Abstract: In a print bar system or method in which at least one print bar is positioned in a printing position, first and second drive and guidance units are provided for the print bar and which each have an adjustable guidance unit and a first coupling unit. The print bar has print bar receptacles with adjustable positioning pins. The guidance units and the print bar receptacles are designed such that upon insertion of the print bar into the drive and guidance units the print bar receptacles rest in a floating bearing on the guidance units and are centered and arrested after displacement of the guidance units in the drive and guidance units such that the print bar is positioned into the printing position in the drive and guidance units and wherein the positioning pins engage in the first coupling units.

Abstract: A printhead module is provided for an inkjet printhead assembly. The printhead module includes a support. An elongate carrier is mounted to the support. The carrier defines a plurality of transverse ribs and an ink channel located between the ribs. A subassembly includes a micro-electromechanical integrated circuit (IC) configured to eject ink. The subassembly is mounted to the carrier so that the support, carrier and subassembly define a plurality of sealed ink chambers which can feed ink to the IC via the ink channel.

Abstract: A printing device includes one or more engines that are attachable to and detachable from the printing device and print an image on a recording medium. Each engine includes a plurality of head modules each having a plurality of heads that eject ink, one or more data transfer control units that control an image data, pixel by pixel, the image data being subjected to print and being transferred from an upper level device, and an output control unit that requests the data transfer control unit to transfer the image data in a pixel order in accordance with an ink ejection order determined by the engine mounted on the printing device, transfers the image data having been transferred in the pixel order to the head module, in the same pixel order, that is subjected to eject ink, and make the head module eject the ink onto the recording medium.

Abstract: An ink tank is attachable to the attachment section by positioning first engagement sections at first fitting sections on the attachment section and then locking a second engagement section to a second fitting section of the attachment section by rotating the tank. The multiple supply ports are arranged on a bottom face of the tank such that the supply ports are on both sides of a center line in a width direction of the tank, and that distances between each of abutting centers configured to abut ink receiving parts of the attachment section, and the first engagement section side in a direction along a center line are mutually different. It is possible to avoid reception of a reactive force to the ink receiving parts at one time when rotating and attaching the tank, and to achieve stable attachment while suppressing excessive inclination of the tank at the time of attachment.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead assembly includes an elongate ink supply body defining a plurality of ink supply channels; an elongate cradle member defining a plurality of rows of apertures, the elongate cradle member being fastened to the elongate ink supply body to communicate ink within the ink supply channels through respective ones of said rows of apertures; and a plurality of printhead segments each having a carrier defining a plurality of rows of ink supply passages arranged in alignment with respective apertures of the cradle member, each printhead segment further having an elongate ink ejection printhead mounted to the carrier in fluid communication with the ink supply passages. Each carrier defines a complementary formation for mating serially with the cradle member.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus for recording an image by jetting inks in a plurality of colors includes a plurality of recording-head modules for jetting inks in the plurality of colors, and a carriage for mounting the plurality of recording-head modules, wherein each recording-head module includes a plurality of recording heads for jetting ink in the same color and constructs a unit capable of integrally attaching and detaching the plurality of recording heads to and from the carriage.

Abstract: An ink cartridge for an inkjet printer includes a bottom face and a front face; interfaces on the front face for connection to a cartridge receiving structure, the interfaces including an ink interface; a guide interface in the bottom face for guiding the cartridge along a straight line during insertion in the cartridge receiving structure for connecting the interfaces, where the guide interface comprises a guide track for guiding a T-rail guide of the cartridge receiving structure, said guide track extending parallel to said straight line; and a latch track and a latch strop disposed in the bottom face of the ink cartridge to guide and retain, respectively, a latch of the cartridge receiving structure. The guide track and the latch track are formed by one integral cut out in the bottom face of the cartridge.

