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:
Aug. 21, 2001
Filed:
Jul. 30, 1999
Masatoshi Ikkatai, Yokohama, JP;
Yasuyuki Takanaka, Yokohama, JP;
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A method for refilling liquid to a liquid supply path is provided with a sub-tank for supplying the liquid by retaining it temporarily and inducing the air outside into the sub-tank. This method includes the steps of making the sub-tank a closed space and filling the liquid while reducing pressure in the sub-tank. With the application of this method, liquid can be supplied stably. Also, by use of a pump serving as a device for generating negative pressure in the sub-tank, which can be installed on a path different from the liquid supply path, the structure of the liquid supply path becomes simpler to make it easier to avoid liquid leakage or other operational difficulties for the enhancement of a stabilized supply of liquid.