Abstract: An ink tank comprises a housing that defines a container for ink that is substantially free from a negative pressure producing material. In various embodiments, a non-porous capillary member is disposed in the container. The capillary member may be formed by part of the housing, for example, by a channel formed in a side wall of the housing. Alternatively, the capillary member may be a capillary tube. A wick may be situated at an outlet formed in the housing and may be held there by a retaining member, for example, a rib that extends from the housing. The housing may include a cover that allows the container to vent to atmosphere. The cover may include a vent hole that communicates with the container via a tortuous path. Part of the cover may comprise an air permeable material. The housing may also define a spillover area outside of the container.

Abstract: An ink tank comprises a housing that defines a container for ink that is substantially free from a negative pressure producing material. In various embodiments, a non-porous capillary member is disposed in the container. The capillary member may be formed by part of the housing, for example, by a channel formed in a side wall of the housing. Alternatively, the capillary member may be a capillary tube. A wick may be situated at an outlet formed in the housing and may be held there by a retaining member, for example, a rib that extends from the housing. The housing may include a cover that allows the container to vent to atmosphere. The cover may include a vent hole that communicates with the container via a tortuous path. Part of the cover may comprise an air permeable material. The housing may also define a spillover area outside of the container.

Abstract: A fluid cartridge for dispensing fluid, such as liquid ink for a drop on demand ink jet printer, includes a housing that encloses a capillary chamber, and has an outlet port through the one wall of the housing into the capillary chamber. Capillary material in the capillary chamber is arranged so that it has a higher density adjacent the outlet port than away from the outlet port, to enhance the flow of the fluid toward the outlet port. The interior of the capillary chamber is structured to provide greater compression to the capillary material around the outlet port, and provide stability to retain the variable compression of the capillary material.

Abstract: An ink tank which has an ink delivery port chamber and one or more free ink chambers is provided with free ink chamber ceiling heights which are lower than the ceiling height of the ink delivery port chamber to reduce the amount of air trapped in the ink tank when the ink tank is filled with ink, and to locate air trapped in the ink tank in the ink delivery port chamber.

Abstract: A fluid cartridge for dispensing fluid, such as liquid ink for a drop on demand ink jet printer, includes a housing that encloses a capillary chamber, and has an outlet port through the one wall of the housing into the capillary chamber. Capillary material in the capillary chamber is arranged so that it has a higher density adjacent the outlet port than away from the outlet port, to enhance the flow of the fluid toward the outlet port. The interior of the capillary chamber is structured to provide greater compression to the capillary material around the outlet port, and provide stability to retain the variable compression of the capillary material.

Abstract: An ink tank and ink tank support structure which contains structural elements which are designed to permit proper installation of the ink tank in the ink tank support structure while minimizing the chances of improper installation of the ink tank in the ink tank structure. A primary ink tank seal is provided in the ink tank, and a relatively low compressive force seal is provided between the ink tank support structure and the ink tank to reduce leakage of fluid from the tank and limit evaporation of fluid from the tank despite repeated insertions and removals of the ink tank from the ink tank support structure. A variable capacity ink tank and an ink tank with staggered height walls are disclosed, as well as a code reader for determining characteristics of ink tanks.

Abstract: An ink tank and ink tank support structure which contains structural elements which are designed to permit proper installation of the ink in the ink tank support structure while minimizing the chances of improper installation of the ink tank in the ink tank structure. A primary ink tank seal is provided in the ink tank, and a relatively low compressive force seal is provided between the ink tank support structure and the ink tank to reduce leakage of fluid from tank and limit evaporation of fluid from the tank despite repeated insertions and removals of the ink tank from the ink tank support structure. A variable capacity ink tank and an ink tank with staggered height walls are disclosed, as well as a code reader for determining characteristics of ink tanks.

Abstract: An ink tank and ink tank support structure which contains structural elements which are designed to permit proper installation of the ink tank in the ink tank support structure while minimizing the chances of improper installation of the ink tank in the ink tank structure. A primary ink tank seal is provided in the ink tank, and a relatively low compressive force seal is provided between the ink tank support structure and the ink tank to reduce leakage of fluid from the tank and limit evaporation of fluid from the tank despite repeated insertions and removals of the ink tank from the ink tank support structure. A variable capacity ink tank and an ink tank with staggered height walls are disclosed, as well as a code reader for determining characteristics of ink tanks.

Abstract: A fluid cartridge, such as a cartridge for filling with ink for use in ink jet printhead includes a housing enclosing a wick chamber, the housing including a top wall. The housing also includes an ink chamber. A fluid conduit connects the ink chamber and the wick chamber. The outer surface of the top wall of the housing is formed with a recess. A vent opening through the top wall of the wick chamber, at the recess, provides communication between the wick chamber and the recess. A covering over the top surface of the housing encloses the recess. An outlet opening through an outer wall other than the top wall of the wick chamber provides fluid communication for the ink to flow from the wick chamber. One end of an overflow tube is in fluid communication with the recess in the top wall of the housing.