Abstract: A meter reading system comprises a sensor unit (2) containing a first camera (10) and at least a second camera (10?), the first camera focussed on a first area of a meter display (32) and the said second camera focussed on a second area of the meter display (32), the cameras arranged so that the area consisting of said first and second areas can be captured.

Abstract: A meter reading system comprises a sensor unit (2) containing a first camera (10) and at least a second camera (10?), the first camera focussed on a first area of a meter display (32) and the said second camera focussed on a second area of the meter display (32), the cameras arranged so that the area consisting of said first and second areas can be captured.

Abstract: A removable printhead cartridge for a single-pass inkjet printer, the printhead assembly including: a body adapted for user removal and insertion in the printer; an elongate ink manifold assembly mounted in the body, the ink manifold assembly having a plurality of longitudinally extending ink channels, a plurality of outlets defined in a mounting surface; and a plurality of ink conduits connecting each ink channel to a corresponding set of outlets; a plurality of printhead chips mounted on the mounting surface; a plurality of ink storage modules, each containing a device for delivering ink to the printhead chips at a negative pressure; and a plurality of electrical connectors.

Abstract: A method for maintaining an elongate stationary printhead includes the steps of: moving a carriage lengthwise along the elongate stationary printhead, the carriage having a roller urged against the printhead and a strip of absorbent material around the roller, such that the printhead is wiped by the absorbent material during movement of the carriage; extending the strip of absorbent material lengthwise along the elongate stationary printhead during movement of the carriage, such that the strip of absorbent material opposes nozzles in the printhead; and ejecting ink from the nozzles onto the strip of absorbent material.

Abstract: A removable printhead cartridge for a single-pass inkjet printer, the printhead assembly including: a body adapted for user removal and insertion in the printer; an elongate ink manifold assembly mounted in the body, the ink manifold assembly having a plurality of longitudinally extending ink channels, a plurality of outlets defined in a mounting surface; and a plurality of ink conduits connecting each ink channel to a corresponding set of outlets; a plurality of printhead chips mounted on the mounting surface; a plurality of ink storage modules, each containing a device for delivering ink to the printhead chips at a negative pressure; and a plurality of electrical connectors.

Abstract: A removable printhead assembly for a single-pass inkjet printer, the printhead assembly including: a body adapted for user removal and insertion in the printer; an elongate ink manifold assembly mounted in the body, the ink manifold assembly having a plurality of longitudinally extending ink channels, a plurality of outlets defined in a mounting surface; and a plurality of ink conduits connecting each ink channel to a corresponding set of outlets; a plurality of printhead chips mounted on the mounting surface; a plurality of pressure regulator assemblies for delivering ink to the printhead chips at a negative pressure; a plurality of electrical connectors; and a plurality of ink ports.

Abstract: A removable printhead assembly for a single-pass inkjet printer. The printhead assembly comprises: an elongate body adapted for removal and insertion in a cradle of the printer; an ink manifold assembly having a mounting surface defining a plurality of ink outlets; a plurality of printhead chips mounted on the mounting surface; one or more pressure regulator assemblies for delivering ink to the printhead chips at a predetermined backpressure; and a plurality of electrical terminals positioned along a length of the body for establishing electrical connection with a printer controller of the printer. The electrical terminals extend along one side of the elongate body, which is perpendicular to the mounting surface.

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 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 removable printhead assembly for a single-pass inkjet printer, the printhead assembly including: a body adapted for user removal and insertion in the printer; an elongate ink manifold assembly mounted in the body, the ink manifold assembly having a plurality of longitudinally extending ink channels, a plurality of outlets defined in a mounting surface; and a plurality of ink conduits connecting each ink channel to a corresponding set of outlets; a plurality of printhead chips mounted on the mounting surface; a plurality of pressure regulator assemblies for delivering ink to the printhead chips at a negative pressure; a plurality of electrical connectors; and a plurality of ink ports.

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 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 integrated circuit includes: an elongate silicon substrate having a frontside and a backside; a row of nozzle chambers disposed at the frontside of the substrate, each nozzle chamber having a respective nozzle opening defined in a roof thereof and a respective inlet defined in a floor thereof; a row of inlet channels defined in the substrate, each inlet channel having a first end defining the inlet of a respective nozzle chamber and an opposite second end; and an ink supply channel defined in the backside of the substrate, each ink supply channel having a depth sufficient to meet with the second ends the inlet channels. Each ink supply channel is elongate and extends longitudinally along a length of the substrate so as to provide fluidic communication between the backside and the nozzle chambers.

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: A printhead assembly has a plurality of printhead modules, each with a plurality of printhead integrated circuits (ICs). The printhead modules also have a print engine controller for controlling the operation of the plurality of printhead ICs. An elongate support frame supports the printhead modules and a connector arrangement is supported by the end plate. The connector has a pair of holes, a first connector extending from the body portion between the holes and a second connector configured to engage with the holes.

Abstract: A detachable fluid coupling for connecting an inkjet printhead with an ink supply, the detachable coupling having a fixed valve member defining a valve seat, a sealing collar (146) for sealing engagement with the valve seat (148), a resilient sleeve (126) having one annular end fixed relative to the fixed valve member (128), and the other annular end engaging the sealing collar to bias it into sealing engagement with the valve seat. The coupling also having a conduit opening (150) that is movable relative to the fixed valve member for engaging the sealing collar (146) to unseal it from the valve seat. Unsealing the sealing collar from the valve seat compresses the resilient sleeve (126) such that an intermediate section of the sleeve displaces outwardly relative to the annular ends. With a resilient sleeve that buckles or folds outwardly, the diameter of the coupling is smaller that the conventional couplings that use an annular resilient element that biases the valve shut remaining residual tension.

Abstract: A printhead module is provided for an inkjet printhead assembly. The printhead module includes a support. An elongate carrier is mounted to the support. The carrier defines a plurality of transverse ribs and an ink channel located between the ribs. A subassembly includes a micro-electromechanical integrated circuit (IC) configured to eject ink. The subassembly is mounted to the carrier so that the support, carrier and subassembly define a plurality of sealed ink chambers which can feed ink to the IC via the ink channel.

Abstract: A cartridge for a printer is provided having a body defining a number of fluid reservoirs, a lid covering the body to seal fluid inside the reservoirs, and a printhead operatively fed with fluid from the reservoirs. A base of each reservoir is provided with a raised portion which surrounds a fluid outlet through which fluid flows for supply to the printhead. Each raised portion being molded in the body to separate the outlet from the base of each reservoir to ensure a sufficient flow rate of fluid from the reservoir.

Abstract: A structure for an inkjet printhead is disclosed. The printhead structure has an elongate support structure for supporting a printhead integrated circuit, and ink conduits formed in the elongate support structure for supplying ink to an array of nozzles of the printhead integrated circuit. Each ink conduit includes cavities distributed along a roof of the ink conduit. An opening to each cavity has an upstream edge and a downstream edge. The upstream edge contacts the ink before the downstream edge during initial priming of the ink conduits from an ink supply. The upstream edge has a transition face between the ink conduit and the cavity interior, the transition face being configured to inhibit ink from filling the cavity by capillary action during initial priming of the ink conduit. This causes gas to be trapped within the cavity. The gas acts to compress pressure pulses in the ink.

Abstract: A cradle unit for receiving a print cartridge to form a print engine, the cradle unit includes a main body defining an opening for receiving said cartridge, the main body having a frame structure including end plates with drive and exit rollers mounted therebetween; a printed circuit board (PCB) pivotally mounted between the end plates for housing control electronics for controlling the operation of the print engine; a cover assembly for securing said cartridge in the opening, the cover assembly pivotally mounted between the end plates, the cover assembly configured to pivot the PCB into electrical contact with a printhead controller on the cartridge when in a closed position, and to pivot the PCB out of electrical connection with said printhead controller when in an open position; and a maintenance assembly mounted to the main body, the maintenance assembly movable between a capping state where a printhead of the print cartridge is capped, and a printing stage where a printhead of the print cartridge is unca