Patent ID: 6042226
Filing Date: 2000-03-28
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
An ink jet printer comprising:a body having a first portion defining a paper path;a carriage connected to the body for reciprocation across the paper path;the body having a second portion defining an ink supply receptacle for receiving a supply of ink, the receptacle being spaced apart from the carriage;an air-filled ink tube extending between the ink supply receptacle and the carriage;a gas suction apparatus on the carriage, connected to the tube and operable to generate a negative gas pressure in the tube relative to ambient pressure, such that in response to the presence of a supply of ink to the ink supply receptacle, ink is sucked from the ink supply receptacle to remove at least some of a supply of air from the tube, andwherein the carriage includes a first portion which defines a print head receptacle, and the suction apparatus is removably received in the print head receptacle.