EP0672527A2 - Multi-colour print head for an ink jet printer - Google Patents

Multi-colour print head for an ink jet printer Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0672527A2
EP0672527A2 EP94810475A EP94810475A EP0672527A2 EP 0672527 A2 EP0672527 A2 EP 0672527A2 EP 94810475 A EP94810475 A EP 94810475A EP 94810475 A EP94810475 A EP 94810475A EP 0672527 A2 EP0672527 A2 EP 0672527A2
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
housing
ink
printhead
printhead according
cover
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP94810475A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0672527A3 (en
EP0672527B1 (en
Inventor
Jürg Geissmann
Gordian Mächler
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Pelikan Produktions AG
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Pelikan Produktions AG
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Publication date
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Publication of EP0672527A2 publication Critical patent/EP0672527A2/en
Publication of EP0672527A3 publication Critical patent/EP0672527A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0672527B1 publication Critical patent/EP0672527B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
    • B41J2/17506—Refilling of the cartridge

Definitions

  • Disposable printheads for multi-color printing which contain several chambers with an ink supply. Each chamber communicates with the channels of a nozzle plate for the color in question. When one chamber runs out of ink, the head is replaced.
  • the present invention has for its object to design a multicolor print head in such a way that it is in use is inexpensive and environmentally friendly. This object is achieved by the combination of features of the claims.
  • the ink cartridges can be replaced individually, only the cartridge with which the ink supply is exhausted needs to be replaced in each case. This allows the less used colors to be used better and the life of the nozzle plate of the printhead to be fully utilized.
  • the cartridges can be replaced ten to twenty times per color. Alternatively, only a single replaceable cartridge with several chambers can be provided for the different colors, which simplifies the replacement.
  • the pump organ ensures that the pump can be restarted safely after replacement. If the pump element is formed on a cover that closes the housing, the cartridges can be manufactured more cheaply. It is particularly economical if a common pump element for all ventilation openings is installed in the lid.
  • Figures 1 and 2 schematically show a part of a side view of a multicolor print head for an ink jet printer with the lid closed and open.
  • Figure 3 shows a second embodiment.
  • each cartridge 4 is tubular Associated neck of the housing, which communicates with channels of the relevant color of a nozzle plate.
  • the sockets are sealingly inserted into an opening in the cartridge 4, for example in the manner described in EP-A-560 729.
  • the cartridges 4 are inserted into chambers 5 of the housing 2, which are separated from one another by partitions 6.
  • the cartridges 4 each have a ventilation opening at the top.
  • the ink is e.g. recorded in a foam body 8.
  • the cover 3 is connected to the housing 2 at one edge via a joint 12. At the opposite edge, it has a locking element 13 in the form of two hooks which snap into place on the underside 14 of a flange of the housing 2.
  • a pump organ 15 in the form of an elastomeric bellows 16 with a gripping surface 17 for pressing in with a finger is installed in the cover 3.
  • a wall 18 of a cavity 19 of the cover 3 has a bore 20 into which a neck-shaped extension 21 of the bellows 16 with a circumferential groove 22 is snapped.
  • the interior of the bellows 16 communicates freely with the cavity 19.
  • the grip surface 17 has a free central opening 23 in the center.
  • the cavity 19 communicates via channels 26 with three openings 27 in dome-shaped projections 28 on the underside of the cover, which each have a sealing means when the cover 3 is closed 29, e.g. in the form of an O-ring, seal against the ventilation openings 7 of the cartridges 4, so that in the closed position of the cover 3 all openings 7 communicate with the cavity 19.
  • the lid 3 When the ink supply of a cartridge is used up, the lid 3 is opened, this cartridge 4 is replaced, and then the lid 3 closed again.
  • the opening 23 By pressing the gripping surface 17, the opening 23 is automatically closed with the finger.
  • the air of the interior of the bellows is displaced into the cavity 19, so that an overpressure is generated in all three cartridges via the channels 26 and the ventilation openings 7.
  • the pumping process continues until ink emerges from the nozzles associated with the replaced cartridge.
  • the air that has accumulated in the nozzle channels and that can hinder the ink flow is flushed out. Then the print head is ready for use again.
  • the dome-like projections 28 can also be formed on the cartridges 4 at the ventilation openings 7 and the O-rings 29 can be attached to the cover 3 accordingly.
  • FIG. 3 differs from that according to FIGS. 1 and 2 in that the housing 2 has only a single receiving chamber 35 and the cartridge 4 'is divided into individual chambers 37 by partition walls 36. This embodiment is particularly suitable in applications in which the consumption of the different colors is relatively uniform over time, so that the ink supply in all chambers 37 is exhausted at about the same time.

Abstract

The print head contains a housing (2) with several receptacle chambers (5) in which ink cartridges (4) with inks of different colours are placed so as to be individually replaceable. Each cartridge has an air vent (7). A pump arrangement (15) sets up an additional pressure at the air vents of inserted cartridges. Alternatively, a replaceable cartridge with several chambers for different coloured inks is placed in a housing. Each chamber has an air vent to which the pump arrangement applies an additional pressure. A single pump element can communicate with every air vent.

Description

Es sind Wegwerf-Druckköpfe für den Mehrfarbendruck bekannt, welche mehrere Kammern mit einem Tintenvorrat enthalten. Jede Kammer kommuniziert mit den Kanälen einer Düsenplatte für die betreffende Farbe. Wenn der Tintenvorrat der einen Kammer erschöpft ist, wird der Kopf ersetzt.Disposable printheads for multi-color printing are known which contain several chambers with an ink supply. Each chamber communicates with the channels of a nozzle plate for the color in question. When one chamber runs out of ink, the head is replaced.

Für Einfarben-Druckköpfe ist es aus der EP-A-560 729 bekannt, in den Druckkopf eine separat auswechselbare Tintenpatrone einzusetzen.For single-color print heads, it is known from EP-A-560 729 to insert a separately replaceable ink cartridge into the print head.

Der vorliegenden Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, einen Mehrfarben-Druckkopf derart auszubilden, dass er im Gebrauch preiswert und umweltfreundlich ist. Diese Aufgabe wird durch die Merkmalskombination der Ansprüche gelöst.The present invention has for its object to design a multicolor print head in such a way that it is in use is inexpensive and environmentally friendly. This object is achieved by the combination of features of the claims.

Dadurch, dass die Tintenpatronen einzeln auswechselbar sind, braucht nur jeweils jene Patrone ausgewechselt zu werden, bei welcher der Tintenvorrat erschöpft ist. Dadurch können die weniger benützten Farben besser und die Lebensdauer der Düsenplatte des Druckkopfs voll ausgenützt werden. Die Patronen können zehn bis zwanzig mal pro Farbe ausgewechselt werden. Alternativ kann auch nur eine einzige auswechselbare Patrone mit mehreren Kammern für die verschiedenen Farben vorgesehen sein, was das Auswechseln vereinfacht. Durch das Pumporgan ist eine sichere Wiederinbetriebnahme nach dem Auswechseln gewährleistet. Wenn das Pumporgan an einem das Gehäuse abschliessenden Deckel ausgebildet ist, können die Patronen preiswerter hergestellt werden. Besonders ökonomisch ist es, wenn ein gemeinsames Pumporgan für alle Belüftungsöffnungen im Deckel eingebaut ist.Because the ink cartridges can be replaced individually, only the cartridge with which the ink supply is exhausted needs to be replaced in each case. This allows the less used colors to be used better and the life of the nozzle plate of the printhead to be fully utilized. The cartridges can be replaced ten to twenty times per color. Alternatively, only a single replaceable cartridge with several chambers can be provided for the different colors, which simplifies the replacement. The pump organ ensures that the pump can be restarted safely after replacement. If the pump element is formed on a cover that closes the housing, the cartridges can be manufactured more cheaply. It is particularly economical if a common pump element for all ventilation openings is installed in the lid.

Nachfolgend wird ein Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung anhand der Zeichnungen erläutert. Die Figuren 1 und 2 zeigen schematisch einen Teil einer Seitenansicht eines Mehrfarben-Druckkopfs für einen Ink-Jet-Printer bei geschlossenem und geöffnetem Deckel. Figur 3 zeigt eine zweite Ausführungsform.An exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained below with reference to the drawings. Figures 1 and 2 schematically show a part of a side view of a multicolor print head for an ink jet printer with the lid closed and open. Figure 3 shows a second embodiment.

Vom Druckkopf 1 ist nur der obere Teil des Gehäuses 2 mit dem Deckel 3 und drei eingesetzten Tintenpatronen 4 dargestellt, die Tinte unterschiedlicher Farbe enthalten. An der gegenüberliegenden unteren Seite ist jeder Patrone 4 ein rohrförmiger Stutzen des Gehäuses zugeordnet, der mit Kanälen der betreffenden Farbe einer Düsenplatte kommuniziert. Die Stutzen sind abdichtend in einer Oeffnung der Patrone 4 eingesteckt, z.B. in der in der EP-A-560 729 beschriebenen Art.From the print head 1, only the upper part of the housing 2 with the cover 3 and three inserted ink cartridges 4 is shown, which contain ink of different colors. On the opposite lower side, each cartridge 4 is tubular Associated neck of the housing, which communicates with channels of the relevant color of a nozzle plate. The sockets are sealingly inserted into an opening in the cartridge 4, for example in the manner described in EP-A-560 729.

