Printer Incorporating a Printhead and Removable Cartridge at a Common End

• US 20070285487A1
• Filed: 04/25/2007
• Published: 12/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia
• Granted Patent: US 8,052,275 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 347/104
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/01 Ink jet
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 1/08 using electric transmission ; transformation of alarm signals to electrical signals from a different medium, e.g. transmission of an electric alarm signal upon detection of an audible alarm signal
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0969 having a display in the form of a map

Abstract

A printer includes a body defining an internal cartridge docking space. A static pagewidth printhead extends across an end of the body and is configured to print upon print media. A removable printer cartridge stores a stack of print media and defines an ink supply reservoir. The printer cartridge is configured to be removed from and inserted into the docking space at the end of the body so that the printhead can be engaged in fluid communication with the ink supply reservoir. A feed mechanism is configured to feed print media from the stack and in line with the printhead during printing.

Claims

1. A printer comprising:

a body defining an internal cartridge docking space;

a static pagewidth printhead extending across an end of the body and configured to print upon print media;

a removable printer cartridge for storing a stack of print media and defining an ink supply reservoir, the printer cartridge being configured to be inserted into the docking space at the end of the body so that the printhead can be engaged in fluid communication with the ink supply reservoir; and

a feed mechanism configured to feed print media from the stack and in line with the printhead during printing.

2. A printer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cartridge has a pair of toothed racks extending longitudinally on opposite sides of the printer cartridge and the printer includes:

an axle rotationally mounted to the body; and

a pair of cogs mounted at either end of the axle to engage with respective racks during insertion and removal of the cartridge from the docking space so that skewing of the cartridge is impeded.

3. A printer as claimed in claim 2, wherein the feed mechanism comprises:

a drive motor mounted to the body;

a gear train coupled to the drive motor; and

a pick up roller which can engage the gear train to pick up print media from the stack during printing.

4. A printer as claimed in claim 3, wherein the gear train can engage at least one of the cogs during insertion and removal of the cartridge from the docking space.

5. A printer as claimed in claim 3, wherein the cartridge defines a pair of spaced openings at an edge of the cartridge to enable the pick up roller to pick up an endmost sheet of print media from the stack.

6. A printer as claimed in claim 5, wherein the cartridge has a platen upon which the stack rests and which defines a plurality of leaf springs to facilitate compression of the stack within the cartridge.

7. A printer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ink supply reservoir has an ink supply molding defining a plurality of parallel ink supply channels for storing respective types of ink.

8. A printer as claimed in claim 7, wherein the ink supply reservoir includes a plurality of ink outlets in fluid communication with respective ink supply channels, each ink outlet being in the form of a seal which can be ruptured.