Inkjet printer incorporating an ink transfer roller
First Claim
1. An inkjet printer which comprisesa support structure;
- an ink reservoir arrangement mounted on the support structure;
an array of printhead chips defining a stationary pagewidth printhead mounted on the ink reservoir arrangement to receive ink from the ink reservoir arrangement, a sealing arrangement being defined about the array;
an ink transfer roller that is rotatably mounted on the support structure operatively with respect to the array of printhead chips so that the printhead chips can carry out a printing operation on the transfer roller as the transfer roller rotates;
a retaining mechanism that is mounted on the support structure to bear against the ink transfer roller, a sheet of print medium being receivable between the retaining mechanism and the transfer roller so that ink printed on the transfer roller is transferred to the sheet of print medium as the transfer roller rotates; and
a feed mechanism mounted on the support structure for feeding the sheet of print medium between the ink transfer roller and the retaining mechanism,wherein the ink reservoir arrangement is operatively arranged to, during a printing operation, maintain a spaced relationship of the array of printhead chips and the transfer roller, and, during a non-printing operation, place the array of printhead chips against the transfer roller so that the printhead chips are sealed by the sealing arrangement and transfer roller.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An inkjet printer includes a support structure. An ink reservoir arrangement is mounted on the support structure. An array of printhead chips is mounted on the ink reservoir arrangement to receive ink from the ink reservoir arrangement. An ink transfer roller is rotatably mounted on the support structure operatively with respect to the array of printhead chips so that the printhead chips can carry out a printing operation on the transfer roller. A retaining mechanism is mounted on the support structure to bear against the ink transfer roller. A sheet of print medium is receivable between the retaining mechanism and the transfer roller so that ink printed on the transfer roller is transferred to the sheet of print medium. A feed mechanism feeds the sheet of print medium between the ink transfer roller and the retaining mechanism.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. An inkjet printer which comprises
a support structure; -
an ink reservoir arrangement mounted on the support structure; an array of printhead chips defining a stationary pagewidth printhead mounted on the ink reservoir arrangement to receive ink from the ink reservoir arrangement, a sealing arrangement being defined about the array; an ink transfer roller that is rotatably mounted on the support structure operatively with respect to the array of printhead chips so that the printhead chips can carry out a printing operation on the transfer roller as the transfer roller rotates; a retaining mechanism that is mounted on the support structure to bear against the ink transfer roller, a sheet of print medium being receivable between the retaining mechanism and the transfer roller so that ink printed on the transfer roller is transferred to the sheet of print medium as the transfer roller rotates; and a feed mechanism mounted on the support structure for feeding the sheet of print medium between the ink transfer roller and the retaining mechanism, wherein the ink reservoir arrangement is operatively arranged to, during a printing operation, maintain a spaced relationship of the array of printhead chips and the transfer roller, and, during a non-printing operation, place the array of printhead chips against the transfer roller so that the printhead chips are sealed by the sealing arrangement and transfer roller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An inkjet printer which comprises
a support structure; -
a pair of opposed ink reservoir arrangements mounted on the support structure; an array of printhead chips mounted on each ink reservoir arrangement to receive ink from the ink reservoir arrangement and so as to define a stationary pagewidth printhead on each ink reservoir arrangement, a sealing arrangement be inn defined about each array; a pair of ink transfer rollers that is rotatably mounted on the support structure, each ink transfer roller being positioned adjacent one respective array of printhead chips so that the printhead chips can carry out a printing operation on the transfer rollers as the transfer rollers rotate, the transfer rollers being positioned to bear against each other, a sheet of print medium being receivable between the transfer rollers so that ink printed on the transfer rollers is transferred to both sides of the sheet of print medium as the transfer rollers rotate; and a feed mechanism for feeding the sheet of print medium between the ink transfer rollers, wherein each ink reservoir arrangement is operatively arranged to, during a printing operation, maintain a spaced relationship of the associated array of printhead chips and transfer roller, and, during a non-printing operation, place said associated array of printhead chips against said transfer roller so that the printhead chips are sealed by the associated sealing arrangement and transfer roller.
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Specification