Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080211861 | Duplex Printer Configured To Move Printheads Before Capping - The present invention relates to a duplex printer. The printer includes a support assembly and a pair of printheads mounted for movement with respect to the support assembly and configured to each eject ink upon print media. A print media feed mechanism is configured to feed the print media between the printheads during printing. A pair of movably mounted capping members is configured to cap respective printheads. A printhead movement actuating mechanism is configured to move the printheads into position for capping. A capping member actuating mechanism is configured to move the capping members into position for engagement with the moved printheads. | 09-04-2008 |
20080211865 | PRINTER ASSEMBLY WITH PRINTHEAD PURGING MEMBERS - The invention provides for a printer assembly for a pagewidth printer. The assembly includes a casing that defines a print media feed path, and duplex printheads arranged on opposite sides of the a print media feed path. Also included are two purging members each inclined at a predetermined angle to a direction of travel of print media through the path, each member defining a purging chamber. The assembly further includes extractor tubes connecting the purging chambers in fluid communication with a suction pump, and an actuating mechanism configured to displace the printheads between a printing position, where the printheads are able to print onto media fed through the feed gap, and a purging position, where the printheads are located at the predetermined angle relative to the media path adjacent the chambers to allow the suction pumps to remove material purged from said printheads. | 09-04-2008 |
20080211869 | Mounting arrangement with a support and pressure plate for a printhead assembly. - The invention provides for a mounting arrangement for a printhead assembly having a plurality of modular printhead tiles each having a plurality of micro-electromechanical nozzle arrangements for printing on a printing medium. Each tile has a flex PCB with which to provide the tile with electrical energy. The mounting arrangement includes a support defining retaining clips and channels operatively housing electrical busbars, as well as a pressure plate defining holes shaped and dimensioned to complementarily receive the retaining clips to engage the support which urges the flex PCBs against the busbars to provide electrical power to printhead tiles. | 09-04-2008 |
20080211885 | FLUID DISTRIBUTION STACK - A fluid distribution stack ( | 09-04-2008 |
20080211886 | Ink refill unit with a working outlet and other dummy outlets - An ink refill unit is provided for refilling a printer ink cartridge unit. The ink refill unit includes a base assembly which houses internal ink refilling components and defines a plurality of outlets for docking with the cartridge unit. Each outlet corresponds to a respective type of ink with only one of the outlets working. The ink refilling components include a syringe assembly coupled in fluid communication with the working outlet. A lid assembly fits onto the base assembly to cover the ink refilling components. | 09-04-2008 |
20080211898 | Cover assembly for a print engine with push rod for actuating a refill unit - This invention relates to a cover assembly for a cradle unit of a pagewidth print engine. The cover assembly defines a docking port for a refill unit configured to refill a cartridge unit of the print engine. The cartridge unit is housed in the cradle. The docking port includes a rim portion, engagement means and a push rod. The rim portion is for receiving a base portion of the refill unit so that the refill unit is able to pass through the cover assembly, in use, to dock with the cartridge unit. The engagement means is located within the rim portion, the engagement means being configured to engage the refill unit to retain the refill unit securely in position to facilitate refilling of the cartridge unit. The push rod extends through a hole in the rim portion for operatively actuating the refill unit to incrementally dispense ink. | 09-04-2008 |
20080212119 | Printer unit with print engine that expands compressed image data - A printer unit is arranged to print documents received from a computer system. The printer unit has a print engine having control electronics. The control electronics are configured to receive document image data from the computer system in the form of a compressed, multi-layer page image. They buffer the image and expand the image to generate an expanded contone layer, a black layer and a layer for infrared printing. | 09-04-2008 |
20080218538 | Cradle Unit For A Print Engine Having A Maintenance Drive Assembly - A cradle unit for a print engine, the cradle unit configured to receive a cartridge unit having a printhead assembly. The cradle unit includes a main body defining an opening for receiving said cartridge, the main body having a frame structure including end plates with drive and exit rollers mounted therebetween. The cradle unit also includes a printed circuit board (PCB) pivotally mounted between the end plates for housing control electronics for controlling the operation of the print engine, along with a cover assembly for securing said cartridge in the opening. The cover assembly is pivotally mounted between the end plates, the cover assembly configured to pivot the PCB into electrical contact with a printhead controller on the cartridge when in a closed position, and to pivot the PCB out of electrical connection with said printhead controller when in an open position. The cradle unit also includes a maintenance drive assembly having a motor operatively connected to a maintenance gear and maintenance actuator arrangement and to a wiper gear and wiper actuator arrangement, the maintenance drive assembly operated by the PCB control electronics. | 09-11-2008 |
20080218565 | CARTRIDGE UNIT HAVING MULTIPLE INK STORAGE CAPACITY - A cartridge unit arranged for use in a print engine for an inkjet printer is provided. The cartridge unit has a body portion having ink storage compartments and a pagewidth printhead assembly configured to receive ink from ink storage compartments and distribute it to nozzles arranged in use to deliver the ink onto passing print media. The print engine has a cradle which has a body which removably receives the cartridge unit and is configured to control the operation of the printhead assembly for printing. The ink storage compartments comprise absorption material which stores the ink therein under capillary action for supply to the nozzles. The cradle is configured to be secured to the inkjet printer to receive print media from a media input tray and to deliver printed media to a media output tray. | 09-11-2008 |
20080218567 | Ink cartridge having enlarged end reservoirs - The invention provides for an ink cartridge unit for an inkjet printer. The cartridge includes an elongate main body defining a number of rectangular ink reservoirs along a length thereof, with end reservoirs being larger than reservoirs interposed between the end reservoirs, said end reservoirs being configured to store ink more readily consumed during a printing process. The cartridge also includes a lid assembly covering the main body to seal ink inside the ink reservoirs, and a printhead assembly operatively fed with ink from the ink reservoirs in the main body. | 09-11-2008 |
20080225091 | CARTRIDGE UNIT HAVING CAPPED PRINTHEAD WITH MULTIPLE INK STORAGE CAPACITY - A cartridge unit for an inkjet printer is provided which has a body portion having ink storage compartments, a pagewidth printhead configured to receive ink from the compartments and distribute the ink to nozzles arranged in use to deliver the ink onto passing print media, and a capping assembly for capping the printhead. The capping assembly has a body configured to extend the length of the printhead, a capping element housed within the body and movable with respect thereto between first and second positions. The first position is where a portion of the capping element extends from the body and the second position is where the capping element is contained within the body. The capping element is biased into the first position. The ink storage compartments comprise absorption material which stores the ink therein under capillary action for supply to the nozzles of the printhead. | 09-18-2008 |
20080230468 | HIGH FLOWRATE FILTER FOR INKJET PRINTHEAD - A filter for an inkjet printer that has a chamber divided into an upstream section and a downstream section by a filter membrane. An inlet conduit establishes fluid communication between an ink supply and the upstream section. An outlet conduit establishes fluid communication between the downstream section and a printhead. During use at least part of the inlet conduit is elevated relative to the filter membrane. By elevating the inlet conduit relative to the filter membrane, it acts as a bubble trap to retain bubbles that would otherwise obstruct the filter. This allows the filter size to be reduced for a more compact overall design. | 09-25-2008 |
20080230730 | DETACHABLE FLUID COUPLING FOR INKJET PRINTER - A detachable fluid coupling for connecting an inkjet printhead with an ink supply, the detachable coupling having a fixed valve member defining a valve seat, a sealing collar ( | 09-25-2008 |
20080231660 | PRINTHEAD WITH INK CONDUIT WEIR FOR PRIMING CONTROL - A printhead for an inkjet printer, that has a printhead integrated circuit with an array of nozzles for ejecting ink and a support structure for mounting the printhead IC within the printer. The support structure has ink conduits for supplying the array of nozzles with ink. Within the ink conduits is a weir formation to partially obstruct ink flow so that when priming the printhead, the weir formation preferentially primes an upstream section the ink conduit. Using a weir downstream of areas that have a propensity to prime incorrectly can force them to prime more quickly or in preference to downstream sections. As long as the downstream section is one that reliably primes, albeit delayed by the weir, there is no disadvantage to priming the upstream section in preference. | 09-25-2008 |
20080231661 | PRINTHEAD WITH MENISCUS ANCHOR FOR CONTROLLED PRIMING - A printhead for an inkjet printer that has a printhead integrated circuit (IC) with an array of nozzles for ejecting ink, and a support structure for mounting the printhead IC within the printer. The support structure has ink conduits for supplying the array of nozzles with ink, the ink conduits have a meniscus anchor for pinning part of an advancing meniscus of ink to divert the advancing meniscus from a path it would otherwise take. If a printhead consistently fails to prime correctly because a meniscus pins at one or more points, then the advancing meniscus can be directed so that it does not contact these critical points. Deliberately incorporating a discontinuity into an ink conduit immediately upstream of the problem area can temporarily pin to the meniscus and skew it to one side of the conduit and away from the undesirable pinning point. Once flow has been initiated into the side branch or downstream of the undesirable pinning point, it is not necessary for the anchor to hold the ink meniscus any longer and priming can continue. | 09-25-2008 |
20080231662 | PRINTHEAD WITH DRIVE CIRCUITRY COMPONENTS ADJACENT THE PRINTHEAD IC - A printhead for an inkjet printer, that has a printhead IC with an array of nozzles for ejecting ink and a support structure for mounting the printhead IC in the printer adjacent a paper path. The printhead IC is mounted on a face of the support structure that, in use, faces the paper path. A flexible printed circuit board (flex PCB) has drive circuitry for operating the array of nozzles on the printhead IC. The drive circuitry has circuit components connected by traces in the flex PCB, and contacts for receiving print data from the print engine controller. The flex PCB being mounted to the support structure at the contacts onto a face that does not face the paper path such that the flex PCB extends through a bent section between the printhead IC and the contacts. The printhead IC and the circuit components are adjacent each other and separated from the contacts by the bent section of the flex PCB. The bent section reduces the likelihood of trace cracking by holding the flex PCB at a set radius rather than allowing the flex to follow an irregular curve and thereby risking localized points of high stress on the traces. | 09-25-2008 |
20080231670 | INK COUPLING FOR INKJET PRINTER WITH CARTRIDGE - An ink coupling for connecting an inkjet printer and a replaceable cartridge configured to not drip ink upon detachment. The coupling has a cartridge valve on the cartridge side of the coupling and a printer conduit on the printer side of the coupling. The cartridge valve and the printer conduit having complementary formations configured to form a coupling seal when brought into engagement. The cartridge valve is biased closed and configured to open when brought into engagement with the printer conduit. Upon disengagement, the coupling seal breaks after the cartridge valve closes, and an ink meniscus forms and recedes from the complementary formations as they separate, the cartridge valve having external surfaces configured so that the meniscus travels across the external surfaces and only pins itself to the printer conduit surfaces. The invention keeps residual ink off the exterior of the cartridge valve by careful design of the external surfaces with respect to known receding contact angle of the ink meniscus. As the coupling seal breaks and the meniscus forms, the ink properties and hydrophilicity of the respective valve materials will determine where the meniscus stops moving and eventually pins itself. | 09-25-2008 |
20080239030 | Cradle Unit For Receiving A Print Cartridge To Form A Print Engine - Provided is a cradle unit for receiving a print cartridge to form a print engine. The cradle unit includes a main body defining an opening for receiving said cartridge, the main body having a frame structure including end plates with drive and exit rollers mounted therebetween. The cradle unit also includes a printed circuit board (PCB) pivotally mounted between the end plates for housing control electronics for controlling the operation of the print engine, and a cover assembly for securing said cartridge in the opening. The cover assembly is pivotally mounted between the end plates, with the cover assembly configured to pivot the PCB into electrical contact with a printhead controller on the cartridge when in a closed position, and to pivot the PCB out of electrical connection with said printhead controller when in an open position. Also included is a maintenance drive assembly having a motor operatively connected to a maintenance gear and maintenance actuator arrangement and to a wiper gear and wiper actuator arrangement, the maintenance drive assembly operated by the control electronics. | 10-02-2008 |
20080246787 | Ink Refill Unit For A Print Engine Having A Compression Arrangement With Actuation Means Operable By A Controller Of The Print Engine - Provided is an ink refill unit for a print engine. The unit includes a body assembly defining an ink ejection port at one end thereof, a compressible tank located inside said body assembly, and a compression arrangement for compressing the bellows tank. The compression arrangement includes actuation means selectively operable by a controller of the print engine, a threaded wall and circular plunger assembly, and an elongate drive gear mounted within the body assembly and engaging with the plunger assembly. The drive gear is actuated by the actuation means. The threaded wall and circular plunger assembly includes an internal lead screw provided in a substantially cylindrical internal wall of the body assembly and a helical geared thread provided about the circumference of a substantially circular plunger threaded to the internal lead screw thread and extending along a length thereof. The lead screw thread is provided with a gap along the length of the body assembly in which the drive gear sits and is able to come into contact with the geared thread of the plunger. | 10-09-2008 |
20080246808 | PRINTHEAD ASSEMBLY HAVING A PLURALITY OF MODULAR PRINTHEAD TILES - A printhead assembly includes a support. A plurality of modular printhead tiles is arranged on the support and the support has a retaining mechanism to retain the modular tiles in position. A plurality of elongate printhead integrated circuits is arranged on respective tiles. Each printhead integrated circuit has a plurality of micro-electromechanical nozzle arrangements for printing on a print medium. A flexible printed circuit board (PCB) provides the printhead integrated circuits with electrical energy. | 10-09-2008 |
20080246809 | INK EJECTION PRINTHEAD INCORPORATING A BRIDGED CONNECTOR ARRANGEMENT - An ink ejection printhead includes an elongate support frame. The support frame supports ink ejection printhead modules. An end plate is mounted to an end of the support frame and defines two guide recesses. A connector arrangement is received in the guide recesses and includes a body portion interconnected to a region by at least one bridge. The connector arrangement includes a connector extending from the body portion. An end housing defines an opening and is mounted to the end plate so that the connector is accessible through the opening. | 10-09-2008 |
20080246811 | Modular Inkjet Printhead Assembly - Provided is a printhead assembly including a printhead module having a plurality of modular printhead tiles with each tile having a plurality of micro-electromechanical nozzle assemblies for operatively printing on a printing medium. The printhead assembly also includes a ducting assembly having a laminated stack of layers, each layer of the stack having a number of apertures which, when the layers are stacked, provide ducts whereby ink is able to flow from an ink reservoir to the nozzle assemblies. The assembly further includes a number of electrical connector assemblies for operatively connecting the respective printhead tiles. Each tile is mounted to a modular support defining a raised portion and a recessed portion at an end thereof, the tile having electrical connecting strips which overlie the respective recessed portions. The connector assembly comprises a connecting member having a series of parallel spaced conducting strips, the member shaped and configured for fitment into a cavity defined by the raised and recessed portions of two abutting supports to connect the connecting strips of two tiles via said conducting strips. | 10-09-2008 |
20080246812 | Printer Assembly For A Pagewidth Printer Having A Support Frame Configured To Minimize Substantial Dimensional Changes - Provided is printer assembly for a pagewidth printer, said assembly having a support frame for supporting a printhead arrangement. The support frame includes an outer wall portion and an inner wall portion separated by an internal cavity, as well as a lower arm portion and an upper wall fast with the outer and inner wall portions. The upper wall portion defines a channel for operatively receiving the printhead arrangement, said upper wall portion and arm portion having a clipping arrangement configured to complementarily receive a printed circuit board (PCB) support having electronic for controlling the printhead arrangement. The support frame is configured to minimize substantial dimensional changes due to environmental changes to retain a positional relationship between individual printhead tiles of the printhead arrangement. | 10-09-2008 |
20080252683 | PRINTER HAVING CAPPING SYSTEM FOR PRINTHEAD ASSEMBLY - A printer is provided having a printhead assembly and a capping mechanism. The printhead assembly has two confronting pagewidth printheads and a plurality of nozzles located along each printhead and arranged in use to deliver ink onto opposite surfaces of print media as it is transported past the printheads. The capping mechanism has capping members having a length corresponding substantially to that of the printheads and actuating means arranged to effect linear movement of the capping members in a first direction and linear movement of the printheads in a second direction to a position at which nozzle capping engagement is effected between the capping members and respective ones of the printheads. The first and second directions are non-parallel. | 10-16-2008 |
20080252684 | METHOD OF CAPPING PRINTHEAD ASSEMBLY - A method of capping a pagewidth printhead assembly is provided. The printhead assembly has two confronting pagewidth printheads and a plurality of nozzles located along each printhead and arranged in use to deliver ink onto opposite surfaces of print media as it is transported past the printheads. In the method linear movement of each printhead is effected in a first direction and linear movement of associated capping members is effected in a second direction to a position at which each capping member is located in nozzle capping engagement with the associated printhead. The first and second directions are non-parallel. | 10-16-2008 |
20080252699 | INK EJECTION PRINTHEAD INCORPORATING A CONNECTOR ARRANGEMENT - An ink ejection printhead includes an elongate support frame supporting ink ejection printhead modules. An end plate is mounted to an end of the support frame and defines a guide arrangement. A connector arrangement is supported by the guide arrangement and includes a body portion defining a pair of holes. The connector arrangement includes a first connector extending from the body portion between the holes. The connector arrangement also includes a second connector configured to engage with the holes so that the first connector is located between the second connector and the body portion. | 10-16-2008 |
20080252703 | CARTRIDGE UNIT HAVING MAGNETICALLY CAPPED PRINTHEAD - A cartridge unit for an inkjet printer is provided which has a body portion having ink storage compartments, a pagewidth printhead configured to receive ink from the compartments and distribute the ink to nozzles arranged in use to deliver the ink onto passing print media, and a capping assembly for capping the printhead. The capping assembly has a body which extends the printhead length, a capping element housed within the body and having a rim portion which caps at least a portion of the printhead and a displacement assembly housed within the body for moving the capping element between a first position where the rim portion extends from the body and a second position where the rim portion is contained within the body. The displacement assembly is controlled by an electromagnet which determines the position. The ink storage compartments comprise absorption material which stores the ink under capillary action. | 10-16-2008 |
20080266357 | MULTI-CHIP PRINTHEAD UNIT FOR A PAGEWIDTH PRINTER - Provided is an elongate multi-chip printhead unit for a pagewidth printer. The unit includes a number of integrated circuits laid end-to-end, each having a multitude of micro-electromechanical nozzles for ejecting printing fluid. The unit also includes an ink distribution molding defining a plurality of elongate conduits for distributing printing fluid to the printhead. Also included is a printed circuit board (PCB) configured to relay data signals from a printer controller to respective ends of the integrated circuits, as well as busbars positioned to provide drive current to the micro-electromechanical nozzles of the printhead. The busbars are retained in position at one end by a socket, and at both ends by wrap-around wings of the PCB. The unit further includes a support member for holding the integrated circuits, molding, busbars and PCB in appropriate alignment. | 10-30-2008 |
20080273065 | Inkjet Printer Having An Ink Cartridge Unit Configured To Facilitate Flow Of Ink Therefrom - Provided is an inkjet printer having an ink cartridge unit. The cartridge unit includes a main body defining a number of ink reservoirs. Each reservoir has a layered stack of absorbent material arranged to form a micro-capillary array for suspending ink inside said reservoir. A base of each ink storage reservoir is provided with a raised portion which surrounds an ink outlet. The raised portions are molded into the main body to separate each outlet from the base of the ink storage reservoir to facilitate a sufficient flow rate of ink from the reservoir. The cartridge unit also includes a lid assembly covering the main body to seal ink inside the ink reservoirs, as well as a printhead assembly operatively fed with ink via the ink outlets from the ink reservoirs in the main body for printing onto a printing medium. | 11-06-2008 |
20080273067 | Printer Assembly Having A Refillable Cartridge Assembly - Provided is a printer assembly having a refillable cartridge assembly. The cartridge assembly includes an elongate main body defining a number of rectangular ink reservoirs along a length thereof, with end reservoirs being larger than reservoirs interposed between the end reservoirs, said end reservoirs being configured to store ink more readily consumed during a printing process. The cartridge assembly also includes a lid assembly covering the main body to seal ink inside the ink reservoirs, the lid assembly having an actuator to actuate a cartridge refill unit. Also included is a printhead assembly fast with the main body and operatively fed with ink from the ink reservoirs in the main body, as well as a refill unit engageable with the lid assembly to refill at least one of the reservoirs. | 11-06-2008 |
20080273071 | FLUIDIC ARRANGEMENT WITH A SUMP FOR A PRINTER - The invention relates to a fluidic arrangement for a printer. The arrangement includes an ink tank for storing ink, and an ink distribution assembly in fluid communication with the ink tank for supplying printhead integrated circuits (ICs) positioned thereon with ink from the ink tank. The arrangement also includes a valve arranged in an ink line between the ink distribution assembly and the ink tank, said valve configured to isolate ink in the ink tank from the printhead ICs whenever the printer is powered down. Further included is a pump located downstream from the ink distribution assembly, and a sump arranged in fluid communication with the pump for receiving excess ink from the ink distribution assembly. | 11-06-2008 |
20080278553 | INK REFILL UNIT WITH CONTROLLED INCREMENTAL INK EJECTION FOR PRINT CARTRIDGE - An ink refill unit for a print cartridge is provided. The unit includes a housing which defines a fluid path in fluid communication with an outlet. The unit also includes an ink reservoir having an ejection port arranged in fluid communication with the fluid path inside the housing, and an ejector assembly configured to incrementally eject ink from the reservoir when the assembly is actuated by the print cartridge. The ejector assembly includes a piston and cylinder ink reservoir. The piston has a thread which engages a screw thread in an internal wall of the cylinder and is piston rotationally biased by a wound spring and the ejector having a pawl-and-ratchet detent preventing the biased piston threading into the reservoir until the pawl is actuated by the print cartridge. | 11-13-2008 |
20080278554 | INK REFILL UNIT WITH THREADED INCREMENTAL INK EJECTION FOR PRINT CARTRIDGE - An ink refill unit for a print cartridge is provided. The unit includes a housing which defines a fluid path in fluid communication with an outlet. The unit also includes an ink reservoir having an ejection port arranged in fluid communication with the fluid path inside the housing, and an ejector assembly configured to incrementally eject ink from the reservoir when the assembly is actuated by the print cartridge. The ejector assembly includes a plunger having a toothed thread which engages with a screw thread provided in an internal wall of the housing. The ejector has a drive gear so that actuation of the drive gear imparts rotation to the toothed thread so as to rotate the plunger within the screw thread of the housing to eject ink from a bellows-like reservoir. | 11-13-2008 |
20080278557 | INK REFILL UNIT WITH INCREMENTAL MILLILITRE INK EJECTION FOR PRINT CARTRIDGE - An ink refill unit for a print cartridge is provided. The unit includes a housing which defines a fluid path in fluid communication with an outlet. The unit also includes an ink reservoir having an ejection port arranged in fluid communication with the fluid path inside the housing, and an ejector assembly configured to incrementally eject ink from the reservoir when the assembly is actuated by the print cartridge. The ejector assembly is configured so that the amount of the printing fluid ejected from the reservoir by the ejector assembly is between 6 ml and 50 ml per increment. | 11-13-2008 |
20080291246 | PRINTHEAD ASSEMBLY INCORPORATING A LAMINATED DUCTING ASSEMBLY - A printhead assembly has a plurality of printhead modules, each having a plurality of modular printhead tiles. Each printhead tile has a plurality of micro-electromechanical nozzle assemblies for operatively printing on a printing medium. A ducting assembly has a laminated stack of layers, each layer of the stack having a number of apertures which, when the layers are stacked, provide ducts whereby ink is able to flow from an ink reservoir to the nozzle assemblies. A number of electrical connector assemblies operatively connect the respective printhead tiles together. The printhead modules are arranged in a casing so as to be removably mounted in linearly aligned relationship through removable engagement of each printhead module with the casing. | 11-27-2008 |
20080297558 | PRINTHEAD MAINTENANCE ASSEMBLY FOR AN INKJET PRINTER - A printhead maintenance assembly for an inkjet printer includes a housing. A movable chassis is arranged in the housing. A belt is mounted on the chassis with a contact surface for sealing engagement with a printhead of the printer. The chassis and thus the belt are reciprocally movable between a first position in which the contact surface is engaged with the printhead and a second position in which the printhead is disengaged from the printhead. A pair of spools are mounted on the chassis. The belt is mounted about the spools, with one of the spools being a toothed drive spool and the other being an idler spool. A drive motor is mounted on the chassis. A drive gear driven by the motor is engaged with the drive spool so that the motor can drive the belt. The drive spool, drive gear and drive motor form part of a conveyor mechanism for conveying the belt in a direction substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the printhead. A cleaning station is mounted on the chassis and positioned so that the belt moves past the cleaning station to be cleaned. | 12-04-2008 |
20080297572 | INK CARTRIDGE UNIT FOR AN INKJET PRINTER WITH AN INK REFILL FACILITY - Provided is an ink cartridge unit for an inkjet printer. The cartridge unit includes a main body defining a number of ink reservoirs, each reservoir having a layered stack of absorbent material forming a micro-capillary array for suspending ink inside said reservoir. The unit also includes a lid assembly covering the main body to seal ink inside the ink reservoirs, and a printhead assembly operatively fed with ink from the ink reservoirs in the main body. The unit further includes a capper assembly for operatively capping the printhead assembly to prevent damage to micro-electromechanical nozzle arrangements defined on a printing surface of the printhead assembly. The lid assembly includes a refill facility whereby the ink reservoirs are refillable with ink from a suitable ink refill unit. | 12-04-2008 |
20080303859 | MAINTENANCE ASSEMBLY FOR A PAGEWIDTH PRINTER HAVING A MOTORIZED DRIVE - A maintenance assembly for a pagewidth printer, said assembly operatively mounted between posts of a main body of the printer so that the maintenance assembly is positioned adjacent a printhead assembly of the printer. The maintenance assembly includes a maintenance chassis defining tongue portions and having ends which are shaped to fit over the posts of the main body to secure the maintenance assembly in position, and a retainer element operatively engaging the chassis. Also included are a lower molding and an upper molding operatively fast with each other to sandwich an absorbent insert between them, the moldings in turn sandwiched between the chassis and retainer element, and a motorized drive for moving the maintenance chassis between a capped position and an uncapped position to facilitate wiping the printhead of the printer. | 12-11-2008 |
20080303882 | INK REFILL UNIT WITH INCREMENTAL INK EJECTION ACCUATED BY PRINT CARTRIDGE CRADLE - An ink refill unit for a print cartridge is provided. The unit includes a housing which defines a fluid path in fluid communication with an outlet. The unit also includes an ink reservoir having an ejection port arranged in fluid communication with the fluid path inside the housing, and an ejector assembly configured to incrementally eject ink from the reservoir when the assembly is actuated by the print cartridge. The housing defines an aperture via which the print cartridge actuates the ejector assembly. | 12-11-2008 |
20080309742 | PRINTER WITH PRINTHEAD CARTRIDGE AND PRINTER BODY THAT SIMULTANEOUSLY ENGAGE AN INK CARTRIDGE - An inkjet printer that has a printer body, a printhead cartridge for installation in the printer body, and an ink cartridge for supplying the printhead cartridge with ink. The ink cartridge has external formations for engaging a first complementary formation on the printhead cartridge and a second complementary formation on the printer body. | 12-18-2008 |
20080316275 | PRINTHEAD ASSEMBLY HAVING REMOVABLE PRINTHEAD MODULES - Provided is a printhead assembly having a number of printhead modules each having a plurality of support members and modular printhead tiles mounted thereon with each tile having a plurality of micro-electromechanical nozzle assemblies for operatively printing on a printing medium. The assembly also includes a ducting assembly having a laminated stack of layers, each layer of the stack having a number of apertures which, when the layers are stacked, provide ducts whereby ink is able to flow from an ink reservoir to the nozzle assemblies. Also included is a casing having a support frame in which the printhead modules are arranged so as to be removably mounted in linearly aligned relationship through removable engagement of a support member of each printhead module with the support frame. Each support member has a first tab received in a recess of the support frame and a second tab clamped between the support frame and a mounting element mounted to the support frame to allow constrained movement of the relevant printhead module relative to the casing. The assembly further has a number of electrical connector assemblies for operatively connecting the respective printhead tiles to power and data. | 12-25-2008 |
20090002443 | PRINTER ASSEMBLY WITH A DIMENSIONALLY STABLE SUPPORT FRAME - A printer assembly for a pagewidth printer includes a support frame having a fluid channel member and a clipping arrangement configured so that a printed circuit board can be clipped to the support frame. A printhead arrangement has printhead tiles arranged in the fluid channel member. The support frame is configured so that a positional relationship between individual tile members is substantially retained during environmental changes. | 01-01-2009 |
20090002466 | Ink Storage Module - Provided is an ink storage module for a printer cartridge having a number of ink storage modules. Each module operatively stores a different colored ink for delivery to a printhead of the printer. The module includes upper and lower plate members having an ink bag located between the plate members to define an ink volume, said plate members displaceable towards and away from each other. The module also includes a bag constrictor assembly engaged with said plate members and configured to act on the bag when the plate members are displaced towards each other to reduce the ink volume, as well as a valve insert having an inlet valve to facilitate refilling of the bag with ink and an outlet valve to facilitate ink delivery to the printhead. The module further has a filter cover positioned between the valve insert and the ink bag to filter contaminants and air bubbles passing between the ink bag and said valve insert. | 01-01-2009 |
20090009576 | VALVE AND REGULATOR ARRANGEMENT FOR A PRINTHEAD CARTRIDGE - Provided is an inlet valve and pressure regulator arrangement for a printhead cartridge. The arrangement includes an inlet body having a skirt engaging portion with a depressible member, and a spacer with a central hub. Also included is a diaphragm with a central opening and a spring positioned by a regulator outlet portion so that said spring biases the central opening of the diaphragm against the central hub. An increase in fluid pressure when the depressible member is operatively depressed overcomes the spring bias to allow fluid to flow from the inlet body to the regulator outlet. | 01-08-2009 |
20090015641 | PRINTER ARRANGEMENT INCORPORATING A PRINTHEAD MAINTENANCE STATION - Provided is a printer arrangement having a printhead cartridge with a molding assembly and a printhead. An ink cartridge supplies the printhead with ink via the molding assembly. The arrangement also includes a valve assembly for arranging the ink cartridge in fluid communication with the molding assembly, as well as a printhead maintenance station for maintaining the printhead. | 01-15-2009 |
20090027442 | PRINT ENGINE WITH NESTED CRADLE, PRINTHEAD CARTRIDGE AND INK CARTRIDGES - The present invention relates to a print engine with a nested cradle, printhead cartridge and ink cartridges that form a stack. The print engine includes a printer cradle including an elongate chassis, a media drive assembly mounted at one end of the chassis, and a print media drive roller extending along the chassis and driven by the media drive assembly. A printhead cartridge is installed in the cradle to form a plurality of docking bays and includes an ink ejection printhead. Ink cartridges are installed in respective docking bays to supply respective types of ink to the ink ejection printhead. | 01-29-2009 |
20090051743 | PRINTHEAD INCORPORATING A STATIC PAGEWIDTH PRINTHEAD AND ELONGATE FLUID CHANNEL - A printhead assembly comprises an elongate casing defining a longitudinally extending printhead channel, a static pagewidth printhead received within the printhead channel, the static pagewidth printhead comprising a plurality of printhead tiles each bearing a printhead integrated circuit, the tiles being shaped to serially engage together so that adjacent printhead integrated circuits overlap, and an elongate fluid channel member defining a plurality of ducts for storing respective types of ink, the elongate fluid channel extending substantially the length of the static pagewidth printhead. The fluid channel member comprises an elongate body portion defining parallel open channels, and a lid portion which is fastened to the body portion so that the open channels form the ducts, the lid portion defining a plurality of protruding ridges which can be received in respective open channels. The lid portion comprises a plurality of groups of outlet ports, each group including a number of outlet ports equal to the number of parallel open channels. | 02-26-2009 |
20090051744 | PRINTHEAD ASSEMBLY HAVING AN ENCASED PRINTHEAD MODULE - A printhead assembly has a casing. A printhead module is positioned in the casing. The printhead module and the casing are configured so that the printhead module is removable from the casing. The printhead module includes a fluid channel member defining a number of ink ducts along its length and positioned in the casing. A number of printhead tiles are arranged on the fluid channel member. Each printhead tile has a printhead integrated circuit. The printhead tiles and the fluid channel member are configured so that ink can be supplied to the printhead integrated circuits from the fluid channel member. | 02-26-2009 |
20090058923 | PRINTHEAD HAVING SELECTIVELY CAPPED PRINTHEAD MODULE CHANNELS - A printhead is provided having at least one printhead module and a capping member. The printhead module has a support member supporting a plurality of printhead integrated circuits. The support member has a plurality of channels for carrying and delivering printing fluid to nozzles of the printhead integrated circuits. The capping member caps one end of the support member so as to seal the channels at that end. The opposite ends of the support member are configured differently and complementarily to one another and the capping member is configured to selectively cap either of the opposite ends. | 03-05-2009 |
20090058926 | PRINTER HAVING RELATIVE ARCUATELY MOVEABLE SIMPLEX PRINTHEAD AND CAPPING MECHANISM - A printer is provided having a pagewidth printhead assembly and a capping mechanism. The printhead assembly has a single pagewidth printhead and a plurality of nozzles located along the printhead and arranged in use to deliver ink onto print media as it is transported past the printhead. The capping mechanism has a capping member having a length corresponding substantially to that of the printhead and located in a non-capping first position spaced-apart from the printhead, and an actuating mechanism arranged to move the printhead between a first and second printhead positions and to move the capping member along an arcuate path from the first position to a second position at which the capping member is located in nozzle capping engagement with the printhead when the printhead is at the second printhead position. | 03-05-2009 |
20090066754 | INK DELIVERY ARRANGEMENT WITH CMOS DRIVEN NOZZLES - An ink delivery arrangement includes a silicon substrate that defines a plurality of ink inlet channels. A CMOS drive circuitry layer is arranged on the silicon substrate. A plurality of nozzle arrangements is positioned on the silicon substrate to be in fluid communication with respective ink inlet channels. Each nozzle arrangement includes an annular nozzle wall about a respective ink inlet channel. A nozzle roof is on the nozzle wall so that the wall and roof define a nozzle chamber, the roof being movable with respect to the wall. A nozzle rim is defined by the nozzle roof so that ink can be ejected from the nozzle chamber when the roof is moved with respect to the wall. An electrically actuated beam is fast with the substrate to receive current from the drive circuitry layer and is connected to the nozzle roof to move the nozzle roof when actuated by the current. | 03-12-2009 |
20090066764 | PRINTER WITH MUTUALLY ENGAGING INK CARTRIDGE, PRINTHEAD CARTRIDGE AND PRINTER BODY - An inkjet printer that has a printer body, a printhead cartridge for installation in the printer body, and an ink cartridge for supplying the printhead cartridge with ink. The ink cartridge has an ink outlet valve and an air inlet, the ink outlet valve engaging an ink inlet valve on the printhead cartridge, and the air inlet engaging a complementary formation on the printer body to open the air inlet and locate the ink cartridge. | 03-12-2009 |
20090085963 | PRINTER HAVING ARCUATELY MOVEABLE PRINTHEAD AND CAPPING/PURGING MECHANISM - A printer is provided which has a printhead having a plurality of ejection nozzles, a capping member for capping the ejection nozzles, a purging member for receiving material that is purged from the nozzle environment of the printhead, a first actuating mechanism for moving the printhead along a first arcuate path from first to second to third printhead positions, and a second actuating mechanism for moving the capping and purging members along a second arcuate path from a first position to a second position at which the capping member caps the nozzles of the printhead when the printhead is in the second printhead position and the purging member is able to receive the purged material when the printhead is in the third printhead position. | 04-02-2009 |
20090085993 | PIVOTABLE PCB RETENSION ARRANGEMENT FOR INKJET CARTRIDGE CRADLE - Disclosed is a cradle for holding an ink cartridge within an inkjet printer. The cradle comprises a recess for receiving and releasably retaining the ink cartridge; an interface corresponding to an ink storage compartment of the ink cartridge; a pair of arms for receiving and retaining a PCB assembly containing a print engine, each of the arms adapted to engage with a first end of a corresponding tension spring; and a cover assembly pivotally attached to the cradle, the cover adapted to engage with a second end of the tension springs. The interface is provided on the cover assembly. The tension springs are engaged with the cover assembly and the PCB assembly such that movement of the cover assembly to an open position relieves a tension in the tension springs with respect to the PCB assembly, whereby the PCB assembly pivots away from corresponding electrical contacts of the inkjet printer. | 04-02-2009 |
20090085995 | Inkjet Printer With Elongate Array Of Nozzles And Distributed Pulse Dampers - An inkjet printer that has an elongate array of nozzles for ejecting ink and ink conduits for supplying the array of nozzles with ink. The ink conduits are aligned with the longitudinal extent of the elongate array and have a plurality of pulse dampers individually in fluid communication with the ink conduits. Each pulse damper contains a volume of gas for compression by pressure pulses in the ink conduits, distributed along the length of the elongate array. A pressure pulse moving through an elongate printheads, such as a pagewidth printhead, can be damped at any point in the ink flow line. However, the pulse will cause nozzle flooding as it passes the nozzles in the printhead integrated circuit, regardless of whether it is subsequently dissipated at the damper. By incorporating a number of pulse dampers into the ink supply conduits immediately next to the nozzle array, any pressure spikes are damped at the site where they would otherwise cause detrimental flooding. | 04-02-2009 |
20090091602 | Inkjet Printer With Printhead Cartridge And Cradle That Interengage Via An Overcentre Mechanism - An inkjet printer comprising a printer body and a replaceable printhead cartridge is disclosed. The printhead cartridge has a casing that supports a printhead and a plurality of contacts for receiving print data and power. The printer body has a cradle for holding the printhead cartridge in an operative position. The printer body has corresponding contacts for connection with the plurality of contacts on the printhead cartridge when the printhead cartridge is in the operative position. During insertion of the replaceable printhead cartridge, the casing is first slid into the cradle at which point the plurality of contacts contact the corresponding contacts. Next, the casing is rotated. During the rotation the plurality of contacts remain in contact with the corresponding contacts. The rotation of the casing in the cradle forms an over centre mechanism. | 04-09-2009 |
20090091607 | Method Of Refilling A Printing Unit - A method of refilling a supply of printing fluid in a printing unit. The method comprises the steps of removably mounting a dispenser unit of printing fluid to the printing unit so as to align and engage a plurality of outlets of the dispenser unit with a plurality of inlets of a plurality of printing fluid storage chambers of the printing unit, the dispenser unit being configured so that only one outlet of the plurality of outlets connects to printing fluid stored within an enclosure of the dispenser unit; determining an amount of printing fluid needed to refill the printing fluid storage chamber via the inlet engaged with said one outlet; disengaging a ratchet mechanism of the dispenser unit so as to facilitate a reduction of volume in the enclosure by a plunger; and engaging the plunger so as to effect the reduction of volume in the enclosure until the ratchet mechanism is reengaged, thereby dispensing fluid from the enclosure into the printing fluid storage chamber. The steps of disengaging the ratchet mechanism and engaging the plunger are repeated until the determined amount of printing fluid is dispensed into the printing fluid storage chamber. | 04-09-2009 |
20090096847 | INK REFILL UNIT WITH INCREMENTAL INK EJECTION MECHANISM - An ink refill unit for a print cartridge, said unit comprises a housing defining a fluid path in fluid communication with an outlet and configured to be operatively engaged with the print cartridge; a fluid reservoir having an ejection port arranged in fluid communication with the fluid path inside the housing; a seal for sealing off one end of the fluid reservoir, the seal being movable within the fluid reservoir; an ejector assembly comprising a spring biased plunger engaged against the seal, the plunger having defined on a side thereof a number of groves; an actuator mechanism comprising a rod to which a pawl and an arm are attached, the pawl adapted to engage with the grooves to negate a biasing force of the plunger against the seal; and an actuator shaft attached to the housing, the actuator shaft being slidable with respect to housing so as to be exposed outside of the housing. The actuator shaft, when exposed outside of the housing, is operable to engage with the arm of the actuator mechanism to disengage the pawl from a groove, whereby the biasing force of the plunger is allowed to act against the seal. | 04-16-2009 |
20090102883 | CRADLE UNIT WHICH ELECTROMAGNETICALLY OPERATES PRINTHEAD CAPPER - A cradle unit is provided which has a body complementary to a removable printhead cartridge, the removable printhead cartridge having a pagewidth printhead and a capper assembly, a controller for controlling operation of the printhead to facilitate printing when the removable printhead cartridge is received within the body, and an electromagnet assembly on the body which is controlled by the controller for operating the capper assembly of the removable printhead cartridge to permit the operation of the printhead. | 04-23-2009 |
20090102904 | CRADLE UNIT FOR A PRINTER CARTRIDGE - A printer cradle unit for a printer cartridge has a body defining an opening for receiving the cartridge. A cover assembly closes the opening and secures the cartridge in an operative position. An ink refill mechanism is arranged on the body to operate a refill unit to refill the cartridge with ink. A roller assembly is arranged on the body and is configured to feed print media from the cartridge | 04-23-2009 |
20090120512 | VALVE ASSEMBLY FOR A PRINTER INK CARTRIDGE HAVING A SPRING-BIASED PRESSURE REGULATOR - Provided is a valve assembly for a printer ink cartridge. The valve assembly includes a flanged valve stem defining an inlet opening with a skirt engaging portion for operatively engaging an outlet port of the cartridge, and a depressible valve member within the stem. The valve assembly also includes a pressure regulator having a spacer within a central hub and a diaphragm spanning a central inlet opening. The pressure regulator further includes a clip defining an outlet opening, the clip configured to operatively engage the valve stem to sandwich the valve member, spacer and diaphragm between the valve stem and clip. The pressure regulator also includes a spring configured to bias the diaphragm against the central inlet opening into a closed position, so that ink from the ink cartridge is only able to flow through the valve when the diaphragm is in an open position. | 05-14-2009 |
20090122102 | PRINTER ASSEMBLY HAVING A SUPPORT FRAME FOR SUPPORTING A PRINTHEAD ARRANGEMENT - Provided is a printer assembly for a pagewidth printer, said assembly having a support frame for supporting a printhead arrangement. The support frame includes an outer wall portion and an inner wall portion separated by an internal cavity. The support frame also includes a lower arm portion and an upper wall fast with the outer and inner wall portions. The upper wall portion defines a channel for receiving printhead tiles of the printhead arrangement. The upper wall portion and arm portion have a clipping arrangement configured to receive a printed circuit board (PCB) having electronics for controlling the printhead arrangement. The support frame is configured to minimize substantial dimensional changes due to environmental changes to retain a positional relationship between individual printhead tiles of the printhead arrangement. | 05-14-2009 |
20090122104 | Pagewidth Printhead Assembly Having A Capping Member Actuating Mechanism - Provided is a pagewidth printhead assembly. The assembly includes two printheads arranged on opposite sides of a print media path for duplex printing, and a printhead actuating mechanism configured to move the printheads relative to each other. The assembly also includes a capping member and a capping member actuating mechanism for moving the capping member between an uncapped position outside the media path and a capped position inside the media path for capping both printheads. | 05-14-2009 |
20090122109 | PRINTER WITH PRINTHEAD CHIP HAVING INK CHANNELS REINFORCED BY TRANSVERSE WALLS - An inkjet printer has a molded ink manifold bonded to a printhead by an adhesive film. The printhead has: (a) a plurality of nozzles formed on a frontside of a substrate, the nozzles being arranged in rows extending longitudinally along the substrate, each nozzle having a respective nozzle inlet; and (b) a plurality of ink supply channels extending longitudinally along a backside of the substrate. Each ink supply channel is configured for supplying ink from the backside to at least one corresponding row of nozzle inlets. Further, each ink supply channel is interrupted along its length by one or more transverse bridges. The transverse bridges provide the printhead integrated circuit with strength in a transverse direction. | 05-14-2009 |
20090160917 | PRINTER WITH INK CARTRIDGE FOR SEALED CONNECTION WITH INLET VALVE PRIOR TO VALVE ACTUATION - An inkjet printer with a printhead assembly and at least one replaceable ink cartridge, has an ink inlet valve on the printhead assembly for sealed connection to an outlet on the ink cartridge. The inlet valve has an inlet opening and a movable valve member biased into sealing engagement with the inlet opening. The outlet has a complementary member for depressing the movable valve member out of engagement with the inlet opening to open the valve. The inlet opening has an external formation about its periphery for sealing against the outlet before the complementary member depresses the movable valve member. | 06-25-2009 |
20090167811 | DOCKING PORT IN A COVER ASSEMBLY - This invention relates to a cover assembly for a cradle unit of a pagewidth print engine. The cover assembly defines a docking port for a refill unit configured to refill a cartridge unit of the print engine. The cartridge unit is housed in the cradle. The docking port includes a rim portion, engagement means and a push rod. The rim portion is for receiving a base portion of the refill unit so that the refill unit is able to pass through the cover assembly, in use, to dock with the cartridge unit. The engagement means is located within the rim portion, the engagement means being configured to engage the refill unit to retain the refill unit securely in position to facilitate refilling of the cartridge unit. The push rod extends through a hole in the rim portion for operatively actuating the refill unit to incrementally dispense ink. | 07-02-2009 |
20090179929 | PRINTHEAD CARTRIDGE PRIMING PROTOCOL - A method of priming a printhead cartridge upon installation in a printer, the printhead cartridge having a printhead with a nozzle face defining an array of nozzles for ejecting ink on to a media substrate fed past the printhead in a media feed direction, by providing a printer with at least three ink tanks for storing the inks of different colour, the printer also having a cradle for supporting the printhead cartridge adjacent a media feed path, a fluid interface in fluid communication with the ink tanks, and a latch for securing the printhead cartridge in the cradle, the latch being movable between an open position where access to the cradle is unobstructed, and a closed position where access to the cradle is obstructed, placing the printhead cartridge in the cradle while the latch is in the open position, the printhead cartridge having a fluid coupling positioned to align with the fluid interface when placed in the cradle, moving the latch to the closed position to secure the printhead cartridge in cradle, providing a mechanical linkage between the latch and the fluid interface such that the fluid interface sealingly engages the fluid coupling upon moving the latch to the closed position and, priming the printhead with ink from all of the ink tanks. | 07-16-2009 |
20090179963 | PRINTHEAD WITH EXTERIOR SURFACE PROFILED FOR WIPING MAINTENANCE STATION - A printhead assembly with an elongate printhead IC having a nozzle face defining an array of nozzles, and a support structure for supporting the elongate printhead IC on an external surface such that its length is transverse to a media feed direction through the printer. The external surface has a section that is flush with a long side edge of the elongate printhead IC. | 07-16-2009 |
20090179964 | PRINTHEAD CARTRIDGE INSERTION PROTOCOL - A method of inserting a printhead cartridge in a printer, the printhead cartridge having a printhead with a nozzle face defining an array of nozzles for ejecting ink on to a media substrate fed past the printhead in a media feed direction, by providing a printer with at least three ink tanks for storing the inks of different colour, the printer also having a cradle defining a reference surface for engaging a datum point on the printhead cartridge to support the nozzle face at a precise spacing from a media feed path, a fluid interface in fluid communication with the ink tanks, and a latch for securing the printhead cartridge in the cradle, the latch being movable between an open position where access to the cradle is unobstructed, and a closed position where access to the cradle is obstructed, placing the printhead cartridge in the cradle such that the data point rests on the reference surface while the latch is in the open position, the printhead cartridge having a fluid coupling positioned to align with the fluid interface when placed in the cradle, moving the latch to the closed position to secure the printhead cartridge in cradle, providing a mechanical linkage between the latch and the fluid interface such that the fluid interface sealingly engages the fluid coupling upon moving the latch to the closed position wherein, any force exerted on the printhead cartridge during sealing engagement of the fluid interface and the fluid coupling is not directed to disengage the reference surface from the datum point. | 07-16-2009 |
20090179970 | PRINTER WITH FLUIDICALLY COUPLED PRINTHEAD CARTRIDGE - An inkjet printer that has at least three ink tanks for storing inks of different colour, a printhead cartridge having a printhead with a nozzle face defining an array of nozzles, and a fluid coupling for supplying the printhead with ink from each of the ink tanks. The printer also having a cradle defining a reference surface for engaging a datum point on the printhead cartridge to support the nozzle face at a precise spacing from a media feed path and a latch for securing the printhead cartridge in the cradle, the latch being movable between an open position where access to the cradle is unobstructed, and a closed position where access to the cradle is obstructed. The latch is configured to apply a compressive force urging the datum point on the printhead cartridge into engagement with the reference surface. The printer further including a fluid interface in fluid communication with the ink tanks and a mechanical linkage between the latch and the fluid interface such that the fluid interface is displaced into sealed engagement with the fluid coupling upon moving the latch to the closed position, the fluid interface being displaced in a direction that does affect the compressive force between the datum point and the reference surface. | 07-16-2009 |
20090195591 | Printer Having Pivotally Capped Duplexed Printheads - A printer is provided having pagewidth printheads for printing on opposite faces of print media, pagewidth cappers pivotally mounted to the printheads, and an actuating mechanism for pivoting the cappers between respective non-capping and capping positions relative to the printheads. | 08-06-2009 |
20090195592 | CARTRIDGE UNIT INCORPORATING PRINTHEAD AND INK FEED SYSTEM - A cartridge unit for an inkjet printer comprises a printhead having an array of ink ejection nozzles; a plurality of ink storage compartment, each ink storage compartment having a variable storage volume and a displaceable wall section biased to expand the variable storage volume to generate a sustained negative pressure; an ink feed system for connecting the ink storage compartment to the printhead, the ink feed system including a plurality of channels extending parallel to a length of the printhead, each channel corresponding respectively to an ink storage compartment; and a printhead maintenance assembly, the printhead maintenance assembly having a capper spring biased against the array of ink ejection nozzles for covering the array of ink ejection nozzles. The printhead maintenance assembly includes a catch element engaged with an actuator, the catch element being movable by the actuator in a direction to counteract the biasing of the capper against the array of ink ejection nozzles. Each channel has defined along a bottom thereof a series of holes. | 08-06-2009 |
20090195610 | Printer Having Removably Constrained Printhead - A printer is provided having a pagewidth printhead and a casing having a channel in which the pagewidth printhead is removably clamped so as to constrain movement of the printhead relative to the casing across the longitudinal direction of the channel and to allow movement of the printhead along the longitudinal direction of the channel. | 08-06-2009 |
20090201350 | Ink Cartridge For Constant Ink Pressure - An ink cartridge for an inkjet printer is configured to keep the ink pressure in the printhead constant. The cartridge has a sealed ink storage volume, an ink outlet for sealed fluid communication between the printhead and the ink storage volume, an air bag in the ink storage volume for expanding as ink is drawn through the ink outlet to keep a constant head of ink above the outlet valve. The air inlet for the air bag is a frangible that is ruptured as the cartridge is installed and the ink outlet opens. | 08-13-2009 |
20090207209 | Print Engine Cradle With Maintenance Assembly - A cradle unit for use in a print engine to receive a cartridge unit that has a printhead assembly. The cradle unit has a main body with an opening for receiving the cartridge and drive rollers for feeding sheets of media past the printhead assembly, a printed circuit board (PCB) movably mounted to the main body, the PCB having control electronics for operative control of the print engine, a cover assembly movably mounted to the main body, the cover assembly being configured for securing the cartridge in the opening and engaging the PCB such that the PCB is moved into electrical contact with the cartridge when in a closed position, and to move the PCB out of electrical connection with the cartridge when in an open position and, a maintenance assembly operated by the PCB control electronics for capping and wiping the printhead assembly. | 08-20-2009 |
20090213176 | Inkjet Printhead Having Adhered Ink Distribution Structure - An inkjet printhead is provided having an integrated circuit having a plurality of inkjet nozzles formed on one surface and a plurality of ink delivery channels formed on an opposing surface for delivering ink to the nozzles, an ink distribution member having a plurality of conduits formed therethrough which each have an inlet for receiving ink from an ink supply and an outlet for distributing the received ink to the ink delivery channels of the integrated circuit, and an adhesive layer adhering the integrated circuit to the ink distribution member. The adhesive layer has a plurality of holes aligned with corresponding ones of the outlets and delivery channels so that ink can be supplied therebetween. | 08-27-2009 |
20090237471 | Printing Fluid Supply Device With Channeled Absorbent Material - A printing fluid supply device for a printhead comprises a printing fluid storage compartment for storing printing fluid; an absorbent material provided in the printing fluid reservoir, the absorbent material comprising a plurality of channels formed therethrough; and a fluid trapping layer provided between the absorbent material and the printhead. The fluid trapping layer is adapted to absorb printing fluid and draw printing fluid from the printing fluid storage compartment into and through the absorbent material. | 09-24-2009 |
20090237472 | INK REFILL UNIT FOR AN INK RESERVOIR - A refill unit for an ink reservoir that has an inlet valve for receiving refill ink and an outlet valve for fluid communication with an inkjet printhead. The refill unit has a docking assembly for docking with the ink reservoir, an ink bag for storing ink, a valve actuator configured to close the outlet valve of the ink reservoir and subsequently open the inlet valve upon docking the docking assembly with the ink reservoir, an ink delivery outlet assembly for establishing fluid communication between the ink bag and the ink reservoir upon docking the docking assembly with the ink reservoir and, constrictor actuators for increasing pressure in the ink bag upon docking the docking assembly with the ink reservoir, and reducing pressure in the ink reservoir upon disengagement of the docking assembly and the ink reservoir. | 09-24-2009 |
20090237476 | INK CARTRIDGE WITH HIGH FLOWRATE, SELF SEALING OUTLET - An ink cartridge that self seals its outlet opening with an outlet valve that connects to an inlet on the printhead. The outlet valve has a radially extending flange fixed within the outlet opening and an annular skirt of resilient material extending from the side of the outlet opening to the valve seat. The annular skirt is biased into sealing engagement with the radially extending flange to close the outlet valve until installment when the printhead inlet lifts the annular skirt off the flange so that ink flows around the flange into the printhead. | 09-24-2009 |
20090244183 | Inkjet Printer Having Funnelled Distribution To Nozzle ICS - An inkjet printer is provided having a plurality of nozzle integrated circuits, a support member having a plurality of longitudinally extending channels for carrying ink, and a plurality of ink distribution members via which ink is distributed from the channels of the support member to the nozzles of the nozzle integrated circuits. Each ink distribution member incorporates a laminated stack of layers, each layer having apertures for distributing ink from the channels to the nozzles of a respective one of the printhead integrated circuits. The apertures of each layer from the support member to the respective printhead integrated circuit are of successively smaller diameter. | 10-01-2009 |
20090244185 | Printhead Having Commonly Supported Nozzle ICS - A printhead is provided having a support frame, a plurality of nozzle integrated circuits having printing fluid ejection nozzles, and a one-piece printing fluid distribution member commonly supporting the plurality of nozzle integrated circuits, the distribution member being removably engaged with the support frame. | 10-01-2009 |
20090244218 | Refill Unit For Refilling One Of A Number Of Ink Compartments - An ink refill unit is provided for refilling a printer ink cartridge unit. The ink refill unit includes a base assembly that has ink refilling components and outlets for engaging a docking member connected to the ink storage compartments. Each outlet corresponds to a respective type of ink with only one of the outlets working. The ink refilling components include a syringe assembly coupled in fluid communication with the working outlet. A lid assembly covers the ink refilling components. | 10-01-2009 |
20090256885 | PRINTER HAVING MOVEABLE PRINTHEAD AND CAPPING/PURGING MEMBER - An inkjet printer is provided which has at least one printhead having a plurality of ink ejection nozzles, a capping/purging member having a length corresponding substantially to that of the printhead, a first actuating mechanism arranged to move the printhead in an arcuate first direction between first, second and third positions, and a second actuating mechanism arranged to move the capping/purging member in an arcuate second direction to cap the nozzles of the printhead when the printhead is in the second position and to permit purging of ink from the nozzles when the printhead is in the third position. | 10-15-2009 |
20090262154 | Printer Control Circuitry For Reading Ink Information From A Refill Unit - A refill unit for refilling an ink cartridge that forms part of an inkjet printer. The printer also having a printhead, control circuitry and an interface for releasably engaging the refill unit. The refill unit has a body containing a quantity of ink, an ink outlet, and a memory circuit for storing information relating to at least one characteristic of the ink. During use the memory circuit allows to the control circuit to interrogate it to verify that the ink in the refill unit is suitable for the printer. | 10-22-2009 |
20090267992 | PRINTHEAD ASSEMBLY HAVING SELECTED INTERCONNECTED CONTROLLERS - A printhead assembly is provided having a plurality of print nozzle integrated circuits, an electrical connector for connecting electrical signals to the print nozzle integrated circuits, and drive electronics having electrical contacts for electrical connection to the electrical connector, input contacts for receiving print data, and a plurality of controllers for processing the print data. Each controller is connected to a predetermined number of the print nozzle integrated circuits via the electrical contacts and being interconnected to the other controllers. The drive electronics are selected from a range of drive electronics, each having a different number of the interconnected controllers configured to each process the print data applicable to a selected number of the print nozzle integrated circuits such that the ratio of controllers to print nozzle integrated circuits can be varied to change the print speed of the printhead assembly. | 10-29-2009 |
20090295864 | Printhead Assembly With Ink Supply To Nozzles Through Polymer Sealing Film - An inkjet printhead assembly with a printhead integrated circuit formed on a wafer substrate, the printhead integrated circuit having an array of ink ejection nozzles, the array having a first section with nozzles for ejecting ink of a first color, and a second section with nozzles for ejecting ink of a second color. The assembly also having an integrated circuit support structure for mounting in the printer adjacent a media feed path, the integrated circuit support structure having conduits for supplying the printhead integrated circuit with ink of the first color and the second color and, a polymer sealing film between the integrated circuit support structure and the printhead integrated circuit for fixing the printhead integrated circuit to the integrated circuit support structure. The polymer sealing has apertures that allow sealed fluid communication between the conduits of the support structure carrying ink of the first color and the nozzles of the first section and sealed fluid communication between the conduits of the support structure carrying ink of the second color and the nozzles of the second section. No fluid communication exists between the first section of the array and the second section of the array. The printhead integrated circuit has channels for supplying ink to the array of ink ejection nozzles. Each of the channels being divided into channel sections by transverse walls. The apertures in the polymer sealing film are positioned at each of the transverse walls such that each of the apertures supplies ink to both the channel sections either side of one of the transverse walls. | 12-03-2009 |
20090303295 | INK COMPARTMENT REFILL UNIT WITH INLET VALVE ACUTATOR, OUTLET VALVE, ACTUATOR, AND CONSTRICTOR MECHANISM ACTUATOR - A refill unit for refilling an ink storage compartment that supplies ink to a printhead assembly, the ink storage compartment having an ink interface for receiving the refill unit. The refill unit comprises a body containing a quantity of ink; an inlet valve actuator for opening an inlet valve of the ink storage compartment when the refill unit is docked therewith; an outlet valve actuator for closing an outlet valve of the ink storage compartment when the refill unit is docked therewith; and a constrictor actuator adapted to be received into an aperture of the ink storage compartment when the refill unit is docked therewith, the constrictor actuator operable to engage a bag constrictor of the ink storage compartment through the aperture to cause a volume of the bag to be decreased. | 12-10-2009 |
20090303300 | SECURING ARRANGEMENT FOR SECURING A REFILL UNIT TO A PRINT ENGINE DURING REFILLING - A securing arrangement for securing a printing fluid refill cartridge to a printing unit comprising a first engagement member arranged in the vicinity of an outlet of the refill cartridge through which printing fluid contained therein is dispensable and a second engagement member arranged in the vicinity of a refill port of the printing unit and configured to be removably securable with the first engagement member so as to engage and hold the refill port and the outlet together. | 12-10-2009 |
20090303301 | INK REFILL UNIT HAVING A CLIP ARRANGEMENT FOR ENGAGING WITH THE PRINT ENGINE DURING REFILLING - A printing fluid refill cartridge for a printing unit comprising an outlet arranged to be engageable with a refill port of the printing unit through which printing fluid contained in the refill cartridge is dispensable; a first engagement member arranged in the vicinity of the outlet and a second engagement member arranged in the vicinity of the refill port and configured to be removably securable with the first engagement member so as to engage and hold the refill port and the outlet together. | 12-10-2009 |
20090303302 | Ink Cartridge Having Enlarged End Reservoirs - A print cartridge is provided having an elongate body defining a number of printing fluid reservoirs along the elongate length with end reservoirs being larger than reservoirs interposed between the end reservoirs, a lid covering the body to seal the reservoirs, and a printhead on the body in fluid communication with the reservoirs. | 12-10-2009 |
20100007693 | Printer Having Relative Arcuately Moveable Printhead, Capper And Purger - A printer is provided having a pagewidth printhead having a plurality of ejection nozzles located along the pagewidth, a capping mechanism having a pagewidth capping member, a first mechanism for moving the printhead in a first arc between first, second and third positions, and a second mechanism for moving the capping member in a second arc between capping and non-capping positions relative to the printhead. The capping member, in the capping position, caps the nozzles when the printhead is in the second position and permits purging of material from the nozzles when the printhead is in the third position. | 01-14-2010 |
20100007703 | Printhead Assembly With Parallel Power Input - A printhead assembly includes a printhead module including two or more printhead integrated circuits and an electrical connector for connecting electrical signals to the printhead integrated circuits. First and second power supplies are provided at first and second ends of the printhead assembly, the second end being opposite to the first end. The printhead assembly further includes a plurality of electrical conductors for providing power to the printhead integrated circuits from the first and second power supplies. The plurality of electrical conductors extend transverse to a media feed path defined through the printhead assembly. The plurality of electrical connectors are arranged as first and second groups of electrical conductors, the first and second groups having a combined lengths at least equal to a width of the media feed path. The first group of electrical conductors is connected to the first power supply and extends from the first end of the printhead assembly to a region intermediate the ends of the printhead assembly. The second group of electrical conductors is connected to the second power supply and extends from the second end to connect to the first group at the region intermediate the first and second ends of the printhead assembly to supply power in parallel from both ends of the printhead assembly. The first group of electrical conductors has a staggered configuration, the staggered configuration adapted to overlap and mate with a complementary staggered configuration of the second group of electrical conductors. | 01-14-2010 |
20100039475 | Cradle Unit For Receiving Removable Printer Cartridge Unit - A cradle unit for receiving a printer cartridge unit includes a printed circuit board (PCB) on which a print engine controller for controlling a printhead of the printer cartridge unit is provided, the PCB having a row of electrical contacts; a cover assembly movable between a closed position where the printer cartridge unit is mechanically secured in the cradle unit, and an opened position where removal of the printer cartridge unit from the cradle unit is facilitated; a pair of arms for supporting the PCB therebetween, each of the pair of arms having a grooved portion; and a pair of tension springs, one end of each tension spring being engaged with the grooved portion of respective arms, and another end of each tension spring being engaged with the cover assembly. The cover assembly, pair of arms, and tension springs are configured to bias the row of electrical contacts into electrical contact with the printer cartridge when the cover assembly is moved from the opened position to the closed position. | 02-18-2010 |
20100039484 | Ink Cartridge With An Internal Spring Assembly For A Printer - A printer ink cartridge with a spring assembly pressurising the ink to dispense it when the outlet establishes fluid communication with the printer. The cartridge has an outer portion with the spring assembly and a base portion containing a deformable ink membrane for containing ink. At least part of the base portion slides against the outer portion, and the spring assembly presses the deformable ink membrane to dispense ink as the at least part of the base portion slides within the outer portion by application of a force. The cartridge also has an ink outlet for fluid communication with the printer. | 02-18-2010 |
20100045745 | Printhead Having Flexible Controller Connections - A printhead is provided having ejection nozzle integrated circuits, flexible printed circuit boards for connecting electrical signals to associated ones of the integrated circuits and controllers each connected to at least one of the integrated circuits via the respective flexible printed circuit board for controlling the printing operation of the integrated circuits. Each controller is provided on a respective printed circuit board. The printed circuit boards are adjacent one another and each have recessed portions which adjoin recessed portions in the adjacent printed circuit boards. The adjoined recessed portions receive an electrical connecting member for interconnecting the controllers of adjacent printed circuit boards such that each interconnected controller is able to control the printing operation of the integrated circuits. | 02-25-2010 |
20100053273 | Printer Having Simple Connection Printhead - A printer is provided having a removably secured cradle in which a cartridge having a pagewidth printhead and printing fluid supply is removably received. The cradle has a printed circuit board mounted on pivoting arms such that terminals on the printed circuit board contact, upon the pivoting arms being pivoted toward the cartridge, corresponding terminals of the cartridge, and a controller for controlling operation of the received cartridge via the connected terminals of the cradle and cartridge. | 03-04-2010 |
20100073421 | Printer Having Duplex Printheads And Cappers - A printer is provided having confronting pagewidth printheads, each printhead having a plurality of nozzles arranged to print on opposite surfaces of print media, pagewidth capping members, and an actuator for moving the capping members and the printheads in non-parallel linear directions between a capped position at which the capping members cap the nozzles of the respective printheads and a non-capped position at which the capping members are spaced from the respective printheads. | 03-25-2010 |
20100097426 | Printhead Having Interconnected And Sealed Modules - A printhead is provided having a plurality of printing fluid ejection nozzle modules each having one or more printing fluid channels interconnected at respective complementary female and male end portions of the modules, a connector connected to the female or male end portion of one of the modules for communicating printing fluid from a fluid supply to the nozzles of all of the modules via the interconnected channels, and a sealing member connected to the female or male end portion of another one of the modules. The sealing member has female and male portions complementary to the female and male end portions of the modules and for sealing the channels of the connected module. | 04-22-2010 |
20100103218 | Method Of Capping Printhead Assembly - A method is provided of capping duplexed printheads having nozzles arranged to eject ink onto opposite surfaces of print media. In the method linear movement of each printhead is effected in a first direction and linear movement of associated capping members is effected in a second direction to a position at which each capping member is located in nozzle capping engagement with the associated printhead. The first and second directions are non-parallel | 04-29-2010 |
20100103220 | Print Engine For Inkjet Printer - A print engine for an inkjet printer includes an inkjet cartridge having a cartridge body, a pagewidth printhead, a capper unit extending a length of the pagewidth printhead and housing a capping element which is movable between a capped position in engagement with the pagewidth printhead and a retracted position spaced from the pagewidth printhead, and an ink supply. The cartridge body supports the pagewidth printhead, the capper unit and the ink supply for simultaneous removal and replacement as a unitary component. The print engine further includes a cradle having a body for receiving the removable inkjet cartridge and to control the operation of the printhead for printing, the cradle having a capper drive for engaging the capper unit and drawing the capping element to the uncapped position; and a print controller board received in the cradle, the print controller board including one or more electrical terminals for engaging with corresponding electrical terminals on the inkjet cartridge. The cradle is secured to the inkjet printer to receive print media from a media input tray and to deliver printed media to a media output tray via a media feed path extending between the pagewidth printhead and the capping element. The print controller board is pivotally received in the cradle to pivot into and out of contact with the corresponding electrical contacts of the inkjet cartridge in response to the actuation of a cover assembly for covering the cradle unit. | 04-29-2010 |
20100118087 | Printhead With Flex PCB Bent Between Contacts And Printhead IC - A printhead is provided for an inkjet printer that has a print engine controller for receiving print data and sending it to the printhead. The printhead has a printhead IC for ejecting ink and a support structure for mounting the printhead IC in the printer adjacent a paper path. The printhead IC is mounted on a face of the support structure that, in use, faces the paper path. A flexible printed circuit board (flex PCB) that has contacts for receiving print data mounted to the support structure on a face that does not face the paper path. The bent section reduces the likelihood of trace cracking by holding the flex PCB at a set radius rather than allowing the flex to follow an irregular curve and thereby risking localized points of high stress on the traces. | 05-13-2010 |
20100123766 | PRIMING SYSTEM FOR PAGEWIDTH PRINT CARTRIDGE - An ink priming system for a cartridge includes a priming inlet provided on a pagewidth printhead assembly, the priming inlet including a valve incorporating an elastomeric seal; an ink flow passage providing fluid connection between the pagewidth printhead assembly and an ink storage compartment of the cartridge, the ink flow passage terminating at the ink storage compartment to form an ink outlet; an ink filter provided across the ink outlet; a vent hole defined through a surface of the ink storage compartment, the vent hole being defined through a surface opposite the ink outlet; and an ink retaining member provided within the ink storage compartment for receiving and storing ink, the ink retaining member being interposed between the ink outlet and the vent hole. Ink is supplied to the priming inlet of the pagewidth printhead assembly to flow from the pagewidth printhead assembly into the ink storage compartment via the ink flow passage and across the ink filter. The ink received via the ink flow passage primes both the printhead assembly and the ink retaining member of each ink storage compartment with ink substantially simultaneously. | 05-20-2010 |
20100128094 | Print Engine With A Refillable Printer Cartridge And Ink Refill Port - A print engine for a printhead assembly includes a refillable cartridge having a body defining a plurality of fluid chambers, the body having a lid assembly with a plurality of ink refill ports leading to respective fluid chambers, the lid assembly having an actuator to actuate a refill unit; a number of micro-electromechanical nozzle arrangements configured to operatively eject printing fluid onto a printing medium; and a fluid distribution member operatively arranging the nozzle arrangements in fluid communication with respective fluid chambers. The lid assembly engages with the refill unit to actuate the refill unit. The refill unit includes an outlet adapted to engage with the plurality of ink refill ports, a fluid reservoir, and an ejector assembly configured to incrementally eject fluid from the reservoir when the ejector assembly is actuated by the actuator during operative engagement of the print cartridge by the lid assembly. Each fluid chamber includes a stack of polymer layers with a micro-capillary array of channels formed therein to form an absorbent assembly within the fluid chamber. | 05-27-2010 |
20100134577 | Inkjet Printhead With Pressure Pulse Priming - An inkjet printer that has a printhead with an array of ink ejection nozzles, an upstream ink line for connecting the printhead to an ink supply, a downstream ink line for connecting the printhead to a sump, a pump in the downstream ink line for drawing fluid out of the printhead, a gas inlet in communication with the printhead, the gas inlet being configured to open to atmosphere during a printhead de-priming operation, and close to atmosphere during a printhead priming operation and, an accumulator positioned in the upstream ink line for generating a positive pressure pulse for priming the printhead. | 06-03-2010 |
20100149230 | PRINTHEAD CARTRIDGE CRADLE HAVING CONTROL CIRCUITRY - A printhead cartridge cradle is provided having a frame, a printed circuit board pivotally supported by the frame, a cover pivotally supported by the frame to pivot between a closed position at which a printhead cartridge is secured within the frame and the printed circuit board is pivoted to connect control circuitry on the printed circuit board with a controller of the secured cartridge and an open position at which access for the cartridge with the frame is provided and the printed circuit board is pivoted to disconnect the control circuitry and controller, and a motor operatively connected to a maintenance gear and actuator arrangement and a wiper gear and actuator arrangement for maintaining and wiping a printhead of the secured cartridge under control of the connected control circuitry. | 06-17-2010 |
20100149294 | INKJET PRINTER WITH ELONGATE NOZZLE ARRAY SUPPLIED THROUGH PULSE DAMPED CONDUITS - An inkjet printer that has an elongate array of nozzles for ejecting ink, a plurality of ejection actuators, each configured to eject ink through one of the nozzles respectively, a plurality of ink conduits aligned with a longitudinal extent of the elongate array of nozzles, the ink conduits extending adjacent the elongate array for supplying the array of nozzles with ink and, a plurality of pulse dampers positioned along each of the ink conduits, each pulse damper being individually in fluid communication with one of the ink conduits and each containing a volume of gas for compression by pressure pulses in the ink conduits. A pressure pulse moving through an elongate printheads, such as a pagewidth printhead, can be damped at any point in the ink flow line. However, the pulse will cause nozzle flooding as it passes the nozzles in the printhead integrated circuit, regardless of whether it is subsequently dissipated at the damper. By incorporating a number of pulse dampers into the ink supply conduits immediately next to the nozzle array, any pressure spikes are damped at the site where they would otherwise cause detrimental flooding. | 06-17-2010 |
20100165037 | PRINT CARTRDGE CRADLE UNIT INCORPORATING MAINTENANCE ASSEMBLY - A cradle unit for receiving a print cartridge to form a print engine, the cradle unit includes a main body defining an opening for receiving said cartridge, the main body having a frame structure including end plates with drive and exit rollers mounted therebetween; a printed circuit board (PCB) pivotally mounted between the end plates for housing control electronics for controlling the operation of the print engine; a cover assembly for securing said cartridge in the opening, the cover assembly pivotally mounted between the end plates, the cover assembly configured to pivot the PCB into electrical contact with a printhead controller on the cartridge when in a closed position, and to pivot the PCB out of electrical connection with said printhead controller when in an open position; and a maintenance assembly mounted to the main body, the maintenance assembly movable between a capping state where a printhead of the print cartridge is capped, and a printing stage where a printhead of the print cartridge is uncapped. | 07-01-2010 |
20100165059 | DISPENSER UNIT FOR REFILLING PRINTING UNIT - A dispenser unit for dispensing ink to refill a supply of printing fluid in a printing unit includes a body assembly; a plurality of ink outlets provided on a bottom side of the body assembly, the plurality of ink outlets each for engaging with respective ink inlets of the printing unit; a compressible ink storage volume provided within the body assembly, the compressible ink storage volume having a sealed end and an outlet end connected to no more than one of the plurality of ink outlets; a plunger provided within the housing and abutting the sealed end of the compressible ink storage volume; and a compressing actuator for compressing the plunger against the sealed end of the compressible ink storage volume, thereby facilitating a dispensing of ink from within the compressible ink storage volume into the printing unit via the ink outlet to which the outlet end of the compressible ink storage volume is connected. | 07-01-2010 |
20100171800 | INK STORAGE MODULE WITH DISPLACEABLE UPPER AND LOWER PLATES AND DISPLACEABLE UPPER AND LOWER COLLARS - An ink storage module for a printer cartridge includes upper and lower plate members and an ink bag located between the upper and lower plate members to define an ink volume, said lower plate member displaceable towards and away from the upper plate member; a bag constrictor assembly having an upper collar, a lower collar, and a plurality of bowed panels extending between the upper and lower collar, the upper collar being displaceable towards the lower collar; a lid to which the upper plate member is fixedly attached, the lid having a first port and a second port both in fluid communication with the ink bag; and a valve insert located between the lid and the ink bag, said valve insert having an inlet valve and an outlet valve arranged in fluid communication with respective first and second ports in the lid, the inlet valve facilitating refilling of the bag with ink, and the outlet valve to facilitate ink delivery to the printhead. The bowed panels bow inwardly onto the ink bag when the upper collar is displaced towards the lower collar. | 07-08-2010 |
20100182372 | INKJET PRINT ENGINE HAVING PRINTER CARTRIDGE INCORPORATING MAINTENANCE ASSEMBLY AND CRADLE UNIT INCORPORATING MAINTENANCE DRIVE ASSEMBLY - An inkjet print engine includes a printer cartridge having an elongate body and a pair of mounting posts provided at either end of the elongate body, the printer cartridge further and defining a plurality of partitions; an ink storage module assembly having a row of ink storage modules interleaved with the partitions; a printhead assembly mounted to the elongate body and including at least one ink ejection integrated circuit (IC) connected to receive ink from the ink storage modules; an elongate maintenance assembly mounted between the posts and configured to cap and clean the IC; a cradle unit for removably receiving the printer cartridge; and a maintenance drive assembly mounted to the cradle unit for actuating against the maintenance assembly to facilitate cleaning of the IC. | 07-22-2010 |
20100182387 | RESERVOIR ASSEMBLY FOR SUPPLYING FLUID TO PRINTHEAD - A fluid reservoir assembly for supplying fluid to a printhead is provided. The assembly has a reservoir compartment in fluid communication with fluid channels for supplying the fluid to the printhead via a fluid outlet, the reservoir compartment having an air vent and a bypass fluid path interconnecting the fluid outlet and a well region within the compartment, and a valve in the bypass fluid path for priming the reservoir compartment with fluid via the bypass fluid path. | 07-22-2010 |
20100194831 | REFILL UNIT FOR INCREMENTAL MILLILITRE FLUID REFILL - A refill unit for a fluid container is providing. The refill unit has a housing defining a fluid path in fluid communication with an outlet and configured to be operatively engaged with the fluid container, a fluid reservoir having an ejection port arranged in fluid communication with the fluid path inside the housing, and an ejector assembly configured to incrementally eject between 6 ml and 50 ml per increment of fluid from the reservoir when the assembly is actuated by operative engagement of the fluid container with the housing. | 08-05-2010 |
20100194832 | REFILL UNIT FOR INCREMENTALLY FILLING FLUID CONTAINER - A refill unit for a fluid container is provided. The unit has a housing defining a fluid path in fluid communication with an outlet and configured to be operatively engaged with the fluid container, a fluid reservoir having an ejection port arranged in fluid communication with the fluid path inside the housing, and an ejector assembly having a piston and cylinder reservoir, said piston having a thread which engages a screw thread in an internal wall of the cylinder, the piston rotationally biased by a wound spring and the ejector assembly having a pawl-and-ratchet detent preventing the biased piston threading into the reservoir until the pawl is actuated by operative engagement of the fluid container with the housing to incrementally eject fluid from | 08-05-2010 |
20100194833 | REFILL UNIT FOR FLUID CONTAINER - A refill unit for a fluid container is provided. The unit has a housing defining a fluid path in fluid communication with an outlet and configured to be operatively engaged with the fluid container, a fluid reservoir having an ejection port arranged in fluid communication with the fluid path inside the housing, and a plunger having a toothed thread which engages with a screw thread provided in an internal wall of the housing, the ejector having a drive gear so that actuation of the drive gear imparts rotation to the toothed thread so as to rotate the plunger within the screw thread of the housing to incrementally eject fluid from the fluid reservoir when the drive gear is actuated by operative engagement of the fluid container with the housing. | 08-05-2010 |
20100207999 | PAGEWIDTH PRINTHEAD ASSEMBLY WITH INK AND DATA DISTRIBUTION - A pagewidth printhead assembly for an inkjet printer, that has an elongate ink distribution member mounted with a series of inlets spaced along the length of the elongate ink distribution member, one or more integrated circuits fixed to the ink distribution member, the or each integrated circuit having nozzles for ejecting ink supplied by the distribution member onto a passing media substrate, and an electrical connector for transmitting data to the or each integrated circuit, the electrical connector having an elongate array of contacts for electrical connection with a corresponding array of contacts on the inkjet printer. | 08-19-2010 |
20100208012 | REFILL UNIT FOR AN INK STORAGE COMPARTMENT CONNECTED TO A PRINTHEAD THROUGH AN OUTLET VALVE - A refill unit for refilling an ink storage compartment for a printhead assembly. The ink storage compartment is fluidically connected to the printhead assembly via an outlet valve. The refill unit a variable volume container for holding a quantity of ink and a valve actuator for closing the outlet valve as the refill unit engages the ink storage compartment. | 08-19-2010 |
20100214382 | PRINTHEAD CARTRIDGE VALVE ASSEMBLY WITH DIAPHRAGM PRESSURE REGULATOR - A valve assembly for a printhead cartridge includes an inlet valve for engaging with an outlet valve of an ink cartridge, the inlet valve having a conical structure defining an inlet opening at a top thereof; a valve seat defined on an inner surface of the conical structure; a depressible valve member provided within the inlet valve, the depressible valve member being normally biased against the valve seat to form therewith a fluidic seal; a skirt engaging portion defined on the inner surface of the conical structure above the valve seat, the skirt engaging portion for engaging a resilient skirt of the ink cartridge, and a pressure regulator provided below the depressible valve member, the pressure regulator having a diaphragm and a regulator inlet defined through the diaphragm, the regulator inlet for facilitating flow of ink from a valve-side of the diaphragm to a printhead-side. The skirt engaging portion is dimensioned to engage the resilient skirt of the ink cartridge simultaneously with an engagement of a valve stem of the ink cartridge with the depressible valve member. | 08-26-2010 |
20100225703 | PRINTHEAD ASSEMBLY WITH MULTIPLE PRINTHEAD MODULES AND PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS IN SINGLE CASING - A printhead assembly that has a casing with a series of module mounting sites, printed circuit board mounting sites and busbar support formations. A printhead module is mounted to each module mounting site respectively. Each printhead module has a printhead integrated circuit (IC). A plurality of printed circuit boards control the printhead IC's, one of the printed circuit boards being fixed to each of the printed circuit board mounting sites respectively. Busbars are secured in the busbar support formations for receiving data and power from the printed circuit boards. The printhead modules are electrically connected to the busbars to provide the printhead integrated circuits with power and data. | 09-09-2010 |
20100225705 | PRINTHEAD ASSEMBLY HAVING MODULAR PRINTHEAD TILE SUPPORT STRUCTURE WITH INTEGRATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLIES - A printhead assembly includes a printhead module having at least first and second modular printhead tiles, the first printhead tile having a first set of connection strips, and the second printhead tile having a second set of connection strips; an electrical connector assembly for electrically connecting the first and second printhead tiles, the electrical connector assembly having printed on a surface thereof a plurality of conducting strips; and first and second modular supports arranged end to end for respectively receiving the first and second printhead tiles, the first and second modular supports shaped to complementarily define a first cavity portion therebetween. The first printhead tile is received in the first modular support such that the first set of connection strips extend over the cavity portion. The second printhead tile is received in the second modular support such that the second set of electrical connection strips extend over the cavity portion. The electrical connector assembly is received in the cavity portion such that the conducting strips are in electrical contact with the first and second set of electrical connection strips. | 09-09-2010 |
20100225714 | REFILL UNIT HAVING FLUID STORAGE ACTUATORS - A refill unit is provided for refilling a fluid storage compartment of a printer. The refill unit has a body containing fluid, and a plurality of actuators defined in the body for actuating a constrictor of the storage compartment as the refill unit engages with the storage compartment and deactivating the constrictor as the refill unit disengages from the storage compartment. The constrictor constricts a flexible wall of the storage compartment. | 09-09-2010 |
20100253737 | PRINTHEAD MAINTENANCE ASSEMBLY FOR INKJET PRINTER - A printhead maintenance assembly for an inkjet printer includes a movable chassis arranged in a housing; an endless belt mounted on the chassis, the endless belt having a contact surface reciprocally movable between a first position in which the contact surface is engaged with the printhead and a second position in which the contact surface is disengaged from the printhead; a pair of spools mounted on the chassis and on which the belt is mounted, one of the spools being a toothed drive spool and the other being an idler spool; a drive gear driven by a drive motor and engaged with the drive spool, the drive gear, the drive spool, and the drive motor forming a conveyor mechanism for conveying the belt in a direction substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the printhead; and a cleaning station mounted on the chassis and positioned to clean the belt as the belt moves past. The contact surface is sloped with respect to the printhead | 10-07-2010 |
20100253739 | DUPLEX PRINTER ASSEMBLY HAVING CAPPING PRINTHEADS - A printer assembly for a pagewidth printer includes a casing defining a print media path; two pagewidth printheads mounted on opposite sides, respectively, of a print media path defined by the casing; capping members located adjacent respective printheads, each capping member inclined at a predetermined acute angle to a direction of travel of the print media through said path; and actuating mechanisms engaged with the printheads to rotate the printheads to the predetermined angle, and to move each capping member towards the respective printhead to cap nozzle arrangements located on printing zones of the printheads. The actuating mechanisms move each capping member along a path parallel to the print media path. | 10-07-2010 |
20100271421 | MAINTENANCE ASSEMBLY FOR PAGEWIDTH PRINTHEAD - A maintenance assembly for a pagewidth printer mounted between posts of a main body of the printer and positioned adjacent a printhead assembly of the printer includes a maintenance chassis defining tongue portions and having ends shaped to fit over the posts of the main body to secure the maintenance assembly in position; a retainer element operatively engaging the chassis; and a lower molding and an upper molding operatively fast with each other to sandwich an absorbent insert between them, the moldings in turn sandwiched between the chassis and retainer element, the maintenance assembly for wiping the printhead of the printer. The lower maintenance molding is made from a plastic material and forms a body having closed ends and an open top, the ends of the lower maintenance molding defining air vents to facilitate ventilation of the maintenance assembly. | 10-28-2010 |
20100271422 | PRINTER HAVING MECHANISM FOR ARCUATE CAPPER MOVEMENT - A printer is provided having printheads for printing on opposite faces of print media, cappers for capping the printheads, and a transport mechanism for moving the cappers from respective non-capping positions to respective capping positions in an arcuate direction that is approximately normal to the printheads as the capping positions are approached. | 10-28-2010 |
20100277546 | MODULAR PRINTHEAD ASSEMBLY WITH CONNECTOR ARRANGMENT - A printhead assembly has a plurality of printhead modules, each with a plurality of printhead integrated circuits (ICs). The printhead modules also have a print engine controller for controlling the operation of the plurality of printhead ICs. An elongate support frame supports the printhead modules and a connector arrangement is supported by the end plate. The connector has a pair of holes, a first connector extending from the body portion between the holes and a second connector configured to engage with the holes. | 11-04-2010 |
20100277547 | PRINTHEAD ASSEMBLY HAVING A CASING PART FOR SUPPORTING PRINTHEAD MODULES - A printhead assembly is disclosed. The printhead assembly includes at least one printhead module having at least two printhead integrated circuits, a drive electronics part incorporating at least one controller for controlling the printing operation of at least one of the at least two printhead integrated circuits, and a casing part for supporting the drive electronics part and the at least one printhead module. The casing part incorporates a clamping arrangement for removably clamping the at least one printhead module to the casing part. The clamping arrangement allows movement of the at least one printhead module relative to the casing during operation of the printhead assembly. | 11-04-2010 |
20100277556 | PRINT ENGINE WITH INK STORAGE MODULES INCORPORATING COLLAPSIBLE BAGS - A print engine for an inkjet printer unit includes a cradle unit and a replaceable cartridge unit to be releasably received within the cradle unit. The cartridge unit includes an elongate body defining a row of cavities; an ink storage module assembly including a plurality of ink storage modules received within the cavities, each ink storage module including a collapsible ink storage bag extending between a pair of plates; and a printhead assembly mounted to the body and including an ink ejection integrated circuit (IC) connected to receive ink from the ink storage modules. Each ink storage module further includes a biasing means configured to bias the plates apart so that the bag expands and thereby maintains ink within the bag at negative pressure. | 11-04-2010 |
20100277559 | PRINTER WITH HIGH FLOWRATE INK FILTER - An inkjet printer that has a filter with a chamber divided into an upstream section and a downstream section by a filter membrane. An inlet conduit establishes fluid communication between an ink supply and the upstream section. An outlet conduit establishes fluid communication between the downstream section and a printhead. During use at least part of the inlet conduit is elevated relative to the filter membrane. By elevating the inlet conduit relative to the filter membrane, it acts as a bubble trap to retain bubbles that would otherwise obstruct the filter. This allows the filter size to be reduced for a more compact overall design. | 11-04-2010 |
20100283817 | PRINTER PRINT ENGINE WITH CRADLED CARTRIDGE UNIT - A print engine for a printer unit includes a cradle unit including a print engine controller provided on flex printed circuit board, and a cover assembly for covering a recess defined by the cradle; a replaceable cartridge unit received within the recess of the cradle unit in a releasable manner, the replaceable cartridge having a body, an ink storage module assembly, and a pagewidth printhead assembly; and a print media transport means for transporting print media. The ink storage module assembly includes a plurality of ink storage modules received in the body from a first side, and the pagewidth printhead assembly is mounted to the body at a second side opposite the first side. The cover assembly is engaged with the flex printed circuit board to pivot the flex printed circuit board in and out of electrical engagement with the pagewidth printhead assembly upon closing and opening of the cover assembly with respect to the recess. | 11-11-2010 |
20110025787 | PRINTHEAD SUPPORT STRUCTURE WITH CAVITIES FOR PULSE DAMPING - A printhead for an inkjet printer is disclosed. The printhead has one or more a printhead integrated circuits (ICs) with an array of nozzles for ejecting ink. A support structure of the printhead supports the printhead ICs. The support structure has ink conduits for supplying the array of nozzles with ink. Each ink conduit includes cavities distributed along a roof of the ink conduit. An opening to each respective cavity has an upstream edge and a downstream edge. The upstream edge contacts the ink before the downstream edge during initial priming of the ink conduits from an ink supply. The upstream edge has a transition face between the ink conduit and the cavity interior. The transition face is configured to inhibit ink from filling the cavity by capillary action during initial priming of the ink conduit. This causes gas to be trapped within the cavity. The gas acts to compress pressure pulses in the ink. | 02-03-2011 |
20110316944 | PRINTHEAD CARTRIDGE FOR RELEASABLE MOUNTING IN A PRINTER - A printhead cartridge for releasable mounting in a printer. The printhead cartridge includes a pagewidth printhead and an ink manifold defining multiple fluid flow paths in fluid communication with respective ink channels in the printhead. The ink manifold includes a plurality of openings for detachable connection with conduits in an interface of the printer; a plurality of shut off valves at each of the openings respectively, each shut off valve having a biasing member configured for biasing each shut off valve into an open position; an actuator biased towards a closed position by a resilient element such that the actuator holds all the shut off valves closed when in the closed position. The actuator is configured for engagement with the interface such that movement of the openings into connection with the interface simultaneously moves the actuator to an open position wherein the shut off valves are held open. | 12-29-2011 |
20120056934 | PRINTER HAVING PRINTHEAD PURGING MEMBERS - A printer is provided having duplex printheads arranged in a printing position on opposite sides of a print media path, two purging members each inclined at a predetermined angle to the print media path, tubes connecting the purging members with a suction pump, and a displacement mechanism configured to displace the printheads between the printing position and a purging position at which the printheads are located at the predetermined angle adjacent the purging members. | 03-08-2012 |
20120056941 | PRINTHEAD HAVING FLUID SUPPLY THROUGH SEALING FILM - A printhead is provided having a printhead integrated circuit having ejection nozzles and fluid channels for supplying fluid to the nozzles, a support structure supporting the integrated circuit, the support structure having conduits for supplying fluid to the channels, and a sealing film fixing the integrated circuit to the support structure. The sealing film has apertures providing sealed fluid communication between the conduits and the channels. The channels are divided into isolated channel sections by walls. Each aperture of the sealing film is positioned at one of the walls so as to provide fluid communication to both of the channel sections either side of the respective wall. | 03-08-2012 |
20120062664 | INK CARTRIDGE WITH HIGH FLOW RATE SUPPLY TO PRINTHEAD - An ink cartridge supplies an inkjet printhead by forming a sealed engagement with an inlet on the printhead. The ink cartridge has an ink storage volume, an outlet opening in fluid communication with the ink storage volume, an outlet valve for connection to an inlet on the inkjet printhead, the outlet valve having a radially extending flange portion fixed within the outlet opening and, an annular skirt of resilient material extending from the outlet opening to the flange portion. The resilient material elastically biases part of the annular skirt into sealing engagement with the flange portion to close the outlet valve. Engagement with the inlet on the printhead during installation of the ink cartridge, compresses the annular skirt to open the outlet valve such that ink flows from the ink storage volume around the radially extending flange portion to the printhead. | 03-15-2012 |
20130169714 | PRINTHEAD ASSEMBLY HAVING ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR TRANSMITTING POWER AND DATA - A cartridge for a printer is provided having a body defining a number of fluid reservoirs, a lid covering the body to seal fluid inside the reservoirs, and a printhead operatively fed with fluid from the reservoirs. A base of each reservoir is provided with a raised portion which surrounds a fluid outlet through which fluid flows for supply to the printhead. Each raised portion being moulded in the body to separate the outlet from the base of each reservoir to ensure a sufficient flow rate of fluid from the reservoir. | 07-04-2013 |
20130182039 | INKJET PRINTER WITH WEB FEED MAINTENANCE ASSEMBLY - An inkjet printer includes: (a) a pagewidth inkjet printhead having a plurality of nozzles for delivering ink onto print media fed past the printhead; and (b) a maintenance assembly for maintaining the printhead. The maintenance assembly includes: (i) an elongate web of material; (ii) rollers for supporting the web; (iii) a maintenance member positioned opposite the printhead; (iv) a web-feeding mechanism for advancing the web past the printhead; and (v) an actuating mechanism for configuring the printer in either one of a maintenance position and a printing position. A gap is defined between the web and the printhead in the printing position. | 07-18-2013 |
20130215199 | PRINTHEAD INTEGRATED CIRCUIT HAVING FRONTSIDE INLET CHANNELS AND BACKSIDE INK SUPPLY CHANNELS - Provided is a cartridge unit for a printer. The cartridge unit has upper and lower plate members having an ink bag located between the plate members to define an ink volume. The plate members can be displaced towards and away from each other by an external force. A bag constrictor assembly engages the plate members and is configured to act on the bag when the plate members are displaced towards each other to reduce the ink volume. A valve insert has an inlet valve to facilitate refilling of the bag with ink and an outlet valve to facilitate ink delivery to a printhead. A filter cover is positioned between the valve insert and the ink bag to filter contaminants and air bubbles passing between the ink bag and said valve insert. | 08-22-2013 |