Die Patronen 4 sind in Kammern 5 des Gehäuses 2 eingesetzt, welche durch Trennwände 6 voneinander getrennt sind. Die Patronen 4 haben oben je eine Belüftungsöffnung 7. Die Tinte ist z.B. in einem Schaumkörper 8 aufgenommen. Der Deckel 3 ist am einen Rand über ein Gelenk 12 mit dem Gehäuse 2 verbunden. Am gegenüberliegenden Rand hat er ein Rastelement 13 in Form zweier Haken, die an der Unterseite 14 eines Flansches des Gehäuses 2 einrasten. Im Deckel 3 ist ein Pumporgan 15 in Form eines elastomeren Balges 16 mit einer Griffläche 17 zum Eindrücken mit einem Finger eingebaut. Dazu hat eine Wand 18 eines Hohlraumes 19 des Deckels 3 eine Bohrung 20, in welche ein stutzenförmiger Ansatz 21 des Balges 16 mit einer Umfangsnut 22 eingeschnappt ist. Der Innenraum des Balges 16 kommuniziert frei mit dem Hohlraum 19. Die Griffläche 17 hat zentrisch eine freie Durchgangsöffnung 23. Der Hohlraum 19 kommuniziert über Kanäle 26 mit drei Oeffnungen 27 in kalottenförmigen Vorsprüngen 28 an der Deckelunterseite, welche bei geschlossenem Deckel 3 mit je einem Abdichtmittel 29, z.B. in Form eines O-Rings, gegen die Belüftungsöffnungen 7 der Patronen 4 abdichten, sodass in der geschlossenen Stellung des Deckels 3 alle Oeffnungen 7 mit dem Hohlraum 19 kommunizieren.The cartridges 4 are inserted into chambers 5 of the housing 2, which are separated from one another by partitions 6. The cartridges 4 each have a ventilation opening at the top. The ink is e.g. recorded in a foam body 8. The cover 3 is connected to the housing 2 at one edge via a joint 12. At the opposite edge, it has a locking element 13 in the form of two hooks which snap into place on the underside 14 of a flange of the housing 2. A pump organ 15 in the form of an elastomeric bellows 16 with a gripping surface 17 for pressing in with a finger is installed in the cover 3. For this purpose, a wall 18 of a cavity 19 of the cover 3 has a bore 20 into which a neck-shaped extension 21 of the bellows 16 with a circumferential groove 22 is snapped. The interior of the bellows 16 communicates freely with the cavity 19. The grip surface 17 has a free central opening 23 in the center. The cavity 19 communicates via channels 26 with three openings 27 in dome-shaped projections 28 on the underside of the cover, which each have a sealing means when the cover 3 is closed 29, e.g. in the form of an O-ring, seal against the ventilation openings 7 of the cartridges 4, so that in the closed position of the cover 3 all openings 7 communicate with the cavity 19.

Wenn der Tintenvorrat einer Patrone verbraucht ist, wird der Deckel 3 geöffnet, diese Patrone 4 ausgewechselt, und anschliessend der Deckel 3 wieder geschlossen. Durch Druck auf die Griffläche 17 wird mit dem Finger automatisch die Oeffnung 23 verschlossen. Die Luft des Balginneren wird in den Hohlraum 19 verdrängt, sodass über die Kanäle 26 und die Belüftungsöffnungen 7 in allen drei Patronen ein Ueberdruck erzeugt wird. Der Pumpvorgang wird solange fortgesetzt, bis aus den der ausgewechselten Patrone zugeordneten Düsen Tinte austritt. Dabei wir die Luft, die sich in den Düsenkanälen angesammelt hat, und welche den Tintenfluss behindern kann, ausgespühlt. Dann ist der Druckkopf wieder betriebsbereit.When the ink supply of a cartridge is used up, the lid 3 is opened, this cartridge 4 is replaced, and then the lid 3 closed again. By pressing the gripping surface 17, the opening 23 is automatically closed with the finger. The air of the interior of the bellows is displaced into the cavity 19, so that an overpressure is generated in all three cartridges via the channels 26 and the ventilation openings 7. The pumping process continues until ink emerges from the nozzles associated with the replaced cartridge. The air that has accumulated in the nozzle channels and that can hinder the ink flow is flushed out. Then the print head is ready for use again.

