WO2019209338A1

WO2019209338A1 - Ink cartridge

Info

Publication number: WO2019209338A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/029959
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chi Hong TEOH; Amran SAHIRON; Fang Diang FOO
Original assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Priority date: 2018-04-27
Filing date: 2018-04-27
Publication date: 2019-10-31

Abstract

Examples of an ink cartridge with a standpipe are described. The standpipe may include a main body that may include an inlet to receive ink from an ink reservoir. The standpipe may also include a plenum coupled to the main body of the standpipe and positioned downstream with respect to the main body. In addition, the standpipe may also include a fluid-passage for transporting ink extending from the main body to the plenum. Further, a portion of the fluid-passage in the plenum extends along an inclined path.

Description

INK CARTRIDGE

BACKGROUND

[0001] Ink-based printing system may be used for rendering content onto a print medium. The content may be rendered by ejecting or expelling a predefined volume of ink obtained from an ink cartridge, onto designated positions on the print medium. The ink cartridge may further include a reservoir which stores ink. The ink from the reservoir may be delivered to a print head where ink droplets of predefined volume are ejected at specific instances onto a print medium, in order to render content.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0002] The detailed description is provided with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:

[0003] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example ink cartridge;

[0004] FIG. 2 illustrates the side cut section of another example ink cartridge;

[0005] FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of another example ink cartridge;

[0006] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of an example standpipe of an ink cartridge;

[0007] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the standpipe, according to an example;

[0008] FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom view of the housing, according to an example;

[0009] FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic of a printing device, according to an example; and

[0010] FIG. 8 illustrate a schematic of an image rendering device, according to an example.

[0011] It should be noted that the description and the figures are merely examples of the present subject matter and are not meant to represent the subject matter itself. Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and the size of some parts may be exaggerated to more clearly illustrate the example shown. Moreover, the drawings provide examples and/or implementations consistent with the description; however, the description is not limited to the examples and/or implementations provided in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] A print rendering system may render content onto a print medium through a rendering operation. During the rendering operation, a predetermined volume of ink may be ejected through formation of bubbles within the print head. Further, the bubble may be created through heating elements provided within the print head. As a bubble is formed, a droplet of ink may be created and subsequently expelled or‘fired’ from the print head. The delivery of ink may be implemented through an ink delivery mechanism. The ink delivery mechanism may fluidly connect the reservoir to the print head. In some cases, the fluid connection may be provided by a print head nozzle. The print head nozzle may be considered as any vertically extending channel which delivers the ink from the reservoir to the print head. The print head may further include a plurality of nozzles through which ink may be ejected onto the surface of the print medium. Amongst other factors, delivery of ink from the reservoir affects a firing performance of the print head.

[0013] Before the ink enters the print head nozzle, it may be filtered through a filtering member positioned upstream at a point where the ink enters in the print head nozzle. As would be understood, the filter may remove any unwanted particles which may be present in the ink. When the rendering operation, such as printing, is to be carried out ink flows from the reservoir through the filter and into the print head nozzle. Generally, the filter provided at a point where the ink enters the print head nozzle has a cross-sectional area which conforms to the cross- sectional area of the print head nozzle. Furthermore, it may be possible that during stand-by (i.e. , when the printing system is not printing), a certain minimal volume of ink may be retained in the print head nozzle. In certain instances, volatile components of the ink may evaporate causing pigments present within the ink to solidify at the print head. This may result in a blockage which in turn may impact the rendering operation and the quality of the printed content, thus obtained. This may get aggravated if the volume of ink within the print head nozzle is more that the certain minimal amount.

[0014] Examples of ink cartridges are described. The examples of ink cartridges may include a print head nozzle having reduced volume and size so as to allow the use of a smaller sized filter without causing any reduction in ink flow within print head nozzle design of the ink cartridge. The ink cartridge may include a reservoir with a foam-based member for retaining and storing ink. The ink cartridge may further include a standpipe to provide a passage for the ink from the reservoir to the print head. In one example, the standpipe with a reduced volume may be provided with a filtering member at a location where the ink enters the standpipe. In such a case, the filtering member may be of a cross-sectional area which conforms to the cross-sectional area of the standpipe.

[0015] According to an example, the standpipe based on the present subject matter includes a main body one end of which includes an inlet to receive the ink from the reservoir. In one example, the inlet may include mounts to hold an ink filter and may be sized to accommodate a smaller sized ink filter than the currently sized ink filter. The standpipe may further be provided with a plenum positioned at an opposite end of the main body of the standpipe. The plenum may route the ink to the print head. The standpipe may include a fluid-passage which extends through the standpipe to the print head. In one example, the fluid-passage may be such that it allows the ink to flow vertically downward for an initial portion of the fluid-passage present within the standpipe. Thereafter, the fluid-passage may follow an inclined path with respect to a horizontal plane within the plenum till it reaches the print-head. Combination of the vertically downward movement provided by the initial portion of the fluid-passage, followed by the inclined path maintains an ink rate flow in spite of the reduced volume of the standpipe. As would be understood, reduction in the standpipe size of the present subject matter does not affect the amount of ink delivered by the standpipe. The standpipe based on the present subject matter may be used in low volume printing systems where a quantum of print medium is low and, thus where the larger standpipe may not be needed. As would be understood, a smaller size of the standpipe also reduces the chances of blockage due to solidification of pigments within the ink owing to the smaller volume of the standpipe. As a result, blockage because of such solidification of the pigments is reduced.

[0016] The above aspects are further described in conjunction with the figures, and in associated description below. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate principles of the present subject matter. Therefore, various arrangements that encompass the principles of the present subject matter, although not explicitly described or shown herein, may be devised from the description and are included within its scope. Additionally, the word “coupled” is used throughout for clarity of the description and can include either a direct connection or an indirect connection.

[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge 100, according to an example. The ink cartridge 100 may include an ink reservoir 102 that stores the ink. In addition, the ink cartridge 100 may include a standpipe 104 that may deliver the ink to a printing die 106. The printing die 106 is a component that may inject ink onto a print medium. In one example, the standpipe 104 may include a main body 108 that may receive ink from the ink reservoir 102. The standpipe 104 may further be provided with a plenum 1 10. The plenum 1 10 may be coupled to the main body 108 and positioned downstream with respect to the main body 108. The standpipe 104 may include a fluid-passage 1 12 that may extend from the main body 108 to the plenum 1 10 for transporting the ink from the ink reservoir 102. In one example, an initial portion of the fluid-passage 1 12 extends vertically downward direction in the main body 108 with respect to the printing die 106. As the fluid-passage 1 12 extends through the plenum 1 10 it follows an inclined path. The combination of the two portions forms a pre- determined flow for the ink.

[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates another cross-sectional view of another ink cartridge 200 depicting additional structural details, according to one example. In the present example, the ink cartridge 200 may be used in a mono-color printing device. The ink cartridge 200 may include a housing 202 that houses different components of the ink cartridge 200. The housing 202 include a front wall 204, a rear wall 206, and a top wall 208. Further, the top wall 208 may provide access to an interior of the housing 202. The housing 202 may be made from a variety of material, such as, but not limited to, Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic. Further, the housing 202 may include a bottom wall 210 that may include a stepped region 212 to house the printing die 106. In one example, a height of the stepped region 212 may be in accordance with the height of the main body 108 (shown in FIG. 2) to accommodate the standpipe 104 inside the stepped region 212.

[0019] In an example, the ink cartridge 200 may include the ink reservoir 102 for storing a foam-based member 214 for storing ink. The foam-based member 214 retains ink from which it may be drawn while implementing the rendering process. The foam-based member 214 may be as single member, or may be composed of a combination of multiple such foam-based members, without limiting the scope of the present subject matter. In one example, the foam-based member 214 may be made from a capillary material, that creates adequate back pressure for the ink through capillary action. In yet another example, the housing 202 may include multiple compartments accommodate different multiple ink foams. Further, the ink reservoir 102 may be formed as integral part of the housing 202. In other case, the ink reservoir 102 may be formed in individual molds and may be installed in the housing 202 by a variety of fastening means, such as bolts, nut, or the like. Alternatively, the ink reservoir 102 may have a press fit or interference fit with an interior of the housing 202.

[0020] The ink reservoir 102 may also include an outlet 216 to allow the ink to egress from the foam-based member 214. In one example, the ink cartridge 200 may include the standpipe 104 installed downstream with respect to the outlet 216 of the foam-based member 214 that delivers the ink from the foam-based member 214 to the printing die 106 installed at a bottom of the housing 202. Further, a top end 218 the standpipe 104 may be coupled to the ink reservoir 102 by fastening means, such as bolts, nut, or the like. In either arrangement, the standpipe 104 may be fixedly secured to the ink reservoir 102. Further, a bottom end 220 of the standpipe 104 may be secured to the printing die 106 such that the ink may be delivered to the printing die 106. The standpipe 104, during operation, facilitates in providing a combination of vertical and inclined flow. For example, the portion of the fluid-passage 1 12 in main body 108 imparts vertically downward flow with respect to the printing die 106. Further, the plenum 1 10 is also shaped to provide inclined flow to the ink. In one example, the portion of the fluid-passage 1 12 in the plenum 1 10 of the standpipe 104 is to provide inclined flow with respect to the printing die 106. The plenum 1 10 may include a ceiling that may further include a first part that may extend horizontal from the main body 108. In addition, the ceiling may also include a second part that extends from the first part and may incline downward with respect to the printing die 106 with respect to the first part. These aspects are further explained in detail in conjunction with other figures.

[0021] Referring again to FIG. 2, the ink cartridge 200 may include a filter 222 positioned between the outlet 216 of the ink reservoir 102 and the top end 218 of the standpipe 104. With respect to the flow of the ink, the filter 222 may be positioned downstream with respect to the foam-based member 214. In one example, the outlet 216 may include mounts to secure the filter 222 between the foam-based member 214 and the standpipe 104. Alternatively, the top end 218 of the standpipe 104 may include mounts to secure the filter 222. The filter 222 removes any unwanted particles present in the ink that may cause clogging the printing die 106.

[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the ink cartridge 100, according to an example. As shown, the structural details of the ink cartridge 100 are similar to the one shown in FIG. 1 and hence will not be repeated. In the illustrated aspect, the filter 222 sits on top of the top end 218 (shown in FIG. 2). In one example, the filter 222 conforms with the size of the top end 218 of the standpipe 104 so that all the ink entering in the standpipe 104 are filtered by the filter 222. The structural details of the standpipe 104 would be explained in detail in subsequent embodiments.

[0023] The structure and the operation of the standpipe 104 are further described in conjunction with FIG. 4. FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the standpipe 104, according to an example. The standpipe 104 of the present subject matter may include the main body 108. In one example, the main body 108 may be tubular in shape and has a square cross section. In another example, the main body 108 may have a circular cross section. In addition, the main body 108 may include an inner space 402 that holds the ink

[0024] The main body 108 may store and maintain a predefined volume of ink. The main body 108 routes the ink towards the printing die 106 (shown in FIG. 1 ). Further, the main body 108 may have a volume in range of 260-270 cubic millimeters (mm³) as compared to the current standpipe whose volume ranges in upward of 1000 mm³ for the same amount of ink delivered to the printing die 106.

[0025] As mentioned before, the standpipe 104 may allow the ink to flow in a vertically downward direction followed by an inclined. The combination of vertically downward flow and the inclined flow allows the standpipe 104 to maintain the volume of ink delivered as compared to the current standpipe designs. Thus, in spite of lower volume than the current standpipe, the main body 108 allows the volume of ink delivered equivalent to the current print head nozzle. According to an example, the standpipe 104 may also include the plenum 1 10 coupled to a lower side of main body 108. In one example, the plenum 1 10 may be shaped in right trapezoid such that a right-angled part of the plenum 1 10 may be coupled to the main body 108. Further, the plenum 1 10 may be hollow and may include a channel that may be fluidly coupled to the inner space 402 of the main body 108.

[0026] According to the illustrated aspect, the inner space 402 and the channel form the fluid-passage 1 12 (shown in dotted lines) for the ink to flow through the standpipe 104. Further, the fluid-passage 1 12 imparts different types of flow for the ink and the combination of different types of ink flow allows the adequate amount of ink to be delivered to the printing die 106 while at the same time allowing reduction in the size of the standpipe 104. In one example, a portion of the fluid-passage 1 12 in the main body 108 provides vertically downward flow with respect to the printing die 106 as shown by arrow A1. In other words, the ink flows a perpendicular direction with respect to the printing die 106. Further, another portion of the fluid-passage 1 12 in the plenum provides a constant slope with respect to the printing die 106 for the ink flow as shown by A2. The combination of the vertically downward flow and with constant slope flow allows the standpipe 104 to maintain the adequate amount of ink flow delivered to the printing die 106.

[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the standpipe 104, according to an example. As illustrated, the plenum 1 10 has a thickness lower than a width of the main body 108. In one example, the thickness of the plenum 1 10 may be kept so that the plenum 1 10 may be installed into the printing die 106 (shown in FIG. 1 ).

[0028] Referring now to FIG. 6 that illustrates a bottom view of the housing 202, according to an example. The housing 202 may include connectors 602, 604, 606, 608, 610, and 612 that allows the housing 202 on a cartridge holder (not shown) of a printing device (not shown). According to an aspect, the stepped region 212 may house the printing die 106. In one example, the printing die 106 may be fastened to the stepped region 212. In one example, the printing die 106 may include an ink feed slot 614 that directs the ink from the plenum 1 10 to a print medium, such as a paper. In one example, the ink feed slot 614 may be a slit along a length of the printing die 106. The ink feed slot 614 may further include a plurality of nozzles (not shown) that injects the ink on the print medium. In one example, the ink feed slot 614 may receive an end of the plenum 1 10 as shown in FIG. 1. The printing die 106 may also include additional components to facilitate the discharge of the ink through the nozzles. In one example, the printing die 106 includes a firing chamber that discharges the ink from the nozzles and a control circuit to control the discharge of the ink through the nozzles. The firing chamber may be placed between the end of the plenum 1 10 and the nozzle and may include a resistor that heats up the ink prior to the discharge the ink.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 7, a printing device 700 based on the present subject matter is described. The printing device 700 may include an outer body 702 that houses all the components of the printing device 700. The printing device 700 may be a low volume printer, such as a desktop printer, or the like. Further, the printing device 700 may be a mono-color or a single-color printing device. The printing device 700 may include all commonly known components, such as trays to feed print medium, controller to receive printing instructions to print on the print medium or the like. The printing device 700 may include an ink cartridge 704 that prints the ink on the print medium. In one example, the ink cartridge 704 may have same structural features as the ink cartridge 100 explained before with respect to FIG. 1 . In one example, the plenum 1 10 of the ink cartridge 704 may include a ceiling that may further include a first part 706 that may extend horizontal from the main body 108. In addition, the ceiling may also include a second part 708 that extends from the first part 706. Further, the second part 708 may incline downward with the printing die 106 (shown in FIG. 1 ) with respect to the first part 706.

[0030] FIG. 8 illustrates an image rendering device 800 to render image on a printing medium, according to one aspect of the present subject matter. In one example, the image rendering device 800 may be a small-scale image rendering device. Further, the image rendering device 800 is a mono-color image rendering device. In one example, the image rendering device 800 may include an ink cartridge 802 that may provide ink for rendering on the print medium. Further, the ink cartridge 802 in the image rendering device 800 may be same as the ink cartridge 100 as described before in conjunction with FIG. 1 .

