Abstract: Backlash is reduced by stopping substrate short of a printing position, then slowly advancing the drive system to move the substrate to the printing position. Where a stepper motor drives a driven roller via a gear train, the stepper motor stops the substrate a predetermined number of steps shy of the printing position. The stepper motor is then advanced by the predetermined number of steps, taking up backlash and moving the substrate to the printing position.

Abstract: Temperature regulating system for use in fluid ejection devices, such as inkjet printing devices, are provided. Such temperature regulating systems can include an ink reservoir, a printhead and optionally an intermediate ink container. Exchange of ink between the ink reservoir, or optionally the intermediate ink container, and the printhead regulates the temperature of the printhead and makes the temperature substantially uniform from drop ejector to drop ejector. Optionally, the ink is transported in a fluid communication path that is in contact with a thermally conductive substrate to further dissipate heat. Printing devices comprising such inkjet cartridges are also provided.

Abstract: A method for joining fluid containers and fluid ejectors in a fluid ejecting device are provided. The fluid container includes one or more heat stakes and a substrate includes one or more apertures for receiving the heat stakes and one or more three-dimensional features in the vicinity of the one or more apertures. The fluid ejector and optionally an elastic member are interposed between the fluid container and the substrate. Thermal energy is applied to the one or more heat stakes so that the one or more heat stakes soften to occupy the apertures and three-dimensional features of the substrate and pressure is applied to maintain contact between the fluid container, elastic member, fluid ejector and substrate. The present invention is also directed to substrate including one or more apertures for receiving heat stakes and one or more three-dimensional features in the vicinity of the one or more apertures.

Abstract: A fluid container, such as, for example, an inkjet print head cartridge, architecture uses a relatively large filter that is located below a negative pressure material chamber and a free ink chamber in a side-by-side relationship. The negative pressure material volume relative to a free ink chamber value can me made to be approximately one to one. Both chambers overlie an ink manifold/delivery port and are separated from the delivery port by a filter. Flow impedance of the cartridge is reduced, as a result, in any orientation of the cartridge. The filter may be separated from, or in contact with a negative pressure material. A cartridge lid is provided with a negative pressure material chamber which is suspended into the cartridge. A negative pressure material having a fiber felt construction is provided.

Abstract: A refillable fluid container system having a communication channel between the manifold and fluid reservoir that allows air to vent from the manifold to an air accumulation area with in the fluid resevoir.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a printer includes an endless loop drive path and guide structure that allows a printhead to operate in either reciprocal or endless loop modes in which the printed traverse both a liner and an arcuate portion of the drive path. This provides a printer architecture in which a printhead may be endlessly driven at a constant speed in one direction to provide multiple print swaths separated spatially. This eliminates the need for decleration/acceleration changes required in reciprocal printer architectures and is capable of increased throughput by defining arcuate turnaround zones that can be traversed by the printhead faster than the time it takes to slow, stop and reverse a conentional reciprocal printhead assembly. This robust printer architecture also allows flexibliity in use of multiple printheads with simultaneous printing, simultanouse both side printing, and duplex capabilities.

Abstract: A refill junction for a fluid container including an exterior surface; a retaining clip having an outer face and an inner face, at least one of the exterior surface and the inner face including at least one capillary.

Abstract: A refillable fluid reservoir for a fluid ejection head, including a fluid reservoir having top, bottom and side walls defining an interior volume for having fluid; a venting port provided on one of the reservoir walls; and a fluid inlet port provided on one of the reservoir walls, the venting port and the fluid inlet port being located at substantially the same vertical level to increase volumetric efficiency and reduce staining.

Abstract: A mechanism for sealing a cover to a container for storing ink in an inkjet cartridge is provided. The mechanism includes a container for storing ink, a cover and a gasket. The cover fits over the container and the gasket is interposed between an inside edge of the cover and an outside edge of the container. Inkjet cartridges and printing apparatuses employing such mechanisms are also provided.

Abstract: A fluid reservoir sensing system includes a pair of optical prisms or sensor targets that reflect light when a fluid level is below one of the pair of prisms or sensor targets. The pair of optical prisms or sensor targets includes a low prism or sensor target usable to sense a low liquid level in the fluid reservoir, and a high prism or sensor target usable to sense a high liquid level in the fluid reservoir, and a wicking means to wick fluid away from the high incident and low incident surfaces of the prisms or sensor targets that are above the fluid level. The fluid reservoir sensing system optionally includes an emitter and a photosensor.

Abstract: A refillable fluid container system having a pressure control architecture in which persistent air bubbles are released from a capillary or foam fluid reservoir and are directed from an optical level sensing system in a liquid fluid reservoir.

Abstract: A fluid ejector assembly includes a container that stores a fluid to be ejected, a heat sink attached to the container, and a die module bonded to the heat sink. The heat sink is molded from a polymer that has at least one thermally conductive filler material mixed into the polymer. The heat sink is shaped to dissipate heat. The fluid ejector assembly is manufactured by mixing the at least one thermally conductive filler material with the polymer, molding the heat sink using the polymer and thermally-conductive filler material mixture, and attaching the heat sink to a die module and, optionally, to a fluid-containing container.

