Abstract: A method is provided for making a multi-fluid cartridge for holding multiple fluids in segregated containment localities. The cartridge body contains fluid supply paths in fluid flow communication with the containment localities. A nozzle plate is attached to a device side of each of a plurality of defined ejection head substrates on a semiconductor wafer. Each of the ejection head substrates has a fluid supply side and two or more fluid flow paths therein for supplying fluid from the supply side to the device side thereof. The fluid flow paths in the ejection head substrates have a flow path density of greater than about 1.0 flow paths per millimeter. The wafer is diced to provide a plurality of micro-fluid ejection device structures. A circuit device is attached to the device side of each of the substrates. An adhesive is stencil printed with a bond line density of at least about 1.2 mm?1 on the micro-fluid ejection device structures or on the cartridge body.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead has a body and a heater chip attached thereto. A nozzle plate on the heater chip includes a periphery and plurality of nozzle holes. An encapsulant bead lines the periphery of the nozzle plate and has a leading edge extending in a direction away from the periphery toward the plurality of nozzle holes. The boundary of the bead embodies an irregular shape and the leading edge exists less than about 500 microns from any of the nozzle holes. A tape attaches to the nozzle plate and covers each of the nozzle holes. The tape does not, however, touch the encapsulant bead. Preferably, the tape has a narrow width portion shorter than a width of the nozzle plate. In this manner, the encapsulant bead may encroach upon the nozzle holes closer than heretofore known. In turn, the heater chip can have reduced size and silicon savings.

Abstract: Methods of connecting a circuit device to a semiconductor substrate and micro-fluid ejection devices made by the methods. One method includes printing an elongate strip of an electrically conductive fluid to electrically interconnect a first contact pad on a semiconductor substrate containing fluid ejection actuator devices with a second contact pad on an electrical trace circuit, wherein the electrical trace circuit is disposed adjacent to and spaced-apart from the semiconductor substrate. The electrically conductive fluid contains a liquid component and a conductive particle component. The liquid component is removed from the conductive particle component to provide a solid elongate strip of conductive material interconnecting the first contact pad and the second contact pad.

Abstract: A micro-fluid ejection device structure, a multi-fluid cartridge containing the ejection device structure, and methods for making the ejection device structure and cartridge. The ejection device includes an ejection head substrate having a fluid supply side and a device side and containing two or more fluid flow paths therein for supplying fluid from the fluid supply side to the device side thereof. A multi-channel manifold is attached to the fluid supply side of the ejection head substrate for providing fluid from two or more fluid reservoirs to the fluid flow paths in the ejection head substrate. The multi-channel manifold has fluid flow channels therein in fluid flow communications with the fluid flow paths in the ejection head substrate and the manifold consists essentially of a patterned photoresist material.

Abstract: A progressive stencil printing system and method for applying encapsulant onto an inkjet printhead body is described. The system relates to a continuous stencil printing apparatus that can print encapsulant on different types of inkjet printhead bodies and clean the stencil during production.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead has a body and a heater chip attached thereto. A nozzle plate on the heater chip includes a periphery and plurality of nozzle holes. An encapsulant bead lines the periphery of the nozzle plate and has a leading edge extending in a direction away from the periphery toward the plurality of nozzle holes. The boundary of the bead embodies an irregular shape and the leading edge exists less than about 500 microns from any of the nozzle holes. A tape attaches to the nozzle plate and covers each of the nozzle holes. The tape does not, however, touch the encapsulant bead. Preferably, the tape has a narrow width portion shorter than a width of the nozzle plate. In this manner, the encapsulant bead may encroach upon the nozzle holes closer than heretofore known. In turn, the heater chip can have reduced size and silicon savings.

Abstract: A stencil printed encapsulant material is provided for use in protecting electrical components in thermal ink jet printhead cartridges. A method of applying an encapsulant material to an ink jet print cartridge by stencil printing is also provided. The method includes providing a stencil having at least one aperture, providing an ink jet cartridge and stencil printing an encapsulant material onto a portion of the ink jet print cartridge thereby forming a layer of encapsulant material to protect electrical components or other printhead components.

Abstract: A method is provided for making a multi-fluid cartridge for holding multiple fluids in segregated containment localities. The cartridge body contains fluid supply paths in fluid flow communication with the containment localities. A nozzle plate is attached to a device side of each of a plurality of defined ejection head substrates on a semiconductor wafer. Each of the ejection head substrates has a fluid supply side and two or more fluid flow paths therein for supplying fluid from the supply side to the device side thereof. The fluid flow paths in the ejection head substrates have a flow path density of greater than about 1.0 flow paths per millimeter. The wafer is diced to provide a plurality of micro-fluid ejection device structures. A circuit device is attached to the device side of each of the substrates. An adhesive is stencil printed with a bond line density of at least about 1.2 mm?1 on the micro-fluid ejection device structures or on the cartridge body.

Abstract: An apparatus for a laser transmission welding process for attaching a synthetic filter material to a filter tower frame in an ink jet printer cartridge. The apparatus includes a laser beam source and a filter clamping fixture containing a base, slide rods attached on first ends thereof to the base, an optics support plate attached to second ends of the slide rods, a movable platform for holding an ink cartridge slidably disposed on the slide rods between the base and the optics support plate, a platform moving device for translating the platform to and from a laser welding position, a laser beam transparent plate suspended by support legs from the optics support plate to a position between the movable platform and the optics support plate. The apparatus greatly improves synthetic filter attachment to a filter tower frame in an ink cartridge.

Abstract: A printing cartridge including a body, the body having a base and a tower defining a passageway. The tower is made from a first polymer material, and has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is attached to the base. The distal end includes a surface. A frame, made of a second polymer material different from the first polymer material, is attached to the surface of the tower. A filter is attached to the frame and positioned to extend over the passageway.

Abstract: Aqueous inks containing 1,2-alkyl of from C4 to C10 diols, specifically 1,2-hexanediol or 1,2-pentanediol are employed in jet inks. Two such inks of different colors applied side-by-side to paper do not bleed and therefore give excellent image definition. The diols are not flammable, odorous or highly volatile.