Bidirectional ink pump

An ink delivery and recovery system includes a first reservoir for containing ink for delivery to a plurality of ink jets of an imaging device, a second reservoir spaced apart from the first reservoir for containing ink for delivery to the first reservoir, and a third reservoir for capturing ink emitted from the plurality of ink jets. A first conduit is connected to the first reservoir and configured to permit flow of ink in a single direction toward the first reservoir. A second conduit is connected to the third reservoir and configured to permit flow of ink in a single direction away from the third reservoir. A third conduit is connected between the second reservoir and the first conduit and second conduit, the third conduit being configured to permit bidirectional flow of ink from the second reservoir toward the first and second conduits and from the first and second conduits toward the second reservoir. A bidirectional pump is associated with the third conduit.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to phase change ink imaging devices, and, and, in particular, to the delivery and recovery of melted phase change ink in such phase change ink imaging devices.

BACKGROUND

In general, ink jet printing machines or printers include at least one printhead that ejects drops or jets of liquid ink onto a recording or image forming media. A phase change ink jet printer employs phase change inks that are solid at ambient temperature, but transition to a liquid phase at an elevated temperature. The molten ink can then be ejected onto a printing media by a printhead directly onto an image receiving substrate, or indirectly onto an intermediate imaging member before the image is transferred to an image receiving substrate. Once the ejected ink is on the image receiving substrate, the ink droplets quickly solidify to form an image.

In various modes of operation, ink may be purged from the printheads to ensure proper operation of the printhead. When a solid ink printer is initially turned on, the solid ink is melted or remelted and purged through the printhead to clear air bubbles and/or contaminants from the printhead. The word “printer” as used herein encompasses any apparatus, such as digital copier, bookmaking machine, facsimile machine, multi-function machine, etc. that performs a print outputting function for any purpose. When ink is purged through the printhead, the ink flows down and off the face of the printhead typically to a waste ink tray or container positioned below the printhead where the waste ink is allowed to cool and re-solidify. The waste ink collection container is typically positioned in a location conveniently accessible so that the container may be removed and the waste ink discarded.

As an alternative to removing and discarding the waste phase change ink, some previously known systems have been configured to recycle the waste ink by directing it back to the melt reservoir that supplies the printhead with the melted phase change ink for jetting onto the image receiving substrate. Such systems typically use both positive and negative air pressure for pressurizing the reservoirs to force ink through the system in the desired direction.

SUMMARY

As an alternative to using positive and negative air pressure to deliver melted phase change ink from a remote reservoir to the printheads and to recover waste ink from a waste ink collector back to the remote reservoir, a phase change ink delivery and recovery system has been developed that enables both ink delivery and recovery operations to be performed using a single pumping system. Such a system utilizes a bidirectional rotary displacement pump in a fluid path that connects a remote reservoir to both the on-board printhead reservoir and the waste ink collector. The bidirectional rotary pump is configured to pump ink in a first direction or a second direction based on the rotational direction of the pump. For example, the rotary displacement pump is configured to rotate in a first direction which displaces melted phase change ink in a direction from the remote reservoir toward the on-board printhead reservoir and to rotate in a second direction which displaces ink in a direction from the waste ink collector toward the remote reservoir.

In one embodiment, an ink delivery and recovery system includes a first reservoir for containing ink for delivery to a plurality of ink jets of an imaging device, a second reservoir spaced apart from the first reservoir for containing ink for delivery to the first reservoir, and a third reservoir for capturing ink emitted from the plurality of ink jets. The system includes a first conduit connected between the first reservoir and a conduit junction that is configured to permit flow of ink in a single direction toward the first reservoir. The system also includes a second conduit connected between the third reservoir and the conduit junction that is configured to permit flow of ink in a single direction away from the third reservoir. A third conduit is connected between the second reservoir and the junction. The junction fluidly connects the first, second, and third conduits. A bidirectional pump is associated with the third conduit for pumping ink in a first direction and a second direction in the third conduit, the first direction causing ink to flow from the second reservoir toward the junction.

In another embodiment, a method of operating a phase change ink imaging device is provided. The method includes connecting a first conduit to an on-board printhead reservoir of a phase change ink imaging device; connecting a second conduit between a remote reservoir of the phase change ink imaging device and the first conduit; and connecting a third conduit between a purged ink collecting reservoir of the phase change ink imaging device and the second conduit. A bidirectional pump is positioned in the second conduit that is configured to pump ink in a first direction in the second conduit and to pump ink in a second direction in the second conduit opposite the first direction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For a general understanding of the present embodiments, reference is made to the drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals have been used throughout to designate like elements.

As used herein, the terms “printer” or “imaging device” generally refer to a device for applying an image to print media and may encompass any apparatus, such as a digital copier, bookmaking machine, facsimile machine, multi-function machine, etc. which performs a print outputting function for any purpose. “Print media” can be a usually non rigid physical sheet of paper, plastic, or other suitable physical print media substrate for images. A “print job” or “document” is normally a set of related sheets, usually one or more collated copy sets copied from a set of original print job sheets or electronic document page images, from a particular user, or otherwise related. As used herein, the term “consumable” refers to anything that is used or consumed by an imaging device during operations, such as print media, marking material, transfer fluid, and the like. An image generally may include information in electronic form which is to be rendered on the print media by the image forming device and may include text, graphics, pictures, and the like. The operation of applying images to print media, for example, graphics, text, photographs, etc., is generally referred to herein as printing or marking.

Referring now toFIG. 1, an embodiment of an imaging device10of is shown. As depicted, the device10includes a frame11to which are mounted directly or indirectly all its operating subsystems and components, as described below. In the embodiment ofFIG. 1, imaging device10is an indirect marking device that includes an intermediate imaging member12that is shown in the form of a drum, but can equally be in the form of a supported endless belt. The imaging member12has an image receiving surface14that is movable in the direction16, and on which phase change ink images are formed. A transfer roller19rotatable in the direction17is loaded against the surface14of drum12to form a transfer nip18, within which ink images formed on the surface14are transferred onto a media sheet49. In alternative embodiments, the imaging device may be a direct marking device in which the ink images are formed directly onto a receiving substrate such as a media sheet or a continuous web of media.

In one embodiment, the ink utilized in the imaging device10is a “phase-change ink,” by which is meant that the ink is substantially solid at room temperature and substantially liquid when heated to a phase change ink melting temperature for jetting onto an imaging receiving surface, also referred to as solid ink sticks or blocks. Accordingly, the imaging device10includes a solid ink loading system20that is configured to receive phase change ink in solid or substantially solid form, and a phase change ink melting system30(FIG. 2) that is configured to melt the solid ink into a liquid form for jetting onto the imaging member12.

As depicted inFIG. 1, the ink loading system20includes at least one solid ink receiving station, such as receiving station22, that is configured to receive at least one color or shade of solid ink stick. Because the imaging device10is a multicolor imaging device, the ink loading system includes four receiving stations22,24,26,28, representing four different colors CYMK (cyan, yellow, magenta, black) of ink. In one embodiment, the receiving stations comprise insertion openings that permit ink sticks to be inserted into an appropriate delivery channel or chute. The feed channels guide ink sticks to a corresponding melt assembly30. A separate feed channel (not shown) and melt assembly (not shown) may be associated with each color or shade of ink utilized in the device10. Each ink melting assembly30is configured to heat the solid phase change ink to a melting temperature that phase changes, i.e., melts, the solid ink to its liquid or melted form for jetting onto the imaging member by the printhead assemblies.

The phase change ink melting temperature may be any suitable temperature based on such factors as ink formulation, environmental conditions, desired flow rate of the ink, etc. In one embodiment, the phase change ink melting temperate is in the range of approximately 100° C. to 140° C. Although the ink for use with the imaging device ofFIG. 1has been described as phase change ink, in alternative embodiments, the ink utilized in the imaging device may be any suitable type of ink that is capable of being jetted or otherwise deposited onto the imaging member. For example, the ink may comprise liquid or substantially liquid ink, such as aqueous ink, UV curable ink, wax-based inks, and the like.

The imaging device includes at least one printhead assembly configured to receive molten ink from a corresponding melting assembly and to jet the molten ink to form images on the imaging drum. Each printhead assembly extends substantially across the width of the imaging drum in the cross-process direction. In embodiments, the imaging device10may include a separate printhead assembly for each color or shade of ink utilized in the device. For example, in the case of the four colors of ink CMYK, the imaging device may include four printhead assemblies. For simplicity, only two printhead assemblies32,34are depicted inFIG. 1. Each printhead assembly is associated with a molten ink delivery and recovery system100(FIG. 2). A molten ink delivery and recovery system for a printhead assembly is configured to receive molten ink of the appropriate color from a corresponding ink melting assembly30. As explained below, a molten ink delivery and recovery system100is configured to hold quantities of the appropriately colored molten ink and to deliver it as needed to the associated printhead assembly for jetting onto the imaging drum.

As further shown, the imaging device10includes a media supply and handling system40. The media supply and handling system40, for example, may include sheet or substrate supply sources42,44,46,48, of which supply source48, for example, is a high capacity paper supply or feeder for storing and supplying image receiving substrates in the form of cut sheets49, for example. The substrate supply and handling system40also includes a substrate or sheet heater or pre-heater assembly52. The imaging device10as shown may also include an original document feeder70that has a document holding tray72, document sheet feeding and retrieval devices74, and a document exposure and scanning system76.

Operation and control of the various subsystems, components and functions of the machine or printer10are performed with the aid of a controller or electronic subsystem (ESS)80. The ESS or controller80for example is a self-contained, dedicated mini-computer having a central processor unit (CPU)82, electronic storage84, and a display or user interface (UI)86. The ESS or controller80for example includes sensor input and control means88as well as a pixel placement and control means89. In addition the CPU82reads, captures, prepares and manages the image data flow between image input sources such as the scanning system76, or an online or a work station connection90, and the printhead assemblies. As such, the ESS or controller80is the main multi-tasking processor for operating and controlling all of the other machine subsystems and functions, including the machine's printing operations.

In operation, image data for an image to be produced is sent to the controller80from either the scanning system76or via the online or work station connection90for processing and output to the printhead assemblies. Additionally, the controller determines and/or accepts related subsystem and component controls, for example from operator inputs via the user interface86, and accordingly executes such controls. As a result, appropriately colored phase change ink is melted and delivered to the printhead assemblies. Additionally, pixel placement control is exercised relative to the imaging surface14thus forming desired images per such image data, and receiving substrates are supplied by anyone of the sources42,44,46,48in timed registration with image formation on the surface14. Finally, the image is transferred within the transfer nip92, from the surface14onto the receiving substrate.

Referring now toFIG. 2, a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a molten ink delivery and recovery system100for the imaging device10is shown. The molten ink delivery and recovery system100ofFIG. 2includes at least one remote molten ink reservoir104for receiving molten ink106from an associated ink melting assembly30of the imaging device10. Melt reservoir104includes a housing108that defines a receptacle110for receiving the molten ink from the melt assembly30. An ink level sensor112may be provided in the receptacle area for detecting the level of ink therein. Any suitable type of ink level sensor may be used. In operation, the melt assembly is activated to melt ink based on the ink level sensor output to provide and maintain a desired amount of molten ink in the melt reservoir104.

The reservoir also includes a heating system to maintain the received ink at a suitable temperature for delivery to the printhead assembly32. For example, in embodiments, the housing formed of a suitable thermally conductive material, such as metal or thermally conductive plastic, to which a suitable heater is mounted. The heater heats the housing which in turn transfers the heat to the ink contained therein. In alternative embodiments, the housing may be formed of a thermally insulative material, and suitable heating may be generated by mounting a heating device internal to the housing. The thermally insulative housing then operates to prevent or limit heat loss from the interior of the housing.

The melt reservoirs104are configured to transport the molten ink to at least one printhead assembly, such as printhead assembly32, as needed via a molten ink delivery path. The molten ink received in the remote reservoir104is directed to the printhead32via an ink delivery path114. The ink delivery path114may be any suitable device or apparatus capable of transporting fluid such as molten ink from the remote ink reservoir104to the printhead32. In one embodiment, the ink delivery path114comprises an enclosed conduit, such as a tube, duct, or similar structure that confines the ink therein as it is being guided from the melt reservoir to the printhead.

In one embodiment, the ink delivery path114from remote ink reservoir104directs melted phase change ink to an on-board ink reservoir116of the printhead32. The on-board reservoir116is configured to hold a quantity of melted phase change ink for delivery to the ink jets (not shown) of the printhead for ejection onto the imaging member12. The on-board reservoir116may be provided with an ink level sensor113configured to detect or indicate the level of ink in the on-board reservoir116. Any suitable type of ink level sensor may be used. As used herein, the term “reservoir” may be used to refer to any device, apparatus, or structure that is capable of containing a quantity of melted phase change ink therein, such as the remote reservoir, the on-board reservoir, and purged ink reservoir (described below). The term remote as used herein and as applicable to ink reservoirs refers to a reservoir that is separate or independent from the printhead on-board reservoir which feeds ink through passages to the image forming jets or nozzles. The “remote” reservoir relationship referred to herein may relate to a physical distance separation or may be integrated in a single unit with the printhead and purge reservoirs such that the reservoir functions are “remote” though in close proximity and in a common assembly.

The imaging device10includes a maintenance system for periodically purging ink through the nozzles of the ink jets in the ejecting face32aof the printhead32. Ink may be purged through the ink jets in any suitable manner. For example, a positive air pressure may be introduced into the on-board reservoir116from a suitable air pressure source (not shown). Solenoid valve119may be operably coupled to the on-board reservoir116to control the pressure in the on-board reservoir116in a suitable manner. The ink flows down the ejecting face32aof the printhead via gravity where it is collected in by a gutter123which directs the ink to a purged ink reservoir, also referred to as a purged ink sump or collector122. The system may also include a scraper or wiper blade118which is configured to be drawn across (e.g., in the direction indicated by the arrow120) the ink ejecting face32aof the printhead32to wipe any excess liquid phase change ink, as well as any paper, dust or other debris that has collected on the ejecting face down towards the gutter123and sump122.

In the embodiment ofFIG. 2, the purged ink collector122comprises a sump chamber that is incorporated into the printhead assembly32. The sump chamber122is located in the printhead assembly32below the on-board printhead reservoir116. In alternative embodiments, the ink collector122may be separate from the printhead. Molten ink captured in the ink collector122, or sump, is directed back to the remote reservoir104via an ink return path124. In one embodiment, the ink return path124comprises an enclosed conduit, such as a tube, duct, or similar structure that confines the ink therein as it is being guided from the sump to the printhead. One or more filters (not shown) may be positioned at various locations for filtering gross contaminants, such as paper debris and dust, from the purged ink prior to the purged ink being recovered into the remote reservoir.

To maintain the ink in liquid form during supply and recovery operations, the reservoirs and conduits used to hold and transport ink may be selectively heated by a suitable heating system to maintain an appropriate ink temperature range and such heating control may include temperature monitoring and adjustment of heating power and/or timing. Heater may be any suitable type of heating system and can rely on radiant, conductive, or convective heat to bring the ink in the reservoirs and conduits to at least the phase change melting temperature. By incorporating the purged ink collector122into the printhead assembly32, the purged ink collected in the sump may be heated to a phase change ink melting temperature by the same heating system for maintaining the ink in the on-board reservoir in liquid phase, e.g. at or above the phase change ink melting temperature. In embodiments in which the purged ink is collected in a chamber separate from the printhead assembly, a dedicated heater may be provided to heat the waste ink in the collection chamber to at least the phase change ink melting temperature. A dedicated heater, however, may also be provided in the sump chamber of the printhead assembly if desired.

In previously known systems, ink delivery and recovery was controlled using two pumping systems, i.e., one for pumping ink from the remote reservoir104to the on-board reservoir116of the printhead and a second for pumping ink from the ink collector122back to the remote reservoir104. Such pumping systems were typically implemented using a positive air pressure source and/or a negative air pressure source. Molten ink was delivered to the on-board reservoir by applying a positive pressure to the remote reservoir to force ink out of the reservoir, through the supply conduit, and into the on-board reservoir or by applying a negative pressure to the on-board reservoir which draws ink from the remote reservoir to the on-board reservoir via the supply conduit.

As an alternative to the use of a positive and negative air pressure source for pumping molten ink through the supply and return conduits, the molten ink delivery and recovery system100is configured to use a single bidirectional rotary displacement pump128for providing both the supply and recovery pumping operations. To enable the use of a bidirectional displacement pump128for pumping ink, the remote reservoir receptacle110is fluidly coupled to a single conduit or tube130that extends from the remote reservoir. The conduit or tube130is configured to serve as a bidirectional fluid path through which molten ink flows either in a supply direction S from the melt reservoir104toward the printhead on-board reservoir116or in a recovery direction R from the purged ink reservoir122toward the remote reservoir104. The bidirectional pump assembly128is positioned along the bidirectional fluid path130to provide the pumping force for pumping the molten ink in both the supply S and recovery R directions.

The bidirectional conduit, the supply conduit, and the return conduit are fluidly connected at a conduit junction148. As depicted inFIG. 2, the bidirectional pump assembly is coupled to the reservoir104by bidirectional conduit portion130aand to the junction148by the bidirectional conduit portion130b. The junction148may be provided at any suitable position relative to the melt reservoir104and the on-board printhead reservoir116. For example,FIG. 2schematically shows the junction as being adjacent the melt reservoir104.FIG. 4shows an embodiment in which the junction is provided adjacent the printhead32.

Referring now toFIGS. 3A and 3B, an embodiment of a bidirectional rotary displacement pump assembly128is shown. In particular,FIG. 3Ashows the bidirectional pump being operated to pump ink in a first direction, e.g., in the supply direction, andFIG. 3Bshows the bidirectional pump being operated to pump ink in a second or opposite direction, e.g., in the recovery direction. The rotary displacement pump ofFIGS. 3A and 3Bcomprises a rotary gear pump assembly that includes a housing131defining a chamber in which at least one gear is rotatably supported. As depicted inFIGS. 3A and 3B, the gear pump comprises an external gear pump having a pair of meshed gears132,134. In other embodiments, any suitable type of bidirectional displacement pump may be utilized including internal gear pumps, gerotors, screw pumps, peristaltic pumps, and the like. In the embodiment ofFIGS. 3A and 3B, the pair of meshed gears132,134includes a drive gear132and driven gear134. Drive gear132is mounted on a drive shaft136that extends through the chamber138. Drive shaft136is operably connected to a suitable motor140for rotating the drive shaft136and drive gear132of the gear pump in response to commands received from a controller142. Driven gear134is mounted on an axle for idle rotation and meshed with the drive gear132so that it may be rotated by the drive gear132. Controller142may be implemented as part of system controller80of the device10or may comprise a standalone controller, such as an ASIC or other suitable type of microcontroller.

The pump housing131has a pair of diametrically opposed openings144,146which, depending on the direction of flow of the molten ink, are configured to serve as inlet and outlet openings for the gear pump128through which molten ink flows into and out of the chamber138. The first opening144is fluidly coupled to the bidirectional fluid path130ato receive molten ink from the remote reservoir104during supply operations and to direct recovered ink to the remote reservoir104during recovery operations. Similarly, the second opening146is fluidly coupled to the bidirectional fluid path130bto direct molten ink toward the on-board printhead reservoir116during supply operations and receive recovered ink from the ink collector, e.g., sump,122during recovery operations.

The delivery and recovery conduits are provided with a suitable flow path restriction, such as a valve system or other suitable back flow prevention means, which prevents molten ink from traveling in the wrong direction along either the supply conduit or recovery conduit. For example, delivery conduit114includes a flow restriction150configured to enable flow in a single direction S toward the on-board reservoir116and to substantially prevent the flow of molten ink in direction R. Similarly, recovery conduit124includes a flow restriction152configured to enable flow in a single direction R toward the remote reservoir104and to substantially prevent the flow of ink in direction S toward the ink collector122. The flow restrictions150and152may be located at any suitable position along the respective flow paths or conduits114and124. For example, the flow restrictions may be positioned at or near the ends of the conduits114,124that connect to the junction148, at or near the ends of the conduits114,124that connect to the respective reservoirs116,122, or substantially anywhere between the ends of the conduits114,124. In one embodiment, the flow restrictions150and152comprise one-way check valves. As an alternative to the use of check valves as the flow restrictions for the delivery and return conduits, directional flow control may be provided at least in part dams or weirs, as they are known in the art, positioned in the supply and return paths. For instance, a dam or weir used in conjunction with a filter may be configured to serve as a one-way check valve. An example of such a system is disclosed, for example, in commonly assigned U.S. Patent Publication No. 20080122901 to Platt et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Flow path restrictions or check valves may be passive or controllably actuated and may include biasing mechanisms such as springs to ensure that the valves open or close appropriately for the given flow rate or pressure in the lines.

