With Recirculation Patents (Class 347/89)
  • Patent number: 8573760
    Abstract: An outgoing path port and a returning path port of a circulation path are at a position that is lower than a printing head. The outgoing path port and a discharge port of a discharge path are at a position that is lower than the returning path port. When ink droplets are ejected from the printing head, ink is pumped from a main tank to a sub tank using a supply pump, and ink is pumped from the outgoing path port to the printing head using a circulation pump with an opening and closing valve open and an opening and closing valve closed. In a case where discharge of ink in the sub tank and a circulation path is instructed before replacing of an ink unit, ink is pumped from the outgoing path port to a junction side using the circulation pump with both of the valves open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhito Hori, Toshio Kumagai, Kaoru Koike
  • Patent number: 8573758
    Abstract: A liquid jet recording head includes liquid discharge ports, pressure chambers, and a substrate which has the discharge energy generating element, a liquid chamber for storing a liquid supplied to the pressure chamber, a pair of paths which are separated from the liquid chamber, and a liquid supply port communicating with the liquid chamber. A liquid inlet port communicating with one path of the pair of paths and a liquid outlet port communicating with the other path of the pair of paths are opened on one surface of the substrate. A liquid flow path for discharging the liquid from the liquid chamber to the pressure chamber via the liquid supply port, and a liquid flow path for circulating the liquid from the one path to each pressure chamber via the liquid inlet port, and further from each pressure chamber to the other path via the liquid outlet port are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Inoue, Ken Tsuchii, Masataka Sakurai, Yoshiyuki Nakagawa, Akiko Saito
  • Publication number: 20130286115
    Abstract: Method and Apparatus for Reducing Ink Foaming in a Continuous Inkjet Printer The invention provides a method of and apparatus for reducing foam formation in the returned ink in a continuous inkjet printer. The returned ink is subjected to deceleration and is reduced in pressure, preferably by being directed into a sub-chamber which reverses the direction of flow and provides an elevated edge over which the ink overflows. The de-aeration facility is preferably incorporated in an ink service module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: DOMINO PRINTING SCIENCES PLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Morgan, Stuart Mark Walkington, Christopher Hall
  • Publication number: 20130286114
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head, an ink supply tube that supplies ink to the liquid ejecting head, a pressure control valve that opens as a result of depressurization on the liquid ejecting head side, a check valve provided upstream from the pressure control valve, an ink circulation tube that is connected at both ends to the ink supply tube between the pressure control valve and the check valve, and a tube pump provided in the ink circulation tube; in this configuration, by providing at least one of an ink return tube and a liquid reservoir portion that is capable of holding liquid in a liquid flow channel in a pressurized state, a rise in pressure within a circulating flow channel caused by pump operations can be suppressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji ITO, Masato MURAYAMA, Ryoji FUJIMORI, Koji HARADA, Tsuyoshi HAYASHI
  • Patent number: 8567921
    Abstract: An ink-jet apparatus includes an ink supply flow path, an ink discharge flow path, and an ink flow path connecting them, in which piezoelectric elements are provided in the ink flow path having at least one turn part, the piezoelectric elements are arranged to be opposed to the ink flow path and are provided upstream of the turn part in the ink flow path and downstream of the turn part in the ink flow path, and a nozzle is provided between the piezoelectric element and the turn part in the ink flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hidehiro Yoshida, Kazuki Fukada, Keisei Yamamuro
  • Patent number: 8567933
    Abstract: A liquid dispenser is provided that includes a liquid supply channel, a liquid dispensing channel, and a liquid return channel. The liquid dispensing channel includes a wall. The wall includes a surface. A portion of the wall defines an outlet opening that includes a downstream edge relative to a direction of liquid flow through the liquid dispensing channel. The downstream edge is perpendicular to the surface of the wall of the liquid dispensing channel. A liquid is provided that flows from the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel to the liquid return channel. A liquid drop is caused to be ejected from the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel by selectively actuating a diverter member to divert a portion of the flowing liquid through the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Yonglin Xie, Qing Yang
  • Publication number: 20130278688
    Abstract: Among other things, an apparatus for use in fluid jetting is described. The apparatus comprises a printhead including a flow path and a nozzle in communication with the flow path that has a first end and a second end. The apparatus also includes a first container fluidically coupled to the first end of the flow path, a second container fluidically coupled to the second end of the flow path, and a controller. The first container has a first controllable internal pressure and the second container has a second controllable internal pressure. The controller controls the first internal pressure and the second internal pressure to have a fluid flow between the first container and the second container through the flow path in the printhead according to a first mode and a second mode. In either mode, at least a portion of the fluid flowing along the flow path is delivered to the nozzle when the nozzle is jetting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventor: Andreas Bibl
