Abstract: An inkjet printhead including: an elongate fluid manifold having a base comprising a plurality of fluid delivery compartments, each compartment having a fluid outlet and a bubble-venting cavity; and one or more printhead chips attached to the base, each printhead chip receiving printing fluid from one or more fluid outlets. Each fluid outlet is aligned with a respective printhead chip and each bubble-venting cavity is offset from the respective printhead chip.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead includes: an elongate fluid manifold having a plurality of fluid outlets positioned longitudinally along a base of the fluid manifold; one or more printhead chips attached to the base of the fluid manifold, each printhead chip receiving printing fluid from one or more fluid outlets. Each fluid outlet is laterally flared towards a longitudinal edge of a respective printhead chip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a printhead assembly for a printer. The printhead assembly includes a mounting plate assembly for mounting to a chassis of the printer. An ink ejection printhead is mounted to the mounting plate assembly. A capping mechanism is mounted to the mounting plate assembly. The capping mechanism includes a capping member configured to cap the printhead. A carrier supports the capping member. An actuating mechanism is arranged to effect movement of the carrier back and forth between a first position at which the capping member is located remotely with respect to the printhead and a second position at which the capping member contacts the printhead.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cartridge unit assembly for a printer. The assembly includes a main body having a rectangular frame. An ink storage module assembly has ink storage modules. The rectangular frame has a number of compartments therein for operatively locating the ink storage modules. An ink outlet molding is fast with the main body, the molding having ink outlets corresponding to each of the ink storage modules. A printhead assembly has an ink distribution assembly in fluid communication with the ink storage modules. A printhead integrated circuit (IC) is located on the ink distribution assembly to receive ink. An air sleeve is configured to direct pressurized air from an air source across the IC.

Abstract: The invention provides for a printhead assembly configured to purge printheads of a printer. The assembly includes duplex printheads arranged opposite each other to define a print media feed gap between them, and two purging members each defining a purging chamber arranged in fluid communication with a suction pump. The assembly also includes actuating mechanisms configured to move the printheads to a purging position where the printheads are located adjacent the chambers so that the suction pump is able to remove material purged from said printheads.

Abstract: A cover assembly for a cradle unit of an inkjet printer having a body complementary to a removable inkjet cartridge of a type having a pagewidth printhead and an ink supply and a controller for controlling the operation of the printhead to facilitate printing. the cover assembly comprises: at least one port formed therein through which a refill unit is received for refilling the ink supply of the cartridge; and an actuator member arranged within the cover assembly which operates said refill unit to facilitate refilling of the ink supply of the cartridge.

Abstract: An ink refill cartridge for a printer comprising an outer portion containing an internal spring assembly. A base portion contains a deformable ink membrane for containing ink, at least part of the base portion able to be slidingly received within the outer portion, the internal spring assembly acting to compress the deformable ink membrane to expel ink therefrom as the at least part of the base portion is slidingly received within the outer portion by application of a force. An ink outlet is provided to dispense the ink expelled from the deformable ink membrane. The ink outlet is mated with an ink inlet of a printer.

Abstract: The invention provides for a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly for a pagewidth printer. The assembly includes a number of modular printhead controller PCBs each configured to control a respective modular printhead integrated circuit, and modular supports defining a raised portion and a recessed portion at an end thereof. Each PCB has electrical connecting strips which operatively overlie the respective recessed portions. The assembly also includes at least one connecting member for operatively connecting respective PCBs to each other, each connecting member having a series of parallel spaced conducting strips, said 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 PCBs via said conducting strips.

Abstract: The invention relates to a printer assembly for a pagewidth printer. The printer includes a casing that defines a print media path. Two pagewidth printheads are mounted on opposite sides of a print media path defined by a gap in said casing. Capping members are located adjacent respective printheads. Each capping member is inclined at a predetermined angle to a direction of travel of print media through said path. An actuating mechanism is configured to turn the printheads in an arcuate manner relative to the media path to the predetermined angle, and to move each capping member rectilinearly towards the respective printhead to cap nozzle arrangements located on a printing zone of such a printhead.

Abstract: A capping mechanism for use in a printer, the capping mechanism comprising a capping member (82) located adjacent a pagewidth printhead (51) of the printer, the capping member (82) having a length corresponding substantially to that of the printhead (51), a first actuating mechanism (84) arranged to move the printhead (51) in an arcuate first direction from a first position to a second position, and a second actuating mechanism (85) arranged to move the capping member (82) in an arcuate second direction opposite to that of the first direction in order to effect capping of nozzles of the printhead (51) when the printhead (51) are in the second position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cradle unit for a print engine having an inkjet printhead and a PCB controller, the cradle unit configured to receive a cartridge unit having a printhead assembly of the print engine with a controller on a flex PCB. The cradle unit includes a cover assembly movable between a closed position, where the cartridge unit is mechanically secured in the cradle unit and the PCB controller of the print engine electrically contacts the flex PCB controller such that power and data signals can be transferred therebetween, and an open position where the electrical contact is broken and allows the cartridge unit to be removed from the cradle unit. The cradle unit also includes a maintenance drive assembly having a motor operatively connected to a maintenance gear and actuator arrangement and to a wiper gear and actuator arrangement, the maintenance drive assembly operated by the PCB.

