US6183071B1
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Ink jet recording apparatus and method for recording information with blend of plural types of ink and ink tank used in the same
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1997-05-16
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Granted: 2001-02-06
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Expires: 2017-05-16
Abstract
Abstract An ink jet recording apparatus which performs recording using a plurality of types of inks which are different in nature such as level of thickness, improved to attain excellent gradation of recorded image with a reduced number of ink types which are prepared beforehand. In one form, a clear ink which does not contain any dye is mixed with an ink which contains dye so as to form an ink blend of a density which can be set by varying the mixing ratio. The ink blend thus formed is supplied to a recording head. The invention also provides an ink jet recording apparatus which permits inks of different compositions to be blended within the recording apparatus so a to enable selection of ink composition which is optimum for the image to be recorded or purpose of use.
Inventors
- 👤 Hitoshi Sugimoto
- 👤 Miyuki Matsubara
- 👤 Fumihiro Gotoh
- 👤 Hidehiko Kanda
- 👤 Hiromitsu Hirabayashi
- 👤 Toshio Kashino
- 👤 Noribumi Koitabashi
- 👤 Yuji Akiyama
- 👤 Takeshi Okazaki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 15:39
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/17; B41J2/175; B41J2/21; B41J2/2107; B41J2/211; B41J2/2114
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 49
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
An ink jet recording apparatus which performs recording by means of a plurality of recording heads, each said recording head having at least one discharge opening, comprising: an ink storage means for storing an ink, wherein said ink contains a dye; a clear ink storage means for storing a clear ink, wherein the clear ink does not contain a dye; mixing ratio setting means for setting the ratio of said ink and said, clear ink to be supplied to said recording head; and ink supplying means for supplying the ink stored in said ink storage means to a first recording head in said plurality of recording heads, and supplying the ink stored in said ink storage means and said clear ink stored in said clear ink storage means to a second recording head in said plurality of recording heads at the ratio which is based on the set mixing ratio.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
An ink jet recording apparatus which performs recording by means of a plurality of recording heads, each said recording head having at least one discharge opening, comprising: an ink storage means for storing an ink, wherein said ink contains a dye; a clear ink storage means for storing a clear ink, wherein the clear ink does not contain a dye; mixing ratio setting means for setting the ratio of said ink and said, clear ink to be supplied to said recording head; and ink supplying means for supplying the ink stored in said ink storage means to a first recording head in said plurality of recording heads, and supplying the ink stored in said ink storage means and said clear ink stored in said clear ink storage means to a second recording head in said plurality of recording heads at the ratio which is based on the set mixing ratio.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said ink supplying means comprises supply valves, and wherein said mixing ratio setting means is manually operated to set the ratio.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said ink supplying means comprises a plurality of supply valves and a valve control means for electromagnetically controlling said supply valves, and said mixing ratio setting means stes the ratio by means of said valve control means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
90 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said ink storage means has ink supply holes corresponding to said first and second recording heads, and said clear ink storage means has an ink supply hole corresponding to said second recording head, and wherein the ratio of mixing of said ink and said clear ink is set in accordance with the ratio between areas of supply holes of said ink storage means and said clear ink storage means which are for supplying ink to said second recording head.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said recording head comprises heat energy generating means for applying head energy to said ink to form a bubble in said ink, thereby causing said ink to be discharged from said recording head.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
128 words
An ink jet recording method which performs recording by means of a plurality of recording heads, each said recording head having at least one discharge opening, comprising the steps of: storing a first ink, wherein the first ink contains a dye; storing a second ink, wherein the second ink is a clear ink which does not contain a dye; supplying said first ink to a first said recording head; supplying said first ink and said second ink to a second said recording head; setting a ratio of mixing of said first and said second inks; mixing said first and second inks at said ratio to form a mixed ink; discharging said first ink through said first recording head; and discharging said mixed ink through said second recording head.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
128 words
An ink jet recording method which performs recording by means of a plurality of recording heads, each said recording head having at least one discharge opening, comprising the steps of: storing a first ink, wherein the first ink contains a dye; storing a second ink, wherein the second ink is a clear ink which does not contain a dye; supplying said first ink to a first said recording head; supplying said first ink and said second ink to a second said recording head; setting a ratio of mixing of said first and said second inks; mixing said first and second inks at said ratio to form a mixed ink; discharging said first ink through said first recording head; and discharging said mixed ink through said second recording head.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein a first said discharge opening discharges an ink which is not the ink selected from said plurality of inks, and a second ink discharge opening for discharging the mixed ink.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
An ink jet recording method according to claim 6 , further comprising the step of applying heat to a particular one in said inks to form a bubble of said particular one of said inks, thereby discharging said ink from said recording head.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
211 words
An ink jet recording apparatus which performs recording by means of a plurality of recording heads, each said recording head having at least one ink discharge opening, comprising: a plurality of ink storage means for storing a plurality of inks, wherein each said ink contains a different type of a colorant; a clear ink storage means for storing a clear ink, wherein the clear ink does not contain a dye; a plurality of first recording heads for discharging a color ink to be stored in said plurality of ink storage means; a plurality of second recording heads for discharging a mixed ink of said clear ink and each of a plurality of inks stored in said plurality of ink storage means; ink supplying means for supplying the color inks stored in said plurality of ink storage means to a corresponding said recording head in said plurality of first recording heads, and supplying said color ink and said clear ink to said second recording head; and mixing ratio setting means for controlling the ratio of said color ink and said clear ink to be provided to said second recording head, wherein the ink discharged from said recording head is said color ink and said clear ink, mixed at a predetermined mixing ratio.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
211 words
An ink jet recording apparatus which performs recording by means of a plurality of recording heads, each said recording head having at least one ink discharge opening, comprising: a plurality of ink storage means for storing a plurality of inks, wherein each said ink contains a different type of a colorant; a clear ink storage means for storing a clear ink, wherein the clear ink does not contain a dye; a plurality of first recording heads for discharging a color ink to be stored in said plurality of ink storage means; a plurality of second recording heads for discharging a mixed ink of said clear ink and each of a plurality of inks stored in said plurality of ink storage means; ink supplying means for supplying the color inks stored in said plurality of ink storage means to a corresponding said recording head in said plurality of first recording heads, and supplying said color ink and said clear ink to said second recording head; and mixing ratio setting means for controlling the ratio of said color ink and said clear ink to be provided to said second recording head, wherein the ink discharged from said recording head is said color ink and said clear ink, mixed at a predetermined mixing ratio.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein said supplying means comprises supply valves, and wherein said mixing ratio setting means is manually operated to set the mixing ratio.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according claim 9 , wherein said supplying means comprises a plurality of supply valves and a valve control means for electromagnetically controlling said supply valves, and said mixing ratio setting means sets the mixing ratio by means of said valve control means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein said recording heads comprise heat energy generating means for applying heat to a particular one of said inks, thereby causing said ink to be discharged from said recording head.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the inks selected have different levels of dye concentration.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the selected inks contain different types of colorant.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the inks selected include a clear ink which does not contain a dye.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
138 words
An ink jet recording method which performs recording by means of a plurality of recording heads, each said recording head having at least one discharge opening, comprising the steps of: storing a plurality of inks, wherein each said ink contains a different type of colorant; storing a clear ink, wherein the clear ink does not contain a dye; supplying a color ink to a plurality of first said recording heads; supplying said color ink and said clear ink to a plurality of second said recording heads; setting a ratio of mixing of said color ink with said clear ink; mixing said color ink and said clear ink at said ratio to form a mixed ink; discharging said color ink through said plurality of first recording heads; and discharging said mixed ink through said plurality of second recording heads.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
138 words
An ink jet recording method which performs recording by means of a plurality of recording heads, each said recording head having at least one discharge opening, comprising the steps of: storing a plurality of inks, wherein each said ink contains a different type of colorant; storing a clear ink, wherein the clear ink does not contain a dye; supplying a color ink to a plurality of first said recording heads; supplying said color ink and said clear ink to a plurality of second said recording heads; setting a ratio of mixing of said color ink with said clear ink; mixing said color ink and said clear ink at said ratio to form a mixed ink; discharging said color ink through said plurality of first recording heads; and discharging said mixed ink through said plurality of second recording heads.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
43 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 16 , further comprising the step of applying heat to a particular one of said inks to form a bubble of said particular one of said inks, thereby discharging said ink from said recording head.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
155 words
An ink tank comprising: partitioning means for dividing an interior of the ink tank into a plurality of ink chambers for separately storing a plurality of inks containing a colorant, and for storing a clear ink not containing a colorant, each said ink chamber storing a respective one of said inks; and an ink supplying section through which one of said inks containing a colorant selected from said plurality of inks and said clear ink are supplied from said ink chambers, said ink supplying section being divided by said partitioning means to provide openings of different areas communicating with respective ones of said ink chambers so that a ratio of rates of supply of said inks from said respective ink chambers is determined in accordance with a ratio of the areas of said openings associated with said respective ink chambers, said ink supplying section supplying said inks at said ratio to provide a mixed ink.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
155 words
An ink tank comprising: partitioning means for dividing an interior of the ink tank into a plurality of ink chambers for separately storing a plurality of inks containing a colorant, and for storing a clear ink not containing a colorant, each said ink chamber storing a respective one of said inks; and an ink supplying section through which one of said inks containing a colorant selected from said plurality of inks and said clear ink are supplied from said ink chambers, said ink supplying section being divided by said partitioning means to provide openings of different areas communicating with respective ones of said ink chambers so that a ratio of rates of supply of said inks from said respective ink chambers is determined in accordance with a ratio of the areas of said openings associated with said respective ink chambers, said ink supplying section supplying said inks at said ratio to provide a mixed ink.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
An ink tank according to claim 18 , further comprising an additional ink supplying section through which a given said ink is supplied from one of said ink chambers.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
55 words
An ink tank according to claim 18 , wherein said inks are supplied to a recording head comprising a heat energy generating means for applying heat to a particular one of said inks to form a bubble in said particular one of said inks, thereby causing said ink to be discharged from said recording head.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
153 words
An ink tank for supplying inks to a recording head having a plurality of arrays of ink discharge openings each having a plurality of ink discharge openings, comprising, said ink tank having an interior and a bottom: partitioning means for dividing said ink tank interior into a plurality of ink chambers for separately storing a plurality of type of inks, said ink tank having a plurality of ink supply holes formed in the bottom of said ink tank for supplying said plurality of types of inks therethrough, said ink supply holes being separated and divided by said partition means such that different said ink chambers have different areas of opening of said ink supply holes so that a ratio of rates of supply of said inks from said ink chambers is determined in accordance with a ratio of the areas of said openings of said ink supply holes associated with said ink chambers.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
153 words
An ink tank for supplying inks to a recording head having a plurality of arrays of ink discharge openings each having a plurality of ink discharge openings, comprising, said ink tank having an interior and a bottom: partitioning means for dividing said ink tank interior into a plurality of ink chambers for separately storing a plurality of type of inks, said ink tank having a plurality of ink supply holes formed in the bottom of said ink tank for supplying said plurality of types of inks therethrough, said ink supply holes being separated and divided by said partition means such that different said ink chambers have different areas of opening of said ink supply holes so that a ratio of rates of supply of said inks from said ink chambers is determined in accordance with a ratio of the areas of said openings of said ink supply holes associated with said ink chambers.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
An ink tank according to claim 21 , further comprising a plurality of ink absorption members disposed in respective said ink chambers.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
An ink tank according to claim 22 , wherein said ink supply holes supply said inks to said recording head.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
An ink tank according to claim 21 , wherein said plurality of types of inks have different levels of dye concentration.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
An ink tank according to claim 21 , wherein said plurality of types of inks contain different types of colorant.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
An ink tank according to claim 21 , wherein said different types of inks include a clear ink which does not contain a dye.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
51 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 21 , wherein said recording head comprises heat energy generating means for applying heat to a particular one of said inks to form a bubble of said particular one of said inks, thereby causing said ink to be discharged from said recording head.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
195 words
An ink jet recording apparatus which performs recording by means of a plurality of recording heads, each said recording head having a plurality of ink discharge openings, comprising: a plurality of ink storage means for storing a plurality of different kinds of inks, wherein each said ink contains a different type of colorant; a clear ink storage means for storing a clear ink not containing a dye; a plurality of first recording heads for discharging a color ink stored in said plurality of ink storage means; a plurality of second recording heads for discharging a mixed ink of said clear ink and each of a plurality of inks stored in said plurality of ink storage means; ink supplying means for supplying color inks stored in said plurality of ink storage means to a corresponding said recording head in said plurality of said first recording heads, and supplying said color ink and said clear ink to said second recording head in said plurality of said second recording heads; and mixing control means for controlling mixing of said inks by said ink supplying means to said second recording head in accordance with an image to be recorded.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
195 words
