Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting portion capable of ejecting liquid, a casing body for accommodating the liquid ejecting portion, a liquid container which has a protruding portion exposed to the outside of the casing body and is mounted to the casing body, and a protecting portion which protects the protruding portion of the liquid container from an external force.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting portion capable of ejecting ink, a liquid container provided with an injection port for ink, and a liquid reception portion disposed on a lower side of the injection port.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a printer and an ink tank therein. The ink tank includes a tank body, a first pillar, a resilient component, a lid, a second pillar and a waterproof moisture-permeable assembly. An ink filling port and a first opening are formed on an upper side of the tank body. The first pillar and the resilient component are disposed in the first opening and forming an openable intake passage cooperatively. The lid covers on the upper side of the tank body, a second opening and a second pillar are formed on the lid. The second pillar includes a communicating portion, and a waterproof moisture-permeable assembly is disposed on the lid and communicating with the communicating portion through the second opening. The present invention is to prevent the waterproof moisture-permeable assembly from being stuck by ink when the printer is not in printing operation.

Abstract: A system and method for applying fluid to a receiver surface are disclosed. A carrier has a top surface, a bottom surface, and a slot, wherein the bottom surface of the carrier faces the receiver surface. A mount is positioned in the slot, an inkjet cartridge is disposed in the mount, and fluid is ejected from the inkjet cartridge toward the receiver surface. The inkjet cartridge is disposed such that at least a portion of the inkjet cartridge extends inwardly from the bottom surface of the carrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to postal evidencing modules that can be recycled in a non-destructive fashion for reuse and remanufacturing. The modules comprise a cartridge-receiving portion and a lid, which can be manually disengaged from one another by the user in order to assist in reuse and remanufacturing. The modules further comprise flex circuits with one or more microprocessors to electrically engage the ink cartridges and a postage evidencing system. The present invention is designed to use commercially available ink cartridges and microprocessors.

Abstract: An ink cartridge for supplying the ink in an ink reserving chamber via an ink supply port into a recording head has a differential pressure valve mechanism disposed between an ink flow port and the ink supply port in the ink reserving chamber, whereby the ink is supplied an adequate amount to the recording head by opening or closing the differential pressure valve mechanism in accordance with an ink pressure of the recording head. As a result, it is possible to supply the ink at a substantially constant pressure to the recording head without regard to the variation in the amount of ink or the movement of the carriage.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting head includes a pressure generation chamber which fluidly communicates with a nozzle opening through which liquid is discharged, a pressure generation unit which causes pressure change on liquid in the pressure generation chamber, a manifold which serves as a liquid chamber common to a plurality of the pressure generation chambers, a flexible film which is configured to cover the manifold so as to absorb a pressure change generated in the manifold, and a heat generation unit which is formed on the flexible film at a region opposed to the manifold and is made of a pattered metal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for verifying a chip having a memory. Remanufacturers of imaging devices, such as inkjet printers or electrostatic printers, often have to use a replacement chip in order to reuse an imaging cartridge. It is desirable to have a system and method for determining if the replacement chip is suitable for use with a specific imaging cartridge. Also, it may be desirable to confirm that the chip was manufactured by a specific manufacturer. The disclosed system and method allow the remanufacturer a reliable and efficient way to verify chips.

Abstract: A communicating section communicates with a memory element of each of first cartridges via first mount sections. The communicating section has first terminals and second terminals. First signal lines connect the first terminals with the first mount sections. Second signal lines connect the second terminals with the first mount sections. The first mount sections form a plurality of groups. The first mount sections in each group are connected in common with one of the first terminals via a corresponding first signal line. The first mount sections in one group are connected with the second terminals that are different from each other via respective second signal lines. Each of the second terminals is connected with one of the first mount sections in one group and with one of the first mount sections in another group via a corresponding second signal line.

Abstract: A fluid supply housing includes a fluid chamber, a fluid slot distanced from the fluid chamber and a head surface. The fluid supply housing includes a fluid channel between the fluid chamber and the fluid slot. The fluid channel has a passageway that is straight and has a constant slope with respect to the head surface.

Abstract: A patterned gas permeable venting material is affixed within a venting apparatus which has an opening. The venting material forms a liquid tight, gas permeable seal of the opening. The patterned material comprises a PTFE membrane of porosity less than 80% and with a surface indentation of depth greater than 12 microns.

Abstract: An ink composition includes a colorant, a co-solvent, and an acid chosen from oleic acid, linoleic acid, undecanoic acid, dodecanoic acid, tridecanoic acid, and combinations thereof. The ink composition further includes lithium and water. An anti-evaporative layer forms, during uncapped non-use, at an interface between air and the ink composition in an orifice of a nozzle, thereby reducing evaporation of the water from the ink composition.

Abstract: A printing system having a chassis for housing a modular print station; a power source in communication with the print station; a controller circuit card assembly encoded with at least one feature module and being in communication with the print station; a display panel in communication with the print station; a media rewind hub; a pair of adjustable media guides connected about a base of the print station; and at least one sensor affixed to the print station base and being operable for detecting the presence and position of media passing through a media feed path of the printing system.

Abstract: An ink/air separator for an ink jet printer has one or more plates 77, 79, 81, 83 over which an ink/air mixture can spread. Preferably there is more than one plate, and the mixture overflows from one plate to the next. Preferably adjacent plates are spaced so that as the mixture passes between two plates it contacts the surface above it as well as the surface below it. The plates may be separated by a gap of 10 mm or less, e.g. a gap of 2 mm to 5 mm, where they overlap Preferably some or all of the plate surfaces contacted by the mixture are roughened. Interaction between the ink/air mixture and the plate surface tends to slow the flow of very small air bubbles and encourage them to accumulate and/or merge, so that they separate from the ink more quickly than individual small bubbles. The ink/air separator may be connected in the path of unused ink returned from the gutter 27 of a continuous ink jet printer to an ink tank 39, or may be placed inside the ink tank 39.

Abstract: An ink-jet head comprising: a supply channel configured to allow ink to flow; ink chamber groups, each having two or more ink chambers that are alternately provided on either side of the supply channel, along a direction of the ink, the ink chambers each having nozzles for discharging ink; wherein: each of the ink chamber groups has two or more ink chamber sequences in parallel with the direction, and two or more nozzle sequences in parallel with the direction, in each of the ink chamber groups, when the ink chamber sequence closest to the supply channel is a first ink chamber sequence, and the ink chamber sequence furthest away from the supply channel is an n-th ink chamber sequence, the number of the ink chambers in the first ink chamber sequence is greater than the number of the ink chambers in the n-th ink chamber sequence.

Abstract: An ink composition includes from about 2 wt % to about 5 wt % of a colorant; from about 10 wt % to about 20 wt % of co-solvent; from about 0.5 wt % to about 1.0 wt % of an alkyl phosphate ester; from about 0.5 wt % to about 9 wt % of any of methyl gluceth-10, methyl gluceth-20, PPG-10 methyl glucose ether, or PPG-20 methyl glucose ether; and a balance of water.

Abstract: A fluid ejection apparatus includes a fluid distribution layer between a fluid manifold and a substrate. The fluid distribution layer includes fluid supply channels and fluid return channels. Each fluid supply channel receives fluid from the fluid supply chamber and circulates a fraction of the received fluid back to the fluid return chamber through a return-side bypass. The substrate include a plurality of flow paths, each flow path includes a nozzle for ejecting fluid droplets. Each flow path receives fluid from a respective fluid supply channel, and channel un-ejected fluid into a respective fluid return channel. Each fluid return channel can collect the un-ejected fluid from one or more flow paths and a supply-side bypass, and return the collected fluid back to the fluid supply chamber.

Abstract: An ink containment system for an inkjet cartridge, for storing ink for printing, comprises a rigid basin member and a rigid moveable plate. A flexible membrane is affixed to a surface of the basin member and to a surface of the plate forming an ink reservoir within the basin member, plate and flexible membrane. A spring-biased mechanism is disposed between the basin member and plate, for biasing the plate apart from the basin member, generating a negative pressure within the ink reservoir and the basin member remaining stationary relative to the movement of the plate. The basin member has a bowl-like configuration and the spring is seated within the reservoir in such a way that when the ink reservoir has collapsed due to depletion of ink, the flexible membrane and moveable plate are substantially flush with surfaces of the basin member.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting head includes: a head main body having a manifold in which ink is retained, a compliance section absorbing a pressure change inside the manifold and a compliance space provided opposite to the compliance section, and discharging liquid from nozzles communicating with the manifold; an air chamber communicating with the compliance space and outside; and a liquid reservoir communicating with a liquid flow path supplying liquid to the manifold and volume of which is larger than the manifold, wherein the air chamber and the ink reservoir are divided by a resin adhesive where water vapor is capable of penetrating.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a recording head, a head tank, an exhaust unit, and a suctioning device. The head tank has liquid chambers with exhaust ports. The exhaust unit includes an exhaust channel connected to the suctioning device to exhaust air from the head tank, an exhaust chamber connected to the ports of the liquid chambers, a valve member to collectively open and close the ports, a valve driving chamber communicating with the exhaust channel and having a flexible member forming a wall face thereof, a valve driving member disposed at the flexible member to open and close the valve member, and a choke channel communicating the exhaust chamber with the valve driving chamber. When the suctioning device suctions air through the exhaust channel with the liquid being in the choke channel, a volume of the valve driving chamber contracts and the valve member opens the ports.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a component supporting device includes a cover having a through-hole, a support covered with the cover, a component arranged between the cover and the support, and a fixing tool which is inserted into the through-hole of the cover from an outside of the cover and sandwiches the component between the support and the fixing tool. The fixing tool includes an elastically deformable main body having an apical surface to butt to the component, a hook provided on the main body to engage with an edge of the through-hole inside the cover, and an operating portion provided on the main body to protrude from the through-hole outside the cover which is configured to release the engagement of the hook with the edge of the through-hole through elastic deformation of the main body.

Abstract: Part of a liquid chamber communicating with a liquid storage is formed of a deformable portion which is deformed. Part of a lever is brought into abutment with the deformable portion and, when the deformable portion is deformed, the lever is rotated about a supporting portion. The liquid storage, the liquid chamber, and the lever are stored in the interior of the case having a through hole, and when the liquid container is mounted on the liquid consuming apparatus, the movable rod on the side of the liquid consuming apparatus is inserted from the through hole and is brought into abutment with the lever.

Abstract: A droplet ejection head that is attachable to and removable from a droplet ejection apparatus, includes: a nozzle plate having multiple nozzle holes to eject droplets; an individual-channel substrate in which multiple individual-liquid-chambers to supply liquid to the nozzle holes are formed; a common-channel substrate to supply liquid to the individual-channel substrate; a base plate made of metal and including a first positioning part to be engaged with a part of the droplet ejection apparatus at a given position to perform positioning with respect to the droplet ejection apparatus in a direction along an opening surface of the nozzle plate at which the nozzle holes are opened; and a housing made of resin and including a second positioning part to perform positioning with respect to the droplet ejection apparatus in a direction intersecting with the opening surface.

Abstract: An ink supply container includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is configured to hold a first volume of ink and is configured to be releasably connectable to a printhead. The second portion is configured to hold a second volume of ink and is in communication with the first portion. The second portion is configured to extend over a top of at least one other ink supply container upon releasable connection of the first portion of the container to a printhead assembly.

Abstract: A fluid ejection apparatus includes a fluid distribution layer between a fluid manifold and a substrate. The fluid distribution layer includes fluid supply channels and fluid return channels. Each fluid supply channel receives fluid from the fluid supply chamber and circulates a fraction of the received fluid back to the fluid return chamber through a return-side bypass. The substrate include a plurality of flow paths, each flow path includes a nozzle for ejecting fluid droplets. Each flow path receives fluid from a respective fluid supply channel, and channel un-ejected fluid into a respective fluid return channel. Each fluid return channel can collect the un-ejected fluid from one or more flow paths and a supply-side bypass, and return the collected fluid back to the fluid supply chamber.

Abstract: An ink supply structure includes at least one ink cartridge, at least one dye ink chamber, and at least one pigment ink chamber. The at least one dye ink chamber is contained in the at least one ink cartridge for storing a dye ink. The at least one pigment ink chamber is contained in the at least one ink cartridge for storing a pigment ink. One of the dye ink within the dye ink chamber and the pigment ink within the pigment ink chamber is selectively supplied from the at least one ink cartridge.

Abstract: A print cartridge identification system includes a housing, a family key provided on one side of the housing to identify an associated printer of the print cartridge, a fluid key provided on the one side of the housing to identify a property of fluid in the print cartridge, and a location datum provided on the one side of the housing to position the print cartridge in the associated printer.

Abstract: A liquid holding container is adapted to supply liquid to a liquid introduction portion of a liquid consuming device. The liquid holding container includes a container and a first porous member. The container includes a liquid holding portion for holding the liquid, and a discharge port in communication with the liquid holding portion for discharging the liquid to the liquid introduction portion. The first porous member is provided on the discharge port for contacting the liquid introduction portion. The first porous member has a projecting part projecting in a direction from the liquid holding portion toward the discharge port.

Abstract: An ink cartridge has a container to contain ink and a valve member. The container has an outlet to output ink contained in the container. The valve member is moveable transverse to the outlet to open and close the outlet and carries a seal to seal the outlet when closed by the valve member.

Abstract: An assembly method of a liquid discharge head is provided. The liquid discharge head includes an element substrate, an electrode portion, a flexible wiring member which has the element substrate at one end and the electrode portion at another end, and includes a plurality of bent portions, wherein, each edge line of at least two bent portions are not parallel and a housing. The assembly method includes a step for providing the flexible wiring member and the housing in which the element substrate is fixed on a first surface of the housing, a step for fixing the flexible wiring member on a second surface of the housing while holding the electrode portion at a position on a third surface of the housing where the electrode portion to be fixed, and a step for fixing the electrode portion to the position.

Abstract: Systems, methods and structures for remanufacturing inkjet printer cartridges and inkjet printer print heads by removing the print head and adhesive holding the print head to a used inkjet printer cartridge, preparing the cartridge housing for a new print head by routing out the used print head and used adhesive to create a new mounting surface for new adhesive and a new print head, placing the adhesive and new print head on the new mounting surface, curing the adhesive and assembling a re-manufactured cartridge from the cartridge housing having a new print head positioned thereon.

Abstract: A color print cartridge comprises an ink housing 100 having a single interior compartment 250. A print head 160 mounted at the base of the housing in fluid communication with the interior of the compartment via a plurality of passageways 174, 180 in the base each having an entrance in the compartment. A single compressed block 252 of hydrophobic foam material is inserted under compression into the compartment immediately above the passageway entrances. A plurality of differently colored inks are injected into the block via respective needles 192, each ink filling a respective passageway 174, 180 and a respective region 194, 196 of the foam block above the passageway. The differently colored inks occupying non-contiguous regions within the block.

Abstract: An ink containment system for an inkjet cartridge, for storing ink for printing, comprises a rigid basin member and a rigid moveable plate. A flexible membrane is affixed to a surface of the basin member and to a surface of the plate forming an ink reservoir within the basin member, plate and flexible membrane. A spring-biased mechanism is disposed between the basin member and plate, for biasing the plate apart from the basin member, generating a negative pressure within the ink reservoir and the basin member remaining stationary relative to the movement of the plate. The basin member has a bowl-like configuration and the spring is seated within the reservoir in such a way that when the ink reservoir has collapsed due to depletion of ink, the flexible membrane and moveable plate are substantially flush with surfaces of the basin member.

Abstract: A terminal module includes a housing having slits and a plurality of contact terminals mounted in the slits. The housing includes a trap portion having protective walls formed at a wall surface on a circuit board side of the housing on the further forward side of the slit than a contact piece in a bending direction.

Abstract: There is provided an ink cartridge including a first ink chamber, a second ink chamber, an ink-flow check portion and a pressure control portion. The first ink chamber is configured to store ink therein. The second ink chamber is in fluid communication with the first ink chamber via a first path, the second ink chamber defining therein a volume. The ink-flow check portion is configured to allow the ink to flow from the first ink chamber to the second ink chamber and block the ink from flowing from the second ink chamber to the first ink chamber. The pressure control portion is configured to control an internal pressure of the second ink chamber.

Abstract: A print cartridge comprises an ink housing 500 having at least one interior compartment 110 with a print head mounted at the base of the housing in fluid communication with the compartment via a passageway 180 having an entrance above the bottom of the compartment. A compressed foam block 300 substantially fills the compartment above the passageway entrance so as to leave a free space laterally adjacent to the passageway. A rib 198 extends upwardly along one wall of the compartment from the free space partially to the top of the foam block, the foam block not conforming fully to the cross-section of the rib to leave an air vent channel along at least one side of the rib.

Abstract: A drive assembly has a moveable drive head, which is able to engage a plunger in a cartridge containing a liquid. The cartridge has a plunger moveable by the drive head to extract the liquid from the cartridge.

Abstract: A cartridge for a printer is provided having a body defining a number of fluid reservoirs, a lid covering the body to seal fluid inside the reservoirs, and a printhead operatively fed with fluid from the reservoirs. A base of each reservoir is provided with a raised portion which surrounds a fluid outlet through which fluid flows for supply to the printhead. Each raised portion being molded in the body to separate the outlet from the base of each reservoir to ensure a sufficient flow rate of fluid from the reservoir.

Abstract: An inkjet recording device, wherein air can be retained in an ink supply pipe by using a simple structure without applying substantial changes to the inkjet recording device, a variation in an ink supply pressure is mitigated by the retained air, and ink can be ejected with high stability. An inkjet recording device is provided with an inkjet head for ejecting ink, an ink flow path for supplying the ink, which is supplied from an ink supply source, to a pressure chamber of the inkjet head and having at least a portion thereof constructed from an ink supply pipe, and an air retaining member inserted in the ink supply pipe, with the ink allowed to pass through the air retaining member, and retaining air in at least a portion of a space formed between the air retaining member and the inner surface of the ink supply pipe.

Abstract: A system and method for applying fluid to a receiver surface are disclosed. A carrier has a top surface, a bottom surface, and a slot, wherein the bottom surface of the carrier faces the receiver surface. A mount is positioned in the slot, an inkjet cartridge is disposed in the mount, and fluid is ejected from the inkjet cartridge toward the receiver surface. The inkjet cartridge is disposed such that at least a portion of the inkjet cartridge extends inwardly from the bottom surface of the carrier.

Abstract: An ink jet printhead cartridge includes a cartridge body including a base and a plurality of side walls extending upwardly from the base. A filter tower having a tower wall has an interior surface that defines a location of a tower passageway. A printhead chip assembly is attached to the base of the cartridge body in fluid communication with the tower passageway. A filter is attached to the filter tower at a distal end thereof. An ink fill access port is formed through a side wall of the plurality of sidewalls, and through the tower wall of the filter tower, to define a fluid path from the atmosphere external to the cartridge body to the tower passageway of the filter tower to facilitate the injection of ink directly into the filter tower during an ink filling operation for the ink jet printhead cartridge.

Abstract: An ink jet cartridge comprising an ink container which comprises a bottom portion and an upper portion, said bottom portion being in communication with the printhead through an ink supply port, and said upper portion being in communication with a vent hole, wherein said bottom portion comprises a first ink absorbing member, and said upper portion comprises a second ink absorbing member, wherein said first ink absorbing member is a compressible porous material and said second ink absorbing member is an incompressible porous material, and wherein the capillarity of said first ink absorbing member is higher than the capillarity of said second ink absorbing member.

Abstract: There is provided an inkjet print head including: an ink discharge unit including nozzles, pressure chambers, restrictors, manifolds, and actuators; an ink supply unit including an ink tank supplying ink to the manifolds and circuit boards delivering control signals to the actuators; and a connection unit electrically connecting the circuit boards and the actuators, wherein the ink supply unit is formed integrally with the ink discharge unit.

Abstract: A drive assembly has a moveable drive head, which is able to engage a plunger in a cartridge containing a liquid. The cartridge has a plunger moveable by the drive head to extract the liquid from the cartridge.

Abstract: An integrated fluid cartridge (100) for securing onboard memory (150, 215) includes an electrically actuated dispensing mechanism (120, 205) with a number of droplet generators which are fluidically connected to a fluid reservoir (110); a memory module (150, 215); and an electrical interface (200) containing shared select lines (250) and data lines (255) configured to control both the dispensing mechanism (120, 205) and the memory module (150, 215). A method for secure communications between a precision-dispensing device and integrated fluid cartridge (100) includes connecting the precision-dispensing device and the cartridge (100) via an electrical interface (200) containing select lines (250) and data lines (255); the cartridge (100) having several electronic components which are controlled via the select (250) and data lines (255).

Abstract: Provided is a liquid container containing a liquid which is to be supplied to a liquid ejecting apparatus, including: a containing portion containing the liquid and including a liquid out-flowing hole for out-flowing the liquid to an external portion and an air introducing hole for introducing external air into the containing portion, and a deforming portion being deformed in such a direction that a volume of the containing portion is reduced according to a decrease in an internal pressure of the containing portion; wherein the air introducing portion includes: a first sealing portion disposed in a circumference of the air introducing hole inside the containing portion; a second sealing portion displaceably disposed inside the containing portion and capable of closing the air introducing hole by pressing the first sealing portion outwards; and a biasing portion pressing the second sealing portion toward the first sealing portion.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead assembly comprising an array of nozzles fed by a corresponding ink inlet. An ink chamber corresponding to the array of nozzles is fluidly connected to the ink inlet. An air extraction chamber includes an air chamber, a one-way relief valve having an open position that allows venting of the air chamber to ambient, and a closed position that does not allow venting of the air chamber to ambient. A piston in the form of a disk forces air to be vented from the air chamber through the one-way relief valve in its open position. It also applies a reduced air pressure to a membrane while the one-way relief valve is in its closed position.

Abstract: A method of extracting air from an inkjet printhead includes using an air extraction chamber connected to the printhead. The air extraction chamber comprises an air chamber, a one-way relief valve having open and closed positions used in venting of the air chamber. A piston in the form of a disk is provided to vent a quantity of air from the air chamber through the one-way relief valve when it's pushed through a cylinder. The piston is moved in an opposite direction through the cylinder so that a reduced air pressure is applied to the printhead when the one-way relief valve is in its closed position.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a cartridge includes: a housing having a chamber therein for holding a fluid; a vent at a first part of the chamber; a porous fluid holding material in the chamber; an outlet from the chamber; and a hole extending through the fluid holding material from the first part of the chamber to a second part of the chamber at a location away from the outlet such that the second part of the chamber is vented through the hole but the outlet is not vented through the hole.

Abstract: A fixer composition is disclosed herein. An example of the fixer composition includes from about 5 wt % to about 25 wt % of a co-solvent, from about 1 wt % to about 20 wt % of a calcium salt, from about 0.01 wt % to about 0.6 wt % of a sulfonated chelating agent, and a balance of water.