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US5408746A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Datum formation for improved alignment of multiple nozzle members in a printer

Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
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Filing: 1993-04-30
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Granted: 1995-04-25
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Expires: 2013-04-30
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Abstract

Abstract Precise alignment between two or more nozzle plates affixed to print cartridges installed in a single carriage of an ink printer is achieved by machining datum projections on each print cartridge after its nozzle plate has been permanently secured to the print cartridge. The machined datum projections on the print cartridge contact surfaces on the carriage when the print cartridge is installed in the carriage such that the dimensions of the datums affect the position of the cartridge, and hence the nozzle plate, within the carriage.

Inventors

  • 👤 Jeffrey A. Thoman
  • 👤 David W. Swanson
  • 👤 Mindy A. Hamlin
  • 👤 Robert R. Beeson

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 19:22
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/17; B41J2/175; B41J2/17503; B41J2/17543; B41J2/1755; B41J2/1752; B41J2/17526; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49401; Y10T29/49428; Y10T29/49432

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim 86 words
A method for aligning nozzle members on multiple print cartridges when said print cartridges are installed in an ink printer, said method comprising the steps of: providing a print cartridge having a nozzle member secured to a print cartridge body, said nozzle member having a pattern of orifices formed therein, said print cartridge body having one or more datums formed thereon; and altering a dimension of any of said one or more datums based upon a position of said nozzle member on said print cartridge body.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 86 words
A method for aligning nozzle members on multiple print cartridges when said print cartridges are installed in an ink printer, said method comprising the steps of: providing a print cartridge having a nozzle member secured to a print cartridge body, said nozzle member having a pattern of orifices formed therein, said print cartridge body having one or more datums formed thereon; and altering a dimension of any of said one or more datums based upon a position of said nozzle member on said print cartridge body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 41 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said one or more datums project from said print cartridge body and have a dimension which is reduced by a machining tool based upon said position of said nozzle member on said print cartridge body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said one or more datums comprise at least two datums whose dimensions are altered based upon said position of said nozzle member on said print cartridge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 30 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said one or more datums comprise three datums whose dimensions are altered based upon said position of said nozzle member on said print cartridge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 88 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: comparing one or more target marks on said nozzle member to reference positions using an optical alignment means; and manipulating a position of said print cartridge until said target marks on said nozzle member match said reference positions, a dimension of any of said one or more datums being altered depending upon a position of said print cartridge after said print cartridge has been manipulated so that said target marks on said nozzle member match said reference positions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 61 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of causing a machine tool to grind down a dimension of any one of said one or more datums so that said print cartridge, when installed in an ink printer, will be positioned such that said nozzle member is aligned with other nozzle members of print cartridges installed in said ink printer.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US5317339A Cited
US5266964A Cited
US5243755A Cited
US5305521A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1998-04-24 1998-10-24 1999-04-25 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2002-04-24 2002-10-24 2003-04-25 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2006-04-24 2006-10-24 2007-04-25 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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