초록 ▼

This invention relates to a replaceable ink container or bottle (1) for an ink jet printing apparatus in which the mouth of the bottled is closed by a puncturable diaphragm (19). A puncturing member (35) carried by the ink reservoir (21) of the ink jet printing apparatus pierces through the diaphrag

This invention relates to a replaceable ink container or bottle (1) for an ink jet printing apparatus in which the mouth of the bottled is closed by a puncturable diaphragm (19). A puncturing member (35) carried by the ink reservoir (21) of the ink jet printing apparatus pierces through the diaphragm upon the container being installed in the ink jet printing apparatus. Upon the puncturing member (35) puncturing through the diaphragm (19), the diaphragm sealingly engages the sides of the puncturing tube so as to substantially prevent the ink from leaking therepast, and the puncturing tube opens communication between the ink within the container and the ink reservoir thereby permitting ink to flow from the bottle into the ink reservoir via the puncturing member. An air path (37) is provided which is in communication with the atmosphere and with the reservoir so that ink from within the container and atmospheric air may be exchanged via the puncturing member so that ink is free to flow from the container into the reservoir, and so that the pressure within the container is maintained substantially at atmospheric pressure. A method of supplying ink to such an ink jet printing apparatus also is disclosed.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] An ink jet printing apparatus having an ink reservoir for receiving ink from a replaceable ink container, the latter having a supply of ink within said container, said ink reservoir having a reservoir housing and a ink well for containing a supply of ink, said reservoir supplying to

[ I claim:] [1.] An ink jet printing apparatus having an ink reservoir for receiving ink from a replaceable ink container, the latter having a supply of ink within said container, said ink reservoir having a reservoir housing and a ink well for containing a supply of ink, said reservoir supplying to an ink jet printer, wherein the improvement comprises:a puncturable diaphragm carried on said container and closing said container;a single hollow puncturing member carried by said ink reservoir housing engageable with said diaphragm upon said container being installed on said reservoir housing for piercing an opening through said diaphragm and for substantially sealingly engaging said puncturing member so as to substantially prevent the ink within said container from leaking past the exterior of said puncturing member, said puncturing member opening communication between said container and said ink reservoir thereby by permitting the ink to flow from said container into said ink reservoir,said diaphragm opening substantially closing upon said container being removed from said reservoir housing and upon said puncturing member being withdrawn from said diaphragm opening thereby to substantially re-close said diaphragm opening; andan air path through a wall of said reservoir in communication with the atmosphere and said reservoir, said air path having an opening into said reservoir spaced vertically above a bottom of said single puncturing member, so that with said container installed on said reservoir housing, the ink from within said container and atmospheric air from within said reservoir are exchanged via said puncturing member thereby to permit the ink to flow from said container into said reservoir and to permit air to enter said container so as to replace the ink flowing from said container.