Abstract: An ink-jet head comprises a joint member having an ink outlet port out of which ink supplied from an ink supply source flows, and a passage unit having an ink receiving port that receives the ink flowing out of the ink outlet port of the joint member. A filter is disposed within a first ink passage inside the passage unit. The first ink passage extends in the same direction as an ink flow direction from the ink outlet port to the ink receiving port. In the first ink passage of the passage unit, a first space is formed between the ink receiving port and the filter, and a second space is formed contiguous to the first space with the filter interposed between the first and second spaces within the first ink passage. The cross-sectional shape and size of each space in a direction perpendicular to an ink flow direction are constant along the ink flow direction.

Abstract: A method of assembling an ink filtration system in fluid communication with an ink source comprising the steps of: (a) providing a printhead base including at least one ink channel in fluid communication with at least one nozzle; (b) positioning an ink filter in fluid communication with at least the one ink channel of the printhead base; and (c) laser welding the ink filter in series with the printhead base to provide a sealed fluidic interface therebetween ensuring that ink within at least the one ink channel has passed through the ink filter. Also disclosed are methods and resulting apparatuses utilizing laser welding to mount components of an ink cartridge for use with an inkjet printer.

Abstract: An ink-jet head includes a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink, a first flat plate layer formed by aligning a plurality of pressure chambers communicating with the nozzles respectively and including at least one sheet of flat plates, a second flat plate layer formed with a common ink chamber having a shape elongated in a direction of aligning the pressure chambers and comprising at least one sheet of the flat plates, an ink supply passage connecting the common ink chamber and an ink supply source, a flat plate member in a shape of a thin film disposed between the first flat plate layer and the second flat plate layer, a restriction flow passage formed at the flat plate member for communicating one end thereof to the pressure chamber, communicating the other end thereof to the common ink chamber and controlling a flow of ink between the pressure chamber and the common ink chamber, and a damper chamber formed at the flat plate layer facing the flat plate member on a side thereof opposed to the common ink cham

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for forming a channel wafer for a novel ink jet printhead, having an ink particle-filter layer over the ink-inlet surface thereof. The process comprises the steps of applying a thin coating of a heat-curable, photopatternable polymer composition to an intermediate substrate having a release surface and drying the coating to form a semi-solid adhesive layer. The layer and supporting substrate are pressed against the ink-inlet surface of a channel wafer with an optional adhesive layer to bond the layer to the ink inlet surface. The substrate is separated to transfer the contacting area of the semi-solid layer to the ink-inlet surface as a laminate, and the semi-solid layer is exposed through a filter-forming mask and ink particle-filter openings are developed therethrough, either before or after transfer of the semi-solid adhesive layer from the intermediate substrate to the ink-inlet surface of the channel wafer, and the filter layer is cured.

Abstract: An ink jet head includes: a pressure chamber that stores an ink and has an orifice; a filter plate including a through hole portion and a filter portion, the through hold portion disposed separately from the filter portion with a certain gap; a supply unit that supplies the ink through the filter portion to the pressure chamber; and a jetting unit that jets ink droplets through the orifice from the pressure chamber. The filter portion is formed to have a first aperture ratio. At least one through hole is formed on the through hole potion so that the filter portion has a second aperture ratio. The first aperture ratio is smaller than the second aperture ratio.

Abstract: A microfluidic filter has a conical filter structure having a plurality of pores through the structure. Alternately the microfluidic filter can have a cylindrical filter structure or a coil structure of multiple cylindrical filters with decreasing radii. The pore structure of the filters is formed by laser ablation.

