EP0868307A1 - Tintenpatrone mit verbessertem volumetrischem wirkungsgrad - Google Patents
Tintenpatrone mit verbessertem volumetrischem wirkungsgradInfo
- Publication number
- EP0868307A1 EP0868307A1 EP96937800A EP96937800A EP0868307A1 EP 0868307 A1 EP0868307 A1 EP 0868307A1 EP 96937800 A EP96937800 A EP 96937800A EP 96937800 A EP96937800 A EP 96937800A EP 0868307 A1 EP0868307 A1 EP 0868307A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- ink
- zone
- capillarity
- jet cartridge
- ink jet
- 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- Withdrawn
Links
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
- B41J2/17513—Inner structure
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an ink jet cartridge with improved ink capacity and containment.
- Ink jet cartridges such as those used in ink jet printers, facsimiles, postal meters and other recording devices are generally well known in the art.
- Such cartridges comprise an ink reservoir for supplying ink.
- the ink is supplied to a printhead through a series of microchannels, where the ink is heated, charged, or pumped causing it to be expelled through the printhead onto a recording sheet.
- Ink cartridges are commonly comprised of a cavity which may be partially or entirely filled with foam. Foam commonly serves as an ink retention device, preventing ink from freely flowing out of a cartridge because of gravity or changes in ambient temperature or pressure.
- ink jet cartridges need to fulfill three objectives: (1) the ability to supply a large amount of ink within a Iimited amount of space; (2) means to prevent ink from oozing out of the cartridge; and (3) means to prevent the creation of a vacuum within the cartridge. The latter, in particular, causes the flowability of ink supply to decrease despite the presence of ink within the cartridge.
- U.S. Patent No. 5,430,471 discloses a multi-zoned ink cartridge wherein the zones are connected in series by a liquid supply material. During operation, ink oozes out of the liquid supply port of the cartridge. This typically occurs when the liquid supply material becomes saturated. Such saturation is normally attributed to positive pressure caused by either a temperature or altitude increase.
- European Patent Application No. 0 639461 A2 further describes a cartridge using capillary action and gravity for ink containment.
- ink migrates from the liquid supply gap connecting the ink cavity and the vacuum material section.
- the cartridge contains a groove to prevent ink leakage when the cartridge is inverted.
- This cartridge's reliance on gravity further reduces the orientations in which the cartridge can effectively operate.
- U.S. Patent No. 5,509,140 discloses an ink cartridge for use with a bubble jet printer which is composed of two zones. The zones, which are separated by a partition, communicate with each other through an opening at the bottom wall of the partition. The zone closest to the opening has an air vent and is in contact with the ink jet recording head and contains a sponge- like material for producing a negative pressure.
- the second zone sealed from ambient air except through the opening at the bottom wall of the partition, contains the ink.
- the partition further has a groove for forming an air flow passage from the second to the first zones. Under operation, the internal pressure of the cartridge decreases as a result of the pressure difference between the second zone and the first zone. Air is introduced into the first zone through the air vent which proceeds into the second zone. This alleviates the pressure differential. In the process, ink leaks from the second zone.
- U.S. Patent No. 5,453,771 discloses another ink cartridge for an ink jet printer.
- This cartridge contains an ink cavity and an adjustment room containing compressed fibers. The densities of the fibers increase towards the feed passageway into the ink jet head.
- a longitudinal bulkhead separates the ink cavity and the adjustment room.
- a connection opening at the lower part of the bulkhead bridges the adjustment room with ink cavity.
- An ink egress port is connected posteriorly to the adjustment room. Due to the constant path of travel of ink and air between the adjustment room and ink cavity, such ink cartridges cannot be shipped opened. In addition, ink characteristically leaks from such cartridges in shipment.
- Springbags which require them to be regularly shaped in order to provide spring action to drive two parallel plates apart. The resulting underpressure which is produced prevents ink leakage during operation. In addition, the reservoir holding capacity of such cartridges is diminished in light of their inability to make use of irregular or small spaces.
- Springbag cartridges further require a multitude of high-precision parts including plates, springs, flexible bags, housings, and sealing or connection members. Such dissimilar materials further need to be sealed.
- FIG. I is a front exterior view of an ink jet cartridge defined by the invention.
- FIG. II is an exploded view of a disassembled ink jet cartridge of the invention.
