Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus has: a head having a plurality of nozzles which eject an ink onto a recording medium; a conveyance device which conveys the recording medium; a droplet ejection control device which controls ink ejection of the head; a test image forming device that forms a test image on the recording medium by causing the ink to be ejected from every n (where n is a natural number equal to 2 or higher) nozzles in an X direction perpendicular to a direction in which the recording medium is conveyed, and causing the ink to be ejected so as to form vertical lines forming n columns which shift by one nozzle in the X direction and each extend continuously in terms of a Y direction parallel to the direction in which the recording medium is conveyed; and a reading device which is provided on a conveyance path of the recording medium, reads in a test image on the recording medium and has an image reading structure covering a length corresponding to full width of the recording medium in a breadthways dir

Abstract: An ink-jet recording apparatus of one aspect of the invention comprises nozzles are arranged on an ink ejection surface in a matrix in a first direction in which a recording medium is conveyed and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The plurality of nozzles are grouped into a plurality of nozzle sets, each of the plurality of nozzle sets includes nozzles arranged along the second direction. The plurality of nozzle sets are spaced from one another in the first direction by first distances, each of the first distances is an integral multiple of a distance that is obtained by multiplying a unit distance by 2n-1. The unit distance corresponds to a highest resolution among first resolutions with respect to the first direction of an image to be formed on the recording medium.

Abstract: An active-energy ray curable ink-jet recording apparatus includes: an active-energy ray irradiation source; a plurality of full-line ink-jet heads which eject a liquid functional material that is curable by an active-energy ray, onto a recording medium which is scanned and transported; and a head controller for controlling the heads to form an image on the recording medium, wherein the plurality of full-line ink-jet heads include at least a black head and a yellow head on an extreme downstream side in a direction of transporting the recording medium.

Abstract: An ink jet recording head includes a flow passage for a liquid for cooling a recording element substrate. The flow passage is provided inside a support plate that supports the recording element substrate along a recording element array of the recording element substrate. The shortest distance between a recording element and the flow passage at the end of the support plate is larger than the shortest distance between a recording element and the flow passage in the middle of the support plate.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for printing continuous web and feeding ink to printing pens (or cartridges) that employs an array of interleaved ink-jet pens that are arranged to receive bulk ink through a manifold. The manifold and pens are mounted on a fixed array suspended over the web feed path. The manifold includes a plurality of self-sealing quick-disconnect couplings that each serve a discrete ink-jet pen. The pens lay down ink in a registered manner across the full width of the web. The pens are organized into two parallel, multi-pen arrays that are each diagonally oriented with respect to the feed direction. The feed path allows for duplex printing with a second web-side's array located on a lower level of the device, generally beneath the first-side's array. Duplex printing is facilitated due to its inherent length of the feed path. The printed part of the web is free of contact over predetermined lengths that ensure sufficient time for the drying of ink.

Abstract: Provided is a pagewidth printhead for an inkjet printer. The printhead has a printhead integrated circuit, a molding for supporting the printhead integrated circuit and distributing ink along the printhead integrated circuit, a core element bonded to the molding, and, an outer shell with a first metal layer sandwiched between two second metal layers, so that an effective coefficient of thermal expansion of said shell is substantially equal to that of the printhead integrated circuit. The core element defines ink reservoirs in fluid communication with the molding.

Abstract: An ink priming system for a cartridge includes a priming inlet provided on a pagewidth printhead assembly, the priming inlet including a valve incorporating an elastomeric seal; an ink flow passage providing fluid connection between the pagewidth printhead assembly and an ink storage compartment of the cartridge, the ink flow passage terminating at the ink storage compartment to form an ink outlet; an ink filter provided across the ink outlet; a vent hole defined through a surface of the ink storage compartment, the vent hole being defined through a surface opposite the ink outlet; and an ink retaining member provided within the ink storage compartment for receiving and storing ink, the ink retaining member being interposed between the ink outlet and the vent hole. Ink is supplied to the priming inlet of the pagewidth printhead assembly to flow from the pagewidth printhead assembly into the ink storage compartment via the ink flow passage and across the ink filter.

Abstract: A liquid ejection head unit has plural liquid ejection heads and a liquid droplet detection device that detects liquid droplets ejected from the heads. The liquid droplet detection device has LD arrays that are provided at one side surface in the longitudinal direction of the head unit and serve to emit light beams; photo diodes that are provided at the other side surface in the longitudinal direction of the head unit and serve to receive the light beams emitted from the LD arrays; and a light path forming unit that causes the light beams emitted from the LD arrays to pass through along a head surface as detection light beams from the outer side of an area capped by a cap of a maintenance and recovery mechanism of an image forming apparatus and that causes the emitted light beams to be incident on the light-receiving unit provided at the outer side of the area.

Abstract: A printer cartridge for an inkjet printer includes a body configured for user insertion in, and removal from, a cradle of the inkjet printer; a pagewidth printhead incorporated with the body, the pagewidth printhead having an array of nozzles for ejecting printing fluids onto a media substrate; a flexible membrane attached within the body and defining a plurality of pockets each serving as a printing fluid reservoir, each pocket of the flexible membrane being adapted to expand and contract with a volume of printing fluid stored therein; a cover molding for covering the body and sealing the flexible membrane within the body; and a refill port provided on the cover molding and having a plurality of inlets each respectively in fluid communication with one of the pockets, the refill port being configured to removably receive therein a refill cartridge.

Abstract: A printhead integrated circuit includes a substrate having a plurality of inkjet nozzles assemblies formed on a surface of the substrate. The substrate contains drive circuitry for supplying power to the nozzle assemblies. Each nozzle assembly includes a nozzle chamber for containing ink, the nozzle chamber having a roof and sidewalls extending from the roof to the surface of said substrate, the roof having a nozzle opening defined therein; an actuator for ejecting ink through the nozzle opening; a pair of electrodes positioned at the surface of the substrate; and a pair of connector posts encapsulated within the sidewalls, each connector post electrically connecting a respective electrode to the actuator. Each connector post extends linearly from a respective electrode to the actuator.

Abstract: A printhead for an inkjet printer is disclosed. The printhead has one or more a printhead integrated circuits (ICs) with an array of nozzles for ejecting ink. A support structure of the printhead supports the printhead ICs. The support structure has ink conduits for supplying the array of nozzles with ink. Each ink conduit includes cavities distributed along a roof of the ink conduit. An opening to each respective 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 is 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: The invention relates to a reservoir assembly for a pagewidth printhead cartridge. The 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 compartment includes porous absorbent material located inside the compartment to absorb printing fluid delivered via the priming inlets. A port is arranged in a side wall of the compartment for receiving a needle from a syringe to prime the reservoir compartment with printing fluid.

Abstract: An extrusion module for delivering ink to an array of printhead modules defining a pagewidth printhead. The modules are substantially coextensive with the extrusion module. The extrusion module includes a plurality of discrete ink channels each for conveying ink; and a pattern of holes defined in a surface of the extrusion module via which ink from each of said discrete ink channels is fed from the extrusion module to a printhead module. The pattern of holes is repeated longitudinally along the extrusion module. one repetition of the pattern corresponds to one printhead module.

Abstract: A printer cartridge includes body configured to facilitate insertion and removal of the printer cartridge, by an end user of the printer cartridge, to and from a complementary cradle in an inkjet printer; one or more printing fluid storages mounted to the body, each printing fluid storage including a polyethylene membrane shaped as a pocket, the polyethylene membrane adapted to expand and collapse; a pagewidth printhead mounted to the body, the pagewidth printhead having a first print chip and a second print chip, the first print chip having an array of nozzles fabricated on a first monolithic substrate and the second print chip having an array of nozzles fabricated on a second monolithic substrate separate from the first monolithic substrate; and, a fluid connection between the printing fluid storage and the first and second print chips. The length of the first print chip added to the length of the second print chip is at least equal to the length of the pagewidth printhead.

Abstract: A print assembly (14) for a wide format pagewidth inkjet printer (10) includes an elongate carrier (187) that is mountable on a support structure (12) of the printer and is positioned an operative distance from a platen (106) of the printer (10). A number of printhead chips (186) are provided in a number and configuration such that the printhead chips define a printing zone (120) between the carrier (187) and the platen (106), the printing zone (120) having a length of at least 36 inches (914 mm). Each printhead chip (186) is of the type that incorporates a plurality of nozzle arrangements (210) and being in the form of a micro electromechanical system to achieve the ejection of ink from the nozzle arrangement (210). Control circuitry (190) is positioned on the carrier (187) and is operatively connected to the printhead chips (186) to control operation of the printhead chips (186).

Abstract: A printhead assembly includes a molded ink manifold, a plurality of printhead integrated circuits, and an adhesive film sandwiched between the ink manifold and the printhead integrated circuits. A manifold bonding surface of the molded ink manifold includes a polymer coating. The polymer coating plugs fissures resulting from a molding process used to mold the ink manifold.

Abstract: A print engine for an inkjet printer includes an inkjet cartridge having a cartridge body, a pagewidth printhead, a capper unit extending a length of the pagewidth printhead and housing a capping element which is movable between a capped position in engagement with the pagewidth printhead and a retracted position spaced from the pagewidth printhead, and an ink supply. The cartridge body supports the pagewidth printhead, the capper unit and the ink supply for simultaneous removal and replacement as a unitary component. The print engine further includes a cradle having a body for receiving the removable inkjet cartridge and to control the operation of the printhead for printing, the cradle having a capper drive for engaging the capper unit and drawing the capping element to the uncapped position; and a print controller board received in the cradle, the print controller board including one or more electrical terminals for engaging with corresponding electrical terminals on the inkjet cartridge.

Abstract: A printing cartridge comprises a body configured to removably engage with an inkjet printer; a printhead assembly mounted to the body, the printhead assembly including at least one printhead integrated circuit and an ink distribution support, the at least one printhead integrated circuit being mounted to an underside of the ink distribution support; a plurality of conduits provided through an underside of the ink distribution support, the conduits providing fluidic communication between a plurality of ink paths of the ink distribution support and the underside of the ink distribution support; and a sealing film for adhesively mounting the printhead integrated circuit to the ink distribution support, the sealing film including a plurality of through-holes which correspond to and align with the conduits. The sealing film provides a seal preventing mixing of ink from each of the plurality of ink paths at an underside of the ink distribution support.

Abstract: A mobile telecommunications device is provided having a printhead for printing on print media, a capper moveable between a capped position in which the printhead is capped and an uncapped position in which the printhead is uncapped, and a mechanism for maintaining the capper in the uncapped position. The mechanism has actuation arms configured to grip and retain the print media suspended from the device once printing is complete until removal of the print media from the device by a user.

Abstract: A print media and printing fluid cartridge is provided removably mounted to a support structure of a digital photofinishing system in juxtaposition with a printer mounted to the support structure together with a digital processor and print media drive mechanism. The cartridge has a roll of print media, a print media delivery arrangement arranged to couple with the drive mechanism so as to feed the print media from the roll to the printer, and at least one removable printing fluid first cartridge for feeding printing fluid to the printer. The digital processor is arranged to receive digitised data that is representative of a photographic image and to process the data in a manner to generate a drive signal that is representative of the photographic image for the printer. The printer processes the drive signal and page-width prints the photographic image on the fed print media using the fed printing fluid.

Abstract: A droplet ejecting apparatus for discharging liquid from nozzles of pressure chambers by supplying liquid from a liquid tank to said pressure chambers and then contracting said pressure chambers by means of piezoelectric elements, comprising: pressure chamber plates forming said pressure chambers, and to which vibration plates forming walls of said pressure chambers are formed integrally; and a common liquid chamber formed in the liquid tank and connected to respective liquid supply ports of the respective pressure chambers through respective flow passages connected to said respective liquid supply ports; wherein the liquid tank and the pressure chamber plates are mutually superimposed in a layered structure, in positions where the flow passages coincide with the liquid supply ports of the pressure chambers.

Abstract: A modular printhead includes an elongate extrusion defining internal passages for carrying air, ink and fixative. The extrusion further defines repeated patterns of holes along its length with each pattern having holes in fluid communication with respective passages. A plurality of printhead modules is serially engaged along the extrusion with respective patterns of holes. Each printhead module defines inlets aligned in fluid communication with respective holes and internal chambers in fluid communication with respective inlets. Each printhead module includes an ink ejection integrated circuit (IC) which is fed the air, ink and fixative from the internal chambers.

Abstract: A line-type liquid ejecting head includes an ejection unit group constituted by a plurality of ejection units each including a plurality of nozzle openings through which droplets of liquid are ejected, a pressure chamber communicating with the nozzle openings, and a pressure generator capable of generating a pressure change in the liquid in the pressure chamber, the liquid being supplied from a liquid source through a liquid supply channel to the pressure chambers and being ejected through the nozzle openings in a form of droplets by the pressure generators. The ejection unit group is sectioned into a plurality of unit blocks each constituted by a plurality of sets of the ejection units. Each of the unit blocks is provided with a block common channel, a distribution channel communicating with the liquid supply channel and the block common channel, and individual supply channels extending from the block common channel to the pressure chambers of the ejection units.

Abstract: In an ink jet printer having a plural number of line heads arranged in a paper printing direction, it is sought to render the printing density high in the nozzle row direction without the need to exchange the line heads. The invention provides an ink jet printer in which line heads other than at least one of the line heads 3 are each displaceable by a distance that is equal to a part per the plural number of a nozzle pitch in the line head in a direction of the nozzle row.

Abstract: A print head unit has an elongate print head integrated circuit. An ink supply unit defines an elongate print head slot in which the print head integrated circuit is received. Ink supply vias supply ink to the print head slot. Longitudinally extending channels are in fluid communication with the print head integrated circuit through the vias and longitudinally extending aperture slots provide for the snap-in insertion of rollers for the transport of print media operatively with respect to the print head integrated circuit during printing.

Abstract: A printer is provided having a pagewidth printhead and a casing having a channel in which the pagewidth printhead is removably clamped so as to constrain movement of the printhead relative to the casing across the longitudinal direction of the channel and to allow movement of the printhead along the longitudinal direction of the channel.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead having a plurality of color channels extending longitudinally along a length of the printhead. Each color channel comprises at least one row of nozzles and each nozzle in a same color channel ejects the same colored ink. The printhead has a plurality of printhead modules and the number of color channels is equal to the number of printhead modules.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for calibrating a sensory array to ensure a robust cross-process registration measurement. The calibration is implemented using a calibration step that determines the signature error amount of a given image reading sensor. The signature error amount for the sensor is stored in a signature error look-up table. When the sensors are used to sense print head alignment, the correction may be implemented by accessing the signature error look-up table for the given sensor when calibrating the print heads. The signature error look-up table provides an amount of offset for each sensor that is used in determining the appropriate head position of a given print head to calibrate the print heads for the signature error associated with the given sensor.

Abstract: A print engine controller for a pagewidth printhead includes contone and bi-level decompression circuitry for decompressing a contone layer of compressed page data and a bi-level layer of compressed page data, respectively; halftoner and compositor circuitry for halftoning the decompressed contone layer to associated bi-level versions and compositing the decompressed bi-level layer over the halftoned contone layers; printhead interface circuitry for receiving the halftoned and composited data, and to generate therefrom print data suitable for printing by the printhead; and line loader and formatter circuitry for receiving dot data from the halftoner and compositor circuitry, loading dot data for a given print line into buffer storages, and formatting the dots of the given print line into an order required by the printhead interface circuitry. The line loader and formatter circuitry loads the dot data into a combination of on integrated circuit and external storage buffers.

Abstract: A nozzle device for an inkjet printhead includes a substrate assembly defining an ink supply; a chamber-defining layer defining a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with a nozzle opening and the ink supply; an actuating arm coupled to the substrate assembly and terminating in a paddle separating the ink supply and nozzle chamber, the actuating arm configured to pivot during actuation to cause ink within the nozzle chamber to be ejected out through the nozzle opening; and a movement sensor configured to determine the degree or rate of pivotal movement of the actuating arm. The actuating arm further includes a bridge between the paddle and the thermal bend portion which supports a portion of the chamber-defining layer.

Abstract: An ink jet recording head includes recording element substrates each including at least one nozzle array and heat generating resistors, a common liquid chamber having introducing and discharging ports, and a supporting member mounting the recording element substrates and in which a plurality of individual liquid chambers for supplying the ink to respective recording element substrates and a plurality of ink inlet ports for supplying the ink from the common liquid chamber to respective individual liquid chambers are formed. The individual liquid chambers are arranged in a direction of flow of the ink from the ink introducing port toward the discharging port. At least in a most upstream individual liquid chamber with respect to the direction, a center line of an associated inlet port with respect to the direction is located downstream of a center line of the upstream individual liquid chamber with respect to the direction.

Abstract: A web platform has multiple print modules adapted to print form data and variable data in a continuous operation. A controller with access to a form image database and a variable document database is connected to the web platform. Each print module on the web platform uses single color, ink jet, print heads. Form data is printed by a plurality of single color print modules. Variable data is printed by a single color print module. Bulk paper in rolls is fed through the web platform to print the forms and customer statements. The controller can direct printing of multiple statements simultaneously in discrete lanes on the web platform. Printed customer statements are subsequently separated into individual finished documents for process and mailing.

Abstract: A digital camera comprises an image sensor for sensing an image; a card reader configured to read a removable data card carrying distortion information; a printer configured to print a distorted image on print media, the printer including a replaceable print roll carrying both the print media and ink to be printed upon the print media; and a controller for controlling the communication of the distorted images to the printer. The print roll includes an ink reservoir section and the ink reservoir section includes a plurality of bladder type containers for storing respective types of ink. A cavity is provided in the ink reservoir section for receiving an integrated circuit device storing information associated with the print roll.

Abstract: A printer is provided having an elongate carrier spaced from a platen, ejection nozzle integrated circuits carried by the carrier to define an elongate printing zone between the carrier and platen, controllers carried by the carrier each configured to control a group of the integrated circuits, capping devices carried by the carrier to be reciprocally displaceable to cap respective integrated circuits, and an elongate camshaft positioned along the elongate carrier and along the capping devices and a translating member interconnecting the elongate camshaft and the capping devices, so that rotational movement of the elongate camshaft driven by a motor results in the reciprocal movement of the capping devices between the capping and non-capping positions.

Abstract: A printhead assembly includes an elongate ink distribution assembly defining elongate ink ducts from which ink transfer ports extend. The ink distribution assembly further defines a recess in which a laminated stack structure is received in fluid communication with the ink transfer ports. The laminated stack structure has layers between which ink channels in fluid communication with the ports are interleaved. The laminated stack defines at least one cavity in which respective ink ejection print head integrated circuits (ICs) can be received in fluid communication with the ink channels. The cavity is formed in the laminated stack structure so that the ICs can be disposed at a slight angle to the longitudinal axis of the ink distribution assembly.

Abstract: An inkjet printer assembly includes a cartridge having an integrated pagewidth printhead integrated circuit (IC); a cradle for receiving the cartridge; an air compressor for providing compressed air to the cartridge, the air compressor including a fan housing, an air filter, and an impeller, the fan housing having an air outlet adapted to mate with an air inlet port of the cartridge; a motor having a transmission assembly provided with a direct drive coupling from a spindle of the motor to the impeller of the air compressor; and a controller for determining a performance characteristic of the cartridge and to control an operation the printhead IC in response to the determined performance characteristic of the cartridge.

Abstract: A pagewidth inkjet printhead assembly has a plurality of nozzle arrangements. Each nozzle arrangement comprises walls defining an ink chamber having an ink supply channel and an ink ejection port having an ink spreading prevention rim; a thermal actuator mechanism for ejecting ink from the chamber via the ejection port, the thermal actuator mechanism including an actuator arm having two layers which are formed from a conductive, resiliently flexible material, said layers surrounding a central material layer so that said two layers are in thermal balance with the arm in a quiescent state; and drive circuitry for supplying the thermal actuator mechanism with a drive current, the drive circuitry being operable in a first and second operative mode. Tn the first operative mode, the drive circuitry supplies current to the thermal actuator mechanism sufficient to cause the thermal actuator mechanism to bend to a degree whereby ink is expelled from the ink ejection port.

Abstract: A printhead assembly includes a support beam formed of two types of material having different coefficients of thermal expansion, the two materials being repeatedly alternated in segments over the length of the support beam to form the support beam; and a plurality of spaced apart printhead modules supported by the support beam. A first one of the materials has a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than that of silicon, and a second one of the materials has a coefficient of thermal expansion less than that of silicon.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of printers and printheads formed of a number of modules mounted on a chassis. The modules and chassis are formed with a number of alignment features which engage with one another to form elastic interference couplings. By arranging a number n of such couplings for each module, the variance in positional error of each module with respect to the chassis can be made significantly less than the alignment error of the alignment features themselves, by the process of Average Elastic Alignment. The elastic interference couplings can advantageously be made to form a sealed coupling for the supply of ink from the chassis to each module.

Abstract: A printer cradle is provided having a recess with an inclined face for receiving and removably locating a print cartridge, a retainer for removably retaining the print cartridge within the recess, and resilient members arranged to act against the print cartridge as it is located by the inclined face and to bias the print cartridge against the retainer once located within the recess. The print cartridge has a pagewidth printhead, a printing fluid supply and a fluid connection between the printhead and the printing fluid supply.

Abstract: An ink jet recording head (100) comprising edge shooter type head units (20) each having a head chip provided with a nozzle ejection surface, a positioning plate (41) for arranging the head units (20) in parallel to each other, inclined against a line arranging direction. The positioning plate (41) arranges the head units (20) in parallel to each other, inclined against the line arranging direction, and the angle of the inclination is set so that a nozzle interval, in the line arranging direction, of two nozzles (21a) corresponds to a predetermined resolution, the two nozzles being adjacent to each other on a straight line on the nozzle ejection surface.

Abstract: A handheld printer that provides an appropriate application of ink to a print medium without a bulky and complex mechanical system for positioning a print head with respect to the print medium. A handheld printer according to the present teachings includes a navigation subsystem that tracks a motion of the handheld printer with respect to a printing surface and a print head controller that causes a print head to fire ink drops onto the printing surface in response to the motion and in response to an image contained in an image buffer.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead has a pair of adjacent printhead segments having overlapping ink ejection nozzles. A degree of overlap of the printhead segments is determined, and a half toning of a continuous tone image is provided. The half toning is provided by a dither matrix outputting a dither value to an adder, the adder having an overlap input signal which varies depending on the degree of overlap between the adjacent printhead segments. The half toning is adjusted in a region of overlap between the adjacent printhead segments to reduce artifacts between the adjacent printhead segments.

Abstract: A printhead assembly for an inkjet printer, which has a printhead with a plurality of inlets for receiving ink, an extrusion having a plurality of outlets in fluid communication with the plurality of inlets such that the extrusion supplies ink to the printhead, the extrusion having a plurality of ink channels in fluid communication with the plurality of outlets, a plugging device at one end of the extrusion configured to supply ink from the printer to each of the channels respectively, the plugging device having a first plate, a second plate, a series of plugs and a spine, the first and the second plate hingedly connected via the spine such that the series of plugs seal respective open ends of the plurality of channels and the first and second plates overlap and clamp around the exterior surface of the first end of the extrusion. The plugging device also having inlets for receiving ink from the printer, and directing the received ink into respective channels of the extrusion.

Abstract: A printer is provided having, supported by a support structure, a print assembly and feed mechanism for feeding print media though a printing zone. The print assembly has an elongate carrier mounted to the support structure which mounts printhead integrated circuits and control circuitry connected to the printhead ICs. The elongate printing zone defined by the printhead ICs is at least 914 mm. Each printhead IC incorporates nozzle arrangements having a nozzle, ink chamber, ink inlet, actuator, and drive circuit to achieve ink ejection at more than one billion ink drops per second. The printhead ICs are each positioned at a common angle of greater than zero degrees and less than ninety degrees with respect to a straight line extending at right angles to a feed direction of print media, with consecutive ends of the printhead integrated circuits overlapping to ensure continuous printing in the printing zone.

Abstract: An ink jet print head comprises a print head matrix having nozzles for drop? formation and release opening onto a print side surface of said matrix and individual local micro-reservoirs, each associated with the local nozzles. The reservoirs open onto an ink supply surface of the matrix and are supplied with ink by capillary action from wiping or spraying of ink regularly refreshed onto the ink supply surface. The design allows for a print head that substantially covers the area of the print media and thus permits stationary printing. Printing is rapid and the ink supply arrangement allows for reliable ink supply at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A modular printhead assembly includes an elongate substrate member that defines a plurality of holes. An ink conduit is mounted longitudinally on one side of the substrate member and defines a plurality of ink holes to be in fluid communication with the ink holes defined by the elongate substrate member. A plurality of printhead module assemblies is mounted along an opposite side of the substrate member. Each module assembly includes an ink feed structure in fluid communication with the ink holes defined by the elongate substrate member and a printhead integrated circuit in fluid communication with the ink feed structure. A bus bar assembly is arranged on the substrate member for providing the printhead integrated circuits with power.

Abstract: A card-type printing device includes a support structure defining an exposed body portion; an electrical connector located at a first end of the support structure, the electrical connector adapted for insertion into a corresponding electrical socket to send and receive data; a printhead assembly located at a second end of the support structure opposite the first end, the printhead assembly electrically coupled to the electrical connector; a printhead and a feed arrangement for feeding print media to the printhead, the printhead and the feed arrangement included in the printhead assembly; a print media cartridge releasably mounted in the exposed body portion of the support structure, between the electrical connector and the printhead assembly; and a cover engaging the support structure in a releasable manner to cover the printhead assembly.

Abstract: A printhead is provided for an inkjet printer. The printhead includes an elongate spine defining a channel and first location formations. An elongate ink distribution extrusion is receivable in the channel and defines spaced apart sets of ink supply holes. A printhead module locator defines second location formations which engage with said first location formations. A set of serially arranged ink ejection printhead modules is positioned adjacent the locator, and along the extrusion, so that the printhead modules engage with respective sets of ink supply holes.

Abstract: A printhead system comprising an inkjet printhead and a printer controller for supplying dot data to the printhead is provided. The printhead comprises a plurality of first nozzles and a plurality of second nozzles supplied with a same colored ink. The first nozzles and second nozzles are configured in a plurality of sets, wherein each set of nozzles comprises one first nozzle and one corresponding second nozzle. Each nozzle in a set is configurable by the printer controller to print a dot of the ink onto a substantially same position on a print medium. The printer controller is programmed to supply dot data such that the first nozzles and the second nozzles each contribute dots to a line of printing.