Abstract: A printhead assembly is provided having at least one printhead module, at least one controller and a casing in which the printhead module and controller are removably mounted. The module is a unitary arrangement of a support member, at least two print nozzle integrated circuits, at least two fluid distribution members each mounting the print nozzle integrated circuits to the support member, and respective electrical connectors. The controller is configured to process print data and to communicate the processed print data to microprocessing circuitry of at least one of the print nozzle integrated circuits via the respective electrical connector so as to control the printing operation of the print nozzle integrated circuit(s) to print the processed print data.

Abstract: A printhead assembly for an inkjet printer configured for use with at least one replaceable ink cartridge, the printhead assembly comprising: an ink inlet valve for sealed connection to an outlet on the ink cartridge, the inlet valve having an inlet opening and a movable valve member biased into sealing engagement with the inlet opening, the outlet having a complementary member for depressing the movable valve member out of engagement with the inlet opening to open the valve; wherein, the inlet opening has an external formation about its periphery for sealing against the outlet before the complementary member depresses the movable valve member.

Abstract: A printer is disclosed which has: (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/purging mechanism having (i) a capping member associated with the printhead, the capping member having a length corresponding substantially to that of the printhead and being located in a non-capping first position adjacent the printhead, (ii) purging means associated with the capping member and arranged to receive material that is purged from the nozzle environment of the printhead, and (iii) an actuating mechanism arranged to effect transitioning of the capping member in an arcuate direction from the first position to a second position at which the capping member is located in nozzle capping engagement with the printhead.

Abstract: Provided is a print cradle assembly for a printhead cartridge. The cradle assembly includes a docking bay molding, a media feed drive assembly positioned on the docking bay molding and configured to feed media through the assembly, and a printed circuit board (PCB) with a printer controller for controlling the media feed drive assembly and operation of the cartridge. The cradle assembly also includes a maintenance drive assembly for driving a capping mechanism of a printhead of the cartridge.

Abstract: An inkjet printer that has a printer body, a printhead cartridge for installation in the printer body, the printhead cartridge having a pagewidth inkjet printhead structure with an array of nozzles, a plurality of ink cartridges for supplying ink, each of the ink cartridges having a docking face for engagement with a complementary face partially provided by the printhead cartridge and partially provided by the printer body and, a docking frame with a plurality of resilient connectors form part of fluid paths from the ink cartridges. Longitudinal expansion and contraction of the pagewidth printhead structure relative to the docking frame is accommodated by the resilient connectors.

Abstract: A printhead for an inkjet printer that has an elongate array of nozzles (68) for ejecting ink and ink conduits for supplying the array of nozzles with ink. The ink conduits extend adjacent the elongate array and have a plurality of pulse dampers individually in fluid communication with the ink conduits, each containing a volume of gas for compression by pressure pulses in the ink conduits, distributed along the length of the elongate array. A pressure pulse moving through an elongate printheads, such as a pagewidth printhead, can be damped at any point in the ink flow line. However, the pulse will cause nozzle flooding as it passes the nozzles in the printhead integrated circuit, regardless of whether it is subsequently dissipated at the damper. By incorporating a number of pulse dampers into the ink supply conduits immediately next to the nozzle array, any pressure spikes are damped at the site where they would otherwise cause detrimental flooding.

Abstract: Provided is a print cradle assembly for a printhead cartridge. The cradle assembly includes a docking bay molding and a media feed drive assembly positioned on the docking bay molding and configured to feed media through the assembly. The cradle assembly also includes a printed circuit board (PCB) with a printer controller for controlling the media feed drive assembly and operation of the cartridge, as well as a heatshield mounted to the PCB for shielding the printer controller from electromagnetic interference (EMI) and user contact with the PCB.

Abstract: An inkjet printer comprising: a printer body and a replaceable printhead cartridge, the printhead cartridge having a casing that supports a pagewidth printhead; 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; wherein, during insertion, the cradle and the casing interact to form an over centre mechanism whereby, the printhead cartridge rotates against a bias prior until reaching a balance point, after which it is biased to rotate into the operative position.

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: 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: 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 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: 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.