Abstract: An ink cartridge which is used with an inkjet recording apparatus includes a plurality of ink storage chambers. A first of the storage chambers can store light cyan ink, a second can store deep cyan ink, a third can store light magenta ink, a fourth can store deep magenta ink, and a fifth can store yellow ink. The ink storage chambers can all be accommodated integrally in a single ink cartridge. In one embodiment of the invention, the ink storage chambers are partitioned by partitioning walls which gradually increase in thickness as they approach the portion of the ink chambers having supply ports therein.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an ink tank; and an ink supplying path for supplying the ink from the ink tank to a print head, wherein the ink supplying path therein includes a filter, which generates negative pressure when the ink is supplied, the negative pressure being smaller than ink absorbing pressure of a nozzle of the print head. Further, the ink tank therein includes, for example, a porous ink absorbing body for retaining ink.

Abstract: The invention prevents drawbacks resulting from the bubble generated at the downstream side of the filter, while minimizing the waste in the ink. The recording head has a sub tank for storing ink supplied from the exterior, and a liquid chamber storing the ink supplied from the sub tank and supplying ink directly to a nozzle for ink discharge. A filter is provided between the sub tank and the liquid chamber. The liquid chamber holds ink of a predetermined amount in such a manner that the ink therein is separated by gas between the filter and the liquid chamber.

Abstract: A liquid discharge head cartridge can assuredly supply a liquid discharge head with a liquid even when a bubble is generated within a liquid channel, and maintain excellent recording characteristics even in a configuration in which light recovery or no recovery is adopted. The cartridge includes a slit-shaped opening provided at an ink channel facing an ink-jet recording head, a filter provided at an ink introducing unit so as to contact an ink absorber, and ribs for supporting the filter that extend from an inner wall of the ink introducing unit to a substantially central portion of the filter.

Abstract: An integrated fluid ejection device includes a fluid ejection element; a fluid filter; and a feed trench between the filter and the fluid ejection element. The fluid ejection element, fluid filter, and feed trench are formed from a single substrate.

Abstract: A microfluidic filter has a pleated filter structure having a plurality of pores through the structure. The pleated filter can be either an open loop or a closed loop pleated structure. The pore structure of the pleated filter is formed by laser ablation. The pleated filter is formed over an opening to an internal reservoir located on a rectangular plate and the microfluidic filter is used to filter fluids.

Abstract: A method for filling an ink into an ink cartridge. A filter or an ink passage is treated with a surfactant to increase its hydrophilicity. Therefore, during ink filling, the ink can pass through the filter smoothly or air in the ink passage can be purged without any external force such as a vacuum, thus preventing cracks in the nozzle on the printhead chip.

Abstract: A printhead for use in an ink jet printing device includes a heater substrate having a plurality of heating elements and an intermediate layer disposed adjacent the heater substrate. The intermediate layer defines a plurality of ink flow paths. A channel plate is disposed adjacent the intermediate layer and includes an integral filter having a plurality of filter teeth extending toward the intermediate layer. The channel plate defines an ink reservoir on one side of the integral filter and a cross-flow channel on a second side of the integral filter. Preferably, the channel plate, including the integral filter, comprises a single piece of plastic.

Abstract: An apparatus (22, 122) for filtering a substance (13) includes an electrically insulating substrate (30, 130) that separates a source volume (12) containing the substance (13) from a target volume (18). The substrate (30, 130) has a first side in fluid communication with the source volume (12) and a second side in fluid communication with the target volume (18). The substrate (30, 130) further includes a plurality of openings (42, 142) connecting the first side with the second side. The openings (42, 142) are sized to provide filtering fluid communication between the source volume (12) and the target volume (18) for at least one phase of the substance. A heater film (32) is deposited over selected portions of the substrate (30, 130). The heater film (32) contacts the substrate (30, 130) to heat at least a portion of the openings (42, 142).

Abstract: An inkjet head selectively ejects recording ink droplets and refresh ink droplets. The recording ink droplets are deflected so as to impinge on target locations on a recording medium, thereby forming recording dots thereon. On the other hand, the refresh ink droplets are deflected so as to impinge on an ink absorbing member. The ink clinging on the ink absorbing member is collected into an ink tank and reused. The ink absorbing member functions as a filter for preventing impurities being collected into the ink tank along with the ink.

