Patents by Inventor Michael S. Ardito

Michael S. Ardito has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7654655
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for improving pressure sensor shock robustness in fluid containment devices by providing a mechanical filter configured to prevent high-frequency pressure shocks from damaging the pressure sensor. One approach includes a body of elastomeric material disposed on an external surface of the sensor. Another approach is a porous plug in a fluid pathway leading to the sensor. Yet another approach is to provide a seal structure with a labyrinth fluid path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Craig Malik, Michael S. Ardito, Philip Burkum, Rhonda L. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6886929
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for improving pressure sensor shock robustness in fluid containment devices by providing a mechanical filter configured to prevent high-frequency pressure shocks from damaging the pressure sensor. One approach includes a body of elastomeric material disposed on an external surface of the sensor. Another approach is a porous plug in a fluid pathway leading to the sensor. Yet another approach is to provide a seal structure with a labyrinth fluid path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Craig Malik, Michael S. Ardito, Philip Burkum, Rhonda L. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6776479
    Abstract: Venting mechanisms are provided for allowing air to replace fluid in the sealed fluid interconnect port of a container substantially filled with a capillary material, thus enabling absorption of residual fluid into the container capillary material. In one embodiment, the venting mechanisms include small ribs formed on the floor of the container body to space the capillary material away from the floor, thus allowing air to flow along the container floor to the interconnect port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael S. Ardito, Anthony D. Studer, Curt G. Gonzales
  • Patent number: 6764170
    Abstract: A package assembly for an ink-jet ink reservoir. The package assembly includes an ink-jet ink reservoir having a fluid orifice, a label removably and adhesively bonded to the reservoir and sealing the orifice, and pouch material bonded to the label and forming a package around the reservoir. In another aspect, the label has a lateral margin of deadened adhesive located at one end of the label insuring that when the pouch is removed from around the reservoir, the label is removed as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Michael S. Ardito
  • Publication number: 20040085413
    Abstract: Venting mechanisms are provided for allowing air to replace fluid in the sealed fluid interconnect port of a container substantially filled with a capillary material, thus enabling absorption of residual fluid into the container capillary material. In one embodiment, the venting mechanisms include small ribs formed on the floor of the container body to space the capillary material away from the floor, thus allowing air to flow along the container floor to the interconnect port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Michael S. Ardito, Anthony D. Studer, Curt G. Gonzales
  • Publication number: 20040080552
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for improving pressure sensor shock robustness in fluid containment devices by providing a mechanical filter configured to prevent high-frequency pressure shocks from damaging the pressure sensor. One approach includes a body of elastomeric material disposed on an external surface of the sensor. Another approach is a porous plug in a fluid pathway leading to the sensor. Yet another approach is to provide a seal structure with a labyrinth fluid path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Craig Malik, Michael S. Ardito, Philip Burkum, Rhonda L. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6696959
    Abstract: An ink system is disclosed which includes a broken bag sensing feature for use with conductive ink. The ink system preferably includes an ink containment bag with a metallized layer insulated from the bag interior; a first electrical contact with the metallized layer; a second electrical contact communicating with conductive ink contained within the ink containment bag; an electrical connection between the first and second electrical contacts; and a measurement device for measuring an electrical characteristic between the first and second contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Craig Malik, Rhonda L. Wilson, Michael S. Ardito
  • Publication number: 20040012497
    Abstract: An ink system is disclosed which includes a broken bag sensing feature for use with conductive ink. The ink system preferably includes an ink containment bag with a metallized layer insulated from the bag interior; a first electrical contact with the metallized layer; a second electrical contact communicating with conductive ink contained within the ink containment bag; an electrical connection between the first and second electrical contacts; and a measurement device for measuring an electrical characteristic between the first and second contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Craig Malik, Rhonda L. Wilson, Michael S. Ardito
  • Patent number: 6655792
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise geometric features in the fluid interconnect region of an ink container which inhibit residual ink from contacting a removable seal on the container or the fingers and clothing of the container installer. The features comprise a fluid accumulator and capillary break.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: David J. Benson, Kevin D. Almen, Michael S. Ardito, Ralph W. Kinser, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20030025774
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise geometric features in the fluid interconnect region of an ink container which inhibit residual ink from contacting a removable seal on the container or the fingers and clothing of the container installer. The features comprise a fluid accumulator and capillary break.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: David J. Benson, Kevin D. Almen, Michael S. Ardito, Ralph W. Kinser
  • Publication number: 20020191056
    Abstract: A package assembly for an ink-jet ink reservoir. The package assembly includes an ink-jet ink reservoir having a fluid orifice, a label removably and adhesively bonded to the reservoir and sealing the orifice, and pouch material bonded to the label and forming a package around the reservoir. In another aspect, the label has a lateral margin of deadened adhesive located at one end of the label insuring that when the pouch is removed from around the reservoir, the label is removed as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventor: Michael S. Ardito
  • Patent number: 6464339
    Abstract: Removable fluid port seals for fluid containers that are configured for insertion into a receiving station within a fluid utilizing system are disclosed. An exemplary use of the fluid port seal is to seal replaceable ink containers for use in ink jet printers, although the present invention is not limited to a specific field of application. The fluid port seal has a tab portion which extends beyond the container and interferes with installation of the container into the receiving station if an installer attempts to install the fluid container in the utilizing system without first removing the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventor: Michael S. Ardito
  • Publication number: 20020122082
    Abstract: A replaceable ink container for providing ink to a printhead of a printing system. The ink container has a fluid outlet configured for connection with the printhead. The ink container includes an ink reservoir having a first capillary member having a first capillary pressure, and a second capillary member having a second capillary pressure that is greater than the first capillary pressure such that the second capillary member has a higher resistance to ink flow than the first capillary member. An ink level sensor senses a low ink condition of the ink reservoir. The ink level sensor includes a C-shaped tube having first and second ports that fluidically communicate with only the second capillary member. The first and second capillary members abut one another at a capillary member interface, and the first port is positioned immediately adjacent to this capillary member interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventors: Michael S. Ardito, Ray A. Walker, Jeffrey L. Thielman
  • Patent number: 6431672
    Abstract: A replaceable ink container for providing ink to a printhead of a printing system. The ink container has a fluid outlet configured for connection with the printhead. The ink container includes an ink reservoir having a first capillary member having a first capillary pressure, and a second capillary member having a second capillary pressure that is greater than the first capillary pressure such that the second capillary member has a higher resistance to ink flow than the first capillary member. An ink level sensor senses a low ink condition of the ink reservoir. The ink level sensor includes a C-shaped tube having first and second ports that fluidically communicate with only the second capillary member. The first and second capillary members abut one another at a capillary member interface, and the first port is positioned immediately adjacent to this capillary member interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Michael S. Ardito, Ray A. Walker, Jeffrey L. Thielman