# US 9,039,141 B2 · Fluidic structure that allows removal of air bubbles from print heads without generating waste ink > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,039,141 B2 - Document ID: US9039141B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/468,782 - Filed: 2012-05-10 - Published: 2013-11-14 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2012-05-10 - Assignees: Xerox Corporation - Applicants: Terrance Lee Stephens; Jonathan Robert Brick - Inventors: Terrance Lee Stephens; Jonathan Robert Brick - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9039141B2 ## CPC - B41J 2/19: for removing air bubbles - Y10T 137/86292: System with plural openings, one a gas vent or access opening - B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A fluidic structure has a first chamber having a connection to a fluid reservoir and a connection to an array of apertures, the chamber forming a flow path between the fluid reservoir and the array of apertures, a second chamber having a connection to at least one vent connected to an atmosphere external to the fluidic structure, and at least one path between the first chamber and the second chamber. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fluidic structure having multiple layers, comprising: a first chamber formed from the multiple layers having a connection to a fluid reservoir and a connection to an array of apertures, the first chamber forming a flow path between the fluid reservoir and the array of apertures; a second chamber formed from the multiple layers having a connection to at least two vents connected to an atmosphere external to the fluidic structure; and at least one path between the first chamber and the second chamber; wherein during a purging cycle, fluid flowing through the first and second chambers does not enter any of the vents. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fluidic structure of claim 1, wherein the second chamber has a volume sufficient to accommodate collateral fluid forced into it during a purge process. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The fluidic structure of claim 1, wherein the second chamber forms a flow path parallel to the flow path in the first chamber. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The fluidic structure of claim 1, wherein the second chamber has a cross section selected to prevent capillary action. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The fluidic structure of claim 1, wherein the second chamber has a cross section that results in a meniscus strength along an entire length of the second chamber less than 0.25 inches of water. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The fluidic structure of claim 1, wherein the vent in the second chamber has a meniscus strength of less than 0.25 inches of water. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The fluidic structure of claim 1, wherein the at least one path has a meniscus strength that prevents draining of the first chamber during operation of the fluidic structure but allows meniscus failure during a purge cycle. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The fluidic structure of claim 7, wherein the at least one path has a meniscus strength in the range of 3 to 130 inches of water. ### Claim 9 A print head having a reservoir and multiple layers, the multiple layers, comprising: a first chamber connected to an ink reservoir to receive ink, the multiple layers forming a flow path between the fluid reservoir and an array of apertures, the array of apertures arranged to expel ink from the jet stack to a print substrate; a second chamber formed from the multiple layers, the second chamber arranged on a side of the first chamber opposite a side adjacent to the array of apertures, the second chamber having at least two vents connected to an atmosphere external to the jet stack; and at least one path for the ink between the first chamber and the second chamber; wherein during a purging cycle, fluid flowing through the first and second chambers does not enter any of the vents and upon completion of the purging cycle the second chamber is substantially free from fluid. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The print head of claim 9, the print head further comprising part of a solid ink jet printer. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The print head of claim 9, further comprising an adhesive layer between a layer in the jet stack forming the first chamber and a layer in the jet stack forming the second chamber. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The print head of claim 11, wherein the at least one path comprises cutouts in the adhesive layer. ### Claim 13 A print head, comprising: a nozzle layer having an array of apertures arranged to allow ink to exit the print head to a print substrate; a first layer forming a first chamber having a connection to an ink reservoir and the array of apertures; a second layer forming a second chamber having at least two vents to an atmosphere external to the print head, the second layer being arranged on a side of the first layer opposite the nozzle layer; an adhesive layer between the first layer and the second layer; and at least one ink path between the first chamber and the second chamber; wherein during a purging cycle, fluid flowing through the first and second chambers does not enter any of the vents and upon completion of the purging cycle the second chamber is substantially free from fluid. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The print head of claim 13, wherein the second chamber has a volume sufficient to accommodate collateral fluid forced into it during a purge process. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The print head of claim 13, wherein the second chamber forms a flow path parallel to a flow path in the first chamber. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The print head of claim 13, wherein the second chamber has a cross section selected to prevent capillary action. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The print head of claim 13, wherein the at least one path has a meniscus strength that prevents draining of the first chamber during operation of the print head but allows meniscus failure during a purge cycle. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The fluidic structure of claim 1, wherein upon completion of the purging cycle the second chamber is substantially free from fluid.