Abstract: A thermal inkjet cartridge for an organic solvent-based ink includes a cartridge housing, a printhead attached to the housing, and a collapsible ink reservoir disposed in the housing. The ink reservoir has an opening through which ink is supplied to the printhead in fluid communication with the ink reservoir. The reservoir includes a basin member defining a first major portion of the ink reservoir and a movable plate defining a second major portion of the ink reservoir. At least one of the basin member and the movable plate includes a barrier layer for reducing the migration of solvent from the ink reservoir to an external environment.

Abstract: A thermal inkjet cartridge for an organic solvent-based ink includes a cartridge housing, a printhead attached to the housing, and a collapsible ink reservoir disposed in the housing. The ink reservoir has an opening through which ink is supplied to the printhead in fluid communication with the ink reservoir. The reservoir includes a basin member defining a first major portion of the ink reservoir and a movable plate defining a second major portion of the ink reservoir. At least one of the basin member and the movable plate includes a barrier layer for reducing the migration of solvent from the ink reservoir to an external environment.

Abstract: A capping device for an ink jet print head, includes a base, the base configured to receive an ink jet print head comprising nozzles for ejecting ink in a print direction, and a cap assembly attached to the base and configured for movement between a closed position when the print head is not printing and an open position to allow for the ejection of ink from the nozzles when the print head is printing. The cap assembly includes a cover support configured for generally planar movement with respect to the base in a direction perpendicular to the print direction and a cover attached to the cover support in a generally planar relationship thereto. The cover is adapted to provide additional movement with respect to the cover support in a direction different from the planar movement in the direction perpendicular to the print direction.

Abstract: An ink containment system for an inkjet cartridge, for storing ink for printing, comprises a rigid basin member and a rigid moveable plate. A flexible membrane is affixed to a surface of the basin member and to a surface of the plate forming an ink reservoir within the basin member, plate and flexible membrane. A spring-biased mechanism is disposed between the basin member and plate, for biasing the plate apart from the basin member, generating a negative pressure within the ink reservoir and the basin member remaining stationary relative to the movement of the plate. The basin member has a bowl-like configuration and the spring is seated within the reservoir in such a way that when the ink reservoir has collapsed due to depletion of ink, the flexible membrane and moveable plate are substantially flush with surfaces of the basin member.

Abstract: A capping device for an ink jet print head, includes a base, the base configured to receive an ink jet print head comprising nozzles for ejecting ink in a print direction, and a cap assembly attached to the base and configured for movement between a closed position when the print head is not printing and an open position to allow for the ejection of ink from the nozzles when the print head is printing. The cap assembly includes a cover support configured for generally planar movement with respect to the base in a direction perpendicular to the print direction and a cover attached to the cover support in a generally planar relationship thereto. The cover is adapted to provide additional movement with respect to the cover support in a direction different from the planar movement in the direction perpendicular to the print direction.

Abstract: An ink containment system for an inkjet cartridge, for storing ink for printing, comprises a rigid basin member and a rigid moveable plate. A flexible membrane is affixed to a surface of the basin member and to a surface of the plate forming an ink reservoir within the basin member, plate and flexible membrane. A spring-biased mechanism is disposed between the basin member and plate, for biasing the plate apart from the basin member, generating a negative pressure within the ink reservoir and the basin member remaining stationary relative to the movement of the plate. The basin member has a bowl-like configuration and the spring is seated within the reservoir in such a way that when the ink reservoir has collapsed due to depletion of ink, the flexible membrane and moveable plate are substantially flush with surfaces of the basin member.

Abstract: An ink containment system for an inkjet cartridge, for storing ink for printing, comprises a rigid basin member and a rigid moveable plate. A flexible membrane is affixed to a surface of the basin member and to a surface of the plate forming an ink reservoir within the basin member, plate and flexible membrane. A spring-biased mechanism is disposed between the basin member and plate, for biasing the plate apart from the basin member, generating a negative pressure within the ink reservoir and the basin member remaining stationary relative to the movement of the plate. The basin member has a bowl-like configuration and the spring is seated within the reservoir in such a way that when the ink reservoir has collapsed due to depletion of ink, the flexible membrane and moveable plate are substantially flush with surfaces of the basin member.

