Abstract: A print engine assembly includes an elongate chassis defining a print media exit slot; an elongate printhead assembly mounted relative to the chassis and configured to eject ink onto print media; a paper feed mechanism configured to transport the print media past the elongate printhead and out through the exit slot, the paper feed mechanism comprising a pair of bearing moldings received within and mounted on opposite ends of the chassis, the paper feed mechanism further comprising at least one roller mounted between the bearing moldings and a motor mounted to one of said bearing moldings to drive said at least one roller; and a platen member extending parallel to the printhead, the platen member mounted in the bearing moldings. A pair of spacers is mounted to either end of the chassis and on which said printhead assembly is mounted.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead includes a ceramic nozzle plate having a plurality of movable portions defined therein and a polymeric material covering the nozzle plate and the plurality of movable portions.

Abstract: A printhead assembly for an inkjet printer including: an elongate ink distribution member having a plurality of outlets spaced along a length thereof; a plurality of printhead integrated circuits fixed to the ink distribution member, each printhead integrated circuit having nozzles for ejecting ink supplied via the plurality of outlets; and an electrical connector for transmitting power and data to the plurality of printhead integrated circuits. The electrical connector has a first end electrically connected to the plurality of integrated circuits and a second end having an elongate array of contacts for electrical connection with a corresponding array of contacts on the inkjet printer.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead includes: a first row of longitudinally spaced apart first printhead segments, each first printhead segment having a plurality of nozzle rows configured for ejecting a plurality of different colored inks; and a second row of longitudinally spaced apart second printhead segments, the second row being parallel with the first row, each second printhead segment having a plurality of nozzle rows configured for ejecting a plurality of different colored inks The first and second printhead segments overlap in a media feed direction transverse to the first and second rows so as to provide seamless printing across a width of the printhead.

Abstract: A rotary valve for distributing ink from an ink source to a media width inkjet printhead, the valve having a body, a shaft rotatably mounted to the body, a channel cylinder arranged on the shaft to be rotatable therewith, the channel cylinder having a channel defined along its circumference, a port cylinder fixed to the body relative to the shaft so as to concentrically and sealingly enclose the channel cylinder, the port cylinder having a plurality of ports defined therethrough along its circumference for respective connection to the printhead and ink source, each port being aligned with a portion of the channel and a selection device for selectively rotating the shaft to establish interconnection between the ports and the channel thereby allowing ink flow between the ports via the channel.

Abstract: A printer comprising: a printhead having an ink inlet and an ink outlet; an ink chamber for supplying ink to the printhead; an upstream ink line interconnecting an outlet port of the ink chamber and the ink inlet; a downstream ink line connected to the ink outlet; and a first air accumulator communicating with the downstream ink line. The first air accumulator is configured for dampening ink pressure pulses in the printhead during printing.

Abstract: A pinch roller apparatus for a printer is provided having a support plate securely mounted to a housing of the printer, a pinch housing movably supported by the support plate, and a series of pinch rollers rotatably held within the pinch housing. The pinch housing has alignment pins for engagement with the housing of the printer through movement of the pinch housing relative to the support plate. The engagement aligns the pinch rollers with a driven roller rotatably mounted to the housing to provide pinched contact for media being transported through the printer.

Abstract: A wide format printer that has a drive roller configured to engage and push media into a print zone and a movable media engagement assembly configured to engage one side of the media and pull the media while the drive roller remains engaged with the media wherein the print zone is more than 432 mm (17 inches) wide.

Abstract: A diaphragm valve for distributing ink from an ink source to a media width inkjet printhead, the valve having a body, a plurality of ports on the body for connection to the ink source and printhead, a chamber within the body via which the ports are able to be interconnected, a diaphragm pad having seals for sealing respective ones of the ports and a selection device for manipulating the diaphragm pad to selectively seal and un-seal the ports to establish interconnection between the ports thereby allowing ink flow therebetween.

Abstract: A printer is provided having a printhead assembly having a carrier frame, a pagewidth printhead with a corresponding pagewidth print zone defined by a plane adjacent the printhead assembly mounted at a base of the carrier frame, an approach guide mounted to the carrier frame on a first side of the printhead and an exit guide mounted to the carrier frame on a second side of the printhead, and a feed mechanism for continuously feeding a web of print media through the print zone. The web is unsupported in the print zone and is guided therethrough by the guides. The approach guide curves about the carrier frame base to terminate upstream with a leading angular edge abutting with the web such that the natural path of the web is deflected downwards and around the approach guide, and the exit guide curves about the carrier frame base to terminate downstream.