Abstract: Grooves 21 are formed in the side of an ink supply needle 17 opposite a filter 19 in order to induce the movement of ink using capillary attraction, and so that the grooves 21 ensure that ink can flow along a path to a recording head regardless of whether an air bubble is present.

Abstract: A microfluidic filter has a pleated filter structure having a plurality of pores through the structure. The pleated filter can be either an open loop or a closed loop pleated structure. The pore structure of the pleated filter is formed by laser ablation.

Abstract: A microfluidic filter has a conical filter structure having a plurality of pores through the structure. Alternately the microfluidic filter can have a cylindrical filter structure or a coil structure of multiple cylindrical filters with decreasing radii. The pore structure of the filters is formed by laser ablation.

Abstract: An ink-jet printhead includes a substrate having an ink chamber on a front surface thereof, the ink chamber to be supplied with ink to be ejected, a manifold for supplying ink to the ink chamber on a rear surface thereof, and an ink channel in communication with the ink chamber and the manifold, an impurity filtering layer formed on the rear surface of the substrate between the manifold and the ink channel for filtering impurities in ink flowing into the ink channel from the manifold, a nozzle plate formed on the front surface of the substrate, a nozzle formed through the nozzle plate at a position corresponding to a central part of the ink chamber, a heater formed on the nozzle plate, the heater being formed around the nozzle, and an electrode electrically connected to the heater for applying current to the heater.

Abstract: A replaceable ink reservoir for a printing system using pigmented ink. The ink reservoir includes a containment vessel, a body of reservoir material disposed in the vessel, a fluid interconnect opening formed in the vessel, and a screen disposed in the containment vessel and across the interconnect opening. The screen has a pore size small enough to prevent air passage at operational pressures and large enough to allow colorant particles dispersed in the ink carrier fluid to pass therethrough.

Abstract: An ink-jet printhead includes a cavity unit and an actuator stacked together. The cavity unit is provided with a row of nozzle orifices and a row of pressure chambers communicating with the respective nozzle orifices. The actuator has a plurality of active portions for selectively actuating the respective pressure chambers to eject ink through the respective orifices. The cavity unit is a stack of plates including a cavity plate formed with the pressure chambers, a manifold plate formed with a manifold chamber and an intervenient plate interposed between the cavity plate and the manifold plate. The manifold chamber supplies ink from an external ink supply source to each of the pressure chambers. The intervenient plate is formed with a filter portion which filters ink provided from the external ink supplying source to the manifold chamber. The intervenient plate is formed with a damper wall facing the manifold chamber. The damper wall has a partial thickness of the intervenient plate.

Abstract: A fluid ejection cartridge includes a fluid container that has both a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The fluid ejection cartridge has one or more fluid ejectors fluidically coupled to the fluid container outlet and a fluid valve fluidically coupled to the fluid container inlet. The fluid ejection cartridge has a filter assembly having a compliant portion with an internal volume fluidically coupled to the fluid container outlet such that the internal volume changes when fluid flows into the fluid container.

Abstract: A fluid ejection device is described. One exemplary embodiment includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, the substrate defines a fluid supply conduit between the first surface and the second surface. This particular fluid ejecting device also includes a generally elastic filter layer formed over the first surface where the filter layer does not form sidewalls defining a fluid channel of the fluid ejection device.

Abstract: An ink jet recording head includes a liquid discharge head unit having discharge ports and ink flow paths; a liquid container holder unit capable of holding liquid containers and having supply paths for supplying liquid to the liquid discharge head units; and a buffer chamber for allowing gas to exist in the liquid supply paths, the buffer chamber being formed by coupling the liquid discharge head to the liquid supply holder unit. The ink jet recording head enables the buffer chamber allowing to gas to exist to be sufficiently cleaned, and requires no additional process for the formation of the buffer chamber thereof.

