Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Winthrop Childers
  • Patent number: 6203146
    Abstract: Disclosed is an inkjet printing system including a semipermanent printhead having a fluid input for receiving ink and an ejection portion for depositing ink in response to control signals. The printing system also includes a replaceable ink supply configured for providing ink to the printhead that stores an ink volume. The printhead is capable of lasting throughout the life of a plurality of the ink volumes. The printing system includes a fluid accumulator portion in fluid communication with the printhead and the replaceable ink supply. The fluid accumulator is adapted to accommodate the air introduced into the printhead during the usage of the ink supplies without purging air from the printhead. Also disclosed is an ink delivery apparatus that fluidically couples to the fluid input and provides ink to the printhead. This ink delivery apparatus is adapted to control air introduction to the printhead such that the accumulator portion can accommodate all air introduced during the life the printhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Norman E Pawlowksi, Jr., Mark Hauck, John Barinaga, Donald E Wenzel