Abstract: An ink containment system for an inkjet cartridge, for storing ink for printing, comprises a rigid basin member and a rigid moveable plate. A flexible membrane is affixed to a surface of the basin member and to a surface of the plate forming an ink reservoir within the basin member, plate and flexible membrane. A spring-biased mechanism is disposed between the basin member and plate, for biasing the plate apart from the basin member, generating a negative pressure within the ink reservoir and the basin member remaining stationary relative to the movement of the plate. The basin member has a bowl-like configuration and the spring is seated within the reservoir in such a way that when the ink reservoir has collapsed due to depletion of ink, the flexible membrane and moveable plate are substantially flush with surfaces of the basin member.

Abstract: An ink containment system for an inkjet cartridge, for storing ink for printing, comprises a rigid basin member and a rigid moveable plate. A flexible membrane is affixed to a surface of the basin member and to a surface of the plate forming an ink reservoir within the basin member, plate and flexible membrane. A spring-biased mechanism is disposed between the basin member and plate, for biasing the plate apart from the basin member, generating a negative pressure within the ink reservoir and the basin member remaining stationary relative to the movement of the plate. The basin member has a bowl-like configuration and the spring is seated within the reservoir in such a way that when the ink reservoir has collapsed due to depletion of ink, the flexible membrane and moveable plate are substantially flush with surfaces of the basin member.

Abstract: A printing method includes providing a print head. The print head includes a valve and at least one orifice. Fluid is ejected from the orifice in a generally continuous stream. The fluid includes a conductive material. The fluid is deposited in a pattern on a substrate to form an electrically conductive deposit. At least a portion of the pattern includes a generally straight line.

Abstract: An ink containment system for an inkjet cartridge, for storing ink for printing, comprises a rigid basin member and a rigid moveable plate. A flexible membrane is affixed to a surface of the basin member and to a surface of the plate forming an ink reservoir within the basin member, plate and flexible membrane. A spring-biased mechanism is disposed between the basin member and plate, for biasing the plate apart from the basin member, generating a negative pressure within the ink reservoir and the basin member remaining stationary relative to the movement of the plate. The basin member has a bowl-like configuration and the spring is seated within the reservoir in such a way that when the ink reservoir has collapsed due to depletion of ink, the flexible membrane and moveable plate are substantially flush with surfaces of the basin member.

Abstract: A print engine for drop-on-demand printing having a removable drive electronics unit and a removable ink jetting structure. The ink jetting structure may include an actuator mechanism, a nozzle, and a flexible circuit. The drive electronics unit may include an input port, at least one driver chip, and an outlet port. The inlet port may receive electronic data from an external information source and convert the received electronic data into electronic signals used to activate the actuator mechanism. The output port of the drive electronics and the flexible circuit may be removably connected through the use of an electronics connection device. This connection may allow the electronic signals generated by the drive electronics unit to be delivered to the actuator mechanism. These signals may control when the actuator mechanism is activated, thereby controlling the formation and jettison of ink droplets out of the nozzle of the ink jetting structure.

Abstract: A system, including an ink supply system configured to supply ink to a printhead; and an autopurge unit configured to automatically clean the printhead. The autopurge unit includes a solvent supply in fluid communication with a solvent line, a solenoid housing, and a waste container. The solenoid housing includes a first solenoid assembly disposed within an ink line, wherein the ink line is in fluid communication with the ink supply and a first outlet that is configured to be in fluid communication with the printhead; and a second solenoid assembly disposed within a solvent line. The waste container is in fluid communication with a waste delivery line having a waste inlet. The waste inlet is configured to be in fluid communication with a waste line that is in communication with the printhead so that fluid waste from the printhead is deposited into the waste container.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for printing an image of high quality on a porous substrate comprising applying to the porous substrate, in any order, a coating composition comprising water and/or a hydrophilic organic solvent and droplets of an ink jet ink composition comprising an image producing dye dissolved in an ink solvent, wherein the ink solvent is miscible with water and/or the hydrophilic organic solvent, and the image producing dye is insoluble or poorly soluble in the coating composition, such that when the coating composition contacts the ink jet ink composition, at least a portion of the image producing dye separates from the ink jet ink composition and deposits on the surface of the porous substrate.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead includes a housing defining an interior compartment. The housing includes a front or print face which presents an array of nozzles that are adapted to project drops of ink on a substrate as the substrate passes in front of the array. The front face defines a front air passage that surrounds at least a portion of the nozzle array to allow air flow between the exterior of the housing and the interior compartment. The housing defines at least one additional air passage constructed to allow air flow between the exterior of the housing and the interior compartment. The air passages are constructed to create positive air flow through the front passage which reduces the accumulation of debris around the orifice array. The printhead may also include a protective structure that extends across a portion of the front air passage to protect the orifice array from being damaged by materials, such as mail, that move past the printhead at high speeds during the printing operation.