Fluid Or Fluid Source Handling Means Patents (Class 347/84)
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Patent number: 8408684Abstract: A core module for an ink jet printer includes a housing and a connection manifold disposed on the housing and including a plurality of ports providing fluid communication into and out of the module. A plurality of components is disposed within the housing, including a filter module, an ink reservoir, and an ink circuit. The filter module includes a fluid filter disposed in a filter housing. The filter housing has an inlet and an outlet. The ink circuit is in fluid communication with the components and the ports, and includes fluid paths for conveying ink between the components. The filter module is connected to the connection manifold such that the filter housing inlet and outlet are each in fluid communication with one of the plurality of ports on the manifold.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2008Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Inventors: Ammar Lecheheb, Jerzy Zaba, Matthew Tomlin, Ian Fost
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Patent number: 8403470Abstract: A solid phase change ink melter assembly in a phase change ink image producing machine includes an array of a plurality of spaced apart fins, the array defining a top face for receiving the solid pieces of phase change ink, a bottom face for discharging melted ink, and opposite melter surfaces for melting the solid pieces in contact therewith. The assembly further includes a number of heat transfer devices extending through and in heat transfer contact with the plurality of fins, the heat transfer devices including a heating element for heating the device. The bottom edge of the fins defines a plurality of apexes which serve as drip points for molten phase change ink.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2012Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Nathan Eymard Smith, Roger Leighton, Michael Fredrick Leo, Robert Tuchrelo, Patrick James Walker, David Peter Lomenzo
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Patent number: 8405874Abstract: A printer status interface controller displays an interface at a client system with a first color from among a plurality of colors associated with a first print cartridge position associated, from among a plurality of print cartridge positions of a printer. The printer status interface controller receives a user selection within the interface to specify an association of a second color from among the plurality of colors with the first print cartridge position. Responsive to the user selection to associate the second color with the first print cartridge position, a printer color association controller adjusts a reference to the first color in a print document to print in the second color through a second print cartridge in a second print cartridge position from among the plurality of print cartridge positions.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2012Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James E Bostick, Brian W Hansen, John Paul Kaemmerer, Raghuraman Kalyanaraman
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Patent number: 8403468Abstract: An inkjet printer cartridge refilling system is described. The system may include a plurality of fixtures or adapters that are configured to hold inkjet printer cartridges. The adapters allow a variety of different configurations of inkjet printer cartridges to be refilled and cleaned by mating the cartridges to universal stations on the refilling system.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2011Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Retail Inkjet Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Jason Guhse, Herb Sarnoff, Keith Emery, George N Popa
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Publication number: 20130070032Abstract: A turning operation of a headset lever is completed, and a printing head can be detached from a carriage part. By the above described turning operation of the head set lever, a supply port insertion and extraction part connected via a link slides, a needle pipe of the supply port insertion and extraction part is brought into a state of being the farthest from the printing head, and a needle insertion and extraction lever is brought into state in which it moves under a case wall. Thereby, an operator cannot turn only the needle insertion and extraction lever when the head set lever is in an opened state. In this manner, when the headset lever is in the opened state, the operation of the needle insertion and extraction lever which is used for connection of the supply port insertion and extraction part to ink supply port is restricted.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2012Publication date: March 21, 2013Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
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Patent number: 8398192Abstract: An ink delivery device (30) for the ink supply of an inking system (20) of a printing machine (10) with ink, includes an ink reservoir (31), a drive that is connected to the ink reservoir (31) and configured such that the ink reservoir (31) can be pressurized by the drive, and a control device for controlling the drive of the ink delivery device (30), in which the drive and the control device are configured and connected with each other such that the ink delivery device (30) can be operated based on a method, in which the method includes the following steps: initiating an ink delivery process, increasing the pressure in the ink reservoir to a target operating pressure, adjusting the pressure in the ink reservoir to an adjusted operating pressure, and terminating the ink delivery process.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2009Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Technotrans AGInventor: Thomas Hartung
