Abstract: A method of inkjet printing includes the steps of: (i) delivering ink to a printhead manifold having a longitudinal ink channel, one or printhead chips mounted to a floor of the printhead manifold and in fluid communication with the longitudinal ink channel, and a plurality of sealed air cavities positioned over the longitudinal ink channel for dampening pressure fluctuations in the ink; (ii) printing from the printhead chips; and (iii) replenishing the air cavities with air.

Abstract: A print module including: a cradle having a longitudinal cavity; an elongate printhead assembly positioned in the longitudinal cavity; and a supply assembly slidably movable relative to the cradle along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the printhead assembly, the supply assembly having one or more ink couplings for fluidic connection to a printhead of the printhead assembly. The cradle includes a fixed limiter configured for abutment with a reaction plate of the printhead assembly so as to limit movement of the printhead assembly during movement of the supply assembly away from the printhead assembly.

Abstract: A print module including: a cradle having a longitudinal cavity; an elongate printhead carrier positioned in the longitudinal cavity, the printhead carrier having a first end and a second end, the printhead carrier being pivotable relative to the cradle about a pivot axis the second end; a supply assembly slidably movable relative to the cradle along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the printhead carrier, the supply assembly having ink couplings for fluidic connection to a printhead received in the printhead carrier; and a mechanical linkage interconnecting the first end of the printhead carrier and the supply assembly. Reciprocal movement of the supply assembly moves the printhead carrier between a tilted position and a non-tilted position.

Abstract: A print module includes: a cradle having a nest for receiving a printhead; an elongate printhead received in the nest; a supply assembly slidably movable relative to the cradle along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the printhead; and a lift mechanism for reciprocally lowering and raising the supply assembly towards and away from the printhead, the lift mechanism having a single actuator handle positioned at the first end of the cradle. Movement of the actuator handle causes engagement or disengagement between the printhead and the supply assembly via sliding movement of the supply module relative to the cradle.

Abstract: A print module includes: a cradle defining a longitudinal cavity and an access opening at a first end of the longitudinal cavity; a printhead carrier positioned in the longitudinal cavity, the printhead carrier comprising a longitudinal rail; and an elongate printhead having a longitudinal overhead hanger for complementary longitudinal sliding engagement with the rail. The printhead is removable from the cradle via longitudinal sliding movement of the printhead relative to the printhead carrier through the access opening.

Abstract: A print module includes: a cradle having a longitudinal cavity; an elongate printhead assembly positioned in the longitudinal cavity; a supply assembly slidably movable relative to the cradle along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the printhead assembly, the supply assembly including a PCB fastened to a PCB mounting plate having a resilient flange configured for clamping engagement with a portion of the PCB containing PCB contacts; and a slide plate slidably movable relative to the cradle along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the printhead assembly. The slide plate is configured for camming engagement with the resilient flange and sliding movement of the slide plate urges the resilient flange into clamping engagement with the portion of the PCB containing PCB contacts, thereby electrically connecting the PCB contacts with the printhead.

Abstract: A print module includes: a cradle having a nest for receiving a printhead; an elongate printhead received in the nest, the printhead having first and second ink ports at opposite longitudinal ends thereof; and a supply assembly slidably movable relative to the cradle along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the printhead. The supply assembly includes first and second ink couplings positioned for complementary engagement with the first and second ink ports of the printhead and a depressor positioned between the first and second ink couplings. The printhead has a portion configured for complementary engagement with the depressor, such that lowering of the supply assembly urges the printhead towards the nest via engagement of the depressor with the printhead.

Abstract: A print module includes: a printhead having ink ports and a row of printhead contacts; and a supply assembly slidably movable relative to the cradle along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the printhead. The supply assembly includes: ink couplings positioned for fluidic connection to the ink ports; and a PCB having a row of PCB contacts for electrical connection to the printhead contacts. A single actuator handle is configured for sequentially actuating electrical connection or disconnection in a first motion and actuating fluidic connection or disconnection in a second motion.

Abstract: A print module including: a cradle having a longitudinal cavity; an elongate printhead assembly positioned in the longitudinal cavity; a supply assembly slidably movable relative to the cradle along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the printhead assembly, the supply assembly being configured for supply of ink and/or electrical signals to a printhead of the printhead assembly; and a locking mechanism having a slide plate slidably movable relative to the cradle along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the printhead assembly. The slide plate has one or more keepers and each keeper is engageable with a locking pin projecting from the supply assembly.

