Abstract: A pen adapter is configured, in one example, to include a body having an internal surface defining a set of negative datum features configured to interlock with a first set of positive datum features. An external surface of the pen adapter is configured to define a second set of positive datum features.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a reservoir for holding a fluid includes a housing defining an enclosed chamber, the housing having a first opening therein at one part of the chamber and a second opening therein at a second part of the chamber above the first part of the chamber, a breachable seal sealing the second opening, and a circuitous tunnel exposing the chamber to the atmosphere through the second opening if the seal is breached.

Abstract: Mutilayer media is being developed which has inner ink-receiving micro-porous layer and an outer sealable porous surface coat, or topcoat. Ink printed on the media passes through the topcoat, and is absorbed by, or reacts with the inner ink-receiving layer. A thermal printhead is attached downstream of the print zone so that it passes over the area that was previously printed, and heats the topcoat. Where the topcoat is heated, the pores are closed and the closed pores provide a protective layer between the inner ink-receiving layer and the environment.

Abstract: A fluid supply media includes a material having pores and a lamellae inhibiting agent retained relative to the material proximate to the pores.

Abstract: A printer that includes a carriage, a first printhead mounted in the carriage, a second printhead printing black ink mounted in the carriage, and a third printhead mounted in the carriage, where the second printhead is between the first printhead and the third printhead. The printer further includes a print zone having left and right boundaries where text or another image is to be printed by black ink. The carriage scans such that the second printhead does not go beyond the left and right boundaries of the print zone. The leading one of the first or third printheads underprints the black ink. A trailing one of the first or third printheads overprints the black ink. Using this technique, the scanning distance is reduced by at least the width of two printheads, resulting in a 20% improvement in printing speed in one embodiment. Techniques for reducing hue shifts between adjacent print swaths are described.

Abstract: An inkjet printing mechanism has n printheads with nozzle sections and a carriage to carry the n printheads, where n.gtoreq.2. The carriage is movable through a print zone to one of two servicing positions at a service station beside the print zone. A wiper assembly is mounted at the service station to clean the nozzle sections of the printheads. The wiper assembly has n+m wipers where m wiper(s) clean at least one printhead when the carriage is located at a first servicing position, and the n wipers clean all n printheads simultaneously when the carriage is located at a second servicing position.

Abstract: A system and method is described for replenishing the ink in ink reservoirs of the printhead cartridges on ink-jet printers. The ink-jet printer includes a replenishing station to which the pen carriage can be moved whenever ink in one of the cartridge ink reservoirs becomes exhausted or nears exhaustion. At the replenishing station, a plurality of container holders serve to receive and hold one or more ink supply containers, which are sealed packages or cans containing an appropriate quantity of ink for refilling the ink reservoir without overfill. A container of the correct ink color is positioned in the appropriate holder where it rests on a hydraulic coupling device which is urged upwardly to a decoupled position by a spring. Downward pressure exerted on the container, preferably by the user closing the replenishing station cover, forces the container downwardly onto a cutting blade or other perforating device which breaks the seal on the container.

Abstract: A custom profiled flexible conduit system conveys a fluid therethrough between two locations, which may be moving relative to one another. The conduit profile includes a wall with a nonuniform thickness selected to control a diffusion rate of the fluid when conveyed through, or when standing within the conduit. The conduit profile defines a main chamber and optional auxiliary chambers. During a collapse of the conduit, caused by a kink for instance, restricted fluid flow may be sustained through a constricted passageway formed in the main chamber, through the auxiliary chambers, or both. The profile may include a protuberance into the main chamber to maintain flow during collapse. The profile may also be customized to minimize the bend radius before collapse of the conduit, and to promote bending in a particular direction. A method is also provided of conveying fluid between two locations.

Abstract: A system is herein disclosed for use in the delivery of fluid from a reservoir to a relatively reciprocating fluid discharge mechanism via an arrangement of coiled tubes which may be expanded or retracted with reciprocation of the discharge mechanism. The system is preferably arranged with a series of concentrically coiled tubes, each tube carrying a different fluid to the discharge mechanism. Adjacent coils are wrapped in opposing rotational directions so as to create a web-like matrix which supports the coils in their extended form.

Abstract: Bidirectional interleaving of tri-color and black ink-jet pen print pass carriage retrace periods by the invention are utilized whenever possible for black printing. Preferably, printer controller logic used to determine next print direction monitors and records a most recent, or last, black print direction indicium such as a flag stored in memory. If certain predetermined last black print direction criteria are met, the next black print pass is performed in the opposite direction from that of the most recent color print pass, thereby increasing printer throughput. In accordance with the invention, typical tricolor and black printed swaths require up to three color print passes, one black print pass during retrace and only two non-printing retraces, thereby saving time and motion that otherwise would be wasted performing two additional, non-printing retraces.

Abstract: A printer featuring an optical data link between the printer's controller and its reciprocal, carriage-mounted printhead is described. Print data are conveyed from the controller to the printhead via a fixed point on the edge of the carriage and status data may be conveyed in the reverse direction. Power is supplied to the printhead via dual parallel rails on which the carriage is supported for reciprocation by the chassis-mounted carriage drive motor. Preferably, the optical medium is infrared light, and uses conventional driver/receiver devices.

Abstract: A print material handling system is described which comprises an input tray, and an output tray, with the trays having at least one common side wall which is adjustable laterally relative to the other side wall such that adjustment of the moveable side wall simultaneously adjusts the width of the input and the output trays. As the moveable wall is adjusted, the support structures defining the bottom of the input and the bottom of the output tray are simultaneously adjusted such that the input and output trays support print material of various widths. Additionally, the invention includes at least one retractable wing positioned on one of the side walls. The wing can be manufactured in a relatively narrow width because the wing will always be positioned adjacent a print material side edge due to the simultaneous adjustment of the input and output trays.