Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.p.

Hewlett-Packard Company

Carrie E Harris

Jeffrey D Langford

Harold F Mantooth

Donald L Michael

Winthrop D Childers

Norman E Pawlowski

Brian J Keefe

Michael E Peterschmidt

Ross E Friesen

James P Kearns

Kris M English

An ink recirculation system includes a printhead adapted for printing an ink image on a media, a printhead reservoir fluidly connected to the printhead, a pump, a valve fluidly connected to the pump and the printhead reservoir, and an ink supply container including cleaning fluid therein. The ink supply container is fluidly connected to the pump.

Ink recirculation system

In one embodiment, a printhead assembly includes: an ink reservoir; a printhead; a passage for carrying ink from the ink reservoir to the printhead; and a port from the passage to a source of air pressure. The port is operable between a closed position in which the passage is not pressurized with air and an open position in which the passage is exposed to pressurized air. In another embodiment, an ink supply includes: a reservoir for holding ink; a printhead; a standpipe connecting the reservoir and the printhead such that ink may flow from the reservoir to the printhead through the standpipe; and a valve operatively connected to the standpipe. The valve is operative between a first position in which the standpipe is pressurized with air and a second position in which of the standpipe is not pressurized with air.

Printhead evacuation mechanism and method

An ink delivery system having a fluid supply and a printhead assembly, separate from and in fluid communication with the fluid supply. A primary flow path is configured to facilitate the delivery of fluid from the fluid supply to the printhead assembly, and a return flow path, at least partially separate from the primary flow path, is configured to facilitate the evacuation of fluid from the printhead assembly.

Ink delivery system and a method for replacing ink

One embodiment of a method of storing a printhead includes opening a valve to a vent of an ink reservoir, operating a pump in a first direction to pull ink from the ink reservoir through said valve, and pumping the ink pulled from the ink reservoir to an ink supply container.

A valve mechanism and a method for preparing an inkjet print cartridge and printer for inactivity is herein disclosed. Pressurized fluid is introduced to a standpipe volume to create a pressure differential that forces ink within the standpipe into an ink reservoir.

Printhead de-priming

Disclosed is a fluidic coupling that releasably and fluidically connects to the inlet port of an inkjet print cartridge. The fluidic coupling acts as a seal for the print cartridge and a means of lubricating and protecting the inlet port from drying, leaking ink, and air ingestion while the print cartridge is in transit and in storage. The fluidic coupling also provides an auxiliary ink reservoir for the print cartridge. The fluidic coupling further provides an ink conduit to the printhead from an external ink supply. First first and second end portions define an internal chamber, the internal chamber providing an internal fluid conduit for ink between the first and second ends of the body; and a fluidic coupling affixed to the first end of the body and in fluidic communication with the internal chamber. Optionally, there is a second fluidic coupling affixed to the second end of the body adapted to releasably seal to an outlet port of an ink supply to allow fluid communication between internal fluid conduit and the outlet port of the ink supply so as to allow ink flow from the ink supply through the second fluidic coupling, and into the internal fluid conduit.

Print cartridge coupling and reservoir assembly for use in an inkjet printing system with an off-axis ink supply

Described is an ink delivery system for an inkjet printing system including a housing; a printhead fixed to the housing for ejecting droplets of ink on media; a regulator located within the housing; a source of ink for replenishing the printhead; and an ink passageway for connecting the source of ink and the valve inlet. The regulator including a valve having an inlet and outlet, with the outlet in fluid communication with the printhead; a flexible member within the print cartridge, the flexible member has a reference surface and an ink surface, the reference surface is in communication with an outside atmosphere, the ink surface is in fluid communication with the printhead, the difference in pressure between the outside atmosphere and the printhead causes the flexible member to bias toward the ink surface; and an actuator that is receives a force from the ink surface of the flexible member, the actuator actuates the valve based upon the differential pressure between the reference surface and the outside atmosphere. Also described is a fluidic coupling that releasably and fluidically connects to the inlet port of a print cartridge. The fluidic coupling acts as a seal for the print cartridge and a means of lubricating and protecting the inlet port from drying, leaking ink, and air ingestion while the print cartridge is in transit and in storage. The fluidic coupling also provides an auxiliary ink reservoir for the print cartridge. The fluidic coupling further provides an ink conduit to the printhead from an external ink supply.

Growing community of inventors

Corvallis, OR, United States of America

Carrie E Harris