Patent ID: 6511154
Filing Date: 2003-01-28
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
An ink supply for storing ink jet ink for use in an impulse ink jet system, said ink jet system including a base having a reservoir for holding ink, a cover enclosing said reservoir, a neck extending upwardly from said cover and having a threaded inner surface for engaging the ink supply when the ink supply is inserted within a first opening within the neck, said cover having a second opening that is concentric with and below said neck and said first opening to permit ink to flow from the ink supply, through the second opening and into said reservoir, wherein a flat shoulder portion of said cover surrounds said second opening and controls said ink supply by stopping further insertion of said ink supply once said ink supply is fully mounted on said base such that the ink supply abuts said shoulder portion, wherein said ink has a top surface that approaches said cover when ink is being supplied by the ink supply, said ink supply comprising:a container and a valve mechanism attached to said container, said valve mechanism comprising: a cap having a planar top control surface; a third opening through said planar top control surface, said third opening being alignable with said second opening to permit the flow of ink from the ink supply through the second opening and third opening when the ink supply is coupled to said base, and a threaded periphery for engaging said neck and advancing said cap through said neck toward said shoulder by rotation of said cap, said threaded periphery having an axial length extending from a first predetermined position adjacent said container to a second predetermined position adjacent said planar top control surface, wherein the threads on said threaded periphery extend around said periphery and at least a portion of said axial length, whereby said cap is secured to said base, wherein said planar top control surface is constructed in a predetermined relation to said threaded periphery such that said planar top control surface engages and abuts said shoulder portion of said base when the ink supply is mounted thereon; a movable valve member juxtaposed to said third opening and closing said third opening prior to coupling said ink supply to said ink jet system by rotation of said cap; wherein, when said ink supply is fully mounted on said base and secured thereto by engagement of said threaded periphery of the cap with the threaded inner surface of the neck, said planar top control surface of said cap abuts said shoulder portion with said valve member being in an open position to permit ink to flow from said ink supply into said reservoir; wherein said valve mechanism engages said ink jet system when the ink supply is mounted on the ink jet system and causes relative movement between said third opening and said movable valve member; and wherein said movable valve member is movable between a closed position and said open position, and is completely contained within said valve mechanism and container when in said closed position, whereby said valve member remains free of contact with said top surface of ink in the reservoir.