Abstract: An ink tank that is detachably mountable to an inkjet printhead, the ink tank includes a first ink source including a first ink supply port; a second ink source including a second ink supply port, the second ink supply port being separated from the first supply ink port along a first direction; and a latch for securing the detachably mountable ink tank, wherein the latch extends from an exterior wall of the ink tank, and wherein the exterior wall is adjacent the second ink source and is not adjacent the first ink source.

Abstract: A printhead includes a printhead module and frame, and an alignment assembly including a base plate, locator plate, first set of locating elements, and coupling member. The locator plate, including through holes, is affixed with the base plate such that pockets are formed having a wall corresponding to a wall of one of the through holes and a base corresponding to a surface of the base plate. The first set of locating elements is positioned with an interference fit in one of the pockets. The walls of the pockets define positions of the first set of locating elements in a plane of the locator plate surface. The bases of the pockets define positions of the first set of locating elements in a direction normal to the base plate surface. The coupling member includes a second set of locating elements that contact the first set of locating elements.

Abstract: The ink jet recording method includes performing printing by depositing droplets of an ink composition ejected from the ink ejection nozzles on a recording medium transported in the direction perpendicular to the nozzle alignment direction in such a manner that the droplets ejected from at least one ink ejection nozzle located at an end of each of ink jet heads adjacent to each other in the direction perpendicular to the nozzle alignment direction are deposited one on the other. The volume of droplet ejected from the ink ejection nozzle at the end of the ink jet head is smaller than the volume of ink droplet ejected from each of the other ink ejection nozzles of the ink jet head, and the ink composition has a yield value of 0.50 to 2.00 mPa.

Abstract: A wide format printer that has a print zone, a media path more than 432 mm (17 inches) wide and extending through the print zone along a paper axis, a printhead carriage with a plurality of printhead mounting sites for mounting a plurality of printhead modules adjacent the print zone such that the printhead modules collectively span the media path, the printhead carriage having a long side extending transverse to the paper axis, the long side having access formations for ink conduits and a plurality of interfaces for connection to the ink conduits to supply ink to each of the printhead modules respectively. All ink for the plurality of printhead modules is supplied by ink conduits extending through the access formations on the long side of the printhead carriage.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a common array base member; and plural head modules each formed of a module base member and plural heads configured to discharge droplets arranged in an array on the module base member. The plural head modules are attached on the common array base member. The heads of at least two of the head modules discharge liquid droplets of the same color. The at least two of the head modules are positioned relative to a same reference point provided by a reference member on the common array base member.

Abstract: An ink tank provided with a supply port for supplying the ink contained therein and an electric contact for information transmission is smoothly and securely attached to an attachment section of a printing apparatus while achieving secure connection of an electric contact section at the same time. The ink tank is configured to be attachable to the attachment section by positioning a first engagement section at a first fitting section on the attachment section, and then by rotating the ink tank around the positioned first engagement section to lock a second engagement section to a second fitting section on the attachment section. The supply port and a positioning section for the contact are disposed on the bottom face of the ink tank so as to be on the respective two sides of the center line in the width direction of the ink tank therebetween.

Abstract: A cartridge comprises an ink supply structure, a terminal bearing structure, and a first restriction portion. The terminal bearing structure has terminals arranged in a terminal plane which is neither parallel nor perpendicular to a plane defined by a mounting direction leading edge of the ink supply structure, so that the contact portions of the terminals receive a force in a direction opposite from the mounting direction. An engagement portion of the first restriction portion is provided at a position adjacent to the terminal bearing structure.

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 cartridge includes a casing, a printing material containing portion, a printing material flow path and first and second insertion holes formed in a front face of the casing. A rod used for detection of the out-of-printing material state is inserted into the first insertion hole, and a printing material supply tube is inserted into the second insertion hole. The first insertion hole is located on the front face at a middle position between a first side face and a second side face of the casing.

Abstract: A micro-fluid ejection head has multiple ejection chips joined adjacently to create a lengthy array across a media to-be-imaged. The chips have fluid firing elements arranged to seamlessly stitch together fluid ejections from adjacent chips. Each chip aligns with other chips at peripheral regions having edge tolerances closer than elsewhere along the periphery. The tolerances result from both etching and dicing during chip singulation. Etching occurs at the areas of alignment. Dicing occurs elsewhere. Etching techniques include deep reactive ion etching or wet etching. It cuts a planar periphery through an entire thickness of the wafer. The etching may also occur simultaneously with etching a fluid via. Dicing techniques include blade, laser or ion beam. It cuts an entire remainder of the periphery connecting the portions already etched to free single chips from the wafer. Edge tolerances, planar shapes, dicing lines, etch patterns, and wafer layout provide still further embodiments.

Abstract: A print-head module for a single-pass inkjet printer is specified, which print-head module includes a housing, a hangar part which is fastened to the housing for hanging in a manner which is oriented in the direction of gravity, and a number of print heads which are arranged on the housing along a transverse direction which is perpendicular with respect to a running direction, wherein the print heads are positionally adjusted at least at one reference position. The print-head module can be exchanged simply and rapidly. Complicated re-adjustment on the single-pass inkjet printer can be dispensed with.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a first carriage having a recording head that ejects black liquid droplets and is movable in a main scanning direction, a second carriage having a recording head that ejects color liquid droplets and is detachably attachable to the first carriage to move in the main scanning direction together with the first carriage while attached to the first carriage, and a cap member that caps the recording head of the second carriage while the first carriage is moving with the second carriage separated from the first carriage. Attachment and detachment of the second carriage to and from the first carriage are performed within a scanning range through which the first carriage is movable.

Abstract: A system includes a mounting assembly to mount a printhead to a frame having a length in a first direction and a width in a second direction. The mounting assembly includes a fixed component affixed to the frame and a movable component that can move relative to the fixed component. A first pair of flexures connects a first end of the fixed component to a first end of the movable component, and a first adjustment mechanism is positioned at the first end. A second pair of flexures connects a second end of the fixed component to a second end of the movable component, and a second adjustment mechanism is positioned at the second end. A connector couples the mounting assembly to the printhead such that movement of the movable component imparts movement to the printhead. The first adjustment mechanism and the second adjustment mechanism can be operated individually or together.

Abstract: A printhead module for a wide format pagewidth inkjet printer comprises a carrier mountable on a chassis, said carrier being configured for abutment with a carrier of an adjacent printhead module; at least one printhead integrated circuit mounted on the carrier, said at least one printhead integrated circuit including a plurality of ink ejection nozzles and drive circuitry for driving actuators in the ink ejection nozzles; and a connection zone defined in the carrier for electrically connecting said at least one printhead integrated circuit to control circuitry. The ink ejection nozzles are supplied with ink from an ink distribution arrangement, and the printhead module is removably mounted to the ink distribution arrangement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cartridge for ink-jet printer, comprising a cartridge body, a protective cover moving relatively to the cartridge body under pressure and a detection mechanism for cartridge and remaining ink volume, wherein the detection mechanism for cartridge and remaining ink volume includes the first and second detecting members respectively matching to the first and second sensors on the printer as well as a soft support cap set on the cartridge body and communicating to the ink storage chamber, of which the said second detecting member includes a movable lever, a fixed shaft set on the cartridge body, and a position adjustment member for the movable lever set on the protective cover. The said movable lever is connected with the rotating shaft of the cartridge body through the fixed shaft.

Abstract: In an example this disclosure relates to printhead modules arranged to move with respect to each other.

Abstract: A head array unit includes plural heads that discharge liquid droplets; a head supporting member on which the plural heads are disposed; and intermediate members, fixed to the head supporting member, having positioning reference parts configured to position the heads, wherein the heads are mounted on the intermediate members detachably from an opposite side of the intermediate members with respect to the head supporting member.

