Abstract:
An ink tank and ink tank support structure which contains structural elements which are designed to permit proper installation of the ink in the ink tank support structure while minimizing the chances of improper installation of the ink tank in the ink tank structure. A primary ink tank seal is provided in the ink tank, and a relatively low compressive force seal is provided between the ink tank support structure and the ink tank to reduce leakage of fluid from tank and limit evaporation of fluid from the tank despite repeated insertions and removals of the ink tank from the ink tank support structure. A variable capacity ink tank and an ink tank with staggered height walls are disclosed, as well as a code reader for determining characteristics of ink tanks.
Abstract:
A printing device having a frame, an input holding area, and an output holding area. The frame supports a printhead and a feed roller system for feeding print medium to the printhead. The input holding area is disposed on the frame. The output holding area is disposed on the frame. The input holding area holds print medium to be fed into the feed roller system. The output holding area has a support section to receive and support print medium output from the feed roller system. The support section of the output holding area has a bypass feed slot formed therein. The bypass feed slot is substantially straight. The bypass feed slot includes a first slot portion and a second slot portion adjoining the first portion. The second slot portion has a slot width different from the first slot portion.
Abstract:
An apparatus for gripping the leading edge portion of a sheet includes a first gripping member which substantially spans the leading edge portion of the sheet. The apparatus further includes a spring having a portion thereof defining a second gripping member which substantially spans the leading edge portion of the sheet, the second gripping member being urged toward the first gripping member to grip the sheet.
Abstract:
A marking assembly includes a substrate and a marking device. The substrate includes a first portion made from a first material including a plurality of alignment features, and a second portion made from a second material affixed to the first portion of the substrate. The marking device is affixed to the second portion of the substrate and aligned to the alignment features of the first portion of the substrate.
Abstract:
A fluid ejection container system provides a first container that contains the fluid, the first container being evacuated to negative gauge pressure when being filled with the fluid, a second container having a capillary medium that contains the fluid, a passage between the first and second containers communicating the fluid at a level wherein the passage is wetted with the fluid, a ventilation port to communicate air between an interior region in the fluid ejection system and ambient, at least one spill over region to communicate the fluid with the second container, and a plurality of channels to communicate at least the air between the interior region and the second container; wherein the at least one spill over region has sufficient volume to contain a quantity of the fluid that migrates out of the second container. The fluid ejection container system also provides a lid for sealing the first and second containers from the ambient, wherein the channels are disposed on the lid.
Abstract:
A print cartridge includes a manifold that is molded from a polymer including at least one thermally conductive filler material, and a fluid ejector die module attached to the manifold. A method of manufacturing a print cartridge includes molding a manifold at least partially from a polymer including thermally conductive fillers, forming a fluid ejector die module, and attaching the manifold to the fluid ejector die.
Abstract:
Method and system for detecting the presence and determining characteristics of objects such as ink cartridges in printing systems. The system includes a signal transceiver capable of transmitting signals using a photo emitter and capable of receiving signals sent from the objects using a photo detector, and a monitoring system coupled to the signal transceiver for processing received signals to determine characteristics of the objects. Further, the photo emitter is at least partially covered by a first optical polarizer and the objects include a reflective surface that is at least partially covered by a second optical polarizer. When signals are transmitted from the signal transceiver to the objects, the second optical polarizer allows the signals to reach the reflective surface and reflect back towards the signal transceiver if the orientations of the first and second optical polarizers are substantially the same.
Abstract:
A controller for a fluid ejecting system having a refillable container includes an ejection count initializing circuit, routine or application, a count incrementing circuit, routine or application, at least one fluid level indicator, and a fluid quantity circuit, routine or application for determining an expended quantity of fluid, a fluid reserve capacity circuit, routine or application for determining a fluid reserve capacity in the container, an ejection job determining circuit, routine or application for determining a fluid job requirement, a reserve comparing circuit, routine or application to compare the fluid reserve capacity and the fluid job requirement, and a refill condition determining circuit, routine or application to determine that the container is to be refilled. Counts for a ejection amount and a reserve capacity are incremented in response to a specific amount of fluid being ejected from the container. The expended quantity of fluid is based on the ejection amount count subsequent to the fluid level being indicated. The fluid reserve capacity is based on the reserve capacity count and the expended quantity of fluid. The fluid job requirement is based on the expended quantity of fluid and a job number of ejected amounts of fluid. The container is determined to be refilled upon at least a condition wherein the fluid job requirement exceeds the fluid reserve capacity, and a condition wherein the fluid level is below a refill threshold.
Abstract:
Backlash is reduced by stopping substrate short of a printing position, then slowly advancing the drive system to move the substrate to the printing position. Where a stepper motor drives a driven roller via a gear train, the stepper motor stops the substrate a predetermined number of steps shy of the printing position. The stepper motor is then advanced by the predetermined number of steps, taking up backlash and moving the substrate to the printing position.