Fluids are sometimes deposited or printed upon a surface using drop-on-demand inkjet print heads. Reliably delivering fluid from a fluid chamber to the print heads may be difficult or expensive to achieve.
Body 102 comprises one or more structures configured to at least temporarily store and contain fluid, such as ink, and to further deliver or pass the stored fluid to head assembly 112 for printing. Body 102 includes a fluid chamber 120 and a fluid delivery system 122 which includes a standpipe 124, one or more slots 126, support 128 and a head assembly receiving recess 130. Fluid chamber 120 comprises a chamber, cavity or other volume configured to at least temporarily contain and store fluid to be printed using cartridge 100. Although chamber 120 is illustrated as containing a volume of fluid that is consumed until insufficient amounts remain for printing, in other embodiments, chamber 120 may be configured to be replenished with fluid via an off-axis ink supply or upon being removed from a printing device in which cartridge 100 employed.
Fluid delivery system 122 delivers the printing fluid or ink from chamber 120 to head assembly 112. Fluid delivery system 122 includes standpipe 124 and one or more slots 126. Standpipe 124 extends between chamber 120 and slots 126 and comprises an elongate passage through which the printing fluid flows. Slots 126 comprise fluid passages configured to deliver the printing fluid to the fluid ejecting portion of head assembly 112. Support 128 transversely extends across standpipe 124 and slots 126 so as to structurally support walls 132 defining slots 126. Recess 130 receives and positions portions of head assembly 112 adjacent to and opposite to slots 126. In the example illustrated, body 102 is integrally formed as a single unitary body. In other embodiment, one or more components of body 102 may be fastened, welded, bonded, or otherwise connected to one another. As will be described in more detail hereafter, fluid delivery system 122 facilitates the breakup and/or moving of air bubbles that maybe generated during printing away from slots 126 and towards an end of standpipe 124 proximate chamber 120. As a result, such air bubbles are less likely to interfere with the delivery of printing fluid through slots 126 to head assembly 112.
Back pressure mechanism 104 comprises one or more structures configured to generate back pressure within chamber 120. In the example illustrated, back pressure mechanism 104 may comprise a capillary medium, such as foam, for exerting a capillary force on the printing fluid to reduce the likelihood of the printing fluid leaking. In other embodiments, other back pressure mechanism may be employed such as a spring bag, bellows or spring bag and bubble generator.
Lid 106 comprises a cap configured to contain printing fluid within chamber 120. In example illustrated, lid 106 includes an arrangement or labyrinth of vent channels on its topside and a communication with its bottom side, permitting airflow into chamber 120. Cover 108, also known as a vent label, is secured over lid 106 and covers portions of the vent channels. In other embodiments, lid 106 may omit such vents or may have other configurations. Cover 108 may also have other configurations or may be omitted.
Filter 110 comprises one or more mechanisms configured to filter the printing fluid prior to the printing fluid entering standpipe 124 of fluid delivery system 122. As shown by
Head assembly 112 comprises an assembly of components configured to selectively discharge or eject printing fluid onto a printing surface. In one embodiment, head assembly 112 comprises a drop-on-demand inkjet head assembly. In one embodiment, head assembly 112 comprises a thermoresistive head assembly. In other embodiments, head assembly 112 may comprise other devices configured to selectively deliver or eject printing fluid onto a medium.
In the particular embodiment illustrated, head assembly 112 comprises a tab head assembly (THA) which includes flexible circuit 138, print head die portion 140 and electrical contacts 142. Flexible circuit 138 comprises a band, panel or other structure of flexible bendable material, such as one or more polymers, supporting or containing electrical lines, wires or traces that extend between contacts 142 and die portion 140. Flexible circuit 138 supports die portion 140 and contacts 142. As shown by
Die portion 140 is configured to selectively eject printing fluid based on signals received from contacts 142. Die portion 140 includes feed slots, firing circuitry (not shown), encapsulates 146 and orifice plate 148 (shown in
Encapsulates 146 comprise one or more material which encapsulate electrical interconnects that interconnect electrically conductive traces or lines of die portion 140 with electrically conduct of lines or traces of flexible circuit 138 which are connected to electrical contacts 142. In other embodiments, encapsulates 146 may have other configurations or may be omitted.
Electrical contacts 142 extend generally orthogonal to die portion 140 and comprise pads configured to make electrical contact with corresponding electrical contacts of the printing device in which cartridge 100 is employed.
Orifice plate 148 comprises a plate or panel having a multitude of orifices which define nozzle openings through which the printing fluid is ejected. Orifice plate 148 is mounted or secured opposite to slots 144 and their associated firing circuitry. In other embodiment, orifice plate 148 may be omitted where such orifices or nozzles are otherwise provided.
As noted above, fluid delivery system 122 of body 102 provides more reliable delivery of printing fluid from chamber 120 to slots 144 and their firing circuitry. In particular, during printing, air may be generated within slots 144. This air may form bubbles in the printing fluid. In many printing devices in which standpipe 124 and slots 126 are oriented in a substantially vertical orientation and are maintained in a substantially vertical orientation during printing, such air bubbles simply float to a top of the standpipe 124 and rest against screen 110, where such air bubbles are warehoused over the life of the print cartridge while providing an adequate ink path for delivering printing fluid to slots 144.
However, it has been discovered that in print devices that print in a sideways or horizontal orientation or which are repeatedly oriented in a sideways orientation prior to, during or after printing, such air bubbles may accumulate and become trapped on surfaces inside slots 126 or lower portions of standpipe 124 to a point that the fluid supply path provided by standpipe 124 and slots 126 to head assembly 112 is at least partially occluded or blocked. It has been discovered that this problem is exacerbated with print cartridges having a relatively high density of relatively small orifices or nozzles (such as 1200 dots per inch) and with the use of particular printing fluids that are configured to aggressively dry. Standpipe 124 and slots 126 of ink delivery system 122 address such issues by facility breakup of such air bubbles or by facilitating movement of such air bubbles towards filter 110.
To facilitate movement of air bubbles along shelf areas 148, fluid delivery system 122 (1) increases velocity of the flow of printing fluid across shelf areas 148, 149 and (2) provides a smoother, more vertical transition long shelf areas 148, 149 to standpipe 124. As shown by
As shown by
It has further been discovered that air bubbles may sometimes accumulate or become lodged against support 128. To reduce a likelihood of such air bubbles becoming lodged against an underside of support 128, the lower surface 160 of support 128 is spaced from the bottom face of slots 128 and from recess 130 by a distance D of at least 0.7 mm and nominally at least about 0.9 mm. Likewise, the two faces on the underside of support 128 have been angled to facilitate the movement of bubbles. As a result, air bubbles are less likely to be trapped within slot 126 between support 128 and head assembly 112 (shown in
It has also been discovered that air bubbles may sometimes accumulate or become lodged upon the floor 164 of standpipe 124. To facilitate break up or movement of such air bubbles, floor 164 includes one or more protuberances projecting from floor 164 towards and into standpipe 124. In particular, as shown by
In other embodiments, upper surface 172 of protuberance 170 may be sharp or pointed to facilitate breakup of air bubbles. In other embodiments, protuberance 170 may project into standpipe 124 by other distances and may be provided at other locations. In yet other embodiments, protuberance 170 may be omitted.
Like body 102, body 202 of print cartridge 200 includes a fluid delivery system 222 is configured to facilitate either the breakup of air bubbles or the movement of air bubbles away from fluid flow blocking or congesting locations. As shown by
As shown by
Like support 128 of fluid delivery system 122, support 228 of fluid delivery system 222 is spaced from a lower face of slots 226 and recess 130 by a distance of at least 0.7 mm and nominally at least about 0.9 mm. As a result, air bubbles are less likely to be trapped within slots 226 between support 228 and head assembly 112 (shown in
As shown by
As with floor 164 of standpipe 124, floor 264 of standpipe 224 includes one or more protuberances projecting from floor 264 towards and into standpipe 224.
Extensions 280 comprise protuberances extending from an intermediate wall 283 between slots 226 into standpipe 224. Extensions 280 project from opposite sides of portion 278 substantially parallel to slots 226. In one embodiment, extensions 280 project at least 0.8 mm and nominally 1.2 mm into standpipe 224. In one embodiment extensions 280 extend at least 1 mm and nominally about 2.3 mm from opposite sides of portion 278. In other embodiments, extensions 280 may have other dimensions or may be omitted.
