for the pen.
  • a second function fulfilled by the mesh valve is that of a particulate filter, preventing particles as small as 15 microns from passing through the mesh. It is known to use a mesh of this mesh opening size in a particulate filter in vented, foam-filled ink reservoirs. Such reservoirs have no need for an air check valve.
  • FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the snout region 75 of the pen 50.
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-section taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 5 is a view of the snout without the covers and valve element 90 and 92 in place.
  • the frame member 73 includes a pair of inwardly facing tabs 78A and 78B which provide suppcrt to the portion of inner frame member 68 molded around the inner periphery of the snout region 75.
  • the tabs 78A and 78B also serve as coring features for molding of the inner member 68.
  • the frame member 68 defines inner chamber 122, with a rectilinear frame portion extending around the periphery of the chamber.
  • the frame portion is defined by side regions 68A-D.
  • the width of member 68 defines the width of the chamber 122.
  • the side regions 68A-D thus define a window into the chamber 122 on each cover-facing side of the member 68.
  • Each side of the chamber 122 which extends in a perpendicular sense to the plane of the covers 70 and 80 is defined by the plastic comprising member 68.
  • the printer in which the pen 50 is installed may include a priming station to apply a vacuum to the printhead to withdraw the air bubbles through the printhead, and draw ink from the reservoir to fill the standpipe opening and the chamber 122.
  • a priming station to apply a vacuum to the printhead to withdraw the air bubbles through the printhead, and draw ink from the reservoir to fill the standpipe opening and the chamber 122.
  • Such priming stations are known in the art.
  • the frame member 68 is molded to define a thin lip 124 which protrudes from the side regions 68A-D and extends around the periphery of the frame portion. Such a lip is defined on each cover-facing side of the member 68; only lip 124 is visible in FIG. 5.
  • the heated die member is positioned over the mesh member, and brought downwardly against the mesh member with force.
  • the temperature of the die member is sufficient to soften or melt the plastic material defining the lip 124, so that some of the molten plastic flows into the adjacent interstices of the mesh.
  • the mesh member firmly attached to the member 68 all around the periphery of the window into the chamber 122.
  • FIGS. 6-9 illustrate the location and structure of the ink fill port 130 of pen 50.
  • the fill port 130 is located in a flat surface 60A of the frame 60 adjacent the pen snout region 75.
  • the ink reservoir 62 is filled with ink via the port 130, which is thereafter sealed off by insertion cf a stainless steel ball 132.
  • the external frame member 73 is molded to form an opening of circular cross-section, whose diameter transitions abruptly from a smaller diameter in the region 134 in which the ball 132 is captured, to a larger diameter in the region 136 adjacent the surface 60A.
  • the ball 132 has a diameter of .187 inches (4.76 mm)
  • the smaller diameter of the frame member 78 in the region 134 is .236 inches (6.0 mm)
  • the larger diameter of the frame 73 in the region 136 is .283 inches (7.2 mm).
  • the molten plastic flows through the opening formed for the ink fill port in the member 78 and around a mold pin inserted therein to form the fill port structure comprising the inner member 68.
  • the molten plastic flows around the material forming the member 78 at region 134, providing a lining thereover.
  • the inner member 68 thus formed defines the fill port opening 130 which communicates with the ink reservoir 62.
  • the diameter of the fill port opening 130 tapers from a first diameter of the opening adjacent the surface to a second, smaller diameter at 138 adjacent the reservoir 62 which is substantially smaller than the diameter of the ball 132.
  • the first diameter is .179 inches and the second diameter is .120 inches.
  • the pen is held with the snout region 75 in an upright position as shown in FIG. 6.
  • a needle is lowered through the fill port opening 130 down into the ink reservoir nearly touching the bottom of the reservoir. This is done so that the in falls the shortest distance possible, as some inks will foam if they fall, which makes priming difficult later.
  • the pen reservoir is then filled with ink through the ink fill needle by a pumping means to the point that the ink in the reservoir is nearly touching the inside of the ink fill hole.
