Abstract: In a computer controlled, drop-by-drop, inkjet printer, either thermal ink-jet or piezoelectric, an apparatus for dampening the vibration caused by expelling the drops of ink. The apparatus includes an inlet and an outlet flow conduit connected to the chamber from which the drops are expelled and means for sweeping the vibration out of the chamber and into one of the flow conduits. In operation, the apparatus first expels a drop of liquid from the chamber and thereby creates a region of vibration in the liquid remaining in the chamber. The flow of liquid through the chamber flushes the region of vibration out of the chamber and into the outlet flow conduit, thereby hydraulically dampening the vibration.

Abstract: A set of tiered trapezoidal cartons bundled together for holding goods. Each carton has a generally trapezoidal profile and the set of cartons stacks together to have a generally trapezoidal combined profile.

Abstract: A cylinder and piston containing refill ink for refilling print cartridges having a spherical stopper. A stopper remover engages the spherical stopper and dislocates it with respect to the print cartridge. Refill ink is thereafter transferred from the cylinder into the reservoir of the print cartridge. The spherical stopper is withdrawn and a replacement spherical stopper seated.

Abstract: An ink-cooled thermal ink jet printhead has an efficient heat exchanger located on the back side of the printhead that eliminates the need for heat sinks. All ink flowing to the firing chamber goes through the heat exchanger. The geometry of the heat exchanger is chosen so that almost all the residual heat absorbed by the printhead substrate is transferred to the ink as it flows to the firing chamber. Additionally, the pressure drop of the ink flowing through the heat exchanger is low enough so that it does not significantly reduce the refill rate of the firing chambers. The heat exchanger can have one or more active heat exchanger sides. The heat exchanger has little thermal mass itself and significantly reduces the thermal mass of printhead by eliminating the need for a heat sink. This reduces the warm-up time of the printhead to a fraction of a second.

Abstract: An ink-jet printing system having a pressurized ink reservoir. Ink at elevated pressure is supplied to a back pressure regulator which reduces the pressure down for use by conventional ink-jet printhead. The ink reservoir can be either stationary and off-axis or movable and onboard with the printhead.

Abstract: An ink-cooled thermal ink jet printhead has an efficient heat exchanger located on the back side of the printhead that eliminates the need for heat sinks. All ink flowing to the firing chamber goes through the heat exchanger. The geometry of the heat exchanger is chosen so that almost all the residual heat absorbed by the printhead substrate is transferred to the ink as it flows to the firing chamber. Additionally, the pressure drop of the ink flowing through the heat exchanger is low enough so that it does not significantly reduce the refill rate of the firing chambers. The heat exchanger can have one or more active heat exchanger sides. The heat exchanger has little thermal mass itself and significantly reduces the thermal mass of printhead by eliminating the need for a heat sink. This reduces the warm-up time of the printhead to a fraction of a second.

Abstract: A pen head (14) for a drop-on-demand ink jet pen is disclosed along with its method of manufacture. The pen head utilizes a barrier wall (24) located between a substrate (20) and an orifice plate (22). Ink (17) flows through the pen head in channels defined in the barrier wall. The barrier wall is fabricated in two layers (58,60) from cured, photoimaged resist materials. One layer (58) is a soldermask material; and the other (60), a photolithographic resist material. The two layers together resist chemical attack by the inks and mechanical separation of the orifice plate (22) from the pen head.

Abstract: An ink delivery system (1) for delivering ink to a print head comprising an ink supply bag (3), an ink regulating bag (5), a three way valve (7), a print head (19), pipes (11, 13, 15) to transfer selectively ink from the supply bag to the regulating bag or from the regulating bag to the print head. The regulating bag is at a lower level than the print head.

Abstract: An ink device (1) having means for determining the amount of ink remaining in an ink bag comprises a rigid, rectangular box (3) which has a window (29) in the top (13), a collapsible ink bag (23) in the container, one side of the ink bag being secured (33) to the corresponding side (9) of the container and the opposite side of the ink bag having a rigid plate or strip (19) secured to its lower half so that the top edge (21) of the plate is visible through the window. The container and the ink bag have cooperating means (17, 29) to allow ink (35) to flow into or out of the ink bag.