Abstract: A printhead assembly comprising: a plurality of printhead modules releasably connected together via connecting members, each printhead module comprising: at least two printhead integrated circuits, each of which has nozzles formed therein for delivering printing fluid onto the surface of print media; a support member for supporting: the at least two printhead integrated circuits; and a supply of printing fluid provided to the at least two printhead integrated circuits; and an electrical connector for receiving electrical signals for the at least two printhead integrated circuits; a drive electronics part incorporating at least one controller which is connected to at least one of the at least two printhead integrated circuits via the electrical connector 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.

Abstract: A printhead assembly comprising: at least one printhead module comprising: at least two printhead integrated circuits, each of which has nozzles formed therein; a longitudinal extending fluid transfer member configured to support the at least two printhead integrated circuits, wherein the fluid transfer member includes a plurality of chambers which are in fluid communication with a supply of printing fluid and respective ports of the at least one printhead module; and an electrical connector for receiving electrical signals for the at least two printhead integrated circuits; a drive electronics part incorporating at least one controller which is connected to at least one of the at least two printhead integrated circuits via the electrical connector 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.

Abstract: An ink priming system for a cartridge unit of the type having a pagewidth printhead assembly in fluid communication with one or more ink storage compartments for storing ink for use by the pagewidth printhead assembly to print onto a media substrate. The system comprises: a priming inlet provided on said pagewidth printhead assembly for receiving a supply of ink for priming the cartridge unit; an ink flow passage providing fluid connection between said pagewidth printhead assembly and one of the ink storage compartments; and an ink retaining member located within each ink storage compartment for receiving and storing ink; wherein during use the ink supplied to the priming inlet of the pagewidth printhead assembly flows from the pagewidth printhead assembly to the ink storage compartment via the ink flow passage to prime the ink retaining member of each ink storage compartment with ink.

Abstract: Provided is an ink storage module for a pagewidth printer cartridge. The module includes upper and lower plate members that are displaceable towards and away from each other. An ink bag is located between the plate members to define an ink volume. A bag constrictor assembly is engaged with said 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 biasing mechanism is engaged with the plate members to bias the plate members away from each other such that a negative pressure is maintained in the ink volume. A lid is engaged with the plate members and bag constrictor assembly. The lid has at least one port in fluid communication with the bag, to deliver ink to a printhead or to facilitate refilling said bag with ink.

Abstract: A printed circuit board (PCB) assembly has a number of modular printhead controller printed circuit board (PCB), Electrical connector assemblies operatively connect respective PCBs to each other. Each connector assembly has a connecting member with a series of parallel spaced conducting strips. Each member is 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 PCBs via said conducting strips. Each PCB is mounted to a respective modular support that defines a raised portion and a recessed portion at an end thereof. The PCBs each have electrical connecting strips which overlie the respective recessed portions.

Abstract: Provided is a support assembly for a pagewidth printhead module having modular printhead integrated circuits. The assembly includes a support frame and a plurality of PCB supports operatively supported by said frame, with each support defining busbar channels for locating busbars to supply the integrated circuits with power, and each PCB support operatively supporting a PCB with a print engine controller for controlling respective integrated circuits. The assembly also includes a cover portion configured to engage said frame to enclose the PCB supports. The cover portion has heat coupling material for thermally coupling with the respective print engine controllers when engaging the frame to facilitate heat dissipation from the controllers.

Abstract: A fluid channel member for a pagewidth printhead assembly is provided. The member includes a body portion having open channels therein, and a lid portion which is shaped with elongate ridge portions to be operatively received in the open channels. The body and lid portions are adhered together to form channel-shaped ducts to deliver printing fluids to at least one printhead tile supported by said member. The tile includes an integrated circuit having a plurality of micro-electromechanical nozzle arrangements for ejecting the printing fluid onto a print medium, and a fluid distribution stack having a plurality of laminated layers. The stack is arranged in fluid communication with the ducts.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead that has a series of printhead modules mounted in an elongate casing. Each module has a printhead IC and an ink distribution arrangement that supplies the printhead IC. The casing also supports a plurality of printed circuit boards for controlling the operation of the printhead ICs. Busbars supported in the casing receive power and data from the printed circuit boards which is in turn transmitted to each of the printhead ICs with a flexible printed circuit board.