Abstract: A method of assembling a printhead assembly made up of a plurality of identical printhead modules includes providing a u-shaped channel in which the modules will be located, separating the sidewalls of the channel and inserting and positioning a first one of the modules into the channel. The sidewalls are released, to clamp the module in position in the channel. Each subsequent module is inserted in the channel by separating the channel sidewalls in the region in which the module is to be inserted, placing the module adjacent a free end of a module already in the channel and moving the new module along the channel until the required position is reached. The sidewalls are released, clamping the subsequent module in position.

Abstract: An apparatus (22, 122) for filtering a substance (13) includes an electrically insulating substrate (30, 130) that separates a source volume (12) containing the substance (13) from a target volume (18). The substrate (30, 130) has a first side in fluid communication with the source volume (12) and a second side in fluid communication with the target volume (18). The substrate (30, 130) further includes a plurality of openings (42, 142) connecting the first side with the second side. The openings (42, 142) are sized to provide filtering fluid communication between the source volume (12) and the target volume (18) for at least one phase of the substance. A heater film (32) is deposited over selected portions of the substrate (30, 130). The heater film (32) contacts the substrate (30, 130) to heat at least a portion of the openings (42, 142).

Abstract: A fluid ejection device comprising a composite substrate, wherein the composite substrate has two substrates with a patterned etch mask therebetween, and a fluid channel.

Abstract: A printhead for use in an ink jet printing device includes a heater substrate having a plurality of heating elements and an intermediate layer disposed adjacent the heater substrate. The intermediate layer defines a plurality of ink flow paths. A channel plate is disposed adjacent the intermediate layer and includes an integral filter having a plurality of filter teeth extending toward the intermediate layer. The channel plate defines an ink reservoir on one side of the integral filter and a cross-flow channel on a second side of the integral filter. Preferably, the channel plate, including the integral filter, comprises a single piece of plastic.

Abstract: An ink jet head comprises a substrate bearing a liquid discharge pressure generating element for generating energy for discharging liquid from a discharge port, a flow path forming member adjoined to the substrate and forming a flow path communicating with the discharge port through a position on the liquid discharge pressure generating element, and an adhesion layer formed in at least a part between the substrate and the flow path forming member and having an adhesion force with respect to the substrate and the flow path forming member larger than an adhesion force between the flow path forming member and the base, wherein the adhesion layer is formed, in a portion where the stress in the flow path forming member is concentrated in a direction of peeling from the substrate, in an area wider than the adjoining area between the flow path forming member and said adhesion layer.

Abstract: An ink jet printhead has an upper substrate containing a reservoir with ink inlet and a lower substrate having a linear array of droplet generating elements and addressing electrodes thereon. At least two layers of polymeric material are serially deposited and patterned over the droplet generating elements and addressing electrodes prior to mating the two substrates. The patterned polymeric layers define an elongated opening containing an array of posts therein and a plurality of channels, each channel containing a droplet generating element. One end of the channels is open to serve as nozzles and the other end is in communication with the elongated opening with the array of posts. After the two substrates are aligned and mated, the reservoir is in communication with the elongated opening, so that the ink from the reservoir is filtered prior to entering the channels by passing between and over the posts in the elongated opening.

Abstract: The invention is prevent drawbacks resulting from the bubble generated at the downstream side of the filter, while minimizing the waste in the ink.

Abstract: A filter assembly for ink for a printer includes at least one pair of supported filter elements which are in stacked arrangement and includes a filter housing. The filter assembly is adapted for conveying the ink through the filter elements so that the ink flow through both filter elements is either into or out of the volume between the filter elements.

Abstract: An inkjet pen is disclosed having an interior chamber containing a pressure regulator. A filter within the interior chamber substantially surrounds the pressure regulator, providing a large filter surface area, and hence a low resistance to ink flow. The filter may be formed of a pleated filter material; the filter material may be retained by a rigid ink passage flange and a filter cap.

