Abstract: A kayak capsize recovery system. It includes a paddle with a blade on each end; a paddle float for releasable connection to one end of the paddle; a pouch connected to the kayak to receive the other end of the paddle; and a strap with inner and outer ends for releasable connection to kayak and paddle float. The pouch and said strap connect to opposite sides of the kayak cockpit. The length of strap and depth of pouch enable the system to stabilize a capsize orientation of kayak.

Abstract: A collapsible bilge pump includes outer and inner cylinders telescopable between retracted and extended posiions. A piston is movable up and down within the inner cylinder. Check valves in the bottom of the outer cylinder and in the piston permit the pump to take in water at the bottom end of the pump and discharge it from the top end. The collapsible pump is easily stowed, and its short stroke, limited to the length of the inner cylinder, is substantaially easier to perform.

Abstract: A low ink sensing system is combined with an ink cartridge detection system to enable a more efficient ink jet printer. An ink container which supplies ink to an associated printhead is modified by the incorporation of two light directing elements, in the preferred embodiment, a faceted prism and a roof mirror, into a transparent wall of the container housing. The cartridge, comprising the ink container and associated printhead, is mounted on a scan carriage. Periodically, the carriage is conveyed to a sensing station comprising a pair of light sources and a commonly used photosensor. A first light source is energized and a beam of light is directed to a location where the roof mirror, would be positioned if the cartridge is present. If the cartridge is absent, lack of a reflected return signal is sensed, indicating a cartridge has not been inserted. Print operation is halted until a cartridge is inserted.

Abstract: An ink tank and ink tank support structure which contains structural elements which are designed to permit proper installation of the ink in the ink tank support structure while minimizing the chances of improper installation of the ink tank in the ink tank structure. A primary ink tank seal is provided in the ink tank, and a relatively low compressive force seal is provided between the ink tank support structure and the ink tank to reduce leakage of fluid from tank and limit evaporation of fluid from the tank despite repeated insertions and removals of the ink tank from the ink tank support structure. A variable capacity ink tank and an ink tank with staggered height walls are disclosed, as well as a code reader for determining characteristics of ink tanks.

Abstract: A low ink sensing system is combined with an ink cartridge detection system to enable a more efficient ink jet printer. An ink container which supplies ink to an associated printhead is modified by the incorporation of two light directing elements, in the preferred embodiment, a faceted prism and a roof mirror, into a transparent wall of the container housing. The cartridge, comprising the ink container and associated printhead, is mounted on a scan carriage. Periodically, the carriage is conveyed to a sensing station comprising a pair of light sources and a commonly used photosensor. A first light source is energized and a beam of light is directed to a location where the roof mirror, would be positioned if the cartridge is present. If the cartridge is absent, lack of a reflected return signal is sensed, indicating a cartridge has not been inserted. Print operation is halted until a cartridge is inserted.

Abstract: A printing machine for printing on a recording medium moving along a path through a print zone, includes a printhead, adapted to deposit ink on the recording medium in the print zone; and a radiant dryer, disposed adjacently to the path, for heating the recording medium. The radiant dryer includes a reflector and a heat source. The reflector includes a first portion defining a first heat region preheating the recording medium at a position in the path prior to the print zone, and a second portion defining a second heat region heating the recording medium in or subsequent to the print zone. In this design, the first portion generates heat energy having a first temperature and said second portion generates heat energy having a second temperature greater than said first temperature.

Abstract: A pressure change accommodating liquid ink container is provided for installing onto the printhead of a liquid ink recording apparatus for supplying liquid ink to the printhead. The pressure change accommodating liquid ink container includes external walls, including a front wall and a top wall, defining a holding chamber for containing liquid ink; a pressure release hole formed through the top wall into the holding chamber; and a pressure compensator device mounted to the top wall over the pressure release hole and including an auxiliary chamber for accommodating a change in an internal pressure of the holding chamber when filled with liquid ink.

Abstract: A low ink sensing system is combined with an ink cartridge detection system to enable a more efficient ink jet printer. An ink container which supplies ink to an associated printhead is modified by the incorporation of two light directing elements, in the preferred embodiment, a faceted prism and a roof mirror, into a transparent wall of the container housing. The cartridge, comprising the ink container and associated printhead, is mounted on a scan carriage. Periodically, the carriage is conveyed to a sensing station comprising a pair of light sources and a commonly used photosensor. A first light source is energized and a beam of light is directed to a location where the roof mirror, would be positioned if the cartridge is present. If the cartridge is absent, lack of a reflected return signal is sensed, indicating a cartridge has not been inserted. Print operation is halted until a cartridge is inserted.

Abstract: A method and mechanism are provided for supporting and stacking a liquid ink printed sheet moving along an in-track path and direction in a liquid ink printing system and having a flat, cross-track dimension "D1" defined by a first edge and a second and opposite edge of such sheet. The mechanism for the method includes an output tray defining and providing a stacking surface for holding the liquid ink printed sheet in a stack; and a first member having an edge supporting portion and an edge guiding portion for supporting and guiding the first edge of the liquid ink printed sheet, the first member being mounted at a first position having a first desired height distance above the stacking surface, and the first member extending along the in-track path and direction.

Abstract: A priming station for an ink jet printer includes an ink accumulator tank which has an enhanced moisture vapor transfer rate based on a choice of materials and tank design. In a preferred embodiment, the ink accumulator tank is connected between a printhead nozzle face capping member and a vacuum pump. The tank comprises a tub bonded to a cover having holes formed therethrough. A thin, highly permeable film which provides a relatively high moisture vapor transfer rate is adhesively bonded to the cover overlying the holes. In a preferred embodiment, the film is a thin (0.635 to 0.78 mm thick) silicone or Mylar. This design reduces the accumulator tank replacement frequency by increasing the evaporation rate of the ink stored in the tank.

Abstract: A low ink sensing system is combined with an ink cartridge detection system to enable a more efficient ink jet printer. An ink container which supplies ink to an associated printhead is modified by the incorporation of two light directing elements, in the preferred embodiment, a faceted prism and a roof mirror, into a transparent wall of the container housing. The cartridge, comprising the ink container and associated printhead, is mounted on a scan carriage. Periodically, the carriage is conveyed to a sensing station comprising a pair of light sources and a commonly used photosensor. A first light source is energized and a beam of light is directed to a location where the roof mirror, would be positioned if the cartridge is present. If the cartridge is absent, lack of a reflected return signal is sensed, indicating a cartridge has not been inserted. Print operation is halted until a cartridge is inserted.

Abstract: A maintenance station for an ink jet printer having a printhead with nozzles in a nozzle face and an ink supply cartridge is mounted on a translatable carriage for concurrent movement therewith. When the printer is in a non-printing mode, the carriage is translated to the maintenance station located outside and to one side of a printing zone, where various maintenance functions are provided depending upon the location of the carriage mounted printhead within the maintenance station. The printhead nozzle face is cleaned by at least one wiper blade as the printhead enters and leaves the maintenance station. Adjacent the wiper blade is a location for collecting nozzle-clearing ink droplets, followed by a capping location where a carriage actuatable cap moves into sealing engagement with the printhead nozzle face and surrounds the nozzle to provide a controllable environment therefor. A vacuum pump is interconnected to the cap by flexible hose with an ink separator therebetween.

Abstract: In an optical system for a multi-magnification copying device, a relative illumination filter is mounted in a fixed position relative to the projection lens with the center on the lens optical axis. The filter provides a radially varying transmission therethrough which compensates for circularly symmetric nonuniformities in the optical system at any magnification.