  • the needle is drawn out of the pen and a ball 132 is placed over the ink fill opening 130.
  • the ball fits tightly within the opening 138, as it must displace some of the plastic material surrounding the opening 130, due to its size relative to the opening size.
  • the ball 130 is then pressed into the in fill 130B by a pressing tool 140 (FIG. 9) such that it just touches the inner diameter at 138 at the bottom of the ink fill opening 130.
  • a pressing tool 140 FIG. 9
  • the ink is contained in the pen reservoir; however, an air path exists from the top of the free surface of the ink through the printhead nozzles which must be removed to establish the initial pen back pressure.
  • the air is pulled from the pen with the pen 50 tilted on a 30 degree angle such that the highest point is the snout region 75. This is done because the air will float to the highest point which then is the snout region, and thereby facilitating pulling the air from the pen by the primer.
  • a suction head is then placed over the nozzle region of the thermal ink-jet head and vacuum pulled. As the vacuum removes air from the pen and the ink level will rise, wet out the filter, and eventually make its way up to and through the printhead nozzles. This process has been characterized such that a known amount of ink will be pulled through the nozzles to establish the initial back pressure in the pen at -1 inch of water.
  • the top surface of the printhead is washed with clean water and an air knife to remove any excess ink from the priming process.
  • the pen may be turned in any orientation with the ink remaining in the pen.
  • FIGS. 10 and 11 show in isolation the outer plastic member 78 comprising the pen 50.
  • the plastic member 78 presents an exterior flat surface 142, but that the inner side of member 73 presents several steps to increase the thickness of member 78, forming a plateau 146.
  • a rib feature 144 is formed along the center of the member 78 extending from plateau 146, and includes undercut sides 144A and 144B. The rib 144 extends along part or nearly all of the sides of the frame member 78, as shown in FI.G. 10.
  • FIG. 12 is a side elevation view corresponding to FIG. 10, but showing the inner frame member 78 molded onto the outer frame member 78.
  • the frame member 78 extends along the plateau 146, and covers the rib 144.
  • the undercut sides of the rib provide a locking means for locking the member 68 onto the member 68.
  • the member 68 has a thickness T (.059 inches) and a width W (.354 inches) in the area shown in FIG. 13.
  • the sides 148 and 150 of the member 68 which extend generally perpendicular to the frame member 78 provide surfaces to which the ink reservoir membranes 64 and 66 may be attached.
  • the material forming the inner member 68 has a shrink rate as it cools from the molten state. This material is molded inside the outer frame 78 and tends to shrink away from the frame 78 as it cools. To keep the inner plastic member 68 attached to the exterior frame member 78, it is molded onto the undercut features 144 which are molded as part of the member 78. As the material forming member 68 cools, it locks onto the external frame 78 by these features 144, thereby countering the forces of the material forming member 68 to pull away from the external frame 78 due to the shrinkage of that material.
  • the locking rib 144 shown has a simple cross section which is easy to mold.
  • a soft polyolefin alloy can be used as the material for member 68, as it adheres chemically to the surface of the NORYL material and has a shrink rate that is very low (about equal to the NORYL 2.5 mills/inch) so that the forces created during the shrinking process are lower than, for example, pure polyethylene which is about 20 mils/inch.
  • An exemplary material suitable for construction of member 68 is described in application serial number 08/058,730, filed May 3, 1993, entitled "Two Material Frame Having Dissimilar Properties For Thermal Ink-Jet Cartridge.”
  • FIGS.14 and 15 show the structrure of the members 68 and 78 in the snout region in further detail.
  • the material of the inner member 68 flows over the ribs 78A and 78B, and covers the standpipe 93, locking onto the rib 93A.
  • FIG. 16 is a cross-section taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 6. Elements defining the ink reservoir are visible here. Attachment of the spring bag membranes 64 and 66 to the opposed side surfaces 143 and 150 of the inner member 68 is illustrated. FIG. 17 in particular is an enlarged view illustrating the heat staked attachment of the membrane 66 to surface 148 of the inner frame member 68. Heat staking per se is well known in the plastics art.
  • FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate two alternate embodiments of the locking features which may be formed on the inner surface of the frame member 78, instead of the undercut rib 144.
  • FIG. 18 shows a frame member 78' which employs locking features 144', essentially small handle-like features with an opening 160 into which the molten plastic flows when the inner member 68' is molded.
  • FIG. 19 shows a frame member 78" which includes locking features 144" which include rounded undercut openings 162 formed therein. The molten plastic flows into the undercut openings 162 when the inner member 68" is molded.
  • FIGS. 20-32 Another aspect of the invention is shown in FIGS. 20-32. This aspect is illustrated in a drum printer application, but it is applicable to other types of swath printers as well.
  • the drum printer utilizes the spring bag pen cartridge described above with respect to FIGS. 1-19, and a closed auxiliary in reservoir. There are two illustrated embodiments. The first is a single cartridge swath printer. The paper is secured to the periphery of the drum by a vacuum (or other attachment means, such as adhesive tape), and the drum rotated relative to a cartridge carriage. The carriage is moved in two alternate ways. One way is to incrementally step or move the carriage from one swath to the next.
  • a closed auxiliary reservoir is connected via a tube to the spring bag internal reservoir.
  • the auxiliary reservoir is held by a platform mounted on the carriage. As the carriage moves, the auxiliary carriage moves with the carriage. To prevent ink from unduly sloshing around in the auxiliary reservoir, the use of the continuous, slow movement of the cartridge carriage works best.
  • one auxiliary reservoir is held on a platform mounted on the cartridge carriage as in the single cartridge embodiment, and a second reservoir mounted on a platform secured to the printer body, there being relative motion between the second reservoir and the cartridge and paper.
  • the auxiliary reservoirs are connected via flexible tubes to the respective internal reservoir of the spring bag cartridge through the existing fill hole defined through the softer inner plastic material.
  • the auxiliary reservoir for each embodiment is a flat, high capacity bag. The inner diameter of the tubes is sufficient to supply ink under heavy printing loads to maintain the ink supply in the primary spring-bag reservoir; the system does not rely on capillary flow through the tubes.
  • FIGS. 20-26 illustrate the single cartridge embodiment of a swath printer 200 with an auxiliary reservoir.
  • the printer includes a printer body 202 which provides support for the printer elements.
  • the printer includes a hollow cylindrical drum 204, which is perforated with a number of holes 206.
  • the drum 204 is mounted on the body 202 for rotational movement about its axis, and is driven by motor 208.
  • a source of vacuum (not shown) is connected to the interior of the hollow drum, which tends to draw air into the interior of the drum through the holes 206. This tends to secure a print medium such as paper tightly about the periphery of the drum for printing operations.
  • the printer 200 further includes a cartridge 50 having a spring bag reservoir 62, mounted in a carriage 210 for movement along a carriage axis which extends generally parallel to the center axis of the drum 20.
  • the carriage is mounted on rods 212 and 214 for sliding movement along the extent of the drum over which printing operations are to be performed.
  • the carriage 210 is driven by a leadscrew 218 which is rotated by motor 220.
  • the carriage 210 has mounted thereon a leadscrew follower nut (not shown) which is engaged on the leadscrew.
  • the motor 220 can be operated to rotate the leadscrew 218, which in conjunction which the leadscrew follower translates the rotation movement of the leadscrew into linear movement of the follower and carriage.
  • the motors 208 and 220 can be operated to precisely position a given point on the print medium surface relative to the printhead carried by the spring bag cartridge 50.
  • the swath printer further includes a closed auxiliary reservoir 230, connected to the primary reservoir 62 of the spring bag cartridge 50 by a flexible tube 240.
  • the auxiliary reservoir 230 is carried on the cartridge carriage 210, which includes a reservoir platform 244.
