Patents by Inventor Norman E Pawlowski

Norman E Pawlowski 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).

  • Publication number: 20010024223
    Abstract: Techniques for air management in an inkjet printing systems. A method includes providing an ink supply for holding a supply of liquid ink, the ink supply including high barriers to air diffusion, filling the ink supply with a quantity of liquid unsaturated ink, storing the filled ink supply for a storage time interval or until needed, installing the ink supply in an inkjet printing system including an inkjet printhead, supplying unsaturated ink from the ink supply to the inkjet printhead for printing, and allowing the unsaturated ink to absorb air introduced into the printing system, and ejecting droplets of the liquid ink from the printing system during the printing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Thielman, Rhonda L. Wilson, Mark A. DeVries, Norman E. Pawlowski
  • Publication number: 20010019346
    Abstract: In the preferred embodiment, an inkjet printer includes a replaceable print cartridge which is inserted into a scanning carriage. An ink tube extends from the scanning carriage to a separate ink supply located within the printer. A fluid interconnect on one side of the print cartridge connects to a fluid interconnect on the carriage when the print cartridge is inserted into the carriage to complete the fluid connection between the external ink supply and the print cartridge. In one embodiment, the fluid interconnection is made between the print cartridge and the ink tube simply by placing the print cartridge into a stall in the scanning carriage. The print cartridge has contact pads on another side. The contact pads electrically contact electrodes on the carriage when the print cartridge is placed in the stall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Publication date: September 6, 2001
    Inventors: Norman E. Pawlowski, Ted Lee, Jaren D. Marler, Winthrop D. Childers
  • Publication number: 20010013886
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a replaceable ink supply cartridge for providing a pressurized supply of ink to an ink-jet printhead of an ink-jet printer. The replaceable ink supply cartridge includes an activation portion for receiving a linear actuator associated with the ink-jet printer. The linear actuator has an activated state and an inactivated state. In the activated state the linear actuator is biased toward an extended position into engagement with the activation portion. In the inactivated state the linear actuator is in a retracted position. The ink supply cartridge portion provides a source of pressurized ink in response to the activated state of the linear actuator. Wherein in response to the inactivated state of the linear actuator the source of pressurized ink is non-pressurized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 1998
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Inventors: JOHN A. UNDERWOOD, JOHN BARINAGA, BRUCE COWGER, NORMAN E. PAWLOWSKI, JR.
  • Patent number: 6273560
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fluidic coupling that releasably and fluidically connects to the inlet port of an inkjet print cartridge. The fluidic coupling acts as a seal for the print cartridge and a means of lubricating and protecting the inlet port from drying, leaking ink, and air ingestion while the print cartridge is in transit and in storage. The fluidic coupling also provides an auxiliary ink reservoir for the print cartridge. The fluidic coupling further provides an ink conduit to the printhead from an external ink supply. First first and second end portions define an internal chamber, the internal chamber providing an internal fluid conduit for ink between the first and second ends of the body; and a fluidic coupling affixed to the first end of the body and in fluidic communication with the internal chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Brian J. Keefe, Norman E. Pawlowski, Jr., Michael E. Peterschmidt, Carrie E. Harris, Winthrop D. Childers, James P. Kearns, Jeffrey D. Langford
  • Publication number: 20010006395
    Abstract: Disclosed is an inkjet printing system including a semipermanent printhead having a fluid input for receiving ink and an ejection portion for depositing ink in response to control signals. The printing system also includes a replaceable ink supply configured for providing ink to the printhead that stores an ink volume. The printhead is capable of lasting throughout the life of a plurality of the ink volumes. The printing system includes a fluid accumulator portion in fluid communication with the printhead and the replaceable ink supply. The fluid accumulator is adapted to accommodate the air introduced into the printhead during the usage of the ink supplies without purging air from the printhead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Publication date: July 5, 2001
    Inventors: Norman E. Pawlowski, Mark Hauck, John Barinaga, Donald E. Wenzel
  • Patent number: 6231173
    Abstract: In the preferred embodiment, an inkjet printer includes a replaceable print cartridge which is inserted into a scanning carriage. An ink tube extends from the scanning carriage to a separate ink supply located within the printer. A fluid interconnect on one side of the print cartridge connects to a fluid interconnect on the carriage when the print cartridge is inserted into the carriage to complete the fluid connection between the external ink supply and the print cartridge. In one embodiment, the fluid interconnection is made between the print cartridge and the ink tube simply by placing the print cartridge into a stall in the scanning carriage. The print cartridge has contact pads on another side. The contact pads electrically contact electrodes on the carriage when the print cartridge is placed in the stall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Norman E. Pawlowski, Jr., Ted Lee, Jaren D. Marler, Winthrop D. Childers
