Importance

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Abstract

A replaceable cartridge for use in an electrostatic ink jet printer includes not only a sealed ink supply, but the ink jet itself. The 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 reservoir which is divided into two compartments by a ramp-shaped structure, one end of the first compartment formed by the perpendicular end of the ramp, the ink jet mounted to a wall of the first compartment. The head's transverse movement serves to shift ink from the second compartment up the ramp and into the first compartment where it is trapped by the perpendicular end of the ramp. As a result, the ink supply to the jet is maintained at a constant optimum level as ink is dispensed from the jet. The cartridge additionally includes a venting mechanism which allows air to replace ink which has been dispensed from the jet.

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First Claim