  • the carriage typically moves slowly in a continuous movement, or in small incremental swath steps, the liquid in held in the reservoir 230 is not subjected to large accelerations/decelerations, and so does not slosh about within the reservoir to a large degree.
  • the tube 240 has a primary reservoir end 240A which is connected to the existing fill port 130 formed in the frame 60 of the cartridge 50.
  • the external diameter of the tube 240 is selected to be slightly larger than the nominal opening size of the fill port 130.
  • the tube end 240A is connected to the fill port through a right angle "L" fitting 243 (FIG. 23). This interconnection between the tube end 240A and the inner plastic member 68 is illustrated in FIG. 23.
  • the tube 240 is further connected at its second end 240B to the auxiliary reservoir 230, as illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 24.
  • the reservoir 230 includes a fitment element 232 which provides a structure to attach the tube 240.
  • the fitment 232 includes a tube 232A extending transversely to a "q" shaped fitment flat structure portion 232B. There is a tube opening 232C extending through the tube and flat structure portion.
  • the flat structure portion 232B has a flat surface 232E which is attached to the bag material, and a series of channels 232D formed in the surface opposed to the flat surface.
  • the channels lead to the tube opening 232C, and serve to prevent the opening from being closed by the bag material as the bag empties and collapses. Thus, the channels allow the bag to be more completely emptied of ink.
  • the fitment 232 in the exemplary embodiment is a one piece structure molded from low density polyethylene.
  • the auxiliary reservoir 230 is a bag fabricated of a flexible material impervious to the liquid ink, and can be the same material as that used for the spring bag membranes in the spring bag cartridge.
  • a suitable bag material is a commercially available assembly of two thin layers adhered together, a two mil thick layer of polyethylene, and a .75 mil thick layer of polyester (MYLAR) on the bag exterior.
  • the auxiliary reservoir bag can be fabricated in accordance with the following exemplary method.
  • a piece of the bag material about six inches wide and twenty-four inches long is cut.
  • a 1/4 inch hole is punched in the very center of the bag material for the fitment element 232.
  • the piece of bag material is placed over the fitment 232 with the fitment tube 232A inserted through the hole in the material.
  • the fitment position is adjusted so that its long dimension is parallel to the long side of the piece of material.
  • a two-inch-by-two-inch piece of teflon cloth with a 1/4 inch hole punched in it is placed over the fitment tube 232A, so that the bag material and teflon cloth sandwich the fitment element 230.
  • a fitment welder is used to heat weld the fitment to the bag material.
  • the fitment welder can be a hollow aluminum cylinder attached to a soldering iron, with the cylinder defining a clearance opening larger than the diameter of the fitment tube.
  • the temperature can be controlled by unplugging the soldering iron, etc., to get the best fitment seal.
  • a cylinder of rolled teflon cloth is placed over the fitment tube 232A to protect it from melting.
  • a second cylinder of rolled teflon cloth is placed inside the clearance hole of the fitment welder.
  • the welder is carefully lowered over the fitment tube and pressed down to melt the bag material and the fitment together. This welding will require a rather fast rolling motion to prevent melting the fitment tube or excess melting of the bag but also must assure a complete bag to fitment seal.
  • the periphery of the bag can be sealed with impulse heat sealers typically used on plastic bags.
  • the piece of bag material is folded over in the long direction to end up with a bag six-inches-by-twelve inches with the fitment tube protruding out of one side wall of the bag.
  • the long edges of the bag material are lined up, and the short end of the bag is heat sealed about 11-1/2 inches from the fitment end.
  • a second seal right can be placed next to the first one for added sealing security.
  • each of the long edges of the bag are sealed about one inch from the edge.
  • a second seal can be placed right next to the first seal for added sealing security.
  • the bag should now have a sealed area of about four-inches-by-eleven-and-one-half-inches with the fitment tube 232A protruding from one side wall of the bag.
  • the bag When the bag is filled with ink, it will have a typical height of about 1-1/2 inches.
