Printing-fluid venting assembly

• US 20050168540A1
• Filed: 01/29/2004
• Published: 08/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Olsen, David, Petersen, Daniel W., Wilson, John Farrar
• Granted Patent: US 7,188,937 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 347/85
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1752 Mounting within the printer
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17523 Ink connection
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17553 Outer structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17556 Means for regulating the pressure in the cartridge

Abstract

A printing-fluid container includes a reservoir and an air-interface on the reservoir. The printing-fluid container also includes a separation assembly configured to block escape of printing fluid through the air-interface and to allow movement of air through the air-interface.

Claims

1. A printing-fluid container, comprising:

a reservoir;

an air-interface on the reservoir; and

a separation assembly inside the reservoir, wherein the separation assembly is configured to block escape of printing fluid through the air-interface and to allow movement of air through the air-interface.

12. The printing-fluid container of claim 1, wherein the separation assembly is positioned above the printing fluid in the reservoir.

13. The printing-fluid container of claim 1, wherein the separation assembly includes a frame member and a membrane, wherein the membrane is air permeable and printing-fluid impermeable, and wherein the frame member and the membrane collectively define a vent chamber.

14. The printing-fluid container of claim 13, wherein the air-interface and the frame member collectively define an air path running from the vent chamber, through the air-interface, to outside the reservoir.

15. The printing-fluid container of claim 14, wherein the frame member includes a raised helical rib that cooperates with the air-interface to define a spiraling portion of the air path.

16. The printing-fluid container of claim 14, wherein the separation assembly further includes a second membrane that is air permeable and printing-fluid impermeable, and wherein the frame member and the second membrane collectively define a supplemental chamber that is in fluid communication with the vent chamber.

17. The printing-fluid container of claim 1, wherein the separation assembly includes a recess configured to accommodate a fluid connector aligned with the air-interface.

2. The printing-fluid container of claim 2, wherein the separation assembly includes a membrane that is air permeable and printing-fluid impermeable.

3. The printing-fluid container of claim 2, wherein the membrane is oleophobic.

4. The printing-fluid container of claim 2, wherein the membrane includes polytetrafluoroethylene.

5. The printing-fluid container of claim 2, wherein the membrane includes an air-permeable backing layer.

6. The printing-fluid container of claim 2, wherein the membrane includes pores sized between approximately 0.25 microns and approximately 1.00 microns.

7. The printing-fluid container of claim 2, further comprising an air path leading from outside the reservoir, through the air-interface, to the membrane.

8. The printing-fluid container of claim 7, wherein the air path includes a tortuous portion.

9. The printing-fluid container of claim 7, wherein the air path spirals around a portion of the separation assembly and bores through a portion of the separation assembly.

10. The printing-fluid container of claim 2, wherein the membrane includes a front side that faces air above the printing fluid inside the reservoir and includes a back side that faces air outside the reservoir.

11. The printing-fluid container of claim 10, wherein the back side of the membrane faces air outside of the reservoir via an air path leading through the air-interface.

18. A separation assembly configured to block escape of printing fluid through an air-interface of a printing-fluid container and to allow movement of air through the air-interface, the separation assembly comprising:

a frame member including a joint portion configured to couple with the air-interface;

a membrane associated with the frame member, wherein the membrane is air permeable and printing-fluid impermeable, and wherein the frame member and the membrane collectively define a vent chamber; and

an air path leading through the joint portion of the frame member to the vent chamber.

19. The printing-fluid container of claim 18, wherein the membrane is oleophobic.

20. The printing-fluid container of claim 18, wherein the membrane includes polytetrafluoroethylene.

21. The printing-fluid container of claim 18, wherein the membrane includes an air-permeable backing layer.

22. The printing-fluid container of claim 18, wherein the membrane includes pores sized between approximately 0.25 microns and approximately 1.00 microns.

23. The printing-fluid container of claim 18, wherein a portion of the air path spirals around the joint portion of the frame member.

24. The printing-fluid container of claim 18, wherein the separation assembly further includes a second membrane that is air permeable and printing-fluid impermeable, and wherein the frame member and the second membrane collectively define a supplemental chamber that is in fluid communication with the vent chamber.

25. The printing-fluid container of claim 18, wherein the frame member includes a recess configured to accommodate a fluid connector aligned with the air-interface.

26. A printing-fluid container, comprising:

a reservoir means for holding printing-fluid for delivery to a printing system; and

separation means for blocking escape of printing fluid out of the reservoir means while allowing the reservoir means to vent;

wherein the separation means is fluidically intermediate the printing fluid and outside the reservoir.

27. The printing-fluid container of claim 26, wherein the separation means is positioned inside the reservoir means above the printing fluid.

28. A printing-fluid container, comprising

a reservoir having a containment region configured to hold printing fluid;

and

a membrane fluidically intermediate the containment region and an atmosphere outside of the reservoir, wherein the membrane is air permeable and printing-fluid impermeable.

29. The printing-fluid container of claim 28, wherein the membrane is oleophobic.

30. The printing-fluid container of claim 28, wherein the membrane includes polytetrafluoroethylene.

31. The printing-fluid container of claim 28, wherein the membrane includes an air-permeable backing layer.

32. The printing-fluid container of claim 28, wherein the membrane includes pores sized between approximately 0.25 microns and 1.00 microns.

33. The printing-fluid container of claim 28, wherein the membrane is a constituent element of a separation assembly positioned inside of the reservoir.

34. The printing-fluid container of claim 33, wherein the separation assembly is positioned in an air space above the printing fluid.