Abstract: Inkjet cartridge assemblies are provided for shipping with the internal pressure of their ink containers set during assembly at a reduced level at least 2 inches Hg gage below atmospheric pressure at sea level to avoid leaking during shipping. Preferably, the ink containers have an internal pressure set at least 9 inches Hg gage below atmospheric pressure at sea level.

Abstract: An ink jet cartridge assembly includes a pen body housing having an ink container, a jet plate coupled to the pen body for ejecting droplets of ink, and an ink inlet port through one wall of the housing. A connection tube is attached to the ink inlet. The connection tube has a septum which is remote from the inlet port, whereby the septum is adapted for connection to an ink supply.

Abstract: A fold out bench type boat seat assembly is attached to the bulkhead of a boat. The seat assembly comprises two sections: a backrest that is fixedly attached to the bulkhead, and a seat unit that is movable from a vertical stored position against the boat bulkhead to a horizontal seating position the major portions of which are detachable from the bulkhead when not needed.

Abstract: A device and method for supplying ink to ink jet printer heads comprising first and second carriage portions non-rigidly coupled such that the two carriage portions are free to rotate independently about their guide rod axis, but are constrained to move together axially. The first carriage portion contains one or more ink jet cartridges supplied with ink via connecting tubes having self-sealing septum attached to corresponding ink outlets on the second carriage portion. The ink outlets on the second carriage portion preferably comprise valves with actuators. The actuators preferably act to secure the septum within the ink outlets, and are preferably disposed such that the valve is closed when the actuator is raised, and open when the actuator is lowered.

Abstract: A fold out bench type boat seat assembly is attached to the bulkhead of a boat. The seat assembly comprises two sections: a backrest that is fixedly attached to the bulkhead, and a seat unit that is movable from a vertical stored position against the boat bulkhead to a horizontal seating position the major portions of which are detachable from the bulkhead when not needed.

Abstract: A column of ink ejection nozzles on an ink jet print head is arranged in a plurality of sub-columns. The number of sub-columns and the assignment of nozzles to the sub-columns is selected to reduce cross-talk between nozzles, to prevent overlap of ejection pulses between sub-columns, and to minimize the complexity of the electronics required to actuate the ink ejection nozzles for droplet deposition.

Abstract: A device and method for supplying ink to ink jet printer heads comprising first and second carriage portions non-rigidly coupled such that the two carriage portions are free to rotate independently about their guide rod axis, but are constrained to move together axially. The first carriage portion contains one or more ink jet cartridges supplied with ink via connecting tubes having self-sealing septum attached to corresponding ink outlets on the second carriage portion. The ink outlets on the second carriage portion preferably comprise valves with actuators. The actuators preferably act to secure the septum within the ink outlets, and are preferably disposed such that the valve is closed when the actuator is raised, and open when the actuator is lowered.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for guiding recording media through a printer comprises a roller unit which is coupled to the printer and which comprises a plurality of roller wheels.

Abstract: A column of ink ejection nozzles on an ink jet print head is arranged in a plurality of sub-columns. The number of sub-columns and the assignment of nozzles to the sub-columns is selected to reduce cross-talk between nozzles, to prevent overlap of ejection pulses between sub-columns, and to minimize the complexity of the electronics required to actuate the ink ejection nozzles for droplet deposition.

Abstract: A method and system for compensating for nonfunctional ink jets in an ink jet printer. The ink-jet printer includes a printhead having a plurality of ink jets, each ink jet being assigned to print respective dots on a respective raster line of a recording medium in accordance with a print mask, wherein when an ink jet is detected as being defective, at least a portion of said print mask is replaced with a replacement mask such that one or more of the remaining ink jets of the plurality of ink jets compensates for the defective ink jet. The method includes: detecting when an ink jet is nonfunctional; and when an ink jet is determined to be nonfunctional, replacing at least a portion of the print mask with a replacement mask such that one or more of the remaining ink jets of the plurality of ink jets compensates for the nonfunctional ink jet.

Abstract: A droplet deposition analysis system for an ink jet printer including a flexible transparent substrate. The printer may include a light source on one side of the substrate, and an optical detector on the other side of the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for guiding recording media through a printer comprises a roller unit which is coupled to the printer and which comprises a plurality of roller wheels.

Abstract: A method and system for compensating for nonfunctional ink jets in an ink jet printer. The ink-jet printer includes a printhead having a plurality of ink jets, each ink jet being assigned to print respective dots on a respective raster line of a recording medium in accordance with a print mask, wherein when an ink jet is detected as being defective, at least a portion of said print mask is replaced with a replacement mask such that one or more of the remaining ink jets of the plurality of ink jets compensates for the defective ink jet. The method includes: detecting when an ink jet is nonfunctional; and when an ink jet is determined to be nonfunctional, replacing at least a portion of the print mask with a replacement mask such that one or more of the remaining ink jets of the plurality of ink jets compensates for the nonfunctional ink jet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for guiding recording media through a printer comprises a roller unit which is coupled to the printer and which comprises a plurality of roller wheels.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting a nonfunctional element in an ink jet printhead is disclosed. The ink jet printer system includes: a switching power supply, coupled to the inkjet printhead, for supplying power to the printhead; an output capacitor, coupled to an output of the switching power supply, for storing a dc voltage therein; a bleed resistor, coupled in parallel to the output capacitor, for discharging current from the output capacitor; an output shifting circuit, coupled to the switching power supply, for shifting the dc voltage level across the output capacitor between a low state and a high state; and a sensor, coupled to the output of the switching power supply, for detecting when the switching power supply is switching, wherein an element of the printhead is tested by measuring a test current discharging from the output capacitor when the element is activated and comparing the measured test current with a reference current which discharges from the output capacitor through the bleed resistor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for guiding recording media through a printer comprises a pinch roller which is pivotally coupled to the printer. The pinch roller may have a plurality of roller wheels. The degrees of freedom of the pinch roller allows the pinch roller to adjust its position and orientation with variations in the direction of motion of the recording medium as it is being fed through the printer.

Abstract: A service station for an ink jet printer is provided with a base station and a sliding sled having both wipers and caps mounted thereon. Power for sled motion during wiping and capping is provided by the movement of the print carriage of the ink jet printer. Sled motion is guided by pins on the sled which engage slots on the base station. A plank holds the sled in a temporarily stationary position during wiping.

Abstract: A system for controlling and displaying the printing format of dot matrix printers includes a microprocessor, a memory which is loaded with programs from replaceable software cards, and a control panel having a plurality of control buttons, an aligned display, and a rotary control coupled to the microprocessor. In a first mode, depression of a selected control button accesses the corresponding one of the parameters of the most commonly used print parameters and repeated actuation of the selected control button cycles through the options contained within the parameter, the parameter and current option being sequentially presented on the display. In a second mode under microprocessor control, each one of the parameters in a printing parameter menu is sequentially accessed and rotation of the rotary dial provides scrolling through each option contained within the parameter. Sets of selected parameter options can be saved under specified designations for later retrieval and use.