  • the auxiliary reservoir bag 230 can be filled by at least two exemplary methods.
  • One method is syringe filling. Ink is pulled into a syringe, the syringe is connected to the bag fitment tube through a luer fitting, and the ink is pushed into the bag.
  • Another method is siphon filling.
  • the bag 230 is placed at a lower level than the free liquid level in an ink bottle. A tube is placed in the ink bottle. A "tee" is connected between a luer fitting on the bag 230 and the tube from the bottle.
  • a syringe is attached to the open end of the "tee.”
  • the syringe When the syringe is used to evacuate the tube and bag of air, the ink that is pulled out of the bottle starts a siphoning action into the bag 230.
  • the luer fitting can be capped with a male luer plug.
  • the bag is oriented to get any air bubbles to collect at the fitment and the plug is opening enough to let the air escape.
  • the auxiliary reservoir bag 230 can be refilled by the same techniques.
  • the cartridge 50 shown in FIGS. 1-19 is employed in the printer 200, with modifications to permit the connection of tube 240.
  • a cartridge 50 which has been filled with ink and the fill port sealed with a ball 132 as shown in FIG. 9.
  • the ball 132 With the cartridge oriented as shown in FIG. 9, the ball 132 is pushed into the cartridge reservoir 62.
  • the fill port opening is enlarged with a drill bit, e.g., a number 21 bit for a port opening size of .159 inches, either by hand or with a drill press.
  • a drill bit e.g., a number 21 bit for a port opening size of .159 inches, either by hand or with a drill press.
  • threads are formed in the inner plastic member 68 defining the fill port opening by threading the screw into the opening.
  • the threads are formed only in the inner plastic material 68, and do not expose or cut into the external plastic frame member 78.
  • the screw is then withdrawn and replaced with a #10-32 "L" fitting 243 with a barbed end.
  • the L fitting is turned in as far as it will go and still have the barb end point away from the pen snout.
  • the threaded engagement between the fitting and the port opening sidewall results in a joint which is leak-free over a range of environmental parameters to which an ink-jet cartridge is typically exposed.
  • the tube end 240A is then attached to the barb end of the fitting 243 by pressing the tube end over the barb.
  • the length of tubing is preferably kept as short as feasible (e.g., less than 6 inches) to reduce the back pressure but still allow connection to the bag 230.
  • At least some portion of the tube 240 is capable of being pinched off with a clamp.
  • a tubing clamp is placed on the tube, and a male luer barbed connector is pressed onto the tube end.
  • a syringe is attached to the tube 240, to pull out the air in the cartridge reservoir until ink comes out into the tube.
  • the clamp is closed and the syringe removed.
  • the cartridge is ready for any testing and may be connected to an auxiliary bag at any time.
  • a tube is attached to the L fitting attached to the fitment tube 232A and capped with a female luer fitting and a luer plug.
  • the tube has an inner diameter of 1/8 inches to permit adequate flow and without relying on capillary flow.
  • the end of the bag tube is held above the height of the bag itself, and the luer plug removed.
  • the male luer fitting attached to the cartridge tube is twisted into the female luer at the end of the bag tube.
  • the clamp on the cartridge tube is opened.
  • the cartridge-bag system will work well with the bag's upper surface between one and four inches below the cartridge nozzle plate.
  • the system can accommodate a moderate degree of air, though the tube from the cartridge to the auxiliary reservoir should be kept below the top of the cartridge to avoid the formation of an air lock.
  • the cartridge spring-bag reservoir creates a negative pressure as it collapses, and the pressure gets more negative throughout the collapse.
  • the auxiliary reservoir bag 230 will also create a negative pressure as it collapses but of much less magnitude.
  • the cartridge reservoir and auxiliary reservoir are connected with a tube with a valve blocking flow between them. Now assume that the valve is opened. Ink will flow up hill from the bag 230 to the cartridge reservoir so long as the suction (negative pressure) in the cartridge reservoir is greater than necessary to collapse the auxiliary bag and pull the ink uphill.