  • Patent number: 6188417
    Abstract: Described is an ink delivery system for an inkjet printing system including a housing; a printhead fixed to the housing for ejecting droplets of ink on media; a regulator located within the housing; a source of ink for replenishing the printhead; and an ink passageway for connecting the source of ink and the valve inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Brian J. Keefe, Norman E. Pawlowski, Jr., Michael E. Peterschmidt, Carrie E. Harris, Winthrop D. Childers
  • Patent number: 6183078
    Abstract: Disclosed is an ink delivery system for high throughput commercial inkjet printing devices. The ink delivery system includes a high speed ink ejection printhead with a large number of nozzles and an ink flow design which provides for improved printhead cooling. The printhead design achieves high ink ejection rates by having a very short inlet channel length which is made possible by having nozzles with a constant distance from the edge of the printhead. In order to accommodate this constant distance from the edge of the printhead the entire array of nozzles is disposed at a angle relative to the direction normal to the scan direction. An impinging ink flow against the back of the printhead is provided to limit the temperature of the printhead. A bubble collection chamber to increase the life of the printhead and a pressure regulator to provide ink at a controlled pressure to the printhead may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Joe R. Pietrzyk, Yale Goldis, Kenneth J. Courian, Norman E. Pawlowski, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6183077
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an ink supply container for containing ink. The ink supply container is configured for providing ink to an ink jet printing system. The ink container includes a first feature indicative of an ink family of a plurality of ink families associated with ink contained in the container. Also included is a second feature spaced from the first feature. The second feature is indicative of an ink color of a plurality of ink colors associated with ink in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Susan Hmelar, David O. Merrill, Glen E. Schmidt, John A. Underwood, Mark J. Green, Thomas Cocklin, Bruce Cowger, Norman E. Pawlowski, Jr., John A. Barinaga, Charles R. Steinmetz, Curt G. Gonzales, John F. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6183076
    Abstract: An inkjet printer includes at least one print cartridge mounted in a scanning carriage having an ink interconnect coupled, via a flexible tube, to an ink output of a stationary pressure regulator. An ink input of the pressure regulator is connected, via a tube, to a stationary ink supply having replaceable ink cartridges. The print cartridge contains one or more printheads and one or more ink interconnects, one interconnect for each color ink which is printable by the print cartridge. To avoid ink pressure spikes due to the momentum of the ink in the flexible ink tube as the carriage scans across the medium, a flexible diaphragm is incorporated in the ink chamber of the print cartridge. The print cartridge is inserted in the scanning carriage so as to create a fluid coupling between the printhead and the flexible tube leading to the scanning carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Winthrop D. Childers, Norman E. Pawlowski, Jr., Dale D. Timm, Jr., Kenneth E. Trueba
  • Patent number: 6164743
    Abstract: An ink container that includes a collapsible ink reservoir having first a side and a second side that are opposing, a first spiral conductive coil attached to the first side, a second spiral conductive coil attached to the second side, stiffeners disposed over the first and second coils, and a pressure vessel for pressurizing the outside of the ink reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Susan M. Hmelar, James E. Clark, Eric L. Gasvoda, Norman E. Pawlowski, Jr., Juan-Antonio Sabate Saumell, Rhonda L. Wilson, James M. Cameron, Steven B. Elgee
  • Patent number: 6164771
    Abstract: An inkjet print cartridge having minimized size dimensions and capable of removable installation in a carriage. In a preferred printer environment a plurality of such print cartridges are mounted in a carriage, with each print cartridge holding a different type/color of liquid to be applied to a media material. Liquid replenishment is provided through a liquid interconnect and control signals are provided through an electric interconnect, which are respectively positioned in spaced apart locations on opposite sides of the print cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: B Michael Eckard, Jose Antonio Alvarez, Jeffrey T Hendricks, James P. Kearns, Kenneth R Williams, Norman E Pawlowski, Ted Lee
  • Patent number: 6151039
    Abstract: A printing system including an ink container having a memory and an ink level sensing circuit, a print cartridge having a memory, and a printer controller. Remaining ink level in the ink container is estimated pursuant to ink drop usage information provided by the ink container memory and ink level sense information provided by the ink level sensing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Susan M. Hmelar, Michael L. Bullock, Norman E. Pawlowski, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6137513
    Abstract: In the preferred embodiment, an inkjet printer includes a replaceable print cartridge which is inserted into a scanning carriage. An ink tube extends from the scanning carriage to a separate ink supply located within the printer. A fluid interconnect on the print cartridge connects to a fluid interconnect on the carriage when the print cartridge is inserted into the carriage to complete the fluid connection between the external ink supply and the print cartridge. In one embodiment, the fluid interconnection is made between the print cartridge and the ink tube simply by placing the print cartridge into a stall in the scanning carriage. A pressure regulator internal to the print cartridge regulates the flow of ink from the external ink supply to the print cartridge. The external ink supply may be pressurized or non-pressurized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Norman E. Pawlowski, Jr., Mark Hauck, John A. Barinaga
