Cartridge for a printing device

• US 6,883,910 B2
• Filed: 08/08/2003
• Issued: 04/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: King, Tobin Allen, Silverbrook, Kia
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Anh T. N.
• Application Number:
  US10/636,195
• Publication Number:
  US 20040032471A1
• Time in Patent Office: 627 Days
• Field of Search: 347/2, 347/86, 347/104, 347/108, 400/680, 400/691, 400/692, 400/693
• US Class Current: 347/104
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/28 responding to control signals received from the game device for affecting ambient conditions, e.g. for vibrating players' seats, activating scent dispensers or affecting temperature or light controlling the output signals based on the game progress A63F13/50
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/655 by importing photos, e.g. of the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/85 Providing additional services to players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1031 using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth, infrared connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/202 the game platform being a DVD player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/206 Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/302 specially adapted for receiving control signals not targeted to a display device or game input means, e.g. vibrating driver's seat, scent dispenser
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/57 details of game services offered to the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/695 Imported photos, e.g. of the player
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/00 Devices or arrangements of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, specially adapted for supporting or handling copy material in short lengths, e.g. sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/103 for the sheet feeding section
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/01 Ink jet
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17503 Ink cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17553 Outer structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/026 Stackable
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/36 for portability , i.e. hand-held printers or laptop printers B41J3/4075 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/445 : Printers integrated in other types of apparatus, e.g. printers integrated in cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 : External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/21 : Combinations with auxiliary equipment, e.g. with clocks or memoranda pads
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 : User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 : Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0063 : Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 : Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence

Abstract

A cartridge for insertion into a digital printing device, preferably, a drop-on-demand ink jet printing device, includes a casing having a first portion for housing a supply of print media. A print media exit opening is arranged in the first portion of the casing. A print media transport mechanism is arranged at least partially within the first portion of the casing. The mechanism is disposed upon operation to pick up and drive a predetermined amount of the print media through the exit opening to be fed to a print head of the printing device. A leading edge of the print media, when the printing device is inoperative, rests on the transport mechanism.

Claims

1. A cartridge for insertion into a printing device, said cartridge including

a casing having

a first portion adapted to house therein a supply of cut sheet print media and

a second portion, including a plurality of chambers, each adapted to store a supply of ink,

the casing including at least one wall that defines part of each of the chambers and part of the first portion;

a print media exit opening arranged in said first portion of the casing; and

a pickup roller assembly arranged at least partially within said first portion of the casing and being disposed upon operation to pick up and drive a sheet of said print media through said exit opening.

2. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein first portion is located over at least part of the chambers.

3. The cartridge of claim 2 wherein each of chamber has a section that extends beyond a transverse side of the first portion.

4. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the first portion has a base and the wall is the at least part of the base.

5. The cartridge according to claim 1 wherein each chamber has an ink outlet closed with a pierceable seal.

6. The cartridge according to claim 1 wherein each of chamber has a section that extends a side of the first portion and that includes an ink outlet closed with a pierceable seal.

7. The cartridge according to claim 6 wherein each ink outlet is in the form of a nozzle adapted to connect with a corresponding ink connection means provided on the printed device with which the cartridge is to be used.

8. A cartridge according to claim 1 wherein the ink storage portion is defined at least in part by a collapsible membrane.

9. A cartridge according to claim 1 wherein said pick up roller assembly includes:

a drive shaft, pick up rollers rigidly connected with said drive shaft; and

a drive gear, said shaft and roller being captively supported within said first portion of the casing.

10. A cartridge according to claim 9 wherein said drive gear extends at least partially external of the casing to engage a powered corresponding gear provided on the printing device with which the cartridge is to be used.

11. A cartridge according to claim 9 wherein the drive gear is able to engage a powered corresponding gear provided on the printing device by means of an aperture provided on said casing.

12. A cartridge according to claim 1 wherein the casing includes a first print media storage molding, a second ink storage molding and an intermediate molding that serves to complete and enclose said print media and ink storage moldings, whilst simultaneously interconnecting the two.

13. A cartridge according to claim 1 which includes a shielding means arranged in said first portion of the casing adjacent the exit opening for assisting in the supply of print media to said printing device.