US4593292A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ink jet apparatus and method of operating ink jet apparatus employing phase change ink melted as needed
Assignee: Exxon Mobil Corp
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Filing: 1984-10-15
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Granted: 1986-06-03
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Expires: 2004-10-15
Abstract
Abstract A block of solid state ink is sequentially melted on demand as it is advanced against a heater plate. Sequentially melted ink flows into a continuously heated reservoir which supplies one or more ink jets.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur M. Lewis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:26
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/17; B41J2/195; B41J2/175; B41J2/17593
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of operating an ink jet apparatus comprising at least one ink jet, ink in the solid state, and a reservoir for receiving melted ink; the method comprising the following steps: sequentially heating to a melting point and cooling different portions of the solid state ink on demand while continuously heating the reservoir; and coupling the melted ink to the reservoir.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of operating an ink jet apparatus comprising at least one ink jet, ink in the solid state, and a reservoir for receiving melted ink; the method comprising the following steps: sequentially heating to a melting point and cooling different portions of the solid state ink on demand while continuously heating the reservoir; and coupling the melted ink to the reservoir.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of advancing different portions of the solid state ink to juxtaposition with a heater.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of controlling the duration of each sequential heating.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of detecting the level of melted ink in the reservoir.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 4 including the step of initiating and timing the duration of each sequential heating in response to detecting the level of melted ink in the reservoir.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of detecting the supply of solid state ink in the solid state and inhibiting sequential heating in response to a low supply.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of supplying hot melt ink to an ink jet apparatus comprising the following steps: heating a block of solid state ink on demand; melting ink from the block in response to the heating; heating a reservoir; supplying the melted ink to a heated reservoir; terminating the heating of the block of solid state ink; continuing to heat the reservoir; jetting the melted ink from the reservoir through at least one ink jet; and repeating the aforesaid steps.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of supplying hot melt ink to an ink jet apparatus comprising the following steps: heating a block of solid state ink on demand; melting ink from the block in response to the heating; heating a reservoir; supplying the melted ink to a heated reservoir; terminating the heating of the block of solid state ink; continuing to heat the reservoir; jetting the melted ink from the reservoir through at least one ink jet; and repeating the aforesaid steps.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 7 wherein heating comprises: advancing said block of ink to a heater area as the ink melts.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said block of ink is advanced and maintained in proximity with a heater.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said block is advanced by spring biasing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 7 including the step of detecting a low supply of ink in said reservoir before heating on demand.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 7 wherein heating occurs for a predetermined length of time.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 7 including the step of detecting a low supply of solid state ink so as to inhibit said heating.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 7 including the step of moving said jets and said reservoir in unison in a scanning motion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
56 words
An ink jet apparatus comprising: at least one ink jet; a reservoir for supplying ink to said jet; means for sequentially heating and cooling different portions of a block of ink in solid state form on demand to a melting point while continuously heating the reservoir; and means for coupling the melted ink to said reservoir.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
56 words
An ink jet apparatus comprising: at least one ink jet; a reservoir for supplying ink to said jet; means for sequentially heating and cooling different portions of a block of ink in solid state form on demand to a melting point while continuously heating the reservoir; and means for coupling the melted ink to said reservoir.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said means for sequentially heating includes heater means and means for moving said solid state ink relative to said heater means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said heater means comprises a plate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said means for moving comprises spring means for biasing said block of ink against said heater means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 15 including means for timing the duration of each said sequential heating.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 15 including means for detecting the level of melted ink in said reservoir.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 20 including means for initating and timing the duration of each said sequential heating in response to said means for detecting.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 15 including means for detecting the supply of said solid state ink and for inhibiting said means for sequentially heating.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 22 including means for scanning said means for sequentially heating, said reservoir and said jet in unison.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-06-02 | 1989-12-02 | 1990-06-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-06-02 | 1993-12-02 | 1994-06-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-06-02 | 1997-12-02 | 1998-06-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |