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.

Abstract: An ink containment and dispensing device for an ink-jet printer is provided with a main reservoir in the form of a flexible pouch, which is typically maintained at ambient pressure. The main reservoir is coupled to a variable volume chamber via a one-way valve which allows the flow of ink from the reservoir to the chamber and prevents the flow of ink from the chamber to the reservoir. The chamber is coupled to a fluid outlet, which is normally closed to prevent the outward flow of ink. However, when the ink supply is installed in a printer, the fluid outlet establishes a fluid connection between the chamber and the printer. The chamber is part of a pump provided with the ink supply that can be actuated to supply ink from the reservoir to the printer. The pump has a linearly acting pumping member and a flexible diaphragm that overlies the pumping member, the diaphragm being impervious to the transmission of oxygen and moisture therethrough to prevent degradation of the ink within the chamber.

Abstract: An ink container for an inkjet printing system is described, including an assembly of a simple housing with caps bearing indicia and protective surfaces to enable effective handling, aligning, keying and latching of the ink container. The ink container includes an ink container housing, the housing including an ink reservoir and a fluid outlet in fluid communication with said reservoir. The fluid outlet is for providing ink to the inkjet printhead. The container further includes a separately fabricated first cap attached to an end of the housing, the first cap having a plurality of mechanical features that provide mechanical functions for the ink container. The end of the housing is a leading end relative to a direction of insertion of the ink container into the printing system. The mechanical functions can include positioning the ink container relative to the supply station, a keying function for preventing installation of an ink container in the supply station without a cap providing the keying function.

Abstract: An ink container for holding a supply of liquid ink for use in an inkjet printing system. The container includes a collapsible ink reservoir for holding a supply of liquid ink, and a multiple functioned chassis. The chassis rigidly support an air inlet for receiving pressurized air from the printing system and an ink outlet for delivering pressurized ink to the system. The chassis support a collapsible ink container by providing an attach surface over which the collapsible container is attached. The attach surface allows a relatively simple pleated bag construction to be used by providing a surface whose normal is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container. The chassis is adapted to engage with a pressure vessel opening, providing a seal that separates the pressure vessel from an outside atmosphere.

Abstract: A replaceable ink container for use in an off-axis printing system. The printing system includes a printer portion responsive to electrical signals from the replaceable ink container for controlling printer parameters. The replaceable ink container comprises a plurality of electrical contacts with each of the plurality of electrical contacts electrically connected with a memory element. The memory element stores information for controlling printing system parameters. The replaceable ink container also includes a protruding guide feature disposed proximate the plurality of electrical contacts. The protruding guide feature is configured for engagement with a corresponding guide feature associated with the printing system. With proper insertion of the ink container into the printing system, the guide feature engages the corresponding guide feature to align electrical contacts associated with the printing system with the plurality of electrical contacts associated with the ink container.

Abstract: The present invention is an ink container for use in an ink jet printing system. The printing system has a printhead under control of printing system electronics and an ink container receiving station for providing ink to the printhead. The replaceable ink container includes a plurality of container interfacing features positioned on the ink container to engage corresponding ink container receiving station interfacing features. The ink container interfacing features are disposed and arranged to allow a plurality of different sizes of the ink container to be installed at a particular location of the receiving station. The ink container also includes an information storage device that provides information indicative of a volume of ink contained in said ink container.

Abstract: A replaceable ink container for providing ink to a printing device. The ink container having leading and trailing edges with respect to an insertion direction for the ink container into the printing device. The ink container includes a fluid outlet disposed on the leading edge and configured for connection to corresponding printing device fluid inlet. The ink container also includes an engagement feature disposed toward the trailing edge and extending outwardly from an ink container outer surface. The engagement feature is configured for insertion into a recessed engagement feature associated with the printing device. With the ink container properly positioned within the printing device and biased in a direction opposite the insertion direction, the engagement feature associated with the ink container engages the recessed engagement feature associated with the printing device.