Back to results
US 7,111,930 B2Granted
Fluid supply having a fluid absorbing material
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
InventorsAnthony D. Studer, Kevin D. Almen, David J. Benson, David M. Hagen, Cary R. Bybee
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fluid supply including a body and a reversibly fluid absorbing material having a first surface energy and disposed in the body. In addition, the fluid supply has at least one fiber having a fiber surface energy where the fiber is disposed within the fluid absorbing material, and the fiber surface energy is less than the first surface energy of the fluid absorbing material.
Claims51
A fluid supply, comprising:
- a body;
- a reversibly fluid absorbing material disposed in said body, said fluid absorbing material having a first surface energy;
- and
- at least one fiber disposed within said reversibly fluid absorbing material, said at least one fiber having a fiber surface energy, wherein said fiber surface energy is less than said first surface energy.
1 more element
A method for supplying fluid, comprising:
- adding fluid to a fluid reservoir, said reservoir having:
- a capillary material disposed in said reservoir, said capillary material having a first surface energy, and
- at least one fiber disposed within said capillary material, said at least one fiber having a fiber surface energy, wherein said fiber surface energy is less than said first surface energy.
A replaceable container for a consumable liquid, comprising:
- a fluid reservoir having a substantially rigid outer container having an interior volume;
- a fluid absorbing material substantially filling said interior volume, said fluid absorbing material having a first surface energy;
- and
- one or more fibers having a second surface energy and disposed within said fluid absorbing material, wherein said first surface energy is greater than said second surface energy.
1 more element
A fluid supply, comprising:
- means for holding a fluid;
- means for reversibly absorbing said fluid disposed in said means for holding said fluid, said means for reversibly absorbing said fluid having:
- a capillary material having a first surface energy, and
- at least one fiber having a fiber surface energy, wherein said fiber surface energy is less than said first surface energy.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.