Patents by Inventor Nicholas Kenneth Abraham
Nicholas Kenneth Abraham has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 8651635Abstract: A printer comprising: a printhead having an ink inlet and an ink outlet; an ink chamber for supplying ink to the printhead; an upstream ink line interconnecting an outlet port of the ink chamber and the ink inlet; a downstream ink line connected to the ink outlet; and a first air accumulator communicating with the downstream ink line. The first air accumulator is configured for dampening ink pressure pulses in the printhead during printing.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2012Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Zamtec LtdInventors: Edward Ellis Esdaile-Watts, Kent Benjamen Kwan, Nicholas Kenneth Abraham, Christopher Hibbard, Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 8500258Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 30, 2011Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Zamtec LtdInventors: Edward Ellis Esdaile-Watts, Kent Benjamen Kwan, Nicholas Kenneth Abraham, Christopher Hibbard, Kia Silverbrook
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Publication number: 20130176366Abstract: A printer comprising: a printhead having an ink inlet and an ink outlet; an ink chamber for supplying ink to the printhead; an upstream ink line interconnecting an outlet port of the ink chamber and the ink inlet; a downstream ink line connected to the ink outlet; and a first air accumulator communicating with the downstream ink line. The first air accumulator is configured for dampening ink pressure pulses in the printhead during printing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2012Publication date: July 11, 2013Applicant: ZAMTEC LIMITEDInventors: Edward Ellis Esdaile-Watts, Kent Benjamen Kwan, Nicholas Kenneth Abraham, Christopher Hibbard, Kia Silverbrook
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Publication number: 20110234691Abstract: A printhead maintenance facility is provided having a storage reservoir for storing fluid ejected by a printhead, and a core movable relative to the printhead. The core has an internal structure defining the storage reservoir and having a port in fluid communication with the storage reservoir, and an external structure movable relative to the internal structure and having a drain movable into registration with the port to establish fluid communication between the drain and storage reservoir. The printhead is pagewidth and the internal and external structures are at least as long as the pagewidth.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2011Publication date: September 29, 2011Inventors: Christopher Hibbard, Geoffrey Philip Dyer, Paul Ian Mackey, Makomo Tsubono, Attila Bertok, Kia Silverbrook, Nicholas Kenneth Abraham, David William Jensen
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Publication number: 20110228018Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2011Publication date: September 22, 2011Inventors: Edward Ellis Esdaile-Watts, Kent Benjamen Kwan, Nicholas Kenneth Abraham, Christopher Hibbard, Kia Silverbrook
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Publication number: 20110228017Abstract: A shut off valve is disclosed for connecting and disconnecting an ink supply to a printhead of an inkjet printer. The shut off valve has an ink inlet for connection to the ink supply and an ink outlet for connection to the printhead. A valve seat and a diaphragm biased into sealing engagement with the valve seat to disconnecting the ink supply to the printhead are also provided. The ink outlet and the ink inlet are both in fluid communication with one side of the diaphragm. Unsealing the diaphragm draws the diaphragm away from the valve seat to lower the fluid pressure in the ink inlet and the ink outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2011Publication date: September 22, 2011Inventors: Geoffrey Phillip Dyer, Gregory Michael Tow, David William Jensen, Nicholas Kenneth Abraham, Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 8007068Abstract: A printer comprising a printhead and a pressure-regulating chamber containing ink at a predetermined first level relative to the printhead. The chamber comprises an outlet port, a return port positioned in a base of the chamber, a snorkel extending from the return port and terminating at a snorkel outlet positioned above the first level of ink, and an air vent open to atmosphere. An upstream ink line interconnects the outlet port and an ink inlet of the printhead. A downstream ink line interconnects the return port and an ink outlet of the printhead. The downstream ink line has a section looping below the first level of ink. In a printing configuration, a second level of ink in the snorkel is equal to the first level of ink in the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2008Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Edward Ellis Esdaile-Watts, Kent Benjamen Kwan, Nicholas Kenneth Abraham, Christopher Hibbard, Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7984960Abstract: A printhead maintenance facility is provided having a storage reservoir for storing fluid ejected by a printhead and a core movable relative to the printhead. The has an internal structure defining the storage reservoir and having a port in fluid communication with the storage reservoir, and an external structure movable relative to the internal structure and having a drain movable into registration with the port to establish fluid communication between the drain and storage reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2010Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Christopher Hibbard, Geoffrey Philip Dyer, Paul Ian Mackey, Makomo Tsubono, Attila Bertok, Kia Silverbrook, Nicholas Kenneth Abraham, David William Jensen
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Patent number: 7980685Abstract: An ink supply system for an inkjet printer. The ink supply system includes an ink reservoir and a pressure-regulating chamber. The pressure-regulating chamber has an inlet port, an outlet port, an air vent open to atmosphere and a float valve for maintaining a predetermined level of ink in the chamber. The float valve is biased towards a closed position by a positive ink pressure from the ink reservoir at the inlet port.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2011Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Edward Ellis Esdaile-Watts, Kent Benjamen Kwan, Nicholas Kenneth Abraham, Christopher Hibbard, Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7967425Abstract: A printhead assembly with a printhead and a shut off (138) valve that has a valve body (200) defining an ink inlet (202) for connection to an ink supply, an ink outlet (67) connected to the printhead IC. A diaphragm (212) is biased into sealing engagement with the valve seat (216) to provide a fluid seal between the ink inlet and the ink outlet. An actuator (204) unseals the diaphragm from the valve seat when energized. The valve protects the ink in the ink supply from contaminants that can migrate up the ink line during shut down periods. The diaphragm is biased to a closed position and so seals the ink supply from the printhead as a default condition even in the event of a power failure. The bias is strong enough to provide the fluid seal so that the seal is not compromised when the pressure difference between the inlet and the outlet is small.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2010Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Geoffrey Philip Dyer, Gregory Michael Tow, David William Jensen, Nicholas Kenneth Abraham, Kia Silverbrook
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Publication number: 20110102521Abstract: An ink supply system for an inkjet printer. The ink supply system includes an ink reservoir and a pressure-regulating chamber. The pressure-regulating chamber has an inlet port, an outlet port, an air vent open to atmosphere and a float valve for maintaining a predetermined level of ink in the chamber. The float valve is biased towards a closed position by a positive ink pressure from the ink reservoir at the inlet port.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2011Publication date: May 5, 2011Inventors: Edward Ellis-Esdaile-Watts, Kent Benjamen Kwan, Nicholas Kenneth Abraham, Christopher Hibbard, Kia Silerbrook
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Patent number: 7931359Abstract: A method of priming a printhead. The method includes the steps of: (i) providing a printhead having a plurality of nozzles for ejection of ink, an ink inlet and an ink outlet; (ii) providing an ink chamber having an outlet port connected to the ink inlet via an upstream ink line, the ink chamber having an inlet port controlled by a valve; (iii) priming the printhead by pumping ink from the ink chamber, through the printhead and into a downstream ink line connected to the ink outlet; and (iv) opening the valve if a level of ink in the chamber falls below a predetermined first level and replenishing with ink from an ink reservoir when the valve is open.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2008Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Edward Ellis Esdaile-Watts, Kent Benjamen Kwan, Nicholas Kenneth Abraham, Christopher Hibbard, Kia Silverbrook
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Publication number: 20110090280Abstract: A printhead maintenance facility is provided having a storage reservoir for storing fluid ejected by a printhead and a core movable relative to the printhead. The has an internal structure defining the storage reservoir and having a port in fluid communication with the storage reservoir, and an external structure movable relative to the internal structure and having a drain movable into registration with the port to establish fluid communication between the drain and storage reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2010Publication date: April 21, 2011Inventors: Christopher Hibbard, Geoffrey Philip Dyer, Paul Ian Mackey, Makomo Tsubono, Attila Bertok, Kia Silverbrook, Nicholas Kenneth Abraham, David William Jensen
