Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include hybrid ink delivery systems which allow a flexible arrangement of free ink supplies to be connected to multiple printhead assemblies, while preventing printhead deprime or drooling during setup, and provide control and verification of ink supply replacement through the use of integral memory components on the in supplies.

Abstract: An inkjet printing system and method for printing using both pigmented inks and dye-based inks. A supply of pigmented ink of a certain color is provided, along with another supply of dye-based ink of the same color. A pigmented nozzle array controllably deposits drops of the pigmented ink of the certain color, while a dye-based nozzle array controllably deposits drops of the dye-based ink of the same color. A region of a media is printed with the color by depositing, as governed by a controller, drops from the pigmented supply and drops from the dye-based supply on different subregions of the region.

Abstract: A ball check valve for use in a bulk ink supply system of an inkjet printing system, for disposal in an ink flow path between an ink reservoir and a printhead, so as to control back pressure at the printhead thereby reducing the occurrence of de-priming of the printhead, including a valve body defining a chamber with an inlet and an outlet; a ball disposed in the chamber, the ball having a diameter; a ball retainer disposed in the inlet, the ball retainer having an aperture with a diameter which is less than the diameter of the ball, wherein backflow of ink in the chamber causes the ball to seat against the ball retainer, placing the ball check valve in a closed position such that ink flow through the aperture is restricted.

Abstract: A ball check valve for use in a bulk ink supply system of an inkjet printing system, for disposal in an ink flow path between an ink reservoir and a printhead, so as to control back pressure at the printhead thereby reducing the occurrence of de-priming of the printhead, including a valve body defining a chamber with an inlet and an outlet; a ball disposed in the chamber, the ball having a diameter; a ball retainer disposed in the inlet, the ball retainer having an aperture with a diameter which is less than the diameter of the ball, wherein backflow of ink in the chamber causes the ball to seat against the ball retainer, placing the ball check valve in a closed position such that ink flow through the aperture is restricted.

Abstract: An inkjet printing system and method for printing using both pigmented inks and dye-based inks. A supply of pigmented ink of a certain color is provided, along with another supply of dye-based ink of the same color. A pigmented nozzle array controllably deposits drops of the pigmented ink of the certain color, while a dye-based nozzle array controllably deposits drops of the dye-based ink of the same color. A region of a media is printed with the color by depositing, as governed by a controller, drops from the pigmented supply and drops from the dye-based supply on different subregions of the region.

Abstract: A replaceable ink supply module which provides replenishment of an inkjet printhead includes a collapsible bag, an enclosure box, a connective tube, and an on/off valve. These four components are incorporated into a composite sealed system which remains intact during shipment, storage, installation and operation. The collapsible bag is placed inside of the protective enclosure box and has an end-connect outlet permanently attached to one end of the connective tube. The other end of the connective tube carries a permanently attached on/off valve designed for periodic engagement with an inlet valve of an inkjet printhead.

Abstract: An ink replenishment kit and method for an inkjet printer includes a replaceable ink supply module providing replenishment of an inkjet printhead, The module includes a collapsible bag, an enclosure box, a connective tube, and an on/off valve. These four components are incorporated into a composite sealed system which remains intact during shipment, storage, installation and operation. A coupler is provided to securely attach a print cartridge inlet with the on/off valve to hold them together in an open position allowing ink to be replenished into the print cartridge from the collapsible bag.

Abstract: An inkjet printing system provides an automated mechanism for the connection/disconnection of an ink supply valve to inkjet printheads without having to remove the printheads from a carriage. The automated mechanism includes a bracket for holding a plurality of ink supply valves in a passive first position displaced from a corresponding number of inlet ports on inkjet printheads mounted in the carriage which moves back and forth across a print zone. During normal printing operations there is no connection between the ink supply valves and the inkjet printheads. When it becomes necessary to replenish ink in the printheads from a supplemental ink container connected to the ink supply valve, the carriage comes to a rest position away from the print zone, and a motor causes the bracket to move toward the carriage so that an ink supply valve can directly engage an inlet port on the inkjet printhead. In an exemplary embodiment, an ink cartridge having a reservoir capacity of about 40 cc. can receive about 15 cc.

Abstract: An inkjet printing system provides an on/off valve adapted for periodic engagement with an inlet port on a print cartridge mounted in a carriage. The valve is connected to an ink supply which is located off the carriage. As the ink reservoir in the print cartridge is slowly depleted during operation of the printing system, a mechanism periodically moves the valve from a first passive position separated from the print cartridge to a second active position engaged with the inlet port of the print cartridge in order to allow replenishment of the ink reservoir in the print cartridge without removing the print cartridge from the carriage.

Abstract: An inkjet cartridge is adapted to receive ink from an external ink supply reservoir. The inkjet cartridge includes an internal reservoir, printhead, housing, and fluid interface. The housing includes a first cylindrical port, a first connector and a second connector. The fluid interface provides fluid communication between the port and reservoir. An adapter secures a tube/needle valve from the supply reservoir to the port. The adapter includes a first member, a first protrusion and a second protrusion integrally formed as one structure. The first member defines an opening within which the needle valve is positioned. The first protrusion and second protrusion extend from the first member adjacent to the opening. The first protrusion engages the housing's first connector and the second protrusion engages the housing's second connector to attach the adapter to the housing. The valve mates to the port and a valve needle mates to the fluid interface.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a headland design for adhesively attaching a printhead to a print cartridge which reduces dimple in the nozzle member and the attendant nozzle trajectory errors. In a preferred embodiment, a nozzle member containing an array of orifices has a substrate having heater elements formed thereon, affixed to a back surface of the nozzle member. Each orifice in the nozzle member is associated with a single ink ejection chamber and heating element formed on the substrate. The nozzle member is adhesively sealed with respect to the ink reservoir body by forming an ink seal circumscribing the substrate, between the back surface of the nozzle member and the headland area of the print cartridge. This method and design for a print cartridge headland which provides a seal directly between a nozzle member and an ink reservoir body. The above design provides reduced yield losses, and thus lower manufacturing costs, when manufacturing print cartridges.