Abstract: A print head assembly that is removably mounted to a carriage. The print head assembly fits within a socket defined by the carriage. Exposed electrical leads in the socket and the print head assembly body are brought into contact when the assembly is inserted into the carriage socket.

Abstract: Catch mechanisms are provided on the interior surfaces of a flexible, collapsible ink container. The catch mechanisms secure the empty container in a compact orientation for easy handling.

Abstract: An ink jet printer having a travelling ink jet pen with a foam-filled ink chamber. A separate source reservoir includes an ink outlet nozzle connectable to the pen chamber for refilling. A probe on the reservoir partially compresses the foam to decrease its ink capacity during filling. An electrical contact on the reservoir or pen detects over-filling and over-saturation of the foam to stop the filling process. As the foam is decompressed, its increased absorptive capacity accommodates any excess overflow.

Abstract: The system for controlling the back pressure in the reservoir of an ink-jet pen includes a pump for removing air from the reservoir and a vacuum regulator to ensure that the back pressure within the reservoir does not exceed a level that would cause the print head to fail.

Abstract: The solid ink in an ink-jet printer is melted and solidified in a manner that directs gasses in the ink to a location where those gasses may be collected and removed. Also provided is a corrugated heater that is disposed within the ink to melt the ink without interfering with the gas removal process.

Abstract: Precise alignment between two or more nozzle plates affixed to print cartridges installed in a single carriage of an ink printer is achieved by machining datum projections on each print cartridge after its nozzle plate has been permanently secured to the print cartridge. The machined datum projections on the print cartridge contact surfaces on the carriage when the print cartridge is installed in the carriage such that the dimensions of the datums affect the position of the cartridge, and hence the nozzle plate, within the carriage.

Abstract: A cleaning media is fed adjacent to a page-wide-array ("PWA") printhead along a paper path. The cleaning media includes a solvent pad and an absorbent pad coupled to a backing material. The backing material defines an opening along a substantial width of the material and has size dimensions approximating that of conventional paper. The solvent pad includes a specific solvent appropriate for a particular ink composition. During operation the solvent pad is fed adjacent to the printhead causing the solvent to react with ink on the printhead. The absorbent pad trails the solvent pad and wipes away the ink and solvent. The absorbent pad is a lint-free pad which attracts dust and other contaminants. The opening trails the solvent pad and absorbent pad during use. A vacuum wand scans the printhead through the opening sucking up contaminants loosened by the solvent pad and absorbent pad. The solvent pad and absorbent pad each have sufficient compliance to scrub/brush the printhead.

Abstract: Ink-jet pens having multiple print heads are manufactured with readily replaceable unit print head assemblies that facilitate testing of print head performance prior to complete assembly of the pen.

Abstract: Precise alignment between two or more nozzle plates affixed to print cartridges installed in a single carriage of an ink printer is achieved by machining datum projections on each print cartridge after its nozzle plate has been permanently secured to the print cartridge. The machined datum projections on the print cartridge contact surfaces on the carriage when the print cartridge is installed in the carriage such that the dimensions of the datums affect the position of the cartridge, and hence the nozzle plate, within the carriage.

Abstract: A method is provided for assembling thermal ink-jet printheads. The method comprises: (a) providing a circuit layout comprising a first substrate, a plurality of conductive traces thereon in a pre-selected pattern, and a plurality of openings through the substrate defining ink-jet nozzles; (b) providing a die layout comprising (1) a plurality of resistors, each resistor formed on a second substrate and matched to an opening and (2) a plurality of channels formed in a barrier material and matched to a portion of the plurality of conductive traces; (c) interlocking plurality of conductive traces with the plurality of channels to align each resistor with a respective one of the openings; and (d) laminating those portions of the first substrate that contact the barrier to the barrier so as to bond the two layouts together. In one embodiment, the resistors are each formed in a well defined in a layer of the barrier material already on the substrate, which is extended to encompass the resistors.

Abstract: A disposable printing assembly includes a memory element in which data characterizing the assembly can be stored. This data can characterize the identity of the assembly, or one or more of its operational characteristics. Such operational characteristics for an illustrative ink jet printhead assembly may include the color of ink in the printhead, its amount, or the position of the ink jet orifice plate on the printhead body. This data can then be read from the printhead by a read/write element in a printer and can be used or displayed as desired. The datum characterizing the position of the orifice plate, for example, can be used to controllably delay certain of the firing signals provided to the printhead to compensate for any misalignment. The datum characterizing ink amount can be updated by the write head to reflect use of ink during printing and can warn the user of an impending exhaustion of ink.