Abstract: In order that ink leakage be reduced from a compressed foam storage ink container for an inkjet printer cartridge, at least one of the walls of the container is provided relief pockets having air spaces free of the compressed foam. At least one vent channel communicates between relief pockets and ambient air pressure to provide pressure equilibrium.

Abstract: The service station provides components for wiping and capping the orifice plate of an ink-jet pen that is installed in a printer that can carry more than one pen-type. Certain service station components are dedicated for use with only one type of pen and other components are dedicated for use with another type of pen, thereby avoiding ink contamination that may occur, where, for example, a single wiper is used to wipe pens of both type.

Abstract: A printhead cartridge and carriage assembly (10) is provided comprising: a carriage (12); a snap-spring (62) for securing a printing cartridge (14) in postion on the carriage; and an interconnect strip (16) for supplying electrical signals to the cartridge, including a force loading spring pad (24) for urging a portion of the interconnect strip against a portion of the cartridge. The cartridge has top (32), bottom (34), sides (36, 38), front (40) and rear (42) surfaces and includes a printhead (44) on the bottom surface, an electrical contact strip (46) on the back surface connected to the printhead, referencing pads (56) on the side surface, and a lip (64) on the back surface for accepting the snap-spring. Referencing surface (60) are provided for receiving the referencing pads on the cartridge. The spring pad urges the interconnect strip against the electrical contact of the cartridge.

Abstract: A novel ink-jet printer (10) is provided. The print provides both paper supply tray (12) and paper collection tray (18) in the front (14) of the printer for ease of paper handling and reduced footprint. The paper collection tray is provided with a pair of opposed output rails (22) which support a sheet of paper (16c) during printing to permit ink on a sheet of paper (16b) previously printed to dry. A paper handling mechanism is provided which eliminates a sheet pickup motor and associated elements. The paper handling mechanism is configured to pick off a sheet of paper from a stack of input paper, bring it around paper drive rollers (24) onto a platen (26), where the printing operation, employing a printhead cartridge (32), occurs. The printer further includes a service station (230) for clearing clogged nozzles in the printhead (33) and removing bubbles therefrom, for covering the nozzles with a protective cap (266), and for wiping contaminants off the nozzles.

Abstract: A service station (10) for use in an ink-jet printer comprises(a) pump means (12) for priming the printhead (18) of a cartridge (20),(b) a sled (14) to actuate the service station and seal the printhead, and(c) wiping means (58) for cleaning the printhead.The service station is fixed at one end of travel of a carriage (22) supporting the cartridge. The carriage is adapted to move bidirectionally by means of a controlled motor.The service station performs a number of functions, including clearing clogged nozzles in the printhead and removing bubbles therefrom, covering the nozzles with a protective cap (50) when the printhead is not in use to prevent contamination thereof, preventing ink from drying out in the nozzles, wiping contaminants picked up during printing off the nozzles, and providing a location (60) for firing the nozzles for clearing out thereof prior to printing.

Abstract: A novel ink-jet printer (10) is provided. The printer provides both paper supply tray (12) and paper collection tray (18) in the front (14) of the printer for ease of paper handling and reduced footprint. The paper collection tray is provided with a pair of opposed output rails (22) which support a sheet of paper (16c) during printing to permit ink on a sheet of paper (16b) previously printed to dry.A paper handling mechanism is provided which eliminates a sheet pickup motor and associated elements. The paper handling mechanism is configured to pick off a sheet of paper from a stack of input paper, bring it around paper drive rollers (24) onto a platen (26), where the printing operation, employing a printhead cartridge (32) occurs.The resulting printer is easy to manufacture, has reduced complexity by eliminating components in the paper drive mechanism and is lower in cost.

Abstract: A printhead cartridge and carriage assembly (10) is provided comprising: a carriage (12); a snap-spring (62) for securing a printing cartridge (14) in postion on the carriage; and an interconnect strip (16) for supplying electrical signals to the cartridge, including a force loading spring pad (24) for urging a portion of the interconnect strip against a portion of the cartridge. The cartridge has top (32), bottom (34), sides (36, 38), front (40) and rear (42) surfaces and includes a printhead (44) on the bottom surface, an electrical contact strip (46) on the back surface connected to the printhead, referencing pads (56) on the side surface, and a lip (64) on the back surface for accepting the snap-spring. Referencing surface (60) are provided for receiving the referencing pads on the cartridge. The spring pad urges the interconnect strip against the electrical contact of the cartridge.