Abstract: A charge transport composition is provided including a cyclo-aliphatic ether compound. One purpose of the cyclo-aliphatic ether compound is to improve the resistance to crazing, crystallization and etching of the charge transport layer. The charge transport composition may be coated along with a charge generation composition onto a conductive substrate to form a photoconductor. The charge transport composition may therefore be employed in a photoconductor located in a printer or a printer cartridge.

Abstract: A method and a system of calibrating a scanner that has a scanning element. The method includes scanning data with the scanning element, and determining an intermediate value of the scanned data. The method also includes determining a variation value of the scanning element, and determining a data freedom value based on the intermediate value and the variation value.

Abstract: A printhead capping assembly includes a cap holder and a printhead cap. The cap holder defines a cavity and a vent exit. The printhead cap has a base and a lip portion extending from the base. The lip portion defines an open interior region. The base is inserted into the cavity of the cap holder. The base includes a serpentine channel extending from the open interior region to the vent exit of the cap holder.

Abstract: A method of ink level determination for multiple ink chambers includes the steps of determining a first estimated amount of a first ink in a first ink chamber; determining a second estimated amount of a second ink in a second ink chamber; measuring an amount of the second ink contained in the second ink chamber; determining an actual ink loss for the second ink chamber by finding a difference between the amount of the second ink measured in the second ink chamber and the second estimated amount of the second ink in the second ink chamber; and modifying the first estimated amount of the first ink in the first ink chamber using the actual ink loss for the second ink chamber to form a compensated first ink amount.

Abstract: A damping mechanism for use with a housing having a body and a cover pivotably attached to the body, the cover being movable between an open position and a closed position. The damping mechanism includes a body engagement surface located on the body and a cover engagement surface located on the cover. One of the body engagement surface or the cover engagement surface includes a generally planar damping pad and the other of the body engagement surface or the cover engagement surface includes a cam having a generally curved cam surface. The cam surface is shaped and positioned to engage the damping pad such that the damping pad and the cam cooperate to damp the movement of the cover when the cover pivots between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A method for reducing visual printing defects produced by an ink jet printer includes the steps of providing a first printhead nozzle array spaced apart from a second printhead nozzle array in a main scan direction; defining a plurality of rasters for scanning during a first unidirectional scan of the first printhead nozzle array and the second printhead nozzle array; and printing on a print medium with both the first printhead nozzle array and the second printhead nozzle array to form printing lines traced along at least a portion of the plurality of rasters during the first unidirectional scan, wherein the first printhead nozzle array is controlled to print in a first shingling pattern and the second printhead nozzle array is controlled to print in a second shingling pattern.

Abstract: A method for determining a printhead misalignment of a printer. One step includes printing a printhead alignment test pattern including spaced-apart images at least partially aligned substantially along a printhead scan axis. A sensor is moved along the printhead scan axis at a known speed over the plurality of images. Sampled data points are obtained from the sensor at a known sampling rate. Another step includes determining the locations along the printhead scan axis of the edges of the images using the sampled data points, the known speed of the sensor, and the known sampling rate. An additional step includes calculating the printhead misalignment from the determined locations of the edges of the images.

Abstract: A maintenance unit for use in an ink jet printer includes a maintenance frame coupled to a printer frame, a maintenance sled moveably coupled to the maintenance frame and a spreader mechanism coupled to the maintenance sled, wherein the spreader mechanism disperses waste ink over a waste ink accumulation region as the maintenance sled moves relative to the maintenance frame.

Abstract: An inkjet printer having an envelope comer printing apparatus that prints print data on the comer of an envelope independently from the printing function performed by the printer with respect to the sheet media printed by the printer. The printer housing includes a slot in a front corner positioned to receive an envelope corner for purposes of printing print data such as a return address or postage on the envelope corner. The printhead of the printer is capable of being positioned over the slot in the front corner of the printer housing and a sensor located within the printer housing near the slot detects the insertion of the envelope corner and initiates printing by the printhead. The printhead prints the print data from the non-volatile memory of the printer and does not require constant interfacing between the printer and the computer attached to the printer.

Abstract: A maintenance station of an ink-jet printer includes a maintenance carrier. The maintenance carrier has a plurality of positions, including a pumping position. A respective maintenance function is enabled in each of the positions. A pump pumps ink when the maintenance carrier is in the pumping position. A gear train both translates the maintenance carrier between the plurality of positions and actuates the pump. A single motor drives the gear train to thereby translate the maintenance carrier and actuate the pump.

Abstract: A printhead capping system for capping a printhead includes a printhead cap having a plurality of adjoining walls. The plurality of adjoining walls has a proximal end and a distal end. The plurality of adjoining walls defines an interior region. A lip portion is provided having a perimetrical sealing surface. The lip portion extends from the distal end of the plurality of adjoining walls in a cantilever manner in, a direction non-orthogonal to an extent of the plurality of adjoining walls. In cross-section the lip portion tapers in a direction from the distal end toward the perimetrical sealing surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting a print media gap on a printer having a printhead carriage configured for selective lateral displacement thereof for controlled printing on print media includes the support member attached to the printhead carriage which encounters a guide assembly mounted to the printer that defines first and second predetermined paths for movement of the printhead at first and second print media gaps, respectively, wherein the first and second predetermined paths converge at path junctions. An assembly is provided for directing a support member on a one of the first and second predetermined paths to provide first and second print media gaps.

Abstract: A manually actuated spring loaded latch mechanism for releasably securing a printhead cartridge in a carrier of an ink jet printer. A latch cover engages the printhead cartridge and is secured by an actuator. Depressing the actuator releases the latch cover, which is spring biased to an open position. Further movement of the actuator lifts the printhead cartridge.

Abstract: Substantially uniform spacing between a printhead and a platen throughout a print zone associated with said printhead in an ink jet printer is provided. The ink jet printer includes a printer frame, and the platen is slideably coupled to the printer frame. A first carrier guide rod is attached to the printer frame, and a second carrier guide rod has at least one end adjustably attached to the printer frame. A position of the second carrier guide rod is adjusted to provide parallelism between the first carrier guide rod and the second carrier guide rod. The platen is biased to a position relative to a position of at least one of the first carrier guide rod and the second carrier guide rod.

Abstract: A printer is provided that allows one or more print cartridges to be installed during printer manufacture with little risk of ink evaporation during shipping so as to eliminate assembly problems associated with installation of print cartridges during initial printer setup.