  • Patent number: 8562119
    Abstract: A liquid dispenser is provided that includes a liquid supply channel, a liquid dispensing channel, and a liquid return channel. The liquid dispensing channel includes a first wall. A portion of the first wall defines an outlet opening. The liquid dispensing channel includes a second wall opposite the first wall. The second wall of the liquid dispensing channel extends along a portion of the liquid supply channel and along a portion of the liquid return channel. A liquid supply passage is provided that extends through the second wall and is in fluid communication with the liquid supply channel. A plurality of liquid return passages are provided that extend through the second wall and are in fluid communication with the liquid return channel. A liquid is provided that flows from the liquid supply passage through the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel through the liquid return channel to the plurality of liquid return passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Yonglin Xie, Qing Yang, Joseph Jech, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8562118
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus, including: a tank for storing a liquid; a liquid ejecting head that includes an inner passage having an inlet and an outlet and individual liquid channels; a supply passage connecting the tank and the inlet; a return passage connecting the tank and the outlet; a supply device to forcibly supply the liquid in the tank to the inner passage; a restrictor valve to restrict a liquid amount flowing through the return passage; and a discharge controller to drive the supply device while opening the restrictor valve, such that liquid circulation is conducted in which the liquid in the tank returns back thereto via the supply passage, the inner passage, and the return passage, in order, and configured to control the valve to restrict, during the liquid circulation, the liquid amount flowing through the return passage, for permitting a discharge of the liquid from the ejection openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shuichi Tamaki
  • Patent number: 8556395
    Abstract: A liquid supply mechanism includes: a supply pathway that supplies liquid to a plurality of ejection sections each ejecting the liquid from nozzles; a branching path that is branched off from the supply pathway and through which the liquid circulates; a buffer unit that is disposed in the branching path and that lessens pressure fluctuations occurred in the liquid in the branching path; and a changing unit that changes a pathway to the buffer unit so that the changing unit shuts the pathway to the buffer unit during maintenance for discharging the liquid from the nozzles of the ejection sections. The liquid discharged during the maintenance is greater in quantity than the liquid discharged during normal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Hiratsuka, Masaki Kataoka, Jun Isozaki
  • Patent number: 8550612
    Abstract: An inkjet printing apparatus is provided with a one-way valve to enable a single conduit to supply ink to an ink reservoir and withdraw purged ink from a receptacle into the ink reservoir. A bi-directional pump is operated in both directions in an alternating manner to withdraw ink from the receptacle when supplying the ink reservoir with ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Clark Park, Isaac S. Frazier, David P. Platt, David R. Koehler
  • Patent number: 8550580
    Abstract: An inkjet image forming apparatus includes print heads, a first tank, an ink circulation line, and a controller. The ink circulation line includes an ink supply line for supplying ink from the first tank to the print heads, and an ink return line for returning ink collected from the print heads to a second tank. The controller controls line elements of the ink circulation line, to adjust a magnitude relation between a first product and a second product, in accordance with the type of ink. The first product is a product of factors including a flow passage length along, a viscosity of ink in, and a fluid resistance coefficient of the ink supply line. The second product is a product of factors including a flow passage length along, a viscosity of ink in, and a fluid resistance coefficient of the ink return line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Riso Kagaku Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiko Shimoda, Ryo Terakado
  • Publication number: 20130257976
    Abstract: To provide an ink jet printing apparatus which can reduce waste ink as much as possible and shorten the amount of time spend on the following wiping process, and a recovery operation method therefor, whereby a first process and a second process are carried out, the first process for discharging ink that does not contribute to the printing from the print head while supplying ink from the ink reservoir portion to the print head by way of the first ink passage connected to one end of the print head, and the second process for discharging ink that does not contribute to the printing from the print head while supplying ink from the ink reservoir portion to the print head by way of the second ink passage connected to the other end of the print head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takatoshi Nakano, Minoru Teshigawara, Susumu Hirosawa, Seiji Suzuki, Kentarou Muro
  • Patent number: 8544991
    Abstract: A consumable supply item for an imaging device holds an initial or refillable volume of ink. An interior retains the ink while exit and return ports define openings through a housing to fluidly communicate the interior to the imaging device. The opening of the return port is larger than the opening of the exit port. The design slows the return of fluid to the housing which minimizes air bubbles or frothiness in the fluid. During use, ink depletes toward a bottom surface of the interior beneath which the ink is prevented from occupying. A housing section below the interior retains a portion of the exit port so that a bottom of the opening of the exit port is substantially horizontally aligned with the bottom surface. It prevents stranding ink beneath the exit port. Further embodiments include port configuration, construction, and modular components, to name a few.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Trevor Gray, Charles Aldrich, Jason Vanderpool, Robert Muyskens, Gregory Webb, David Ward
  • Patent number: 8540355
    Abstract: A fluid ejection assembly includes a fluid slot, a plurality of drop generators, and a fluid circulation pump to circulate fluid from the fluid slot through each drop generator individually and back into the fluid slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Alexander Govyadinov, Andrew L. Van Brocklin
  • Publication number: 20130241979
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a storage unit which stores liquid, a head unit which ejects the liquid onto a medium, a plurality of supply flow paths which supplies the liquid to the head unit from the storage unit, a plurality of bypass flow paths which straddles the supply flow paths which are different from each other, and a controller which circulates the liquid in a circulating flow path which is configured only by the supply flow path and the bypass flow path among the storage unit, the head unit, the supply flow path, and the bypass flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuji IWATA
  • Patent number: 8534807
    Abstract: A system for ejecting droplets of a fluid is described. The system includes a substrate having a flow path body that includes a fluid pumping chamber, a descender fluidically connected to the fluid pumping chamber, and a nozzle fluidically connected to the descender. The nozzle is arranged to eject droplets of fluid through an outlet formed in an outer substrate surface. The flow path body also includes a recirculation passage fluidically connected to the descender. The system for ejecting droplets of a fluid also includes a fluid supply tank fluidically connected to the fluid pumping chamber, a fluid return tank fluidically connected to the recirculation passage, and a pump fluidically connecting the fluid return tank and the fluid supply tank. In some implementations, a flow of fluid through the flow path body is at a flow rate sufficient to force air bubbles or contaminants through the flow path body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Paul A. Hoisington, Mats G. Ottosson, Tadashi Kyoso, Kanji Nagashima
  • Patent number: 8529039
    Abstract: The inkjet recording apparatus includes: a supply manifold having an inlet port to which a first main flow channel is connected, the liquid supplied from a tank through the first main flow channel being stored in the supply manifold, the supply manifold being connected to supply ports of head modules; a collection manifold having an outlet port to which a second main flow channel is connected, the liquid to be collected to the tank through the second main flow channel being stored in the collection manifold, the collection manifold being connected to discharge ports of the head modules; and a first bypass flow channel which connects the supply manifold to the collection manifold, wherein an end of the first bypass flow channel is connected to an upper side of an end of the supply manifold on a side opposite to a side where the inlet port is arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignees: FUJIFILM Corporation, Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Shibata, Tetsuzo Kadomatsu, Masaki Kataoka, Atsushi Murakami
  • Patent number: 8529021
    Abstract: A method of continuously ejecting liquid includes providing a liquid ejection system that includes a substrate and an orifice plate affixed to the substrate. Portions of the substrate define a liquid chamber. The orifice plate includes a MEMS transducing member that extends over at least a portion of the liquid chamber. A compliant membrane is positioned in contact with the MEMS transducing member. The compliant membrane includes an orifice. Liquid is provided under a pressure sufficient to eject a continuous jet of the liquid through the orifice located in the compliant membrane of the orifice plate by a liquid supply. A drop of liquid is caused to break off from the liquid jet by selectively actuating the MEMS transducing member which causes a portion of the compliant membrane to be displaced relative to the liquid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael F. Baumer, James D. Huffman, Hrishikesh V. Panchawagh, Jeremy M. Grace, Yonglin Xie, Qing Yang, David P. Trauernicht, John A. Lebens
  • Publication number: 20130229473
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an inkjet assembly having inkjet nozzles through each of which ink flows at a nominal flow rate as it is ejected from the nozzle onto a substrate. Ink is held under a nominal negative pressure associated with a characteristic of a meniscus of the ink in the nozzle when ejection of ink from the nozzle is not occurring. The apparatus includes recirculation flow paths, each flow path having a nozzle end at which it opens into one of the nozzles and another location spaced from the nozzle end that is to be subjected to a recirculation pressure lower than the nominal negative pressure so that ink is recirculated from the nozzle through the flow path at a recirculation flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: FUJIFILM DIMATIX, INC.
    Inventors: Robert L. Wells, JR., Bailey Smith, Marlene McDonald, William R. Letendre, Matthew Aubrey, John Kelly, Darrell Herrick, Robert A. Hasenbein
  • Patent number: 8523336
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ink supply apparatus supplies ink to a recording head. The ink supply apparatus includes a pump for circulating ink, a first tank for supplying ink to the recording head, a second tank for receiving ink from the recording head, a third tank supplied with ink from an ink supply source, a first pressure adjusting mechanism, arranged between the first tank and the third tank, which is open if the pressure in the first tank is greater than a first given value to discharge ink in the first tank to the third tank, and a second pressure adjusting mechanism, arranged between the third tank and the second tank, which is open if the pressure in the third tank is lower than a second given value smaller than the first given value to draw ink in the third tank into the second tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasushi Kuribayashi
  • Patent number: 8523328
    Abstract: A method of ejecting liquid includes providing a liquid dispenser including a substrate and a diverter member. Portions of the substrate define a liquid supply channel and a liquid return channel. The diverter member includes a MEMS transducing member positioned in contact with a compliant membrane. The compliant membrane is anchored to the substrate such that the compliant membrane forms a portion of a wall of the liquid dispensing channel. A continuous flow of liquid is provided from a liquid supply through the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel through the liquid return channel and back to the liquid supply. The diverter member is selectively actuated to divert a portion of the liquid flowing through the liquid dispensing channel through outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel when drop ejection is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Carolyn R. Ellinger, James A. Katerberg, James D. Huffman
  • Publication number: 20130222494
    Abstract: An inkjet printhead adapter, including a chassis operative to accommodate one or more printheads and include one or more ink recycling valves and one or more ink supply valves communicating with an ink reservoir via an ink feeding tube and with one or more printhead accommodated in the adapter and wherein the ink supply valve is operative to direct a flow of ink from the feeding tube to one or more of the printhead and the ink recycling valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventor: Yaakov LEVI
  • Publication number: 20130222460
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a recording head, a head tank, a main tank, a liquid feed device, and a controller. When the main tank is in an ink end state, the controller causes the feed device to feed the liquid in reverse from the head tank to the main tank. When air is unlikely to be mixed with the liquid or the liquid is unlikely to be bubbled in the head tank before installation of a new main tank, the controller causes the feed device to feed the liquid from the main tank to the head tank with an air release unit opened after the installation. When air is likely to be mixed with the liquid or the liquid is likely to be bubbled in the head tank before the installation, the controller causes the feed device to feed the liquid with the release unit closed after the installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Sawase
  • Patent number: 8517516
    Abstract: A method of ejecting a liquid includes providing a liquid dispenser including a substrate. A first portion of the substrate defines a liquid dispensing channel including an outlet opening. A second portion of the substrate defines a liquid supply channel and a liquid return channel. A diverter member is positioned on a wall of the liquid dispensing channel that includes the outlet opening. The diverter member includes a MEMS transducing member anchored to the wall of the liquid dispensing channel. A compliant membrane is positioned in contact with the MEMS transducing member. The diverter member is selectively actuated to divert a portion of the liquid flowing through the liquid dispensing channel through outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James A. Katerberg, James D. Huffman
  • Patent number: 8517521
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes an overflow tube into which ink overflowed from a buffer tank flows, an overflow tank to which the overflow tube is connected, a drain tank to which ink is drained from the overflow tank, and an atmosphere communication port provided to the drain tank. The buffer tank communicates with the atmosphere through the atmosphere communication port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shunya Sunouchi, Hiroyuki Tanaka, Takaya Sato, Seiji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8517518
    Abstract: A recording apparatus including an ink tank and a recording head having a flow path forming portion that has an ejection orifice plate having plural ink ejection orifices and a liquid chamber provided for each orifice to supply ink to the orifices, and an energy generating element for ejecting ink in the chamber. A surface layer of the flow path forming portion opposes to the outside of the plate. An opening is provided opposing to the orifices in the surface layer. An ink reservoir is provided between the plate and the opening. A circulation flow path communicating with the ink reservoir is provided. The area of the opening is larger than that of the orifice. Both ends of the circulation flow path are respectively connected to inlet and outlet portions connected to the circulation flow path. The inlet and outlet portions and liquid chamber are connected to the ink tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryota Kashu, Naoto Sasagawa, Seiichiro Karita, Takatsuna Aoki, Shingo Okushima, Eisuke Nishitani
  • Patent number: 8506039
    Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a substrate. A first portion of the substrate defines a liquid dispensing channel including an outlet opening. A second portion of the substrate defines a liquid supply channel and a liquid return channel. A liquid supply provides a continuous flow of liquid from the liquid supply through the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel through the liquid return channel and back to the liquid supply. A diverter member, positioned on a wall of the liquid dispensing channel that includes the outlet opening, is selectively actuatable to divert a portion of the liquid flowing through the liquid dispensing channel through outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel. The diverter member includes a MEMS transducing member anchored to the wall of the liquid dispensing channel. A compliant membrane is positioned in contact with the MEMS transducing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James A. Katerberg, James D. Huffman
  • Patent number: 8506059
    Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus includes a recording head, an ink tank, and two ink routes. The recording head is mounted on a carriage moving along a recording surface of a recording medium and discharges ink and thereby performs recording on the recording medium. The ink tank is disposed inside the recording apparatus and stores ink to be supplied to the recording head. The two ink routes connect the ink tank and the recording head and are capable of circulating ink between the ink tank and the recording head. One of the ink routes is an ink supply path that supplies ink from the ink tank to the recording head, and the other ink route is an ink reflux path that returns ink from the head to the ink tank. The ink reflux path is capable of being fluidly connected to and disconnected from the recording head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Hamasaki, Yoshiaki Murayama
  • Patent number: 8500258
    Abstract: An inkjet printer includes: an inkjet printhead; an ink reservoir containing a supply of ink; and a pressure-regulating chamber for maintaining ink contained therein at a predetermined first level. The chamber includes: an inlet port connected to the ink reservoir via an ink supply line; an outlet port connected to an ink inlet of the printhead via an upstream ink line; an air vent open to atmosphere; and a float valve for maintaining the predetermined first level of ink. The float valve includes: an arm pivotally mounted about a pivot; a float mounted at one end of the arm; and a valve stem attached to the arm, said valve stem having a valve head for closure of a valve seat, the valve seat being positioned at the inlet port of the pressure-regulating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Zamtec Ltd
    Inventors: Edward Ellis Esdaile-Watts, Kent Benjamen Kwan, Nicholas Kenneth Abraham, Christopher Hibbard, Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20130182022
    Abstract: A micro-fluid ejection head has fluid ejection elements formed as thin film layers on a substrate. Fluid flow features on the substrate channel fluid from a fluid source to ejection chambers surrounding the ejection elements. A pump on the substrate circulates the fluid from the source to the ejection chambers and back again to the source. The flow refreshes the fluid in the chambers to minimize deleterious effects of evaporation. A controller coordinates the flow rate of the pump and other variables to optimize system productivity. Other embodiments contemplate pump locations, pump types, pump enumeration, and fluidic features, such as pathways, diffusers, chokes and dimensions, to name a few.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventors: Timothy L. Strunk, Yimin Guan
  • Patent number: 8485648
    Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus is provided with an ink head having a nozzle face on which a nozzle for discharging ink is formed, a first tank stored with the ink to be supplied to the ink head through a first ink passage, a second tank stored with the ink not having been discharged from the ink head through a second ink passage, and a third ink passage connecting the second and first tanks. The inkjet recording apparatus is further provided with a pump disposed in the third ink passage and configured to feed the ink from the second tank into the first tank, a fourth ink passage connected in parallel with the pump, and a pressure regulation valve incorporated in the fourth ink passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Riso Kagaku Corporation