- FIG. Ill is a frontal exterior view of an embodiment of the ink jet cartridge of the invention.
- FIG. IV is a lateral view of the invention demonstrating the use of a transfer wicking material within the ink receptacle.
- FIG. V is an exploded view of a disassembled ink jet cartridge defined by the invention.
- An improved system for delivering and containing ink comprises a cartridge containing an ink receptable, an egress port, an ink flow regulating zone and ink overflow zone.
- the ink flow regulating zone has a higher degree of capillarity than the ink overflow zone.
- At least a portion of the ink flow regulating zone is located adjacent to the ink receptacle, ink ingress ports connect the ink receptacle and the ink flow regulating zone.
- the ink overflow zone, partitioned from the ink receptacle may laterally extend from the ink flow regulating zone.
- the ink overflow zone further contains an air vent.
- the cartridge is typically composed of plastic and manufactured using conventional injection molding processes known in the art.
- the ink flow regulating zone and the ink overflow zone further contain a vacuum-producing material. These zones regulate the sequential emptying and filling of ink via capillary action into the cartridge. Since the cartridge of the invention uses capillarity in the regulation of the flow of the ink, it can be used at any orientation without leakage. Description of the Preferred Embodiments
- the cartridge of the invention is used with an ink jet recording apparatus. It is capable of supplying the requisite amount of ink to the recording head during the recording operation.
- the cartridge is of the exchangeable type and can be easily mounted or demounted relative to the recording apparatus without ink leakage.
- the cartridge may be the non-exchangeable type, permanently affixed to the recording apparatus. The cartridge further will not leak in transit.
- the cartridge of the invention 10 consists of an ink receptacle 16 for storing ink, an ink flow regulating zone 14, an ink overflow zone 12 and an ink egress port 18.
- Ink egress port 18 connects to the ink jet recording head.
- At least a portion of ink flow regulating zone 14 is contiguous with ink receptacle 16.
- the ink flow regulating zone typically does not contain an air vent.
- Boundary wall 11 represents the juncture between ink flow regulating zone 14 and ink receptacle 16 as well as ink receptacle 16 and ink overflow zone 12.
- Boundary wall 11a between ink receptacle 16 and ink flow regulating zone 14 contains one or more openings 13 dividing the ink receptacle from the zones of capillarity.
- capillarity shall refer to the ink affinity of a given zone and its ability to use capillary action to draw or release ink to other zones or zones of the cartridge.
- Ink flow regulating zone 14 is flush against boundary wall 11a. In such intimate contact, ink flows through opening(s) 13 into the ink flow regulating zone 14 from ink receptacle 16.
- openings 13 typically are in the form of slits, holes or some variation thereof. Its geometry is not critical although in the present invention, multiple small diameter round holes are normally employed. Openings 13 permit the flow of ink from ink receptacle 16 into ink flow regulating zone 14.
- Ink overflow zone 12 is connected to ink flow regulating zone 14.
- the capillarity affinity of ink overflow zone 12 is less than that of ink flow regulating zone 14, yet higher than that of ink receptacle 16.
- Ink flow regulating zone 14 and ink overflow zone 12 are composed of a vacuum producing material. Differences in capillarity between these zones may be created by selection of the vacuum producing material.
- the compressed area, defined by the vacuum producing material, created at boundary wall 11a creates a localized area of high capillary forces or "wicking." This eliminates ink diffusion from ink flow regulating zone 14 to ink overflow zone 12, thereby maximizing the area available to accommodate ink which may be displaced from the ink receptacle if a relative positive pressure condition were to exist.
- Ink overflow zone 12 functions as a wick, passively drawing ink which overflows from ink flow regulating zone 14. As a result, ink is prevented from drooling out of the ink egress port. Because of the affinity for ink of ink flow regulating zone 14 relative to ink receptacle 16 the ink flow regulating zone can be placed higher than the printhead or in any other orientation within the cartridge without regard to gravity. In light of the flexibility allowed in the placement of the ink flow regulating zone within the cartridge, a wide variety of cost efficient configurations for the cartridge are possible while increasing volumetric efficiency, reliability and the operating environment of the cartridge.
- the ink Under normal operations of the ink jet recording apparatus, the ink is ejected through the orifice of the ink jet recording head thereby producing suction in the cartridge. Ink exits the cartridge through the ink egress port 18.
