Abstract: A method of capping printheads positioned along a curved media path having an apex. The method includes the steps of: providing a first printhead upstream of the apex and a corresponding first capper downstream of the first printhead; providing a second printhead downstream of the apex and a corresponding second capper upstream of the second printhead; moving the first capper towards the first printhead and capping the first printhead; and moving the second capper towards the second printhead and capping the second printhead. The first and second cappers are moved in opposite directions away from the apex for capping the first and second printheads.

Abstract: A printing unit includes: three elongate printheads positioned in a staggered overlapping arrangement for spanning across a media feed path, wherein a first printhead and a second printhead are longitudinally spaced apart and positioned in a row across the media feed path and a third printhead is offset from and overlaps with both the first and second printheads; three wipers for longitudinally wiping respective printheads in a direction perpendicular to a media feed direction, each wiper being parked at one longitudinal end of its respective printhead. One of the wipers, in its parked position, is positioned in a space between the first and second printheads.

Abstract: A method of coating threads using a printhead having rows of nozzles extending along a length of the printhead. The method includes the steps of: feeding the thread along a length of the printhead; and ejecting ink from the rows of nozzles towards the thread. Thread-coating modules and thread-coating systems make use of the method described.

Abstract: A method of removing a printhead cartridge from a print module includes the steps of: rotating a first wing lever to effect linear sliding movement of a first ink coupling of the print module away from the printhead cartridge; rotating a second wing lever to effect linear sliding movement of a second ink coupling of the print module away from the printhead cartridge; and removing the printhead cartridge from the print module. The first and second wing levers each has an axis of rotation perpendicular to a direction of linear sliding movement of the first and second ink couplings.

Abstract: An integrated inkjet module includes: a support chassis configured for fixedly mounting over a media feed path; a maintenance chassis mounted on the support chassis; a print bar chassis liftably mounted on the maintenance chassis, the print bar chassis having a plurality of print modules mounted thereon, each print module comprising a respective printhead; and an aerosol collector fixed to the support chassis and positioned for collecting ink mist generated during printing.

Abstract: A printing unit includes: a sleeve and a print module received in the sleeve, the print module being slidably removable, in a first direction, from the sleeve. The print module includes a supply module and a replaceable printhead. The printhead is slidably removable, in a second direction, from the supply module, the first and second directions being non-parallel.

Abstract: An ink delivery system for an inkjet printer includes: (a) an ink delivery module for supplying and receiving ink in a circulating fluidic loop having positive and negative pressure ink lines; (b) print modules interconnected between the positive pressure ink line and the negative pressure ink line. The ink delivery module has regulator pumps for gross control of ink pressure in the print modules; and each print module has a respective pressure control system for dynamic fine control of ink pressure in each individual print module.

Abstract: An integrated inkjet module includes: a support chassis configured for fixedly mounting over a media feed path; a maintenance chassis mounted on the support chassis; a print bar chassis mounted on the maintenance chassis, the print bar chassis having printheads mounted thereon; and a lift mechanism operably interconnecting the print bar chassis and the maintenance chassis. The print bar chassis and the maintenance chassis are together slidably movable relative to the support chassis to a position offset from the media feed path.

Abstract: A method of securing a printhead assembly in a printing position relative to a media feed path. The method includes the steps of: lowering the printhead assembly towards datum surfaces, each datum surface having a fixed position relative to the media feed path; and magnetically attracting portions of the printhead assembly towards the datum surfaces so as to secure the printhead assembly in the printing position.

Abstract: A method of wiping an inkjet printhead. The method includes the steps of: lifting a print module carrier relative to a media feed path, the print module carrier having a mounting arm bridging over a wiper carriage parked at one longitudinal end of a printhead carried by the print module carrier; and moving the wiper carriage, from its parked position below the mounting arm, longitudinally along the printhead to wipe a surface of the printhead.

Abstract: An integrated inkjet module includes: a print module positioned between end brackets, the print module having an elongate printhead; a wiper carriage configured for longitudinally wiping the printhead; and a print module carrier supporting the print module. The print module carrier is slidably mounted between the end brackets for lifting relative to a media feed path. The wiper carriage, in a parked position, is positioned between one end of the print module and an end bracket, and the print module carrier includes a mounting arm bridging over the wiper carriage in the parked position.

Abstract: A print engine includes: a media support chassis having a plurality of guide rollers mounted between opposite sidewalls thereof, the plurality of guide rollers defining a curved media feed path; a plurality of spittoons, each spittoon being positioned between a neighboring pair of guide rollers and each spittoon having an upper guide portion; and a plurality of printheads, each printhead opposing a respective spittoon. The upper guide portion of each spittoon has an upstream leading edge sloped towards the media feed path and a downstream trailing edge sloped away from the media feed path.

Abstract: A printing system includes: a media feed chassis including a plurality of fixed roller shafts, each roller shaft having a rotatable roller for guiding print media through a media feed path; and inkjet modules mounted on the media feed chassis for printing on the print media. Each inkjet module includes: a support chassis seated on the media feed chassis; a maintenance chassis mounted on the support chassis; and a print bar chassis mounted on the maintenance chassis, the print bar chassis having inkjet printheads mounted thereon.

Abstract: A method of coating threads using a printhead having rows of nozzles extending along a length of the printhead. The method includes the steps of: feeding the thread along a length of the printhead; and ejecting ink from the rows of nozzles towards the thread. Thread-coating modules and thread-coating systems make use of the method described.

Abstract: An integrated inkjet module includes: a support chassis configured for fixedly mounting over a media feed path; a maintenance chassis mounted on the support chassis; a print bar chassis mounted on the maintenance chassis, the print bar chassis having printheads mounted thereon; and a lift mechanism operably interconnecting the print bar chassis and the maintenance chassis. The print bar chassis and the maintenance chassis are together slidably movable relative to the support chassis to a position offset from the media feed path.

Abstract: A method of removing a printhead cartridge from a print module includes the steps of: rotating a first wing lever to effect linear sliding movement of a first ink coupling of the print module away from the printhead cartridge; rotating a second wing lever to effect linear sliding movement of a second ink coupling of the print module away from the printhead cartridge; and removing the printhead cartridge from the print module. The first and second wing levers each has an axis of rotation perpendicular to a direction of linear sliding movement of the first and second ink couplings.

Abstract: A printing system includes: a media feed chassis including a plurality of fixed roller shafts, each roller shaft having a rotatable roller for guiding print media through a media feed path; and one or more inkjet modules mounted on the media feed chassis for printing on the print media. Each inkjet module has a support chassis seated on a set of roller shafts, and the support chassis includes a base having a set of notches defined therein, the roller shafts being received within the notches.

Abstract: A method of securing a printhead assembly in a printing position relative to a media feed path. The method includes the steps of: lowering the printhead assembly towards datum surfaces, each datum surface having a fixed position relative to the media feed path; and magnetically attracting portions of the printhead assembly towards the datum surfaces so as to secure the printhead assembly in the printing position.

Abstract: A print module comprising a printhead cartridge releasably engaged with a supply module, wherein the supply module comprises one or more wing levers for slidably raising and lowering a respective ink coupling of the supply module relative to the printhead cartridge.

Abstract: A method of capping printheads positioned along a curved media path having an apex. The method includes the steps of: providing a first printhead upstream of the apex and a corresponding first capper downstream of the first printhead; providing a second printhead downstream of the apex and a corresponding second capper upstream of the second printhead; moving the first capper towards the first printhead and capping the first printhead; and moving the second capper towards the second printhead and capping the second printhead. The first and second cappers are moved in opposite directions away from the apex for capping the first and second printheads.