Abstract: An ink reservoir for a printer with an inkjet printhead includes a housing for storing a quantity of ink; an air inlet valve having a ball biased against an aperture of the air inlet valve for sealing an interior of the housing from atmosphere; an ink outlet valve having a circular valve seat and a ball for sealing against the valve seat; and a valve actuator having a sliding shaft extending between the ink outlet valve and the air inlet valve. The valve actuator opens the air inlet valve in response to the ink outlet valve opening to establish fluid communication with the inkjet printhead. The ball in the ink outlet valve is adapted to engage one end of the sliding shaft to slide the shaft towards the air inlet valve, whereat the other end of the shaft engages the ball of the air inlet valve against the bias applied thereon.

Abstract: A pagewidth printhead assembly includes a plurality of printhead integrated circuits linked end to end across a width of the pagewidth printhead assembly; a support molding to which the plurality of printhead integrated circuits are sealed, the support molding defining a plurality of ink channels; a plurality of etched channels provided on an underside of each printhead integrated circuit, each etched channel defining along a length thereof a plurality of ink inlets for receiving ink from one of the plurality of ink channels; and a polymer sealing film for sealing the printhead integrated circuits to the support molding, the polymer sealing film defining therethrough a plurality of openings. Each of the plurality of etched channels is divided into two or more separate channel sections separated by respective channel wall structures. Each opening of the polymer film is in fluid communication with ink inlets of two separate channel sections.

Abstract: A method of supplying ink to ink ejection nozzles on a printhead for an inkjet printer with a print engine controller for controlling the printhead operation involving the provision a printhead IC having an array of the ink ejection nozzles formed on a substrate, the provision of circuitry for electrical connection to the print engine controller, the provision of a support member for supporting the printhead integrated circuit and the circuitry within the printer, the provision of a thermoplastic polymer sealing film, and securing the polymer film to a mounting surface of the support member by applying heat and pressure for a predetermined time, mounting the printhead integrated circuit and the circuitry to the support member via the polymer film and, electrically connecting the circuitry to the printhead integrated circuit. The mounting surface has ink feed channels formed in it and the polymer film is attached to the mounting surface between the ink feed channels and the printhead integrated circuits.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a printhead integrated circuit (IC) with an array of nozzles for ejecting ink on to print media; an ink supply reservoir for storing ink; an ink supply line defining a flow path from the ink supply reservoir to the printhead IC; a valve in the ink supply line proximate the printhead IC selectively closing the flow path to the printhead IC; an ink purge actuator for forcing a volume of ink out of the printhead under pressure; a printhead maintenance system having a collection roller for rotating such that the collection roller surface collects ink purged from the printhead and draws the ink away; and a pressure regulator provided in the ink supply reservoir downstream from the ink supply reservoir. The pressure regulator is normally biased shut, and operable to open upon a threshold pressure difference between ink upstream of the pressure regulator and ink downstream of the pressure regulator.

Abstract: A printhead purging system comprises an ink conduit for supplying ink to a printhead, a hammer head for hammering a wall of a compressible part of the conduit, a spring-loading mechanism for priming the hammer head, and a release mechanism for releasing the primed hammer head. Release of the primed hammer head compresses the ink conduit and results in purging of ink from the printhead.

Abstract: A pagewidth printhead assembly includes a plurality of printhead integrated circuits linked end to end across a width of the pagewidth printhead assembly; a support molding to which the plurality of printhead integrated circuits are sealed, the support molding defining a plurality of ink channels; a plurality of etched channels provided on an underside of each printhead integrated circuit, each etched channel defining along a length thereof a plurality of ink inlets for receiving ink from one of the plurality of ink channels; and a polymer sealing film for sealing the printhead integrated circuits to the support molding, the polymer sealing film defining therethrough a plurality of openings. Each of the plurality of etched channels is divided into two or more separate channel sections separated by respective channel wall structures. Each opening of the polymer film is in fluid communication with ink inlets of two separate channel sections.

Abstract: A method of sealing an attachment face of a MST device to a mounting surface on a support member, the attachment face having an aperture connected to a first fluid conduit, the attachment face having a second aperture connected to a second conduit, the method comprising the steps of: applying a thermosetting adhesive to the mounting surface; aligning the first aperture with at least part of the second aperture; pressing the MST device and the mounting surface together; and, curing the thermosetting adhesive; wherein, the thermosetting adhesive has a viscosity of between 100 centiPoise and 10,000,000 centiPoise. Using a thermosetting adhesive instead of a thermoplastic adhesive provides a far more reliable seal. The bond between the thermoplastic adhesive and the MST device surface is prone to thermal fatigue and leakage or outright failure.

Abstract: A method of attaching a MST device to a support member with an adhesive film, the MST device having an attachment face and a first fluid conduit connected to a first aperture in the attachment face; the support member having a mounting face and a second fluid conduit connected to a second aperture in the mounting face; and, the polymer film has an opening for fluid communication between the first aperture and the second aperture, the method comprising the steps of: forming the opening in the polymer film; aligning the opening with at least part of the second aperture; applying heat and pressure to attach the polymer film to the mounting face; and, positioning the MST device such that the opening is aligned with at east part of the first aperture. By pre-drilling the holes in the film, the attachment process is quicker and the resulting fluidic seal in more reliable.

Abstract: A method of maintaining an ink ejection face of a pagewidth printhead. The method includes the steps of: flooding the face with ink; positioning a transfer roller adjacent the face and without contacting the face; rotating the transfer roller and simultaneously transferring flooded ink from the ink ejection face onto the transfer roller; and removing ink from the transfer roller.

Abstract: An ink reservoir for a printer with an inkjet printhead includes a housing for storing a quantity of ink; an air inlet valve having a ball biased against an aperture of the air inlet valve for sealing an interior of the housing from atmosphere; an ink outlet valve having a circular valve seat and a ball for sealing against the valve seat; and a valve actuator having a sliding shaft extending between the ink outlet valve and the air inlet valve. The valve actuator opens the air inlet valve in response to the ink outlet valve opening to establish fluid communication with the inkjet printhead. The ball in the ink outlet valve is adapted to engage one end of the sliding shaft to slide the shaft towards the air inlet valve, whereat the other end of the shaft engages the ball of the air inlet valve against the bias applied thereon.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a printhead integrated circuit (IC) with an array of nozzles for ejecting ink on to print media; an ink supply reservoir for storing ink; an ink supply line defining a flow path from the ink supply reservoir to the printhead IC; a valve in the ink supply line proximate the printhead IC selectively closing the flow path to the printhead IC; an ink purge actuator for forcing a volume of ink out of the printhead under pressure; a printhead maintenance system having a collection roller for rotating such that the collection roller surface collects ink purged from the printhead and draws the ink away; and a pressure regulator provided in the ink supply reservoir downstream from the ink supply reservoir. The pressure regulator is normally biased shut, and operable to open upon a threshold pressure difference between ink upstream of the pressure regulator and ink downstream of the pressure regulator.

Abstract: A method of removing particulates from an ink ejection face of a printhead is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) flooding the face with ink from the printhead, thereby dispersing the particulates into the flooded ink; and (b) transferring the flooded ink, including the particulates, onto a transfer surface moving past the face. Damage to the face is avoided since the transfer surface does not contact the face.

Abstract: An ink reservoir (2) for a printer with an inkjet printhead, having a housing (6) for storing a quantity of ink (42), an ink outlet valve (10), an air inlet valve (8); and, a valve actuator (52). The valve actuator opens the air inlet valve in response to the ink outlet valve opening to establish fluid communication with the inkjet printhead.

Abstract: A printhead purging system comprises an ink conduit for supplying ink to a printhead, a hammer head for hammering a wall of a compressible part of the conduit, a spring-loading mechanism for priming the hammer head, and a release mechanism for releasing the primed hammer head. Release of the primed hammer head compresses the ink conduit and results in purging of ink from the printhead.

Abstract: An inkjet printer with a printhead integrated circuit (IC) (28), an ink supply reservoir (6) for storing ink, an ink supply line (3) defining a flow path from the ink supply reservoir to the printhead IC, and a valve (22) in the ink supply line proximate the printhead IC selectively closing the flow path to the printhead IC.

Abstract: An ink supply system for an inkjet printhead is provided. The system including: (a) an ink reservoir for storing ink; (b) and ink conduit providing fluid communication between the ink reservoir and the printhead; and (c) a hammer mechanism for compressing part of the ink conduit.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a plurality of inkjet nozzles on a substrate. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a substrate having a plurality of trenches corresponding to ink inlets; (b) depositing sacrificial material so as fill the trenches and form a scaffold on the substrate; (c) defining openings in the sacrificial material; (d) depositing roof material over the sacrificial material to form nozzle chambers and filter structures simultaneously; (e) etching nozzle apertures through the roof material; and (f) removing the sacrificial material.

Abstract: A method of removing particulates from an ink ejection face of a printhead is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) flooding the face with ink from the printhead, thereby dispersing the particulates into the flooded ink; and (b) transferring the flooded ink, including the particulates, onto a transfer surface moving past the face. Damage to the face is avoided since the transfer surface does not contact the face.

Abstract: A micro-systems technology (MST) device for attachment to an adhesive surface. The MST device has an attachment surface for abutting the adhesive surfaces, a first fluid conduit connected to a first aperture in the attachment surface and, a recess in the attachment surface adjacent the first aperture to hold adhesive displaced from between the attachment surface and the adhesive surface when the MST device is attached such that displaced adhesive does not block fluid flow in the first conduit. By profiling the attachment surface so there is a recess next to the first aperture, there is less risk that adhesive will be squeezed into the conduit and impair fluid flow.

Abstract: A printhead maintenance system for maintaining a printhead in an operable condition is provided. The maintenance system comprises: (a) a printhead having an ink ejection face; (b) an ink supply system comprising a face flooding system for flooding ink from the printhead onto the face; and (c) an ink transport assembly comprising: a transfer surface for receiving flooded ink from the face and a transport mechanism for feeding the transfer surface through a transfer zone and away from the printhead. The transfer zone is adjacent to and spaced apart from the face.