Abstract: An apparatus for use in a fluid delivery system includes a housing configurable to separate a first volume of gas from a second volume of gas and an interface arranged within the housing. The interface includes a bubbler member that is fluidically wetted with a fluid via capillary action. The interface is configured to allow a gas from the first volume of gas to pass through the fluid into the second volume of gas when a pressure difference between the first and second volumes of gas reaches a first threshold level. The interface is also configured to allow a gas from the second volume of gas to pass through the fluid into the first volume of gas when the pressure difference between the first and second volumes of gas reaches a second threshold level.

Abstract: A hand-held printing device having a hand-operated actuator that moves a print head relative to a print medium and at least one sensor. The hand-held printing device further has logic configured to perform at least one power-using operation of the hand-held device based on an output from the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A hand-held printing device has a hand-operated mechanical actuator for moving a print head that prints images to medium and memory configured electronically storing a sequence of images in a predetermined sequential order. The hand-held printing device further has logic that detects a first actuation of the actuator and automatically communicates a first image in the sequence to the print head and detects a second actuation of the actuator and automatically communicates a second image in the sequence to the print head.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a printer including an actuation member are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for use inkjet pens. One method includes, during an initial stage of pen life, drawing ink from an ink reservoir through a standpipe, and, during an extended stage of pen life, allowing external air to enter into the standpipe through a standpipe bubbler and drawing ink from within the standpipe but not the ink reservoir.

Abstract: A multiple-layered membrane includes a gas permeable membrane layer, a printable surface layer having at least one aperture extending therethrough, and a non-contiguous adhesive layer coupling at least a portion of a first side surface of the gas permeable membrane layer to at least a portion of the printable surface layer, such that a part of the first side surface of the gas permeable membrane layer is exposed through the aperture in the printable surface layer.

Abstract: A replaceable ink supply comprises an ink container with an internal chamber formed from a plurality of walls. An ink reservoir block can be located within the internal chamber. Further, a channel can be formed in at least one wall of the internal chamber and the channel having an open side exposing a portion of the ink reservoir block.

Abstract: A fluid containment structure includes a containment vessel having an interior fluid chamber for fluid containment. A flexible bag is disposed within the containment vessel; the bag is vented to the external atmosphere outside the containment vessel. A spring is coupled to the bag to hold the bag in a coiled state until a back-pressure within the fluid chamber exerts sufficient force to commence uncoiling the bag against the spring pressure, allowing air from the external atmosphere to enter the bag and enlarge an interior bag space which is sealed from the interior fluid chamber.

Abstract: A fluid supply including a body and a reversibly fluid absorbing material having a first surface energy and disposed in the body. In addition, the fluid supply has at least one fiber having a fiber surface energy where the fiber is disposed within the fluid absorbing material, and the fiber surface energy is less than the first surface energy of the fluid absorbing material.

Abstract: A heat stake head assembly includes a heating module including a heatable head surface, and a module head which includes a housing having a plurality of through receptacles formed between a first surface and a second surface. The module head is mountable onto the heating module such that the first surface is in contact with the heatable head surface. A set of stake tip elements are provided, each having a head end and a tip, each for fitting into one of the plurality of through receptacles such that the tips of the stake tip elements protrude from the second surface. A plurality of biasing structures bias a respective stake tip element into contact with the heatable head surface.

Abstract: A fluid containment structure includes a containment vessel having an interior vessel space for fluid containment, and a fluid outlet communicating with the interior vessel space. A flexible bag with opposed side surfaces is disposed within the containment vessel, vented to an external atmosphere outside the containment vessel. A sacrificial bond structure is formed between the side surfaces, and restrains the side surfaces together until a back-pressure within the vessel space exerts sufficient force to break the sacrificial bond structure, allowing air from the external atmosphere to enter the bag and enlarge an interior bag space.

Abstract: An ink delivery regulation apparatus includes a support configured to be positioned within an ink chamber and a resilient deflection member coupled to the support. The resilient deflection member is configured to resiliently deflect from a generally concave shape to a generally convex shape in response to a change in said negative pressure.

Abstract: An ink delivery apparatus includes a pressure tuned rolling piston having a distal end. The distal end includes a pressure responsive portion. A first convolute portion supports the pressure responsive portion, and the first convolute portion is configured to provide a first level of resistance against a negative pressure.

Abstract: An ink delivery apparatus includes a chamber configured to contain ink, where that chamber includes a proximal end for connection to the ink delivery apparatus, and opposing side portions having at least one tapered section configured to support the chamber and to facilitate at least partial controlled collapse of the chamber in response to a negative pressure.

Abstract: Ink reservoirs and methods are provided. One ink reservoir has at least one compartment and first and second vents that communicatively couple the compartment to an atmosphere surrounding an exterior of the ink reservoir.

Abstract: A high efficiency, liquid supply vessel is provided. The liquid supply vessel includes a chamber, either an open-foam or septum-based fluidic interconnect, a tower, and at least one gas-permeable vent. The tower includes a valve which remains closed when the vessel is inserted into a printer and the fluidic interconnect is engaged, thereby retaining the liquid in the vessel. When the printhead is operated, a sufficient vacuum is created to open the valve, thereby supplying the liquid to the printhead. Whereas the vacuum pressure may otherwise rise to unacceptable levels, the gas-permeable vent enables the pressure to be equalized. Similarly, the vent equalizes pressure during altitude and/or temperature changes, thereby preventing pressure increases or decreases which would otherwise be associated with such changes.

Abstract: In order that sensitive structures of inkjet printing mechanisms be cleaned without damaging these structures, a cleaning sheet and a process of using the sheet has been created. Debris and dried ink is removed from print cartridges and their carriage using a cleaning sheet having two strips of material spaced with a napped surface disposed longitudinally between the side edges and spaced apart from each other. By controlling the distance the strips are spaced from the sheet feed edge of the cleaning sheet, the print cartridges can be placed adjacent the strips for scrubbing against the strips without resulting in a media jam in the printer due to the increased thickness of the cleaning sheet.

Abstract: A technique for handling residual ink that is from time to time present on the orifice plate of an ink-jet print cartridge. In one preferred embodiment, an ink-jet print cartridge is equipped with an ink-receptive member, such as an absorbent pad. The pad is located so that a service station wiper will move the residual ink from the orifice plate and spread it across the pad. The pad absorbs the ink. In essence, the ink is sequestered on the cartridge, in the pad. The exterior surface of the pad dries quickly so that there is little likelihood of developing a tacky area over the pad to which fibers may stick and degrade print quality.

Abstract: In order that sensitive structures of inkjet printing mechanisms be cleaned without damaging these structures, a cleaning sheet and a process of using the sheet has been created. Debris and dried ink is removed from print cartridges and their carriage using a cleaning sheet having two strips of material spaced with a napped surface disposed longitudinally between the side edges and spaced apart from each other. By controlling the distance the strips are spaced from the sheet feed edge of the cleaning sheet, the print cartridges can be placed adjacent the strips for scrubbing against the strips without resulting in a media jam in the printer due to the increased thickness of the cleaning sheet.