Kirk E Novotny

US Patent:

6378984, Apr 30, 2002

Filed:

Jul 31, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/127360

Inventors:

Steven Warren Steinfield - San Diego CA
Kirk Edward Novotny - San Diego CA

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

B41J 214

US Classification:

347 47, 347 44, 347 20

Abstract:

This disclosure describes an improved print cartridge that reduces dimple in the nozzle member and the attendant nozzle trajectory errors. In a preferred embodiment, a nozzle member has a plurality of ink orifices formed therein by suitable processing techniques. A substrate containing a plurality of heating elements and associated ink ejection chambers is affixed to the nozzle member via suitable processing with a suitable adhesive. The heating elements are mounted on a back surface of the nozzle member, each heating element being located proximate to an associated ink ejection chamber and ink orifice, with the back surface of the nozzle member extending over two or more outer edges of the substrate. The nozzle member includes reinforcing features. These features increase the structural integrity of flex circuit in the vicinity of the orifices.