초록 ▼

An improved ink storage system for ink cartridges which allows operation in a rapid and continuous manner while avoiding deprimes. A flexible, resilient ink bladder is provided which consists of an elongate reservoir that is closed at the bottom and open at the top with a tubular side wall therebetw

An improved ink storage system for ink cartridges which allows operation in a rapid and continuous manner while avoiding deprimes. A flexible, resilient ink bladder is provided which consists of an elongate reservoir that is closed at the bottom and open at the top with a tubular side wall therebetween. The bladder is supplied with ink, and a negative pressure is maintained therein. Due to the negative pressure, the side wall collapses inwardly upon ink delivery. To ensure that the wall collapses properly, the bladder is designed so the side wall thickness varies, with some portions of the wall being thinner than others. As a result, the thinner portions collapse inwardly toward the thicker portions during ink delivery. This prevents undesired increases in back-pressure within the bladder, thereby eliminating ink cartridge deprimes.

대표청구항 ▼

An ink storage bladder for use in an ink cartridge comprising: a closed bottom portion; an open top portion; and a medial portion between said top portion and said bottom portion, said medial portion comprising a central cavity therethrough and a tubular side wall surrounding said central cavity, sa

An ink storage bladder for use in an ink cartridge comprising: a closed bottom portion; an open top portion; and a medial portion between said top portion and said bottom portion, said medial portion comprising a central cavity therethrough and a tubular side wall surrounding said central cavity, said central cavity having a diameter and size sufficient to retain a supply of ink therein, said side wall comprising a first position thereon and a second position thereon, said side wall being thinnest at said first position and continuously increasing in thickness toward said second position, said side wall being thickest at said second position, said first position and said second position being separated by a distance therebetween which is substantially equal to said diameter of said cavity.