Protuberances 274 comprise projections or bumps extending from floor 264 into standpipe 224 proximate to opposite ends of slots 226. Protuberances 274 project upwardly from intermediate wall 283 between slots 226. Protuberances 274 extend generally parallel to slots 226. According to one embodiment, protuberances 274 each have a height selected project into standpipe 224 by a least 1 mm and nominally about 1.8 mm. Extensions 274 each have a length projecting from axial ends of slots 226 towards central portion 278 of protuberance 270 by a distance of at least about 1 mm and nominally about 1.5 mm. In other embodiment, protuberances 274 may have other dimensions or may be omitted.
As with body 102, body 202 and the components of fluid delivery system 222 are integrally formed as a single unitary body. In other embodiment, one or more components of body 202 and fluid delivery system 222 may be fastened, welded, bonded, or otherwise connected to one another.
Overall, fluid delivery system 2 of cartridge 200 provides a more aggressive solution to breaking up air bubbles or facilitating movement of air bubbles out of congesting locations. End portions 252 increase the velocity of fluid flow to assist in dislodging air bubbles. Shelf areas 248, 249 have enlarged angles to reduce the likelihood of air bubbles becoming lodged against such shelf surfaces. Support 228 is spaced from head assembly 112 by a relatively large distance to inhibit trapping of air bubbles between support 228 and head assembly 112. Ramped portions 265 facilitate movement of air bubbles through standpipe 264. Protuberances 270 and 274 more aggressively breakup air bubbles or facilitate dislodgment of air bubbles from floor 264. Although each of such features synergistically cooperates with one another to break up or move air bubbles, in other embodiments, such features may be provided in other combinations or may be used independently of one another.
As noted above, print cartridges 100 and 200 and their associated fluid delivery systems 120, 220 are especially advantageous in print devices which print while in a sideways orientation. Likewise, print cartridges 100 and 200 are also advantageous in print devices which may be stored, carried and used to print in multiple orientations.
Body 336 comprises a structure or case configured to support the remaining components of capture and print unit 330. Body 336 at least partially encloses or houses such components. In one embodiment, body 336 is configured such that capture and print unit 330 is a hand held unit. As shown in
Imager 338 is configured to sense, scan or capture an image upon a surface. In one embodiment, imager 338 comprises a scanner module comprising a two dimensional (2D) Imaging Scanner and one or more illumination sources such as targeted light emitting diodes, facilitating omni-directional scanning a in lowlight conditions. In other embodiments, imager 338 may comprise other devices configured to sense or capture the visible image such as other forms of a camera or other two dimensional (2D) charge coupled devices (CCD) and the like. In yet other embodiments, imager 338 may utilize ultraviolet or infrared light to scan or sense an image on surface. In one embodiment, imager 338 may be configured to read a code such as a Maxi code, barcode, Universal Product Code (UPC) and the like.
Communication interface 340 is configured to communicate with external electronic devices such as external data sources (not shown). Communication interface 340 is configured to transmit data as well as to receive data. In one embodiment, communication interface 340 is configured to communicate wirelessly with external electronic devices. For example, in the particular embodiment illustrated, communication interface 340 is configured to communicate with radio waves and comprises wireless IEEE 802.11g module. In such an embodiment, the metallic housing of body 336 enhances cooling and dissipation of the heat generated by communication interface 340. In other embodiments, communication interface 340 may communicate with ultraviolet or infrared light. In still other embodiments, communication interface 340 may be a wired connection where communication occurs through electrical or optical cables. In other embodiments, where a data source is incorporated into capture and print unit 330 as part of controller 354 and its memory, communication interface 340 may be omitted.
Indicator 344 comprises one or more devices configured to provide an indication of when print device 342 is ready for printing. Indicator 344 further provides an indication of when image capture has been initiated and when capture and print unit 330 is in sufficiently close proximity to a surface for printing upon the surface. In the embodiment illustrated, indicator 344 comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes configured to emit different colors of light or configured to emit light which is filtered by different colored light filters, wherein the different colors of light indicate or communicate different information to a person using unit 330. In other embodiments, indicator 344 may have other configurations. For example, indicator 344 may additionally or alternatively be configured to provide distinct audible signals or sounds based on the state of capture and print unit 330. In yet other embodiments, indicator 344 may be omitted.
User interface 345 comprises an interface by which a person may enter commands instructing capture and print unit 330 to initiate printing with print device 342. For example, upon receiving an indication that print device 342 is at an appropriate temperature for printing from indicator 344, a person may actuate or otherwise enter a command via interface 345 to begin printing. In the example embodiment illustrated, user interface 345 comprises a pair of buttons, When depressed manually actuates switches to create electoral signals which are transmitted to controller 354. In other embodiments, interface 345 may comprise a touch pad, lever, switch, slide or other device by which a person may use his or her hands or fingers to enter a command. In another embodiment, user interface 345 may comprise a microphone with associated voice or speech recognition software. In yet other embodiments, user interface 345 may be omitted where other mechanisms are employed for initiating printing. For example, in one embodiment, printing may be initiated in response to signals received from print sensor 346.
Print sensor 346 comprises a sensing device configured to detect relative movement of capture and print unit 330, and in particular, print device 342, relative to a surface being printed upon. Signals from print sensor 346 indicate the relative speed at which print device 342 is moving relative to the surface being printed upon or vice versa. Signals from print sensor 346 are used by controller 354 to control the rate at which printing material is discharged from print device 342 and which particular nozzles are being discharged to form an image. In the particular embodiment illustrated, print sensor 346 is further configured to indicate contact or sufficiently close proximity of print device 342 to the surface and the initiation of printing. In other embodiments, the initiation a printing may alternatively begin in response to actuation of a separate trigger such as to the use of interface 345.
In the example embodiment illustrated, print sensor 346 comprises an encoder wheel 361 and associated encoder 363 wherein the encoder wheel 361 is rotated a long the surface being printed upon. In other embodiments, print sensor 346 may comprise a navigational sensor or other sensing device.
Sensor 348 comprises a device configured to sense an image separation distance between the surface having an image and sensor 348 or imager 338. Sensor 348 generates and transmits signals to controller 354, wherein controller 354 determines an image separation distance using such signals and generates a warming signal initiating the capture of an image by imager 338 and readying of print device 342.
According to one embodiment, sensor 348 detects the image separation distance without contacting the surface being printed upon. In one embodiment, sensor 348 comprises an ultrasonic circuit or sensor. As shown by
Manual trigger 350 comprises a user or human interface configured to permit a user or person to initiate the generation of a trigger signal. In one embodiment, manual trigger 350 may be configured to generate a trigger signal in response to contact with or force exerted by a person's hand or one or more fingers. For example, manual trigger 350 may comprise a button, slide, trigger structure or other structure.
Controller 354 comprises one or more processing units physically associated with capture and print unit 330 and configured to generate control signals directing operation of imager 338 and print device 342. In the particular example illustrated, controller 354 receives signals via encoder wheel 361 during manual movement of unit 330 across the surface being printed upon. Based upon the relative movement, controller 354 generates control signals controlling what particular nozzles of print device 342 are fired and the rate at which they are fired to eject ink or other printing material through opening 52 and onto the surface opposite to print device 342.
As shown by
Although unit 330 is illustrated as including cartridge 200, unit 330 may alternatively include cartridge 100. Although cartridge 200 is illustrated as being employed with unit 330, cartridge 200 may be employed with other print devices configured to print in a sideways or substantially horizontal orientation. In particular embodiment, cartridge 200 may also be employed in per devices which print while in a substantially vertical orientation, where the ink or other architectural features may otherwise result in air bubbles that become lodged so as to interrupt printing fluid flow. Although fluid delivery systems 122 and 222 are illustrated as being employed as part of removable print cartridges 100 and 200, respectively, in other embodiments, fluid delivery systems 122 and 222 may alternatively be employed in print head assemblies that are not provided as part of removable cartridges or pens. For example, fluid delivery systems 122 and 222 may alternatively be employed in print head assemblies that are replenished with printing fluid by an off-axis ink supply system.
Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to example embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. For example, although different example embodiments may have been described as including one or more features providing one or more benefits, it is contemplated that the described features may be interchanged with one another or alternatively be combined with one another in the described example embodiments or in other alternative embodiments. Because the technology of the present disclosure is relatively complex, not all changes in the technology are foreseeable. The present disclosure described with reference to the example embodiments and set forth in the following claims is manifestly intended to be as broad as possible. For example, unless specifically otherwise noted, the claims reciting a single particular element also encompass a plurality of such particular elements.