Abstract: A wind stop device, in particular for a convertible, includes a multi-part wind partition and a multi-part cover partition. A left and a right cover partition part can be folded about a cover partition folding axis and at the same time a left and a right wind partition part can be folded about a respective first and second wind partition folding axis from a non-use position into a cover position for covering a passenger compartment. The left and right wind partition parts and a middle wind partition part, which is provided between the first and second wind partition folding axes, can be folded about a connection folding axis, which extends perpendicular to a direction of travel, into a use position such that the wind partition parts are substantially perpendicular to the cover partition parts.

Abstract: The invention relates to a trunk of a motor vehicle, having a goods rail (14) which is oriented approximately in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L) of the vehicle and is intended for fixing goods to be transported. In the event of a rear impact, penetration into a seat region arranged in front of the trunk is prevented by reducing the effective of the goods rail (14), by the goods rail (14) being composed of at least two partial rails (15, 16). According to the invention, the separating plane (17) between the partial rails (15, 16) runs in an obliquely inclined manner.

Abstract: A side impact load transmitting structure includes: a vehicular seat disposed in a cabin; a tunnel portion that is disposed such that it protrudes upward into the cabin and extends in a front-rear direction of a vehicle body; a load transmitting member including a load receiving portion that is disposed at the underside of the vehicular seat and receives a side impact load acting on a vehicle body side portion at the time of a side impact collision, with the load transmitting member being configured to transmit the side impact load received by the load receiving portion to the tunnel portion; and a downward movement suppressing member that suppresses the downward movement of the load transmitting member resulting from a downward load component of the side impact load.

Abstract: A seat assembly for a vehicle includes a seatback, a seat cushion, a link mechanism for supporting the seat cushion, and a drive unit for driving the link mechanism and moving the seat cushion between a seating position and a stowed position. When the seat cushion is moved between the seating position and the stowed position, the seat cushion and the seatback keep a constant posture by an operation of the link mechanism and the drive unit.

Abstract: Particularly preferred collapsible chairs have a minimum configuration in which the back and front rods in a quad arrangement are extended to support the arm rests, the backrest, and the seat, and wherein the back and front rods are angled such that the backrest width to seat height has a ratio of between 1.4 to 1.8. Such chairs are not only esthetically pleasing, but also relatively comfortable for users of average and above-average height.

Abstract: An infant support includes a seat and an upright portion that extends from the seat. A tray has a first member, a second member, and a third member. The first member of the tray is configured to be removably coupled to the upright portion. Additionally, the second member of the tray is configured to be removably coupled between the first member and the third member.

Abstract: A sign holding device for a folding chair that allows the user to display customized messages on a back rest of the chair. The sign holder is attached to the back rest in various manners so as to permit messages to be displayed when the chair is unfolded. The sign holders are configures such that when the chair is folded, the chair can be carried and stacked without having to remove the sign holders from the back rest. One embodiment of the folding chair also includes an integral carrying handle that permits the folded chair to be carried by one hand. The integral carrying handle further comprises an opening that permits the carrying hand to grasp the handle better, and also permit the chair to be unfolded without removing the hand from the handle, such that the unfolding action does not pinch the carrying hand.

Abstract: An adjustable storage seat for recreation and utility vehicles is disclosed. The adjustable storage seat may be used for snowmobiles, watercraft, all-terrain vehicles, or other similar small vehicle intended for entertainment and transportation. The adjustable storage seat comprises a cushion mounted over a frame which is attached to the chassis of the vehicle. The seat is provided with an adjustable backrest which can be adjusted forward or backward in increments to increase the comfort of the rider when a button on the seat is pushed, but otherwise remains fixed in place. The adjustable backrest can also be removed from the seat to reveal a storage compartment after turning it 90 degrees. The seat may be provided with a lock to secure the storage compartment. Additional embodiments of the adjustable storage seat are convertible for one or two person use, and may be provided with internal storage or item racks.

Abstract: A contoured motorcycle seat. The contoured motorcycle seat includes one or more depressions for a rider and/or passenger to help relieve genital, back and neck pain. It also includes one or more air channel vents that vent the one or more depressions to help prevent heat build up and one more drain holes to drain any liquids that may enter the depressions.

Abstract: An occupant protection system is provided in which gas from a gas generator flows through a duct and into an airbag smoothly even with a gas generator that emits a jet of gas in non-axial directions relative to the duct. The airbag disposed under a seat cushion and the gas generator are joined together with the duct. In one form, the duct is fitted on the nozzle of the gas generator, so that the inner circumferential surface of the duct faces gas ports around the side circumferential surface of the nozzle. When the gas generator emits a jet of gas, the gas from the gas generator issues from the gas ports radially relative to the nozzle, and then strikes against the inner circumferential surface of the duct to change in direction, thus flowing along the axis of the duct.

Abstract: A chassis which is suitable for supporting a child vehicle seat is provided with a frame as well as with connectors that can be detachably connected in use to securing elements that are present in a vehicle. The chassis is further provided with an unlocking mechanism for releasing the engagement between the connector and the securing element. The chassis is provided with a slide for supporting the child vehicle seat, which slide is movable with respect to the frame from a first position, in which the slide is positioned at a relatively large distance from the connector, to a second position, in which the slide is positioned closer to the connector. The slide is locked against movement from the second position to the first position when at least one connector is connected to the securing element.

Abstract: A vehicle seat backrest suitable for allowing the attachment of a child seat, the backrest comprising a rigid structure and an anchoring system comprising an anchor rod to permit to a coupling member belonging to the child seat to be anchored on the anchor rod via the rear face of the rigid structure. The anchoring system comprises a rigid plate comprising retainer suitable for retaining the anchor rod by abutment contact when the coupling member of the child seat exerts forces on the said anchor rod.

Abstract: A child seat (10) is described with a seat shell (14) which can be displaced between different positions on a base part (12). An actuating handle (26) is provided on the front edge (30) of the seat shell (14) and is connected to a locking device (36) by means of which the seat shell (14) is secured in one of the different positions with respect to the base part (12) in the normal inoperative state of the actuating handle (26) and can be displaced by actuation of the actuating handle (26). In order to realize a child seat (10) of excellent maneuverability and optimum operating convenience, the actuating handle (26) is designed as a rotary handle (28) which can be rotated about an axis of rotation (32) parallel to the front edge (30) of the seat shell (14), and which at the same time forms a displacing handle.

Abstract: A rocker mechanism for a rocker recliner chair having a seat, a back, a pair of armrests, and a recliner mechanism. The rocker mechanism includes a support portion and a pair of rocker cams. The support portion includes a pair of side rails with a cross plate interconnecting the side rails and extending between the sides of the chair. The rocker cams include a cam portion and a sidewall. The cam portion rests upon an upper surface of the side rails. The sidewall projects upwardly from the rocker cam. A second cross plate interconnects the sidewalls of the rocker cams. The cross plates contain a number of tabs formed therein. The tabs on the first and second cross plates are used to mount a pair of spring sets there between.

Abstract: A belt lumbar for a vehicle seat has a pair of brackets that are respectively located at opposite ends of the belt, a platform that extends between the brackets, and hinges that connect the platform to the brackets. A bowden cable extends between and pulls the brackets toward each other from a first position to a second position. The hinges are living hinges which have more flexibility than the pair of brackets and the platform. In response to the brackets moving toward each other, the hinges rotate relative to the platform and the brackets and extend the platform away from the brackets. Springs connect the ends of the belt to the sides of the seat frame.

Abstract: A new and improved all-terrain seat that is ideal for hunting, fishing, backpacking, camping, sports viewing, and the like. The all-terrain seat includes legs that are individually adjustable enabling the seat to be securely positioned on any surface, regardless of incline. The all-terrain seat is made from a lightweight material and is very portable as it may attach to a belt, easily fit inside a backpack, or be hand carried.

Abstract: A detachable swivel apparatus for a beach chair including a load-distributing platform for positioning upon the ground and saddle pivotally secured atop the platform. The saddle has a rectangular plate with a keyhole at each of its corners. A number of mounting clips are releasably secured to the saddle for grasping the legs of a beach chair. One of the clips is associated with each keyhole. Each of the clips has a pair of arcuate jaws for receiving and grasping therebetween one leg of a beach chair. A shaft is affixed to, and extends downwardly from, the jaws. A key bit is affixed to, and extends outwardly from, the bottom of the shaft. In use, the shaft and key bit of each of the clips can, in one angular orientation, be slid through a keyhole and, upon rotation to another angular orientation, be prevented from withdrawal through the keyhole.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for a fully customizable bath chair that is configurable to provide a wide variety of positioning options of the head, trunk and leg support in a sitting or reclining position. The described embodiments can be custom fit to individuals dimensions, or be refit at any time to accommodate growth and/or size changes. Legs, calf support and back angles as well as chair height can be adjusted independently to maximize positioning options to accommodate the support and comfort of the user. The chair has the unique capability to be adjusted in six independent dimensions, each affecting a specific relational fit to the individual users anthropometrics and functional need.

Abstract: A reclining mechanism of a reclining seat including a seat back and a seat cushion includes a reclining lock mechanism which locks the seat back at an adjusted angular position and allows the seat back to be rotated forward/rearward relative to the seat cushion when manually operated; a reclining angle memory mechanism which remembers an angular position of a previous adjustment of the seat back and allows the seat back to be rotated forward relative to the seat cushion when manually operated independently of the reclining lock mechanism, wherein the reclining angle memory mechanism locks the seat back to the remembered angular position when the seat back is rotated rearward from the forward position; and a manual operation limiting device which prevents the reclining lock mechanism or the reclining angle memory mechanism from being operated when the other thereof is operated.

Abstract: When supplied with a signal for correcting a vehicle behavior is input from a brake controller, an electrically-driven parking brake controller releases actuation of an electrically-driven parking brake when the electrically-driven parking brake is actuated. When supplied with a brake control amount when abnormality occurs in a main brake system is input the electrically-driven parking brake controller drives electric motors to generate the brake control amount concerned. Furthermore, when supplied with the brake control amount of the electrically-driven parking brake 30 from an ACC system, the electrically-driven parking brake controller drives the electric motors to generate the brake control amount concerned. The front-and-rear driving force distribution controller directly couples the front shaft and the rear shaft when the electrically-driven parking brake is actuated.

Abstract: A printer comprising a printhead comprising at least a first elongate printhead module, the at least one printhead module including at least one row of print nozzles for expelling ink; and at least first and second printer controllers configured to receive print data and process the print data to output dot data to the printhead, wherein the first and second printer controllers are connected to a common input of the printhead.

Abstract: A recording head and apparatus with an element substrate having a reduced area are provided. A plurality of recording elements for generating energy to discharge liquid are divided into a plurality of blocks Grp1 to GrpM. A first input circuit inputs a series of data signals and outputs the data signals to the plurality of blocks. The first input circuit is divided in correspondence to the blocks. A second input circuit inputs encoded block signals and outputs the block signals to the block. A plurality of output circuits drive drive circuits in accordance with the data signals from the first input circuit and the block signals from the second input circuit. The plurality of drive circuits supply currents to the recording elements and drive them.

Abstract: When it has become necessary to reset color adjusting ID for the printer 20 because of the replacement of component parts or other causes, even in an environment where the printing condition that had been adopted for setting the ID in the past cannot be recreated, it is easy to calculate the ID of the equivalent value as those that would have been calculated if the printing condition that had been adopted for setting the ID in the past can be made available by using the color component conversion function. As a result, it will be no longer necessary to maintain materials and equipment in a good and unified state in the production site of products or at places where after-sales services are rendered.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for measuring image alignment errors for image formation includes printing two test marks separated from each other by a designated error distance on a printing medium on which images are printed, sensing the two test marks, measuring instants of time when the two test marks are sensed, and detecting an actual error distance of the two test marks using the measured instants of time and a moving speed of a carriage.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a droplet ejection apparatus that can detect whether or not a missing dot (absence of a pixel) actually occurs on a formed image, and can carry out appropriate recovery processing according to a cause of the ejection failure without conventional sequential recovery processing by identifying the cause thereof in the case where a missing dot is detected. The droplet ejection apparatus of the invention includes a plurality of droplet ejection heads, ejection failure detecting means 10 for detecting an ejection failure of the droplet through the nozzle, and recovery means 24 for carrying out recovery processing to eliminate a cause of the ejection failure of the droplet. The ejection failure detecting means 10 detects the ejection failure with respect to a droplet ejection operation of each droplet ejected through the nozzles when the plurality of droplet ejection heads eject the droplets onto the droplet receptor.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a droplet ejection apparatus and a method of judging an ejection failure in droplet ejection heads which can judge an ejection failure in the droplet ejection heads and a cause thereof based on a subtraction result obtained by subtracting the number of pulses in a signal, which oscillates in response to changes in an electric capacitance component of an actuator after a droplet ejection operation.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a droplet ejection apparatus that can carry out appropriate recovery processing easily and surely in the recovery processing for droplet ejection heads when the apparatus is powered on. The droplet ejection apparatus of the invention has a driving circuit and a plurality of droplet ejection heads. Each of the droplet ejection heads includes a cavity filled with a liquid, a nozzle communicated with the cavity, an actuator driven by the driving circuit, and a diaphragm displaced by the actuator, and ejects the liquid within the cavity through the nozzle in the form of droplets by driving the actuator with the driving circuit.

Abstract: The present invention allows for creating high quality images by coping with a variety of kinds of print mediums without having to prepare large-sized, large-capacity power supply and ink supply source. For this purpose, this invention detects the number of printing elements to be driven in a predetermined check area set in one scan area of the print head. If the detected value is greater than a predetermined threshold, either the number of printing elements to be driven in one scan period of the print head or one scan period from when the print head starts the printing scan until the next printing scan is started is selected and changed according to the set printing condition and the printing operation is performed accordingly.

Abstract: An image processor for a printer that forms an image on a medium by discharging N types (N is a natural number of 2 or more) of ink having different densities for at least one color system from respective nozzles includes a printing image data generator for generating printing image data based on image data, a printing image data output unit for outputting the printing image data, a nozzle information acquisition unit for acquiring information on the nozzles, and a substitute unit that, when a bad nozzle is found in the nozzle information, substitutes a nozzle, which discharges another type of ink among the N types of ink, for the bad nozzle.

Abstract: Provided is a liquid jet head unit and a liquid jet device which are capable of improving precision in aligning nozzle orifices and accordingly printing quality. Included are: a liquid jet head having a nozzle plate provided with nozzle rows constituted of nozzle orifices through which liquid droplets are ejected, and which are arranged side by side; a head case fixed to the liquid jet head at the side of liquid supply ports; and a cover head provided to a liquid-droplet ejecting surface of the liquid jet head. An exposed area in the nozzle plate, which area is not covered by the cover head, includes: nozzles provided respectively with water repellent films in peripheries of their nozzle orifices; and nozzles which have the same shape as the former nozzles, and which respectively have non-water repellent portions provided with no water repellent films in peripheries of their nozzle orifices.

Abstract: A page-width inkjet printer includes a chassis. A print media feed assembly is mounted on the chassis. A page-width inkjet printhead is mounted on the chassis downstream of the feed assembly. A tubular print transfer roller is operatively positioned with respect to the printhead to receive and transfer print from the printhead to sheets of print media fed past the transfer roller. A drive mechanism is mounted on the chassis to drive the transfer roller, the drive mechanism including a drive motor and gearbox assembly received within the tubular print transfer roller.

Abstract: An ink jet printhead has a number of printhead chips (10). Each printhead chip (10) has a wafer substrate (16). A plurality of nozzle arrangements (10) is positioned on the wafer substrate. Each nozzle arrangement (22) has nozzle chamber walls and a roof wall that define a nozzle chamber (34) and a nozzle opening (24) in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber. An actuator (28) is operatively arranged with respect to each nozzle arrangement (10) to eject ink from the nozzle chamber through the nozzle opening. A nozzle guard (80) is positioned over the printhead chip. The nozzle guard has a support structure (86) and a planar cover member (82). The planar cover member is positioned on the support structure. The planar cover member defines a plurality of passages (84). Each passage (84) is in register with a respective nozzle opening (24). The planar cover member (82) is less than 300 microns thick.

Abstract: A printer is disclosed which comprises: (a) a pagewidth printhead assembly having a single pagewidth printhead and a plurality of nozzles located along the printhead for delivering ink onto print media as it is transported past the printhead, and (b) a capping/purging mechanism having— (i) a capping member associated with the printhead, the capping member having a length corresponding substantially to that of the printhead and being located in a non-capping first position adjacent the printhead, (ii) purging means associated with the capping member and arranged to receive material that is purged from the nozzle environment of the printhead, and (iii) an actuating mechanism arranged to effect transitioning of the capping member from the first position to a second position at which the capping member is located in nozzle capping engagement with the printhead.

Abstract: When a four-sided borderless printing is carried out, in order to print a region as it looks on the screen without generating any margins, the print system according to the present invention is directed to a system to carry out the four-sided borderless printing by enlarging the image larger than a print sheet, and the system is provided with an image display means which displays a print target image in a region narrower than an actual region, an image reduction means which reduces the print target image, a print data generation means which generates print data on the basis of the image which is obtained by enlarging the already reduced print target image, and a print execution means which executes printing on the basis of the print data.

Abstract: A recording head includes: liquid discharge ports that discharge liquid and are arranged at a pitch corresponding to a resolution, wherein said liquid including an ink; plural drive elements that cause the liquid to be discharged from the liquid discharge ports in correspondence to the liquid discharge ports and are arranged at a pitch corresponding to the resolution; and plural drivers having voltage buffer regions for buffering effects resulting from a high voltage, said drivers being serially connected in a one-to-one ratio to, and unitized with, the drive elements, and being arranged at a pitch enlarged by at least the voltage buffer region portions with respect to the pitch of the drive elements, and driving the drive elements.

Abstract: A micro-electromechanical fluid ejection device includes a substrate. Drive circuitry is positioned on the substrate. A plurality of fluid supply channels is defined in the substrate. An array of nozzle assemblies is positioned on the substrate. Each defines nozzle chambers in fluid communication with the fluid supply channels. Each has a fixed nozzle chamber structure extending from the substrate and a movable nozzle chamber structure that is movable towards and away from the substrate to reduce and subsequently expand a nozzle chamber volume. The movable nozzle chamber structure defines an ejection port from which the fluid is ejected as a result of the change in volume of the nozzle chamber. A plurality of actuators is connected to the drive circuitry. Each actuator is operable on a respective movable nozzle chamber structure.

Abstract: A printer is provided having a removably mounted printhead assembly. The printhead assembly has at least one printhead module having at least two printhead integrated circuits, each of which has nozzles formed therein for delivering printing fluid onto the surface of print media, and a support member supporting and carrying the printing fluid for the at least two printhead integrated circuits; and an elongate casing in which the at least one printhead module is removably mounted so as to constrain movement of the at least one printhead module relative to the casing in at least the direction of printing fluid delivery from the nozzles to the print media whilst allowing movement of the at least one printhead module in the longitudinal direction of the casing.

Abstract: A cartridge unit for an inkjet printer comprising a body portion housing one or more ink storage compartments; a pagewidth printhead assembly configured to receive ink from the one or more ink storage compartments and having a plurality of nozzles arranged in use to deliver the ink onto passing print media; and an electrical connector in electrical communication with the nozzles of the printhead assembly and disposed along the length of the printhead assembly for mating with a corresponding connectors of the inkjet printer to control operation of the nozzles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inkjet printer ink cartridge, which configures a sponge-free ink-filling device into a combined structure of a case and an ink outlet base body, which is then attached onto a printed circuit by PECVD. A stand having a recess on the ink outlet base body thereon can be used to dispose a socket. A nozzle plate connected to a heater chip can be inserted to the socket therein. The heater chip is electrically connected to a heating element in airflow guides formed on a surface of the socket thereto. A vertical wire attached to the socket is electrically connected to the vertical wire bent on the printed circuit at an edge of the stand. Therefore, when the heater chip has been used for some time and is required to be replaced, only the nozzle plate and the heater chip are independently replaced, whereas the case and the ink outlet base body can both be repeatedly used.

Abstract: An inkjet drop ejection apparatus 1010 having a chamber 1012 with a nozzle 1011; and an actuator with a thermal bend arm 1034. The arm has a cold portion 1024 and a hot portion 1022 such that thermal expansion of the hot portion bends the arm. The cold portion is positioned for greater exposure to ink flow than the hot portion. The heat generated by the hot portion of the thermal bend arm can heat up the cold portion. As the cold portion heats, it expands thereby forcing the hot portion to heat to a higher temperature to achieve the same expansion differential that provides the required bend in the arm. By positioning the cold portion for greater exposure to the ink flow, it dissipates heat to the ink and its temperature is more stable. This in turn improves the efficiency of the arm and the entire printhead.

Abstract: A printhead comprising a plurality of nozzles formed on a substrate is provided. Each nozzle comprises a nozzle chamber, a nozzle opening defined in a roof of the nozzle chamber and an actuator for ejecting ink through the nozzle opening. At least part of an ink ejection face of the printhead is hydrophobic relative to the inside surfaces of each nozzle chamber. An advantage of this arrangement is that the hydrophobic ink ejection surface assists in ink ejection and minimizes cross-contamination by flooding between adjacent nozzles.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead comprises a plurality of micro-electromechanical fluid ejection devices, each having a substrate and semiconductor layer positioned on the substrate. The substrate and the semiconductor layer define a fluid inlet chamber. A nozzle chamber defining structure is positioned on the substrate to define a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with the fluid inlet chamber and a fluid ejection port in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber. An actuator is fixed, at one end, to the substrate. The actuator incorporates a heating circuit electrically connected to the semiconductor layer. The heating circuit is configured to generate thermal differential expansion and contraction upon excitation and de-excitation by the semiconductor layer so that the actuator is cyclically displaced relative to the substrate.

Abstract: A thermal inkjet printhead with heater elements disposed in respective bubble forming chambers whereby each heater element is configured for receiving an energizing pulse to form a gas bubble in an ejectable liquid that causes the ejection of a drop of the ejectable liquid from the nozzle. The energizing pulse has duration less than 1.5 micro-seconds (?s) and the nozzles are “self cooling”, in the sense that in the sense that the only heat removal required by the chip is the heat removed by ejected droplets. The printhead is designed for operation with reduced pulse duration, so the amount of heat that diffuses into the liquid and the substrate prior to nucleation of the vapor bubble is reduced. This facilitates self cooling operation.

Abstract: A system for manipulation of a body of fluid, in particular a fluid droplet comprises several control electrodes to which an adjustable voltage is applied to control displacement of the droplet on the basis of the electrowetting effect. There is a counter electrode having a fixed voltage between the body of fluid and one of the control electrodes. Further, as the counter electrode and the control electrodes are located at the same side of the fluid droplet, the fluid droplet is freely accessible at its side remote from the counter electrode and the control electrodes. Hence, the fluid droplet can be employed as an object carrier and a pay-load can be placed on the droplet from the freely accessible side.

Abstract: A method estimates the temperature of a thermal print head element during printing. In one embodiment, the temperature is estimated using the resistance of the thermal print head element, which typically changes with the print head element temperature. The change in resistance of the print head element is exploited to indirectly estimate the temperature of the print head element.

Abstract: An electrostatic actuator is disclosed that includes a deformable oscillating plate that is deformed by electrostatic force, an electrode that is arranged opposite the oscillating plate via a gap formed by sacrificial layer etching, a connection path that is connected to the gap, an atmosphere connecting hole that connects the connection path to the exterior, and a resistance path arranged between the atmosphere connecting hole and the connection path. The resistance path is configured to resist penetration of a sealing agent for sealing the atmosphere connecting hole into the connection path.

Abstract: The liquid droplet discharge head comprises: a liquid chamber flow channel which is filled with a liquid including an electrolytic liquid; a supply flow channel which branches from the liquid chamber flow channel; a pressure chamber which is connected to the supply flow channel and filled with the liquid supplied from the liquid chamber flow channel via the supply flow channel; a pressure generating device which is provided to correspond to the pressure chamber and pressurizes the liquid inside the pressure chamber; a nozzle which is connected to the pressure chamber and discharges a droplet of the liquid; and an electrolysis electrode which is formed on an inner wall of the nozzle in order to generate gas bubbles which reduce a flow channel resistance of the inner wall of the nozzle.

Abstract: An ink-jet printer, including an ink-jet recording head having an ink inflow passage including an ink inlet, and an air-discharge passage which allows the ink inflow passage to communicate with an atmosphere; an air-discharge valve which selectively opens and closes the air-discharge passage; an ink tank which stores the ink and which has an ink outlet and an air inlet; a connector having an ink supply passage which communicates, at one end thereof, with the ink outlet of the ink tank and communicates, at an other end thereof, with the ink inlet of the recording head; an air supplying device which supplies the air to the ink tank via the air inlet thereof; an obtaining portion which obtains one of an elapsed time, t, from a reference time, and a volume, V, of an air present in the ink supply passage and the ink inflow passage at the elapsed time t, based on an other of the elapsed time t and the air volume V, and a following relationship: V=a·ebt, where a and b are coefficients and e is a base of a natural lo

Abstract: An ink refill unit for replenishing an ink cartridge in an inkjet printer is provided. The ink refill unit has a body containing ink, an ink outlet for engaging a complementary ink inlet in the cartridge, and a visual indicator to provide a visual indication when a predetermined quantity of ink has flowed from the refill unit into the cartridge.

Abstract: A printing fluid dispenser including: a deformable container containing a full complement of printing fluid; a housing including a base slidingly engaging a plunger and locating the deformable container; and an outlet coupled to the deformable container and arranged to convey the printing fluid to a point external to the housing; wherein the first and second portions include mated features arranged to prevent motion of said portions relative to each other until a predetermined level of operative force is applied across said portions.