Encad, Inc.

Eastman-kodak Company

Gary Graham

Richard A Murray

David A Neese

Jeffrey Jay Rhine

William Golobeff

Truong Nguyen

Barry Schwartz

Scott D Slade

Dennis J Astroth

Don Spann

Robert L Pearsons

Linda Schott

An ink container for an ink delivery system in an inkjet printer, the ink container including a bottle for holding a supply of ink, a cap attached to the bottle to form a hermetic seal therebetween, the cap including an air inlet channel and an ink exit channel, and a color indicator ring having a key projecting therefrom. The color indicator ring resides between the ink bottle and the cap and is capable of being fixed in a plurality of predetermined orientations, with each orientation corresponding to a predetermined angle between the key and a line defined by the air inlet channel and the ink exit channel. The inkjet printer includes a plurality of receptacles, each adapted to receive a corresponding ink container containing an ink of a different or predetermined color. Each receptacle has an ink reservoir attached at the base thereof and includes a vertically oriented groove located at a predetermined position on the sidewall of the base. Installation of the correct ink container into the correct receptacle is ensured by matching the key to the groove, and by mating the air inlet channel and the ink exit channels to the corresponding fluid connection features on the ink reservoir.

Ink container installation and alignment feature

An inkjet printer includes a plastic platen and a structural member extending upward from the base of the printer. The printing surface is supported by the upper surface of the structural member. This surface is held flat to within very tight tolerances. The bottom of the platen printing surface is retained against this surface so that it conforms to the shape of this surface structural member to create a substantially flat printing surface.

Printer having a plastic platen

A service station for an ink jet printer is provided with a base station and a sliding sled having both wipers and caps mounted thereon. Power for sled motion during wiping and capping is provided by the movement of the print carriage of the ink jet printer. Sled motion is guided by pins on the sled which engage slots on the base station. A plank holds the sled in a temporarily stationary position during wiping.

Slidable wiping and capping service station for ink jet printer

Growing community of inventors

San Diego, CA, United States of America

Gary Graham