Abstract: Provided is a holder to which a liquid accommodation container can be attached or detached. The holder includes an apparatus side engagement portion, and an opposite wall surface portion. The opposite wall surface portion has a hole portion for inserting a protrusion portion provided in the back surface portion, and a guide groove for guiding the protrusion portion to the hole portion while restricting the movement of the protrusion portion relative to the width direction of the liquid accommodation container when the liquid accommodation container is mounted, the guide groove being extended upward from the hole portion in a usage posture of the holder.

Abstract: Provided is a valve assembly for a printer ink cartridge. The valve assembly includes a flanged valve stem defining an inlet opening with a skirt engaging portion for operatively engaging an outlet port of the cartridge, and a depressible valve member within the stem. The valve assembly also includes a pressure regulator having a spacer within a central hub and a diaphragm spanning a central inlet opening. The pressure regulator further includes a clip defining an outlet opening, the clip configured to operatively engage the valve stem to sandwich the valve member, spacer and diaphragm between the valve stem and clip. The pressure regulator also includes a spring configured to bias the diaphragm against the central inlet opening into a closed position, so that ink from the ink cartridge is only able to flow through the valve when the diaphragm is in an open position.

Abstract: An ink cartridge includes an ink tank which includes an ink chamber formed in an interior of the ink tank, and a first wall separating the interior of the ink tank and an exterior of the ink tank, in which the first wall has a first opening formed therethrough. The ink tank also includes a partition wall connected to the first wall. The partition wall defines a first chamber formed therein, and the first chamber is continuous with the first opening. Moreover, the ink tank includes a divider. The first chamber and the ink chamber are in fluid communication via the divider, and when ink flows through the divider from the first chamber to the ink chamber, the divider is configured to divide a first air bubble contained in the ink into a plurality of second air bubbles. Specifically, a size of the first air bubble is greater than a size of each of the plurality of second air bubbles. The ink cartridge also includes a pump configured to selectively force ink into and out of the interior of the ink tank.

Abstract: An inkjet head includes a nozzle to discharge liquid droplets, a pressure chamber which is configured to communicate with the nozzle and filled with liquid, a supply section which is configured to communicate with the pressure chamber and supplies the liquid to the pressure chamber, a recovery section which is configured to communicate with the pressure chamber and recovers the liquid from the pressure chamber, a bypass channel which is independent of the pressure chamber and connects the supply section with the recovery section, a pressure-control liquid chamber which is connected at one end to the bypass channel and connected at the other end to the atmosphere, and a porous member which is contained inside the pressure-control liquid chamber.

Abstract: A fluid coupling for establishing a sealed connection between a first conduit and a second conduit. The second conduit has a seal seat and a compression member. The compression member is movable relative to the seal seat. A seal is positioned in the seal seat. An engagement mechanism moves the compression member toward the seal seat to compress the seal to form a sealed fluid connection. The engagement mechanism has an input arm hinged to the compression member at a hinge connection. The input arm has a compression lever fixed at an angle to the longitudinal extent of the input arm. The input arm is arranged to push against the compression member as the input arm rotates about the hinge connection to the compression member.

Abstract: A duplex printer includes a pair of pagewidth printheads. Each printhead includes a casing assembly defining a channel. At least one elongate support member is received within the channel and defines longitudinally extending fluid passages. The support member further defines spaced apart groups of holes extending from the passages. A fluid distribution arrangement is mounted in fluid communication with the support member. A plurality of ink ejection integrated circuits (ICs) is mounted in fluid communication with the fluid distribution arrangement so that the ICs can be supplied with ink from respective groups via the fluid distribution arrangement.

Abstract: An inkjet printer that has a printer body, a printhead cartridge for installation in the printer body, the printhead cartridge having a pagewidth inkjet printhead structure with an array of nozzles, a plurality of ink cartridges for supplying ink, each of the ink cartridges having a docking face for engagement with a complementary face partially provided by the printhead cartridge and partially provided by the printer body and, a docking frame with a plurality of resilient connectors form part of fluid paths from the ink cartridges. Longitudinal expansion and contraction of the pagewidth printhead structure relative to the docking frame is accommodated by the resilient connectors.