  • Patent number: 6113228
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an ink container for providing ink to an ink jet printing system. The ink container includes an outer shell, the outer shell defining an elongate opening therein. Also included is a chassis having a fluid outlet and air inlet defined therein. The fluid outlet is in communication with an ink reservoir that is fluidically coupled to the chassis. The chassis has a shape that is complementary with the elongate opening of the outer shell. With the chassis inserted into the outer shell pressurized air provided at the air inlet pressurizes the outer shell that in turn pressurizes the ink reservoir to provide a source of pressurized ink at the fluid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Norman E. Pawlowski, Jr., Eric L. Gasvoda
  • Patent number: 6074050
    Abstract: Disclosed is a replaceable ink container for providing ink to an ink-jet printing system. The ink container includes a pressure vessel for pressurizing ink. The ink container has a non-operating state and an operating state. Within the operating state, the pressure vessel has an internal gauge pressure maintained within an operating range so that pressurized ink is provided to the printing system. The ink container also includes a gas vent apparatus communicating between an inside surface of the pressure vessel and an outside atmosphere to allow continuous venting in both the operating and non-operating states. In one preferred embodiment the vent apparatus includes a porous member that is located between a pressurized region of the ink container and an outside atmosphere. This porous member provides a flow path for gas therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Raul Perez, Rhonda Wilson, Norman E. Pawlowski, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6074042
    Abstract: The present invention is a replaceable ink container for providing ink to an off-axis printing system. The printing system responsive to electrical signals from the replaceable ink container for controlling printer parameters. The ink container has a leading edge and a trailing edge relative to a direction of insertion of the ink container into the printing system. The replaceable ink container includes a fluid outlet disposed toward the leading edge. The fluid outlet is configured for fluid connection to a hollow needle associated with the printing system The hollow needle extends in a direction opposite the insertion direction. Included in the ink container is a plurality of electrical contacts disposed on the ink container. The plurality of electrical contacts are configured for engagement with complementary electrical contacts associated with the printing system Also included in the ink container is a guide member extending from the ink container along the insertion direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Eric L. Gasvoda, Susan M. Hmelar, David O. Merrill, Norman E. Pawlowski, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6068370
    Abstract: A tube routing configuration for a printing system with an off-axis ink supply system. The system includes a printer housing and a transporting system for transporting a print medium along a medium path to a print area. A scanning carriage holds a printing cartridge with a print-head, the carriage holding the cartridge such that the printhead faces the print zone. A carriage scanning apparatus moves the carriage along a scanning axis transverse to the medium path at the print area. An off-axis ink supply station is mounted in a fixed position relative to the printer housing. Hollow flexible tubing interconnects between the carriage and the off-axis ink supply station to provide an ink replenishment path for the printer cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Gary L. Miller, Ted T. Lee, Kenneth R. Williams, Bruce A. McFadden, Norman E. Pawlowski, Jr, Michael K. Bowen
  • Patent number: 6050682
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an air purge apparatus includes a bellows, or any other pressure source, for pressurizing a flexible diaphragm internal to a regulator-based inkjet print cartridge. This opens a regulator valve which allows air to be purged out of the print cartridge body. Ink may be supplied to the print cartridge to replace the volume of air and ink removed. Additionally, a pressure source may provide a negative pressure to the nozzles of the print cartridge so as to purge air from the manifold of the print cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Company
    Inventors: Norman E. Pawlowski, Jr., Winthrop D. Childers
  • Patent number: 6033064
    Abstract: In the preferred embodiment, an inkjet printer includes a replaceable print cartridge which is inserted into a scanning carriage. An ink tube extends from the scanning carriage to a separate ink supply located within the printer. A fluid interconnect on the print cartridge connects to a fluid interconnect on the carriage when the print cartridge is inserted into the carriage to complete the fluid connection between the external ink supply and the print cartridge. In one embodiment, the fluid interconnection is made between the print cartridge and the ink tube simply by placing the print cartridge into a stall in the scanning carriage. A pressure regulator, which may be internal or external to the print cartridge, regulates the flow of ink from the external ink supply to the print cartridge. The external ink supply may be pressurized or non-pressurized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Norman E. Pawlowski, Jr., S. Dana Seccombe, Mark Hauck, John A. Barinaga, James M. Cameron, John A. Underwood