Importance

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Abstract

A disposable electrostatic ink jet cartridge forms part of a printer head which is mounted to move transversely back and forth across the width of a recording paper. The cartridge includes an ink jet nozzle and multicompartment ink reservoir, one compartment supplying the ink jet nozzle with ink. As printing occurs, the head height of ink supplying the ink jet nozzle decreases. In order to restore proper height height, as the head moves in one direction, an external fixed cam engages a leaf spring connected to the cartridge, causing a connected float to displace ink contained in the other reservoir compartment. The displaced ink is forced over a dividing wall in the reservoir into the compartment on the front of which is mounted the ink jet nozzle. As the head reverses direction, the cam is disengaged from the leaf spring, thus restoring the float to a raised position. The ink in the compartment to which the nozzle is mounted is blocked from flowing back into the other compartment by the dividing wall, thereby leaving the head height of the ink supplying the ink jet nozzle at a level corresponding to optimum hydrostatic pressure for proper operation.

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First Claim