Abweichend vom dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiel können die kalottenartigen Vorsprünge 28 auch an den Patronen 4 bei den Belüftungsöffnungen 7 angeformt und die O-Ringe 29 entsprechend am Deckel 3 angebracht sein. Dies hat den Vorteil, dass die Patronen 4 noch preiswerter herstellbar sind. Bei sehr weichen O-Ringen können diese auch direkt gegen die ebene Aussenfläche der Stirnwand der Patronen 4 abdichten.In a departure from the exemplary embodiment shown, the dome-like projections 28 can also be formed on the cartridges 4 at the ventilation openings 7 and the O-rings 29 can be attached to the cover 3 accordingly. This has the advantage that the cartridges 4 can be manufactured even more economically. In the case of very soft O-rings, they can also seal directly against the flat outer surface of the end wall of the cartridges 4.

Beim Ausführungsbeispiel nach Figur 3 sind analoge Teile mit gleichen Bezugszeichen versehen, sodass sich eine detaillierte Beschreibung dieser Teile erübrigt. Diese Ausführungsform unterscheidet sich dadurch von jener nach Figuren 1 und 2, dass das Gehäuse 2 nur eine einzige Aufnahmekammer 35 hat und die Patrone 4' durch Trennwände 36 in einzelne Kammern 37 unterteilt ist. Diese Ausführungsform eignet sich vor allem in Anwendungsfällen, in welchen der Verbrauch der verschiedenen Farben über die Zeit relativ gleichmässig ist, sodass der Tintenvorrat in allen Kammern 37 etwa zur selben Zeit erschöpft ist.In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3, analog parts are provided with the same reference symbols, so that a detailed description of these parts is unnecessary. This embodiment differs from that according to FIGS. 1 and 2 in that the housing 2 has only a single receiving chamber 35 and the cartridge 4 'is divided into individual chambers 37 by partition walls 36. This embodiment is particularly suitable in applications in which the consumption of the different colors is relatively uniform over time, so that the ink supply in all chambers 37 is exhausted at about the same time.

Das Auswechseln der einzelnen Patrone 4' statt der drei Patronen 4 bei der ersten Ausführungsform ist dann einfacher.The replacement of the individual cartridge 4 'instead of the three cartridges 4 in the first embodiment is then easier.

Claims (10)

