Abstract: The present invention relates to an ink tank for an ink jet printer. The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing the ink tank, as well as well as a method of refilling the ink tank. The ink tank includes an ink tank body and an ink tank lid bonded to the ink tank body at a bond joint. The ink tank lid comprises an opening that leads to a holding area that is adapted to contain a capillary media therein. The holding area comprises a wall that forms a boundary between the capillary media and an enclosure defined by the ink tank body and the ink tank lid. The opening is sized to permit an insertion and removal of the capillary media to and from the holding area when the ink tank lid is bonded to the ink tank body at the bond joint.

Abstract: A system for maintaining depth of focus in an ink jet printer between a series of print heads and corrugated media includes a vacuum transport in combination with an acquisition cylinder positioned upstream of the series of print heads in order to help the vacuum transport acquire the corrugated media and work in conjunction with a series of star wheels distributed about and positioned immediately adjacent to each of the series of print heads to suppress cross process direction curl.

Abstract: A liquid-discharging recording head includes first and second substrates each having an energy generating element and a supply port, and a support member on which the substrates are arranged. The first substrate is provided on one side in a longitudinal direction of the support member, and the second substrate is provided on an other side in the longitudinal direction of the support member. A driving circuit configured to drive the energy generating element is provided in a larger region between an end of a supply port in the first substrate on the other side in the longitudinal direction and an end of the first substrate on the other side and in a larger region between an end of a supply port in the second substrate on the one side in the longitudinal direction and an end of the second substrate on the one side.

Abstract: A release agent applicator applies release agent to an imaging drum and absorbs release agent metered from the drum to extend the operational life of an image drum maintenance unit. The applicator includes a reservoir for storing release agent, the reservoir having a plurality of perforations for enabling release agent to seep from the reservoir, a containment membrane for wicking release agent from the perforations of the reservoir, and a delivery layer for delivering release agent from the containment membrane to an imaging drum, the delivery layer having pores in a range of about 50 ?m to about 200 ?m.

Abstract: An ink supply system for supplying ink to an inkjet printhead at a predetermined hydrostatic pressure, the ink supply system comprising: a pressure-regulating chamber having an outlet port connected to an ink inlet of the printhead, the chamber comprising a float valve configured for maintaining a predetermined level of ink in the chamber, the level of ink controlling the hydrostatic pressure; and an ink reservoir connected to an inlet port of the pressure-regulating chamber, the ink reservoir being positioned above the predetermined level of ink.

Abstract: A liquid cartridge mountable on a liquid droplet ejection device, includes a liquid chamber configured to store a liquid therein, and a pump unit configured to generate a pressure for the liquid stored in the liquid chamber to be supplied to the liquid droplet ejection device. The pump unit includes a cylinder; a piston slidably mounted in the cylinder and configured to define a pressure chamber with the cylinder; a force transfer member coupled to the piston and including an engagement portion and a support portion; and a support member configured to contact the support portion to support the force transfer member to be movable. The engagement portion is configured to engage a drive member of the liquid droplet ejection device and to receive a drive force from the drive member to displace the piston.

Abstract: A printer comprising: an inkjet printhead having an ink inlet, an ink outlet and a plurality of nozzles; an ink supply system for supplying ink to the inkjet printhead at a predetermined hydrostatic pressure, the ink supply system comprising: a pressure-regulating chamber having an outlet port connected to the ink inlet of the printhead, the chamber comprising a float valve configured for maintaining a predetermined level of ink in the chamber, the level of ink controlling the hydrostatic pressure; and an ink reservoir connected to an inlet port of the pressure-regulating chamber, the ink reservoir being positioned above the predetermined level of ink.

Abstract: A fluid supply apparatus enables the direction of movement of a fluid to be changed easily while maintaining high barrier property and durability. The fluid supply apparatus includes an upper cylinder having a first and a second supply/discharge opening for supplying or discharging a fluid. A piston is movably disposed within a lower cylinder, forming a cylinder internal chamber. A fluid channel open/close member is rotatably disposed in the upper cylinder. The fluid channel open/close member opens or closes a channel communicating the first or the second supply/discharge opening with the cylinder internal chamber, while closing at least one of the first and the second supply/discharge openings at any time. The rotation of the fluid channel open/close member is linked with the movement of the piston by a cam groove and a cam pin.