Xerox Corporation

Richard C Keefe

Steven Robert Moore

Brian S Hilton

David S Derleth

Michael Carlotta

Dennis M Lengyel

Donald M Stevens

Arthur J Sobon

Richard P Schell

Norman S Edgett

Vincent J Ouellette

Robert K McCubbin

A print element including a heat sink, a printed wiring member mounted on the heat sink, a thermal ink jet assembly mounted to the heat sink, and a manifold assembly mounted to the heat sink. The manifold assembly has a first mount for removably connecting a first source of ink to the manifold assembly and a first outlet to the thermal ink jet assembly. The print element can be combined with a housing to form a print head in a first type of printing device or can be used without the housing in a second different printing device.

Print element and method for assembling a print head

In one embodiment of an ink jet print cartridge wherein ink flows from an ink container to a printhead via an ink manifold which includes an ink pipe which projects into an outlet port in the ink container. The interface between the manifold and the outlet port is sealed by placing a foam member, in compression, between two adjoining surfaces. In one embodiment, the foam is a closed cell neoprene. In another embodiment, the foam is a dual membrane consisting of a first layer of closed cell foam laminated to an open cell foam. In a third embodiment, a member is used to both seal the pipe to outlet port interface and also to wipe the ink pipe clear of ink. A polyurethane member is affixed to the outside surface of the ink container adjacent the outlet port. The polyurethane member has an aperture with a diameter which is smaller than the outside diameter of the ink pipe. When the ink pipe is projected through the polyurethane member aperture, it causes the member to extend over the top surface of the ink pipe and into a sealing engagement thereon. Upon withdrawal of the pipe (or withdrawal of the container), the polyurethane acts as a wiper to wipe the surface of the ink pipe free of any residual ink.

Ink jet cartridge with improved sealing between ink container and

Combined print head and ink tank holder

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Savannah, NY, United States of America

Richard C Keefe