Filter/wicking structure for micro-fluid ejection head

A method for assembling a micro-fluid ejection head structure for a fluid supply cartridge, the method comprising the steps of providing a molded, non-fibrous wicking and filtration structure;

• and fixedly attaching the wicking and filtration structure to a filtered fluid reservoir of the micro-fluid ejection head structure for flow of filtered fluid from a supply cartridge to a micro-fluid ejection chip attached to the head structure, wherein the wicking and filtration structure comprises a hydrophilic, polymeric porous substrate and a filter cap molded to the porous substrate to provide an integrated cap, wicking and filtration structure.

A fluid supply cartridge carrier comprising a permanent or semi-permanent micro-fluid ejection head structure, the ejection head structure comprising a micro-fluid ejection chip, a filtered fluid reservoir in fluid flow communication with the micro-fluid ejection chip, and a wicking and filtration structure fixedly attached to the filtered fluid reservoir for flow of filtered fluid to the filtered fluid reservoir, wherein the wicking and filtration structure comprises a molded, non-fibrous wicking and filtration element, wherein the wicking and filtration structure comprises a hydrophilic, polymeric porous wicking and filtration member and a filter cap molded to the wicking and filtration member to provide a unitary cap, wicking and filtration structure.

A micro-fluid ejection head structure comprising a molded, non-fibrous wicking and filtration structure fixedly attached to a filtered fluid reservoir of the micro-fluid ejection head structure for flow of filtered fluid to a micro-fluid ejection chip attached to the head structure, wherein the wicking and filtration structure comprises a hydrophilic, polymeric porous substrate having one or more different porosity zones therein.

A micro-fluid ejection head structure comprising a molded, non-fibrous wicking and filtration structure fixedly attached to a filtered fluid reservoir of the micro-fluid ejection head structure for flow of filtered fluid to a micro-fluid ejection chip attached to the head structure, wherein the wicking and filtration structure comprises sintered thermoplastic particles providing a nominal pore size ranging from about 5 to about 50 microns.