The molten ink delivery and recovery system100, and in particular, the bidirectional pump128, may be operated in any suitable manner to provide molten ink to the on-board reservoir116and to recover molten ink from the purged ink reservoir122. In embodiments, molten ink may be provided to the on-board reservoir based on the ink level indicated by the ink level sensor113of the on-board reservoir116. For example, the ink level sensor113may be configured to at least indicate when the ink in the on-board reservoir has reached or passed below a predetermined level, i.e., the ink level has reached a “Low” level. In one embodiment, the ink level sensor is configured as a binary sensor that provides output indicative of whether or not the sensor is in contact with ink. Thus, an ink low condition is indicated when the sensor does not detect ink. The sensor113, however, may be any suitable type of sensor or system capable of indicating when the on-board reservoir has reached an ink low condition.

The bidirectional pump is configured such that the pump is activated to pump ink in the supply direction S when the ink level sensor113indicates a low ink condition in the reservoir116. With reference toFIG. 3A, when the ink level sensor indicates that the ink level is low, the motor140is activated to control gears132,134so that, for example, gear132rotates in direction T which in turn causes gear134to rotate in complementary direction T′ at a predetermined rate of speed so that ink is moved in the supply direction S. The first144and second openings146in the pump housing130are positioned with respect to the gears such that as the gears132,134rotate they separate at position154in front of the first opening144, creating a void and suction which is filled by molten ink from the remote reservoir104(via bidirectional conduit130). The molten ink is carried by the gears132,134toward the opposite side156of the housing where the gears132,134displace the molten ink through the second opening146. The ink then travels to the junction148at which point the flow restriction150permits the ink to travel to the reservoir116, and flow restriction152prevents ink from being transported toward the purged ink collector122. In one embodiment, the gears132,134are rotated until the ink level sensor113indicates that the reservoir116has a desired level of ink. For example, with the binary sensor embodiment described above, the sensor may indicate when it is in contact with the ink at which point the gears are deactivated so that they no longer rotate to pump ink in the supply direction S.

With reference toFIG. 3B, when it is desired to recover purged ink from the ink collector122, the gears132and134are activated by the motor140, in response to commands from controller142, for example, to rotate gear132in direction T′ which in turn causes gear134to rotate in complementary direction T. In this embodiment, the rotating gears132,134create the voids at position156in front of the second opening146that draws ink from the ink collector122and displace ink toward the first opening144towards the remote reservoir104. Molten ink is drawn toward the melt reservoir104from the junction148. The flow restriction152allows ink to travel from the purged ink collector122toward the junction while the flow restriction150prevents ink from being drawn from the on-board reservoir116.

The gears may be rotated at a predetermined rate of speed for a predetermined duration to deliver purged ink from the ink collector122back to the remote reservoir104. In alternative embodiments, the purged ink collector may be provided with an ink level sensor for indicating when the collected ink has reached a predetermined level at which point recovery operations should be performed. The rotational speed of the gears132,134for the supply and recovery operations may be any suitable speed and may be selected based on such factors as the gear sizes, fluid path dimensions, ink flow characteristics, and the like so that a desired amount of ink is pumped through the system at a desired rate.

Although each of the components of the ink delivery and recovery system100may be provided and installed separately, in some embodiments, the ink delivery and recovery system100may be provided as a self-contained unit that may be inserted into an imaging device and connected between a remote reservoir104and a printhead32as a single unit. For example, a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a modular ink delivery and recovery system100is shown inFIG. 5. As depicted, the ink delivery and recovery system100may be provided in a housing or frame158that supports the delivery114and return124conduits and bidirectional pump128in an operable relationship with respect to each other. The housing158may include suitable features that enable the supply114and return124conduits to be connected to the printhead reservoir116and sump122without requiring conduits or flow paths exterior to the housing160although exterior conduits and connections may be used. In another embodiment, the remote reservoir and the ink delivery and recovery system100may be provided as a single combined unit. For example, as depicted schematically inFIG. 5, the remote reservoir104and the ink delivery and recovery system100may be provided in a housing or frame160that enables the reservoir104and supply and recovery system100to be operably connected between the melt assembly and the printhead reservoir.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous modifications can be made to the specific implementations described above. Therefore, the following claims are not to be limited to the specific embodiments illustrated and described above. The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.