    Inventor: Daisuke Sato
  • Patent number: 8480221
    Abstract: A wide format printer that has an ink supply, a feed line to the ink supply, a return line coupled to the ink supply, and a plurality of printheads collectively spanning a paper path more than 432 mm (17 inches) wide. Each printhead is fluidically coupled to the feed and the return via separate couplings. During printing, the printheads receives ink from both the feed and return lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Zamtec Ltd
    Inventors: Robert Rosati, David Petch, David Burney, Jim Sykora, Kenneth A Regas, Andy Bound, Neil Doherty, Scott Dennis, Ben Jones, Oksana Buyda, Locson Tonthat, Andrew Buyda, Patrick Kirk, Loren Hunt, Jason Dewey, Jim Trinchera, Bill Cressman, Ron Zech
  • Patent number: 8480213
    Abstract: A liquid containing tank for containing a liquid to be supplied to a liquid-jet head. The liquid containing tank includes a containing part containing the liquid supplied from the outside; and a supply channel separated from the containing part by a partition wall rising from the bottom surface of the containing part and supplying the liquid from the containing part to the liquid-jet head. The containing part includes a first region and a second region, the flow speed of the liquid in the first region of the containing part is lower than the flow speed of the liquid in the second region of the containing part, and the horizontal cross sectional area of the first region of the containing part is less than the horizontal cross sectional area of the second region of the containing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Akiyama, Hirotaka Kobayashi, Mitsuru Kawakami
  • Patent number: 8480222
    Abstract: The droplet ejection head includes: a plurality of droplet ejection units which include ejection ports through which droplets of liquid are ejected, pressure chambers which are connected to the ejection ports through connection channels, drive elements which apply pressure to the liquid in the pressure chambers, supply channels through which the liquid is supplied to the pressure chambers, and return channels through which the liquid is returned from the connection channels; a common supply channel through which the liquid is supplied to the supply channels; and a common return channel through which the liquid is returned from the return channels, the common return channel including a stagnant flow region having a bubble collection section where bubbles are collected, wherein pressure variation occurring in each pressure chamber when ejecting a droplet of the liquid propagates more readily in the common return channel than in the common supply channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignees: FUJIFILM Corporation, Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Baku Nishikawa, Shinji Seto, Naoki Morita
  • Patent number: 8480211
    Abstract: A wide format printer that has an ink supply, an accumulator reservoir, a valve coupling the accumulator reservoir to the ink supply, the valve being configured to open when the ink level in the accumulator reservoir reaches a lower limit of a predetermined ink level range, and close when the ink level in the accumulator reservoir reaches an upper limit of the ink level range and, a plurality of printheads collectively spanning a paper path more than 432 mm (17 inches) wide, each of the printheads being in fluid communication with the accumulator reservoir and each of the printheads having nozzles for ejecting ink onto media. During printing, the accumulator reservoir is fixed relative to the printheads such that hydrostatic ink pressure at the nozzles is generated by the elevation of the ink level in the accumulator reservoir relative to the elevation of the of the nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Zamtec Ltd
    Inventors: Robert Rosati, David Petch, David Burney, Jim Sykora, Kenneth A Regas, Andy Bound, Neil Doherty, Scott Dennis, Ben Jones, Oksana Buyda, Locson Tonthat, Andrew Buyda, Patrick Kirk, Loren Hunt, Jason Dewey, Jim Trinchera, Bill Cressman, Ron Zech
  • Patent number: 8480214
    Abstract: In a liquid jetting head unit, a tank case in a head tank includes a first connection path connecting a downstream chamber of the tank case and a discharge path, and a second connection path connecting an upstream chamber of the tank case and the discharge path. The discharge path includes a filter member provided between a first part of the discharge path connected to the first connection path and a second part of the discharge path connected to the second connection path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kengo Tsubaki
  • Patent number: 8474930
    Abstract: An ink delivery system is provided for an inkjet printer. The ink delivery system includes a supply of ink and an inkjet printhead having a first port, second port and an ink ejection nozzle. The inkjet printhead is connected to the ink supply tank by a first fluid supply path. The first fluid supply path includes first and second check valves which permit ink to flow from the ink supply tank to the inkjet printhead, but prevent fluid flow in the opposite direction. The ink delivery system includes a second fluid supply path which is connected at one end to the first fluid supply path between the respective first and second check valves. The second fluid supply path is connected at its opposite end to the inkjet printhead's second port. The second fluid supply path further includes a bidirectional pump so as to direct fluid flow in either direction through the second fluid supply path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Inventor: Donald O. Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 8459785
    Abstract: An inkjet printer that has a printhead with an array of ink ejection nozzles, an upstream ink line for connecting the printhead to an ink supply, a downstream ink line for connecting the printhead to a sump, a pump in the downstream ink line for drawing fluid out of the printhead, a gas inlet in communication with the printhead, the gas inlet being configured to open to atmosphere during a printhead de-priming operation, and close to atmosphere during a printhead priming operation and, an accumulator positioned in the upstream ink line for generating a positive pressure pulse for priming the printhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Zamtec Ltd
    Inventors: John Douglas Peter Morgan, Kia Silverbrook, Vesa Karppinen, David John Worboys, Patrick John McAuliffe, Norman Micheal Berry, David William Jensen
  • Publication number: 20130141501
    Abstract: A non-aqueous cleaning liquid which is used for cleaning an ink flow path, through which a non-aqueous ink is circulated, in an ink jet recording apparatus including the ink flow path and with which a container composed of polyolefin is filled, includes a pigment and an organic solvent. In the non-aqueous cleaning liquid, a content of the pigment is 0.001% by mass to 0.5% by mass and an average particle size (d50) of the pigment is 10 nm to 500 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
  • Patent number: 8449087
    Abstract: A liquid circulating apparatus includes a liquid discharging unit for having a nozzle, a supply path, a recovery path, first and second pressure adjusting units, an opening/closing valve and a circulation controlling unit. The circulation controlling unit controls the first and second pressure adjusting units and the opening/closing valve to circulate the liquid by causing a differential pressure between the liquid at a supply side and at a recovery side with respect to the nozzle while the liquid maintains a meniscus in the nozzle. The circulation controlling unit (i) makes a differential pressure between the liquid of the supply path and the recovery path to be lower than the differential pressure in middle of the circulation while the opening/closing valve is closed when the liquid starts circulating, (ii) opens the opening/closing valve, and (iii) changes the differential pressure to the differential pressure in middle of the circulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignees: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd., Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Kataoka, Jun Isozaki, Hiroshi Shibata
  • Patent number: 8449070
    Abstract: Among various embodiments of the present disclosure, managing substantially solid materials in fluid waste can be performed by collecting the fluid waste in an accumulator. In various embodiments, the accumulator can be configured by positioning a number of input orifices for the fluid waste in a top region of a vertically oriented cavity in the accumulator, and positioning a number of output orifices in a bottom region of the vertically oriented cavity in the accumulator. As such, a flow of the fluid waste can contribute to transport of substantially solid material in the fluid waste from the top region into the bottom region and from the bottom region into at least one output orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: John C Greeven
  • Patent number: 8444241
    Abstract: A print head includes an ink chamber for storing ink therein, an ink propelling mechanism for propelling ink out of the ink chamber, and a temperature sensor for measuring an ink temperature in the ink chamber, an ink circulation route has a route including the ink chamber, and a print controller works at least along deactivation of an energy saving mode or upon power-on, in response to the temperature sensor having a measure of ink temperature lower than a prescribed value, for a pre-treatment to have the ink propelling mechanism make ink vibrating actions within degrees not to cause ink to be propelled out of the ink chamber, until the ink temperature becomes the prescribed value or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Riso Kagaku Corporation
    Inventors: Ryo Terakado, Masato Hirai
  • Patent number: 8444259
    Abstract: An ink reservoir (10) for an ink recirculating system for supplying ink to an inkjet printhead (14) comprises a first chamber (16) for receiving ink from a main ink supply (12) and having a printhead outlet (24) for supplying ink to a printhead (14); and a second chamber (18) in fluid communication with the first chamber for receiving ink from the first chamber in excess of a predetermined height in the first chamber determined by the position of a transfer outlet (20), the second chamber having a printhead inlet (30) for receiving ink recirculated from the printhead and having a return outlet (40) for returning to the main ink (12) supply ink in excess of a predetermined height in the second chamber determined by the position of the return outlet (40), the transfer outlet (20), in use, being vertically above the return outlet (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Xennia Technology Limited
