Abstract: An ink delivery system for supplying ink to an inkjet printhead at a predetermined backpressure. The ink delivery system includes: a pressure regulating valve connected to a printhead inlet port; an ink tank connected to a valve inlet of the pressure regulating valve; and a pump connected to a printhead outlet port. The backpressure of ink supplied to the printhead is controlled by: a height h1 of ink in the ink tank relative to a valve orifice, a height h2 of the valve orifice relative to the printhead, a position of a valve member relative to the orifice and a pump speed of the pump.

Abstract: A pressure regulating valve for an inkjet printhead. The valve includes: a fluid flow path defined between a valve inlet and a valve outlet; an orifice positioned in the flow path; a movable valve member configured for regulating a fluid flow rate through the orifice; a regulator chamber having the valve outlet and including a diaphragm operatively connected to the valve member, such that movement of the diaphragm moves the valve member relative to the orifice; and a biasing mechanism for resiliently biasing the diaphragm away from the orifice. An outer surface of the valve member is non-linearly flared away from the diaphragm.

Abstract: A pressure regulating valve for an inkjet printhead. The valve includes: a valve inlet connect to a valve outlet; via a flow path; a first orifice positioned in the flow path having a sealable first seat; a movable first valve member configured for sealing engagement with the first seat; a second orifice positioned in the flow path; a movable second valve member configured for regulating a fluid flow rate through the second orifice; a regulator chamber having the valve outlet and comprising a diaphragm operatively connected to the second valve member, such that movement of the diaphragm moves the second valve member relative to the second orifice; and a biasing mechanism for resiliently biasing the diaphragm away from the second orifice.

Abstract: A printhead assembly that has a casing with a series of module mounting sites, printed circuit board mounting sites and busbar support formations. A printhead module is mounted to each module mounting site respectively. Each printhead module has a printhead integrated circuit (IC). A plurality of printed circuit boards control the printhead IC's, one of the printed circuit boards being fixed to each of the printed circuit board mounting sites respectively. Busbars are secured in the busbar support formations for receiving data and power from the printed circuit boards. The printhead modules are electrically connected to the busbars to provide the printhead integrated circuits with power and data.

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: Provided is a cartridge unit for a printer. The cartridge unit has upper and lower plate members having an ink bag located between the plate members to define an ink volume. The plate members can be displaced towards and away from each other by an external force. A bag constrictor assembly engages the plate members and is configured to act on the bag when the plate members are displaced towards each other to reduce the ink volume. A valve insert has an inlet valve to facilitate refilling of the bag with ink and an outlet valve to facilitate ink delivery to a printhead. A filter cover is positioned between the valve insert and the ink bag to filter contaminants and air bubbles passing between the ink bag and said valve insert.

Abstract: The invention provides for a printhead assembly that has a number of modular PCBs and a number of printhead integrated circuits (ICs). Each of the printhead IC's is respectively connected to one of the modular PCBs for operative control. Modular supports in the assembly define a raised portion and a recessed portion at an end thereof. Each PCB has electrical connecting strips which operatively overlie the respective recessed portions. At least one connecting member operatively connects respective PCBs to each other. Each connecting member has a series of parallel spaced conducting strips. The member is shaped and configured for fitment into a cavity defined by the raised and recessed portions of two abutting supports to connect the connecting strips of two PCBs via the conducting strips. The assembly also has a printer controller configured to synchronize operation of the respective PCBs during printing.

Abstract: A securing arrangement for securing a printing fluid refill cartridge to a printing unit comprising a first engagement member arranged in the vicinity of an outlet of the refill cartridge through which printing fluid contained therein is dispensable and a second engagement member arranged in the vicinity of a refill port of the printing unit and configured to be removably securable with the first engagement member so as to engage and hold the refill port and the outlet together.

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: An ink manifold defining multiple fluid flow paths has openings arranged for detachable connection with conduits in an interface. Shut off valves at each of the openings respectively, are biased open. An actuator biased to a closed position by a resilient element, where it holds all the shut off valves closed. The actuator engages the interface such that moving the interface into connection with the openings simultaneously moves the actuator to an open position where the shut off valves are able to open. The resilient element generates a bias greater than a combined bias exerted by the shut off valves on the actuator.