Abstract: A replaceable ink reservoir for a printing system using pigmented ink. The ink reservoir includes a containment vessel, a body of reservoir material disposed in the vessel, a fluid interconnect opening formed in the vessel, and a screen disposed in the containment vessel and across the interconnect opening. The screen has a pore size small enough to prevent air passage at operational pressures and large enough to allow colorant particles dispersed in the ink carrier fluid to pass therethrough.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ink filter for an inkjet print cartridge, the print cartridge having nozzles for dispensing ink from an ink supply. The filter is formed of a polymeric material and is configured to prevent particles in the ink supply from passing to the print nozzles. The polymeric filter material is overmolded in a carrier which is configured to be coupled between the ink supply and the print nozzles.

Abstract: Ink flow paths are formed that corresponds in number to the ink chambers of a mounted ink cartridge, to supply ink from the ink chambers to a recording head. These ink flow paths are constituted by first communication paths (59, 60), which communicate with the ink outlets of corresponding ink chambers, second communication paths (61, 67), which communicate with the corresponding ink inlets of the recording head, and convergent flow paths (65), which connect the first and the second communication paths and converge as they approach the recording head. Filters (56) are located in the second communication paths.

Abstract: Techniques are described for constructing filter type features capable of entrapping particle contaminants to eliminate printing defects. These techniques utilize photo-imageable barrier material to fabricate various shapes and forms to reduce feature sizes. Several of these techniques utilize barrier material of height less than barrier materials used to fabricate ink feed channels and firing chamber walls. Another variation describes creation of a filter mesh from two layers of reduced height barrier materials.

Abstract: An ink jet print head has a bubble collecting device in an ink liquid chamber between a filter and an ink ejection opening for ejecting ink, a bubble moving device for moving bubbles to the bubble collecting device, and a bubble discharging device for discharging bubbles accumulated in the bubble collecting device to the outside. Further, an ink jet printing apparatus performs printing using an ink jet print head having a bubble collecting device in an ink liquid chamber between a filter and an ink ejection opening for ejecting ink, a bubble moving device for moving bubbles to the bubble collecting device, and a bubble discharging device for discharging the bubbles accumulated in the bubble collecting device to the outside.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a fluid ejection device comprises a substrate having a fluid slot defined from a first surface through to a second opposite surface; an ejection element formed over the first surface and that ejects fluid therefrom; and a filter having feed holes positioned over the fluid slot near the first surface. Fluid moves from the second surface through the feed holes to the ejection element. In a particular embodiment, the filter is formed of a first material that is surrounded by a second material. In another particular embodiment, the filter is formed from the back side and is formed of the same material as the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a filter for an ink jet pen, comprising a filter material configured to attach to the pen, wherein a flow of ink through the filter material is substantially multidirectional. In a preferred aspect, an effective filtration surface area of the filter is substantially greater than any projection surface area of the filter. In another preferred aspect, the filter comprises a chamber at least partially bounded by the filter material, and a flow direction of ink into the chamber is substantially different than a flow direction of ink from the chamber.

Abstract: A liquid ejection recording head which receives liquid from one or more liquid containers mounted on a carriage, the liquid container having a press-contact member of fibrous material at a liquid outlet, the liquid ejection recording head includes a tubular member for receiving ink from the liquid container, the tubular member being provided with an upstream edge with respect to a direction of flow of the liquid therethrough; a filter provided in the tubular member and having an outer surface press-contactable to the press-contact member, the outer surface being a substantially flat surface and being outward beyond the upstream edge of the tubular member.

Abstract: A common problem in vertical inkjet printers is that an air bubble is formed within the filter and so preventing correct operation of the printhead. Accordingly, a filter for use in an inkjet printer has a housing having an inlet and an outlet, with a filter element which is tapered towards the outlet for, in use, removing unwanted substances from ink flowing through the housing. A bleed tube has an inlet on the inlet side at the tapered end of the filter element, for removing trapped air from the inlet side of the filter element.