- air in ink receptacle 16 contracts and expands in reaction to the fluctuations in temperature and pressure, an equal amount of ink will be displaced from ink receptacle 16 into ink flow regulating zone 14 through openings 13.
- the internal pressure of ink receptacle 16 decreases as a result of the pressure difference between ink receptacle 16 and ink flow regulating zone 14. With the continued recording operation, this pressure difference continues to increase.
- Ink overflow zone 12 further contains air vent 17 for maintaining ambient pressure, thereby preventing either a vacuum or ink expulsion from the cartridge. Air is introduced into the cartridge through air vent 17 in the ink overflow zone. Ink receptacle 16 is maintained at a slight under pressure. This under pressure prevents the leakage of ink from the cartridge. During the ink jet recording operation, the above process is repeated, so that substantially a constant vacuum is maintained in the cartridge.
- ink overflow zone 12 Surplusage of ink entering ink flow regulating zone 14 passes into ink overflow zone 12.
- the ink overflow zone is partitioned by side boundary wall 11b and longitudinal boundary wall 11c from ink receptacle 16. No openings are located within either boundary walls 11b or 11c. Ink therefore is incapable from flowing directly from ink receptacle 16 into ink overflow zone
- ink flow regulating zone 14 Since the capillarity of ink flow regulating zone 14 is greater than the capillarity of ink overflow zone 12, after becoming normalized, ink migrates from ink overflow zone 12 to ink flow regulating zone 14 back into ink receptacle 16 until the ink overflow zone is emptied. If, however, ink flow regulating zone 14 is saturated or becomes oversaturated, ink overflow zone
- the ink flow regulating zone can be effectively completely drained of ink without causing starving of the printhead, its ability to accept ink during environmental fluctuations, such as variations in temperature or altitude, is increased.
- the cartridge of the invention is capable of maintaining a nearly constant back pressure during periods of environmental fluctuation. This is principally attributed to the fact that ink flow regulating zone 14 is always saturated and ink overflow zone 12 acts only as an overflow zone to accommodate the ink which has moved from ink receptacle
- Ink receptacle 16 has the highest ink capacity of any of the zones of the cartridge since its volume is not occupied by any material.
- An advantage of the present invention therefore is the ability of the ink receptacle to occupy a greater percentage of the cartridge as compared to the cartridges of the prior art. This allows more ink to be contained within the same unit of volume.
- ink receptacle 16 is the only part of the cartridge of the invention which is dependent on gravity; ink being gravitationally fed to ink flow regulating zone 14.
- Ink receptacle 16 of the invention further has an efficiency value approaching 100% since it can deliver relatively all the ink it contains through the openings in boundary wall 11a.
- a third zone of different capitta ly is defined by a vacuum producing material located at the point of connection of the cartridge with the printer.
- This third zone has a capillarity which is higher than the capillarity of ink flow regulating zone 14.
- the vacuum producing material of this third zone is selected to render the desired degree of capillarity. In operation, the vacuum producing material of this third zone couples itself to the vacuum producing material of the ink flow regulating zone during the compression stage.
- the ink flow regulating zone is in intimate contact with the third zone without means for the passage of ambient air.
- the vacuum producing material in the ink overflow zone and the ink flow regulating zone may be any known material capable of accommodating the fluid displaced by the expansion which occurs in the ink receptacle.
- Vacuum materials characterized by relatively high void volumes, such as foam-like or sponge-like materials made of fibers and porous materials having continuous pores, are preferred since it is easy to adjust the vacuum and the ink retaining power with such materials.
- Such materials include polyether foams, polyester foams, polyurethane foams and sponges, felt and porous plastic.
- the vacuum producing materials for use in these zones have as high as 97% or more void volumes.
- the vacuum-producing material is a polyether reticulated foam.
- the vacuum producing material may be glass beads as well as sand or polyamides such as nylon -6,6.
- the vacuum producing material may be the same or a different absorbent material in the ink overflow zone and the ink flow regulating zone. Varying degrees of absorbency of the vacuum producing material may be obtained by compressing the material or by treating it to provide different capillarity action. Increasing the amount of compression provides for increased capillarity.
- the vacuum producing material is a foam or sponge having between about 60 to about 110 ppi (pores per inch).
