Eastman-kodak Company

The Mead Corporation

Ferno-washington, Inc.

Gregory J Sexton

John C Loyd

Eric Walowit

Lawrence R Young

Jerry L Taylor

Randal L Mullins

Brian D Bradley

Gregory M Kopp

Richard C Habermehl, Jr

A capping unit, a waste liquid tank, a valve, and a cleaning liquid tank are provided for maintaining a printhead. The capping unit includes a drain. The waste liquid tank receives a waste liquid from the capping unit. The valve is in fluid communication with the capping unit through a first fluid passage connected to the drain. The valve is also in fluid communication with the waste liquid tank through a second fluid passage. The valve includes a first state that permits the waste liquid to flow from the capping unit through the valve to the waste liquid tank. The valve includes a second state that prevents the waste liquid from flowing from the capping unit through the valve to the waste liquid tank. The cleaning liquid tank is in fluid communication with the valve through a third fluid passage. The cleaning liquid tank is configured to provide a cleaning liquid through the valve and into the first fluid passage when the valve is in the second state. The valve is operated to cause the valve to move between the first state and the second state.

Maintaining printhead using maintenance station with backflush

A maintenance station apparatus for a printhead including a nozzle face with the nozzle face including a nozzle array for jetting a liquid is provided. The maintenance station includes a capping unit including a drain and a waste liquid tank that receives a waste liquid from the capping unit. A valve is in fluid communication with the capping unit through a first fluid passage and in fluid communication with the waste liquid tank through a second fluid passage. The valve includes a first state that permits the waste liquid to flow from the capping unit through the valve to the waste liquid tank and a second state that prevents the waste liquid from flowing from the capping unit through the valve to the waste liquid tank. A cleaning liquid tank is in fluid communication with the valve through a third fluid passage and is configured to provide a cleaning liquid through the valve and into the first fluid passage when the valve is in the second state.

Printhead maintenance station including station backflush

A fastening track, a cot transport vehicle adapted to securely receive the fastening track, and a cot fastening system incorporating the cot fastening track are provided. At least two track securing members extend from the lower surface of the fastening track and are received in a self-centering aperture of a mounting assembly provided within a support surface of a transport vehicle. The fastening track comprises a frame including a spanner which is resistant to thermal expansion. A locking mechanism is provided including a convenient a latch disengagement member. The fastening track also includes a track clamping mechanism comprising a safety flag movable between a secured position and an unsecured position. The safety flag prevents inadvertent disengagement of the track from the vehicle and improper loading of a cot onto the vehicle. A stop cam is provided on the track to prevent inadvertent unloading of the cot from the track. A cot-mounted data port and a track-mounted data port comprise mating data connections to allow convenient transfer of data from a data transfer device mounted on the cot. An array of indicator lights oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal body and the entry portion are provided to guide cot loading.

Fastening track, cot transport vehicle adapted to secure the fastening

Apparatus for utilizing microencapsulated media material includes a cartridge which contains a supply of the material, including a supply spool. The supply spool is wound as a two-layer sandwich which includes a donor web carrying the microencapsulated photosensitive material would in face-to-face relation with receiver material, in which the donor web forms the radial outer layer of the composite and the receiver material forms the radial inner layer. The donor web is formed with a clear base through which the photosensitive layer may be imaged, by drawing the composite from the spool past an exposure station formed as a slit in the cartridge. Thereafter, the composite is processed between a pair of developer rolls, one of which is formed as part of the cartridge. The donor web is then wound on a spool in the cartridge while the receiver material, carrying the image, is delivered from the cartridge. The receiver material may be glossed while it is within the cartridge by glosser apparatus contained within the cartridge. Additionally, the cartridge may contain means for treating the fumes of glossing.

Microencapsulated media supply and utilization apparatus and method

A cartridge or cassette of web-type media material for delivery to utilization apparatus, such as a photocopier system, incorporates a filter which is integrated into the cartridge for filtering or absorbing fumes or gasses generated by the processing of the media material. The filter is automatically replaced and changed with the replacement of the cartridge.

Integrated media cartridge and filter

A gravity ink return system for a continuous ink jet printer of the kind having droplet generator means for directing streams of ink droplets along a print path and ink supply means including an ink reservoir and means for supplying ink from said reservoir to said generator. The gravity return system includes a catcher having an ink return inlet located laterally adjacent the droplet print path for receiving non-print droplets deflected from said path and a discharge passage constructed and located to slope downwardly from said inlet to an outlet of the catcher. A return conduit slopes continuously downwardly from said catcher outlet to the ink reservoir.

Continuous ink jet printer with a gravity drain, catcher return system

The detection system includes a cartridge having a first detection port for detecting the pressure condition in the top portion of the cartridge and a second detection port and tube for detecting the pressure condition in a bottom portion of the cartridge. The cooperative printer structure couples these ports to a pressure differential sensor that signals a printer refill condition.

Growing community of inventors

Beavercreek, OH, United States of America

Gregory J Sexton