Patent ID: 7350907
Filing Date: 2008-04-01
Classification: B41J,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of supplying an ink to an ink supply unit, comprising the steps of: providing the ink supply unit, the ink supply unit having an ink supply portion from which ink is discharged through an ink supply port to a recording head, the ink supply unit having a wall that divides the ink supply portion into an ink storage chamber in atmospheric communication through an air open port and a valve chamber accommodating a differential pressure valve that opens when a pressure on a recording head side is decreased, the differential pressure valve being located in an ink flow path between the ink storage chamber and the ink supply port; sealing the air open port to prevent a flow of air through the air open port; connecting the ink storage chamber to an ink source; and applying negative pressure while the air open port is sealed, so that ink is drawn from the ink source to the ink storage chamber through an opening that is not the air open port.