Unitary latching device for secure positioning of print cartridge during printing, priming and replenishment
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An inkjet printing system comprising:
- a printer frame;
a carriage on said frame;
a platen located under said carriage to define a print zone for holding media;
at least one print cartridge removably mounted on said carriage and having an electrical interconnect for receiving control signals and a fluid interconnect for receiving printing fluid from an external supply; and
a latching device on said carriage and movable between an open position allowing said at least one print cartridge to be installed on said carriage or to be removed from said carriage, and a closed position preventing manual interference with said at least one print cartridge during a printing operation as well as securely holding said electrical interconnect and said fluid interconnect in their respective predetermined positions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A unitary latching device moves between an open position allowing individual inkjet print cartridges to be installed or replaced and a closed position securely positioning a plurality of print cartridges in a carriage during printing, replenishing and servicing modes.
45 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An inkjet printing system comprising:
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a printer frame;
a carriage on said frame;
a platen located under said carriage to define a print zone for holding media;
at least one print cartridge removably mounted on said carriage and having an electrical interconnect for receiving control signals and a fluid interconnect for receiving printing fluid from an external supply; and
a latching device on said carriage and movable between an open position allowing said at least one print cartridge to be installed on said carriage or to be removed from said carriage, and a closed position preventing manual interference with said at least one print cartridge during a printing operation as well as securely holding said electrical interconnect and said fluid interconnect in their respective predetermined positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An inkjet printing system comprising:
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a printer frame;
a carriage on said frame and having multiple circuit pads and an ink supply conduit;
a platen located under said carriage to define a print zone for holding media;
a support member on said frame for slidably mounting said carriage for movement from said print zone to a service zone;
a plurality of print cartridges removably mounted on said carriage and each having an electrical interconnect and a fluid replenishment interconnect; and
a latching device movable by manual manipulation between an open position and a closed position, said open position allowing removal and installation of said print cartridges in said carriage, and said closed position providing secure positioning of said print cartridges in said carriage to hold said electrical interconnect in conductive engagement with said multiple circuit pads and to hold said replenishment interconnect in fluidic communication with said ink supply conduit. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of inkjet printing comprising:
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providing one or more printheads with an ink reservoir and a replenishment valve for said reservoir;
providing an electrical interconnect on each of the printheads;
providing a carriage with an ink supply connection and a control signal interface;
removably mounting each of said printheads on said carriage with said electrical interconnect in conductive engagement with said sign interface and with said replenishment valve in fluidic engagement with said ink supply connection; and
moving a latch device from an open position allowing installation and removal of any one of the printheads from the carriage to a closed position holding the electrical interconnect in said conductive engagement and holding said replenishment valve in said fluidic engagement;
providing liquid ink for the ink supply connection; and
passing the liquid ink through said replenishment valve into the ink reservoir during a printing operation while the latch device is in the closed position.
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Specification