Mehrfarben-Druckkopf für einen Ink-Jet-Printer, umfassend ein Gehäuse (2) mit mehreren Aufnahmekammern (5), in welche Tintenpatronen (4) mit Tinte unterschiedlicher Farbe einzeln auswechselbar eingesetzt sind, die je eine Belüftungsöffnung (7) für die Zufuhr von Luft aufweisen, sowie ein Pumporgan (15), um nach dem Einsetzen einer oder mehrerer Patronen (4) an den betreffenden Belüftungsöffnungen (7) einen Ueberdruck zu erzeugen.Multi-color printhead for an ink jet printer, comprising a housing (2) with a plurality of receiving chambers (5), into which ink cartridges (4) with ink of different colors can be individually replaced, each with a ventilation opening (7) for the supply of Have air and a pumping element (15) in order to generate an overpressure at the relevant ventilation openings (7) after the insertion of one or more cartridges (4). Mehrfarben-Druckkopf für einen Ink-Jet-Printer, umfassend ein Gehäuse (2), in welches eine Tintenpatrone (4') mit mehreren Kammern (37) mit Tinte unterschiedlicher Farbe auswechselbar eingesetzt ist, wobei jede Kammer (37) eine Belüftungsöffnung (7) für die Zufuhr von Luft aufweist, und wobei ein Pumporgan (15) vorhanden ist, um nach dem Einsetzen der Tintenpatrone (4') an den Belüftungsöffnungen (7) einen Ueberdruck zu erzeugen.Multicolor print head for an ink jet printer, comprising a housing (2) into which an ink cartridge (4 ') with a plurality of chambers (37) with different color ink is interchangeably inserted, each chamber (37) having a ventilation opening (7 ) for the supply of air, and wherein a pumping element (15) is present in order to generate an overpressure at the ventilation openings (7) after the ink cartridge (4 ') has been inserted. Druckkopf nach Anspruch 1 und 2, wobei ein einziges Pumporgan (15) mit allen Belüftungsöffnungen (7) kommuniziert.The printhead of claims 1 and 2, wherein a single pump member (15) communicates with all of the ventilation openings (7). Druckkopf nach einem der Ansprüche 1-3, wobei das Pumporgan (15) in einem Deckel (3) angeordnet ist, der das Gehäuse (2) abschliesst.Printhead according to one of claims 1-3, wherein the pump element (15) is arranged in a cover (3) which closes the housing (2). Druckkopf nach Anspruch 4, wobei im Deckel (3) für jede Belüftungsöffnung (7) ein Kanal (26) mit einem Abdichtelement (27, 29) an dessen Mündung vorhanden ist, das die betreffende Belüftungsöffnung (7) abdichtend mit dem betreffenden Kanal (26) verbindet, wobei alle Kanäle (26) mit dem Pumporgan (15) kommunizieren.Printhead according to claim 4, wherein in the cover (3) for each ventilation opening (7) there is a channel (26) with a sealing element (27, 29) at its mouth, which seals the respective ventilation opening (7) with the relevant channel (26 ) connects, all channels (26) communicating with the pumping element (15). Druckkopf nach Anspruch 4 oder 5, wobei der Deckel (3) schwenkbar mit dem Gehäuse (2) verbunden ist und Rastmittel (13) zum Einrasten in der geschlossenen Stellung hat.Printhead according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the cover (3) is pivotally connected to the housing (2) and has latching means (13) for latching in the closed position. Druckkopf nach einem der Ansprüche 1-6, wobei das Pumporgan (15) ein elastisch deformierbarer Hohlkörper (16) ist mit einer Griffläche (17) zum Eindrücken mit einem Finger, und wobei in der Griffläche (17) eine freie Durchtrittsöffnung (23) angeordnet ist.Printhead according to one of claims 1-6, wherein the pump element (15) is an elastically deformable hollow body (16) with a gripping surface (17) for pressing in with a finger, and wherein a free passage opening (23) is arranged in the gripping surface (17) is. Druckkopf nach Anspruch 7, wobei der Hohlkörper (16) als Balg ausgebildet ist.Printhead according to claim 7, wherein the hollow body (16) is designed as a bellows. Druckkopf nach Anspruch 7 oder 8, wobei der Hohlkörper (16) aus einem Elastomer besteht.Printhead according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the hollow body (16) consists of an elastomer. Tintenpatrone für einen Druckkopf nach einem der Ansprüche 1-9, wobei in einer Stirnwand des Patronengehäuses mindestens eine Belüftungsöffnung (7) mit Dichtmitteln (29) zum abdichtenden Verbinden mit einem Kanal (26) eines Deckels (3) des Druckkopfs (1) angeordnet ist.An ink cartridge for a printhead according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein in an end wall of the cartridge housing at least one ventilation opening (7) with sealing means (29) for sealing connection to a channel (26) of a cover (3) of the printhead (1) is arranged.
EP94810475A 1994-03-16 1994-08-17 Multi-colour print head for an ink jet printer Expired - Lifetime EP0672527B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH00774/94A CH689616A5 (en) 1994-03-16 1994-03-16 Multi-colour print head for ink jet printer
CH774/94 1994-03-16
CH77494 1994-03-16

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0672527A2 true EP0672527A2 (en) 1995-09-20
EP0672527A3 EP0672527A3 (en) 1997-04-16
EP0672527B1 EP0672527B1 (en) 1999-11-03

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EP94810475A Expired - Lifetime EP0672527B1 (en) 1994-03-16 1994-08-17 Multi-colour print head for an ink jet printer

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US (1) US5724081A (en)
EP (1) EP0672527B1 (en)
KR (1) KR0160013B1 (en)
CN (1) CN1114936A (en)
CH (1) CH689616A5 (en)
DE (1) DE59408889D1 (en)

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EP0778146A1 (en) * 1995-12-04 1997-06-11 Hewlett-Packard Company Ink supply for an ink-jet printer
EP0778144A1 (en) * 1995-12-04 1997-06-11 Hewlett-Packard Company Refill kit and method for refilling an ink supply for an ink-jet printer
EP0778147A2 (en) * 1995-12-04 1997-06-11 Hewlett-Packard Company Apparatus and method for filling ink cartridges
EP0778143A1 (en) * 1995-12-04 1997-06-11 Hewlett-Packard Company Ink cartridge adapters
EP0783434A1 (en) * 1994-09-30 1997-07-16 Nu-Kote International, Inc. Refill assembly and system for ink-jet printer cartridges
WO1997047475A1 (en) * 1996-06-07 1997-12-18 B.M.S. Costruzione Stampi S.R.L. Re-loading device for ink-jet writing head
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US6474798B1 (en) 1984-10-11 2002-11-05 Seiko Epson Corporation Ink supplied printer head and ink container
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
KR0160013B1 (en) 1999-03-30
CH689616A5 (en) 1999-07-15
US5724081A (en) 1998-03-03
EP0672527A3 (en) 1997-04-16
CN1114936A (en) 1996-01-17
EP0672527B1 (en) 1999-11-03
DE59408889D1 (en) 1999-12-09

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