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Patent number: 7922279Abstract: A inkjet printhead maintenance facility that has an ink storage reservoir for holding ink ejected from the inkjet printhead during a maintenance operation and, an outlet coupling in fluid communication with the ink storage reservoir and configured for connection to a vacuum source to draw ink out of the ink storage reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2008Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Christopher Hibbard, Geoffrey Philip Dyer, Paul Ian Mackey, Makomo Tsubono, Attila Bertok, Kia Silverbrook, Nicholas Kenneth Abraham, David William Jensen
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Patent number: 7891763Abstract: A printhead maintenance facility for an inkjet printer that has a printhead with the nozzle face defining an array of nozzles. The printhead maintenance facility has a wiper member for wiping the nozzle face, and a maintenance drive for moving the wiper member across the array of nozzles in the nozzle face. The wiper member has a plurality of parallel blades, each of the plurality of blades being dimensioned to wipe all the nozzles in a single traverse across the nozzle face.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2008Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Christopher Hibbard, Paul Ian Mackey, Makomo Tsubono, Nicholas Kenneth Abraham, Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7887148Abstract: A method of depriming a printhead. The method comprises the steps of: (i) providing a printhead having a plurality of nozzles for ejection of ink, an ink inlet and an ink outlet; (ii) providing an ink chamber having an outlet port connected to the ink inlet via an upstream ink line, the ink chamber having an inlet port controlled by a valve; (iii) depriming the printhead by pumping ink from a downstream ink line connected to the ink outlet, through the printhead and into the ink chamber; and (iv) closing the valve when a level of ink in the chamber reaches a predetermined first level, thereby isolating the ink chamber from an ink reservoir in fluid communication with the inlet port.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2008Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Edward Ellis Esdaile-Watts, Kent Benjamen Kwan, Nicholas Kenneth Abraham, Christopher Hibbard, Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7887170Abstract: A pressure-regulating chamber for maintaining ink contained in the chamber at a predetermined first level relative to a printhead. The chamber comprises: an inlet port for connection to an ink reservoir via an ink supply line; an outlet port for connection to an ink inlet of a printhead via an upstream ink line; an air vent open to atmosphere; and a float valve for maintaining the predetermined first level of ink by controlling a flow of ink into the inlet port. The float valve is biased towards a closed position by a positive ink pressure at the inlet port.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2008Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Edward Ellis Esdaile-Watts, Kent Benjamen Kwan, Nicholas Kenneth Abraham, Christopher Hibbard, Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7883189Abstract: A pressure-regulating chamber for maintaining ink contained in the chamber at a predetermined first level relative to a printhead. The chamber comprises: an inlet port for connection to an ink reservoir via an ink supply line; an outlet port for connection to an ink inlet of the printhead via an upstream ink line; a return port for connection to an ink outlet of the printhead via a downstream ink line; a snorkel extending from the return port and terminating at a snorkel outlet positioned above the first level of ink; an air vent open to atmosphere; and a float valve for maintaining the predetermined first level of ink by controlling a flow of ink into the inlet port.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2008Date of Patent: February 8, 2011Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Edward Ellis Esdaile-Watts, Kent Benjamen Kwan, Nicholas Kenneth Abraham, Christopher Hibbard, Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7815282Abstract: A printhead maintenance facility for an inkjet printer that has a printhead with a nozzle face defining an array of nozzles. The printhead maintenance facility has a wiper member for wiping the nozzle face and a maintenance drive for moving the wiper member across the array of nozzles in a wiping direction. The wiper member has a single blade extending in a line skew to the wiping direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2008Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Christopher Hibbard, Paul Ian Mackey, Makomo Tsubono, Nicholas Kenneth Abraham, Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7758149Abstract: A printhead maintenance facility with a core that mounts in an inkjet printer for movement relative to an inkjet printhead. The core has a plurality of maintenance station mounting sites, each with engagement formations. The core also has a plurality of maintenance structures for operation with the printhead, the plurality of maintenance structures each being mountable to at least one other of the plurality of maintenance station mounting sites.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2008Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Christopher Hibbard, Geoffrey Philip Dyer, Paul Ian Mackey, Makomo Tsubono, Attila Bertok, Kia Silverbrook, Nicholas Kenneth Abraham