Abstract: A printer carriage has a chute for removably holding a print cartridge, and includes a set of datums on a forward portion of the chute for positioning the print cartridge. A spring-loaded clamp is movable by a handle between an open position which allows easy insertion and withdrawal of the print cartridge from the chute, and a closed position which applies a clamping force against a back wall of the print cartridge. The clamping force is preferably applied in both a forward and downward direction against a lower portion of the back wall to securely hold the print cartridge in the chute against the datums, and to provide conductive contact through a plurality of electrical interconnects between the carriage and the print cartridge. A method of installation and removal of a print cartridge employs access along a primarily vertical path through an open top of the chute.

Abstract: A transaction printing device having a base with a width dimension of no greater than about 6.5 inches includes a printhead cartridge stall coupled to the base and mounted for rectilinear movement along a path of travel along the width dimension of the printing device. The stall supports from below a printhead cartridge to facilitate the ejecting of ink onto a transaction receipt having a width dimension of about 3 inches. The printhead cartridge has a generally box like shape with a front wall member having an integrally connected outwardly projecting for defining a pair of printhead linear translation reversing spaces adjacent the front wall member to facilitate reversing the linear translation of the printhead cartridge to print the transaction receipt. The method of printing the transaction receipt includes moving the printhead cartridge and a printhead wiper relative to one another in one direction along a rectilinear path of travel of substantially less than 6.

Abstract: A transaction printing device includes a printhead cartridge having an integrally formed wiper cleaning station and printhead. The wiper cleaning station is positioned so as to engage a wiper as the cleaning station travels and includes a pair of recessed wiper debris collectors. Each of the debris collectors opens into a corresponding debris accumulation channel to facilitate accumulating removed wiper debris with the debris collectors.

Abstract: A printer carriage has a chute for removably holding a print cartridge, and includes a set of datums on a forward portion of the chute for positioning the print cartridge. A spring-loaded clamp is movable by a handle between an open position which allows easy insertion and withdrawal of the print cartridge from the chute, and a closed position which applies a clamping force against a back wall of the print cartridge. The clamping force is preferably applied in both a forward and downward direction against a lower portion of the back wall to securely hold the print cartridge in the chute against the datums, and to provide conductive contact through a plurality of electrical interconnects between the carriage and the print cartridge. A method of installation and removal of a print cartridge employs access along a primarily vertical path through an open top of the chute.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a wiper in which a printhead cartridge having an integral wiper cleaning station is moved in opposite directions along a path of travel, whereby a stationary wiper is scraped across wiping surfaces of the cleaning station. The wiper does not contact the printhead cartridge when the wiper is positioned over parts of the cleaning station sandwiching a printhead on the printhead cartridge so that the wiper is out of contact with the cleaning station when printhead cartridge reverses direction.

Abstract: A transaction printing device having a base with a width dimension of no greater than about 6.5 inches includes a printhead cartridge stall coupled to the base and mounted for rectilinear movement along a path of travel along the width dimension of the printing device. The stall supports from below a printhead cartridge to facilitate the ejecting of ink onto a transaction receipt having a width dimension of about 3 inches. The printhead cartridge has a generally box like shape with a front wall member having an integrally connected outwardly projecting for defining a pair of printhead linear translation reversing spaces adjacent the front wall member to facilitate reversing the linear translation of the printhead cartridge to print the transaction receipt. The method of printing the transaction receipt includes moving the printhead cartridge and a printhead wiper relative to one another in one direction along a rectilinear path of travel of substantially less than 6.

Abstract: A printhead cartridge has a generally box like shape, a recessed channel area on which a printhead is mounted, and an integrally formed wiper cleaning station. The wiper cleaning station includes a pair of spaced apart cleaning surfaces on right and left sidewalls for engaging a wiper, a pair of debris accumulation plateaus, and right and left recessed debris collectors which sandwich the recessed channel area and which are disposed below corresponding ones of the plateaus. The printhead cooperates with the right and left side walls to form right and left debris accumulation channels which extend into the right and left recessed debris collectors. A pair of spaced apart cutout areas are provided for allowing the wiper to disengage from the wiper cleaning station when the printhead stops and reverses its direction.

Abstract: A transaction printing device includes a printhead cartridge having an integrally formed wiper cleaning station and printhead. The wiper cleaning station is positioned so as to engage a wiper as the cleaning station travels and includes a pair of recessed wiper debris collectors. Each of the debris collectors opens into a corresponding debris accumulation channel to facilitate accumulating removed wiper debris with the debris collectors.

Abstract: A transaction printing device having a base with a width dimension of no greater than about 6.5 inches includes a printhead cartridge stall coupled to the base and mounted for rectilinear movement along a path of travel along the width dimension of the printing device. The stall supports from below a printhead cartridge to facilitate the ejecting of ink onto a transaction receipt having a width dimension of about 3 inches. The printhead cartridge has a generally box like shape with a front wall member having an integrally connected outwardly projecting for defining a pair of printhead linear translation reversing spaces adjacent the front wall member to facilitate reversing the linear translation of the printhead cartridge to print the transaction receipt. The method of printing the transaction receipt includes moving the printhead cartridge and a printhead wiper relative to one another in one direction along a rectilinear path of travel of substantially less than 6.

Abstract: The present invention provides a disposable printhead cartridge having an integrated inkjet printhead and wiper debris collector for printing and servicing a transaction printing device.

Abstract: A replaceable inkjet printhead cartridge with ink and residue collectors thereon which use capillary channels to retain ink and residue wiped from the printhead orifice plate by a resilient wiper blade at a service station at one end of the path of travel of the printhead carriage. Some of the capillary channels are formed between spaced fins which engage the wiper blade. The fins have edges that terminate in a plane spaced from the front edge of the orifice plate in a direction to prevent the wiper blade from engaging a sharp side edge of the orifice plate. Capillary breaks are provided at desired locations to prevent removed ink and residue from migrating to undesired areas on the printhead such as electrical contact areas or pads. The printhead cartridge conveniently allows removal of dried ink and residue from the printer when replacing the cartridge.