An ink jet recording apparatus which performs recording by means of a plurality of recording heads, each said recording head having a plurality of ink discharge openings, comprising: a plurality of ink storage means for storing a plurality of different kinds of inks, wherein each said ink contains a different type of colorant; a clear ink storage means for storing a clear ink not containing a dye; a plurality of first recording heads for discharging a color ink stored in said plurality of ink storage means; a plurality of second recording heads for discharging a mixed ink of said clear ink and each of a plurality of inks stored in said plurality of ink storage means; ink supplying means for supplying color inks stored in said plurality of ink storage means to a corresponding said recording head in said plurality of said first recording heads, and supplying said color ink and said clear ink to said second recording head in said plurality of said second recording heads; and mixing control means for controlling mixing of said inks by said ink supplying means to said second recording head in accordance with an image to be recorded.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
26 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 28 , wherein said mixing control means controls the inks which are mixed by said ink mixing means.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
32 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 28 , wherein said mixing control means controls a ratio of mixing of the inks selected which are mixed by said ink mixing means.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 28 , wherein said different inks include a clear ink which does not contain a dye.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
35 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 28 , wherein said different inks include a plurality of kinds of clear inks which have different compositions and each of which do not contain a dye.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
51 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 28 , wherein said recording head comprises heat energy generating means for applying heat to a particular one of said inks to form a bubble in said particular one of said inks, thereby causing said ink to be discharged from said recording head.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
117 words
An ink jet recording apparatus which performs recording by means of a recording head, said recording head having at least one discharge opening, comprising: an ink storage means for storing an ink, wherein said ink contains a colorant; a clear ink storage means for storing a clear ink, wherein the clear ink does not contain a dye; mixing ratio setting means for setting a ratio of said ink and said clear ink to be supplied to said recording head; and ink supplying means for supplying the ink stored in said ink storage means and said clear ink stored in said clear ink storage means to said recording head at a ratio in accordance with the set ratio.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
117 words
An ink jet recording apparatus which performs recording by means of a recording head, said recording head having at least one discharge opening, comprising: an ink storage means for storing an ink, wherein said ink contains a colorant; a clear ink storage means for storing a clear ink, wherein the clear ink does not contain a dye; mixing ratio setting means for setting a ratio of said ink and said clear ink to be supplied to said recording head; and ink supplying means for supplying the ink stored in said ink storage means and said clear ink stored in said clear ink storage means to said recording head at a ratio in accordance with the set ratio.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
32 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 34 , wherein said ink supplying means comprises supply valves, and wherein said mixing ratio setting means is manually operated to set the ratio.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
48 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 34 , wherein said ink supplying means comprises a plurality of supply valves and a value control means for electromagnetically controlling said supply valves, and said mixing ratio setting means sets the ratio by means of said valve control means.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
91 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 34 , wherein said ink storage means has ink supply hole for supplying ink to said recording heads, and said clear ink storage means has an ink supply hole for supplying said clear ink to said recording head, and where the ratio of mixing of said ink and said clear ink is set in accordance with the ratio between area of supply holes of said ink storage means and said clear ink storage means which are for supplying ink to said recording head.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
47 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 34 , wherein said recording head comprises heat energy generating means for applying head energy to said mixed ink to form a bubble in said mixed ink, thereby causing said mixed ink to be discharged from said recording head.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
91 words
An ink jet recording method which performs recording by means of a recording head, which has at least one discharge opening, comprising steps of: storing an ink, wherein said ink contains a colorant; storing a clear ink, wherein the clear ink does not contain a colorant; setting a ratio of mixing of said ink with said clear ink; supplying an ink and said clear ink to said recording head at said ratio set by said setting step and forming a mixed ink; and discharging said mixed ink through said recording head.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
91 words
An ink jet recording method which performs recording by means of a recording head, which has at least one discharge opening, comprising steps of: storing an ink, wherein said ink contains a colorant; storing a clear ink, wherein the clear ink does not contain a colorant; setting a ratio of mixing of said ink with said clear ink; supplying an ink and said clear ink to said recording head at said ratio set by said setting step and forming a mixed ink; and discharging said mixed ink through said recording head.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
42 words
An ink jet recording method according to claim 39 , further comprising the step of applying heat energy to a particular one of said mixed ink to form a bubble in said mixed ink, thereby discharging said ink from said recording head.
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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) | 2004-02-06 | 2004-08-07 | 2005-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-02-06 | 2008-08-07 | 2009-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-02-06 | 2012-08-07 | 2013-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |