Ink containment system and ink level sensing system for an inkjet cartridge

摘要

An ink containment system for an inkjet cartridge, for storing ink for printing, comprises a rigid basin member and a rigid moveable plate. A flexible membrane is affixed to a surface of the basin member and to a surface of the plate forming an ink reservoir within the basin member, plate and flexible membrane. A spring-biased mechanism is disposed between the basin member and plate, for biasing the plate apart from the basin member, generating a negative pressure within the ink reservoir and the basin member remaining stationary relative to the movement of the plate. The basin member has a bowl-like configuration and the spring is seated within the reservoir in such a way that when the ink reservoir has collapsed due to depletion of ink, the flexible membrane and moveable plate are substantially flush with surfaces of the basin member.

主权项

1. An inkjet cartridge, comprising:
a collapsible ink reservoir adapted for generating a negative pressure therein and the ink reservoir has an opening through which ink is supplied to a printhead in fluid communication with the ink reservoir; the printhead having a plurality of nozzles in fluid communication with the ink reservoir and there being a fluid head pressure at the nozzles when the inkjet cartridge and printhead are disposed in a horizontal printing position which fluid head pressure is substantially the same as a fluid head pressure at the nozzles when the inkjet cartridge and printhead are disposed in a vertical printing position; and wherein the ink reservoir has an axis of symmetry disposed at an angle of 45 degrees relative to a surface of the printhead measured from a center point of the nozzles through the ink reservoir, and the ink reservoir can be rotated about this axis for printing in either the horizontal printing position or vertical printing position.