Methods and systems for a configurable print cartridge
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
InventorsJames P. Kearns, Jeffrey T. Hendricks, Kris M. English, Norman E. Pawlowski JR.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The described embodiments relate to a print cartridge that can be configured to receive ink from one of at least two possible ink paths depending upon a desired printer configuration. In one exemplary embodiment, the print cartridge has a body configurable to receive ink from at least two different ink supply configurations, and a fluid interface that when coupled with the body effectively selects one of the ink supply configurations.
Claims22
A print cartridge for use in an inkjet printer, comprising:
- a housing for containing electronic components;
- a first ink receiving path supported by the housing, and configured to
- supply ink to said print cartridge;
- and,
- at least one other different ink receiving path supported by the housing, and configured to supply ink to said print cartridge.
A print cartridge comprising:
- a print head for ejecting ink droplets;
- a first supply path on the print cartridge for supplying ink to the print head from a first ink source associated with a first printer configuration;
- and
- at least one other different supply path on the print cartridge for supplying ink to the print head from a second ink source associated with a second printer configuration.
A print cartridge comprising:
- a body configurable to receive ink from at least two different ink supply configurations;
- and
- a fluid interface that when coupled with the body effectively selects one of the ink supply configurations.
A method comprising:
- constructing a print cartridge housing for holding components of the print cartridge;
- forming a first ink supply path in the housing for receiving ink from a first ink source for use in a printer;
- and,
- forming at least one other ink supply path in the housing for receiving ink from a second ink source that is different from the first ink source.
A method comprising:
- providing a print cartridge having a print head, the print cartridge having at least two ink supply paths for providing ink to the print head for use in printing;
- and,
- selecting only one of the at least two ink supply paths.
A method of assembling a print cartridge, comprising:
- providing a print cartridge configurable to receive ink from one of two ink supply paths;
- and,
- configuring said print cartridge to receive ink from only one of the two ink supply paths.
A method of assembling a printer, comprising:
- providing a print cartridge having a first supply path for supplying ink from a first ink source associated with a first printer configuration, and at least one other different supply path for supplying ink from a second ink source associated with a second printer configuration;
- providing an ink source on the printer for use with said print cartridge;
- and,
- coupling said ink source to only one of the supply paths to provide a printer for printing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.