- the firmness factor is dependent on such physical properties of the ink formulation as surface tension and viscosity. Generally, a smaller pore size (or higher ppi) provides for greater capillarity as does an increased compression of the absorbent material. Since such vacuum-producing materials have a large surface area, some of the displaced ink may not be extracted, thereby reducing ink delivery efficiency of the cartridge. It is therefore desirable to minimize the size of the ink flow regulating zone. In particular, it is desirable to minimize the size of the ink flow regulating zone as well as the ink overflow zone and maximize the size of the ink receptacle.
- FIG. II is an exploded view of the disassembled ink jet cartridge of the invention and represents another embodiment wherein the cartridge contains three distinct zones of differing capillarity.
- Central body 1 of the ink cartridge contains ink receptacle 16, ink overflow zone 12 and ink flow regulating zone 14.
- Vacuum producing material 27 preferably a prefabricated block of absorbent material, is inserted into both ink overflow zone 12 and ink flow regulating zone 14.
- the vacuum producing material for these zones which may be a unitary piece or separate pieces of material, have varying absorbency for retaining the recording ink.
- the compressibility of the vacuum producing material in each of these zones is nevertheless different.
- the vacuum producing material is generally more highly compressed within ink flow regulating zone 14. This provides for greater capillarity in this zone than in ink overflow zone 12.
- Openings 13 in boundary plate 11a serve as conduits for the liquid ink. There are no corresponding openings in boundary plate 11b which separates ink receptacle 16 from ink overflow zone 12, as does boundary plate 11c.
- Cap 24 further includes priming dome 28 on its exterior wall for manually priming the cartridge.
- the priming dome is composed of a flexible or resilient material and, when depressed by the user, decreases the volume of ink within ink receptacle 16. The ink is thus forced into ink flow regulating zone 14. Priming may be further enhanced if dome 28 is actuated with vent plug 25 installed in air vent 26 and 22a. When dome 28 is actuated, a positive pressure is developed which forces ink from egress port 34 into the printhead.
- Cap 24 further contains ink supply port 21 for filling the initial ink formulation into the cartridge.
- Fill hole plug 23 typically a glass or metal bead or plastic ball, is inserted into ink supply port 21.
- the cartridge may further be optionally sealed with air vent cap 25 which is lodged over outside air port 26 and air vent 22a. This provides for greater protection against pressure or air passage during storage and transit. At the time of usage, it is preferred to remove air vent cap 25 to relieve pressure. Plug 29 is then removed.
- the cartridge of the invention may further comprise endcap 30 which fits underneath the area defined by ink overflow zone 12 and ink flow regulating zone 14.
- Endcap 30 contains elevated riser 32.
- Elevated disk 32 contains egress channel
- egress port 34 the bottommost portion of which serves as the egress port which connects to the ink jet printer and supplies the ink to the printhead.
- Anterior to egress port 34 is egress zone 36 which is in direct contact with ink flow regulating zone 14.
- ink overflow zone 12 is in contact with both egress zone 36 and ink flow regulating zone 14.
- drooling within the egress zone causes the ink to flow to the ink overflow zone. When normalized, the ink would then flow to the ink flow regulating zone. The flow of ink within such a cartridge proceeds from the zone of lowest capillarity to the zone of highest capillarity.
- Egress zone 36 is composed of a material capable of rendering a capillarity greater than the capillarity of ink flow regulating zone 14.
- egress zone 36 is comprised of a porous material, such as a porous plastic, like "tip mix" available from Porex Technologies located in Fairburn, Georgia.
- a fine wire mesh or a material such as GoretexTM may be employed.
- the cartridge of FIG. II contains three zones, each of which is characterized by a distinctive capillarity.
- Ink overflow zone 12 has the lowest capillarity.
- Egress zone 36 has the highest capillarity.
- Ink flow regulating zone 14 has a capillarity intermediate between the capillarity of the ink storage zone and the egress zone. Distinction is capillarity in ink overflow zone 12 and ink flow regulating zone 14 may be obtained by use of vacuum- producing materials of varying density. Altematively, vacuum-producing materials of equal density may be used in the zones. In this case, local compression exerted during operation of the cartridge on ink flow regulating zone 14 will render higher capillarity than that exhibited in ink overflow zone
- the bottommost portion of egress zone 36 preferably contains projecting ring 38 onto which egress zone 36 is retained.
