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:
Nov. 28, 2006
Filed:
May. 13, 2004
David R. Otis, Corvallis, OR (US);
Carrie Roberts, Philomath, OR (US);
David R. Otis, Corvallis, OR (US);
Carrie Roberts, Philomath, OR (US);
Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P., Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
Imaging apparatus and methods of homogenizing ink are described. In one implementation an imaging apparatus includes an ink supply to provide ink to be used in printing, and a printhead to apply the ink during printing. A conduit system couples the ink supply and the printhead in fluid flowing relation. A pump is operably coupled to the conduit system. In operation, the pump causes the ink to circulate between the ink supply and the printhead. A timing device measures an idle-time since the pump was last in operation. A controller receives the idle-time measurement from the timing device, and actuates the pump when a selected idle-time is reached. In another implementation, a method for homogenizing ink includes providing a pump, then automatically actuating the pump to homogenize ink within an ink delivery system each time the ink delivery system has been resting for a selected idle-time.