Abstract: A printhead assembly for an inkjet printer is disclosed. The printhead assembly has an elongate printhead chip with a nozzle face defining an array of nozzles. A support structure supports the elongate printhead chip on an external surface thereof. An epoxy resin is also provided adjacent a long side edge of the elongate printhead chip. The epoxy resin is profiled such that the epoxy resin is flush with the nozzle face of the elongate printhead chip. The epoxy resin is thixotropic prior to setting.

Abstract: A printhead assembly comprising: a plurality of printhead modules releasably connected together via connecting members, each printhead module comprising: at least two printhead integrated circuits, each of which has nozzles formed therein for delivering printing fluid onto the surface of print media; a support member for supporting: the at least two printhead integrated circuits; and a supply of printing fluid provided to the at least two printhead integrated circuits; and an electrical connector for receiving electrical signals for the at least two printhead integrated circuits; a drive electronics part incorporating at least one controller which is connected to at least one of the at least two printhead integrated circuits via the electrical connector for controlling the printing operation of at least one of the at least two printhead integrated circuits; and a casing part for supporting the drive electronics part and the at least one printhead module.

Abstract: A capping mechanism is provided for a printhead having a plurality of ejection nozzles. The capping mechanism has a capping member formed from flexible sheet material, a transport mechanism for moving the capping member between positions at which the capping member contacts and substantially covers the ejection nozzles of the printhead and at which the capping member is remote from the printhead, and a cutter mechanism for separating spent capping material from the capping member when the capping member is remote from the printhead.

Abstract: A printhead assembly is provided. The cartridge includes a body assembly defining fluid chambers that each comprise a stack of polymer layers with a micro-capillary array of channels formed therein to form an absorbent assembly. The printhead assembly includes a plurality of printhead integrated circuits (IC) each having a plurality of micro-electromechanical nozzle arrangements for ejecting printing fluid onto a printing medium, in use. The printhead assembly also includes a fluid distribution member operatively arranging each chamber in fluid communication with each IC.

Abstract: Provided is a cartridge unit for a printer. The cartridge unit has upper and lower plate members having an ink bag located between the plate members to define an ink volume. The plate members can be displaced towards and away from each other by an external force. A bag constrictor assembly engages the plate members and is configured to act on the bag when the plate members are displaced towards each other to reduce the ink volume. A valve insert has an inlet valve to facilitate refilling of the bag with ink and an outlet valve to facilitate ink delivery to a printhead. A filter cover is positioned between the valve insert and the ink bag to filter contaminants and air bubbles passing between the ink bag and said valve insert.

Abstract: A printing system is provided having a fluid delivery member, a fluid ejection nozzle integrated circuit, and a fluid distribution member incorporating a laminated stack of layers for distributing fluid from the delivery member to the nozzles of the integrated circuit via distribution apertures. The distribution apertures of each successive layer of the stack from the delivery member to the nozzles having a successively smaller diameter.

Abstract: Provided is an elongate multi-chip printhead unit for a pagewidth printer. The unit includes a number of integrated circuits laid end-to-end, each having a multitude of micro-electromechanical nozzles for ejecting printing fluid. The unit also includes an ink distribution molding defining a plurality of elongate conduits for distributing printing fluid to the printhead. Also included is a printed circuit board (PCB) configured to relay data signals from a printer controller to respective ends of the integrated circuits, as well as busbars positioned to provide drive current to the micro-electromechanical nozzles of the printhead. The busbars are retained in position at one end by a socket, and at both ends by wrap-around wings of the PCB. The unit further includes a support member for holding the integrated circuits, molding, busbars and PCB in appropriate alignment.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a film used in attaching a printhead integrated circuit to an ink supply manifold is disclosed. An adhesive polymeric film having a protective liner is provided. Photoresist is then deposited onto the protective liner, and the photoresist is photopatterned. Ink supply holes are etched through the adhesive polymeric film and the protective liner, with the photoresist acting as a mask for the etching. Finally, the protective liner including the photoresist is removed from the adhesive polymeric film after the etching step is complete.

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 moulded 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 printhead cradle is provided for removably receiving a printhead. The cradle has a controller for controlling operation of the received printhead and an electromagnet for causing movement of a movable capper of the printhead under control of the controller.