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Patent number: 8393696Abstract: An inkjet printing system controls an ink droplet mass by regulating a pressure in an ink reservoir. The printing system includes an ink reservoir, an air pressure device, an ink ejection device, and a controller. The ink reservoir is configured to contain a supply of ink and an air space above the supply of ink. The air pressure device is fluidly coupled to the air space above the supply of ink. The ink ejection device is fluidly coupled to the ink reservoir to receive ink from the supply of ink and to eject ink droplets onto an image receiving surface. The controller is coupled to the air pressure device and is configured to activate the air pressure device selectively to change a mass of the ink droplets ejected by the ink ejection device.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2009Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Roger G. Leighton, James J. Spence, Michael F. Leo
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Patent number: 8388121Abstract: A liquid-jetting apparatus includes: a liquid-jetting head which jets the liquid; a liquid tank which stores the liquid; a first flow passage which connects the liquid-jetting head and the liquid tank; a gas-liquid separating section which is arranged on the first flow passage and which separates the liquid and a gas in the liquid; a gas communication passage which connects the gas-liquid separating section and the liquid tank and through which the gas in the gas-liquid separating section is transported to the liquid tank; a second flow passage which communicates an upstream side and a down stream side of the gas-liquid separating section; and a switching mechanism which selectively switches between a first passage route for supplying the liquid through only the first flow passage and a second passage route for supplying the liquid through the second flow passage.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2010Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hisashi Tamada, Keiji Kura, Yusuke Suzuki
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Patent number: 8388119Abstract: A liquid container stores liquid to be supplied to a liquid ejection head. The liquid container includes a liquid storage chamber that stores externally supplied liquid, a first delivery channel through which the liquid is delivered from the liquid storage chamber to the liquid ejection head, and a second delivery channel through which the liquid is delivered from the liquid storage chamber to the liquid ejection head. The second delivery channel has an inlet positioned lower than an inlet of the first delivery channel in a height direction of the liquid storage chamber.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2010Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Takehiro Nishimori
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Patent number: 8389600Abstract: Provided are an ink jet ink set, an ink jet recording method, and an ink jet recording apparatus each of which can reduce the graininess of an image to be recorded and improve the water fastness of the image even in a recording medium such as plain paper. The ink jet ink set has a first ink and a second ink independently, and is used so that the first and second inks overlap each other at least partly upon application of the inks to a recording medium. The first ink contains at least a pigment and a silicone oil. The second ink contains at least a pigment and a graft polymer that includes at least a nonionic unit represented by the general formula (I) and a unit having a polysiloxane structure.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2009Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Katsuhiko Suzuki, Katsuhiro Shirota, Hirofumi Ichinose, Masashi Tsujimura, Hiromitsu Kishi, Takashi Saito, Sayoko Nagashima, Fumihiko Mukae, Yoshihisa Yamashita
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Publication number: 20130050355Abstract: An ink composition having excellent ink stability over time and image adhesion to a recording medium is provided. The ink composition of the present invention includes: cross-linked particles containing a quinacridone solid solution pigment including at least two types of quinacridone-based compound; a water-soluble polymerizable compound; a polymerization initiator; and water.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2012Publication date: February 28, 2013Inventors: Mika Imamura, Misato Sasada
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Patent number: 8382275Abstract: A printer is provided that can convey recording paper at a constant transportation speed and transportation amount passed a printing position by means of the transportation force of a single transportation roller pair located on the upstream side of the printing position. A roll paper printer has a vacuum type platen member opposite the ink nozzle surface of an inkjet head, and an upstream guide surface and a platen surface that defines the printing position are formed on the guide surface of the platen member. The upstream guide surface extends to a position near the nipping part of the single transportation roller pair on its upstream side. Because the recording paper fed from the nipping part toward the printing position is guided while being constrained by air suction to the upstream guide surface, deflection in the out-of-plane direction is suppressed and the recording paper is held flat.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Hironori Maekawa
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Patent number: 8382268Abstract: An ink cartridge supplies an inkjet printhead by forming a sealed engagement with an inlet on the printhead. The ink cartridge has an ink storage volume, an outlet opening in fluid communication with the ink storage volume, an outlet valve for connection to an inlet on the inkjet printhead, the outlet valve having a radially extending flange portion fixed within the outlet opening and, an annular skirt of resilient material extending from the outlet opening to the flange portion. The resilient material elastically biases part of the annular skirt into sealing engagement with the flange portion to close the outlet valve. Engagement with the inlet on the printhead during installation of the ink cartridge, compresses the annular skirt to open the outlet valve such that ink flows from the ink storage volume around the radially extending flange portion to the printhead.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2011Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Zamtec LtdInventors: Kia Silverbrook, Norman Micheal Berry, Akira Nakazawa, Paul Ian Mackey, Garry Raymond Jackson
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Patent number: 8382222Abstract: A functional liquid tank is adapted to receive functional liquid from a functional liquid supply source and to supply the functional liquid to an inkjet functional liquid droplet discharge head. The functional liquid tank includes a tank body, a liquid column pipe, upper and lower limit liquid level detection units, a float member, and a float-regulating member. The float member is accommodated within the tank body with a small gap formed between the float member and an inside wall of the tank body. The float-regulating member is configured and arranged to regulate a descending end position of the float member when the float member descends as a liquid level within the tank body descends.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Katsumi Shinkai
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Patent number: 8382265Abstract: A liquid container detachably mountable to a recording apparatus to which a plurality of liquid containers are detachably mountable, wherein the recording apparatus includes apparatus electrical contacts corresponding to the liquid containers, respectively, photoreceptor means for receiving light, and an electric circuit connected with a line which is commonly connected with the apparatus electrical contacts, the liquid container includes a container electrical contact electrically connectable with one of the apparatus contacts; an information storing portion capable of storing at least individual information of the liquid container; a light emitting portion; a controller for controlling emission of light of the light emitting portion in response to a correspondence between a signal indicative of individual information supplied through the container electrical contact and the information stored in the information storing means.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2008Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Haruyuki Matsumoto, Kenjiro Watanabe
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Publication number: 20130044164Abstract: The invention relates to an ink cartridge, an ink cartridge set and an ink cartridge determination system. The invention comprises a first signal blocking section and a second signal blocking section, wherein the second signal blocking section is a movable component and is in an initial ink cartridge installation detection position before detection, and the initial ink cartridge installation detection position determines whether or not the second signal blocking section prevents a second signal from passing through the second signal blocking section or changes the path of the second signal. That is to say, different ink cartridges can be distinguished by different initial ink cartridge installation detection positions of the movable second signal blocking section.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2010Publication date: February 21, 2013Inventors: Zhizheng Jia, Shengyu Wei
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Patent number: 8376529Abstract: An internal wall of a secondary chamber excluding one surface includes a flat wall portion with a secondary-chamber-side opening of the communication flow passage being formed in the center portion thereof; a conforming wall portion with which a diaphragm deformed maximally in the minus direction makes conforming contact, the conforming wall portion being connected to the outside of the flat wall portion and having an outflow opening communicating with an outflow port formed at the bottom of the conforming wall portion; and a flow passage groove extending upward from the flat wall portion to cut into the conforming wall portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2010Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Toshihiro Yokozawa, Seiji Kinoshita, Takahiro Yamashita
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Patent number: 8376530Abstract: An ink filling device for supplying an ink to an ink container of an office machine includes an ink reservoir having an inlet port and one or more outlet openings, an ink casing having a filling member for engaging with the inlet port and for supplying the ink into the ink reservoir, and a connecting device includes a coupling pipe having one end for coupling to the outlet opening of the ink reservoir, and having the other end for coupling to the ink container of the office machine and for automatically filling the ink container of the office machine and for maintaining the ink container in the full or filled level without being filled or operated by the users themselves.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2010Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Chia Hsiang Art Printing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Ting Kuang Lin
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Patent number: 8376487Abstract: An inkjet printer comprising an ink chamber supplying ink. An air extraction chamber is included that comprises an air chamber, a one-way relief valve for venting of the air chamber to ambient. A compressible member is used for forcing air to be vented from the air chamber through the one-way relief valve and for applying a reduced air pressure to an air permeable membrane while the one-way relief valve is closed. A carriage propels the array of nozzles, the ink chamber, the membrane and the air extraction chamber along a carriage scan path.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2009Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventor: Richard A. Murray
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Patent number: 8376539Abstract: A liquid ejecting head includes a liquid supply member including a flow channel formation member in which flow channel groove portions having different lengths is formed each, a flexible member that seals an opening of each of the flow channel groove portions to form a liquid flow channel, a pressure reception portion formation plate that has an opening formed for each of the liquid flow channels, each of the openings overlapping the corresponding liquid flow channel formed, and valves each urged by a coil spring to close the corresponding liquid flow channel, the valve opening the channel against an urging force of the spring due to the positional change of a pressure reception portion as pressure inside the liquid flow channel changes, wherein the openings of the pressure reception portion formation plate have a uniform shape.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2011Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Keiji Hara
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Patent number: 8371682Abstract: An ink replenishing system that automatically activates the replenishment of modified ink cartridges to receive a refilling volume of ink from a larger, bulk ink source. The use of one modified tricolor cartridge and one modified black ink cartridge function as the distributors for the proper dispersion of ink. The cartridges are modified to incorporate access orifices to communicate with ink injectors when the cartridges park (or when the printer is turned off). A micro switch is tripped which, in turn, energizes an isolation relay which powers up the ink replenishing system. When the modified cartridges become low, sensing metal plates imbedded in the matrix of the modified cartridges sense little or no current flowing from one plate to the other; thus, there is insufficient current to energize an opposing coil of an electric motor pump relay and the pumping actions is continued until the cartridge is filled to capacity.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2010Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Inventor: Americo Del Raso
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Publication number: 20130033549Abstract: A radiation curable gel ink spreading system includes a print head for jetting radiation curable gel ink onto a front side of a substrate, a heated re-flow drum for contacting a back side of the substrate to heat the gel ink and cause the ink to re-flow, and at least one radiation source that irradiates the heated ink to reduce or stop re-flow. A re-flow drum temperature, amount of radiation emission per unit time, radiation source location including a substrate wrap angle with respect to the re-flow drum and/or the radiation source, a distance between a re-flow zone start and the radiation source, and a gap distance between the radiation source and the substrate, and a process speed or substrate translation speed are adjustable for achieving desired spreading characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2011Publication date: February 7, 2013Applicant: XEROX CORPORATIONInventors: Augusto E. BARTON, Anthony S. Condello, Bryan J. Roof
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Patent number: 8366224Abstract: Inkjet apparatus includes: a tank; a first flow channel; a first liquid chamber; a second flow channel; a second liquid chamber; a first liquid movement; a second liquid movement device; a first pressure determination device; a second pressure determination device; a pressure control device which controls pressures in the first and second liquid chambers by respectively controlling the first and second liquid movement devices, in accordance with determination results of the first and second pressure determination devices, in such a manner that the internal pressures of the first and second liquid chambers respectively remain at the target pressures; a circulation path through which the liquid inside the first liquid chamber is circulated without passing through the inkjet head; and a deaeration device which is provided at an intermediate point of the circulation path and which removes dissolved gas.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2009Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventors: Yasuyo Yokota, Hiroshi Shibata, Yuko Katada
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Patent number: 8366236Abstract: A print cartridge that has a printhead integrated circuit having a plurality of micro-electromechanical nozzle arrangements, a rotor element rotatable between a blot position where the rotor element blots the printhead integrated circuit, a seal position where the rotor element seals the nozzle arrangements, and a platen position in which the rotor element positions a printing medium proximate the printhead integrated circuit, an air distribution channel configured to deliver air along the printhead, communicable with an air supply, a plurality of reservoirs for printing fluids for the printhead integrated circuit and, a refill port arranged in fluid communication with printing fluid conduits each leading to one of the reservoir respectively, the port facilitating refilling of the reservoirs from a refill cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2010Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Zamtec LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Publication number: 20130027467Abstract: A printhead comprises a first member and a second member, formed separately from the first member. The second member is nested within a first space defined by the first member. A plurality of fluidic transmission channels is formed between the first and second members to convey ink to an outer surface of the first and second members.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2011Publication date: January 31, 2013Inventors: Alan R. Arthur, Bradley D. Chung
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Patent number: 8360562Abstract: A method is for heating a functional liquid of a droplet discharging device that has a storage which houses a container storing a functional liquid containing a functional material; a droplet discharge head discharging the functional liquid in a droplet; a cooling means included to the storage and cooling the functional liquid; and a supply tube supplying the functional liquid that is cooled in the storage to the droplet discharge head. The method includes: heating the functional liquid in the supply tube with waste heat that is generated correspondingly to cooling of the cooling means.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2011Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Hirotsuna Miura, Toshiyuki Kobayashi
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Patent number: 8360561Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for controlling an ink supply system includes operating a pump of the ink supply system in a forward direction to supply ink from an ink reservoir to an ink tank, and subsequent to operating the pump in the forward direction, reversing the pump and operating the pump in a reverse direction to prevent or reduce formation of clogs within the ink supply system.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2008Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Boris Livshitz, Vadim Genkin, Eli Ireni, Benji Ruhm
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Patent number: 8359724Abstract: A method includes a) providing a detachable seal retainer including: a housing for a seal member; an attachment face having a plurality of attachment members; an outer face opposite the attachment face; a handle including a free end and a hinged end opposite the free end; and a hinge member disposed between the housing and the hinged end of the handle; b) providing a seal member within the housing; c) providing an ink tank including an outlet face having a corresponding plurality of attachment features proximate the at least one outlet port; d) aligning the seal retainer to the ink tank such that the alignment members of the seal retainer are aligned with the corresponding plurality of attachment features of the ink tank; e) pressing the seal retainer against the ink tank such that the seal member is contact with the at least one outlet port.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2010Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventor: Kevin J. O'Leary
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Patent number: 8360567Abstract: There is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus that is used for ejecting a liquid. The liquid ejecting apparatus includes a head unit that ejects the liquid, a liquid supplying path that is used for leading the liquid to the head unit, a defoaming chamber that is disposed in the liquid supplying path and is used for eliminating air bubbles inside the liquid, a broaden chamber that is disposed in the liquid supplying path and can collect the liquid due to having a cross-section area larger than that of the liquid supplying path, and a decompression unit that is used for decompressing the defoaming chamber and the broaden chamber.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2009Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Hiroyuki Ito
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Publication number: 20130021414Abstract: A recording apparatus executes recording with a recording head that discharges ink. The recording apparatus includes a platen arranged opposite the recording head and configured to support a sheet, at least one ink receiving portion arranged on the platen and configured to receive ink running off a side edge of the sheet, a suction portion configured to suction fluid from the ink receiving portion, and a supporting member configured to support the sheet at the ink receiving portion to prevent the sheet from sinking into the ink receiving portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2012Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Yutaka Hokazono
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Patent number: 8356889Abstract: A print engine for an inkjet printer which has a media path extending past a printhead assembly along a paper axis, has an elongate printhead carriage extending transverse to the paper axis, a series of interfaces for supplying ink to respective printhead modules spaced along the printhead carriage such that during use, the printhead modules span the media path and ink conduits connected to the interfaces for feeding ink to the printhead modules. The printhead carriage has a series formations to position the ink conduits such that they all extend away from the interfaces in a direction transverse to the long axis to a common side of the printhead carriage.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2010Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: Zamtec LtdInventors: 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
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Patent number: 8356888Abstract: A channel forming method includes: forming a first member having a fitting groove and a second member which is to be fitted into the fitting groove; fitting the second member into the fitting groove; and joining joint peripheral portions of the first member and the second member by heating from outside the fitted second member, and a channel is foamed by channel grooves formed in a bottom portion of the fitting groove and a facing surface of the second member facing the bottom portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2009Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masayuki Takata
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Patent number: 8353565Abstract: An ink refilling method capable of refilling ink into at least two kinds of ink cartridges having different ink capacities and having substantially the same outer configurations, the method includes a step of discriminating the kind of the ink cartridge; a step of determining the capacity of the ink cartridge on the basis of a result of the discriminating step; and a step of filling, into the ink cartridge, an amount of the ink on the basis of the capacity determined in the determining step.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2008Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Akihisa Saikawa
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Patent number: 8353585Abstract: A waste liquid collector is detachably mounted on a device including a discharge unit discharging a waste liquid and stores the waste liquid discharged from the discharge unit when the waste liquid collector is mounted on the device. The waste liquid collector includes: an opening through which the discharge unit is inserted or extracted at the time of mounting or detaching the waste liquid collector on or from the device; a collector-side connection terminal which comes in contact with a device-side connection terminal included in the device when the discharge unit of the device is inserted into the opening; and a positioning unit which positions the collector-side connection terminal to come in contact with the device-side connection terminal when the waste liquid collector is mounted on the device.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2009Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Shuhei Harada
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Patent number: 8353586Abstract: The present invention provides an ink jet printer having storage for storing ink, a recording head including a nozzle for ejecting ink, and a passage between the storage and the recording head for conducting the ink. At least one of these components comprising an ink-contacting member that comprises an antioxidant of the following formula (1) of a concentration of 100 ppm or less: Further, an ink jet recording method using the ink jet printer causes such printer to eject droplets of an ink composition and attach the droplets to a recording medium.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2012Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Kazuhiko Hara, Masanori Takemura, Hiroshi Fukumoto
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Publication number: 20130011637Abstract: A water-soluble azo compound represented by formula (1) or a salt thereof, and an ink composition containing the compound or salt. The ink composition has a chroma saturation and hue suitable for inkjet recording, and enables a material recorded therewith to have high fastness in various fields, in particular high ozone gas resistance, while enabling an image recorded therewith to have excellent storage stability and the like. In formula (1), Q represents a halogen atom; x represents an integer of 2 to 4; and the group A represents an amino group represented by the following formula (101). In formula (101), y represents an integer of 1 to 3.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2011Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: NIPPON KAYAKU KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Ryoutarou Morita, Noriko Kajiura
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Patent number: 8348401Abstract: A turning operation of a head set lever is completed, and a printing head can be detached from a carriage part. By the above-described turning operation of the head set lever, a supply port insertion and extraction part connected via a link slides, a needle pipe of the supply port insertion and extraction part is brought into a state of being the farthest from the printing head, and a needle insertion and extraction lever is brought into a state in which it moves under a case wall. Thereby, an operator cannot turn only the needle insertion and extraction lever when the head set lever is in an opened state. In this manner, when the head set lever is in the opened state, the operation of the needle insertion and extraction lever, which is used for connection of the supply port insertion and extraction part to ink supply port, is restricted.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2011Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takeshi Sekino, Tetsuya Ishikawa
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Patent number: 8348402Abstract: A fluid supply device, a printing device, and a control method for a fluid supply device can desirably supply a fluid while maintaining good throughput, and can reduce device size and cost with a simple construction. The inkjet printer has an expansion mechanism that enables an ink refill operation in which a movable member expands an ink chamber by moving a piston that moves in contact with a regulator panel disposed to the main device side and supplies ink from an ink cartridge, a comparison means that determines whether or not the amount of ink left in the ink cartridge is less than a specified value, and a CPU that sets a long time mode in which the ink refill operation time is long when the amount of ink left in the ink cartridge is less than the specified value.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2012Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Susumu Taga
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Patent number: 8348364Abstract: A fluid supply device, a printing device, and a method of cleaning a printing device are disclosed. A fluid supply device includes a main tank, a fluid chamber, a fluid-discharging head, a movable carriage, an expansion mechanism that expands the fluid chamber to draw fluid from the main tank, a suction mechanism, a remaining fluid detection unit, a comparison unit that compares the remaining fluid volume in the main tank with a specified value, and a setting unit that sets a cleaning mode. The expansion mechanism is actuated via a movement of the movable carriage. The setting unit sets a first cleaning mode in which a first amount of fluid is vacuumed from the nozzle or a second cleaning mode in which a second amount of fluid is vacuumed from the nozzle that is less than the first amount. The cleaning mode is selected in response to the amount of fluid remaining in the main tank.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2009Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Susumu Taga
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Patent number: 8348397Abstract: A fluid height backpressure system includes a printhead, a fluid supply tank, a backpressure device, and an air removal device. The backpressure device responsible for supplying system backpressure includes at least one tower disposed in an upright position and having a plurality of walls defining first and second chambers for respectively communicating with the ink supply tank and a fluid supply reservoir of the printhead. The air removal device provides additional back pressure in the second chamber, allows backpressure in the system to be maintained even with an empty fluid supply tank, and also supply of ink to the fluid supply reservoir of the printhead substantially without air bubbles being introduced therein. Also, ink sensors are utilized for sensing out-of-ink/ink-low conditions and also to help establish and continue the operation of the backpressure device.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2009Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Johnnie Coffey, Steven Robert Komplin, Guion Yuvano Lucas, Randal Scott Williamson
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Patent number: 8348365Abstract: An inkjet printing system includes: a liquid supply tank; a print device with at least one print cartridge, wherein there is an altitude difference between the print cartridge and the liquid supply tank; an internal pressure-adjusting device connecting to the liquid supply tank and the print cartridge; and working software for calculating a preliminary altitude, and a predetermined liquid supplementing altitude of the print cartridge. When a liquid level of a liquid inside the print cartridge is lower than the preliminary altitude and below an lower limit of the predetermined liquid supplementing altitude, the working software controls the internal pressure-adjusting device to suck partial gas from the print cartridge into the liquid supply tank to increase a negative pressure inside the print cartridge, and the liquid stored in the liquid supply tank is introduced into the print cartridge to balance the negative pressure inside the print cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2011Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Microjet Technology Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ke Ming Huang, Hung Chuan Lo, Chin Tsung Chen, Kwo Yuan Shi
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Patent number: 8348405Abstract: A molten ink supply for a solid ink printing machine includes a container for storing solid ink pellets and a withdrawal tube having an inlet end disposed within the container. A vacuum generator is disposed at the outlet end of the withdrawal tube operable to draw a vacuum within the tube. A feed conduit is connected to the outlet end for receiving solid ink pellets drawn therein by said vacuum generator and conveying the pellets to a melting station operable to melt the solid ink pellets. An assist tube is provided within the container with a discharge nozzle disposed within the withdrawal tube at the inlet end and operable to provide a flow of air into the withdrawal tube to agitate solid ink pellets and facilitate withdrawal of the pellets by the vacuum generator.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2010Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Nathan Eymard Smith, Michael Fredrick Leo, Patrick James Walker, Robert R. Tuchrelo
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Patent number: 8348400Abstract: When liquid materials are fed to inkjet heads, fluid pressures are equalized so that a gas does not remain in liquid feed pipe lines. Separate liquid feed pipe lines (3) for feeding the liquid material, each of which communicates with each of a plurality of inkjet heads (4), are each connected to a common liquid feed pipe line (2) which stores one kind of the liquid material and communicates with an ink tank (1). Separate gas flow pipe lines (19), each of which is capable of feeding a gas and communicates with a connection portion between the common liquid feed pipe line (2) and each of the separate liquid feed pipe lines (3), with each of the inkjet heads (4), or with both the connection portion and each of the inkjet heads (4), are each connected to a bypass pipe line (18a).Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2010Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha IshiihyokiInventors: Teruyuki Nakano, Yasuhiro Kozawa
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Patent number: 8348391Abstract: A valve 25 includes: a passage 33 having a first passage 31 which communicates an atmosphere-communicating passage 24 and outside of a cartridge body 10, and a second passage 32 which branches from the first passage; an electrode 35 provided on a wall surface forming the second passage 32; an electrode 37 provided on a wall surface of a bottom wall 11d forming the first passage 31; a driver IC 44 which applies a predetermined voltage selectively to one of these two kinds of electrodes 35, 37; an insulating film 36 provided on a surface of the electrode 35; and an insulating film 38 provided on a surface of the electrode 37. Accordingly, there is provided a valve which is capable of opening and closing a passage communicating two spaces separated from each other, which has no movable part, and which has a simple construction.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2012Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hiroto Sugahara
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Publication number: 20130002770Abstract: A radiation curable gel ink leveling method for digital direct-to-substrate radiation curable gel ink printing includes depositing radiation curable gel ink directly onto a substrate, irradiating the gel ink to increase a viscosity of the gel ink, adding sacrificial release fluid to a hydrophilic leveling roll surface, the leveling roll surface including metal oxide, and leveling the ink with the leveling roll. UV gel ink printing systems and leveling apparatus include a leveling roll having a metal oxide surface suitable for use with water based release fluids that contain a surfactant and/or polymer.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2011Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: XEROX CORPORATIONInventors: Bryan J. ROOF, Anthony S. CONDELLO
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Patent number: 8342661Abstract: An inkjet printing apparatus which can perform cost-down and an improvement on a print quality by simplification of an apparatus construction is realized. For realizing such an apparatus, a gas-liquid separation is achieved by the construction where air bubbles generated in an ejection portion or a reservoir can rise to a liquid surface, and a negative pressure control and at the same time, discharge of the air bubbles are performed by a fan.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2008Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Canon Finetech Inc.Inventors: Yuuichi Takahashi, Daisuke Nakamura, Takefumi Tamura, Yuuko Saijo
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Patent number: 8342622Abstract: In a continuous liquid ejection apparatus, when pressurizing ink with a pump and initiating ejection, the problem of a stable ink column and droplets not being formed if ink is ejected in a low ink pressure state and large droplets or droplets with unstable flight directions being formed is solved. The space where droplets fly is sealed in order to raise the pressure of ink inside a liquid chamber communicating with a nozzle up to a pressure suitable for droplet-forming condition, while the pressure of gas in the sealed space is raised corresponding to the rise in pressure of the liquid to suppress ejection from the nozzle. After the pressure of the ink is raised to pressure suitable for droplet-forming condition, the sealed space is opened to the atmosphere and ink is ejected all at once.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2011Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tsunenori Soma, Junya Kawase
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Publication number: 20120314008Abstract: Part of a liquid chamber communicating with a liquid storage is formed of a deformable portion which is deformed. Part of a lever is brought into abutment with the deformable portion and, when the deformable portion is deformed, the lever is rotated about a supporting portion. The liquid storage, the liquid chamber, and the lever are stored in the interior of the case having a through hole, and when the liquid container is mounted on the liquid consuming apparatus, the movable rod on the side of the liquid consuming apparatus is inserted from the through hole and is brought into abutment with the lever.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2012Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventors: Masahiro Karasawa, Yuji Aoki, Masaru Takahashi
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Patent number: 8328332Abstract: A modular printhead assembly includes an elongate chassis; an elongate ink reservoir assembly mounted on the chassis and defining a plurality of distinct elongate ink supply channels; a plurality of printhead modules serially arranged along and releasably engaged with the ink reservoir, each printhead module having ink chambers in fluid communication with respective distinct supply channels; and a plurality of spaced apart sets of tubular filling formations serially arranged along the elongate ink reservoir, each filling formation of a set being in fluid communication with one distinct ink supply channel.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2009Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Zamtec LimitedInventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King, Garry Raymond Jackson
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Publication number: 20120306962Abstract: An ink composition comprising: a) 0.2 to 11 parts diethylene glycol mono alkyl ether; b) 20 to 45 parts glycerol; c) 0.5 to 8 parts pentan-1,5-diol; d) 0.5 to 9 parts colorant; e) 40 to 70 parts water; f) 0 to 8 parts 2-pyrollidinone; g) 0 to 3 parts surfactant; h) 0 to 5 parts in total of polyalkylene glycol and/or polyalkylene glycol ether having, in each case having a MWT of at least 5,000; and i) 0 to 5 parts biocide; wherein all parts are by weight. Also claimed are ink sets. The inks and ink sets are particularly useful for piezo ink jet printers.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2011Publication date: December 6, 2012Inventor: Marie Holmes