Patent ID: 6523945
Filing Date: 2003-02-25
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
An ink reservoir, comprising:an enclosure defining an interior space and an exterior space, said interior space being adapted for containing a supply of ink, said enclosure having a cone-shaped passage formed therein which permits fluid communication between said interior space and said exterior space, said cone-shaped passage including a surface, said cone-shaped passage defining a first aperture and a second aperture, said second aperture being adjacent said interior space; a sphere positioned in said cone-shaped passage and contacting a portion of said surface of said cone-shaped passage, said surface having a shape that permits ink to pass between said sphere and said surface; and a membrane positioned over said first aperture to retain said sphere in said cone-shaped passage, said membrane including at least one hole being sized to define a bubble admission pressure difference across a thickness of said membrane.