Abstract: Alternative methods for refurbishing a single-use ink delivery container for a printing system are described. The refurbishing methods include electrical and mechanical reconfiguration or replacement of original elements on the ink delivery container. Each method utilizes an existing ink fluid outlet, electrical connector and an information storage device on the ink delivery container.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for preventing depriming of inkjet printheads in a printing system having a pressurized ink delivery system when the pressurizing gas is turned off. Normally-closed gas-actuated valves are disposed in the ink lines from the ink containers to the printheads; the valves are kept in an open state during printing by the same pressurizing gas that is utilized to pressurize the ink delivery system.

Abstract: Alternative methods for refurbishing a single-use ink delivery container for a printing system are described. The refurbishing methods include electrical and mechanical reconfiguration or replacement of original elements on the ink delivery container. Each method utilizes an existing ink fluid outlet, electrical connector and an information storage device on the ink delivery container.

Abstract: An ink container that includes a collapsible ink reservoir containing an ink supply, and a collapse controlling insert disposed in the collapsible ink reservoir for controlling a remaining ink supply versus ink supply pressure characteristic of the collapsible ink reservoir. Also disclosed is an ink level detection system that includes a pressure transducer for sensing a pressure of the ink supply that is indicative of remaining ink.

Abstract: Techniques for air management in an inkjet printing systems. A method includes providing an ink supply for holding a supply of liquid ink, the ink supply including high barriers to air diffusion, filling the ink supply with a quantity of liquid unsaturated ink, storing the filled ink supply for a storage time interval or until needed, installing the ink supply in an inkjet printing system including an inkjet printhead, supplying unsaturated ink from the ink supply to the inkjet printhead for printing, and allowing the unsaturated ink to absorb air introduced into the printing system, and ejecting droplets of the liquid ink from the printing system during the printing.

Abstract: An ink supply for an inkjet printing system, the ink supply having one or more areas of relatively high air diffusion through one or more structures comprising the ink supply. One or more air diffusion barrier structures shield the one or more areas of relatively high air diffusion from air diffusion, and a quantity of liquid unsaturated ink is disposed in the ink supply.

Abstract: A printer consumable includes an ink bag, and a supply of ink included within the ink bag, and optionally a memory device and a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor communicates an ink bag pressure loss measurement through a communication means to an ink delivery system. The communication means uses the ink bag pressure loss measurement to determine a minimum pressure to print. In one embodiment, the communication means periodically polls the pressure sensor to acquire the ink bag pressure loss measurement and records the measurement on the memory device of the printer consumable. When the communication means receives a print job, the measurement is acquired from the memory device to determine the minimum pressure to print before the print job is processed.

Abstract: A fuel supply includes a fuel container having an interior chamber for containing fuel, and a pressure sensing unit disposed within the interior chamber of the fuel container. The pressure sensing unit is configured to provide an output signal indicative of an amount of fuel remaining in the fuel container.

Abstract: An ink supply for a printing system is disclosed which provides a high barrier to air yet is inexpensive to produce. The ink supply includes a chassis having a first and second protrusion. An aperture extends through each of the protrusions to allow fluid communication with a bag; the bag is attached to the chassis so that at least a portion of the first protrusion is surrounded by the bag. Embodiments of the supply include least one air barrier insert, located in the aperture; a septum located in the air barrier; a film attached to the second protrusion and covering the aperture in the protrusion; and a shell which extends around at least a portion of the bag.

Abstract: A printer consumable includes an ink bag, and a supply of ink included within the ink bag, and optionally a memory device and a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor communicates an ink bag pressure loss measurement through a communication means to an ink delivery system. The communication means uses the ink bag pressure loss measurement to determine a minimum pressure to print. In one embodiment, the communication means periodically polls the pressure sensor to acquire the ink bag pressure loss measurement and records the measurement on the memory device of the printer consumable. When the communication means receives a print job, the measurement is acquired from the memory device to determine the minimum pressure to print before the print job is processed.

