Abstract: An inkjet printer includes an inkjet printhead having a printhead die with an array of nozzles, and a media advance system for moving recording medium along a media path toward a print region. A carriage moves the inkjet printhead back and forth across the print region, and the carriage includes a holding receptacle for the inkjet printhead. The holding receptacle includes a bottom portion having an opening into which the printhead die extends. A viewing hole is disposed in the bottom portion of the holding receptacle for providing an optical pathway between an optical sensor and a portion of the media path. A wick is configured to contact the bottom portion of the holding receptacle proximate the viewing hole for removing accumulated ink.

Abstract: A duplexing unit for reversing an orientation of a sheet in an imaging apparatus, the duplexing unit includes: an outer member including an inner surface; an inner member that is housed within the outer member, the inner member including an outer surface, wherein a duplexing path is provided between the inner surface of the outer member and the outer surface of the inner member, and wherein the inner surface of the outer member has a kinetic coefficient of friction that is between 0.05 and 0.30.

Abstract: A duplexing unit for reversing an orientation of a sheet in an imaging apparatus, the duplexing unit includes an outer member including an inner surface; and an inner member that is housed within the outer member, the inner member including: a stationary structural element having an outer surface with a radius of curvature; and a freely rotatable element having a radius that is larger than the radius of curvature of the stationary structural element, wherein a duplexing path is provided between the inner surface of the outer member and a contact surface of the freely rotatable element.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes an inkjet printhead having a printhead die with an array of nozzles, and a media advance system for moving recording medium along a media path toward a print region. A carriage moves the inkjet printhead back and forth across the print region, and the carriage includes a holding receptacle for the inkjet printhead. The holding receptacle includes a bottom portion having an opening into which the printhead die extends. A viewing hole is disposed in the bottom portion of the holding receptacle for providing an optical pathway between an optical sensor and a portion of the media path. A wick is configured to contact the bottom portion of the holding receptacle proximate the viewing hole for removing accumulated ink.

Abstract: A carriage printer includes a printhead; a carriage guide disposed along a carriage scan direction, the carriage guide including a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a carriage for transporting the printhead along the carriage scan direction across the print region, the carriage including a bearing surface that is configured to contact the carriage guide as the carriage transports the printhead; a plurality of carriage guide supports each including a support surface, the plurality of carriage guide supports including a first carriage guide support disposed proximate the first end; a second carriage guide support disposed proximate the second end; and a third carriage guide support disposed between the first carriage guide support and the second carriage guide support; a first biasing force applied in a bias direction proximate the first end; and a second biasing force applied in the bias direction proximate the second end.

Abstract: A carriage printer includes a printhead; a carriage guide disposed along a carriage scan direction, the carriage guide including a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a carriage for transporting the printhead along the carriage scan direction across the print region, the carriage including a bearing surface that is configured to contact the carriage guide as the carriage transports the printhead; a plurality of carriage guide supports each including a support surface, the plurality of carriage guide supports including a first carriage guide support disposed proximate the first end; a second carriage guide support disposed proximate the second end; and a third carriage guide support disposed between the first carriage guide support and the second carriage guide support; a first biasing force applied in a bias direction proximate the first end; and a second biasing force applied in the bias direction proximate the second end.

Abstract: A method of advancing successive sheets of media by providing a gear and a pick roller configured to rotate independently between a first and a second relative orientation; advancing a first sheet at a first advance speed to an intermediate roller by driving the gear to rotate the pick roller with the gear and the pick roller oriented at the first relative orientation; advancing the first sheet at a greater advance speed by rotating the intermediate roller, thereby orienting the gear and the pick roller in the second relative orientation; advancing the first sheet until the pick roller is in contact with a second sheet; driving the gear while the pick roller remains stationary until the gear and the pick roller are oriented in the first relative orientation; and advancing the second sheet at the first advance speed by driving the gear to rotate the pick roller.