Abstract: An ink container is provides ink to a vented printhead, where both the ink container and the vented printhead are positioned on a moveable carriage. The ink container receives ink from an off-carriage ink supply via an ink conduit. Air is removed from the printhead and ink container via a vacuum pump, coupled to an upper portion of the ink container via an air conduit. The vacuum pump is operable to pull air from the ink container by generating negative pressure in the ink container.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an ink jet cartridge comprising, forming a porous core in the shape of a flow passage; placing the porous core in an ink jet cartridge mold; and injecting a molten material around the porous core. An ink jet cartridge for an ink jet printer having a porous core in the shape of a flow passage; an ink jet cartridge body formed by injecting a molten material around the porous core, wherein the ink jet cartridge body comprises a chamber configured to contain ink, and further wherein the porous core is in fluid communication with the ink in the chamber; and a printhead provided on the ink jet cartridge body and including ink ejection nozzles and ink ejectors, wherein the ink ejection nozzles are in fluid communication with the porous core.

Abstract: Ink delivery systems achieve balanced ink flow by positioning two or more ink chambers around ink ejection mechanisms in a printhead. A plurality of pie-shaped ink chambers may be arranged in a circle above an ink ejection mechanism, which provides short ink paths from each ink chamber, and ink paths having approximately the same length. This fosters even ink flow rates and equal pressure drop/loss of ink supplies, thereby improving ink feeds to a printhead and providing improved jetting efficiency and printhead performance.

Abstract: A printhead garage for receiving an ink jet printhead cartridge includes a chassis defining an opening for receiving the ink jet printhead cartridge when the ink jet printhead cartridge is not installed for use by the imaging apparatus for printing. A maintenance assembly is coupled to the chassis and configured to perform at least one printhead maintenance operation. In one embodiment, a printhead firing unit is coupled to the chassis.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a printhead having a chip feed extending between an ink reservoir and printhead nozzles, wherein the chip feed has an inlet, and outlet, and one or more projections or recesses in a transition surface of the chip feed. The transition surface and the projection or recess can be inclined with respect to the outlet of the chip feed, and in some cases can be curved to present a concave or convex shape toward the outlet of the chip feed.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a inkjet printhead having an internal ink reservoir, an ink via in fluid communication with the ink reservoir, a filter tower extending into the ink reservoir, and one or more walls at the base of the filter tower. In order to promote the movement of bubbles toward and into the ink via, the wall(s) at the base of the filter tower can converge and be inclined toward the ink via, and can have one or more protrusions thereon and/or recesses therein.

Abstract: A multi-fluid body and an ejection head substrate connected in fluid flow communication with the multi-fluid body for ejecting multiple fluids therefrom. The multi-fluid body includes at least two segregated fluid chambers. Independent fluid supply paths lead from each of the fluid chambers providing fluid to multiple fluid flow paths in the ejection head substrate. The ejection head substrate is attached adjacent an ejection head area of the body. The fluid flow paths in the ejection head substrate have a flow path density of greater than about one flow paths per millimeter.

Abstract: A replacement component for printing operations that includes a recess that is adapted to be engaged by a projection of a replacement component holder associated with a printing apparatus to mount the replacement component to the replacement component holder, the replacement component also including an actuatable release adapted to operatively contact at least one of the projection and the recess to substantially disengage the projection from the recess.

Abstract: Multi-compartmentalized ink cartridges for ink jet printers and improved methods for making the ink cartridges. The multi-compartmentalized ink cartridge includes a molded, open-topped body having an interior cavity and a printhead surface area opposite the interior cavity. A divider wall is integrally molded with the molded body structure and disposed in the interior cavity to provide at least three segregated ink chambers. The divider wall includes a first wall section and a second wall section attached substantially perpendicular to the first wall section. At least first, second, third molded ink flow paths connect each of the at least three segregated ink chambers with the printhead surface area. The second and third ink flow paths are oriented relative to their corresponding ink chambers for molding with a mold insert tool so that the cartridge body does not require a separately attached member to close mold insert tool insertion areas in the body.