Abstract:
This present invention is embodied in a large array printhead having a large array of thin-film ink drop generators formed on a single monolithic substrate. The large array printhead includes a multiplexing device to reduce parasitic resistance and the number of incoming leads. In a preferred embodiment, the substrate is initially patterned and etched and the multiplexing device is attached to the substrate at a later time. The present invention also includes methods of fabricating a plurality of large array printhead embodiments using a single monolithic substrate made of a suitable material, preferably having a low coefficient of thermal expansion.
Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to an ink container for providing ink to an ink-jet printer. The ink container includes an electrical storage device for providing ink container parameters to the ink-jet printer. The electrical storage device contains a configuration parameter for specifying an ink container configuration and an ink volume parameter for specifying an ink volume for the ink container.
Abstract:
An inkjet printhead includes a compact substrate of increased stability and structural integrity to provide a high resolution 600 dot-per-inch nozzle array having a one-half inch swath. A plurality of ink vaporization chambers are respectively aligned with the nozzles in two longitudinal columns, one column extending longitudinally along one edge of the substrate and a second column extending longitudinally along an opposite edge of the substrate, with ink feed channels communicating through an ink passage from an underside of the substrate around both edges of the substrate to the vaporization chambers. The ink feed channels have thereby been eliminated from the central portion of the substrate, and replaced by the ink feed channels at the edges of the substrate.
Abstract:
Methods for electrically refurbishing a depleted single-use printer ink container for a printing system allow the ink container to be refilled and re-used. The memory device provides a signal when coupled to the printing system that indicates the volume of ink left in the container. The original memory device is not resettable by the printer. Four ways are described to refurbish the first memory device: (1) erase the memory with an irradiation source and reprogram; (2) remove the memory along with its electrical contacts; (3) leave the memory device and contacts in place and mount a new source of signals and contacts on top of the first set of electrical elements; or (4) sever continuity between the first electrical contacts and the first memory device and connect a second source of signals to the contacts. The new source of signals could be an emulator or a substitute memory device. The emulator or new memory device may be mounted to the ink container, or located remotely.
Abstract:
An inkjet printer includes at least one print cartridge mounted in a scanning carriage having an ink interconnect coupled, via a flexible tube, to an ink output of a stationary pressure regulator. An ink input of the pressure regulator is connected, via a tube, to a stationary ink supply having replaceable ink cartridges. The print cartridge contains one or more printheads and one or more ink interconnects, one interconnect for each color ink which is printable by the print cartridge. To avoid ink pressure spikes due to the momentum of the ink in the flexible ink tube as the carriage scans across the medium, a flexible diaphragm is incorporated in the ink chamber of the print cartridge. The print cartridge is inserted in the scanning carriage so as to create a fluid coupling between the printhead and the flexible tube leading to the scanning carriage.
Abstract:
A method for controlling an inkjet apparatus employs a pluggable module which includes a memory, the inkjet apparatus being connected to a computer/display arrangement. The method includes the steps of: determining when the pluggable module has been installed in the inkjet apparatus; determining if a printer driver indication in the module memory notes a newer driver procedure than the current driver procedure being used with the inkjet apparatus; and if yes, displaying a message indicating availability of the newer driver procedure. The method further enables the occurrence of a low ink indication from a pluggable ink module to automatically cause the display of a reorder message. The method also enables any selected message included in the memory to be automatically displayed upon insertion of the pluggable module.
Abstract:
This present invention is embodied in a printing system for a printhead portion of an inkjet printer. The printing system of the present invention includes a filter, coupled between an ink supply and an inkjet printhead. A filter member having a plurality of holes can be coupled between the ink supply and the microscreen filter. Alternatively, the filter can be a thermally efficient filter comprised of a filter integrated with a heat transfer device and can be coupled to the inkjet printhead.
Abstract:
In one embodiment, an air purge apparatus includes a bellows, or any other pressure source, for pressurizing a flexible diaphragm internal to a regulator-based inkjet print cartridge. This opens a regulator valve which allows air to be purged out of the print cartridge body. Ink may be supplied to the print cartridge to replace the volume of air and ink removed. Additionally, a pressure source may provide a negative pressure to the nozzles of the print cartridge so as to purge air from the manifold of the print cartridge.
Abstract:
An ink delivery system of an inkjet printer includes a scanning carriage having an ink interconnect coupled, via a flexible tube, to an ink output of a stationary pressure regulator. An ink input of the pressure regulator is connected, via a tube, to a stationary ink supply having replaceable ink cartridges. A relatively small semi-permanent, but replaceable, or permanent print cartridge contains one or more printheads and one or more ink interconnects, one interconnect for each color ink which is printable by the print cartridge. The print cartridge is inserted in the scanning carriage so as to create a fluid coupling between the printhead and the flexible tube leading to the scanning carriage. In the preferred embodiment, the ink pressure regulator is located proximate to the rest position of the carriage to prevent drooling from the printhead should the printer be tipped to a non-level orientation. To avoid ink pressure spikes due to the momentum of the ink in the flexible ink tube as the carriage scans across the medium, a flexible diaphragm is incorporated in the ink chamber of the print cartridge.
Abstract:
An inkjet printhead includes a compact substrate of increased stability and structural integrity to provide a high resolution 600 dot-per-inch nozzle array having a one-half inch swath. A plurality of ink vaporization chambers are respectively aligned with the nozzles in two longitudinal columns, one column extending longitudinally along one edge of the substrate and a second column extending longitudinally along an opposite edge of the substrate, with ink feed channels communicating through an ink passage from an underside of the substrate around both edges of the substrate to the vaporization chambers. The ink feed channels have thereby been eliminated from the central portion of the substrate, and replaced by the ink feed channels at the edges of the substrate.