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:
Sep. 04, 2001
Filed:
Jun. 15, 1998
Masatoshi Ikkatai, Yokohama, JP;
Hitoshi Fujimoto, Kawasaki, JP;
Tsuyoshi Mikoshiba, Sagamihara, JP;
Canon Aptex, Inc., Ibaraki, JP;
Abstract
A printer having an ink container, an ink jet head, and an ink storage container for temporarily storing ink to be supplied from the ink container to the ink-jet head, the ink storage container having a closable air communicating portion communicating with ambient air. A first ink path connects the ink container to the ink storage container, defines a flow of ink from the ink container to the ink storage container, and is provided with a one-way flow restricting member for permitting only a flow of ink in a direction of discharge from the ink container. A second ink path connects the ink storage container to the ink container and defines a flow of ink for returning an excess amount of ink over a predetermined liquid amount in the ink storage container to the ink container. An opening/closing member opens and closes the air communicating portion to ambient air. A buffer container is provided at a portion of the first ink path between the one-way flow restricting member and the ink storage container and is capable of maintaining a predetermined liquid amount. A transfer member transfers ink from the buffer container and is provided at a portion of the first ink path between the buffer container and the ink storage container.