Abstract: An inkjet printhead assembly includes a molded plastics module defining a plurality of converging ink channels. Each ink channel has an inlet for receiving ink, an outlet and tapered sidewalls extending between the inlet and the outlet. Each outlet is defined in a mounting surface of the molded plastics module. A printhead chip is mounted on the mounting surface, which receives different colored inks from the outlets. The inlets are spaced wider apart than the outlets and the inlets have larger dimensions than the outlets.

Abstract: A printing system includes: a fixed printhead assembly having an array of printheads and vacuum platen assembly. The vacuum platen assembly includes a fixed vacuum platen and a plurality of rotatable service modules embedded in the fixed vacuum platen. Each service module is positioned opposite a respective printhead, and each service module comprises a respective vacuum platen module.

Abstract: A printhead assembly includes an ink distribution assembly including an ink distribution molding, the ink distribution molding including a plurality of first ducts; at least one printhead integrated circuit in fluid communication with the ink distribution assembly; and a rotary platen having at least three surface, each surface for providing one of a platen surface, capping portion, and a blotting portion. The ink distribution assembly further includes a plurality of second ducts acutely angled with respect to the plurality of first ducts, a plurality of transfer ports facilitating fluid communication between the plurality of first ducts and the plurality of second ducts, and a plurality of ink inlet ports facilitating fluid communication between an ink cassette and the plurality of first ducts.

Abstract: A system for guiding media past a media width printhead. The system includes: a media width printhead having printhead ICs defining respective print zones; input and output rollers; and an elongate platen for guiding the media as the media is transported through the print zone. The platen has a series of upstream ribs and downstream ribs configured for contacting the media and guiding the media through the print zone. The platen has an aperture such that each printhead IC of the printhead is positioned opposite the aperture, and the print media is suspended between the upstream and downstream ribs across an entire width of the print zone of each printhead IC.

Abstract: An improved pinch valve includes a camshaft and associated cam(s) controlling the position of a pivotally-mounted first pinch arm and an opposed, pivotally-mounted second pinch arm. The respective pinch arms are provided symmetrically about a central plane which contains an axis of the camshaft. A spring extends across the central plane and interconnects the respective pinch arms so as to urge both pinch arms towards the central plane. A mechanical advantage lever is provided such that the pinching force is greater than the spring force.

Abstract: A maintenance system for a printhead is provided having a support frame, a wiper module supported by the support frame, a lift mechanism for lifting the wiper module from the support frame, and a rotation mechanism. The wiper module has a wiper roller on a rotatable shaft and a porous material about the shaft, and a transfer roller in rotatable contact with the wiper roller. The lift mechanism lifting the wiper module to position the porous material of the wiper roller against the printhead. The rotation mechanism rotates the wiper and transfer rollers so that the porous material of the wiper roller rotates against the printhead. The porous material is configured to absorb fluid from the printhead during rotation, and so that the fluid absorbed by the porous material of the wiper roller is transferred to the transfer roller.

Abstract: An elongate ink distribution member for mounting a printhead integrated circuit. The ink distribution member includes a plurality of longitudinally extending ink supply channels and a mounting surface having a plurality of ink supply conduits defined therein. The ink supply conduits are arranged in sets with each set of ink supply conduits being in fluid communication with a respective one of the ink supply channels. The ink supply conduits extend generally transversely from an upstream outer region towards a downstream inner region of the mounting surface.

Abstract: A printing method includes the steps of: receiving a colour image and separating the colour image into a plurality of distinct colour planes; dithering a first distinct colour plane to obtain dot data for the first distinct colour plane; dithering a second distinct colour plane to obtain dot data for the second distinct colour plane; providing the dot data for the first distinct colour plane to a first print head cartridge for printing by a plurality of nozzle rows of the first print head cartridge; and providing the dot data for the second distinct colour plane to a second print head cartridge positioned downstream from the first print head cartridge in a direction of print media propagation, the dot data for the second distinct colour plane for printing by a plurality of nozzle rows of the second print head cartridge.

Abstract: An inkjet printer including an inkjet printhead positioned relative to a media feed direction. The printhead has a plurality of color planes for ejecting different inks, each color plane including a nozzle row defined in a nozzle face of the printhead, and each nozzle in a respective color plane being supplied with a same ink. The printhead is plumbed such that a first color plane positioned furthest upstream with respect to the media feed direction ejects yellow ink and a second color plane neighboring the first color plane ejects black ink.

Abstract: A pagewidth printhead assembly for an inkjet printer includes: a plurality of channels for distributing the ink along a length of the printhead assembly; a plurality of printhead integrated circuits; and an ink distribution member upon which the printhead integrated circuits are fixed and which distributes ink from the channels to the printhead integrated circuits. The ink distribution member has a plurality of ink supply holes and a plurality of ink supply conduits defined in a surface thereof and the printhead integrated circuits are fixed to the ink distribution member via a bonding film. The bonding film includes a plurality of through-holes coinciding with the ink supply holes and end portions of the ink supply conduits.

