Abstract: A filtration article including a composite filtration structure, a seal region positioned within the composite filtration structure, and an attachment weld that interconnects the seal region and an outer casing is provided. The composite filtration structure includes a stacked filter material including at least two fluoropolymer membranes and a support layer. The support layer may be formed of a thermoplastic or thermoset polymer. When heated, the polymer in the support layer melts and flows into the fluoropolymer membranes. In exemplary embodiments, the polymer is imbibed through the thickness of the fluoropolymer membranes. The attachment weld may be positioned at any location within the seal region so long as the attachment weld is positioned a distance from the outer periphery of the composite filtration structure. The filtration article is small in size, is lightweight, and may be used as a sterilizing grade filter. Methods of producing the filtration article also provided.

Abstract: A filtration article including a composite filtration structure, a seal region positioned within the composite filtration structure, and an attachment weld that interconnects the seal region and an outer casing is provided. The composite filtration structure includes a stacked filter material including at least two fluoropolymer membranes and a support layer. The support layer may be formed of a thermoplastic or thermoset polymer. When heated, the polymer in the support layer melts and flows into the fluoropolymer membranes. In exemplary embodiments, the polymer is imbibed through the thickness of the fluoropolymer membranes. The attachment weld may be positioned at any location within the seal region so long as the attachment weld is positioned a distance from the outer periphery of the composite filtration structure. The filtration article is small in size, is lightweight, and may be used as a sterilizing grade filter. Methods of producing the filtration article also provided.

Abstract: An inkjet print cartridge is described which has a first fill port, for initially filling the print cartridge with ink, and a refill port for recharging the print cartridge. The refill port includes a slideable valve which is engageable with a valve on an external ink reservoir to create an airtight fluid communication path between the print cartridge reservoir and the external ink reservoir.

Abstract: An inkjet cartridge is adapted to receive ink from an external ink supply reservoir. The inkjet cartridge includes an internal reservoir, printhead, housing, and fluid interface. The housing includes a first cylindrical port, a first connector and a second connector. The fluid interface provides fluid communication between the port and reservoir. An adapter secures a tube/needle valve from the supply reservoir to the port. The adapter includes a first member, a first protrusion and a second protrusion integrally formed as one structure. The first member defines an opening within which the needle valve is positioned. The first protrusion and second protrusion extend from the first member adjacent to the opening. The first protrusion engages the housing's first connector and the second protrusion engages the housing's second connector to attach the adapter to the housing. The valve mates to the port and a valve needle mates to the fluid interface.

Abstract: A print cartridge is described which has an ink recharge port and valve structure to enable the print cartridge reservoir to be recharged with ink. A slideable, generally cylindrical ink valve extends through the print cartridge body and into the ink bag. The valve has a male connector portion at its end external to the print cartridge body. The valve is open when pushed into the print cartridge body and closed when pulled away from the print cartridge body. An ink refill system containing a supply of ink has a slideable valve with a female connector portion which is engageable with the male connector portion of the print cartridge valve. To recharge the print cartridge ink reservoir, the end of the print cartridge valve is inserted into the end of the ink refill system valve to create both a mechanical coupling and a fluid tight coupling between the two valves. A further force pushing the print cartridge against the ink refill system causes both valves to be pushed inside their respective ink reservoirs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of determining imminent ink exhaustion in a thermal inkjet print cartridge based on the discovery that ink drop volume falls at a faster rate at high frequency firing rates than at low frequency firing rates as ink supply diminishes. The method includes warming the print cartridge printhead and ink to a predetermined temperature; then operating the print cartridge printhead at a first firing frequency to eject a volume of ink, said operating step including heating the ink and printhead, carrying away heat in the ejected volume of ink, and conveying a volume of cooler ink to the printhead to replace the ejected volume; and monitoring a first temperature change from the predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A windshield wiper system in which a dedicated microcontroller controls not only the wiper motor, but also a solenoid which provides dynamically variable downforce on the wiper blade.

Abstract: A brushless DC motor in which increased rotor resistance is used to facilitate very frequent reversals. The rotor endcap is thinned down to the point where the resistance seen by the path of the current loop through one of said endcaps, is at least one-half as much as the resistance seen by the portion of said current loop which flows along the length of one of said rotor bars.