Hewlett-packard Company

Sandra J Smith

Ralph L Stathem

Kevin D Almen

Peter R Stokes

David L Erickson

John B Dunn

Lowell R McDaniel

Wayne J Traina

Christopher P Murschel

A disposable/refillable inkjet cartridge with bubble generator and an adhesively attached bubble generator vent cover. The cartridge is filed through a bubble generator opening in the cartridge bottom eliminating a separate filling orifice and easing the priming operation. The vent cover is adhesively attached making removal for refilling easier and avoiding suspected problems related to welding flash in welded vent covers. The bubble generator includes a tapered opening which receives a ball. The ball contacts ribs extending longitudinally along a tapered portion of the opening. The ribs are spaced over an arc of the opening. A bubble forms as needed between the ball and opening to maintain back pressure. The ribs and taper produce more consistent bubble pressures. A single piece of tape over the bubble generator and printhead nozzles avoids common causes for depriming.

Bottom fill inkjet cartridge through bubble generator

Growing community of inventors

Corvallis, OR, United States of America

Sandra J Smith