Abstract: A thermally-conductive fluid ejector carriage device is used to dissipate heat from a thermal fluid ejector module in a fluid ejection device. The thermally-conductive fluid ejector carriage device is molded from a polymer, or a polymer material including at least one thermally-conductive filler material. The thermal fluid ejector module is brought into contact with the thermally-conducting polymer carriage to dissipate heat. The polymer can be a highly thermally-conductive polymer. A method of manufacturing the thermally-conductive polymer carriage includes molding the carriage at least partially from a polymer that includes thermally-conductive filler materials, and contacting the thermally-conducting polymer carriage with the fluid ejector module. A method for use of the thermally-conductive fluid ejector carriage device includes establishing a heat flow path from the fluid ejector module to ambient air through the thermally-conductive fluid ejector carriage device.

Abstract: A fluid ejection container system provides a first container that contains the fluid, the first container being evacuated to negative gauge pressure when being filled with the fluid, a second container having a capillary medium that contains the fluid, a passage between the first and second containers communicating the fluid at a level wherein the passage is wetted with the fluid, a ventilation port to communicate air between an interior region in the fluid ejection system and ambient, at least one spill over region to communicate the fluid with the second container, and a plurality of channels to communicate at least the air between the interior region and the second container; wherein the at least one spill over region has sufficient volume to contain a quantity of the fluid that migrates out of the second container. The fluid ejection container system also provides a lid for sealing the first and second containers from the ambient, wherein the channels are disposed on the lid.

Abstract: An optical sensor has a sensor compensation to compensate for sensor degradation due to airborne contaminations in the operating environment. For example, in a thermal ink jet printing environment, the thermal ink jet operation produces misting or splashing of the thermal ink jet droplets, causing a gradual degradation of the sensor sensitivity due to a surface accumulation of the ink jet droplets. The optical sensor device includes an optical emitter emitting an optical signal according to an emitter input, an optical detector disposed to detect the optical signal and output a detector output having an output level according to the detected optical signal, a variable attenuator having an adjustable attenuation setting, and a controller adjusting the attenuation setting of the variable attenuator.

Abstract: A system, method and structures for dissipating heat away from a thermal fluid ejector modules through a thermally-conductive carriage molded from a polymer to the ambient air surrounding the structure upon which the thermally-conductive fluid ejector carriage translates. The heat is transferred via conduction and convection from the thermally-conductive fluid ejector carriage across a thin volume of air trapped between a thermally-conductive carriage rod guide, enclosed on each end by thermally-conductive carriage rod guide bearings, and the thermal contact of the thermally-conductive carriage rod guide bearings with the surface of at least one thermally-conductive carriage guide rod which the thermally-conductive fluid ejector carriage translates.

Abstract: A controller for a fluid ejecting system having a refillable container includes an ejection count initializing circuit, routine or application, a count incrementing circuit, routine or application, at least one fluid level indicator, and a fluid quantity circuit, routine or application for determining an expended quantity of fluid, a fluid reserve capacity circuit, routine or application for determining a fluid reserve capacity in the container, an ejection job determining circuit, routine or application for determining a fluid job requirement, a reserve comparing circuit, routine or application to compare the fluid reserve capacity and the fluid job requirement, and a refill condition determining circuit, routine or application to determine that the container is to be refilled. Counts for a ejection amount and a reserve capacity are incremented in response to a specific amount of fluid being ejected from the container.

Abstract: A liquid ink cartridge, such as ink jet ink cartridge, includes a container defining an ink reservoir, the ink reservoir having an ink outlet at one end and capable of receiving a supply of ink in the ink reservoir; and an ink follower composition located in the ink reservoir apart from the ink outlet. The ink follower composition includes a viscous gel material that provides a negative pressure in the ink reservoir.

Abstract: A print cartridge includes a manifold that is molded from a polymer including at least one thermally conductive filler material, and a fluid ejector die module attached to the maniold. A method of manufacturing a print cartridge includes molding a manifold at least partially from a polymer including thermally conductive fillers, forming a fluid ejector die module, and attaching the manifold to the fluid ejector die.

Abstract: A system and method of obtaining information from a marking material container is disclosed. The method includes providing a marking material container having a phosphorescent material with predetermined phosphor properties for emitting light with characteristics corresponding to the information, shining light at a container position for a period of time, sensing for emitted light coming from the phosphorescent material, determining the characteristics of the emitted light, and generating the information. The system includes a marking material container having a phosphorescent material with predetermined phosphor properties for emitting light with characteristics corresponding to the information, a light source for producing a light beam directed towards the phosphorescent material, a photo detector for detecting light emitted from the phosphorescent material, and a controller for determining characteristics of the light detected by the photo detector to provide information.