Abstract: A printhead is provided having an elongate support having a plurality of internal webs protruding from a base section to define a plurality of parallel fluid supply channels, a shim supported by the support and defining a plurality of rows of openings through which fluid from respective supply channels is supplied, and a plurality of elongate printhead modules supported serially on the shim. Each module defines a plurality of fluid supply passages through which fluid passes to fluid ejection nozzles from respective rows of the openings. Either end of each module defines complementary formations such that adjacent modules nest together.

Abstract: A method of inkjet printing includes the steps of: (a) moving a substrate past a printhead; (b) printing a pigment-based ink onto the substrate from a first color channel of the printhead; and (c) overprinting a fixer ink onto the pigment-based ink from a second color channel of the printhead. The fixer ink is overprinted onto the pigment-based ink within a period of less than 5 ms.

Abstract: A method of identifying defective nozzles of a printhead. The method includes the steps of: (i) instructing each nozzle in one ink plane of the printhead to print a respective coded line pattern, each coded line pattern being represented by a column of printed pixels and absent pixels, the coded line patterns being defined by first and second coding schemes encoding a position of each nozzle within its respective cell and a position of each cell within its respective ink plane; (ii) firing each nozzle of the ink plane to print a test pattern comprising a plurality of neighbouring coded line patterns; (iii) imaging an area of the test pattern to obtain an imaged test pattern; (iv) decoding the imaged test pattern using the first and second coding schemes; and (iv) identifying the defective nozzles using the decoded imaged test pattern.

Abstract: A method of supplying ink to an inkjet printhead having multiple ink color channels. The method includes the steps of: supplying black ink to a black color channel of the printhead; and supplying yellow ink to a yellow color channel of the printhead. The black ink is supplied to the printhead at a lower pressure than the yellow ink.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes: an inkjet printhead having a first port and a second port; an ink container having an outlet port and a return port; a first ink line interconnecting the first port with the outlet port; a second ink line interconnecting the second port with the return port; an air line connected to the first ink line, the air line having an inlet open to atmosphere; a reversible pump positioned between the second port and the return port for pumping ink in the second ink line; and a dual valve arrangement including: a first valve for selectively controlling ink flow through the first ink line, the first valve being positioned in the first ink line between the ink container and the air line; and a second valve for selectively controlling air flow through the air line.

Abstract: A replaceable printhead cartridge includes: an elongate cartridge body having an elongate structure with a plurality of longitudinally extending channels; a pagewidth printhead mounted on the elongate structure; a first fluid coupling positioned towards one end of the elongate structure; and a second fluid coupling positioned towards an opposite end of the elongate structure. The first and second fluid couplings each has an interface plate supporting a plurality of spouts positioned for sealed engagement with corresponding apertures in a complementary socket of a printer. The spouts are in fluid communication with the respective ends of corresponding longitudinally extending channels. The spouts extend from respective interface plates in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the cartridge body and parallel with a media feed direction.

Abstract: A method of operating an inkjet printhead having a plurality of ink chambers, each ink chamber including a heater element for generating a bubble and causing ejection of ink droplets from a nozzle defined in the ink chamber. The method includes the steps of: operating the printhead in a normal printing mode whereby relatively shorter drive pulses are delivered to the heater elements to eject ink droplets used in normal printing; and operating the printhead in a maintenance mode whereby relatively longer drive pulses are delivered to the heater elements. The relatively longer drive pulses generate high impulse bubbles for recovering nozzles affected by decap.

Abstract: An inkjet nozzle assembly includes: a nozzle chamber having a planar roof spaced apart from a floor, the roof having a nozzle aperture defined therein; and a heater element disposed in the nozzle chamber, the heater element being configured as a planar beam extending longitudinally and parallel with a plane of the roof. The nozzle aperture is elliptical having a centroid, a major axis and a minor axis, the major axis of the nozzle aperture is parallel with a longitudinal axis of the beam, the centroid of the nozzle aperture is offset from a longitudinal centroid of the planar beam, and the minor axis of the nozzle aperture overlaps with a whole width of the beam.

Abstract: A system for reducing ink color mixing effects in a printer is provided having a printhead having multiple ink color channels mounted to a housing of the printer at a first level, and a plurality of ink supply cartridges mounted to the printer housing so as to be fluidically connected to the printhead and stacked in an array having a plurality of rows defining a plurality of levels which are lower than the first level. The plurality of ink supply cartridges include at least one black ink supply cartridge which supplies black colored ink to a black ink color channel of the printhead. The black ink supply cartridge is disposed at the lowest level defined by the array.

Abstract: A method of forming an inkjet nozzle chamber includes the steps of: (a) depositing a layer of chamber material onto a substrate, the layer of chamber material defining a depth of the nozzle chamber; (b) removing a predetermined region of the layer of chamber material to define sidewalls of the nozzle chamber and an internal volume of the nozzle chamber; (c) depositing a sacrificial material to fill the internal volume contained within the sidewalls; (d) depositing a roof layer onto the sacrificial material and the sidewalls; (e) etching the roof layer to define a nozzle opening therein; and (f) removing the sacrificial material contained in the internal volume so as to form the nozzle chamber.