- An O-ring seal is preferably provided within ring 38 to ensure a fluid tight connection between the egress zone and the printhead of the ink jet cartridge.
- Ink flow regulating zone 14 is in intimate contact with egress zone 36 and is instrumental in the transfer of ink into the zone of higher capillarity, egress zone 36.
- the absence of air vents facilitates regulation of ink and air exchange.
- the high capillary force within egress zone 36 causes ink to be ejected into the printhead.
- the necessity of priming is thereby markedly reduced, if not eliminated.
- the priming efficiency of the ink jet cartridge is further increased (without having to rely on priming dome 28) in light of the localized compression of ink flow regulating zone 14.
- the area of ink receptacle 16 may be from 1 to 5 times the area of the overflow zone 12.
- the diameter of the pores of the vacuum-producing material in ink flow regulating zone 14 and ink overflow zone 12 typically is around 50 and 100 ⁇ , respectively.
- the size of the porous disk comprising the zone of highest capillarity is typically around 8 ⁇ .
- FIG. Ill presents a lateral exterior view of the embodiment set forth in
- the cartridge preferably contains a means for the user to grip cap 24 to facilitate removal of the cartridge from the housing. Illustrated are a series of raised ridges 38 on the side surface of the cartridge.
- the cartridge easily manufactured using conventional injection molding processes, is typically composed of plastic such as polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin, styrene acrylonitrile resin, high density polyethylene and polypropylene as well as commercially available plastics such as K-resin.
- the cartridge is made of transparent plastic in order to allow the user to readily determine the amount of ink remaining in the cartridge.
- Cap 24 and endcap 30 are secured to the central body of the cartridge by ultrasonic welding such as by those techniques conventionally used for far field welding and near field welding.
- Ink flow regulating zone 14 is adjacent to and connects with ink receptacle 16 as well as ink overflow 12. Only ink flow regulating zone 14 is contagious with ink overflow zone 12. Ink flow regulating zone 14 is further contagious with the zone of highest capillarity, when present, whether as egress zone 36, as illustrated in FIG. II, or as the zone defined by the point of connection of the cartridge with the printer.
- the zone of highest capillarity needs to be the last zone which becomes empty of ink.
- egress zone 36 becomes void of ink only when ink overflow zone 12 and ink flow regulating zone 14 are depleted of ink.
- the ink jet cartridge of the invention has a third zone of different capillarity defined by a vacuum producing material located at the point of connection of the cartridge with the printer, this zone becomes void of ink only when the other two zones - ink overflow zone 12 and ink flow regulating zone 14 - become depleted of ink.
- the zone of highest capillarity further exhibits the highest ink affinity as well as the lowest ink holding efficiency of any of the zones of the ink cartridge of the invention.
- the zone of highest capillarity further has high ink transferability.
- ink receptacle 16 When the cartridge is subjected to an increase in temperature or elevation, air present in ink receptacle 16 will expand. This expansion of air causes the ink to flow from ink receptacle 16 into ink flow regulating zone 14.
- the ink flow regulating zone being saturated has relatively little ability, if any, to accept ink from the ink receptacle.
- the displaced ink will therefore flow from ink flow regulating zone 14 into ink overflow zone 12. This is especially true since the zone of highest capillarity is also saturated. Since ink overflow zone 12 typically contains minimal, if any, ink, it has a great capacity to accept the displaced ink.
- ink receptacle 16 returns to its normal environment (cooler relative temperature or lower altitude), air in the ink receptacle will contract, thereby sucking in either air or ink. Since ink flow regulating zone 14 and the zone of highest capillarity both have high affinity for ink, ink will migrate from ink overflow zone 12 to ink flow regulating zone 14 until the vacuum in ink receptacle 16 is equalized by the replacement of ink. If ink overflow zone 12 is void of ink, air will be suctioned into the ink overflow zone through air vent 17 and migrate to ink receptacle 16. Air will only pass through ink flow regulating zone 14 when ink overflow zone 12 is void or almost void of ink because of the high affinity of liquid in ink flow regulating zone 14 relative to affinity for liquid in ink overflow zone 12.
- the printhead actively sucks ink through the ink egress port from the zone of highest capillarity.
