Compact media and ink cartridge for inkjet printhead

• US 7,086,724 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2005
• Issued: 08/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Zamtec Limited (Memjet Limited)
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Anh T. N.
• Application Number:
  US11/144,805
• Publication Number:
  US 20050219334A1
• Time in Patent Office: 428 Days
• Field of Search: 347/40, 347/42, 347/43, 347/85, 347/86, 347/87, 347/102, 347/108, 400/207, 400/214, 400/242, 400/613
• US Class Current: 347/86
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 15/044 Cassettes or cartridges containing continuous copy material, tape, for setting into printing devices
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16585 for paper-width or non-reciprocating print heads
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/175 Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1752 Mounting within the printer
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17553 Outer structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17596 Ink pumps, ink valves
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2202/21 Line printing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/79 in semiconductor storage media, e.g. directly-addressable memories
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/86 Secure or tamper-resistant housings
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2129 Authenticate client device independently of the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 1/121 by printing code marks applying code marks to labels B65C9/46; marking or coding completed packages B65B61/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 multi-dimensional coding
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/14 using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light G06K7/10831 - G06K7/1097 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1417 2D bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/08 by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means without personal verification means G07F7/02
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/086 by passive credit-cards adapted therefor, e.g. constructive particularities to avoid counterfeiting, e.g. by inclusion of a physical or chemical security-layer for security documents G07D7/00; for the reading of record-carriers in general G06K7/00; for the design of coded credit-cards G06K19/10
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/12 Card verification
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 11/56 using storage elements with more than two stable states represented by steps, e.g. of voltage, current, phase, frequency
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0044 for image preview or review, e.g. to help the user position a sheet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2112 : using still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2154 : the still video camera incorporating a hardcopy reproducing device, e.g. a printer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 : Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/00 : Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/2628 : Alteration of picture size, shape, position or orientation, e.g. zooming, rotation, rolling, perspective, translation

Abstract

A cartridge is provided for supplying print media and ink to an inkjet printhead with which the cartridge is engaged. The cartridge comprises a casing, a core rotatably mounted inside the casing, an ink supply inside the core, a roll of print media supported by the core, and a transport mechanism mounted inside the casing for transporting the print media from the roll of print media to the printhead by rotating the core. The casing is substantially congruent to the arrangement of the transport mechanism and the roll of print media, when full, so as to provide a compact cartridge.

Claims

1. A cartridge for supplying print media and ink to an inkjet printhead with which the cartridge is engaged, the cartridge comprising:

a casing;

a core rotatably mounted inside the casing;

an ink supply inside the core;

a roll of print media supported by the core; and

a transport mechanism mounted inside the casing for transporting the print media from the roll of print media to the printhead by rotating the core, wherein the casing is substantially congruent to the arrangement of the transport mechanism and the roll of print media, when full.

2. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the core incorporates an ink outlet at one end thereof arranged to establish fluid communication between the ink supply and the printhead.

3. A cartridge according to claim 2, wherein:

the ink supply has a plurality of segments for storing different coloured inks; and

the ink outlet of the core incorporates an outlet for each segment.

4. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the transport mechanism incorporates a drive roller arranged to engage an external drive so as to be rotated and thereby transport the print media from the roll of print media to the printhead.

5. A cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the transport mechanism further incorporates a plurality of pinch rollers arranged with respect to the drive roller so that a de-curling force is imparted to the print media during transportation.

6. A cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the drive roller has a geared axle that extends beyond the casing for engagement with the external drive via a corresponding gear.

7. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the casing is formed of moldings that snap lock together so as to encase the roll of print media, the core, the ink supply and the transport mechanism, the moldings being configured so that an outlet is formed through which the print media is transported by the transport mechanism, in use.