Marconi Data Systems Limited

Curtis R Droege

Kevin W Kuester

Donald E Sherman

This invention relates to a check valve (,) for use in an ink supply line (,) of an ink jet printing system (,) between an ink reservoir (,) and an inkjet printhead (,) so as to prevent de-priming of the printhead upon the latter being subjected to impact loads or the like. Specifically, the improvement of this invention comprises a one-piece check valve (,) of an elastomeric material having a flapper valve (,) movable between a closed position in which the flapper valve blocks the backflow of ink and an open position in which ink is free to flow past the check valve member to the printhead. The flapper valve (,) is defined by a slot (,) separating the flapper valve from the outer margin (,) of the check valve (,) and the flapper valve is integrally joined to the outer margin by a hinge portion (,) so as to enable movement of the flapper valve between its open and closed positions.

Check valve for ink jet printing

This invention relates to a replaceable ink container or bottle (1) for an ink jet printing apparatus in which the mouth of the bottled is closed by a puncturable diaphragm (19). A puncturing member (35) carried by the ink reservoir (21) of the ink jet printing apparatus pierces through the diaphragm upon the container being installed in the ink jet printing apparatus. Upon the puncturing member (35) puncturing through the diaphragm (19), the diaphragm sealingly engages the sides of the puncturing tube so as to substantially prevent the ink from leaking therepast, and the puncturing tube opens communication between the ink within the container and the ink reservoir thereby permitting ink to flow from the bottle into the ink reservoir via the puncturing member. An air path (37) is provided which is in communication with the atmosphere and with the reservoir so that ink from within the container and atmospheric air may be exchanged via the puncturing member so that ink is free to flow from the container into the reservoir, and so that the pressure within the container is maintained substantially at atmospheric pressure. A method of supplying ink to such an ink jet printing apparatus also is disclosed.

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St. Clair County, IL, United States of America

Curtis R Droege