Abstract: A fluid ejection device includes a substrate, a stack of thin film layers and a further substrate. The substrate has a first surface and a second surface, and defines a fluid supply conduit. The stack of thin film layers has a first surface and a second surface, with the first surface of the stack of thin film layers being affixed to the second surface of the substrate. In one embodiment, the stack of thin film layers includes at least one ink energizing element, and defines a plurality of fluid filter openings that are in fluid communication with the fluid supply conduit of the substrate. The fluid filter openings function as a fluid. The further substrate has a first surface coupled to the second surface of the stack of thin film layers, and an exterior second surface.

Abstract: A carriage for carrying a liquid ejecting head unit for effecting printing by ejecting droplets through a plurality of ejection outlets includes means for supporting the liquid ejecting head unit for rotation about a predetermined portion; and means for adjusting an angular position of the liquid ejecting head unit supported by the supporting means.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting head unit includes a chip head that includes a plurality of ejection outlets for ejecting droplets; a plurality of flow paths in fluid communication with the ejection outlets, respectively; a first common liquid chamber for supplying the liquid to the flow paths; a supply member having a liquid supply path for supplying the liquid to first common liquid chamber; energy generating elements, provided in the flow paths for generating energy for ejecting the droplets; a unit frame having a second common liquid chamber for accommodating the liquid to be supplied to the supply member, the unit frame being connected with the chip head; a porous member provided between the liquid supply path of the chip head and the second common liquid chamber of the unit frame; wherein a connecting portion between the chip head and the unit frame is disposed upstream of the porous member with respect to a direction of flow of the liquid from the second common liquid chamber to the liquid supply path through the po

Abstract: The present invention is an ink supply for use in an inkjet printing system of the type having an ink jet printhead spaced from the ink supply. The ink jet printing system has an ink conduit configured for connection to each of the printhead and the ink supply for providing ink to the ink jet printhead. The ink supply includes an ink container for storing ink and a fine mesh disposed in a fluid path between the ink container and the ink conduit. The fine mesh has a mesh opening size which does not permit air to pass therethrough under normal nominal air bubble pressure experienced by the ink jet printing system in normal usage and storage.

Abstract: An inkjet printer that automatically expels bubbles trapped at a filter—which removes foreign materials from ink supplied to the inkjet head—to eliminate ink discharge problems caused by trapped air bubbles. Ink (40) is supplied through ink-supply-line part (23), filter (24), and ink-intake opening (202) to inkjet head (2) of inkjet printer (1). If a bubble (30) in ink (40) becomes trapped at the top surface (24a) of filter (24), the bubble (30) is separated from the filter top (24a) by the buoyancy of the ink (40). When the bubble (30) separates from the filter top (24a), it forms a spherical bubble (30A). This spherical bubble (30A) then rises through conically shaped ink-path-connection part 222 and ink-supply-line part 23. The internal volume of ink-path-connection part 222 is less than 1.1 times the volume of a sphere internally tangent to ink-supply-line part 23. Therefore, bubble (30A) freely rises through ink-supply-line part 23.

Abstract: Ink supplied from an ink source to a filter is guided from a tangential direction with respect to the filter. In addition, a partition wall having a spiral shape reduces the cross-sectional area of an ink passage on the upper surface of the filter and produces a rapid ink flow on the upstream side of the filter. The ink flows from the periphery of the filter to the center of the filter. This ink flow allows air bubbles in the ink to be forced to pass through openings of the filter, thereby being discharged to the exterior of the device. Accordingly, faulty ink supply, due to clogging of the filter with air bubbles, is prevented.

Abstract: A spacer is incorporated into the standpipe of a foam-ink-containment type of inkjet print cartridge for retarding the growth of a diffused-air bubble in the standpipe, thereby extending the shelf life of the cartridge by ensuring the bubble will not become so large during storage of the cartridge that the bubble occludes flow of ink to the printhead.