EP 1 361 067 B12510152025303540455055DescriptionTechnical Field?[0001] The present invention relates generally to print-ers, and more specifically, to print cartridges for printers.Even more specifically, the present invention relates toa filter for a print cartridge.Background Art?[0002] Inkjet printers print by ejecting ink through thenozzles of a print cartridge onto a print medium. An inksupply, which may be contained within the cartridge orlocated remotely, serves to supply ink to the nozzles.Because the nozzles typically have relatively small flowareas, particulate matter can clog the nozzles, disruptingor reducing printing performance. Surfaces that are ex-posed to the ink, such as those within the cartridge orseparate ink supply, are common sources of disruptiveparticulate matter.?[0003] In the past, woven metal filters have been in-serted between the ink supply and the print cartridge noz-zles to prevent any particles from reaching the nozzles.Unfortunately, the woven metal filters themselves maybe susceptible to carrying and releasing particulate mat-ter that can clog the nozzles. Furthermore, the use ofwoven metal filters may reduce the types of inks that canbe used because some desirable inks are highly corro-sive to the woven metal filters. Moreover, many past fil-ters have had less than desirable filtration efficiencieswithin certain pressure drop ranges.?[0004] U.S. Patent No. 6,199,979 discloses a filter el-ement for the filtration of printing fluid within a printercartridge of a printer. The filter element includes a micro-porous filter media that removes contaminants from print-ing fluids such as ink, dye, wax and the like.?[0005] JP-?A-?2002102619 discloses a filter accordingto the preamble of claim 1.?[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a filter having highfiltration efficiency at a wide range of pressure drops. Inaddition, there is a need for a clean filter that can with-stand highly corrosive chemicals.Summary of the Invention?[0007] The present invention provides a filter as de-fined in claim 1, for an inkjet print cartridge. The printcartridge has nozzles for dispensing ink from an ink sup-ply. The filter is configured to prevent particulates in theink supply or print cartridge from passing to the print noz-zles. The filter material is overmolded in a carrier whichis configured to be inserted into a print cartridge betweenthe ink supply and the nozzles.Brief Description of the Drawings?[0008] Fig. 1 is an isometric view of an exemplary print-er suitable for use in implementing a printing system inaccordance with one embodiment of the present inven-tion.?[0009] Fig. 2 is an isometric view of print cartridge suit-able for use in implementing a printing system in accord-ance with one embodiment of the present invention.?[0010] Fig. 3 depicts a schematic cross-?section of aprint cartridge incorporating a filter according to one em-bodiment of the present invention.?[0011] Fig. 4 is a cross-?sectional view of a print car-tridge such as that shown in Fig. 2 incorporating a filterand filter carrier according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.?[0012] Fig. 5 is an isometric view of an exemplary filterand filter carrier according to the present invention.?[0013] Fig. 6 is a cross-?sectional view of an exemplaryfilter and filter carrier according to the present inventionalong line 6 - 6 of Fig. 5.?[0014] Fig. 7 is an enlarged cross-?sectional view of thefilter member according to the present invention.Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment and Best Mode of Carrying Out the Invention?[0015] The present invention provides a polymeric fil-ter as defined in claim 1, for use in a printer. The polymericfilter is placed in the ink flow path of an inkjet printer andmay be used, for example, to reduce or eliminate partic-ulate matter in ink used for mechanical printing.?[0016] Fig. 1 depicts an exemplary printer 10 suitablefor use in implementing a printing system in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention. As shown,printer 10 includes a tray 12 for holding print media 14,which may be, for example, a sheet of paper. Printer 10further includes an ink supply 16, including one or moreink containers 30, which provide ink to one or more printcartridges 18, for example, via a flexible conduit 28. Al-ternatively, each of print cartridges 18 may utilize one ormore onboard ink reservoirs (not shown) rather than theremote ink containers shown at 30. It will be appreciatedthat these onboard ink reservoirs may be refilled with inkso as to enable extended use of the print cartridges. Fur-thermore, print cartridges 18 may be permanently or re-movably mounted to carriage 22.?[0017] Carriage 22 may be of any conventional type,and may employ a coded strip 32, which may be opticallydetected by a photodetector (not shown) in carriage 22for precise positioning of the carriage. The carriage maybe moved using a stepper motor (not shown), which maybe connected to carriage 22 by a drive belt, screw drive,or other suitable mechanism.?[0018] When a printing operation is initiated, print me-dia 14 is fed into the printing area 20 of printer 10. Onceprint media 14 is properly positioned, carriage 22 maytraverse the print media, for example on slide rod 24,such that the one or more print cartridges may eject inkonto the print media in the proper position. Print media14 then may be moved incrementally, for example by a1 2