Abstract: An ink supply system includes an ink cartridge and a cartridge mounting portion. The ink cartridge includes an ink chamber, and a tube having a first opening and a second opening formed therein. The first opening extends from a first end of the tube, and the second opening extends from a second end of the tube opposite the first end of the tube. The first opening is configured to be in fluid communication with the ink chamber via the first end of the tube, and the second opening is configured to be in fluid communication with an exterior of the tube via the second opening of the tube. The cartridge mounting portion includes a projection configured to be inserted into the second opening of the tube via the second end of the tube. A diameter of the second opening is less than an outer diameter of the projection.

Abstract: An ink jet head is constituted by a recording element substrate, comprising ejection outlets for ejecting ink, to which an electrical connecting portion is provided at an outer portion of the recording element substrate; an electric wiring member having an end portion to be electrically connected to the electrical connecting portion; a supporting member comprising an outer surface, a first recess which is provided in the outer surface to accommodate the recording element substrate, and a second recess which is provided in the outer surface in a depth less than that of the first recess to accommodate the end portion of the electric wiring member; and a sealant for sealing a spacing between the second recess and the end portion of the electric wiring member.

Abstract: A printhead is provided having a support frame, a plurality of nozzle integrated circuits having printing fluid ejection nozzles, and a one-piece printing fluid distribution member commonly supporting the plurality of nozzle integrated circuits, the distribution member being removably engaged with the support frame.

Abstract: Provided is a print cradle assembly for a printhead cartridge. The cradle assembly includes a docking bay molding and a media feed drive assembly positioned on the docking bay molding and configured to feed media through the assembly. The cradle assembly also includes a printed circuit board (PCB) with a printer controller for controlling the media feed drive assembly and operation of the cartridge, as well as a heatshield mounted to the PCB for shielding the printer controller from electromagnetic interference (EMI) and user contact with the PCB.

Abstract: A printhead assembly is provided for an inkjet printer. The printhead assembly includes an elongate ink distribution molding assembly. The ink distribution molding assembly defines longitudinal ink ducts and an air duct. A laminated ink distribution stack is mounted to the ink distribution molding assembly. The laminated ink distribution stack defines ink passages and at least one air passage in fluid communication with respective ones of the ink ducts and the air duct. A plurality of ink ejection integrated circuits (IC's) is mounted to the laminated ink distribution stack in fluid communication with the ink ducts to eject ink supplied from the ink ducts. A cover defines a plurality of apertures through which ink ejected from the IC's can pass. The cover is mounted to define a space between the IC's and the cover in which pressurized air can be provided from the air passage so that air can pass through the apertures to clean the apertures.

Abstract: A cartridge is constituted by a plurality of absorbing materials for retaining liquid, an interface formed by press-contact between opposing surfaces of the absorbing materials, an introducing portion for supplying the liquid out of the absorbing materials, and a filter provided at an end portion of the introducing portion. The absorbing materials press against the filter so that an end portion of the interface reaches the filter.

Abstract: A liquid ejection head including a plurality of nozzles, a plurality of pressurizing liquid chambers, a liquid supply portion, and a filter portion. The plurality of nozzles ejects liquid droplets. The plurality of pressurizing liquid chambers are in fluid communication respectively with the nozzles. The liquid supply portion includes a plurality of individual supply channels and a fluid-communicating portion. The plurality of individual supply channels are in fluid communication respectively with the pressurizing liquid chambers to supply a liquid to the pressurizing liquid chambers. The fluid-communicating portion keeps the plurality of individual supply channels in fluid communication with one another. The filter portion is positioned to face the individual supply channels of the liquid supply portion and filters the liquid supplied to the pressurizing liquid chambers.

Abstract: A liquid detector includes: a case in which a flow channel is exposed from an opening; a sensor base, disposed in the opening of the case to face the flow channel; a sensor chip, mounted on a surface opposite to a surface of the sensor base which faces the flow channel and including a piezoelectric element; a film, adapted to hold the sensor base in the opening and sealing the opening; a circuit board, disposed in such a manner as to face the sensor chip; a relay terminal, electrically connecting the sensor chip and the circuit board; and a support member, adapted to support the circuit board and the relay terminal and fixed to the case. The relay terminal includes: a base end portion, fixed to the support member; and first and second free end portions, separately extending into two branches from the base end portion, and a first contact connected to the circuit board is formed in the first free end portion, and a second contact connected to the sensor chip is formed in the second free end portion.

Abstract: A printhead assembly for a pagewidth inkjet printer. An elongate ink distribution assembly has at least one ink duct. An ink distribution laminate stack is attached to the elongate ink distribution assembly, the laminate stack including a plurality of layers each provided with an arrangement of holes and channels, the arrangement of holes and channels being different between two adjacent layers. An ink flow pathway directs ink, received from the at least one duct, to a longitudinally extending central region of an exit layer of the laminate stack as the ink passess through the laminate stack. A plurality of printhead integrated circuits is positioned in or adjacent the exit layer of the laminate stack to receive the ink from the exit layer, the plurality of printhead integrated circuits longitudinally extending in a region corresponding to the central region of the exit layer of the laminate stack.

Abstract: Ink cartridge (10) which is insertable (insertion direction 11) into an inkjet printer, or cartridge receptacle associated therewith, and which has a housing (13) on at least one wall (12) of which there is arranged a plate (21) comprising electrical contacts (20) and an element for storage of cartridge-specific and/or printer-specific data. The housing (13) is delimited by two side walls (17, 18), a top wall (15), a base wall (16) and a front and rear (end) wall (12, 14). At least that portion (12?) of the housing wall, especially of an end wall (12), which is associated with the plate (21) has a smaller width than the plate (21). The latter is, in addition, mounted to allow its movement transversely to the longitudinal extent of the associated housing wall (12), or transversely to the insertion direction (11) of the cartridge (10) (double-headed arrow 24).

Abstract: A method for restoring ink conductivity of ink in an ink reservoir comprises detecting an ink conductivity of an ink volume in an ink reservoir, and comparing the detected ink conductivity to a predetermined ink conductivity operational range. A flush routine is performed in response to the measured ink conductivity being outside of the predetermined ink conductivity operational range. The flush routine includes: disabling ink supply operations to the ink reservoir; emptying the ink reservoir of ink; refilling the ink reservoir with ink; measuring an ink conductivity of an ink volume in the refilled ink reservoir; and comparing the detected ink conductivity to the predetermined ink conductivity operational range. The imaging device is returned to a normal operating mode in response to the measured ink conductivity being within the predetermined ink conductivity operational range after a flush routine has been performed.

Abstract: An ink cartridge includes a case including an ink chamber configured to store ink therein, and a particular face facing an exterior of the case and having a first opening formed therethrough. The ink cartridge also includes an ink supply portion extending from a particular portion of the particular face in a particular direction, in which the particular portion surrounds the first opening, and the ink supply portion has a tube shape. The ink supply portion includes a particular chamber formed therein, an end wall having a second opening formed therethrough, and a peripheral wall extending from the end wall. The ink supply portion is configured to supply ink from the ink chamber to the exterior of the case via the particular chamber and the second opening.

Abstract: A Multi-color ink-jet print cartridge includes an integrally shaped one-piece body with a reservoir portion including at least two ink chambers, and a manifold portion including at least two ink conduits, each ink conduit hydraulically connected to a corresponding one of the ink chambers through a port. An ink-jet printhead, includes at least two nozzle arrays, each of which arrays is hydraulically connected to a corresponding one of the ink conduits. A lid covers the reservoir portion of the body. Each of the ink conduits includes a channel portion in side to side relationship with the corresponding channel portion of the adjacent ink conduit. The channel portions have adjacent openings on one external wall of the body. Separate independent plugs are sealingly inserted into the adjacent openings.

Abstract: An ejection liquid which can be ejected stably by an inkjet method using thermal energy even in the case of containing at least one of proteins and peptides, and a method and device of discharging a liquid containing at least one of proteins and peptides, which use the ejection liquid. At least one compound having a guanidine group is added to an aqueous solution of at least one of proteins and peptides to improve its qualifications to an ejection event by an inkjet method using thermal energy.

Abstract: An ink cartridge is provided with a body, a channel module attached to the body, a plurality of first engaging parts, and a plurality of second engaging parts. The first engaging parts are arranged on one of the body and the channel module, while the second engaging parts corresponding to the first engaging parts are arranged on the other of the body and the channel module. The relative position of the body and the channel module on a two-dimension plane is substantially fixed by the engagement of the first engaging parts and the second engaging parts.

Abstract: Reliable ink jet print head, ink jet head cartridge, ink container, and the manufacture method thereof are provided. Specifically, an ink supply opening of an ink container includes a beam member crossing the ink supply opening. The beam member is shaped so that filler material included therein is oriented in a direction along which the beam member extends. By providing the beam member in the ink supply opening of the ink container, the deformation of the ink container due to a temperature change is prevented by the beam member having a smaller linear expansion coefficient that extends in a direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction. Thus, a more reliable ink jet print head can be provided. In addition, higher strength can be achieved in a direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction of the ink container.

Abstract: A protector for an ink cartridge container including a containing case body, an ink inlet for a recording head, a cartridge containing part into which an ink cartridge is removably insertable, and a door body capable of opening and closing an opening opposed to the ink inlet with the cartridge containing part sandwiched therebetween, the protector includes a protective cap unit including: a main body; a supporting rod protruded toward the ink inlet from the main body; a guiding funnel formed at a front edge of the supporting rod; and an elastic cap provided at an inner diametrical portion of the guiding funnel and capable of coming into close contact with the ink inlet, wherein: the protective cap unit is removable from and insertable into a containing case body; and the protective cap unit is formed as a different shape than that of the ink cartridge.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing an ink jet recording cartridge provided with a recording element substrate on the bottom surface, wherein the cartridge can be integrated with the recording element substrate precisely without causing any damage on the substrate, has a high barrier capacity, and can work with various inks and wherein such characteristics of the cartridge are provided by including the steps of pressing a lid to the upper opening of an ink-holding container made of a resin material including glass fibers to cover the opening, and vibration welding the lid to the container where means for holding the lid is vibrated in the direction along the top surface of the container.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus includes a slide member slidably supported at a cartridge holder and a lock claw member rotatably supported at the cartridge holder. The slide member slides along an insertion direction of an ink cartridge with respect to the cartridge holder between a first slide position and a second slide position. When the slide member is located at the second slide position, the lock claw member is located at a first rotation position. At this time, the ink cartridge is incapable of being removed from the cartridge holder. When the slide member moves to the first slide position from the second slide position, the lock claw member is located at the second rotation position. At this time, the ink cartridge is removable from the cartridge holder.

Abstract: Provided is an inkjet printer assembly having a cartridge with an integrated pagewidth printhead integrated circuit (IC), and a cradle configured to receive the cartridge such that the printhead IC is adjacent a media feed path. Also included is a driven mechanism configured to maintain the printhead and to feed print media through the media feed path, and a central processing unit (CPU) configured to control operation of the IC to determine a performance characteristic of the cartridge to control operation of the driven mechanism and printhead IC in response to the determined performance characteristic of the cartridge. The assembly also includes a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) subsystem configured to store print data and to arbitrate requests received from the CPU, and a print engine pipeline (PEP) subsystem configured to accept compressed pages from the DRAM subsystem and to render said pages to bi-level dots for printing by the IC.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ink jet cartridge configured such that an absorber is housed in one space while ink is accommodated in the other space, the ink jet cartridge keeping the ink sealed during distribution. The ink jet cartridge has an ink tank portion that accommodates ink, a print head portion that ejects the accommodated ink, and an ink supply path connected between the ink tank portion and the print head portion. A seal member that seals the ink supply path is located on an ink tank portion side of the ink supply path.

Abstract: An ink supply device includes: an ink cartridge including a port which is provided in a rear surface thereof at a lower portion of the ink chamber and which allows ink to flow in an ink flow direction and an engaged portion which is provided on an upper surface thereof; a cartridge mounting portion into which the ink cartridge is insertable in an insertion direction wherein the cartridge mounting portion is configured to accommodate the ink cartridge movably between a first posture and a second posture; a joint which is provided in the cartridge mounting portion and is connected to the port; a first elastic member which urges the ink cartridge to a removal direction; and a lock member which is engaged with the engaged portion to prevent the ink cartridge from being moved in the removal direction by the urging force of the first elastic member.

Abstract: A long-life pump capable of simultaneously conveying plural liquids and an inkjet printer having the pump are provided. The liquid pump includes: a liquid storage unit having liquid chambers trapping at least two types of liquids with each chamber corresponding to the type of the trapped liquid; a coupling member for connection to each liquid chamber of the liquid storage unit; a pressure adjusting mechanism, connected to the coupling member, for alternately switching between a negative pressure and a positive pressure of an internal pressure of the liquid chamber; an inlet valve capable of passing the liquid to the liquid chamber; an outlet valve discharging the liquid in the liquid chamber; and a pass resistance variable mechanism adjusting an amount of the liquid trapped in the liquid chamber depending on a level of the liquid in the liquid chamber.

Abstract: An ink cartridge for printers and ink filling method that can expand the space where the ink is filled, and maintain pressure inside the ink cartridge. The ink cartridge includes a body formed in a predetermined shape and having a filling hold on one surface, a filling chamber where ink is filled inside the body, a discharging chamber connected to the filling chamber, an ink discharging port connected to the discharging chamber through an ink transferring channel, an air chamber connected to the filling chamber to supply air through an air transferring channel, an air suction valve in the air chamber, an air inducing channel that induces exterior air into the air suction valve, a blocking film attached to one surface of the body, a cover installed on another surface of the body, a pressure regulating part on one surface of outer body, which communicates with the filling chamber.

Abstract: A mobile telecommunications device is provided having a printhead for printing on print media, a capper moveable between a capped position in which the printhead is capped and an uncapped position in which the printhead is uncapped, and a mechanism for maintaining the capper in the uncapped position. The mechanism has actuation arms configured to grip and retain the print media suspended from the device once printing is complete until removal of the print media from the device by a user.

Abstract: A liquid cartridge is removably mountable to a liquid ejection device of one aspect of the invention. The liquid cartridge includes a sub tank having: a liquid inflow port; a liquid outlet port; a liquid inflow chamber configured to communicate with the outside of a main unit through the liquid inlet port, the liquid inflow chamber allowing the liquid to be supplied from the liquid cartridge through the liquid inflow port; a second liquid storage chamber configured to communicate with the liquid inflow chamber through a second communicating port, the liquid stored in the second liquid storage chamber being allowed to flow out to a liquid ejection head through the liquid outflow port; and an atmosphere opening port. The second communicating port and the liquid outflow port are positioned lower than the liquid supply port.

Abstract: A modular printhead includes an elongate extrusion defining internal passages for carrying air, ink and fixative. The extrusion further defines repeated patterns of holes along its length with each pattern having holes in fluid communication with respective passages. A plurality of printhead modules is serially engaged along the extrusion with respective patterns of holes. Each printhead module defines inlets aligned in fluid communication with respective holes and internal chambers in fluid communication with respective inlets. Each printhead module includes an ink ejection integrated circuit (IC) which is fed the air, ink and fixative from the internal chambers.

Abstract: A fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects a fluid includes a storage portion that stores a fluid, a head, and a head capping device. The head discharges fluid supplied from the storage portion from a plurality of nozzles and includes a fluid discharging passage through which other fluid is discharged from the storage portion. The head capping device contacts the head and receives the fluid discharged from the plurality of nozzles and the fluid discharged through the fluid discharging passage. The head and the head capping device respectively include a head side flow passage and a head capping device side flow passage, which cooperatively form a circulation flow passage, through which the fluid that flows from the storage portion through the nozzles and the fluid discharged through the fluid discharging passage are returned back to the storage portion, in a state where the head capping device contacts the head.

Abstract: An inkjet head, comprises an ink jetting chamber unit in which a plurality of ink jetting chambers to jet ink from respective nozzles is arranged along at least one array; a manifold to distribute ink to the plurality of ink jetting chambers; a first ink flow path to supply ink from the outside to the manifold; an air chamber structured to form an air-liquid interface at which air contacts with ink in the air chamber; and a second ink flow path branched from the first ink flow path and connected to the air chamber.

Abstract: An inkjet recording head cartridge includes a container body configured to accommodate a plural colors of ink. The container body has a first side surface and also has a projecting part. The inkjet recording head cartridge includes a recording head unit configured to have ink supply port arrays. The recording head unit also has discharge port arrays which discharge the plural colors of ink. The container body has a first partitioning wall and second partitioning walls. The first partitioning wall is configured to partition the inside of the container body to intersect with the ink supply port arrays, to form a first ink accommodating unit which has the first side surface, and to form a space which does not have the first side surface. The second partitioning walls are in contact with the first partitioning wall and divide the space into a plurality of ink accommodating units.

Abstract: The present invention provides an outer cover to secure a printhead-ink cartridge and can be used in a segregated printhead-ink cartridge which is modified from an all-in-one printhead-ink cartridge. The inner and outer mounting and matching dimensions of the outer cover fit the outer frame edge (2) of the printhead and the printhead rack. The outer cover is an integrated cartridge holder comprising functional parts including locking tabs (4a,4b), at least one outer cover operating handle (3), at least one printhead locking tab (7), at least one printhead operating handle (5), and at least one pressing rib (6). The outer cover ensures that the ink cartridge (8) is securely mounted in the frame of printhead (1) and that the printhead is accurately positioned in the printhead rack. When the ink is depleted only the ink cartridge inside the printhead needs to be replaced.

Abstract: An ink jet remanufacturing chip verifier for new ink jet chips attached to remanufactured ink jet cartridges includes a controller for verifying during the process of remanufacturing the ink jet cartridges: if the new ink jet chips attached to the remanufactured ink jet cartridges are new ink jet chips, if the new ink jet chips attached to the remanufactured ink jet cartridges were manufactured by a predetermined manufacturer of new ink jet chips, if the new ink jet chips attached to the remanufactured ink jet cartridges are functional, and if the new ink jet chips attached to the remanufacture ink jet cartridges are a predetermined type of new ink jet chip; the controller for rejecting during the process of remanufacturing the ink jet cartridges: ink jet chips attached to remanufactured ink jet cartridges which have been previously used, ink jet chips attached to remanufactured ink jet cartridges which produced by manufacturers other than the predetermined manufacturer of inkjet chips, inkjet chips attached

Abstract: An ink tank includes a first channel extending in the form of a groove on an external part of the tank in connection with an atmospheric communicating port. The tank also includes a second channel which branches off from the first channel and joins this again and which has a capillary force greater than that of the first channel. Even when some amount of ink has flowed out of the atmospheric communicating port, the capillary force generated in the second channel acts to hold the ink in the channel. Additionally, even when ink is stored in the second channel, the first channel is not closed, and the pressure in the tank is therefore kept in equilibrium with the atmospheric pressure. Therefore, there is little possibility that the ink in the second channel will be pushed out even when the ambient temperature changes.

Abstract: A wave-guide having an isolated coupling interface. In one variation, a constant negative pressure is maintained around the area surrounding the wave-guide. Coupling liquid may be directed to the tip of the wave-guide to provide the coupling interface between the wave-guide and a source fluid container. The suction from the constant negative pressure may remove excess coupling liquid and isolating the coupling liquid to the area around the tip of the wave-guide. The wave-guide assembly may also include mechanisms for adjusting the volume of fluid at the tip of the wave-guide. When the position of the wave-guide is displaced, fluid compensation mechanism may increase or decrease the volume of fluids at the distal end of the wave-guide to maintain proper coupling between the wave-guide and the source fluid container. Methods for utilizing negative pressure around the distal end of the wave-guide to isolate the coupling liquid are also described.

Abstract: A sealing device is disclosed that includes a latching feature configured to facilitate latching of the sealing device to a fluid reservoir; a first region configured to seal or substantially seal a fluid-discharge port on the fluid reservoir from fluid loss when the sealing device is latched to the fluid reservoir; and a second region configured to protect a circuit device on the fluid reservoir when the sealing device is latched to the fluid reservoir. Accordingly, the presently disclosed sealing device provides an effective solution to not only sealing the fluid-discharge ports on the fluid reservoir, but also protecting the circuit device.

Abstract: An ink-jet printer, including: a recording head which ejects ink onto a recording medium; a main tank which stores the ink to be supplied to the recording head; a sub tank configured to be extended and contracted in a vertical direction and including first and second ink flow holes provided in a lower portion of the sub tank, such that the first ink flow hole communicates with the recording head while the second ink flow hole communicates with the main tank; and a communication tube which is connected, at one of opposite ends thereof, to the second ink flow hole and which has, at the other of opposite ends thereof, an opening positioned in an inside space of the sub tank, whereby the second ink flow hole and the inside space of the sub tank communicate with each other via the communication tube, wherein the communication tube is configured such that the opening of the communication tube is displaced downwardly in accordance with the contraction of the sub tank.

Abstract: A configuration for exchanging inkjet printing modules in a franking and/or addressing machine having a shaft-shaped receptacle with a locking device for the inkjet printing modules. The functional reliability and an extension of the service life of the printing device are improved by achieving simple and reliable exchanging of the inkjet printing module. In particular, easy drawing of the inkjet printing module is made possible and mechanical impairment of the mating contacts for the inkjet printing module is prevented. Devices are provided for pulling and releasing the contact of the inkjet printing module in the receptacle. These devices are coupled mechanically to one another in such a way that, when the pulling process is initiated, contact is released at the same time. A wiping apparatus is arranged in the pivoting region of the rear edge of the nozzle surface of the inkjet print head.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ink jet printing apparatus capable of improving reliability of an electrical connecting portion between a carriage side and head cartridge side. When an ink tank is mounted on a head cartridge, a hook of a set lever is obstructed to be operated in a lock releasing direction by a restricting surface of the ink tank. This prevents the head cartridge from being removed from the carriage, and maintains an electrical connecting condition between the carriage and the head cartridge. Therefore, for removing the head cartridge, it is necessary to remove the ink tank.

Abstract: A printer cradle is provided having a recess with an inclined face for receiving and removably locating a print cartridge, a retainer for removably retaining the print cartridge within the recess, and resilient members arranged to act against the print cartridge as it is located by the inclined face and to bias the print cartridge against the retainer once located within the recess. The print cartridge has a pagewidth printhead, a printing fluid supply and a fluid connection between the printhead and the printing fluid supply.

Abstract: An inkjet carriage that receives a print cartridge, the inkjet carriage includes a holding receptacle having a wall, wherein the holding receptacle is configured to receive the print cartridge; and a spring disposed on the wall of the holding receptacle to provide a biasing force in a direction that pushes the print cartridge away from the wall of the inkjet carriage and which biasing force must be manually overcome in order to properly install the print cartridge in the holding receptacle of the inkjet carriage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compatible ink cartridge for large format ink jet printers, consisting of an insertable cartridge and an ink container that can be integrated with said cartridge. The front end of said cartridge has a nozzle through which the large format ink jet printer's ink supply needle is inserted. Said ink container has a front end facing said nozzle of said cartridge, said front end having a soft plug through which the large format ink jet printer's ink supply needle can be inserted to access ink from said ink container.

Abstract: A droplet ejection apparatus includes: a head unit having at least one sub-tank that stores liquid, and an ejection head that ejects the liquid supplied from the sub-tank in a form of droplets; a head unit mover that moves the head unit; an absorber stored in the sub-tank, and made of a porous resilient member that absorbs the liquid; and a presser that compresses the absorber.

Abstract: A modular printhead assembly includes an elongate substrate member that defines a plurality of holes. An ink conduit is mounted longitudinally on one side of the substrate member and defines a plurality of ink holes to be in fluid communication with the ink holes defined by the elongate substrate member. A plurality of printhead module assemblies is mounted along an opposite side of the substrate member. Each module assembly includes an ink feed structure in fluid communication with the ink holes defined by the elongate substrate member and a printhead integrated circuit in fluid communication with the ink feed structure. A bus bar assembly is arranged on the substrate member for providing the printhead integrated circuits with power.