Abstract: A maintenance apparatus for a printhead, the apparatus having a rotatable shaft; a porous material about the shaft; and a mechanism for rotating the shaft so that the porous material rotates against the printhead, the porous material being configured to absorb fluid from the printhead during the rotation.

Abstract: A printing system that has a drive roller for feeding different sizes of media along a media path, an inkjet printhead assembly for printing the media and an ink aerosol collection system for removing ink aerosol from areas adjacent the media path. The ink aerosol collection system is configured to remove aerosol at a greater rate in response to an increase in the media size.

Abstract: A multi-path valve for a media width inkjet printhead, the printhead being connected to an ink source via a closed ink flow loop, the valve having a body, a first port on the body for connection to the ink source, a second port on the body for connection to the printhead, a third port on the body for connection to a bypass ink path which bypasses the printhead on the closed loop, a fourth port on the body for connection to a gas vent on the closed loop, a chamber within the body via which the first, second, third and fourth ports are able to be interconnected and a selection device for selectively establishing interconnection between the first, second, third and fourth ports to allow ink flow therebetween.

Abstract: A device for encrypted communication with external entities is configured to frustrate side channel attacks attempting to determine an encryption key. The device has a first memory, an encryption key stored in the first memory and a one-way function for application to the encryption key. During use the encryption key is retrieved from the first memory prior to application to the one-way function and the device is configured to limit the number of times the encryption key is allowed to be retrieved from the first memory in a given period of time.

Abstract: A printhead is provided having fluid ejection nozzles, heaters corresponding to each of the nozzles respectively, with each heater heating printing fluid to cause ejection of a drop of the printing fluid through the corresponding nozzle, and circuitry for generating electrical drive pulses having variable power and length for energizing the heaters. The drive pulses are generated to have less energy than the energy required to heat a volume of the printing fluid equivalent to the drop volume, from the temperature at which the printing fluid enters the printhead to the heterogeneous boiling point of the printing fluid.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead has a plurality of nozzles; a bubble forming chamber corresponding to each of the nozzles; and a heater element disposed in each of the bubble forming chambers. The heater element is configured for heating an ejectable liquid above its boiling point to form a gas bubble that causes the ejection of a drop from the nozzle. The heater element is comprised of titanium aluminum nitride.

Abstract: A method of minimizing kogation of a heater element in a thermal inkjet printhead. The method includes the steps of: (i) supplying an inkjet ink to a nozzle chamber of the printhead; and (ii) repeatedly actuating a heater element in the nozzle chamber so as to heat a portion of the ink to a temperature sufficient to form a bubble therein, thereby causing droplets of ink to be ejected from a nozzle opening associated with the nozzle chamber. The ink includes a styrene-acrylic copolymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) in the range of 5 to 30° C. and acid value in the range of 100 180 mgKOH/g, said styrene-acrylic copolymer minimizes kogation of the heater element.

Abstract: A color ink printing system, includes a plurality of print head cartridges, each extending across a direction of print media propagation and spaced apart along the direction of print media propagation; a print head chassis for supporting the plurality of print head cartridges, the print head chassis actuable between a printing position, a transition position, and a maintenance position; a maintenance chassis for supporting a plurality of maintenance cradles, the maintenance chassis actuable between a storage position and an operational position; and a platen on which the print media is supported and propagated. Each of the plurality of print head cartridges is held stationary with respect to a platen on which print media is propagated to effect printing on the print media. Each of the plurality of print head cartridges is a monochrome print head cartridge ejecting a fluid different to the remaining plurality of print head cartridges.

Abstract: A system for encrypted communication with external entities is configured to frustrate side channel attacks attempting to determine an encryption key. The system has a device with an encryption key stored in memory, an external entity with identity data for transmission to the device to initiate communication such that in response the device applies a one way function to the encryption key and the identity data to generate a variant key used to authenticate communications between the device and the external entity. The device is configured to limit the number of times the encryption key is allowed to be retrieved from the first memory to a pre-determined threshold.

Abstract: A fluid container having a body for containing fluid, a fluid outlet on a first wall of the body at which the contained fluid exits the body and a filter arranged within the body adjoining the first wall so that the contained fluid passes through the filter before exiting the outlet, wherein the filter is inclined relative to the first wall so that filtered fluid is contained in the body between the filter and the outlet.