Print Engine Incorporating A Print Roll Cartridge Storing Ink And Print Media

• US 20070188567A1
• Filed: 04/25/2007
• Published: 08/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia
• Granted Patent: US 7,572,003 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 347/85
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 11/706 using a cutting tool mounted on a reciprocating carrier
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 15/044 Cassettes or cartridges containing continuous copy material, tape, for setting into printing devices
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/01 Ink jet
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16 Production of nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16552 using cleaning fluids
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1752 Mounting within the printer
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17546 electronically
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17553 Outer structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/023 with reduced dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/13 Cases or covers
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/38 Drives, motors, controls or automatic cut-off devices for the entire printing mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/36 for portability , i.e. hand-held printers or laptop printers B41J3/4075 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/44 Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms having dual functions or combined with, or coupled to, apparatus performing other functions
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/445 Printers integrated in other types of apparatus, e.g. printers integrated in cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/46 Printing mechanisms combined with apparatus providing a visual indication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1696 the I/O peripheral being a printing or scanning device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/202 Air convective hinge
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/00 Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data , e.g. computer output printersprinting or plotting combined with another operation, e.g. with conveying, G06K17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2215/0082 : Architecture adapted for a particular function

Abstract

A print engine includes a print roll cartridge. The print roll cartridge includes a former that defines ink reservoirs for storing respective types of ink and bears a wound length of print media upon which the stored ink can be printed. The print roll cartridge defines a print media exit slot and includes a feed arrangement arranged to feed the print media through the exit slot. A printhead assembly includes an ink feed arrangement that defines ink feed galleries which can be connected in fluid communication with respective ink reservoirs. An elongate printhead is arranged relative to the ink feed arrangement to print ink fed from the ink feed galleries onto the print media fed through the exit slot.

Claims

1. A print engine comprising:

a print roll cartridge including a former defining ink reservoirs for storing respective types of ink and bearing a wound length of print media upon which the stored ink can be printed, the print roll cartridge defining a print media exit slot and including a feed arrangement arranged to feed the print media through the exit slot; and

a printhead assembly including an ink feed arrangement defining ink feed galleries which can be connected in fluid communication with respective ink reservoirs and an elongate printhead arranged relative to the ink feed arrangement to print ink fed from the ink feed galleries onto the print media fed through the exit slot.

2. A print engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the feed arrangement comprises three rotational rollers arranged to pinch the print media at two separate locations.

3. A print engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ink feed arrangement comprises:

a casing; and

a spine which can be received within the casing to define the ink feed galleries.

4. A print engine comprising:

a print roll cartridge including a former defining ink reservoirs for storing respective types of ink and bearing a wound length of print media upon which the stored ink can be printed, the print roll cartridge defining a print media exit slot and including a feed arrangement arranged to feed the print media through the exit slot;

a printhead assembly including an ink feed arrangement defining ink feed galleries which can be connected in fluid communication with respective ink reservoirs and an elongate printhead arranged relative to the ink feed arrangement to print ink fed from the ink feed galleries onto the print media fed through the exit slot; and

a motor assembly which can be coupled to the former and the feed arrangement to feed the print media through the exit slot.

5. A print engine as claimed in claim 4, wherein the motor assembly has a chassis defining ink supply channels for supplying ink from respective ink reservoirs to respective ink feed galleries.

6. A print engine comprising:

a print roll cartridge having a former defining ink reservoirs for storing respective types of ink and bearing a wound length of print media upon which the stored ink can be printed, the print roll cartridge defining a print media exit slot and having a feed arrangement arranged to feed the print media through the exit slot;

a printhead assembly having an ink feed arrangement defining ink feed galleries which can be connected in fluid communication with respective ink reservoirs and an elongate printhead arranged relative to the ink feed arrangement to print ink fed from the ink feed galleries onto the print media fed through the exit slot; and

a capping arrangement configured to cap the printhead.

7. A print engine as claimed in claim 6, wherein the capping arrangement includes:

a carrier defining a rib which can engage with the printhead; and

a displacement mechanism which can move the carrier so that the rib can be engaged and disengaged with the printhead.