The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 21, 1989
Filed:
May. 11, 1987
Brian D Gragg, San Diego, CA (US);
Jon J Fong, San Diego, CA (US);
Arthur K Wilson, San Diego, CA (US);
Hewlett-Packard Company, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
A conical vent (14) for a cartridge (10) is located on an inner surface (20) of the cartridge. The conical vent includes a conical-shaped member (26) having a base (28) and an apex (30). An opening (32) extends through the center of the conical-shaped member (26) to provide an air passage for a cartridge (10). The opening (32) is adapted to create a capillary force on a small amount of liquid (59) that might enter the opening to prevent any remaining liquid from leaking through the opening. The vent also includes a groove or capillary trap (34) that encircles the base of the conical-shaped member. Also, a pair of upright walls (36) and (38) surround the conical-shaped member and cooperate with the capillary trap to divert liquid to the base of the conical-shaped member and away from its apex. A second conical-shaped member (52) integral with an outer surface (22) of the cartridge can be positioned directly opposite the first-mentioned conical-shaped member to help create and maintain the capillary force created in the opening (32). Another capillary trap (56), extending around the second conical-shaped member, traps any liquid that might escape through the opening.