Lexmark International, Inc.

Funai Electric Company Ltd.

Gina Marie Johns

Johnnie A Coffey

James Daniel Anderson, Jr

John Yeung Conway

Jeffery James Buchanan

Michael Clark Campbell

Jason Todd Vanderpool

Stephen Porter Bush

Christopher Elliot Lingle

David Emerson Greer

Edmund Hulin James, Iii

Neal Douglas McFarland

David Wayne DeVore

Lane Thomas Butler

Steven Robert Komplin

Randal Scott Williamson

John Wayne Gassett

Michael Craig Leemhuis

Robert Wilson Cornell

Bruce David Gibson

Sam Norasak

Kerry Leland Embry

Jay Scott Siekmann

Kent Lee Ubellacker

James Philip Harden

Jason McReynolds

Trevor Daniel Gray

Shirish Padmaker Mulay

Bartley Charles Gould, Ii

Matthew David Heid

Christopher David Strack

Nicholas Jon Post

Christopher Michael Bennett

William Claiborne Ryle

Jerry Earl Stokesbary

Angela Lynn Hudson

Christopher Elliott Lingle

Tu Phan

Rita Greer, Legal Representative

Rita Greer

An imaging device has first image transfer from photoconductive drums to an intermediate transfer member (ITM) and second image transfer from the ITM to media. Transfer rolls oppose the drums from an opposite side of the ITM and electrically ground to a frame of the imaging device by mechanical connection. The rolls may be laterally offset from the drums. The ITM has relatively low surface and volume resistivity. An imaging subassembly may include the frame, the ITM, and the transfer rolls grounded to the frame.

Imaging transfer to intermediate transfer member

An ITM module for an imaging device, including a frame; a tension roll disposed in the frame; an ITM belt rotatably coupled to the frame and formed as an endless loop around rolls of the ITM module, including the tension roll; and an adjustment mechanism coupled to an end portion of the frame and to the tension roll, the adjustment mechanism setting an amount of skew of the tension roll relative to the frame. The amount of skew is in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to a process direction of the ITM belt. The adjustment mechanism includes a cam member rotatably coupled to the frame and having a cam surface coupled a first end portion of the tension roll such that rotating the first cam member sets an amount of elevation of the first end portion of the tension roll relative to the frame.

Positioning mechanism for a roller of an intermediate transfer member module

A consumable supply item for an imaging device holds an initial or refillable volume of pigmented ink. Its housing defines an interior and exterior. The interior retains the ink and an exit port supplies it to an imaging device. Users orient the housing to deplete the ink in a direction of gravity toward a bottom surface of the interior en route to the exit port. The ink passes through a mixing chamber having inlet ports arranged to restrict to multiple different heights the entrance of the volume of ink from the interior. As ink draws from various heights into the chamber, sediments in the pigment mix together. The design overcomes settling. It also avoids mechanical stirring and other complex mixing techniques. Further embodiments include chamber shapes, configuration of inlet ports, and construction of the supply item, to name a few.

Fluid container having mixing chambers for micro-fluid applications

A multi-color ink tank is adapted to replace individual different color ink tanks in a cavity of a given support structure. Elements on the body of the multi-color ink tank have configurations enabling compatibility with the support structure. The elements include empty opposite side portions of the body defining laterally spaced apart bottom openings that adapt the opposite side portions to seat in spaced slots in the cavity over keys therein and an intermediate central recessed region defined between the opposite side portions that adapts the body to straddle an intermediate slot between the spaced slots and a key therein and also straddle partitions in the cavity forming the slots. The elements also include tabs blocking some latches used to releasably lock some individual ink tanks to thereby identify the latch to be used to releasably lock the multi-color ink tank.

Multi-color ink tank with elements enabling compatibility with a support structure for individual different color in tanks

Color ink tank with micro fluid applications

Ink tank for micro-fluid applications

A multi-color ink tank includes certain features that properly interface with features on a printhead and carrier support structure to operatively seat the ink tank in the carrier support structure in a sealed flow communicative relationship with the printhead. These interface features are spaced apart relative to one another at distances (or dimensions) that ensure the desired seating and sealing of the ink tank in the carrier support structure and thereby the reliable supply of ink for operation of the inkjet printing system.

Multi-color ink tank with features spaced by distances ensuring interface with printhead and carrier support structure

Narrow ink tank with serpentine air vent

Single reservoir tank with serpentine air vent

Tri-color tank with serpentine air vents

A method of monitoring gaseous accumulation within an ink flow path in fluid communication with a printhead comprising: (a) supplying a first printhead with ink using a first ink flow path; (b) mounting a first ink filter in fluid communication with the first printhead; and (c) sensing downstream from the first ink filter for gaseous components within the first ink flow path. In addition, the invention provides a printing device comprising: (a) a first printhead that includes a first set of nozzles, a first ink filter, and a first conduit between the first ink filter and the first set of nozzles for delivering filtered ink to the first set of nozzles; and (b) a sensor operative to detect at least one of bubble formation and bubble growth within the first conduit.

Gaseous detection for an inkjet system

A supply cartridge for containing a supply of imaging substance includes a cartridge body, and a light pipe attached to the cartridge body. The light pipe has a light output, and a light input for receiving light from an external light source.

Apparatus for facilitating determination of proper supply cartridge installation

Ink tank with RFID sensor and serpentine vent

Some embodiments of the present invention provide an inkjet printhead within which a removable ink cartridge can be installed. Upon installation, the ink cartridge can be coupled to one or more wicks in the printhead for establishing fluid communication between one or more chambers in the ink cartridge and nozzles through which ink exits the printhead during operation. The wick can extend from a cartridge receptacle to a filter in order to transport ink from the removable cartridge to the filter. In some embodiments, the wick is retained in place within the printhead by a cap, which can be coupled to one or more filter towers. The wick can have upstream and downstream interfaces that can be the same or different in shape and/or size.

Wick for an inkjet printhead

Growing community of inventors

Nicholasville, KY, United States of America

Gina Marie Johns