Abstract: A print module includes: a cradle having a nest for receiving a printhead; an elongate printhead assembly received in the nest, the printhead assembly including a printhead having first and second ink ports at opposite longitudinal ends thereof; and a supply assembly slidably movable relative to the nest along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the printhead. The supply assembly includes first and second ink couplings fast with the supply assembly and connected to respective first and second ink ports. The print module is configured such that movement of the supply assembly disconnects the second ink coupling prior to disconnection of the first ink coupling.

Abstract: A print module includes: a cradle defining a longitudinal cavity; an elongate printhead received in the longitudinal cavity, the printhead having a row of printhead contacts; a PCB slidably movable relative to the cradle along a first axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the printhead; and an actuator handle. The actuator handle is configured for reciprocally lowering and raising the PCB and urging the PCB contacts into engagement with the printhead contacts, thereby forming electrical connections between the PCB and the printhead. The PCB electrical contacts are urged along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis and the longitudinal axis of the printhead.

Abstract: A print module includes: a cradle defining a longitudinal cavity and an access opening at a first end of the longitudinal cavity; an elongate printhead positioned in the longitudinal cavity; and a guide positioned at the access opening, the guide having an upper surface configured for guiding the printhead into the longitudinal cavity without contacting an ink ejection face of the printhead. The printhead is removable from the cradle via longitudinal sliding movement of the printhead through the access opening.

Abstract: A print engine includes: a chassis; a cradle attached to the chassis, the cradle defining a longitudinal cavity having an access opening at a first end thereof; an elongate printhead received in the longitudinal cavity via the access opening; and a wiper carriage configured for longitudinally wiping the printhead. The wiper carriage is parked at a second end of the cradle opposite the first end.

Abstract: A print module includes: a cradle defining a longitudinal cavity and an access opening at a first end of the longitudinal cavity; an elongate printhead carrier positioned in the longitudinal cavity, the printhead carrier being pivotable about a pivot axis at a second end of the cradle opposite the first end; and an elongate printhead longitudinally slidably engaged with the printhead carrier. The printhead is removable from the cradle via pivoting of the printhead carrier and longitudinally sliding the printhead relative to the printhead carrier through the access opening.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead including: an elongate fluid manifold having a base defining a plurality of fluid outlets; and printhead chips attached to the base, each printhead chip receiving printing fluid from a plurality of the fluid outlets. All fluid outlets are laterally flared towards a side of a respective printhead chip.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead including: an elongate fluid manifold having a base defining a plurality of fluid outlets; and printhead chips attached to the base, each printhead chip receiving printing fluid from a plurality of the fluid outlets. All fluid outlets are laterally flared towards a side of a respective printhead chip.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead includes an elongate fluid manifold having a base which includes a truss structure. The truss structure has webs extending between opposite chords, wherein a plurality of openings between the webs and the chords define fluid outlets. One or more printhead chips are attached to the webs of the truss structure with each printhead chip receiving printing fluid from a plurality of the fluid outlets.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead includes: an elongate fluid manifold including a longitudinally extending channel having a pair of opposite longitudinal sidewalls and a base defining a floor of the channel; a plurality of printhead chips bonded to the base of the fluid manifold, each printhead chip receiving ink from fluid outlets defined in the floor of the channel; and a plurality of transverse ribs extending across the channel between the sidewalls, each transverse rib extending upwardly from the floor of the channel.

Abstract: A multi-channel fluid coupling for a printhead includes: a body having a first channel and a second channel, the second channel being relatively longer than the first channel; a first inlet port and a first outlet port at opposite ends of the first channel; and a second inlet port and a second outlet port at opposite ends of the second channel. The first and second channels are configured for proportionally modulating a flow resistance of fluids flowing therethrough.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead includes: an elongate fluid manifold having a base which includes a truss structure, the truss structure having webs extending between opposite chords, wherein a plurality of openings between the webs and the chords define fluid outlets; a plurality of bracing ribs extending across an upper surface of the truss structure, each bracing rib being aligned with one of the webs; and printhead chips attached to a lower surface of the truss structure, each printhead chip receiving printing fluid from a plurality of the fluid outlets.