Abstract: A platen assembly for an ink jet printer and method of operating an ink jet printer. The platen assembly includes a platen member having at least one channel therein for receiving a rotatable platen rod and a skive residing in the channel adjacent to the rotatable platen rod. The skive has an edge thereof engaging a surface of the rotatable platen rod and removing debris therefrom. A slot is provided through the bottom wall of the channel for allowing debris removed from the rotatable platen rod to pass there through and out of the channel. A control unit is provided for controlling operation of a motor used to rotated the platen rod at desired times.

Abstract: An ink cartridge has a cartridge housing having a front side wall, a back side wall opposite the front side wall, a pair of opposed left and right side walls separating the front and the back side walls, and a bottom wall, the walls defining an internal cavity within the housing. The front and back side walls each have an internal surface that is curved and there is a generally uniform internal cartridge cavity thickness spacing existing between corresponding points on the respective internal surfaces at a respective section through the cartridge. An ink bag is preferably located within the internal cavity and filled with liquid ink so that the ink bag makes contact with the front side wall, the back side wall and each of the pair of opposed left and right side walls and the bottom wall.

Abstract: An ink cartridge has a cartridge housing having a front side wall, a back side wall opposite the front side wall, a pair of opposed left and right side walls separating the front and the back side walls, and a bottom wall, the walls defining an internal cavity within the housing. The front and back side walls each have an internal surface that is curved and there is a generally uniform internal cartridge cavity thickness spacing existing between corresponding points on the respective internal surfaces at a respective section through the cartridge. An ink bag is preferably located within the internal cavity and filled with liquid ink so that the ink bag makes contact with the front side wall, the back side wall and each of the pair of opposed left and right side walls and the bottom wall.