초록 ▼

An inkjet printer is provided with a movable carriage upon which is mounted an inkjet print head and a small reservoir having a fluid capacity capable of printing a predetermined number of characters, and which is sufficiently light in weight as to minimize the mass mounted upon the carriage. Sensin

An inkjet printer is provided with a movable carriage upon which is mounted an inkjet print head and a small reservoir having a fluid capacity capable of printing a predetermined number of characters, and which is sufficiently light in weight as to minimize the mass mounted upon the carriage. Sensing means detect the low level of ink for causing the carriage to be moved to the end of one of the printer margins at which is located a stationary large capacity ink reservoir having an outlet nozzle adapted to be inserted into an opening in the small capacity reservoir for filling the reservoir either under control of a pump or by gravity feed, whereupon the printer resumes the printing operation.

대표청구항 ▼

Means for providing ink for an inkjet printer, said printer including an inkjet print head and carriage means for supporting the print head; means for moving said carriage means between left and right hand margins of the printer so as to effect printing of lines of characters of other graphic patter

Means for providing ink for an inkjet printer, said printer including an inkjet print head and carriage means for supporting the print head; means for moving said carriage means between left and right hand margins of the printer so as to effect printing of lines of characters of other graphic patterns on said web; a small size ink reservoir mounted upon said carriage means; a large size ink supply reservoir mounted in a stationary fashion upon said printer and adjacent to one of the aforesaid margins; means for sensing an ink low condition in said small reservoir for generating an ink low signal; means responsive to said ink low signal for moving said carriage means toward said stationary ink supply reservoir; nozzle means including means normally biasing said nozzle means to a closed condition whereby said nozzle means is moved responsive to movement of the carriage adjacent to said stationary ink supply reservoir to become unsealed and to span between openings in said large and small ink supply reservoirs for causing ink to flow from said large reservoir to said small reservoir thereby enabling printing to continue.