Abstract: An inkjet printer comprising: a printer body; a printhead cartridge for installation in the printer body; an ink cartridge containing a supply of ink, the ink cartridge having a docking face for engagement with a complementary face to supply the printhead cartridge with ink; wherein, the complementary face is partially provided by the printhead cartridge and partially provided by the printer body.

Abstract: An inkjet printer comprising: a printhead cartridge with a printhead and a maintenance station for engaging the printhead when not in use; a printer body with a cradle for receiving the cartridge, and a maintenance station drive shaft for detachably engaging the maintenance station upon insertion of the printhead cartridge into the cradle, the maintenance station drive shaft having an engagement formation for engaging a complementary formation in the maintenance station; such that, when engaging the complementary formation, the engagement formation has limited axial displacement and limited transverse displacement.

Abstract: A capping mechanism is disclosed for a pagewidth printhead assembly having a pagewidth printhead and a plurality of nozzles located along the printhead for delivering ink onto print media as it is transported past the printhead. The capping mechanism comprises: i) a capping member having a length corresponding substantially to that of the printhead, and ii) an actuating mechanism arranged to effect linear transitioning of the capping member from a non-capping first position to a second position at which the capping member is located in nozzle capping engagement with the printhead. The capping mechanism is also disclosed in relation to a printhead assembly having two pagewidth printheads, and further disclosures are made in respect of an inkjet printer incorporating the capping mechanism and a method of capping a pagewidth printhead.

Abstract: An inkjet printer that has a printer body, a printhead cartridge for installation in the printer body, and an ink cartridge for supplying the printhead cartridge with ink. The ink cartridge has formations to engage both the printer body and the printhead cartridge.

Abstract: A printer is disclosed which includes: (a) a pagewidth printhead assembly having a single pagewidth printhead and a plurality of nozzles located along the printhead for delivering ink onto print media as it is transported past the printhead, and (b) a capping mechanism having—(i) a capping member having a length corresponding substantially to that of the printhead and located in a non-capping first position spaced-apart from the printhead, and (ii) an actuating mechanism arranged to effect arcuate transitioning of the capping member from the first position to a second position at which the capping member is located in nozzle capping engagement with the printhead.

Abstract: A reservoir assembly for a pagewidth printhead cartridge has a fluid distribution molding with priming inlets in fluid communication with fluid channels for supplying printing fluid to a plurality of printhead integrated circuits. The assembly includes a reservoir compartment arranged in fluid communication with the fluid channels via a fluid outlet. The reservoir compartment defines a vent hole to facilitate pressure equalisation in the compartment and a bypass fluid path interconnecting the fluid outlet and a well region defined by the compartment.

Abstract: A printer is provided having at least one printhead module having at least two printhead integrated circuits which have nozzles formed therein for delivering printing fluid onto the surface of print media, a support member supporting and carrying the printing fluid for the at least two printhead integrated circuits, and an electrical connector for connecting electrical signals to the at least two printhead integrated circuits, drive electronics incorporating at least one controller for controlling the printing operation of at least one of the at least two printhead integrated circuits via the electrical connector, and a casing in which the printhead module and the drive electronics are removably mounted. The printhead module is removable from the casing upon removal of the drive electronics.

Abstract: A printhead maintenance station for maintaining a printhead in an operable condition is provided. The maintenance station comprises: an endless maintenance belt having a contact surface for sealing engagement with an ink ejection face of the printhead; a cleaning station for cleaning the belt; and a conveyor mechanism for conveying the belt past the face and past the cleaning station. The belt is reciprocally movable between a first position in which part of the contact surface is sealingly engaged with the face, and a second position in which the contact surface is disengaged from the face.

Abstract: A method of maintaining a printhead in an operable condition and/or remediating a printhead to an operable condition is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (i) providing an endless maintenance belt having a contact surface for sealing engagement with an ink ejection face of the printhead; (ii) moving the belt into a first position in which a clean part of the contact surface is sealingly engaged with the face; (iii) moving said belt into a second position in which the contact surface is disengaged from the face, thereby providing an inked part of the contact surface; (iv) conveying the belt such that the inked part of the contact surface is conveyed away from the printhead and past a cleaning station, the cleaning station cleaning the inked part of the contact surface; and (v) optionally repeating steps (ii) to (iv).

Abstract: An inkjet printer comprising: a printer body and a replaceable printhead cartridge, the printhead cartridge having a casing that supports a pagewidth printhead and a plurality of contacts for receiving print data from corresponding contacts on the printer body; the printer body having a cradle for holding the printhead cartridge in an operative position such that the pagewidth printhead is adjacent a paper path defined by the printer body and the contacts on the printhead cartridge are connected to the corresponding contacts on the printer body, the cradle having a fulcrum formation for engaging a complementary formation on the casing upon insertion of the cartridge; such that, the cartridge rotates into the operative position and the casing is a lever for pushing the contacts into engagement with the corresponding contacts on the printer body.

Abstract: An inkjet printer that has a replaceable ink cartridge with an ink storage volume and an ink outlet. The ink outlet has an outlet valve that is biased closed and opens upon installation in the printer. The cartridge also has an air bag in the ink storage volume for expanding as ink is drawn through the ink outlet to keep a constant head of ink above the outlet valve. The air bag has an air inlet with a frangible seal configured to be ruptured upon installation of the cartridge such that the air bag is vented to atmosphere. The printer also has a pressure regulating valve for establishing fluid communication between the printhead and the ink storage volume wherein, the pressure regulating valve is biased closed and opens in response to a predetermined ink pressure difference across the valve.

Abstract: An ink cartridge for an inkjet printhead is disclosed. The ink cartridge comprises a sealed ink storage volume; an ink outlet for establishing sealed fluid communication between the printhead and the ink storage volume; and an air bag in the ink storage volume with an air inlet for allowing external air into the air bag. During use the air bag inflates as the ink is drawn from the ink storage volume.

Abstract: A printer with an inkjet printhead, the printer comprising: an ink reservoir; and, a pressure regulating valve for establishing fluid communication between the printhead and the ink reservoir; wherein, the pressure regulating valve is biased closed and opens in response to a predetermined ink pressure difference across the valve.

Abstract: A cartridge unit for an inkjet printer comprising: a body portion having a plurality of ink storage compartments; and a pagewidth printhead assembly configured to receive ink from ink storage compartments and distribute said ink to a plurality of nozzles arranged in use to deliver the ink onto passing print media; wherein the ink storage compartments comprise an absorption material which stores the ink therein under capillary action for supply to the nozzles of the printhead assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ink storage compartment. The compartment includes a reservoir structure, in turn, defining a plurality of ink reservoirs from which respective ink outlets extend. Ink absorbent material is provided within respective ink reservoirs. Bypass fluid path structures extend between respective ink outlets and ink reservoirs so that, when filling the ink storage compartment by supplying ink to the ink outlets, ink can be supplied to the ink reservoirs through both the ink outlets and bypass fluid path structures.

Abstract: A maintenance assembly for a pagewidth printer, said assembly operatively mounted between posts of a main body of the printer so that the maintenance assembly is positioned adjacent a printhead assembly of the printer. The maintenance assembly includes a maintenance chassis defining tongue portions and having ends which are shaped to fit over the posts of the main body to secure the maintenance assembly in position. The maintenance assembly also includes a retainer element operatively engaging the chassis, and a lower molding and an upper molding operatively fast with each other to sandwich an absorbent insert between them. The moldings are in turn sandwiched between the chassis and retainer element, so that the maintenance assembly is useable to wipe the printhead of the printer.

Abstract: The invention provides for a printhead assembly having a printhead module, printhead controller integrated circuitry and a casing with an integral heatsink. The printhead module has a plurality of modular printhead tiles designed for pagewidth printing applications. The printhead controller integrated circuitry is encased in the casing, which has an integral heatsink. A ducting assembly ducts ink to micro-electromechanical nozzle assemblies of the printhead tiles.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead is provided having at least one printhead module and drive electronics removably mounted to a support frame. The printhead module(s) has inkjet integrated circuits, a support member supporting and carrying ink for the inkjet integrated circuits and an electrical connector for connecting drive signals to the inkjet integrated circuits from the drive electronics so as to control ink ejection therefrom. The drive electronics is removable from the support frame independently of the printhead module.

Abstract: A cartridge is provided for an inkjet print engine. The cartridge includes an elongate body, in turn, defining a plurality of partitions and a pair of mounting posts at either end. An ink storage module assembly includes a row of ink storage modules interleaved with the partitions. A printhead assembly is mounted to the body and includes at least one ink ejection integrated circuit (IC) connected to receive ink from the ink storage modules. An elongate maintenance assembly is mounted between the posts and is configured to cap and clean the IC.

Abstract: An inkjet printer comprising: a replaceable pagewidth printhead with an array of nozzles and printhead contacts for transmitting power and print data to the nozzles; and, corresponding contacts for supplying the power and print data to the printhead contacts; and, a cover member for movement between open and closed positions; wherein, in the open position, the printhead can be installed or removed, and the cover member is in the closed position during printing; such that, the printhead contacts and the corresponding contacts are moved into engagement when the cover member is moved to the closed position, and the printhead contacts and the corresponding contacts disengage when the cover member is moved to the open position.