Patent ID: 6010213
Filing Date: 2000-01-04
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
An ink supply device for use in an ink jet printer having an ink jet type recording head moveable in a scanning direction across a medium for outputting ink, comprising: a holder having a first side and a second side, the ink jet type recording head being mounted on the first side of said holder in a vertical direction, said vertical direction being perpendicular to the scanning direction, said holder having at 1east one space receiving at least one porous member having an affinity for ink; an ink container including a closed space for storing ink, said ink container being removably mounted on said second side of said holder in said vertical direction, said ink container further including at least one opening communicating with said holder; an ink supply passage positioned in said holder transporting ink from said ink container to said ink jet type recording head, said porous member being disposed below said ink container and above said ink supply passage; and an air port formed through at least one of said first side and said second side of said holder for receiving air, said air port being adjacent with said at least one porous member having an affinity for ink; wherein ink stored in said ink container flows from said at least one opening of said ink container through said ink supply passage into said ink jet type recording head and said ink container being in communication with the air received by said air port through said at least one porous member.