Abstract: An attachment is mountable on a carriage in place of a liquid container that contains liquid and that is mounted on the carriage having a liquid jet head for jetting liquid, so that the attachment can supply liquid introduced from outside to the liquid jet head. The attachment has a pressure control means provided in a flow passage which is formed in an attachment body and through which the liquid introduced from the outside is supplied to the liquid jet head.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method retain a print unit in a dock with a retainer that is at least partially below a top of a fluid supply of the print unit.

Abstract: A ceramic printed circuit board (PCB) and an inkjet printhead assembly using the ceramic PCB. A ceramic PCB in which a plurality of layers are stacked includes a plurality of terminals to receive an electric signal from an external source, a plurality of circuit patterns connected to the plurality of terminals to transmit the electric signal, and a termination resistor having a predetermined thickness disposed between the plurality of circuit patterns, wherein the termination resistor is mounted between the plurality of stacked layers.

Abstract: A micro-fluid ejection head has multiple ejection chips joined adjacently to create a lengthy array across a media to-be-imaged. The chips have fluid firing elements arranged along multiple fluid vias skewed variously to enable seamless stitching of fluid ejections. The firing elements are energized to eject fluid and individual ones are spaced according to colors or fluid types. Overlapping firing elements serve redundancy efforts during imaging for reliable print quality. Variable chips sizes and shapes, including chevrons, are disclosed as are relationships between differently colored fluid vias. Skew angles range variously each with noted advantages. Singulating chips from larger wafers provide still further embodiments as does increased usage of the wafer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a latch for a liquid dispensing component includes: a first part for holding a liquid dispensing component in a seated position in a holder, the first part movable between an open position in which the component may be installed in or removed from the holder and a closed position in which the component is held in the seated position in the holder; and a second part for connecting the component to a liquid supply port, the second part movable, while the first part is in the closed position, between a disconnected position in which the component is not connected to the liquid supply port and a connected position in which the component is connected to the liquid supply port.

Abstract: A fluid cartridge for a fluid-jet precision-dispensing device includes a supply of fluid, a fluid interconnect element, and a feature. The fluid interconnect element establishes a fluid interconnection with a corresponding fluid interconnect element of a bracket upon mating of the fluid cartridge with the bracket. The fluid interconnection permits the fluid from the fluid cartridge to be supplied to the bracket. The feature is adapted to physically clear riser surfaces of the bracket upon mating of the fluid cartridge with the bracket so that the fluid cartridge properly mates with the bracket. The riser surfaces of the bracket at least substantially reduce a likelihood of damage to the corresponding fluid interconnect element by the fluid cartridge during mating of the fluid cartridge with the bracket.

Abstract: A universal inkjet cartridge usable in an inkjet printer the inkjet cartridge having an inkjet tank, the inkjet tank storing ink and having an upper surface and a lower surface is disclosed. Mounted on the lower surface are configurable color identification tabs and mounted on the upper surface are printer identification fins, the configurable color identification tabs are configured to allow the universal inkjet cartridge to be used in multiple inkjet cartridge locations within the inkjet printer identified by the printer identification fins.

Abstract: A cartridge comprises an ink supply structure, a terminal bearing structure, and a first restriction portion. The terminal bearing structure has terminals arranged in a terminal plane which is neither parallel nor perpendicular to a plane defined by a mounting direction leading edge of the ink supply structure, so that the contact portions of the terminals receive a force in a direction opposite from the mounting direction. An engagement portion of the first restriction portion is provided at a position adjacent to the terminal bearing structure.

Abstract: A printhead is provided having an assembly of printhead modules. Each printhead module has a support defining fluid chambers, a fluid distributor on the support, and an integrated circuit on the distributor so that fluid in the chambers is distributed to the fluid ejection nozzles of the integrated circuit by the distributor. The support and distributor of each printhead module are shaped to define complementary formations on opposite sides of that printhead module so that the printhead modules are mated together in an angled fashion with the integrated circuits of the mated printhead modules abutting together and diagonally overlapping to define at least one row of fluid ejection nozzles of the printhead.

Abstract: A printhead assembly extending in pagewidth direction includes an elongate support beam; an elongate shell at least partially enclosing and restraining the support beam; and a plurality of printhead integrated circuits mounted to the support beam and substantially aligned with one another in the pagewidth direction. The support beam has formed therein at least one printing fluid reservoir arranged in fluid communication with the plurality of printhead integrated circuits.

Abstract: A cradle unit for receiving a printer cartridge unit includes a printed circuit board (PCB) on which a print engine controller for controlling a printhead of the printer cartridge unit is provided, the PCB having a row of electrical contacts; a cover assembly movable between a closed position where the printer cartridge unit is mechanically secured in the cradle unit, and an opened position where removal of the printer cartridge unit from the cradle unit is facilitated; a pair of arms for supporting the PCB therebetween, each of the pair of arms having a grooved portion; and a pair of tension springs, one end of each tension spring being engaged with the grooved portion of respective arms, and another end of each tension spring being engaged with the cover assembly. The cover assembly, pair of arms, and tension springs are configured to bias the row of electrical contacts into electrical contact with the printer cartridge when the cover assembly is moved from the opened position to the closed position.

Abstract: A head attachment member, in which a plurality of liquid ejection heads is attached with respect to a support drum for supporting an ejection-receiving medium, includes a plurality of head attachment parts each having a first attachment surface to which head groups are attached with the head groups each including the liquid ejection heads, and a base part having second attachment surfaces to which the head attachment parts are attached. The second attachment surfaces each having a different tilt angle. Each of the first attachment surfaces is arranged to be parallel to a tangent line which is tangent to a peripheral surface of the support drum at an intersection point of a line segment which connects the center of the support drum and the center on the first attachment surfaces between the head groups attached to the first attachment surfaces. The second attachment surfaces are integrally and continuously formed.

Abstract: A printhead assembly is disclosed. The printhead assembly includes at least one printhead module having at least two printhead integrated circuits, a drive electronics part incorporating at least one controller 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. The casing part incorporates a clamping arrangement for removably clamping the at least one printhead module to the casing part. The clamping arrangement allows movement of the at least one printhead module relative to the casing during operation of the printhead assembly.

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 printing method includes applying at least one of a plurality of pigmented colored inks to a receiving surface. A colorless ink is applied to the receiving surface. A majority of the colorless ink is ejected from of first nozzles on a printhead used for ejecting the colorless ink. At least 30% of an area on the receiving surface, which is passed over by the first nozzles, is covered with the colorless ink during a single pass of the printhead over the area.

Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a recording element substrate having a plurality of discharge ports for discharging liquid, and a plurality of recording elements for generating energy to discharge liquid, and an electric wiring substrate electrically connecting the recording element substrate and a driving circuit substrate having a circuit for driving the plurality of recording elements, the electric wiring substrate having a plurality of first electrical contact groups including a plurality of electrical contacts, for electrically connecting with the driving circuit substrate, provided along a disposed direction in which the plurality of discharge ports are disposed. The plurality of first electrical contact groups are detachably attached to a plurality of second electrical contact groups electrically connected with the driving circuit substrate, such that adjacent first electrical contact groups do not overlap each other in the disposed direction and in a direction orthogonal to the disposed direction.

Abstract: A printhead die that includes first and second slots through the die for feeding a same liquid, the slots offset from each other along two axes. The die has a first nozzle package adjacent one side of the first slot and extending toward the second slot along the minor axis. The die includes a second nozzle package adjacent an opposite side of the second slot and extending toward the first slot along the minor axis. The first and second nozzle packages each have a slanted corner profile.

Abstract: The present invention relates to measures for preventing end deviation that may occur during high-duty printing such as one-pass printing, and in particular, to measures for preventing density unevenness (white stripes) in the case of ink with a low lightness such as black ink. According to the present invention, the amount of black ink ejected through the corresponding ejection ports is set to be larger than that of color ink ejected through the corresponding ejection ports. Two black ink ejection chips each having at least one black ink ejection port row are arranged on the respective sides of a color ink ejection chip.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead includes multiple head modules and a mount base. The multiple head modules each includes a laminate unit containing a nozzle to eject ink in droplets and an ink chamber in fluid communication with the nozzle. The multiple head modules are mounted on the mount base. The mount base defines a first contact surface facing a first direction in which the ink is ejected. Each laminate unit defines a second contact surface facing a second direction opposite to the first direction. The first and second contact surfaces are held in contact with each other to position each head module in the mount base.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes at least one liquid ejecting head having a nozzle surface formed with a nozzle array which is operable to eject liquid toward a target medium and extends in a first direction, a reference surface perpendicular to the nozzle surface, and two correctors arranged side by side with a predetermined distance and brought into contact with the reference surface.

Abstract: A modular printhead assembly includes an elongate chassis; an elongate ink reservoir assembly mounted on the chassis and defining a plurality of distinct elongate ink supply channels; a plurality of printhead modules serially arranged along and releasably engaged with the ink reservoir, each printhead module having ink chambers in fluid communication with respective distinct supply channels; and a plurality of spaced apart sets of tubular filling formations serially arranged along the elongate ink reservoir, each filling formation of a set being in fluid communication with one distinct ink supply channel.

Abstract: An ink supply device includes a cartridge mounting portion to which an ink cartridge is configured to be mounted, a first detector configured to detect a first detection target portion of the ink cartridge and to output first detection information when the first detector detects the first detection target portion, a second detector configured to detect a second detection target portion of the ink cartridge and to output second detection information when the second detector detects the second detection target portion, and a controller configured to perform a first determination process of determining a type of the ink cartridge based on a temporal precedence between a time at which the first detector begins outputting the first detection information and a time at which the second detector begins outputting the second detection information during insertion of the ink cartridge into the cartridge mounting portion in an insertion direction.

Abstract: A printhead assembly includes a plurality of inkjet ejector arrays having corresponding ink receptacles. Each inkjet array is formed from a plurality of inkjet stack layers that are bonded to a single aperture layer, and the inkjet arrays are positioned with a predetermined alignment about a curved image receiving surface.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a carriage guide including a carriage guide direction; an inkjet nozzle array that is movable back and forth along the carriage guide direction; an ink tank for providing ink to the inkjet nozzle array; and a holding receptacle for the ink tank, the holding receptacle includes a base surface for supporting the ink supply, the base surface including a first end and a second end that is opposite the first end; a latch including a latching member proximate the first end of the base surface for retaining the ink tank in the holding receptacle; and a wall that includes an ink inlet port configured to receive ink from the ink tank, wherein the wall is proximate the second end of the base surface.

Abstract: An ink manifold constructed with a number of semiconductor tiles which are fastened end to end on a rigid base member to form a page wide print mechanism. Each tile is constructed with ink channels on one side in liquid communication with ink outlet ports on the opposite side. The ink channels carry ink from ports in the base member to the outlet ports of the tiles. The interface between each tile defines a boundary. An inkjet printhead is fastened over each boundary of the tiled manifold so that the ink inlet ports of the printhead are aligned with the ink outlet ports of the underlying tiles. No ink passes across the boundary of the adjacent manifold tiles. The fabrication of the individual tiles from a semiconductor wafer facilitates usage of the wafer when fabricating page wide print mechanisms.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a main body casing, a cover configured to be openable and closable with respect to the main body casing, a sensing unit configured to sense an opening-closing operation of the cover, a forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet, a detecting unit configured to perform a detecting operation to detect a deviation of an image forming position of the image to be formed by the forming unit, an accepting unit configured to accept a print request, and a control unit configured to control the detecting unit to perform the detecting operation in response to the print request being accepted when the sensing unit senses an opening-closing operation of the cover after execution of a previous detecting operation, and thereafter to control the forming unit to form the image in the image forming position corrected to cancel the deviation detected in the detecting operation.