    Inventor: Simon Bennett
  • Patent number: 8444257
    Abstract: A printhead cartridge for releasable mounting in a printer. The printhead cartridge includes a pagewidth printhead and an ink manifold defining multiple fluid flow paths in fluid communication with respective ink channels in the printhead. The ink manifold includes a plurality of openings for detachable connection with conduits in an interface of the printer; a plurality of shut off valves at each of the openings respectively, each shut off valve having a biasing member configured for biasing each shut off valve into an open position; an actuator biased towards a closed position by a resilient element such that the actuator holds all the shut off valves closed when in the closed position. The actuator is configured for engagement with the interface such that movement of the openings into connection with the interface simultaneously moves the actuator to an open position wherein the shut off valves are held open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Zamtec Ltd
    Inventors: Norman Micheal Berry, Akira Nakazawa, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 8439493
    Abstract: A wide format printer that has an ink supply, a feed line coupled to the ink supply, a return line coupled to the ink supply, a plurality of printheads collectively spanning a paper path more than 432 mm (17 inches) wide, each of the printheads being fluidically coupled to the first and second conduits and, a bypass line coupling the feed line to the return line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Zamtec Ltd
    Inventors: Robert Rosati, David Petch, David Burney, Jim Sykora, Kenneth A Regas, Andy Bound, Neil Doherty, Scott Dennis, Ben Jones, Oksana Buyda, Locson Tonthat, Andrew Buyda, Patrick Kirk, Loren Hunt, Jason Dewey, Jim Trinchera, Bill Cressman, Ron Zech
  • Patent number: 8430485
    Abstract: A liquid-feeding pump that feeds liquid, which is sucked out from a liquid container, into an ejection nozzle is provided. In addition, a circulation pump that discharges the liquid, which is sucked out from the liquid container, to the liquid container is provided. Moreover, a decompression pump, which generates a pressure for operating the liquid-feeding pump, is used as a drive source of the circulation pump. Therefore, a driving mechanism for the circulation pump need not be additionally provided. Accordingly, it is possible to simplify a configuration of a liquid ejecting apparatus while being capable of agitating the inner portion of the liquid container by using the circulation pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Koizumi
  • Patent number: 8414108
    Abstract: Disclosed is an ejection chip for an inkjet printhead that includes at least one fluid via configured on the ejection chip for supplying fluid to one or more ejecting elements of the ejection chip. Each fluid via of the at least one fluid via includes a plurality of end-to-end coupled segments. Each segment of the plurality of end-to-end coupled segments is aligned at a skew angle with a consecutive segment. Further, the ejection chip includes a plurality of nozzles configured along a length of the each segment of the plurality of end-to-end coupled segments with a first nozzle spatial density. The configuration of the plurality of nozzles facilitates in achieving a predetermined print resolution with the first nozzle spatial density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventor: Jiandong Fang
  • Patent number: 8414114
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for priming a fluid jetting device. The system includes a fluid trench configured within a fluid jetting chip of the fluid jetting device and at least one first channel fluidly coupled to the fluid trench. The at least one first channel extends vertically between the fluid jetting chip and a mounting unit adapted to support the fluid jetting chip, and is adapted to supply a priming fluid to the fluid trench. The system further includes at least one second channel fluidly coupled to the fluid trench. The at least one second channel extends vertically between the fluid jetting chip and the mounting unit, and is adapted to drain-out the priming fluid from the fluid trench. Further disclosed are systems for priming a fluid jetting device, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiandong Fang, Frank Anderson, Audrey Dale Rodgers, Timothy Lowell Strunk, James Powers
  • Patent number: 8414106
    Abstract: A system is disclosed. The system includes a print engine having one or more ink jet print heads and ink lines coupled to provide ink to each of the print heads. The system also includes a fluid change manifold coupled to the ink lines to remove fluid from the print engine via the ink lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: InfoPrint Solutions Company LLC
    Inventors: Casey E. Walker, Scott R. Johnson, Stuart J. Boland