Patent ID: 7188941

Claim:
A print head for an ink jet printer comprising: a first passage in communication with an ink source; a surface having an orifice for delivering ink to an associated print media and/or drum, wherein the orifice communicates with the first passage; a second passage in communication with the first passage and an associated pressure source; and a valve member disposed in the first passage upstream from the second passage, wherein the valve member is adapted to move between an open position and a closed position, when in the open position the valve allows ink to travel towards the orifice and when in the closed position the valve inhibits ink from traveling towards the ink source; a valve seat and a valve stop positioned downstream from the valve seat, wherein the valve member seats on the valve seat when in the closed position and the valve member abuts the valve stop when in the open position; wherein the valve stop includes a contact surface downstream from and at an acute angle to the valve seat; wherein the contact surface defines at least one depression to expose a portion of the valve member to pressure from the associated pressure source when the valve member is in a closed position.