Patent ID: 7210771
Filing Date: 2007-05-01
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. An ink delivery system, comprising: a print cartridge mounted on a carriage in the inkjet printer, the print cartridge having a print head including a plurality of nozzles to eject ink droplets for image printing: an ink container having an internal cavity not open to atmosphere, the ink container holding a supply of ink and having an air inlet quick disconnect fitting and an ink exit quick disconnect fitting: an ink reservoir for receiving ink therein from the ink container, the ink reservoir having an air gap above the ink, the ink reservoir including an air channel for connection to the air inlet quick disconnect fitting, an ink channel for connection to the ink exit quick disconnect fitting, an air opening into an upper portion of the ink reservoir forming an air oath to connect the air gap to atmosphere, and an ink exit opening through a lower portion of the ink reservoir, the ink reservoir positioned so that the ink level in the ink reservoir is from 0 to 8 inches below the print head, the ink in the ink reservoir being capable of rising to a level whereby the ink blocks the air path, wherein the pulsation dampener includes an inlet chamber, a central chamber, and a membrane covering the inlet chamber and the central chamber, the central chamber being separated from the inlet chamber by an inlet weir; a pulsation dampener connected to the flexible plastic tubing between the ink reservoir and the print cartridge; and a flexible plastic tubing connected to the ink exit opening of the ink reservoir at one end and connected to the print cartridge at the other end.