US4668965A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of purging impurities from a printing head
Assignee: Konica Minolta Inc
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Filing: 1986-01-03
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Granted: 1987-05-26
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Expires: 2006-01-03
Abstract
Abstract A method for purging impurities from the ink path from a drop-on-demand ink jet type printing head prior to or subsequent to use in a normal printing operation includes the steps of heating the ink path to a temperature above the temperature used during the printing operation and purging ink through the ink path during or subsequent to the heating step.
Inventors
- 👤 Yasuhiko Tanaka
- 👤 Yoshiaki Kimura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 09:16
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/17; B41J2/175; B41J2/135; B41J2/165; B41J2/16579; B41J2/1707; B41J2/19; B41J2/20; B41J2/18; B41J2/185
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for purging impurities from the ink path of a drop-on-demand ink jet printing head prior to or subsequent to use in a normal printing operation performed at a selected printing operation temperature and pressure, comprising the steps of: heating the ink path in the head with a heater on the head to a temperature above the temperature used during the printing operation and purging ink through the ink path after the heating step starts.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for purging impurities from the ink path of a drop-on-demand ink jet printing head prior to or subsequent to use in a normal printing operation performed at a selected printing operation temperature and pressure, comprising the steps of: heating the ink path in the head with a heater on the head to a temperature above the temperature used during the printing operation and purging ink through the ink path after the heating step starts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of heating the ink path includes heating a nozzle located in the ink path.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for purging impurities from the ink path of a drop-on-demand ink jet type printing head prior to or subsequent to use in a normal printing operation performed at a selected printing operation temperature and pressure, comprising the steps of: heating the ink in the head to a temperature above the temperature used during the printing operation and purging ink at a pressure which is higher than the pressure used during the printing operation through the ink path after the heating step starts.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for purging impurities from the ink path of a drop-on-demand ink jet type printing head prior to or subsequent to use in a normal printing operation performed at a selected printing operation temperature and pressure, comprising the steps of: heating the ink in the head to a temperature above the temperature used during the printing operation and purging ink at a pressure which is higher than the pressure used during the printing operation through the ink path after the heating step starts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the purging step includes purging the ink at a pressure which is generally at least 30% higher than the pressure used during the printing operation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the purging step includes at least two purging substeps separated by a non-purging substep.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the purging step includes at least two purging substeps, each for approximately five seconds, separated by a non-purging substep.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the purging step includes at least two purging substeps, each for approximately five seconds, separated by a non-purging substep for approximately five seconds.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the purging step occurs subsequent to the heating step.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the heating step is concluded prior to the conclusion of the purging step.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the purging step occurs subsequent to the heating step and the heating step is concluded prior to the conclusion of the purging step.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the heating step includes heating the ink path to a temperature generally in the range of 50° to 100° C.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the heating step includes heating the ink path to a temperature at least 30° C. higher than the temperature used during the printing operation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US4123761A
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US4176363A
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US4164745A
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US4301459A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-05-25 | 1990-11-24 | 1991-05-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-05-25 | 1994-11-24 | 1995-05-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-05-25 | 1998-11-24 | 1999-05-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |