Abstract: A capping assembly for capping a pagewidth printhead of an inkjet printer comprising: a body configured to extend the length of the printhead; and a capping element housed within said body and movable with respect to the body to cap at least a portion of said printhead; wherein, the body includes a mounting element for removably mounting said capping assembly to said printhead.

Abstract: An ink priming system for a cartridge unit of the type having a pagewidth printhead assembly in fluid communication with one or more ink storage compartments, the system comprising: a priming inlet provided on said printhead assembly for receiving a supply of ink for priming the cartridge unit; and an ink flow passage providing fluid connection between said printhead assembly and one of the ink storage compartments; wherein the ink supplied to the priming inlet of the printhead assembly flows from the printhead assembly to the ink storage compartment via the ink flow passage to prime both the printhead assembly and the ink storage compartment with ink simultaneously.

Abstract: A printing fluid storage device comprising a porous body having a plurality of individual channels arranged in an array to store printing fluid and supply the stored printing fluid to at least one printing fluid ejecting nozzle of a printhead of a printer unit, wherein a first end of each of the channels is in fluid communication with a printing fluid supply to extract printing fluid from the fluid supply for storage therein under capillary action and the stored printing fluid is supplied to the at least one nozzle under capillary action.

Abstract: A method of refilling a supply of printing fluid in a printing unit, comprising the steps of: removably mounting a dispenser of printing fluid to the printing unit so as to align an outlet of the dispenser with an inlet of a printing fluid storage chamber of the printing unit; determining an amount of printing fluid needed to substantially refill the printing fluid storage chamber; and selectively dispensing an amount of printing fluid from the dispenser corresponding to the determined amount.

Abstract: A pagewidth printhead assembly for an inkjet printer comprising: a body portion for receiving ink from one or more ink sources and having one or more channels formed therein for distributing the ink substantially along the length of the printhead assembly; one or more integrated circuits extending substantially the length of the printhead assembly, each integrated circuit having a plurality of nozzles, each of the nozzles being arranged in use to deliver the ink onto passing print media; and an ink distribution member upon which each integrated circuit is fixed and which distributes the ink from the body portion to each of the integrated circuits; wherein the ink distribution member comprises a first layer which directs the ink from the one or more channels of the body portion for delivery to each integrated circuit, and a second layer attached to said first layer for receiving and securing each integrated circuit in a position to receive the ink from the first layer.

Abstract: A print engine for an inkjet printer comprising: a removable inkjet cartridge of a type having a pagewidth printhead and an ink supply; and a cradle having a body adapted to receive the removable inkjet cartridge and to control the operation of the printhead for printing; wherein the cradle is configured to be secured to the inkjet printer to receive print media from a media input tray and to deliver printed media to a media output tray.

Abstract: A cradle unit for an inkjet printer comprising: a body complementary to a removable inkjet cartridge of a type having a pagewidth printhead, an ink supply and a capper assembly; and a controller for controlling the operation of the printhead to facilitate printing; wherein, said body includes an electromagnet assembly mounted thereto which is controlled by said controller for operating said capper assembly of the removable inkjet cartridge.

Abstract: A cradle unit for an inkjet printer comprising: a body complementary to a removable inkjet cartridge of a type having a pagewidth printhead and an ink supply; and a controller for controlling the operation of the printhead to facilitate printing; wherein, a plurality of terminals are located along the length of the body to contact corresponding terminals located along the length of the removable inkjet cartridge to enable electrical communication between the controller and the cartridge.

Abstract: A printhead for an inkjet printer, the printhead comprising: a printhead integrated circuit formed on a wafer substrate using lithographically masked etching and deposition techniques; an integrated circuit support structure for mounting in the printer adjacent a media feed path; and, a polymer sealing film between the integrated circuit support structure and the printhead integrated circuit for fixing the printhead integrated circuit to the integrated circuit support structure.

Abstract: A cradle for holding an ink cartridge within an inkjet printer, the cartridge having a plurality of ink storage compartments, the cradle comprising: a plurality of interfaces respectively corresponding to the ink storage compartments; wherein, each of the interfaces is configured to receive an ink refill unit for replenishing the corresponding ink storage compartment.

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: An ink refill unit for replenishing an ink cartridge in an inkjet printer, the ink cartridge having an interface for engaging the ink refill unit, the ink refill unit comprising: an ink storage compartment; a docking portion for engaging the interface of the cartridge, the docking portion having a base plate with an ink outlet for connection to an inlet port on the interface; engagement formations for releasably engaging the interface, the engagement formations being formed on the transverse centre line of the base plate; wherein, the centre of the ink outlet is spaced from the transverse centre line.

Abstract: A printhead maintenance assembly for an inkjet printhead, the printhead having a nozzle plate with an array of nozzles formed therein, the printhead maintenance assembly comprising: a capper to cover the array of nozzles when the printhead is not in use; and, a cleaner for engaging the nozzle plate and wiping across the nozzles; wherein, the cleaner is positioned between opposing sides of the capper.

Abstract: A printing fluid dispenser for a printing fluid refill cartridge comprising: a body storing printing fluid having an outlet through which the printing fluid is dispensed; and a selector arranged to select the amount of the printing fluid to be dispensed from the body.

Abstract: A cartridge for an inkjet printer, the cartridge comprising: at least one ink storage compartment; an ink feed system for supplying ink from the or each ink compartment to a printhead; and, a maintenance station for engaging the printhead to perform one or more maintenance functions.

Abstract: A printhead for an inkjet printer, the printhead comprising: a printhead integrated circuit having an array of ink ejection nozzles formed on a substrate; a plurality of ink feed conduits for establishing fluid communication with at least one ink storage compartment; and, a polymer sealing film between the ink feed conduits and the printhead integrated circuits, the polymer film having an array of apertures such that the ejection nozzles are in fluid communication with the ink feed conduits; wherein, the polymer sealing film is more than 25 microns thick.

Abstract: A cartridge unit for an inkjet printer comprising: a body portion housing one or more ink storage compartments; a pagewidth printhead assembly configured to receive ink from the one or more ink storage compartments and having a plurality of nozzles arranged in use to deliver the ink onto passing print media; and an electrical connector in electrical communication with the nozzles of the printhead assembly and disposed along the length of the printhead assembly for mating with a corresponding connectors of the inkjet printer to control operation of the nozzles.

Abstract: An inkjet printer comprising: an outer casing with a hingedly mounted panel for access its interior; a cradle housed within the outer casing for supporting an ink cartridge, the cradle having a hingedly mounted lid that opens to allow the ink cartridge to be inserted and removed; wherein, the hinge axis of the lid and the hinge axis of the panel are parallel; and, the lid and the panel both open in the same direction.

Abstract: An ink refill unit 155 is adapted for use with an ink cartridge that has a negatively pressurized ink storage compartment 46 that supplies ink to a printhead assembly 22, and an interface for receiving the refill unit 155. The refill unit has a body 157 containing a quantity of ink and a docking portion with an ink outlet. During use, the docking portion establishes fluid communication between the body and the ink storage compartment through the ink outlet upon releasable engagement with the interface, such that ink is drawn from the body into the cartridge because of the negative pressure in the ink storage compartment. Automatically establishing a fluid connection upon engagement with the cartridge, makes the use of the refill unit very simple and intuitive. Using the negative pressure in the cartridge to draw the ink out of the refill speeds the refilling process.

Abstract: A cradle unit for an inkjet printer comprising: a body complementary to a removable inkjet cartridge of a type having a pagewidth printhead and a refillable ink supply; and a controller for controlling the operation of the printhead to facilitate printing; wherein, said body is configured to receive a refill unit for supplying refill ink to the cartridge and includes a refill actuator for dispensing ink from said refill unit into said refillable ink supply.