초록 ▼

An ink supply for an inkjet printer is provided with a main reservoir, which is typically maintained at ambient pressure. The main reservoir, which has flexible side walls supported by a rigid frame, is coupled to a variable volume chamber via a check valve which allows the flow of ink from the rese

An ink supply for an inkjet printer is provided with a main reservoir, which is typically maintained at ambient pressure. The main reservoir, which has flexible side walls supported by a rigid frame, is coupled to a variable volume chamber via a check valve which allows the flow of ink from the reservoir to the chamber and limits the flow of ink from the chamber to the reservoir. The chamber is coupled to a fluid outlet which is normally closed to prevent the flow of ink. However, when the ink supply is installed in a printer, the fluid outlet establishes a fluid connection between the chamber and the printer. The chamber is part of a pump provided with the ink supply that can be actuated to supply ink from the reservoir to the printer.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A replaceable ink supply for removable insertion into a docked position within a docking bay of an ink-jet printer, the docking bay having a pump actuator and a fluid inlet coupled to a trailing tube for supplying ink to a movable print head, the ink supply comprising:a c

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A replaceable ink supply for removable insertion into a docked position within a docking bay of an ink-jet printer, the docking bay having a pump actuator and a fluid inlet coupled to a trailing tube for supplying ink to a movable print head, the ink supply comprising:a chassis;a reservoir coupled to the chassis for containing a quantity of ink, the reservoir including a substantially rigid frame supporting at least one flexible wall;a fluid outlet carried on the chassis for engaging the fluid inlet when the ink supply is in the docked position; anda pump carried on the chassis in fluid communication with the reservoir and the fluid outlet, the pump actuable by the actuator when the ink supply is in the docked position to draw ink from the reservoir and supply the ink through the fluid outlet to the trailing tube.