초록 ▼

An ink-jet bottle and valve system which delivers ink-jet ink to an ink-jet printer apparatus having an ink reservoir. The system has five, main components: (1) a bottle, (2) a housing, (3) a valve, (4), a cover, and (5) a vent tube. Coupled to the ink reservoir, the housing has a nozzle which exten

An ink-jet bottle and valve system which delivers ink-jet ink to an ink-jet printer apparatus having an ink reservoir. The system has five, main components: (1) a bottle, (2) a housing, (3) a valve, (4), a cover, and (5) a vent tube. Coupled to the ink reservoir, the housing has a nozzle which extends into the ink reservoir and defines a channel through which ink may flow from the bottle to the ink reservoir. The top surface of the housing has a cutout defining a pair of valve rotation stops. The housing also has a bottom surface which includes a lower vent and a lower ink passage each opening to the channel of the nozzle. The valve fits snugly and rotatably within the housing. The internal surface of the valve is threaded to couple the valve to the threaded neck of the bottle. The bottom surface of the valve has an upper vent and an upper ink passage. Finally, a top surface of the valve has a projecting tab. The tab rests in the cutout of the housing and cooperates with the pair of valve rotation stops to limit axial rotation of the valve within the housing between (i) a first position where the tab abuts one valve rotation stop and in which the upper vent and the upper ink passage of the valve align with the lower vent and the lower ink passage, respectively, of the housing, and (ii) a second position where the tab abuts the other valve rotation stop and in which the upper vent and the upper ink passage of the valve are out of alignment with the lower vent and the lower ink passage, respectively, of the housing. The cover engages a flange on the housing and captivates the valve within the housing. Finally, the vent tube allows air, required to equalize the pressure in the bottle, to pass directly to the area at the top of the bottle above the ink and assure even ink flow.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed:] [1.] An ink-jet bottle and supply system delivering ink-jet ink to an ink-jet printer apparatus having an ink reservoir, said ink-jet bottle and supply system comprising:a bottle containing ink-jet ink and having a neck defining an opening releasing ink from said bottle;a housing

[ What is claimed:] [1.] An ink-jet bottle and supply system delivering ink-jet ink to an ink-jet printer apparatus having an ink reservoir, said ink-jet bottle and supply system comprising:a bottle containing ink-jet ink and having a neck defining an opening releasing ink from said bottle;a housing having:(a) a nozzle extending into said ink reservoir of said ink-jet printer apparatus, said nozzle defining a channel through which ink may flow,(b) an external surface having means for coupling said housing to said in reservoir of said ink-jet printer apparatus,(c) an internal surface defining an open chamber,(d) a top surface having a cutout defining a pair of valve rotation stops, and(e) a bottom surface having a first vent and a first ink passage, each opening to said channel of said nozzle, said bottom surface of said housing contacting said ink reservoir of said ink-jet printer apparatus thereby limiting for coupling between said coupling means on said external surface of said housing and said ink reservoir of said ink-jet printer apparatus;a valve fitting snugly and rotatably within said open chamber of said housing and having:(a) an eternal surface,(b) an internal surface having means for coupling said valve to said bottle,(c) a bottom surface having a second vent and a second ink passage, and(d) a top surface having a tab projecting from said top surface, said tab resting in said cutout of said housing and cooperating with said pair of valve rotation stops to limit axial rotation of said valve within said housing between (1) a first position where said tab abuts one of said pair of valve rotation stops and in which said second vent and said second ink passage of said valve align with said first vent and said first ink passage, respectively, of said housing, said valve achieving said first position within said housing only upon rotation of said valve within said housing after said bottom surface of said housing has contacted said ink reservoir, and (2) a second position where said tab abuts the other of said pair of valve rotation stops and in which said second vent and said second ink passage of said valve are out of alignment with said first vent and said first ink passage, respectively, of said housing; anda vent tube affixed to said second vent of said valve.