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Ink cartridge fluid flow arrangements and methods

A technology of ink cartridges and inks, applied in the direction of printing, buoy liquid level indicators, etc.

Inactive Publication Date: 2008-09-10
MASTER INK CO LTD
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0004] Another cartridge related issue is monitoring the ink level in the ink chamber

Method used

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  • Ink cartridge fluid flow arrangements and methods
  • Ink cartridge fluid flow arrangements and methods
  • Ink cartridge fluid flow arrangements and methods

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0038] The present invention relates to a replaceable ink container for supplying ink to an ink jet printer. The ink container, also referred to as an ink cartridge, includes: a housing defining an ink reservoir; a vent in air communication with the ink reservoir; and an ink outlet in ink communication with the ink reservoir. A vent hole extends into the ink reservoir and provides a one-way air entry into the ink reservoir near the bottom inner surface of the ink reservoir.

[0039] Another aspect of the invention relates to an ink level indicator within an ink reservoir. The ink level indicator includes a reflective member that reflects a light beam when the ink level in the ink reservoir reaches a depleted state. The reflective member may include a concave reflective surface for reflecting light beams. The reflective member may be configured to float in ink contained in the ink reservoir. The floating position of the reflective member may correspond to the amount of ink r...

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PUM

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Abstract

The invention relates to an ink cartridge fluid flow arrangements and methods. An ink cartridge including a housing, an ink outlet, and an air vent arrangement. Some examples further include a reflector positioned within the housing. Decreasing an ink volume in the housing below a predetermined level permits a light beam directed into the housing to be reflected off from the reflector thereby indicating a low ink level. The air vent arrangement can provide a source of air into the ink reservoir at a location adjacent a bottom internal surface of the housing. Providing air to the ink reservoir at this location helps maintain a negative pressure condition in the ink reservoir that prevents ink from unintentionally dripping out of the ink cartridge prior to mounting the cartridge to a printer. The air vent arrangement includes a one-way valve and an air channel that provides air to the one-way valve from an inlet that is positioned on the housing vertically above the one-way valve.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to an ink container for an inkjet printer, and more particularly to an ink flow and air flow arrangement for an inkjet printer cartridge. Background technique [0002] Inkjet printers are a popular form of printer used for computers and similar applications including document printing or graphics preparation. A typical inkjet printer has replaceable ink cartridges. Different types of ink cartridges have different ink flow configurations. An ink flow arrangement includes a sealed ink chamber, wherein the walls of the ink chamber are flexible so as to be concave under the vacuum pressure environment created as ink flows out of the ink chamber. In this configuration, a bias voltage is sometimes applied to the walls of the ink chamber to ensure activation of ink flow out of the cartridge. Another ink flow arrangement includes an ink chamber in flow communication with air outside the ink chamber so that the ink maintains an ...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(China)
IPC IPC(8): B41J2/175G01F23/30
CPCB41J2/17566B41J2002/17576
Inventor 肯尼斯·袁
Owner MASTER INK CO LTD