Continuous refill of spring bag reservoir in an ink-jet swath printer/plotter - Patent US5745137(A)

Filed: May 31, 1995

Published: Apr 28, 1998

Abstract

A closed ink replenishment system for replenishing the supply of ink in negative pressure spring-bag reservoirs in a printer/plotter. A tube runs between each cartridge reservoir and an auxiliary reservoir mounted to the printer/plotter frame to form the closed ink system. As ink is depleted from the spring-bag reservoir during printing operation, the negative pressure in the cartridge increases, drawing ink through the tube from the auxiliary reservoir into the cartridge until the negative pressure decreases to an equilibrium point. As a result, the volume of ink within the spring-bag reservoir remains substantially constant so long as there is ink remaining within the auxiliary reservoir. This maintains the print quality. The auxiliary reservoir is a flat bag mounted on a spring-biased platform, which acts as a height regulating system. As ink is depleted from the auxiliary bag, the height of the platform and bag increases to maintain a constant pressure and elevation head at the spring-bag reservoir.

Applicants

HEWLETT PACKARD CO

Inventors

COURIAN KENNETH J
KAPLINSKY GEORGE T
SWANSON DAVID W
YOUNG MARK E
CLARK JAMES E
SCHEFFELIN JOSEPH E
KHODAPANAH TOFIGH
ZAPATA ELIZABETH

Application Number

454975

Priority Claims

US92961592

Family Members

US5745137(A) - Continuous refill of spring bag reservoir in an ink-jet swath printer/plotter

US6053607(A) - Negative pressure ink delivery system

Classification Codes

B41J2/175