[0031] Operation of the ink cartridge 802 would now be described. Prior to the operation, the ink cartridge 802 may be placed inside the printing device 700 or the image rendering device 800. Thereafter, the ink in a foam-based member 804 flows through the foam-based member 804 to a standpipe 806. In one example, the ink passes through a filter 808 before entering the standpipe 806 through a top end of the standpipe 806. Once the ink enters in the standpipe 804, the ink follows through a fluid-passage 810 in the standpipe 806. In one example, the ink follows vertically downward through an initial portion of the fluid-passage 810 as shown by arrow A1 towards the bottom of a main body 812 of the standpipe 806. Once the ink reaches the bottom of the main body 812, the ink then follows the another portion of the fluid-passage 810. In the next portion, the ink flows towards a printing die 814 along the constant slope/ incline through a plenum 816 as shown by arrow A2. Here, the constant slope provides uniform amount of ink across the length of an ink feed slot of the printing die 810. Once the ink reaches the printing die 814, the printing operation may be performed.

[0032] Although aspects of the print head nozzle have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methods, it is to be understood that the appended claims are not limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as examples of the print head nozzle.

Claims

I/We claim:

1. An ink cartridge comprising:

a standpipe to deliver ink to a printing die comprising:

a main body having an inlet to receive ink from an ink reservoir; a plenum coupled to the main body of the standpipe and positioned downstream with respect to the main body; and

a fluid-passage to transport ink extending from the main body to the plenum, wherein the fluid-passage,

extends to an initial portion in a vertically downward direction in the main body and with respect to the printing die; and

extends to another portion of the fluid-passage in the plenum along an inclined path.

2. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 1 , wherein volume of the main body is in range of 263-264 cubic millimeters.

3. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 1 , further comprises a printing die positioned downstream with respect to the plenum.

4. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 3, wherein the printing die further includes an ink feed slot to deliver the ink from the plenum to a print medium.

5. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the main body extends vertically straight with respect to the printing die.

6. A printing device comprising:

an outer body;

an ink cartridge, the ink cartridge comprising:

a standpipe for delivering ink to a printing die, the standpipe comprising a main body having an inlet to receive ink from an ink reservoir; a plenum coupled to the main body of the standpipe and positioned downstream with respect to the main body, wherein the plenum includes a ceiling, the ceiling having first part extending horizontally from the main body and a second part extending from the first part and inclined downward with respect to the printing die; and

a fluid-passage for transporting ink extending from the main body to the plenum, wherein the fluid-passage extends for a portion of the fluid- passage in the plenum along an inclined path.

7. The printing device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the fluid-passage further includes a portion extending for an initial portion in a vertically downward direction in the main body and with respect to the printing die.

8. The printing device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the printing device is a mono-color printing device.

9. The printing device as claimed in claim 6, further comprises a printing die positioned downstream with respect to the plenum.

10. The printing device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the printing die further includes an ink feed slot to deliver the ink from the plenum to a print medium.

1 1. An image rendering device having an ink cartridge, wherein the ink cartridge comprises:

a standpipe for delivering ink to a printing die, the standpipe comprising a main body having an inlet to receive ink from an ink reservoir;

a plenum coupled to the main body of the standpipe and positioned downstream with respect to the main body; and

a fluid-passage for transporting ink extending from the main body to the plenum, wherein the fluid-passage,

extends to an initial portion in a vertically downward direction in the main body and with respect to the printing die; and extends to a portion of the fluid-passage in the plenum along an inclined path.

12. The image rendering device as claimed in claim 1 1 , wherein the image rendering device is a mono-color image rendering device.

13. The image rendering device claimed in claim 12, further comprises a printing die positioned downstream with respect to the plenum.

14. The image rendering device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the printing die further includes an ink feed slot to deliver the ink from the plenum to a print medium.

15. The image rendering device as claimed in claim 1 1 , wherein the plenum includes a ceiling, the ceiling having first part extending horizontally from the main body and a second part extending from the first part and inclined downward with respect to the printing die.