Abstract: The present invention provides a component that exhibits a designed thermal response which may be used in an image forming apparatus. The component may include a roller that contacts a heating device such as a fuser.

Abstract: A star wheel manufacturing process, and a star wheel manufactured thereby, suitable for an ink jet printer. Metal is formed by chemical milling, subtractive etching or the like, into the desired star wheel configuration, including a plurality of radially extending projections having tips. At least a portion of each tip has an electropolished surface. A coating of fluorinated polymer or the like may be applied to at least a portion of the electrolpolished surface on each tip.

Abstract: A segmented platen for heat-sealing a film material to a non-planar surface of an ink jet printer cartridge includes a heat-transferring housing having sidewalls defining an internal cavity and a first aperture. Heat-transferring segments, which partially protrude through the first aperture of the housing, are operable to independently move in relation to the housing and each other in a direction substantially parallel to the sidewalls of the housing. Biasing devices, corresponding in number to the segments, independently urge the segments through the first aperture of the housing, thereby urging the segments to follow any curvature in the non-planar surface of the ink jet printer cartridge. The platen further includes a heating element for generating and transferring heat into the housing. The segments receive the heat from the housing, and transfer the heat into the underlying film.

Abstract: An ink jet printer jets ink onto a section of a front side of a print medium. The ink jet printer includes an ink jetting printhead facing the front side of the print medium. A media support apparatus opposes the printhead. The media support apparatus includes a substantially flexible body having an outer surface engaging a back side of the print medium such that the section of the print medium receiving the ink is substantially flat. A substantially rigid elongate element engages the body and has a length direction substantially perpendicular to a feed direction of the print medium. The elongate element provides at least a portion of the outer surface of the body with a predetermined degree of straightness.

Abstract: The invention provides a printhead for an ink jet printer and a method for making a printhead for an ink jet printer. The printhead includes a printhead body having a chip surface side, an ink surface side opposite the chip surface side and a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). A semiconductor chip containing ink ejector devices is adhesively attached to the chip surface side of the printhead body. A stiffener is adhesively attached to the ink surface side to provide body stiffening during curing of the adhesive. The semiconductor chip has a second CTE and the stiffener has a third CTE wherein the second and third CTE's have a similar value. The invention provides an improved structure for printheads which resist warpage and/or breakage of the semiconductor chips during the manufacturing process used to make the printheads.

Abstract: A star wheel manufacturing process, and a star wheel manufactured thereby, suitable for an ink jet printer. Metal is formed by chemical milling, subtractive etching or the like, into the desired star wheel configuration, including a plurality of radially extending projections having tips. At least a portion of each tip has an electropolished surface. A coating of fluorinated polymer or the like may be applied to at least a portion of the electrolpolished surface on each tip.

Abstract: A segmented platen for heat-sealing a film material to a non-planar surface of an ink jet printer cartridge includes a heat-transferring housing having sidewalls defining an internal cavity and a first aperture. Heat-transferring segments, which partially protrude through the first aperture of the housing, are operable to independently move in relation to the housing and each other in a direction substantially parallel to the sidewalls of the housing. Biasing devices, corresponding in number to the segments, independently urge the segments through the first aperture of the housing, thereby urging the segments to follow any curvature in the non-planar surface of the ink jet printer cartridge. The platen further includes a heating element for generating and transferring heat into the housing. The segments receive the heat from the housing, and transfer the heat into the underlying film.

Abstract: The invention provides a printhead for an ink jet printer and a method for making a printhead for an ink jet printer. The printhead includes a printhead body having a chip surface side, an ink surface side opposite the chip surface side and a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). A semiconductor chip containing ink ejector devices is adhesively attached to the chip surface side of the printhead body. A stiffener is adhesively attached to the ink surface side to provide body stiffening during curing of the adhesive. The semiconductor chip has a second CTE and the stiffener has a third CTE wherein the second and third CTE's have a similar value. The invention provides an improved structure for printheads which resist warpage and/or breakage of the semiconductor chips during the manufacturing process used to make the printheads.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for securing tubing which includes a reservoir, preferably being a printer cartridge, having a rigid wall with interior and exterior surfaces, a rigid restraining member for a tube, and the restraining member further having a passage therethrough. In one embodiment, the invention includes at least one locking lever with top and bottom ends, the locking lever having at least one notch proximate to the top end and the bottom end is pivotably attached to the interior surface of the reservoir wall, and the restraining member is alternately attached to the top end of the locking lever. In another embodiment, the locking lever is rigidly attached to the interior surface of the reservoir and the restraining member is alternately attached to the reservoir. In a further embodiment, the restraining member is attached to interior of the reservoir wall by at least two locking arms.

Abstract: A multicolor liquid ink jet print head including a print head body containing liquid ink and having a nozzle assembly and electrical connections to the nozzle assembly. The print head body defines passageways to couple the ink from ink chambers in the print head body to the nozzle assembly. The disclosed print head body contains three ink chambers for inks of three different colors, each of which are connected by a separate pathway in the print head body to a separate section of the nozzle assembly. The ink flow channels of the print head body are designed to assure total isolation of each color of ink from each of the other colors. The print head body includes sidewalls and a bottom, with the bottom of the print head body defining three exit ports communicating with the nozzle assembly. One of the nozzle ports communicates with an opening in the bottom of one of the ink chambers.

Abstract: An ink printer cartridge having a press-on lid and the method of make the same is described. An ink reservoir body is having an open-ended cavity and a foam insert is disposed therein. A spacer having a plurality of holes is fixedly attached to the top of the ink reservoir body as by ultrasonic welding. The reservoir is then filled with ink through the plurality of holes in the spacer. A reservoir lid having a plurality of connecting posts is then attached to the spacer by engaging the connecting posts of the lid into the holes of the spacer.