IP Library Granted Patent US 8,042,922
Granted Patent B2
US 8,042,922 · App. 12/720,665 · Granted Oct 25, 2011

Dispenser unit for refilling printing unit

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,042,922
App. No.
12/720,665
Granted
Oct 25, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A dispenser unit for dispensing ink to refill a supply of printing fluid in a printing unit includes a body assembly; a plurality of ink outlets provided on a bottom side of the body assembly, the plurality of ink outlets each for engaging with respective ink inlets of the printing unit; a compressible ink storage volume provided within the body assembly, the compressible ink storage volume having a sealed end and an outlet end connected to no more than one of the plurality of ink outlets; a plunger provided within the housing and abutting the sealed end of the compressible ink storage volume; and a compressing actuator for compressing the plunger against the sealed end of the compressible ink storage volume, thereby facilitating a dispensing of ink from within the compressible ink storage volume into the printing unit via the ink outlet to which the outlet end of the compressible ink storage volume is connected.

Claims (11)

1. A dispenser unit for dispensing ink to refill a supply of printing fluid in a printing unit, the dispenser unit comprising:

a body assembly;

a plurality of ink outlets provided on a bottom side of the body assembly, the plurality of ink outlets each for engaging with respective ink inlets of the printing unit;

a compressible ink storage volume provided within the body assembly, the compressible ink storage volume having a sealed end and an outlet end connected to no more than one of the plurality of ink outlets;

a plunger provided within the body assembly and abutting the sealed end of the compressible ink storage volume; and

a compressing actuator for compressing the plunger against the sealed end of the compressible ink storage volume, thereby facilitating a dispensing of ink from within the compressible ink storage volume into the printing unit via the ink outlet to which the outlet end of the compressible ink storage volume is connected.

2. A dispenser unit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the compressing actuator is a gear and thread arrangement.

3. A dispenser unit as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the gear and thread arrangement comprises a helical geared thread provided about a circumference of a substantially circular plunger, and an elongate drive gear engaged with the helical geared threads.

4. A dispenser unit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the ink outlet to which the outlet end of the compressible ink storage volume is connected is dependent on a type of ink stored within the compressible ink storage volume.

5. A dispenser unit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ink outlets apart from the ink outlet to which the outlet end of the compressible ink storage volume is connected are non-operational.

6. A dispenser unit as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a sensor for sensing a position of the plunger.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 25, 2014
From: ZAMTEC LIMITED
To: MEMJET TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
Reel/Frame 033244/0276 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 10, 2012
From: SILVERBROOK RESEARCH PTY. LIMITED AND CLAMATE PTY LIMITED
To: ZAMTEC LIMITED
Reel/Frame 028524/0654 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 9, 2010
From: SILVERBROOK, KIA; NAKAZAWA, AKIRA; HIBBARD, CHRISTOPHER; MACKEY, PAUL IAN; BERRY, NORMAN MICHEAL; JACKSON, GARRY RAYMOND
To: SILVERBROOK RESEARCH PTY LTD
Reel/Frame 024054/0360 →