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:
Jun. 27, 2000
Filed:
Mar. 27, 1995
Yoichi Tosaka, Yokohama, JP;
Kenichiro Hashimoto, Yokohama, JP;
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
An ink jet recording apparatus for recording by discharging ink from a plurality of recording means to a recording material comprises a plurality of ink paths which are communicated with the recording means and an exchangeable ink tank for retaining ink to be discharged. The ink paths are arranged in a given number corresponding to the number of the recording means, and further, the end portion on the ink tank side is arranged in a position facing one or plural ink supply ports of a first ink tank having ink retaining units to supply ink to such a given number of recording means. This apparatus also comprise a second ink tank having ink retaining units in a number smaller than the aforesaid given number. Here, the second ink tank is provided with means for sealing at least one end portion of the aforesaid ink paths on the ink tank side, which supply ink having colors different from that of the ink contained in the second ink tank. With such structure, an ink jet recording apparatus can install an ink tank whose capacity is larger for a specific ink without making the apparatus larger, and also, prevent ink from being dried in the ink paths where no ink tank is installed.