- the zone of highest capillarity draws ink through ink flow regulating zone 14 from either ink overflow zone 12 or ink receptacle 16. If ink overflow zone 12 contains ink, air will not pass through ink flow regulating zone 14 because of the ink flow regulating zone's high capillarity relative to the ink overflow zone. Ink migrating from ink overflow zone 12 to ink flow regulating zone 14 will displace any air or void spaces in ink flow regulating zone 14. A vacuum thereby forms in ink receptacle 16.
- ink Since the vacuum cannot be relieved, ink is therefore supplied by ink overflow zone 12.
- ink flow regulating zone 14 When ink overflow zone 12 is emptied, ink flow regulating zone 14 will become partially emptied, thereby allowing air to occupy some of the void space. When this occurs, air will pass from the ink flow regulating zone 14 to ink receptacle 16, relieving the vacuum in the ink receptacle, thereby allowing ink to flow from the ink receptacle into ink flow regulating zone 14.
- the zone of highest capillarity remains unaffected because it remains saturated, given its high capillarity for ink.
- the size of the ink flow regulating zone is minimized in relation to the ink overflow zone and the ink receptacle.
- the flow of ink throughout the ink jet cartridge of the invention proceeds from the zone of lowest capillarity to the area of highest capillarity.
- FIG. V represents yet another embodiment of the invention.
- the body 56 of cartridge 50 comprises ink receptacle 16, ink flow regulating zone 14, ink overflow zone 12 and egress zone 36.
- Partition 11a divides ink receptacle 16 and ink flow regulating zone 14. Slot 11d within partition 11a allows for the flow of ink into ink flow regulating zone 14.
- Vacuum producing material 27a and 27b preferably prefabricated blocks of absorbent material, is inserted into ink overflow zone 12 and ink flow regulating zone 14. Material 27c is inserted into egress zone 36.
- Materials 27a, 27b and 27c may consist of a unitary piece of material or consist of separate pieces.
- materials 27a and 27b are one unified piece of absorbent material and material 27c is a second piece. In operation, these materials have different degrees of absorbency; material 27b having a higher degree of capillarity than material 27a; material 27c having a higher degree of capillarity than material 27b.
- material 27c is a foam having 2.5 times the density of material
- material blocks 27a and 27b may be comprised of the same absorbent material and have the same density
- the space limitations of ink flow regulating zone 14 are such that the capillarity of block 27b in operation will be higher than the capillarity of block 27a. This is the case even though material block 27a in operation undergoes little, if any, compression; the added density resulting from the tight aerial space of ink flow regulating zone
- Ink egress port 18, which connects to the printhead of the recording apparatus, during shipment may be capped with plug stopper 51. Added precaution may further be provided by tape 52 which encompasses plug stopper 51.
- An air vent 53 located within ink overflow zone 12 extends to the outside. During shipment, plug stopper 54 preferably covers air vent 53.
- rip cord 55 is inserted between plug stopper 54 and the port of air vent 53. Release of plug stopper 54 prior to removal of plug stopper 51 will allow pressure equalization without ink leakage.
- Cartridge 50 is filled with ink through ink port 57.
- Fill plug 58 is then inserted inside ink port 57 to prevent leakage of ink.
- Cover plate 59 is then welded by conventional means over cartridge body 56.
- Support bases 58 are provided to more evenly affix the cover plate
- FIG. IV illustrates such a means within the cartridge illustrated by explosive view in
- FIG. IV demonstrates the use of a transfer wicking material 42 within ink receptacle 16.
- the wicking material may extend into cap-24.
- the wicking material feeds into opening 13 of boundary wall 11a, thereby allowing the ink within ink receptacle 16 to feed into ink flow regulating zone 14 by capillary forces.
- This embodiment makes it possible to operate the cartridge of the invention in any orientation, including in an inverted position.
- Suitable as the transfer wicking material is any material capable of absorbing ink.
- Preferred are polyester fibers typically used in the art as well as bonded aligned fibers.
- a transfer wicking material as an extension of the zone of highest capillarity to the point of connection of the cartridge with the printer.
- the zone of highest capillarity acts as a conduit of the ink to the wicking material.
