In some inkjet printers, the printheads are part of a discrete assembly separate from detachable ink containers in which ink is held in a block of foam or other capillary material. The ink holding chamber in these foam based ink containers is vented to the atmosphere through an opening in the top of the container. The container vent opening is sealed during storage and shipment to prevent evaporation from the ink chamber. The container vent is sometimes not functional when the container is installed in a printhead assembly, for example when the user fails to remove the vent seal. The printer will not print properly with a malfunctioning container vent.
The same part numbers designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures.
A vent through the printhead assembly has been developed as an addition or alternative to the conventional vent on a detachable ink container. The new vent allows the container to supply ink to the printhead assembly even if the vent on the ink container malfunctions, for example if the user fails to remove the tape sealing the vent or if there is a defect in the vent that prevents air from reaching the ink chamber inside the container. In one example of the new vent, an air hole is formed through the substrate of a printhead support structure near the ink inlet so that the container ink outlet is exposed to the air hole when the container outlet is engaged with the ink inlet on the printhead assembly (i.e., when the ink container is installed on the printhead assembly). An air channel on the back side of the substrate connects the air hole to the atmosphere, thus venting the ink container to the atmosphere through the printhead assembly when the container is installed in the printhead assembly.
Examples of the new vent are described with reference to ink containers for an inkjet printer. However, examples of the new vent are not limited to ink containers, inkjet printers or inkjet printing. Examples of the new vent might also be implemented in other of inkjet type dispensers. The examples shown in the figures and described below, therefore, illustrate but do not limit the invention, which is defined in the Claims following this Description.
As used in this document, “liquid” means a fluid not composed primarily of a gas or gases; and a “printhead” means that part of an inkjet printer or other inkjet type dispenser that dispenses liquid from one or more openings, for example as drops or streams.
Printhead assembly 12 includes one or more printheads through which ink from one or more containers 18-24 is ejected. A print media transport mechanism 26 advances a sheet of paper or other print media 28 past carriage 16 and printhead assembly 12. A controller 30 is operatively connected to carriage 16, printhead assembly 12 and media transport 26. Controller 30 represents generally the programming, processor and associated memory, and the electronic circuitry and other components needed to control the operative elements of printer 10.
Referring now to
Referring to
In the example shown in the figures, a single air channel 64 vents all four containers 18-24 from an air plenum 66 that connects air holes 62 to air channel 64. Plenum 66 is defined by a single enclosed space 68 along substrate second side 56 enveloping air holes 62 as best seen in
Each ink inlet tower 40 is surrounded by a seal 44. Referring specifically to
Still referring to
When ink container 22 is installed in printhead assembly 12, as shown in
Thus, for each ink container 18-24, vent 14 follows a path from opening 72 along air channel 64 to plenum 66, through air hole 62 in substrate 52 to cavity 76 between seal 44 and inlet tower 40, past inlet tower 40 in recesses 80 to wick 96 in container outlet 42. It is expected that in most implementations air channel 64 in printhead assembly 12, like air channel 92 on the containers, will be longer and smaller (in cross section) to help minimize evaporative losses through vent 14. Air holes 62 in substrate 52 and recesses 80 along inlet tower 40 may be sized and shaped to achieve the desired venting and, where appropriate, to facilitate manufacturing. (Printhead support structure 50 usually will be a molded plastic part.) Multiple smaller air holes 62 around an inlet tower 40, as shown in
As noted at the beginning of this Description, the examples shown in the figures and described above illustrate but do not limit the invention. Other examples are possible. Therefore, the foregoing description should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined in the following claims.
This patent application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/373,524, filed Sep. 19, 2014, titled “VENT THROUGH A PRINTHEAD SUPPORT STRUCTURE,” which is a national stage application of PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US2012/029608, filed Mar. 19, 2012, the relevant contents of each of these applications herein being incorporated by reference.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20160089890 A1 | Mar 2016 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 14373524 | US | |
Child | 14962177 | US |