Abstract: An integrally-formed ink tube carrier for a printer is disclosed which has a plurality of carrier tubes arrayed in a substantially rectilinear fashion. The tubes are connected by integrally-formed connecting regions. The carrier tubes used to hold ink tubes are preferably closed, thus providing a secondary containment in the event of an ink leak. One or more of the tubes may be slit, allowing the insertion of electrical wires. The ink tube carrier is preferably formed of a plasticized nylon, an elastomeric polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), elastomeric nylon, or polyether block amides.

Abstract: An ink container that includes a collapsible ink reservoir containing an ink supply, and a collapse controlling insert disposed in the collapsible ink reservoir for controlling a remaining ink supply versus ink supply pressure characteristic of the collapsible ink reservoir. Also disclosed is an ink level detection system that includes a pressure transducer for sensing a pressure of the ink supply that is indicative of remaining ink.

Abstract: An ink supply for a printing system is disclosed which provides a high barrier to air yet is inexpensive to produce. The ink supply includes a chassis having a first and second protrusion. An aperture extends through each of the protrusions to allow fluid communication with a bag; the bag is attached to the chassis so that at least a portion of the first protrusion is surrounded by the bag. Embodiments of the supply include least one air barrier insert, located in the aperture; a septum located in the air barrier; a film attached to the second protrusion and covering the aperture in the protrusion; and a shell which extends around at least a portion of the bag.

Abstract: An integrally-formed ink tube carrier for a printer is disclosed which has a plurality of carrier tubes arrayed in a substantially rectilinear fashion. The tubes are connected by integrally-formed connecting regions. The carrier tubes used to hold ink tubes are preferably closed, thus providing a secondary containment in the event of an ink leak. One or more of the tubes may be slit, allowing the insertion of electrical wires. The ink tube carrier is preferably formed of a plasticized nylon, an elastomeric polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), elastomeric nylon, or polyether block amides.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for preventing depriming of inkjet printheads in a printing system having a pressurized ink delivery system when the pressurizing gas is turned off. Normally-closed gas-actuated valves are disposed in the ink lines from the ink containers to the printheads; the valves are kept in an open state during printing by the same pressurizing gas that is utilized to pressurize the ink delivery system.

Abstract: An ink container that includes a collapsible ink reservoir containing an ink supply, and a collapse controlling insert disposed in the collapsible ink reservoir for controlling a remaining ink supply versus ink supply pressure characteristic of the collapsible ink reservoir. Also disclosed is an ink level detection system that includes a pressure transducer for sensing a pressure of the ink supply that is indicative of remaining ink.

Abstract: Alternative methods for refurbishing a single-use ink delivery container for a printing system are described. The refurbishing methods include electrical and mechanical reconfiguration or replacement of original elements on the ink delivery container. Each method utilizes an existing ink fluid outlet, electrical connector and an information storage device on the ink delivery container.

Abstract: Techniques for air management in an inkjet printing systems. A method includes providing an ink supply for holding a supply of liquid ink, the ink supply including high barriers to air diffusion, filling the ink supply with a quantity of liquid unsaturated ink, storing the filled ink supply for a storage time interval or until needed, installing the ink supply in an inkjet printing system including an inkjet printhead, supplying unsaturated ink from the ink supply to the inkjet printhead for printing, and allowing the unsaturated ink to absorb air introduced into the printing system, and ejecting droplets of the liquid ink from the printing system during the printing.

Abstract: Techniques for air management in an inkjet printing systems. A method includes providing an ink supply for holding a supply of liquid ink, the ink supply including high barriers to air diffusion, filling the ink supply with a quantity of liquid unsaturated ink, storing the filled ink supply for a storage time interval or until needed, installing the ink supply in an inkjet printing system including an inkjet printhead, supplying unsaturated ink from the ink supply to the inkjet printhead for printing, and allowing the unsaturated ink to absorb air introduced into the printing system, and ejecting droplets of the liquid ink from the printing system during the printing.

Abstract: An ink supply for an inkjet printing system, the ink supply having one or more areas of relatively high air diffusion through one or more structures comprising the ink supply. One or more air diffusion barrier structures shield the one or more areas of relatively high air diffusion from air diffusion, and a quantity of liquid unsaturated ink is disposed in the ink supply.