- ink receptacle 16 When the cartridge is filled, it is beneficial to minimize the air present in ink receptacle 16. This maximizes liquid capacity and reduces liquid displacement from ink receptacle 16 to ink flow regulating zone 14 as well as decreasing ink overflow to ink overflow zone 12. Ink volumetric efficiency is further increased while permitting the cartridge to be subjected to a wide range of environmental conditions without ink leakage.
- the cartridge of the invention relies on zones of capillarity and is relatively unaffected by gravity or vibration, it is possible to ship a completely-filled cartridge while connected to the printhead even with vent 22b open to ambient conditions.
- Inks useful for the ink jet cartridges of the invention include those inks having a viscosity of between about 1 to about 12 cps, preferably about 8 to about 12 cps, a surface tension between about 20 to about 70 dynes, preferably between about 30 to about 65 dynes, and a pH of between about 3 to about 11.
- Such inks are typically comprised of from about 40 to about 98 weight percent water, up to about 10 weight percent dye or pigment, from about 0 to about 40 weight percent water soluble organic solvents or humectants and from about 0 to about 10 weight percent surfactants or other conventional additives such as biocides, buffers and salts.
- the invention is not restricted to any particular aqueous or solvent based ink nor to a particular dye or pigment.
Landscapes
- Ink Jet (AREA)
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US724P | 1995-06-30 | ||
US724095P | 1995-11-03 | 1995-11-03 | |
PCT/US1996/017341 WO1997016314A1 (en) | 1995-11-03 | 1996-11-01 | Ink cartridge with improved volumetric efficiency |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP0868307A1 true EP0868307A1 (de) | 1998-10-07 |
Family
ID=21725024
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP96937800A Withdrawn EP0868307A1 (de) | 1995-11-03 | 1996-11-01 | Tintenpatrone mit verbessertem volumetrischem wirkungsgrad |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0868307A1 (de) |
AU (1) | AU7526096A (de) |
CA (1) | CA2236599A1 (de) |
WO (1) | WO1997016314A1 (de) |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP3880232B2 (ja) | 1997-12-25 | 2007-02-14 | キヤノン株式会社 | 液体供給方法、該液体供給方法を用いる液体供給システム、インクタンク |
TW445214B (en) * | 1998-04-30 | 2001-07-11 | Hewlett Packard Co | Inkjet ink level detection |
US6302503B1 (en) * | 1998-04-30 | 2001-10-16 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Inkjet ink level detection |
GB0321821D0 (en) * | 2003-09-17 | 2003-10-15 | Opportunity Europ Limimted | Ink-jet cartridges |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5420625A (en) * | 1992-05-19 | 1995-05-30 | Xerox Corporation | Ink supply system for a thermal ink-jet printer |
JP3361339B2 (ja) * | 1992-07-02 | 2003-01-07 | 株式会社ブリヂストン | インクタンク及びその製法 |
US5453771A (en) * | 1992-07-03 | 1995-09-26 | Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. | Ink tank |
US5509140A (en) * | 1992-07-24 | 1996-04-16 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Replaceable ink cartridge |
JPH0747686A (ja) * | 1993-08-03 | 1995-02-21 | Canon Inc | インクカートリッジおよびインクジェット記録装置 |
JPH0768771A (ja) * | 1993-09-01 | 1995-03-14 | Canon Inc | インクジェットカートリッジ |
JPH0768784A (ja) * | 1993-09-07 | 1995-03-14 | Fuji Xerox Co Ltd | インクジェットカートリッジ |
ES2187407T3 (es) * | 1994-07-06 | 2003-06-16 | Canon Kk | Contenedor de tinta, cabezal de impresion por chorros de tinta que tiene contenedor de tinta, aparato para la impresion por chorros de tinta que tiene contenedor de tinta y metodo de fabricacion de un contenedor de tinta. |
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1996
- 1996-11-01 WO PCT/US1996/017341 patent/WO1997016314A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1996-11-01 CA CA 2236599 patent/CA2236599A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1996-11-01 EP EP96937800A patent/EP0868307A1/de not_active Withdrawn
- 1996-11-01 AU AU75260/96A patent/AU7526096A/en not_active Abandoned
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
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See references of WO9716314A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU7526096A (en) | 1997-05-22 |
WO1997016314A1 (en) | 1997-05-09 |
CA2236599A1 (en) | 1997-05-09 |
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