  • the cartridge reservoir will refill to an equilibrium point depending on the height difference between the cartridge reservoir and the auxiliary bag, the cartridge and bag pressure-volume relationships, and the starting ink volumes in the cartridge reservoir and the auxiliary reservoir.
  • This equilibrium point will vary as the auxiliary bag is emptied of ink.
  • the location of the tube connection to both the cartridge reservoir and the auxiliary reservoir will affect the effective cartridge/auxiliary bag height difference.
  • the height differential at issue for this closed system is the height differential between the free surface of the ink within the auxiliary reservoir and the ink meniscus formed at the cartridge printhead.
  • the ideal height differential is one which will not cause a statistically "worst case” cartridge to drool or puddle, i.e. a cartridge having a spring-bag reservoir with the highest back pressure at which the system will be designed to operate. These cartridges have higher than normal back pressure, and as such, may cause ink to flow when other cartridges may not.
  • the vertical height difference is increased from a nominal distance to give some margin.
  • the nominal distance is based on average back pressures for a given "filled" cartridge, say 40cc of ink which may correspond to 3 inches of water.
  • the typical range of back pressure for a spring-bag cartridge is between 2 and 10 inches of water, with a typical preferred operating range of 3-7 inches for production cartridges.
  • the print head type and spring construction will have some effect on the desired operating range.
  • FIGS. 27 and 28 show an alternate embodiment of a drum printer 200' employing the auxiliary ink reservoir system.
  • the printer 200' has two spring-bag reservoir cartridges 50' and 50'' mounted in respective carriages 210' and 210", each mounted on carriage support structure 215. The orientation of the two cartridges is shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 28. Each is oriented such that its longitudinal axis if extended would intersect the center of the drum 204.
  • the auxiliary reservoir 230' for cartridge 50' is mounted on platform 244' in a similar manner as in the printer 200 embodiment shown in FIGS. 20-21.
  • a tube 240' connects the primary reservoir in the cartridge 50' and the auxiliary reservoir 230'.
  • the reservoir 230' is carried along with the cartridge 50' as the carriage structure 215 is advanced/retracted by the leadscrew 218.
  • the auxiliary reservoir 230" for cartridge 50" is mounted on platform 244", which is secured to the printer body 202.
  • a tube 240" connects the primary reservoir in the cartridge 50'' and the auxiliary reservoir 230".
  • shut-off valve will typically be installed in the fluid path between the auxiliary reservoir and the cartridge to prevent ink flow when the cartridge/auxiliary reservoir are not installed in a printer. This may be a simple pinch valve for closing the tube, for example. Such valves are schematically illustrated in FIG. 24 as elements 241A and 241B.

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EP96303276A 1995-05-31 1996-05-10 Imprimante à jet d'encre avec réservoir auxiliaire Withdrawn EP0745481A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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US455478 1995-05-31
US08/455,478 US6003984A (en) 1992-03-18 1995-05-31 Ink-jet swath printer with auxiliary ink reservoir

Publications (2)

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EP0745481A2 true EP0745481A2 (fr) 1996-12-04
EP0745481A3 EP0745481A3 (fr) 1998-04-01

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Cited By (7)

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EP0853001A2 (fr) * 1997-01-08 1998-07-15 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Cartouche d'encre, procédé pour sa fabrication et alimentation en encre
US5792380A (en) * 1997-04-30 1998-08-11 Eastman Kodak Company Ink jet printing ink composition with detectable label material
EP0865925A1 (fr) * 1997-03-17 1998-09-23 Pelikan Produktions Ag Cartouche d'encre pour imprimante/traceur à jet d'encre
GB2323816A (en) * 1997-03-03 1998-10-07 Hewlett Packard Co Refill of inkjet cartridges using an off-carriage ink supply mounted on a vertically movable platform
US6106089A (en) * 1997-04-30 2000-08-22 Eastman Kodak Company Magnetic sensor for ink detection
AU2013216640B2 (en) * 2010-05-17 2014-11-20 Memjet Technology Limited System for reducing ink color mixing effects in printer
CN115416403A (zh) * 2022-07-29 2022-12-02 深圳诚拓数码设备有限公司 喷头的保养系统、喷墨打印机、保养方法及打印方法

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2006035850A (ja) 2004-06-24 2006-02-09 Canon Inc 液体供給方法

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US4422084A (en) * 1979-11-06 1983-12-20 Epson Corporation Fluid tank and device for detecting remaining fluid
EP0322131A1 (fr) * 1987-12-21 1989-06-28 Hewlett-Packard Company Dispositif d'alimentation d'encre hors-bord et procédé de commande d'une imprimante à jet d'encre
US5309179A (en) * 1992-08-18 1994-05-03 Xerox Corporation Enhancement of ink flow ducts with high surface energy material inclusions
EP0623444A1 (fr) * 1993-05-03 1994-11-09 Hewlett-Packard Company Cadre en deux matériaux avec propriétés différentes pour une tête d'impression thermique à jet d'encre
US5367328A (en) * 1993-10-20 1994-11-22 Lasermaster Corporation Automatic ink refill system for disposable ink jet cartridges
GB2283459A (en) * 1993-10-20 1995-05-10 Lasermaster Corp Ink jet printer ink supply line support system

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4422084A (en) * 1979-11-06 1983-12-20 Epson Corporation Fluid tank and device for detecting remaining fluid
EP0322131A1 (fr) * 1987-12-21 1989-06-28 Hewlett-Packard Company Dispositif d'alimentation d'encre hors-bord et procédé de commande d'une imprimante à jet d'encre
US5309179A (en) * 1992-08-18 1994-05-03 Xerox Corporation Enhancement of ink flow ducts with high surface energy material inclusions
EP0623444A1 (fr) * 1993-05-03 1994-11-09 Hewlett-Packard Company Cadre en deux matériaux avec propriétés différentes pour une tête d'impression thermique à jet d'encre
US5367328A (en) * 1993-10-20 1994-11-22 Lasermaster Corporation Automatic ink refill system for disposable ink jet cartridges
GB2283459A (en) * 1993-10-20 1995-05-10 Lasermaster Corp Ink jet printer ink supply line support system

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0853001A2 (fr) * 1997-01-08 1998-07-15 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Cartouche d'encre, procédé pour sa fabrication et alimentation en encre
EP0853001A3 (fr) * 1997-01-08 1999-04-21 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Cartouche d'encre, procédé pour sa fabrication et alimentation en encre
US6109743A (en) * 1997-01-08 2000-08-29 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Ink cartridge, process for forming it and liquid ink feeder
GB2323816A (en) * 1997-03-03 1998-10-07 Hewlett Packard Co Refill of inkjet cartridges using an off-carriage ink supply mounted on a vertically movable platform
GB2323816B (en) * 1997-03-03 2001-10-24 Hewlett Packard Co Printing system
EP0865925A1 (fr) * 1997-03-17 1998-09-23 Pelikan Produktions Ag Cartouche d'encre pour imprimante/traceur à jet d'encre
US5792380A (en) * 1997-04-30 1998-08-11 Eastman Kodak Company Ink jet printing ink composition with detectable label material
US6106089A (en) * 1997-04-30 2000-08-22 Eastman Kodak Company Magnetic sensor for ink detection
AU2013216640B2 (en) * 2010-05-17 2014-11-20 Memjet Technology Limited System for reducing ink color mixing effects in printer
CN115416403A (zh) * 2022-07-29 2022-12-02 深圳诚拓数码设备有限公司 喷头的保养系统、喷墨打印机、保养方法及打印方法
CN115416403B (zh) * 2022-07-29 2024-01-09 深圳诚拓数码设备有限公司 喷头的保养系统、喷墨打印机、保养方法及打印方法

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EP0745481A3 (fr) 1998-04-01
JPH08323996A (ja) 1996-12-10

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