Ink container configured for use with a printing device having an out-of-ink ...

United States Patent [w]

Barinaga et al.

[54] INK CONTAINER CONFIGURED FOR USE WITH A PRINTING DEVICE HAVING AN OUT-OF-INK SENSING SYSTEM

[76] Inventors: John A. Barinaga, 2041 NW. 29th
Ave., Apt. #2, Portland, Oreg. 97210;
John A. Underwood, 3415 NE. 113th
St., Vancouver, Wash. 98686; James
Cameron, 1600 NW. 32nd Ave.,
Portland, Oreg. 97210; Winthrop D.
Childers, 17015 Oculto Ct., San Diego,
Calif. 92127

[21] Appl. No.: 869,151
[22] Filed: Jun. 4, 1997

Related U.S. Application Data

[63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 566,819, Dec. 4, 1995, abandoned.

[51] Int. CI.6 B41S 2/195; B41S 2/175

[52] U.S. CI 347/7; 347/86

[58] Field of Search 347/7, 85-87

[56] References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

111 llllllll III 111 Hill IIIIJIII III 111 Hill III 111 111

[ii] Patent Number: 5,844,580 [45] Date of Patent: Dec. 1, 1998

4,719,475 1/1988 Kiyohara 347/7

4.736,213 4/1988 Piatt et al 360/105

4,935,751 6/1990 Hamlin 347/86

4,940,997 7/1990 Hamlin et al 347/87

4,973,993 11/1990 Allen 347/7

4,977,413 12/1990 Yamanaka 347/7

4,992,802 2/1991 Dion 347/7

5.136,305 8/1992 Ims 347/7

5,136,309 8/1992 Lida 347/7

5,187,498 2/1993 Burger 347/86

5.206,668 4/1993 Lo et al 347/6

5,359,353 10/1994 Hunt 347/86

5,574,484 11/1996 Cowger 347/7

5.583,545 12/1996 Pawlowski, Jr. et al 347/7

5,729,256 3/1998 Yamanaka et al 347/7

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

60056561 2/1985 European Pat. Off. . 0684139 Al 2/1991 European Pat. Off. .

Primary Examiner—Benjamin R. Fuller
Assistant Examiner—Craig A. Hallacher
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Kevin B. Sullivan

[57] ABSTRACT

The present invention is a replaceable ink container for use with a printing apparatus. The printing apparatus of the type having out of ink detection. The replaceable ink container includes a fluid reservoir having an outlet. The outlet is configured for connection to a fluid inlet associated with the printing apparatus. Also included in the replaceable ink container is an actuator engagement device for engaging an actuator associated with the printing apparatus. The actuator is of the type that is movable between a first position wherein an out of ink signal is generated and a second position. The actuator engagement device is disposed and arranged to engage the actuator to prevent movement of the actuator from the second position to the first position thereby preventing the out of ink signal.

23 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets