초록 ▼

An inkjet cartridge for use with a thermal inkjet printer includes a standpipe area and an entrained ink chamber that are connected in fluidic communication. The entrained ink chamber and standpipe area can be enclosed by a wall that can have a plurality of panels or facets. The inkjet cartridge als

An inkjet cartridge for use with a thermal inkjet printer includes a standpipe area and an entrained ink chamber that are connected in fluidic communication. The entrained ink chamber and standpipe area can be enclosed by a wall that can have a plurality of panels or facets. The inkjet cartridge also includes a duct or passage that is connected in fluidic communication to both the standpipe area and the entrained ink chamber, wherein the connection to the entrained ink chamber is operatively located above the standpipe area, thus enabling anomalous air bubbles to migrate from the standpipe area and into the entrained ink chamber.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An inkjet cartridge including an entrained ink chamber and a standpipe area that are connected in fluidic communication, the inkjet cartridge comprising:a duct that has an outlet opening and an opposite distal inlet opening, wherein the outlet opening is connected in fluidic communication with th

1. An inkjet cartridge including an entrained ink chamber and a standpipe area that are connected in fluidic communication, the inkjet cartridge comprising:a duct that has an outlet opening and an opposite distal inlet opening, wherein the outlet opening is connected in fluidic communication with the entrained ink chamber, and wherein the outlet opening is operatively located above the standpipe area, and wherein the inlet opening is connected in fluidic communication with the standpipe area; a capillary reticulate material operatively disposed within the entrained ink chamber, wherein a void is defined in the capillary reticulate material substantially adjacent to the outlet opening of the duct; and, a one-way valve operatively disposed at the outlet opening of the duct, whereby fluidic flow is allowed only from the duct to the entrained ink chamber. 2. An inkjet cartridge comprising:a wall that encloses an entrained ink chamber and a standpipe area, wherein the wall defines therein an elongated duct having an outlet opening and an opposite and distal inlet opening, wherein the outlet opening is connected in fluidic communication with the entrained ink chamber, and the inlet opening is connected in fluidic communication with the standpipe area; a capillary reticulate material that substantially fills the entrained ink chamber, and wherein a void is defined between the capillary reticulate material and the wall, wherein the void is substantially adjacent to the outlet opening; and, a valve supported on the wall and operatively located at the outlet opening, whereby the valve is configured to control fluidic flow between the duct and the entrained ink chamber. 3. The inkjet cartridge of claim 2, and wherein the valve is a one-way valve, whereby fluidic flow is allowed only from the duct to the entrained ink chamber.4. An inkjet cartridge, comprising a wall that encloses an entrained ink chamber and a standpipe area, wherein:the wall defines therein an elongated duct having an outlet opening and an opposite and distal inlet opening; the outlet opening is connected in fluidic communication with the entrained ink chamber; the inlet opening is connected in fluidic communication with the standpipe area; the outlet opening of the duct is operatively located above the standpipe area; the wall further encloses a free ink chamber that is substantially adjacent to the entrained ink chamber; at least a portion of the duct and the outlet opening thereof are located between the free ink chamber and the entrained ink chamber; the wall further defines thereon a substantially vertical channel within the entrained ink chamber; and, the channel intersects both the ink port and the outlet opening. 5. An inkjet cartridge comprising:a wall that defines an entrained ink chamber and a standpipe area, and wherein the wall comprises: a substantially flat bottom panel, substantially adjacent to which the standpipe area is located; a substantially flat top panel through which is defined a vent opening and which is spaced apart from, and oriented in substantially parallel juxtaposed relation to, the bottom panel; and, a plurality of substantially flat spaced-apart side panels oriented in substantially parallel juxtaposed relation to one another and extending between, and in substantially normal relation to, the too panel and the bottom panel, whereby the entrained ink chamber is substantially enclosed thereby, and wherein one of the side panels defines therein an elongated substantially vertical duct having an outlet opening and an opposite and distal inlet opening, and wherein the outlet opening is connected in fluidic communication with the entrained ink chamber and is operatively located above the standpipe area, and wherein the inlet opening is connected in fluidic communication with the standpipe area; the inkjet cartridge further comprising:a capillary reticulate material that substantially fills the entrained ink chamber, wherein a void is defined between the capillary reticulate material and the wall, and wherein the void is located substantially adjacent to the outlet opening; and, a one-way valve supported on the wall and operatively positioned at the outlet opening, whereby fluidic flow is allowed only from the duct to the entrained ink chamber. 6. An inkjet cartridge, comprising a wall that defines:a standpipe area; an entrained ink chamber; and, a free ink chamber, wherein the wall comprises: a substantially flat bottom panel, substantially adjacent to which the standpipe area is located; a substantially flat top panel through which is defined a vent opening and which is spaced apart from, and oriented in substantially parallel juxtaposed relation to, the bottom panel; and, a plurality of substantially flat spaced-apart side panels oriented in substantially parallel juxtaposed relation to one another and extending between, and in substantially normal relation to, the top panel and the bottom panel, whereby the entrained ink chamber and the free ink chamber are substantially enclosed thereby; and, a divider panel extending between, and in substantially normal relation to, the top panel and the bottom panel, wherein the divider panel substantially separates the free ink chamber from the entrained ink chamber, and wherein the divider panel defines therein an elongated duct having an outlet opening and an opposite distal inlet opening, and wherein the outlet opening is connected in fluidic communication with the entrained ink chamber and is operatively located above the standpipe area, and wherein the inlet opening is connected in fluidic communication with the standpipe area. 7. The inkjet cartridge of claim 6, and wherein:the dividing panel defines therethrough an ink port, whereby the entrained ink chamber and the free ink chamber are connected in fluidic communication; and, the outlet opening is operatively located above the ink port. 8. The inkjet cartridge of claim 7, and wherein:the dividing wall defines thereon an open substantially vertical channel; the channel is located within the entrained ink chamber; and, the channel substantially intersects both the ink port and the outlet opening. 9. The inkjet cartridge of claim 8, and further comprising a capillary reticulate material that substantially fills the entrained ink chamber and substantially covers the ink port, the channel, and the outlet opening.